× They pulled over outside a small hotel a few blocks away from the psychiatric facility. It looked decent enough for a multimillionaire like him, but Jenson didn't even budge in his seat. He just stared at the dashboard, his gaze blank. Her chest ached at how he looked stuck in a daze more than anything else. "You okay?" she sighed. Obviously he wasn't, but she just wanted him to talk to her. Sure, she was used to seeing him stressed out—just not in this way. Intoxicated. Confounded. Quiet. Too quiet. Why wouldn't he just talk to her? The scenes in her head was already leading her thoughts down a pessimistic road. She really wanted to ask about his mother. To ask if anything happened back in the facility. But he probably wouldn't tell her much. Right now he definitely looked like he'd rather be alone. All night. She couldn't help thinking he was someone who carried grudges, hard feelings, and a lot of secrets—deep, dark secrets he would take with him to the grave. Then again, s
×A nauseating mix of worry, pity, and shock pooled deep in her gut. What he said just halted her breathing. Her guess was not far from the truth at all.But how did his mother die in that psychiatric facility? Nobody told her that Mrs. Roiz had been critically ill. And Darren didn't mention anything over the phone."I'm sorry." Jessi sat close to her tightlipped boss. "Sorry about your mom."Would he mind if she hugged him again? How should she console him? By apologizing for not knowing anything about his mother's condition?The shock gradually turned into pure sympathy for his emotional state. She should've been more attentive to him. She should've asked if he wanted company, before she let him step out of his truck to see his mom. Jessi swore inwardly. She'd stupidly assumed it was just a random visit. "Is that why you... Why d'you have bloodstains on your shirt?""It's her blood." Jenson snuffled and kept his head down. His left hand clutched the bloodstained sleeve of his sweatsh
דCan we— I’m getting cold, Joss. I need to change.” Jessi forced a smile and a calm voice, trying to ignore the chafing way her clothes stuck to her skin.Beside his bare feet, his soaked shirt and pants begged for attention. Why wouldn't he just let her leave?Her body shivered under the showerhead, her heart pounded against her chest, and now her feet felt a bit funny on the cold tiles.Instead of letting go of her wrist, Jenson held her face and kissed her on the lips.Her brain froze. It took her breath away. She gawked at him while his body pressed against hers to keep her immobile. Their proximity kept disrupting her breathing, as well as the softness of his beautiful mouth. She just didn't expect any of this. Or that they would end up kissing in her shower in the middle of a stormy night.When she didn't back off or kick him where it counted, the guy pulled away again, just to look her dead in the eyes. Was he gauging her real feelings? His soft and warm lips touched hers
×Try as she might, the ongoing debate in her head just wouldn't stop. It kept her up for another hour. Jessi tried to stay quiet.They shouldn't be in the same bed, alone in her bedroom, his arms holding her still and keeping her from leaving the bed. They shouldn't be together. Period.From what she'd heard from Darren, Jenson was officially a single man now. Free to meet and date new people. Do whatever he wanted. But the fact that he never said anything about his breakup with Charmaine...It spoke volumes. Perhaps his bosses told him to keep the news out of the limelight. To protect his and Charm's privacy. After all, one important aspect of Jenson Roiz 101: his private life stays private. Same thing with his mom. He didn't even say how she ended up confined in a psychiatric facility. Until tonight.Was it a matter of trust? Maybe. Jessi turned to face him. Her arm stayed wrapped around him as she matched his stare under the faint lamplight. “I'm sorry about your mom.”"I know.""
×So she hadn't left the city yet. The woman hadn't gone off to Beijing to live the life she wanted with her new and sought-after promotion. And maybe with a new boyfriend, too.It had already been six days since the unexpected death of Jenson's mother. Why was Charmaine still here in Los Angeles? And with him?The unpleasant surprise turned into annoyance and confusion sooner than Jessi could guess why the woman was acting as if nothing happened. As if she and Jenson hadn't called it quits months ago. Jessi sat still, her chair five seats behind the two.Beside her, Darren looked busy with his phone and paid no mind to the ongoing ceremony. He seemed as distracted as she was.Her curiosity eventually overwhelmed her self-restraint a minute later. "I thought she'd be in Beijing by now," she murmured while trying not to scowl. "Same," was all Darren said in reply."Then why's she still here?""Just for the funeral...I guess." Darren cleared his throat and kept his voice down.
× The loud noises of rainfall tapping on the tinted windows surprised her, but not as much as the uncanny way the man was able to predict exactly what would happen just moments before rain disrupted the nice weather. Quite amazing. And really strange. Did he also have a hypersensitive nose like Jenson? The rainfall was just so sudden and unexpected. Good thing a wide tent was installed hours ago for the service and the guests. Sitting on the other end of the backseat, Magnus regarded her with another attentive gaze. His crow's feet would show every time he smiled or squinted, but the wrinkles on his small, angular face looked minimal. His parents must be good-looking as well. The man's bone structure was almost hypnotizing. "Jenson mentioned over the phone a while ago that you got sick, and he had to bring you to the hospital." Uh-oh. Did he think she could still be contagious? "Yes. But, it's been more than two months ago," Jessi replied before glancing away. She hadn't r
×"Green eyes, short brown hair, around six-foot-five, really fit, and uh... He's got a small scar on his left eyebrow.""Married to a tall brunette?""Yeah. His wife's just stunning," Jessi replied to her friend on the other line. "Her name's Evonne Jablonsky Roiz. Ring a bell?""Yeah." Kel sighed. "It's him. I know of her.""Really?""Her nickname's Evie. They almost got divorced, I heard.""Yeah. He told me that, too." Jessi covered her mouth and got up from her bed, her breathing and heartbeat racing.It was just a hunch. Just a crazy idea that sprung up when she got home after that eventful funeral service for Jenson's mother. Not so crazy, apparently.Jessi took a deep, calming breath. She just didn't expect Kel would confirm it herself: that Jenson's uncle and boss was actually her hard-to-find brother. "In some angles, you and him look alike. No bullshit.""Shit." Kel muttered something on the other end, her hushed voice quite breathy. "That's insane. Like, what're the od
× "What?" Jessi put on a straight face and stared back at her boss. With her phone in her pocket, she glanced around to check for prying eyes. Thankfully, they were safe. The hallway remained dim and empty, and the temptation to turn on the audio recorder turned into nothing more than a fleeting impulse. "Why're you here?" His jaw clenched. A flush crept up his face as he stood right outside her apartment unit, pouting and looking like he'd had much better days. "Why aren't you answering my texts? And calls?" Jenson took a step closer. His wrinkled pants looked darker than his plain shirt, and his steely gaze wouldn't leave her face. Where was he before he drove all the way here? His cheeks stayed pinkish. Had he been drinking all evening? So he'd been driving while intoxicated? Shit. With her mouth snapped shut, the guy made a face and looked away. "I'm not allowed to check up on you?" "I'm busy packing." Jessi backed off and turned away from him, her heart beating erratically