JESSICA'S POV.Things were going well.Really well for now. I mean, I'd made friends asides Julia and Daniel and I had come to an understanding. We weren't bickering or wanting to chop each other's heads off, instead we were kind of in my opinion in the flirting phase. I knew the reasonable thing to do was not to interpret Daniel's friendliness as flirting, but I couldn't help how my heart felt. How was I supposed to believe that his eyes lingering on mine longer than he used to, and how I caught him smiling at me more times than I could count recently—was just him being friendly and not flirty? So, in essence what I'm saying is what more could I've asked for? Things were going great. All we needed to do for this agreement to work was to keep up this friendly or flirty energy without it ever growing into anything else. Any other thing would've make this marriage unbearable. From what I'd experienced so far with this—we were better off as friends than enemies. I got out of bed with a
JESSICA'S POV.Things didn't go as planned. I'd wanted to be the one coming down the stairs gracefully as Daniel watched with his eyes bulging out of the sockets, but no. Daniel wasn't downstairs when I got there. Instead things happened in the opposite. I was the one who stood with a dry throat as he sauntered down the stairs with his handsome face in a smirk. He was dressed in a black t-shirt and very dark denim jeans that hugged his thighs perfectly, and his hair was bunched into a black hat that had "King" written on it. The cap was right. He looked like a king, even in this simple attire. Oh God. I was done for. "Take a picture, it'll last longer," Daniel says once he reaches me, and I roll my eyes. "I'll pass," I crossed my arms and watched as his eyes followed the movement before he cleared his throat and looked away. Okay. Awkward."You ready?" He wiped his palms on his jeans, starring right at the wall instead of me. "Yeah I am," I touched my hair to make sure it was in
DANIEL'S POV.Jessica had really gotten on my nerves. I walked away from the party to the balcony with my blood boiling. Just a few minutes of going to get a drink with Alex and she'd already found a random asshole to dance with, even when I'd specially warned her not to do that. And then what did she make me look like in front of everyone? A jealous asshole husband who couldn't put a leash on his wife and stormed away like a jerk.Shit. That made me angry, but you know what made me more angry? It was seeing Jessica in that asshole's hands as they laughed and danced together. It wasn't even like she was really mine or anything, but I felt mad with fury anyways. I really wished it was just my stupid male ego acting up and not anything else, because at this point my feelings confused the hell out of me. I was suddenly transported back to the scene where I stood at the edge of the crowded room, my heart pounding with a mix of anger and jealousy as I watched Jessica dancing with that guy
DANIEL'S POV.As I walked away from Jessica, the sting of our argument still fresh in my mind, I couldn't help but feel a mix of frustration and guilt. I had come to this party with the intention of having a good time, but now everything had changed. I needed to find Alex and let him know that we would be leaving, but as I scanned the room, he was nowhere to be seen.I made my way back to the main area of the party, the music pounding in my ears, drowning out my thoughts. The room was now filled with a sea of people—making me wonder just how many people Alex knew—their laughter and chatter blending together into a cacophony of sound. I felt a sense of detachment as I stood there, an observer amidst the chaos.My eyes darted around, searching for any sign of Alex. I noticed groups of friends talking and laughing, couples dancing and swaying to the rhythm of the music. But Alex was nowhere to be found. I felt a knot tightening in my stomach, a sense of unease settling over me. Why wasn'
JESSICA''S POV. I lay in bed after the emotional talk with Daniel with my mind swirling with different thoughts. The one that stood out amongst the others was the memories that were flooding back in my mind, of the orphanage days. You know, growing up in an orphanage, there was always this constant feeling of being invisible. It was as if I was a tiny speck in a vast universe, lost and forgotten. Day after day, I watched as families walked in, their hearts filled with love for the children they were going to take home. But somehow, that love never seemed to find its way to me.Loneliness became my closest companion. It whispered in my ear, telling me that I wasn't good enough, that I wasn't deserving of love. It stole away my self-esteem, piece by piece, until all I was left with was a hollow shell of insecurities.I remembered the orphanage, as a place that was supposed to be a haven for children like me. But instead, it became a breeding ground for my low self-esteem. It was there
DANIEL'S POV. It was the fourth day of our final week in Hawaii and I must say things had been great. Jessica and I had gotten even closer and had gotten accustomed to three things. Watching movies together every night, making foreign dishes together every afternoon, and lastly sharing our playlists. Though my mind still couldn't stop thinking it would've been better if we were kissing and cuddling instead. Over the past days, I'd gotten even more obsessed with Jessica. Her sweet smile whenever she sang Mason Jason's lyrics, kept me up all night, wondering what I was going to do the next day to make her smile again. Her laugh whenever she found something that most times wasn't funny to me, in a movie, remained ingraved in my head whenever we said goodnight. I wanted to wrap my hands around her and protect he from all her fears and insecurities. I wanted to spoil her with all the things she'd never thought of having before, no matter the cost. I wanted to be the one for her, the one
JESSICA'S POV.I was having the most fun I'd ever had in my entire life. As I stepped onto the sandy shores, the vibrant energy of the beach party hit me like a wave crashing against the rocks. The air was filled with laughter, music, and the scent of saltwater. I couldn't help but smile, feeling a surge of excitement coursing through my veins. This was my first time ever at a beach party and I was determined to make the most of it.I snuck a glance at Daniel and saw him staring at the sky like he was thinking really hard about something and a smile played on my lips. He was cute when he was deep in thought. Daniel looked dashing in his casual attire, his dark hair tousled by the ocean breeze. I couldn't help but feel a surge of desperation to reach out my hands and fix his hair. Show these other girls that had been looking at him that he was mine and not up for grabs. Despite the circumstances that brought us together, we had managed to forge a genuine friendship over the past few
JESSICA'S POV. The crackling bonfire cast dancing shadows across the faces of the gathered crowd, while the warm glow of the flames reflected in our eyes. I sat on a weathered log, feeling the heat seep into my skin as I watched Daniel sip on a bottle of beer, casually speaking with a scrawny looking guy beside him. Laughter and hushed whispers filled the air, blending with the distant sound of waves crashing against the shore.As the bottle was placed and it was settled, the group's attention shifted to the next challenge—Truth or Dare. My heart fluttered nervously, anxious about what the game had in store for us. I had never been good at hiding my emotions, and the thought of being put on the spot made my palms sweat. But I couldn't back out now; I had to play along. The link haired girl—whose name I'd learnt was Makayla—always the daredevil, volunteered to go first. She spun the empty beer bottle in the center of our makeshift circle, its neck pointed coincidentally right at Dani
DANIEL'S POV.ONE YEAR LATER.I walked through the front door of our new cozy home, my heart brimming with excitement and anticipation. After the whole Lori incident, I'd come clean to Jessica about every single girl I'd played in the past, and because Jessica was so big hearted and understanding, she'd forgiven me, and we decided to bury all that in the past. Our journey to letting go of the past had started from getting a new home. Dad had arranged for a purchase for a new house immediately I'd told him abouy it. And though I felt like he was once again helping me out and treating me like a child—he'd explained that buying that house for us was his way of saying sorry for how bad of a father he'd been. After that day I'd come clean to him about the contract, he'd made it his everyday goal to show his remorse, and I didn't mind. I'd forgiven him already just as I'd forgiven myself for being such an asshole in the past. A smile graced my lips when my nostrils filled with the sweet aro
JESSICA'S POV.The road stretched out before us, illuminated by the soft glow of the streetlights. Daniel's grip tightened on the steering wheel as we made our way home from his parents' house. The meeting had been pleasant, filled with laughter and delicious home-cooked food. And then the feeling of being known as the real Jessica and still receiving love from them felt good. Suddenly, the shrill sound of my phone shattered the silence inside the car. Startled, I fumbled to retrieve it from my purse. The caller ID displayed an unfamiliar number, and a surge of anxiety coursed through my veins. I had learnt to be weary of calls from unknown numbers these days. "Who could this be?" I whispered, uncertain. Daniel shot me a worried glance, his brows furrowing in concern. I think he was scared it was the stalker too. "I don't know, but you should answer it. It might be important."Taking a deep breath, I swiped the screen and brought the phone to my ear. "Hello?"A voice on the othe
DANIEL'S POV. As the morning sun peeked through the curtains, I slowly opened my eyes, feeling a strong wave of contentment wash over me. I turned my head to the side and saw Jessica lying next to me, her tousled hair framing her beautiful face. Last night with her had been the best night of my life, an eye-opener to the beauty of the world of sex with an emotional partner, and not just some shitty hookup. A smile immediately spread across my lips as I remembered vividly all the events of last night. She had been unpredictable and amazing, everything I'd ever wanted in my dreams. "Hey," I whispered, my voice still husky from sleep. "Good morning, beautiful."Jessica stirred and opened her eyes, greeting me with a sleepy smile. "Good morning, handsome," she replied, her voice filled with warmth. "Last night was... amazing. I didn't know you had all that in you, I totally get the Daniel Snider hype now," she joked, laughing at her own humour. I chuckled softly, reaching out to brush
JESSICA'S POV.I tiptoed out of the bathroom, wrapped in a fluffy towel, steam still wafting in the air. My heart however, raced as I realized I wasn't alone. There, standing by the door, was Daniel, his eyes widening in surprise. I felt a blush creeping up my cheeks, making me acutely aware of my semi-nakedness. And then I let out a startled gasp that cut through the silence. I'm so sorry, Jessica,"he stammered, his voice laced with a mix of panic and regret. "I didn't mean to intrude. I was wondering if you weren't home, and ..." he trailed off like he didn't know just what to say next. My voice trembled as I hurriedly wrapped the towel securely around myself, still stuck in surprise. "Daniel, what are you doing here? Why didn't you at least try to announce your arrival?" "I... I didn't think anyone else was home," he managed to reply, with his cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "I came back early, and I was worried when I found the house so quiet. I... I'm sorry, Jessica. I don'
DANIEL'S POV.As I wrapped up another exhausting day at the office, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. The clock had seemingly ticked at a snail's pace, each minute passing by with an agonizing slowness. I yearned for the comfort of my humble abode, and talking to Jessica. But fate had other plans for me that evening.Just as I was about to shut down my computer and bid farewell to my colleagues, a faint ping emanated from my phone. I glanced at the screen to find a text message from Bianca. The name alone sent irritation down my spine, a reminder of the reckless past we shared. Her message was brief but desperate, pleading for a meeting at a nearby coffee shop. A mix of curiosity and caution filled my mind, and after much deliberation, I replied with a reserved agreement to be there. Now, behind the wheel of my car, my mind raced with questions. What could she possibly want from me after all this time? Was it another attempt to rekindle the flame that had long since burned out?
JESSICA'S POV.I watched Daniel as he buttoned up his crisp white shirt, his face showing focus and determination. He was about to head off to work, and I knew it was now or never to tell him my plans for the day."Daniel," I called out, catching his attention. He turned to me, his eyebrows raised inquisitively. "I just wanted to let you know that I'll be going out today to visit Julia."His expression shifted from curiosity to concern in an instant. I could see the worry lines etching deep into his forehead. He walked over to where I stood by the door, his steps deliberate and measured."Jessica, are you sure about this?" He asked, his tone tinged with worry. "You remember what happened the last time you went out alone. And I'm not sure it's safe for you to go with your leg still unstable." I nodded, memories of that fateful day flooding my mind. But I had healed considerably since then, though not completely. At least I could stand on my two feet and move around better than before.
DANIEL'S POV.The day after we'd arrived from the airport, Das had called me concerning work. "What's up Dad?" I'd asked while I ate the delicious sandwich Jessica had made for me before she went and locked herself in her room. I'd wanted to go after her and find out what the problem was, but I figured she was going through a lot and had a lot to think about, so maybe she'd needed that time to just rest and think all by herself."Daniel, my boy. How are you?" Dad greeted, cheerfully. " I heard that you just got back from your Mum. How was your flight?"I'd remembered how eye-opening and tensed it had been, and decided to lie instead. " It was great, but I'm tired. You know how me and flights are.""I'm sorry to hear that, son, because you have a lot of work on your plate. You're resuming tomorrow by the way," he said, his tone swiftly switching to business mode. A groan left my lips and I fisted another sandwich groggily into my mouth before saying, "I know Dad. But can I just get
JESSICA'S POV.As I looked up to the warm Hawaiian sun streaming through the windows, the realization hit me like a wave crashing on the shore. Today was the day Daniel and I had to pack up our things and leave this somewhat paradise behind. The bittersweet feeling hung heavy in the air as I glanced over at Daniel, who seemed lost in his own thoughts.Taking a deep breath, I made my way to the closet. It was as if the room itself reflected our somber mood, with clothes scattered on the floor and suitcases waiting to be filled. I tried to focus on the task at hand, folding my clothes neatly and placing them into my suitcase, but my mind wandered back to the memories we had created here.The sound of zippers being pulled closed filled the room as we moved in synchrony, our actions speaking louder than words. There was an unspoken agreement between us to keep our emotions in check, to not let them spill over and disrupt the process of leaving. We had to be strong for each other. The past
JESSICA'S POV.Whoever it is that wanted to kill me was going too far. It was like whoever it was that was doing this had one sole aim only, which was to harm me. The first time was a hit and run, and then Daniel had told me about the phone call he'd gotten that day, and then yesterday, the person had come directly to hurt me. I woke up that morning with a renewed sense of excitement. Today was the day I would get to finally leave this sterile hospital room that had been my home for far too long. Sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. I could hardly contain my joy as I glanced over at the man sitting in the armchair beside my bed, my contact husband, turned companion. He was was asleep with his mouth open, and though that was supposed to be gross, it looked so cute to me. He'd fallen asleep while watching a movie on his iPad, as he was waiting for me to get ready. Daniel had started off as a stranger, a jerk, a man I barely knew, but over the cou