Jason is starting to show his true colors... What do you think about Jason? Don't forget to comment below ;)
She stood outside the building, her heart racing in anticipation, her long black hair cascading down her shoulders, tucking a stray hair strand behind her ear, the dim streetlight barely touched her as she moved, blending effortlessly into the shadows. This was the moment she had been waiting for.She lingered just outside the entrance of the apartment, a sly smile tugging at her lips. Breaking in had been almost too easy. Lana had been so wrapped in her own turmoil, so distracted, she hadn't even noticed anyone lurking nearby. A simple tool slipped into the lock was all it took to ensure the door wouldn't catch properly.As she eased the door open, a thrill ran through her. The apartment was still, the only sounds the faint hum of the refrigerator and the distant hiss of water running in the bathroom.Perfect.She stood motionless for a moment, absorbing her surroundings. Her gaze fell on the open laptop resting on the coffee table. This was her chance. With deft fingers, she scroll
Jason was getting ready to leave for his family dinner, standing by the door with his jacket slung over his arm. He glanced at me, hesitating for a moment."You'll be alright here alone?" he asked, his voice steady but with an edge of concern he didn't usually show.I smiled at him. "I'm not a child, Jason. I'll be fine."He raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced but also aware that I wasn't the type to need, or accept constant babysitting. "I'll be back before midnight.""You don't have to come back tonight. Honestly, it's fine. You should just go home after. It's a long drive," I said, trying to wave off his sense of duty. I knew Jason well enough to see that he'd stay if I asked, but I didn't want to make things uncomfortable between us.We had enough history for that already.He paused, his eyes lingering on mine for a beat longer than necessary. I could feel the weight of unspoken things between us, things he never really voiced but were always there. We never became more than f
Jason shifted uneasily as he drove, the low hum of the engine doing little to calm the gnawing tension in his chest. He had only just left Lana's apartment, and already he regretted it. She had seemed more stable when he left, but something about her frail state still bothered him. The way she had looked at him before he left, the silent plea in her eyes. Kept replaying in his mind.Halfway to the family dinner gathering, his discomfort became too much to ignore. He pulled into a petrol station, his hands gripping the steering wheel as he sat in the car, debating whether to turn back.The family dinner could wait.Lana had always come first for him, long before anyone else ever did. He had to be sure she was alright.He pulled out his phone, opening the app connected to the discreet camera he'd placed in Lana's apartment. It was a precaution, one that Lana didn't know about, but it gave him peace of mind. The small camera sat unnoticed in the corner of her living room. He just needed t
When I woke up again, it was late in the afternoon. The sun filtered through the curtains, casting lazy shadows across the room, but my body still felt heavy with exhaustion. It was as if I were trapped in a dream, one I couldn't quite wake from. My mind was fogged, but something tugged at the edges of my consciousness, something Jason didn't want me to remember.As I glanced around the familiar apartment, the faint echo of Jason's whispers still lingered in my ears. He had been kind, gentle even, but there was something unsettling about the way he watched over me. A strange unease gnawed at my chest, twisting like a vine around my heart, squeezing tighter with each thought.Pushing myself up from the bed, I felt my legs wobble beneath me as I made my way unsteadily to the bathroom. The cool splash of water on my face jolted me slightly, but as I looked in the mirror, something caught my eye.A small mark on my wrist. A bruise, perhaps, lingering evidence of Jason's grip.How long had
For a moment, I hesitated, considering letting it go to voicemail. But curiosity pushed me to pick it up."Hello?" My voice was tentative, uncertain."Lana..." The voice on the other end was soft but unmistakable."Who...?""It's me. Naomi."My heart soared. It couldn't be. I had spent years searching for any sign of her best friend. "Naomi?" I whispered, gripping the phone tighter, her pulse quickening. "Is it really you? How did you find me?""I know," Naomi replied, her voice soothing yet edged with urgency. "I've been looking for you, too. But we have to be careful. There are people who don't want us to reconnect."I felt a rush of emotions. "But why? Who would want to keep us apart?""Think about it, Lana. Your mother always opposed our friendship. She never wanted us to be close," Naomi continued, her tone insistent. "And now, I think she's been involved in making sure you don't find me again."I blinked, memories flooding back. My mother's disapproval had always been present, bu
The restaurant sat gracefully along the waterfront, with soft waves rhythmically lapping against the shore. Normally, the sea breeze and the serene atmosphere would calm me, but tonight, nothing could shake the unease swirling in my mind. Jason had chosen this place, one of my favourites, where the pulse of the tide should have helped me unwind.Instead, I felt trapped, like the dark water beyond was pulling me under.As we stepped inside, the warm of the restaurant felt strangely oppressive. The outdoor deck, with its swaying string lights and open view of the moonlit sea, usually filled me with peace.But not tonight.Tonight, everything felt calculated. Jason had picked this spot for a reason. I couldn't help but wonder if this was another one of his tactics to keep me compliant. Here, outside the confines of home, he couldn't easily slip anything into my drinks or food. He couldn't make me docile under his care. Maybe that was why I felt safer here, where he had less control.We we
Lana had been acting off lately, more distant, more unpredictable. Her reactions were sharper, her words more deliberate, like she was thinking too hard about what to say.I could see it in the way she looked at me sometimes, questioning everything.That night when she claimed someone had knocked on the door, saying nonsense. She wasn't lying, I knew that much. I needed her to stop digging.Today, I brought her to Jerry's clinic. Just a casual visit, I told her, nothing more. She'd relax, talk to Jerry and he'd help her calm down.I'd make sure of that."It's just a follow-up, Lana," I said softly as I drove. "You know Jerry. We're all friends. This is just routine, nothing to worry about."She stared out the window, barely responding. I tightened my grip on the steering wheel, sensing the tension between us. Something was on her mind, something I couldn't quite put my finger on.When we arrived, Jerry greeted us warmly, as always. He was our friend, but I'd already planted seeds of d
My stomach knotted at the question, and for a split second, I froze. I hadn't expected Jerry to dig into this now, but I should've known. He was too sharp to let it slide.I leaned against the wall, running a hand through my hair. "Jerry, you can't tell Lana. I don't want her to go through the heartbreak again."Jerry's frown deepened. "Heartbreak? What heartbreak? Jason, you're hiding too much from her. She deserves to know the truth."I shook my head, forcing myself to stay calm. "She's better off not knowing. She's already been through enough. The last thing I need is for her to remember that Samuel was pulled down by Naomi. That's all she needs to know—nothing more."Jerry crossed his arms, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. "And why are you so insistent on that? Why not let her remember the full truth? What are you hiding?"His words hit like a punch to the gut. I'd kept my secrets buried for so long, but Jerry was getting too close now. If he started prying too much, I'd lose contr
The guest room prepared for me was a surprising contrast to the rest of the antique grandeur mansion.The walls were painted a soft, muted grey, with a single abstract painting hanging above a sleek platform bed. The bed itself was low and modern, dressed in crisp silky white linens and a lightweight beige throw.Just clean lines and a calm, unpretentious aesthetic.A small bedside table held a simple lamp with a frosted glass shade, casting a warm and inviting glow.A single potted plant. A touch of green against the neutral palette stood on a narrow wooden shelf that ran the length of the wall.The floorboards gleamed too perfectly, polished wood, and the large window opposite the bed framed the darkness outside. A sheer white curtain drifted slightly with the cool night breeze, adding a touch of softness to the otherwise stark room.The warmth of the bath earlier had done little to ease the tension coiled tight in my chest.I lay awake staring at the ceiling, tracing invisible patt
The winding road felt endless, the hum of Nelson's motorcycle filling the silence between us. The city's glow had long since faded, replaced by the barren fields and a sky bloated with stars, an emptiness of the countryside.Trees lined the path, their shadows stretching ominously under the pale moonlight. My grip on Nelson's jacket tightened as the bike slowed, its headlight glaring at a wrought-iron gate.Nelson pulled off his helmet and reached for his phone. With a quick call, he muttered something I couldn't hear. Moments later, the gates creaked open, revealing a long driveway framed by hedges trimmed to razor-perfect lines casted by a soft golden glow of bulbs.The house at the end of the path loomed, grand yet secluded, with its aged wood and stone exterior.We rolled forward slowly, the bike's engine a low rumble that echoed in the still night. A figure waited by the entrance, an elderly woman, her posture straight and her hands clasped neatly in front of her. She had a calm
I had been waiting for him.The moment the motorcycle roared into the car park, I knew Nelson had come. Relief swept over me, momentarily silencing the chaos around me.When Nelson dismounted his bike, pulling off his helmet, his eyes locked onto mine, unwavering and steady. "I'm here," he said simply, his voice firm but calm.I took a shaky breath, the decision already made long before he arrived. "Thank you," I whispered.I took a step toward him, my heart racing, but Jason's voice broke through the stillness, trembling and soft, like a whisper cracking under pressure."This isn't your business, Nelson." Jason snapped.Nelson tilted his head, an almost amused expression crossing his face. "Isn't it? But Lana asked me to help, Jason."Jerry, sensing the brewing storm, interfered, his voice calm but firm. "Let's not do this here."Nelson's expression hardened, his gaze locking on Jason. "I didn't come here to fight. But, Lana had asked for help."Jason's head snapped up, his face a mas
The cold concrete of the car park pressed up through my soles as if trying to root me in place, but my body moved forward, and the weight of unspoken words pressing down on my chest.Jason walked slightly ahead, his hand gripping my arm as though he feared I might slip away.Not tightly, but firm enough to remind me that, he was in control.Each step echoed the conflict in my heart.The medication effect had begun to fade, but I remained deliberately slow, dragging my feet as if the weight of my hesitation could anchor me in place.I glanced toward Jerry, who walked beside us with his medical bag slung over his shoulder, his face calm but watchful. His presence was the only tether holding me together, his earlier assurance repeating in my mind.Trust me. Stay calm.I wanted to stop, to refuse to take another step. But the pieces of my past clawed their way to the surface, dragging me back to my final year in medical school at Granata.Back then, I'd been trapped in a relationship with
The first thing I noticed was the soft golden light filtering through the curtains. It was late morning—much later than I ever slept. My body felt heavy, every movement sluggish, as if weighed down by invisible chains.Then Jason's voice broke through the fog."Lana," he called gently. His tone was soothing, warm, yet it grated on my nerves. I blinked, struggling to focus on his face. He sat beside me, leaning slightly forward, a faint smile curving his lips."There you are," he murmured, his fingers brushing my arm. "How are you feeling? Jerry medication helped you rest?"Medication. The word tugged at my hazy memories, the events before I'd drifted off felt distant, like a half-remembered dream.I tried to sit up, but the effort sent a wave of dizziness through me. Jason was quick to steady me, his hand firm on my shoulder."Easy," he coaxed. "No need to rush."I swallowed hard, my throat dry. "Jerry…" I croaked, the name slipping out before I could stop myself.Jason's expression di
The next day arrived with an overcast sky, casting dull shadows over the apartment. I sat by the window, absently tracing the edge of my bandage, the throbbing wound a dull reminder of my fractured state. My mind buzzed with static, unable to focus on the passing hours.The soft chime of doorbell, shattering the silence. Jason, who had been typing away on his laptop, stood and moved to answer it. His footsteps were steady, calculated, as always."Jerry," Jason greeted warmly, opening the door wide. "Right on time."Jerry stepped in, carrying his medical bag, his expression carefully neutral. He nodded at Jason before his eyes sought me out across the room."Lana," Jerry greeted, his voice soft. "How are you feeling?"I mustered a faint smile, though it didn't reach my eyes. "I'm fine."Jason gestured toward me, his tone brisk. "She's been good, but check her thoroughly. We're flying back to Granata tomorrow."Jerry's eyes flickered at Jason's words, but he said nothing, only offering a
The apartment was cloaked in a cruel, suffocating silence after Jason left the room. I sat frozen on the couch, my eyes fixed on the empty space he had occupied moments ago. My skin crawled as if his touch still lingered, a phantom weight pressing down on me, feeding my fear.The faint creak of a door opening broke through my thoughts. My breath hitched, heart pounding as Jason emerged from the kitchen, carrying a tray. Steam wafted from a small bowl of porridge, the delicate aroma mingling with something I couldn't place.A bitterness that made my stomach churn."I thought you might need something light," he said, his tone almost cheerful as he set the tray on the coffee table. His eyes flicked to me, dark and unreadable. "You didn't eat much earlier."I swallowed hard, my pulse hammering in my ears. "Thank you," I murmured, forcing the words out.Jason stepped closer, his gaze studying me with unnerving precision. "How are you feeling, Lana?""I'm fine," I replied quickly, too quickl
The silence that followed was oppressive, thick with unspoken intent.Jason leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table as if settling into a position of control. His movements were measured, deliberate, each one calculated to remind me the ground I stood on.“I told them you were fine,” he said finally, his voice a velvet blade. His lips curled into a faint smile, the kind that promised nothing good. “But they want to hear from you.” He paused, letting the weight of his words settle over me like a heavy shroud. “It’s been days, Lana.”The air felt suffocating, Jason’s calm demeanour amplifying the tension. His gaze pinned me in place, sharp and knowing, as if he could already anticipate my every move.He slid the phone closer to me, the screen lighting up as if it, too, was waiting for my response.Daring me to pick it up.Before I could respond, he picked up my phone. My pulse quickened as he studied it, his thumb gliding over the screen like a predator sizing up its prey.“Call
The haze lifted slowly, my mind wading through the fog and my body was leaden, limbs weighed down by some invisible force. My throat was parched, and my head throbbed with a dull ache.The muted light of the room seemed to pulse against the drawn curtains, pressing in with an almost suffocating weight. As I stirred, the room felt different. Stale yet eerily pristine. My eyes landed on the bedside clock. The time was familiar, but the date... it didn't make sense.Had I really been out that long?My chest tightened as fragments of the last time I was awake flitted through my mind. Nelson.How will he save me?I shifted carefully, every muscle screaming in protest as I pushed myself upright. The effort made me dizzy, but I was desperate to move, to feel alive again. My eyes fell on my arms, wrapped tightly in bandages. A shower.I needed to scrub away the staleness clinging to my skin, the invisible grime that made my skin crawl.But the bandages...Slowly, I swung my legs over the edg