What's happening to us?

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."