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Chapter Seventeen
Last Updated:
2024-12-09 17:13:17
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BENEATH THE SURFACE : When fire meets ice ย ย ย Chapter Eighteen
The faint beeping of the heart monitor was the first thing Jason registered as he stirred awake. His body felt heavy, and his throat dry, but the warmth of the room and the gentle talks outside made him feel safe. Blinking against the bright hospital light, he turned his head slightly, spotting Bella sitting by his bedside, her face so concentrated on the orange she was peeling. You are awake, she said softly, sighing in relief as she leaned closer. Barely, Jason replied, offering a weak smile. Though awake enough to catch you stealing my fruit. Bella laughed, handing him a peeled portion. You need to get your strength back, No jokes for now. The door swung open, revealing Tracy with two cups of coffee in hand. Look whoโs back from the dead! she exclaimed, placing one cup on the bedside table before leaning in to ruffle Jasonโs hair. Thanks for having faith in me, Jason joked, taking the orange slice Bella handed him. We have been your personal cheerleaders, Bella said, her tone
Last Updated : 2024-12-11BENEATH THE SURFACE : When fire meets ice ย ย ย Chapter Nineteen
Jason adjusted the pillows behind him, groaning as the ache in his abdomen reminded him not to move too quickly. The faint smell of Bellaโs lavender-scented diffuser filled the room, making the space feel warm and inviting. Do you need anything else? Vincent asked from the doorway, his tie slightly loosened after a long shift. Jason gave a crooked smile. Other than you in an apron serving me breakfast in bed? Iโm good. Vincent rolled his eyes but walked over, setting a glass of water on the bedside table. โYou are impossible.โ Jason grabbed his hand before he could retreat. โBut you like it.โ His tone was teasing, but the smile he gave Vincent was softer, more genuine. Vincentโs lips twitched, but before he could respond, the sound of loud voices echoed from the living room. Jason! Why does it sound like a stampede? Vincent muttered. Jason groaned. โOh no. Thatโs Nate.โ --- Before Vincent could escape, Nate burst through the door, his arms filled with snacks and fl
Last Updated : 2024-12-16BENEATH THE SURFACE : When fire meets ice ย ย ย Chapter Twenty
Jason was lounging on the couch, his legs elevated, feeling surprisingly relaxed for someone who had just undergone surgery. The pain was still present but manageable, and with the support of his friends and family, the healing process was moving well. What made him feel even better was the presence of Vincent who was always there, always patient, always by his side. It was a strange feeling, but one he welcomed. After years of unspoken tension and frustration, things between them had finally shifted. The walls that Vincent had built around himself was crumbling, and Jason couldn't be happier. They were finally moving forward, and it felt like everything was falling into place. Jason's thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. He glanced over, his heart giving a little leap when he saw Bella and Tracy standing in the doorway, both carrying bags of takeout. โGuess who brought food for the worldโs best patient?โ Tracy said with a playful smile as she walked inside, followe
Last Updated : 2024-12-23BENEATH THE SURFACE : When fire meets ice ย ย ย Chapter Twenty-one
Jason was sprawled out on Bellaโs couch watching TV, his legs raised up on a pillow as usual, this has been much of his life lately. Recovering at home was so much better than at the hospital, but he still felt a bit lonely and restless. Vincent was not around and Bella had left a note indicating that she's off to buy groceries they would use at Tracy's, leaving him alone to his thoughts. He smiled as he thought about Vincent. Their relationship had shifted so much in the past weeks. It was still surprising to think that Vincent Maloney, the man who once seemed so distant and cold, was now his boyfriend. The sound of a key turning in the lock pulled Jason back from his thoughts. He sat up, excited when Vincent stepped inside holding a bag in one hand and a small bouquet of flowers in the other. โVincent?โ Jason asked, his voice warm with surprise. โHey,โ Vincent said, his tone soft as he walked over. I thought you could need some company. Bella let me in. Jason smiled. โYou broug
Last Updated : 2025-01-06BENEATH THE SURFACE : When fire meets ice ย ย ย Chapter Twenty-two
The morning went on lazily in Bellaโs apartment. Jason sat on the couch with Vincent beside him, their hands occasionally brushing each other as they shared quiet smiles. The breakfast Bella brought earlier was on the coffee table, the pastries half-eaten. โYou know,โ Jason started, his voice light, โthis place was so boring before you showed up.โ Vincent raised an eyebrow. โIโm pretty sure Bella would disagree.โ โBella loves me too much to ever think Iโm boring.โ Vincent smiled softly, shaking his head. โYouโre unbelievable.โ The sound of dishes clinking together in the kitchen caught their attention. Bella had stayed in the kitchen after breakfast, claiming she needed to clean up and โlet the lovebirds breathe.โ Jason leaned closer to Vincent, his voice low in a whisper. โDo you think sheโs still mad about this morning?โ Vincent gave him a small smile. โMad? No. But I think she enjoys teasing you.โ Jason groaned dramatically. โGreat. Just what I thought, two people g
Last Updated : 2025-01-09BENEATH THE SURFACE : When fire meets ice ย ย ย Chapter Twenty-three
The evening breeze was cool as it drifted through the apartment, together with the sweet aroma of Bellaโs cooking. Jason was balled up on the couch, flipping through a magazine he was reading, while Vincent sat next to him, scrolling through his phone. Bella roamed about in the kitchen, humming softly as she prepared dinner.The peaceful atmosphere was disrupted when Bellaโs voice called out from the kitchen.โJason,โ she began, her tone teasing, โwhat do you think about Lucas?โJason froze mid-page, then slowly looked up toward the kitchen. โWhat do you mean?โ โWhy do you ask?โBella poked her head out, raising an eyebrow. โYou know what I mean. He was here earlier. Heโs been coming around a lot lately.โJason smirked, closing the magazine. โWhy? Do you like him or something?โBella scoffed, though her flushed cheeks gave her away. โIโm just saying heโsโฆ nice.โVincent looked between the two, clearly intrigued but staying silent.Jason chuckled, leaning back on the couch. โNice, huh?
Last Updated : 2025-01-14BENEATH THE SURFACE : When fire meets ice ย ย ย Chapter Twenty-four
Jason strolled out from the shower into the morning sun filled living room, his wet hair been dried off with a towel as he watched Bella laying on the couch with a steaming mug of coffee in her hands. The smell of freshly brewed coffee mixed with the faint aroma of breakfast pastries still lingering from their just concluded breakfast.Bella seemed lost in thought, her fingers absently tracing the rim of her mug. Jason sat down beside her, nudging her playfully with his shoulder.โStill thinking about Lucas?โ he asked, his grin wide and teasing.Bella rolled her eyes, but her cheeks betrayed her with a slight blush. โYouโre so impossible.โโIโm just saying,โ Jason continued, leaning back with an exaggerated stretch. โThe way you two were talking yesterday, I half-expected you to start planning your future kidsโ names.โBella glared at him, though there was no real hate behind it. โLucas and I are just friends, Jason. You, of all people, should know that.โJason smirked. โSure, keep te
Last Updated : 2025-01-16BENEATH THE SURFACE : When fire meets ice ย ย ย Chapter Twenty-five
The hospital buzzed with its usual energy, but Bella felt out of sync. Her thoughts roaming like a storm, replaying the kiss yesterday with Lucas. She had not been able to focus all day, and Jasonโs unusually lively aura since morning only made things worse. It was as if he knew something was up, though she hadnโt told him a thing.Carrying a stack of files into the break room, Bella hoped for a moment of peace. But as soon as she stepped inside, Tracyโs sharp eyes locked into her.โBella,โ Tracy greeted, her tone carrying an edge of mischief. She closed the magazine sheโd been pretending to read and leaned forward. โYou look...distracted.โBella froze for a second before forcing a smile. โJust tired, thatโs all.โTracy arched an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. โTired, huh? Does this have anything to do with Lucas?โBella nearly dropped the files. โWhat? No! Why would you say that?โTracy smirked, crossing her arms. โOh, come on. Iโm not blind. The way he looked at you yesterday was s
Last Updated : 2025-01-17
Latest chapter
BENEATH THE SURFACE : When fire meets ice ย ย ย Chapter Thirty One
Bella sat across from Lucas in the hospital cafeteria, stirring her coffee absentmindedly. She had agreed to take things slow, to figure out how she truly felt, but Lucas had a way of getting under her skin."You're staring," she said without looking up.Lucas laughed. "Am I? Or are you just very aware of me?"Bella shot him a look. "You're unbelievable.""And yet, here you are, having coffee with me," Lucas teased, leaning forward. "Almost like you enjoy my company."She rolled her eyes but couldn't fight the small smile forming at her lips. "You're impossible."They continued their playful back-and-forth for a while, the atmosphere was light. Lucas enjoyed teasing her, and Bella, despite her protests didn't seem to mind.Just as Lucas was about to throw another flirty remark her way, Chris slid into the seat beside him."Hope I'm not interrupting anything," Chris said, sipping his drink. "You two have been giving off โwill they? wonโt they? energy for weeks now."Bella scoffed. "The
BENEATH THE SURFACE : When fire meets ice ย ย ย Chapter Thirty
The car ride was unusually quiet. Jason sat in the passenger seat, his fingers drumming lightly on his thighs, while Vincentโs hands stayed steady on the wheel. Sunlight shone through the windshield, casting soft golden streaks on Vincentโs sharp features.Jason leaned back, his lips curving into a small smile. โYouโre unusually quiet this morning, Vinny. Having second thoughts about driving me back?โVincent didnโt respond immediately, his focus on the road unwavering. โJust thinking.โJason turned his head, resting it on the seat to look at him fully. โCareful, Doc. Too much thinking might give you wrinkles.โA faint twitch of Vincentโs lips hinted at a smile, but he didnโt take the bait. Jason laughed softly, leaning closer to him.โYou know,โ Jason said, his voice teasing, โI can manage to get back to work on my own. You didnโt have to drive me.โVincent finally glanced at him, his dark eyes unreadable. โI wanted to.โThat simple statement sent warmth blooming in Jasonโs chest. He
BENEATH THE SURFACE : When fire meets ice ย ย ย Chapter Twenty-Nine
As the other guests finally left, the atmosphere in the room became light. It was just Jason, Bella, Tracy, and Vincent now, relaxing comfortably as the music played softly in the background. Vincent was still there, sitting in his usual silence, but Jason noticed his shoulders werenโt as tense as before. Maybe it was the company, or the fact that he had reassured him earlier.Bella leaned over to Jason, a smile on her lips. โSo,โ she started, loud enough for the group to hear, โChris asked you out, huh?โTracy immediately looked up, her eyes wide with curiosity. โOh, weโre definitely talking about this! What was that about, Jason? Poor guy looked crushed when you turned him down.โJason groaned, leaning further into his seat. โI knew you two wouldnโt let this go.โโOh, weโre not letting it go,โ Bella replied. โAnd donโt even think about avoiding it. Spill everything, what was running through your mind when Chris made his grand declaration?โJason rubbed the back of his neck, his chee
BENEATH THE SURFACE : When fire meets ice ย ย ย Chapter Twenty-Eight
The week leading to Tracy's birthday party passed in a blur and the air was alive with excitement as Tracyโs birthday party kicked off. Balloons were all over the walls of her sitting room, and glow lights sparkled like stars, casting a warm glow over the room. Music played softly in the background as Jason mingled with his friends, trying to enjoy the atmosphere despite the underlying tension that had followed him here. Vincent had arrived earlier than expected, his usual cold appearance intact, though Jason saw the way his gaze lingered on him a little longer than necessary. Jasonโs friends, especially Bella and Tracy, had been exchanging knowing glances all evening, clearly entertained by the subtle exchange between him and Vincent. The night had started lightheartedly. Drinks flowed freely, laughter filled the room, and the group decided to play a few games to loosen up even more. โTruth or Dareโ was the first choice, and it quickly escalated into embarrassing revelations and pl
BENEATH THE SURFACE : When fire meets ice ย ย ย Chapter Twenty-Seven
The tension between Jason and Vincent had been building for a while after the sleepover. It wasnโt just the usual distance between them anymore, it was something more palpable, something that seemed to hang in the air. Jason had always been able to joke around with Vincent, but now, every little interaction felt charged. It wasnโt just Vincentโs usual coldness anymore. It felt like he was pulling away in a way that Jason didnโt understand. And to make things even more complicated, Chris, a male colleague, had been around a lot more lately.Chris had always been friendly, a bit of a jokester, but recently, it felt like he was lingering a little too much at Jasonโs station. Heโd find an excuse to start a conversation, talking about things that didnโt really matter just to keep Jason engaged. But Jason started to notice that it wasnโt just idle chatter anymore. Chris would stand just a little too close, his voice a little softer, his glances a little longer than necessary.It was startin
BENEATH THE SURFACE : When fire meets ice ย ย ย Chapter Twenty-six
The week had been dragging by, with Jason counting down the days until he could officially return to work. He had healed nicely, but the strain of staying away from the hospital and his little escapades in Vincent's office was wearing on him. When Bella and Tracy suggested a sleepover at Tracy's apartment to unwind, Jason rejoiced at the idea."Iโll bring the wine," Bella had declared, glancing at Jason with a knowing smirk."Count me in," Jason said. Then, with a mischievous grin, he added, "And Iโll make sure Vincent comes too.""Good luck with that," Bella said, shaking her head.Jason took it as a challenge.Jason found Vincent in his office, going through some files on the shelf. His usual cold demeanor was firmly in place, but Jason had learned to read him better."Hey, Vinny," Jason said, leaning against the door as he locked it behind him.Vincent didnโt even look up. "Donโt call me that."Jason chuckled. "Come on, loosen up. Thereโs a sleepover at Tracyโs tomorrow night. Youโ
BENEATH THE SURFACE : When fire meets ice ย ย ย Chapter Twenty-five
The hospital buzzed with its usual energy, but Bella felt out of sync. Her thoughts roaming like a storm, replaying the kiss yesterday with Lucas. She had not been able to focus all day, and Jasonโs unusually lively aura since morning only made things worse. It was as if he knew something was up, though she hadnโt told him a thing.Carrying a stack of files into the break room, Bella hoped for a moment of peace. But as soon as she stepped inside, Tracyโs sharp eyes locked into her.โBella,โ Tracy greeted, her tone carrying an edge of mischief. She closed the magazine sheโd been pretending to read and leaned forward. โYou look...distracted.โBella froze for a second before forcing a smile. โJust tired, thatโs all.โTracy arched an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. โTired, huh? Does this have anything to do with Lucas?โBella nearly dropped the files. โWhat? No! Why would you say that?โTracy smirked, crossing her arms. โOh, come on. Iโm not blind. The way he looked at you yesterday was s
BENEATH THE SURFACE : When fire meets ice ย ย ย Chapter Twenty-four
Jason strolled out from the shower into the morning sun filled living room, his wet hair been dried off with a towel as he watched Bella laying on the couch with a steaming mug of coffee in her hands. The smell of freshly brewed coffee mixed with the faint aroma of breakfast pastries still lingering from their just concluded breakfast.Bella seemed lost in thought, her fingers absently tracing the rim of her mug. Jason sat down beside her, nudging her playfully with his shoulder.โStill thinking about Lucas?โ he asked, his grin wide and teasing.Bella rolled her eyes, but her cheeks betrayed her with a slight blush. โYouโre so impossible.โโIโm just saying,โ Jason continued, leaning back with an exaggerated stretch. โThe way you two were talking yesterday, I half-expected you to start planning your future kidsโ names.โBella glared at him, though there was no real hate behind it. โLucas and I are just friends, Jason. You, of all people, should know that.โJason smirked. โSure, keep te
BENEATH THE SURFACE : When fire meets ice ย ย ย Chapter Twenty-three
The evening breeze was cool as it drifted through the apartment, together with the sweet aroma of Bellaโs cooking. Jason was balled up on the couch, flipping through a magazine he was reading, while Vincent sat next to him, scrolling through his phone. Bella roamed about in the kitchen, humming softly as she prepared dinner.The peaceful atmosphere was disrupted when Bellaโs voice called out from the kitchen.โJason,โ she began, her tone teasing, โwhat do you think about Lucas?โJason froze mid-page, then slowly looked up toward the kitchen. โWhat do you mean?โ โWhy do you ask?โBella poked her head out, raising an eyebrow. โYou know what I mean. He was here earlier. Heโs been coming around a lot lately.โJason smirked, closing the magazine. โWhy? Do you like him or something?โBella scoffed, though her flushed cheeks gave her away. โIโm just saying heโsโฆ nice.โVincent looked between the two, clearly intrigued but staying silent.Jason chuckled, leaning back on the couch. โNice, huh?
