Chapter 36
There is something about how she smiles—my whole world stands still, and I find myself completely enthralled by her beauty.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Jessy asks, throwing a potato chip at me, and I catch it mid-air before popping it into my mouth.
I hitch a shoulder, still unable to look away from her. We are curled up on the tiny couch in the living room, watching a rom-com movie she had guilt-tripped me into watching with her even though I’m not watching the movie because I’m too busy watching her.
“Are you even watching the movie?” She takes more chips into her mouth, shifting her attention back to the movie.
“No, and that’s because I’m too busy admiring your beauty and wondering how I got so lucky.”
She turns to me with a wide smile on her face. “You’re such a charmer,” she teases, nudging me playfully with her elbow.
I grin in response, feeling a surge of affection for this woman who has stolen my heart. “Only because I’m speaking the truth,” I reply, reaching out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
She leans into my touch; her smile softening as she gazes back at me. “Well, lucky for you, the feeling’s mutual,” she murmurs, her voice filled with warmth.
As Jessy munches on another chip, her attention briefly diverts back to the movie, and I find myself captivated by her effortless charm. Something funny happens on screen, and her laughter fills the room.
I can’t help but admire the way her eyes sparkle with amusement as she turns to me, her smile widening at my words. Moments like these remind me why I fell for her in the first place.
“Okay, you really need to stop staring at me. It’s getting creepy,” she teases.
“I thought we already agreed that I’m your creep?” I pull her into my arms, and she laughs, pushing me off.
As I sit here with her now, watching her laugh and enjoying her company, I can’t help but feel a wave of relief wash over me.
When I went to her mom’s place to beg for her forgiveness, I was terrified that she wouldn’t even give me a chance to explain. But she did. She listened to me, and she said she understood.
I’m grateful for her patience and her willingness to give our relationship another chance. I know I messed up by keeping my wealth and identity a secret from her, but I’m determined to make things right this time.
With Jessy back in my life, I feel whole again. And as I steal a glance at her, her eyes twinkling with happiness, I know that I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her by my side.
“What can I do to change your mind?” I ask.
She gives me a confused look. “Change my mind about what?”
I reach out to take her hand, hoping to convey my sincerity. “I want you to come back to work at the hotel,” I tell her, my words carrying the weight of my earnestness.
But her response was not what I had hoped for. She withdraws her hand; her resolve evident in her eyes. “I can’t,” she replies firmly, her tone leaving no room for negotiation.
“But why not?”
“I don’t want to go back to playing hide and seek with our relationship. It’s exhausting, Ethan.”
I lean in closer, desperate to make her see reason. “But we can figure it out,” I insist, my heart pounding with the intensity of my emotions. “We can find a way to make it work.”
Yet, she remains steadfast in her decision, her conviction unwavering. “I’ve made up my mind, Ethan,” she asserts, her voice resolute. “I need to prioritize my peace of mind.”
My shoulders sag in defeat, but I refuse to give up hope. “Please, Jessy,” I plead, my desperation laid bare. “Think about it. We can’t let this tear us apart.”
“Ethan,” she begins, meeting my gaze with a mixture of determination and compassion. “I’ve thought about it, and I appreciate your offer. But I need to be honest with you.”
She takes a deep breath before she continues. “I don’t want to come back and work at the hotel. I want to focus on building my career in advertising.”
“And you don’t want to come work in the advertising department at the hotel?”
“No, I think I’m done with the Grand Princeton and its affiliates,” she said with a shake of her head.
I had hoped that she might consider staying within the company, even if it meant shifting to a different department.
“I see,” I reply, my voice betraying a hint of resignation. “I understand your decision, Jessy. It’s just...it’s difficult to imagine not having you around.”
She meets my gaze with a mixture of sympathy and resolve, her eyes reflecting the weight of her choice. “I know, Ethan, and I’m sorry. But I need to prioritize my own career goals right now.”
“I’m here to help in any way I can,” I offer, hoping to convey my support despite the disappointment weighing heavily on me.
Her expression softens, a hint of gratitude shining in her eyes, as she nods in acknowledgment. “I appreciate that, Ethan,” she replies, her voice carrying a mix of sincerity and warmth.
As much as I long to keep her by my side, I understand the importance of honoring her individual ambitions.
“Could you at least consider moving in with me?” I ask.
I have been hounding her to move in with me since we got back together.
Despite her initial reluctance, I can’t help but hope that she’ll reconsider. I’ve been hounding her to move in with me since we got back together, longing for the opportunity to wake up beside her every morning and share every moment, both mundane and monumental.
Jessy hesitates, her gaze flickering with uncertainty as she considers my proposition. “I…I don’t know, Ethan,” she begins, her voice laced with indecision.
“Moving in together is a big step, and I’m not sure if I’m ready for that yet.”
I swallow the pang of disappointment threatening to consume me, willing myself to remain patient and understanding.
I nod, trying to hide my disappointment. “I understand, Jessy,” I reply, masking my disappointment with a reassuring smile. “Take your time. I just want what’s best for us.”
Though her response leaves me yearning for more, I refuse to press her further, determined to respect her boundaries and allow our relationship to progress at its own pace.
Deep down, I know that true love is worth waiting for, no matter how long it takes.
“I have something I would like to tell you. It’s about Lysa,” Jessy says as the movie comes to an end, her voice hesitant.
My curiosity piqued, and I turned to Jessy, my gaze lingering on her face.
I lean in closer, urging her to continue. “What about Lysa?”
Taking a deep breath, she starts to recount her encounter with Lysa, detailing the confrontation and the threats made against her. As she speaks, a surge of protectiveness washes over me, my jaw tensing with anger at the thought of anyone causing her harm.
“Did she hurt you in any way?” I ask, my voice laced with concern as I gently cup her cheek.
She nods, her gaze never leaving mine. “I’m fine, Ethan. But I wanted you to know what happened.”
I squeeze her hand reassuringly, silently promising to keep her safe. “Thank you for telling me, Jessy. I’ll make sure Lysa doesn’t bother you again.”
Her lips curve into a small smile, gratitude shining in her eyes. “I know you will, Ethan. And I trust you. But I can handle Lysa on my own, so I just thought I’d let you know.”
“I bet that you can, but you have me, so you need not worry about handling her. I’ve got you, babe.”
With her words echoing in my mind, I pull her into a comforting embrace, determined to protect her from any harm that may come her way.
Wrappedin each other’s arms, we lay in bed, the gentle rhythm of our breathing syncing in harmony.
Despite the weight of our recent conversation, there’s a sense of peace that envelops us, anchoring me to us in the present moment.
I trace lazy circles on her back, relishing the feeling of her warmth against my skin. Her presence soothes the turmoil in my mind, grounding me in the reality of our love.
As the minutes stretch into hours, we drift into a comfortable silence, content in each other’s company.
With her head resting on my chest, I listen to the steady cadence of her heartbeat, a comforting reminder of the depth of our connection.
In the soft glow of the moonlight filtering through the curtains, I press a gentle kiss to the top of her head, savoring the sweetness of this intimate moment.
The next morning,instead of heading straight to work, I headed to Lysa’s.
When Lysa opens the door, her expression shifts from surprise to smug satisfaction. “Well, well, well, look who finally came to their senses and realized they belong with me,” she says, her voice dripping with arrogance.
I meet her gaze head-on, my own expression hardened with resolve. “I’m not here to reconcile, Lysa,” I tell her firmly. “I’m here to warn you to stop harassing Jessica. If you continue, you’ll have to deal with me.”
A flicker of anger crosses her features, but she quickly masks it with a feigned innocence. “But, Ethan, we were perfect together. You know that deep down,” she insists, taking a step closer to me.
I hold up a hand to stop her advance, my tone leaving no room for negotiation. “It’s over between us. You need to accept that.”
Her fa?ade crumbles, replaced by a mask of fury. “And you fired me because of her, didn’t you?” she accuses, her voice trembling with anger.
“I had to take action to protect the integrity of the hotel. Now, as I was saying, stay away from Jessica, or you won’t like what I will do to you.”
With that, I turn on my heel and walk away, leaving Lysa seething with rage behind me.
My phone vibrateson the desk, momentarily pulling me away from the stack of paperwork in front of me. Glancing at the caller ID, I see it’s Drake.
“Hey, Drake. What’s up?” I greet him warmly, curious about what he needs.
“Hey, man. One of the interns in advertising just quit, and we need someone to fill her position,” Drake’s voice sounds a bit urgent. “Didn’t you say Jessy knows about advertising?”
Immediately, I sit up. “Yes, she does,” I reply, feeling a surge of excitement.
“Jessy has a knack for creativity. I think she’d be a great fit for what you’re looking for,” I explain confidently.
“Perfect, I’ll take your word for it. Tell her to give me a call first thing tomorrow so we can set up an interview.”
“Absolutely. I’ll have her do that,” I promise, already mentally composing a message to Jessy in my head. But I decided to call her instead after my call with Drake.
I dial Jessy’s number, my fingers tapping nervously on the phone as I wait for her to pick up. When she finally answers, I can sense a hint of tension in her voice.
“Hey, baby,” I begin cautiously. “Don’t be mad, okay? I just wanted to let you know that I recommended you to Drake for his new company.”
There’s a brief pause on the other end of the line before Jessy responds, her tone guarded. “Oh… Ethan, I appreciate the thought, but I’m not sure if I can do it.”
I can hear the uncertainty in her voice, and I feel a pang of concern. “Hey, don’t doubt yourself, okay?” I reassure her, leaning back in my chair. “You’re incredibly smart and talented. You can definitely handle it.”
There’s a moment of silence before Jess speaks again, her voice a little softer this time. “Thanks, Ethan. I’ll think about it.”
I smile to myself, relieved that she’s considering the opportunity. “That’s all I ask. Just give it some thought, okay? He wants to have an interview tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow? That’s way too close. When will I prepare for the interview questions?” I can sense the alarm in her voice.
“Hey, relax, calm down. When I get back from work, we can prepare for the interview questions together, okay?”
“Okay,” she replies, and I can sense a hint of determination in her voice.
Ending the call, I can’t help but feel a surge of pride for Jessy. I know she’s capable of achieving great things, and I’m hopeful that this opportunity will help her realize her full potential.