A Forbidden Affair - Tension

Sleep didn’t come easy. Lena lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling as her mind wandered, replaying the events of the day; it replayed in her mind like a stubborn loop. Every time she shut her eyes, she saw him, Jayden. His shirtless body, the confidence that he carries, feels like the world bent to his will.

It irritated her.

She turned to her side with a frustrated sigh, pulling the duvet closer to her body. Why am I even thinking about him? She muttered quietly. She had come here to spend time with Richard. For peace. 

Not for… whatever this was.

By the time morning came, she had barely slept.

Sunlight filtered through the curtains, soft and golden, stretching across the room. Lena groaned softly, rubbing her eyes before sitting up. Her head was banging.

“Great,” she whispered. “First day here and I already feel like shit.”

She pushed herself out of bed and headed to the bathroom, hoping a cold splash of water would help.

After a quick shower, she stood in front of her open suitcase, scanning through for clothes. Her fingers hovered over a simple sundress before moving to something slightly more fitted.

She paused.

Why does it matter what I wear?

Annoyed at herself, she grabbed the simpler option and slipped into it. The comfort is exactly what I need.

The smell of food hit her the moment she stepped out of her room.

Her brows furrowed.

That’s… unexpected.

She followed the scent down the stairs, her steps slow, cautious, almost like she was preparing herself for whatever Jadyden had up his sleeve.

When she reached the kitchen, she stopped midway.

Standing by the counter, back turned to her, moving with surprising ease as he flexed his biceps when he flipped the pan. He wasn’t shirtless this time, but the plain white T-shirt he wore clung just enough to outline his build.

Lena quickly looked away.

“Didn’t know you cooked,” she said, her voice coming out more neutral than she felt.

Jayden glanced over his shoulder, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

"You're awake.”

“I couldn’t sleep,” she replied, crossing her arms lightly.

He hummed, turning back to the stove. “Jet lag."

"Yeah, right.”

A brief silence settled between them.

He plated the food and turned around, setting it on the counter.

“Eat,” he said simply.

Lena blinked, surprised. “You made me… breakfast?”

Jayden shrugged like it was nothing. “I made it, plus you're here.

“Do the math," he said, rolling his eye.

She hesitated before walking closer, pulling out a stool and sitting down. The food looked good, better than she expected.

“Thank you,” she murmured.

He didn’t respond, just leaned against the counter, arms crossed, watching her.

That alone made her uneasy.

“Do you always stare at people while they eat?” she asked, raising a brow.

“Only when I find them interesting.”

She nearly choked.

“I don’t intrigue you,” she said quickly, focusing on her food.

Jayden let out a quiet chuckle. "Loosen up a bit, c’mon. We are going to be in the same space for a while.”

Lena shook her head, choosing not to respond. She wasn’t about to entertain whatever game he was trying to play.

A few minutes passed in silence before he spoke again.

“So… Canada.”

She glanced up. “What about it?”

“That’s where you came from, right?”

“Yes.”

He nodded slowly. “Big change.”

“You could say that.”

Then...

“Why my dad?”

The question caught her off guard.

Her grip on the fork tightened slightly. “Excuse me?”

Jayden tilted his head, studying her. “You heard me.”

“That’s none of your business.”

“Maybe,” he said calmly. “But I'm curious.”

Lena set her fork down, her appetite fading.

“Your father and I care about each other. That’s all you need to know.”

He didn’t look convinced.

“You’re young and beautiful,” he continued. “He’s… not.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Watch it.”

“I’m just saying,” he went on, unfazed. “There are easier choices out there.”

“And yet,” she shot back, “your father is mine.”

That seemed to hit a nerve.

For a split second, Jayden’s expression darkened, something unreadable, but it disappeared just as quickly.

“Fair enough,” he said, pushing himself off the counter.

Lena exhaled quietly, unaware she had been holding her breath.

Later that day, she found herself sitting in the living room, scrolling aimlessly through her phone. Richard hadn’t called. 

She tried not to let it bother her, but it did.

A lot more than she wanted to admit.

“Bored already?”

Jayden’s voice pulled her out of her thoughts.

She looked up to see him leaning against the doorway, keys in his hand.

“I’m fine,” she replied.

He raised a brow. “You sure look fine," he said with sarcasm, rolling his eyes. 

She sighed. “What do you want, Jayden?”

He twirled the keys lazily. “Dad said I should show you around.”

She froze for a moment.

“Oh.”

“Yeah,” he smirked slightly. “Lucky you.”

“I can manage on my own.”

“I’m sure you can,” he said. “But unless you plan on getting lost in a place you don’t know, you might want to reconsider.”

Lena hesitated.

She didn’t like the idea of spending more time with him than necessary… but staying cooped up in the house didn’t sound fun either.

“Fine,” she said finally, standing up. “Just don’t make me regret it.”

Jayden’s smile widened, slow and knowing.

“There are no regrets in spending time with me.”

The drive was calm.

Music played softly in the background as the city unfolded around them: busy streets, tall buildings, unfamiliar faces.

Lena found herself relaxing a bit.

“You like it?" Jayden asked suddenly.

She looked out the window. “It’s… different.”

“Good different or bad different?”

“I can't tell for now.”

He glanced at her briefly before focusing back on the road.

“You will.”

Something about the way he said it made her turn to look at him.

There was confidence there, not arrogance.

And for a moment she felt it again.

Blush crept to her cheeks.

Lena quickly looked away.

This was a mistake.

She knew it.

But as the car moved down the road, the silence between them grew heavier with unspoken tension…

She couldn’t

ignore the feeling in her chest.

She exhaled, knowing things were about to get a lot more complicated.