Steve POV
My attention swayed toward the door when it opened, and I watched Jackson enter the room and closed the door. When our eyes met, he had that look on his face that said he was confused to see me seated behind his KEFA executive desk, even though I am his boss. Lowering his gaze, he stared at his watch, and I could tell that he felt a bit anxious about being late to work.And honestly, I was concerned about him breaking his records for the month, even though there was no need for him to worry about showing up at work late or seeing me in his office."Hey, Steven," Jackson asked, using a causal tone with me. “What are you doing here?“My thoughts were occupied with his expression, and his words didn't concern me for a while.After approaching me, Jackson laid his donuts on his desk next to a pile of documents and focused his eyes on me. When I raised my brow, he ignored the suspicious look I gave him and sat at the edge of the table. Silently, I grabbed the donuts and munched on them, and shockingly, Jackson did not react, which worried me. From the moment he walked into the room, I knew something was off because I had known Jackson for years, and right now, he looked pissed and drained. Most mornings with this dude are impressive, and yet today he acted differently. Even after I stole his donuts, he seemed chill about it, like WTF."You are an overbearing man! I sat here questioning how gray and long my beard needed to grow before you report for work." I teased with a faint laugh.When silence followed my reply, I understood that he was upset. Even my stupid joke couLd not make him laugh, nor lighten his mood, and I think I started stress eating his donuts because this was the first time he had been this way."Steven, can you tell me what up want or get out!" Jackson shrieked, his fist clenched in a fist.His tone and body language did shock me, but I wasn't mad. Instead, I was extremely worried now because the was no reason for him to use such a tone with me… at least none that I know of."Straight to business discussion. What is disturbing you this morning? Also, it is not early if you are reporting to work at this hour." I told him, raising my voice to give him the idea that his shitty attitude wasn't going to fly by me.Since I and Jackson have known each other for years, we both have had our fair share of arguments, but never in a thousand years has he spoken to me in such a manner.
"What business do we need to handle?" Jackson asked in a low pitch. “And sorry about the way I spoke just now." It was clear that he was dodging my question, and knowing Jackson, if he doesn't want to talk about it, you are not going to get a word out of him. And pushing the discussion would only piss him off and mess up your relationship at that moment.So I backed away from the desk and cornered Jackson, smirking at him as a wild thought came to mind for tonight.
"Okay...! Here is the thing… There is a party tonight, and I need a plus one. That's where you come in. You are my plus one!" I told him, beaming at the frown on his face.“You know what, I just realized that being my boss's friend from college is annoying as fuck, even if we are buddies from Harvey University and are brothers.“ Jackson mocked with a smirk.His expression was softening, and he did smile when he let out, "Plus one regularly involves some hot chick hook on you for the night. Why do you want me?"This dude understands me like the “ABC” and I like that, even though we are nothing alike… Well, at least not recently.“I know everything you are thinking about, and you are correct.“ I mumbled, chuckling when he squirted his eyes at me.“But?” Jackson asked, not losing the doubtful look on his face.“But the club party is regularly full of ladies. I do not need some chick by my side, spoiling my chance to get ladies' numbers. Tonight I am a bachelor, and the ladies are my targets." “It's safe to say that you change women like you boxes.““Hey! That's not fair!“ It is not a secret to me that he's disappointed in me, and I hate that he is. But then again, not all of us can be patient and understand like he is. In all fairness, I tried, but fail, and that fuck me over. So yeah, I don't plan on trying that again."Sorry, dude, unlike you, I am married. Jennie is arriving home tonight, and I need to be home earlier. Still, I wish you the best on your ladies' hunt," Jackson uttered calmly.Although I felt downhearted that he turned me down since the only reason I invited him was to cheer him up, I didn't hold his rejection to heart.Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, and Jackson mumbled, “That should be Kate. I asked her to make me coffee for the donut that you are munching on!“. "Mr. David here is your drink," Kate called out after the third knock.“Come in!“ Jackson said, staring at the door.When it finally opened, Kate walked in and rested the cup on the desk, then left immediately."I guess she overheard something not intended for her ears.“ Jackson mumbled, frowning at me as though I was at fault or something.Still stuck in my feeling about him turning me down, I gave a half-smile and said, “Enjoy the last donut, man. I envy Jennie, for finding a treasure like you still, I am happy you found your life partner.““Come on man.“ Jackson mumbled, giving me a doubtful gaze.“No. I'm being honest. Although I dislike sharing with you, the rules do not apply to her. I love you, man, and for the last time, I am not gay!"“I know.““Great! I should take my leave then.“ After a brief pause, I walked out of the office, and I could feel his eyes on me until the door shut after me.When I walked out of the building, I stood still, drawing a breath of fresh air as my feeling finally got to me.Although I don't want to say it out loud, I hated being an unattached Friend.
The guys who could get any woman but could never keep a serious relationship are the ones and I hate those kinds of men the most. But I know that I am no different from them and don't have the right to shun them. To be real, I appreciate how Jackson doesn't blame me or judge my character. But we both knew about the nasty breakup I went through. So it makes sense that he is so chill without our differences in lifestyle.If there is anyone who is appreciated wholeheartedly in my life, it is Jackson because he is the reason he became successful, and seeing him in that miserable state breaks my heart.If I must say, people don't decide to become damaged individuals. There are various happenings in their life that cause them to forget who they are, why they are alive, and how to love again. It was like that for me after my breakup.
"Pardon me, sir. I am sorry for bumping into you." A lady's voice suddenly echoed in my ears as I tried to figure out what exactly happened.
"Uh," I replied, focusing my gaze on her kind eyes.
"Julie over here!" A voice calls out from the taxi to the lady.For a moment, she gave me a faint smile and then walked away, getting into a taxi with her friend.My gaze followed the cab attentively because her smile did something to me. It made my heart race for the first time in a long time, and I didn't know how much I miss that feeling until now. Love, at first sight, does not exist in my mind. But, that lady touched a part of me that died a long time ago… at least, the part of me that I thought had faded after all these years.Jackson POV "Hey Steven, is that invitation still open? I believe Jennie loves to bandage and reopen damn my wounds!“ I said over a phone call to Steven. When he didn't speak, I immediately guessed what was going on in his head because I was the one who told him that I wasn't planning on going to the party. But what changed my mind was Jennie leaving me a voicemail while I drove home, saying it is unlikely for her to arrive home tonight because the airline delayed her flight. And the moment I walked into the empty house, I knew I need to drink my frustration away, or else I would lose my damn mind. The other end of the line remained mute for quite a while before Steven asked, “How bad is it?“ Although I don't say much often to others about the problem in my marriage, Steven knew just enough to understand how much these eleven months have affected my mental health. “I just need a drink.“ I mumbled, knowing talking more about Jennie's constant lies would only trigger me. “I kno
Julie POV The moment Jackson brought the car to a stop, I pushed the door opened and got down, shutting it behind me. The entire drive was quiet, and I couldn't help worrying that my bold comment about his wife had him still mad at me. But then again, it could just be my anxiety getting the best of me. Shortly after, Jackson joined me, stared down, gave a faint smile, and said, “Let's go.“ There were a lot of questions on my mind, but I didn't speak them and walked after him, keeping close behind him, even after I entered the building. My entire body came to a standstill as I stared ahead of me, spacing out for a second before looking at Jackson. "This club is impressive and dope!" I screamed toward him as he stood closer to me. In that instant, a guy pushed into me, and Jackson immediately grabbed my hand, warning, "Stay near me and do not let go of my hand. I don't want you to get lost in this crowd.“ “I am not a baby.“ I mumbled in annoyance, thinking he wouldn't hear me be
Steve POV Staring solely at Julie's lips, I realized that I had fallen in love with her smile. It’s the first time I thought of words like that for anyone other than Chloe, and I don't mean it as a simple statement of truth, but rather as an honest expression of my love for how they pulled upward in the perfect shape. "So…" Julie whispered, staring down at her heels. It should be easy to talk to her, but it felt difficult because she had the same effect that Chloe had on me… they both captured my heart in a way that made me nervous. From how Jackson had looked at me earlier, I knew he was shocked that I attended the club with Chloe, and honestly, I am surprised that she was the one I settled for. Even though the way he acted was damn rude, it was understandable because he has tried several times to break off our toxic relationship. But a six-year bond isn't easily broken because both partners agreed to end the relationship. It has nothing to do with time healing all wounds
Jackson POV "Is this seat taking?" a masculine voice asked me. At this point, I was moderately wasted with alcohol, and I turned my head to the right to gaze at a built dark skin guy standing over me whose outfit looked superior and deluxe. "Brother, your suit makes you seem stuck up, and it's ruining my pleasant mood.“ I mumbled, judging if I needed someone next to me right now. “ Haha,” a laugh slipped from his lips, and he didn't seem offended by my words. “You can sit near me since you are handsome, and if you are sitting next to me, it is in my favor.“ “Why?“ “Did you notice how those ladies' eyes immediately rolled off me and on you? You are everything I need to make my night perfect." I mumbled, picking up my shot glass. The stare I was getting from the girls from the other table was annoying, and their constant whispering to each other was screwing with me. "I am Chris." The fellow said as he seized the seat next to me. "David, Jackson David," I told him, ignoring th
Jackson POV Last night we both barely slept, and never in a million years did I think that this would be us after she finally came home. But I know my wife inside and out, and something was different about her… and I feel shitty that I can not move past that. Her cries kept me up last night, and I could feel the pain she was going through, but I couldn't do anything to help her, not when she wouldn't be honest with me. All I could think about is what this must be like for her right now because we had never gone through something like this before… not once in our love life. Sighing out my frustration, I sat up, resting my feet on the cold tiles, and shut my eyes when I felt the bed move beneath me. Even though Jennie was awake, she said nothing, and I woke from the bed, headed into the bathroom, and locked the door behind me. When I got into the shower, the noise of the doorknob turning a bit aggressively caught my attention, but I turned on the showerhead with a heavy heart.
Julie POV The sound of a knock echoed in my room before my mother walked inside with a breakfast tray and hangover pills. As she approached my bed, I hastily shut my eyes. But when she kissed my head, I couldn't help but smile at her sweet gesture, even though she does that more than often. Yet, I didn't raise my eyelids since I was pretending to sleep because I couldn't sleep last night. It's hard when I'm trying not to think about Steven. All night, I could not stop thinking about him even though we just met. I kept remembering the sparkle in his eyes, hearing his voice, and the way he smiled when he spoke to me. It was no secret that he was so captivating, and it took my breath away, and my poor heart felt drawn to him as an arrow stuck in its target. "Jul, wake up and have breakfast." My mother's voice flowed in my ear. When she hit me gently, I still didn't want to wake up because it felt nice to be in bed, and that's what I wanted today… to stay in my room. "Do you nee
Jackson POV "All done with the bandage," Jennie whispered as she lifted her head and stared at me, smiling brightly. Staring into her eyes, I wanted to kiss her so badly, but I couldn’t bring myself to do so. Yet it felt like all my emotions were screaming at me to do it, and I tried to silence them, but they grew louder. The way her eyes glow, she is beautiful, and she is mine. What happened between us last night was not right, not in any way did it make sense at this moment... at least not anymore. "Does it still hurt?" Jennie said, pouting cutely. But I couldn't focus on anything else but her lips. They were pink and plump and soft, and when they move when she spoke, I felt my body react on instinct. And I took a deep breath, trying to calm down before I did something stupid, and before my heart beat out of my chest. I could feel it racing as Jennie stared at me, those eyes that are usually warm and playful now full of concern. Unable to control myself, I pulled her towards
Steven POV Listening to the quietness in my office, I kept pacing back and forward, feeling anxious that Jackson was not at work yet. Knowing that I was running out of time, I rushed for my desk, got a hold of my phone, and dialed my Secretary's number. "Has Jackson arrived at the office?" I asked immediately when she answered my call. "I am sorry, sir. But for the fifth time, Mr. David is not in the building." Kate uttered in a soft tone. "Thanks. Please inform me when he arrives." "Sure boss." Julie and I are supposed to meet a couple of minutes from now, but I decided to wait ten more minutes for Jackson, and if doesn't arrive within that time frame, I will have to get over my anxiety on my own. I don't know how, but I lose the balls to meet Julie right after inviting her out, and without Jackson's advice, I believe that I would fuck things up. Jackson is now like my mentor when it comes to relationships. I mean, the dude has been married to Jennie for years, and she is th