"Jackson, you home?!" Harry's voice rang loudly and sent his eyes prying open. He jolted awake, but his body still very limp. The last thing he remembered was being at the anniversary party and now...he glanced around, he was in his bedroom, close to something really warm. He wiped the sleep off his face and opened his eyes wider, something was under these sheets, apart from him. It wriggled and exited soft moans. He pushed the sheet a little lower, it revealed Maria, his PA sound asleep as her face meets his chest.His bare open chest! He sprung up immediately and she opened her eyes too, the movement of the bed must have waked her.How on earth did he end up on this bed with his PA? He disregarded the question when Harry's deep-voiced words percolated through again, startling her more than he did him. He watched as she hurriedly sought composure, pushing down her hair and wiping her sleepy face, she definitely knew what happened."What? How?? You-" those were the words he could mak
Just one day of having Maria as his PA and articles like this already flew around, it wasn't unexpected in his line of profession, the only bewildering question was when she had time to draw such a conclusion. He drew down his curtains and closed the windows shut. It was raining outside, and the pitter-patter sound of the rain against his window made his head ache. Could it be a lie? Just another make-believe of low-budget journalists? The article spread like wildfire and was begging to get more response and attention than he expected. They've even had time to dig up pictures of him refusing to shake or hug ladies over the last decade, it was common courtesy for him, but instead, it added to their unreasonable conclusions. He kicked his flip-flops off, and jumping on his king-sized bed, he was swallowed by the velvet sheets, just as he loved it. Void of any disturbance, the thoughts in his head were the only thing he needed to curb—if they could be. He couldn't wait for Maria'
She had dropped on the bed like a dead body as soon as she got to her apartment. It was a nerve-wracking day. First, the actors she held dear turned out to be complete nutjobs, then her boss got drunk and she pulled him all the way home, then the drunk blockhead pulled her into bed with him, making her faint heart skip several beats. She couldn't believe how little it took for her to fall asleep next to him. She had to be losing determination for that to have happened. She could have easily broken free from his embrace and stinky breath, she thought then wondered why she didn't. It was a compromising situation and it could have happened to anyone, Maria concluded, kicking her shoes off.She had ordered a mini pizza on her way home, now she just had to sit and not overthink. She, however, failed. Maria had a trait of overly analyzing her every move and criticizing the things she did that can't be undone. Growing up with the mindset that all things had to fall in place, this trait of
Words couldn't be scarier. Having something for someone 'in mind' could mean anything. It could be equivalent to 'i'd ruin your life' or 'i'd make you suffer!' Words, sentences swarmed her mind but her face remained straight and posture unyielding. She made a big mistake tonight and that's okay, or was it? She had 'accidentally' flirted with her boss after falling asleep next to him, what a preposterous story. "Uh...okay." She hummed fiddling with her fingers."You may leave." His voice from menacing to stern and emotionless, he said to her and she stared like it was an alien language. This again is completely against her will."Uh-uh.""Or you wanna stay the night?" Yikes, no! She screeched, but internally. She would have termed his response sarcasm if he didn't have a devilish grin plastered on his damningly good-looking face. Why did she have to notice that at such a crucial and uncomfortable moment?"Yes, boss." She turned to leave, still dripping wet, but hot nonetheless. "9
Maria had never choked on her saliva just as she did when Harry asked her to dinner. Was it a work-official dinner or a date dinner where she could freely talk about the things she liked? Thousands of questions ran through her mind, till she heard her name being called by someone."Maria?" In a question-like voice, Harry called out looking confused. Oh shoot, she still stood before him. "It's okay if you don't want to, I just-""No, no," That wasn't it in the slightest. If only he knew how satisfying his asking her was. "I'd love to. Do you have a place in mind?" She politely asked."Not yet...I was thinking if you'd agree to come over to my place. I-uh...cook a lot, I could make you something."Choke. She choked again on her saliva, it felt like a battle in her throat.Okay, this was clearly a DATE-date, and as much as Maria wanted to avoid those kinds of dates, she didn't feel like she should let go of this one. "Uh, sure. I'd love to, text me your address." Happy, co
There was something about this woman that was intriguing. Was it her boldness or how she readily tried to hurt his pride, or how she always defied him? That brief moment of nerfed intimacy he had with her didn't cease to taunt him, perhaps because it's been a while since he'd been that close to a lady. It was...fast and confusing and if there was anything he was sure of, it was that he hated it. Jackson was scared of a change in plans, in routines. A little tweak in programs that had already been set in place could shatter him completely. What he needed now was a hot bath, dinner, and sleep—a long nightmare-free slumber. Earlier today, he had received a notification from his father compelling him to visit and a warning of the dire consequences that followed if he didn't. Jackson's true nature was defiance and pride but towards this man, all he felt was faint cold fear. Never has he once underestimated his ability to pull strings—his father, in other words, was the puppeteer
Her legs were numb and her body tired from the day's activities, the fun parts, and the parts that she was too complicated to be talked or thought about, at least not until she was freshened up and wrapped up in a blanket on her warm cozy bed. That period of introspection was something everyone needed, that time when you carry out personal criticisms and calculations about what really matters. The ride seemed longer than she expected. Not only was it longer, but it also bore with it two depressing messages from Jackson, just a few moments away from each other. The first— an invitation to somewhere she was unsure of, while the second was a message of urgency, she could feel the rush in the text after counting the exclamation marks that ended it.Only God knows what he wanted this time, she has asked for a day off. Like a halo, her thoughts were afloat in her head, churning and turning with the need to be attended to. It's been just a short while here yet so eventful, she kept feeling
The D- day. It's been what? A year or two since he last saw his father, now he had to do it today and successfully hold back the emotions rooted deep in his heart. He had to smile, nod, and answer unsolicited questions just to protect that particular person—his mother. His bed seemed to swallow him deeper at that moment, making it even harder for him to get out of it. He hoped he could just lay there as time passed, registering in his head that nothing really mattered and that his life was his. Not the world's, not his father's, not America's, not ACE's, His. But that was too farfetched, it shouldn't be, he was only human after all.Was inviting Maria with him cowardice? It, indeed, was. A part of him was scared of the unfamiliarity or hostility that he'd be met with, he needed a familiar face to create a balance for the short period he was going to spend there. And he knows for sure her presence would piss off the old weasel. Anything he could to make a dent in his emotion
*FINAL CHAPTER*"I found the pills, and- and I don't know what to say," she broke down and started to cry. "After all these while, you still take them? I thought you were done! I thought you were clean! God... it's been six months and you kept lying to me! You lied to me!"She watched him wince and he sought the right words to say. He crumbled before her. He looked like the ghost of his former self."Why do you keep going back? After rehab! After the therapy sessions, why do you keep going back!?" She yelled, frantic. Her terror was built up by the moment."Because no one understands!" He yelled back. "No matter how hard I try to be me, no matter how hard I try to stop, I keep finding my way back to it! I was clean! Till I wasn't. I tried! I tried and tried but there was nothing to help me get through it""But I am here-""No, not like that. I know but not that like that, okay?" He threw the cup on the table across the wall and grabbed his head, pulling and thugging at his hair, "Wha
Jackson- Jackson had been hit. She chanted in her head, it replayed over and over. The image of him struggling with Andrew, that was the last thing she remembered before the world fell into a threatening silence. Her eyes slowly opened to a blinding glow of light. She shut them back because they hurt. Maria tried again and opened her eyes slowly this time. It took a while to overpower the headache and realize that she was in a hospital, and next to her was Jackson, fast asleep with half his body on the bed and the lower half on the chair that was next to the bed.She would have shouted if her throat didn't feel clogged. Jackson was next to her. What had happened? It felt as though it's been months till she last saw him. Maria squirmed lightly, shaking the bed a little to wake him up. She needed to know what had happened. Everything felt like a threat."Jackson, Jackson," she called out slowly and when he didn't answer, she could feel her eyes begin to water, "Jackson, please wake up.
On his phone's screen was a picture of Maria unconscious and with a nasty injury on her head. He was still at Harry's when he received the picture. He had been shocked beyond word, and Harry had to squeeze the phone out of his hands to know the reason for his shock. The message came with an instruction of confidentiality and an address he was asked to come discreetly without company, if he did anything out of place, she would be badly hurt. If the shock hadn't been obvious on his face, Jackson would have thought going alone was the best option. He couldn't stand the thought of something bad happening to her. She had been through enough already. It's been long since Jackson experienced such crippling anxiety. It was as though every nerve in his body worked at a faster pace and then took a downward spiral at intervals. This was bad. It was really bad. He never should have left her, clearly, he underestimated Andrew. This has to be his doing, it wasn't traceable to anyone else. "Calm
For the brief moment that her eyes pried open, she felt that she was in transit. A vehicle or whatever mode of transportation it was, after that she drifted into another deep sleep till hours later. Or had it been days? Maria wasn't quite sure. She woke up with a splitting headache and tried to recognize the environs she found herself in. She didn't. And in the process of that, her headache got worse. Had she been hit? There was a banging pain at the side of her head, it hurts so much it could kill and she reached for it, except her hands weren't moving. It took all she had to tilt her head and see that it had been tied to the side of the chair in which she sat. Maria couldn't understand what was going on, she tried to recall and in bits and pieces, her memories began to sum up something more reliable. In violent glimpses, she could remember how foolishly she had opened the door for someone who was supposed to be her pizza delivery guy, when she tried to remember what happened after
Harry left a while after bouncing on and off their discussion, they discussed how factual the situation may be and possible ways of finding out the truth. All of which Maria heard. Was pretending she did not hear all this lying? She had to speak to Jackson about it, but somehow she couldn't find the right way to. She appeared in the living room with her happiest smile and liveliest gaze, it was sickening. The shock, the thoughts. It ate at her at an unbelievable pace."Good morning, sunshine," Jackson said at the sight of her, his smile was faltering, and so was his facade. "I was just about to find you an audition for the sleeping beauty two, did you sleep well?"Of course, he was going to hide all of it behind humor. Was she beginning to get mad at him for not telling her the truth immediately? How long does he plan to hide it? Again, at the back of her mind, she felt as though she had no right to react. "I think I'd be a better Cinderella or Moana." She responded and gave him a b
Things were going well, or they should be considering neither of them has brought up the issue with Andrew. It was due to be handled and Jackson had the perfect plan, but that could wait. Their relationship is what needed fixing. They didn't go back to the penthouse yet and everything was going okay, except for the never-ending apologies Maria offered and her 'do you still love me?" at frequent intervals. After what happened, Jackson was sure he could never stop loving her even when he tried, and her feelings were more obvious now after whatever discussion she'd had with his mother.Everything should be fine. They were back on track, and slowly and steadily, they'd be able to put their differences behind them. And of course, he was going to help her with her career, once the storm was over, he'd assist her in any way he could. She deserved to have her dreams fulfilled. It was morning and the coffee makers around him somehow only listened to Maria, so he has to sit and wait for her to
Strange coincidence. It's not like I knew someone else who lived in Spain and bore the name 'Maria.' Strange coincidence, really. Why did it make me feel so uneasy? I watched her as she unburdened, every word left her mouth as though it took a part of her with it. It wasn't the best sight.She continued. "I didn't have any family members or relatives, and it was impossible to get to the USA, I was under scrutiny at the time. They didn't let me go and Alfred didn't have my best interests at heart. After I had Maria, the evidence grew incriminating and I'd rather know where my child was than have them take her away from me. So I tried to escape, or I did, for a brief moment. The only place I could think of was the orphanage and I dropped her there," her voice cracked and she began to tear up again. "I dropped my daughter inside the orphanage and fled because I was too scared, too ashamed to be seen as the irresponsible mother. It was rainy that night...and I stayed, hoping someone s
*HARRY*It hasn't exactly been the best day for me, especially with the conflicting emotions, especially when I saw Maria this morning, I thought I was over her. I thought it would hurt less but every piece of advice I gave Jackson was half-minded. Being selfless was hard. I was doing the exact opposite of what I had threatened to do, it was funny how in between a split second I dropped from wanting their relationship in ruins into wanting them to work. Emotions were the most unstable thing I know.There was so much paperwork to be attended to and Higgins wasn't exactly helpful, not with the stunt that Jackson had pulled, everywhere and everyone was in chaos, it still seemed as though Sean was shrinking, it must be the stress. Maybe I was too, but how could I tell? Managing a personality such as Jackson's was a six-man work, and I had to handle it all alone.Enough of these thoughts, I cautioned in my head. I was driving and half the time, the road seemed blurry and I've had other dri
He beat her. That son of a bitch. That good for nothing laid in his hands her. The anger that Jackson thought had dissipated was beginning to take form — hard and fast. It sounded like the most absurd thing he has heard all year long. The woman he loves experienced the same thing as his mother whom he had been so naive, too small to lend a helping hand. It was beyond anger—what he felt, it was rage, a good amount of it directed at himself. Why hadn't he noticed? When he saw how shaken up she was by his presence, why didn't he think of all this? He had been bummed when she opened up about everything, it was impossible to voice her struggles adequately but she did a good job at it. It made him wonder what he'd have done if he had woken up and found himself in an orphanage with a couple of other kids, all ordinary. Would he have tried to be different like she did? Even when she fought for her dreams, she still suffered for them at the hands of someone like Andrew. He didn't know