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 because of the noise.
“ Right! But tonight, I am a babysitter. Which means I am the sitter, and you are the baby!"
“Weirdo!!“
The music in the room was deafening, and Jackson and I had to scream at the top of our lungs to understand each other which for some reason to me was fascinating.
Tonight was my first wild night out, and everything was kind of exciting to me, like the LED light, furniture, and the dance floor with Disco lighting reflecting on it.
It was also the first time I have entered a club, and it impressed me because I had always been all work and no play, but tonight, I felt alive for once.
Like some whacko, I was smiling at everything until I caught Jackson looking at me, and that made me snap back to my normal self.But it was refreshing when he giggled and pulled my hand, drawing me from the noise, and led me into a room with a sign on the door printed "VIP exclusive!"
After we entered, I snorted at how straightforward the message on the door sounded, and then my mouth opened in bewilderment when I saw how distinctive and outstanding the VIP section was. It had a sidebar; the music was perfect, and the interior designs were splendid.
For a while, Jackson and I stood still, and then he escorted me to a table where I noticed a rather attractive, stylish gentleman staring at me intensely.
This person had a built figure, long legs, pure skin with artistic green eyes, and for some reason, he seemed quite familiar. Yet, I couldn't put my finger on how I knew him.
"Brother!" Jackson uttered, hugging the guy. “Where's your date?“My heart kept skipping a beat with each passing second because this guy would not take his eyes off me the entire time he hugged his buddy.
"Jackson, you know that Chloe is always neglecting me. She left the club a few seconds ago with some guy.“ He said, pulling away from Jackson's arms. “Never mind, who is the lovely lady?" Feeling dizzy, I kept holding in my breath, and I don't know how I lost my balance. But Jackson grabbed my wrist and asked, “Do you need to sit down?“"You both appear to be close. She is the first lady you have held hands with that is not Jennie or your mother." His buddy said in a joking manner. “And I don't even know her yet.“
His word made me look down, and I saw that Jackson was still holding my wrist, and his remark suddenly made me feel awkward about it.
"No, no... We are not a thing. And it will not happen in a million years." I uttered hastily as I stared at Jackson, signaling him to release my hand.
But he seems immersed in his thoughts, and I was annoyed but also curious about what made him suddenly lose touch with reality.
“Which Chloe are you talking about, Steven?“ Jackson mumbled, snapping his brows together.
“Not here, man.“
“I prayed that it is not the Chloe that you and I know. But deep in my soul, I know that my prayer will not be answered. So, is it her?“
“Please, can we not do this now?!“
“Do you understand how much she has polluted your heart?! I know she is the part of your past that you are still hooked on and wouldn't let go of no matter how broken she is, but…”
“Drop it, man! You are being a dick right now!“
This felt so awkward to listen to, and I felt like disappearing because it felt like a private discussion that I shouldn't have heard. But Jackson looked so pissed that made me think he was not in his right mind at that moment.
“I'm sorry.“ Jackson mumbled, his voice a little shaking. “I think I need that drink.“
Finally, his grip on my wrist loosened a bit, and I pulled my wrist from his hand, looking up at him when he turned his focus on me.
"Steven, meet Julie.“ Jackson uttered, swaying his focus back on his friend.
That should have been the end of the introduction, but he when on, “She is my next-door neighbor. Mr. and Mrs. Harper's daughter, who recently graduated from Preston University. She is also a brilliant mind who's in search of a job."
The music continued playing while people kept roaring, dancing, fighting, and discussing. Yet the awkwardness between the three of us was intense, and we didn't speak, although our gazes were on each other.
It felt unreal for a while that that was my private information Jackson just blurted out. And I don't care how close he and this guy is, it was definitely not his place to invade my life like that.
Throwing him a dirty look, I felt hurt and furious that he was this loose with his words, and even though he seemed regretful, it still pissed me off.
"Dude, calm down. I am not condemning you for bringing another woman who's not your wife to a party, especially when I know what you and Jennie have.“ Steven said in a teasing tone. “Also, that's way more information than I needed to hear."
The way he said those words kind of made me feel less hostile towards the idea of him knowing that much about me.
"Besides, you deserve tonight, after everything you have been through this month.“ Steven said with a straight face.
At this point, I felt like I was the only one who cared about how opened they were in front of me, and that made me feel some sense of loyalty to them because I now knew things that I didn't want to know about their personal life.
Subconsciously, I locked eyes with Jackson's friend, and he let out shortly, “Nice to meet you, Julie. I am Steven. Jackson is my pal from Harvey university, and I'm also his boss. I am thirty years old,”What is wrong with these two? I am an introvert, and it was very strange that they were this calm and confident with me.
“Jackson and I have known each other for about ten years. I think you are exquisite, and it is inappropriate if you know less about me. Since, thanks to Jackson's unfastened mouth, I know a lot about you now." Steven uttered with a bright smile.
Then he presented me with his right hand to shake, and the moment, my hand touch his warm palm, I felt a ticklish sensation run through my body, and I smiled weakly as I shook hands with him."I need a drink. You two can get to know each other further." Jackson announced, looking at me.
Then he leaned towards my ear and whispered, "Whatever you both discuss, do not mention Chloe."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
Sitting in the backseat of my car, I took out my phone from my pocket and dialed Jennie's number. "Can you speed this up, Joe? I have limited time in my favor." I said, waiting for Jennie to answer. "Hello, Steven!" Jennie answered on the other side of the line. "What's up?" Her voice is still the same. It's always as gentle as a lullaby, and now that I have heard it, I don't know if I did the right thing by calling her. "Steven," Jennie's voice rang in my ear, snapping me out of my head. "I need you to listen to me loud and clear," I said, keeping my voice steady. "Okay," "I see you as my little sister because you are the woman in my friend's life. And since Jackson loves you. I also cherish you." "Thanks?" "However, the moment you left the country and neglected Jackson for all those periods, his emotions became unstable. He is like a walking depression." "Steven, I know how much Jackson means to you. And I will..." Not allowing her to finish her sentence, I blurted out,
Jennie buried her head in a pillow after her conversation on the phone with Steven ended. She could not cry anymore. Her eyes were red and puffy. Jennie had a runny nose and a stomach ache. She had been crying the entire morning on an empty stomach. She needed to get out of the house. Everything in their home reminds Jennie of her husband and how much she's been outraging him. Jennie took a hot shower, got dressed, and made a call to her best girl pal."Hello, Susan. Can I visit you at your office? I am going insane with guilt, and I need to chat with someone regarding my sins. And Susan, it's you that comes to mind when I think about confessing. Also, you and Steven are the only actual friends I have. Plus, Steven is out of the question because he will despise me before Jackson can have the chance to reject me. If he discovers my secret." Jennie explains in a haltering and fast tone."Sure, Jun. I am in my office