Chapter 20 – Always There, Wherever

Jeslyn sat in the corner of her apartment, the dim light casting soft shadows across her vacant expression. The cup of tea in her hands had gone cold long ago, untouched. Her eyes stared blankly into the distance, but her mind kept circling back to the scene she had witnessed earlier that day.

Jefran—and that woman.

Jeslyn took a deep breath, but her chest only felt tighter. Who is she? she wondered. And why did they seem so close? The questions echoed in her mind, crashing like relentless waves.

She tried to convince herself it might have been a casual meeting. Maybe a coworker. Maybe an old friend. But the image of their hands intertwined across the table—too intimate, too personal—wouldn’t leave her.

Jeslyn rubbed her face slowly, trying to chase away the unease that had quietly crept into her chest. But the sting was real. Something inside her ached—something she hadn’t even admitted to herself.

Do I still care about Jefran? Or is it just the feeling of betrayal?

The new question only deepened her confusion.

She stared out the window. The sky had darkened, and the night breeze gently swayed her curtains. But nothing could calm her heart. Not tonight. Not after what she had seen.

Then, her phone rang, shattering the silence. "Kiara" lit up on the screen.

Kiara had been Jeslyn’s closest friend since college—someone who always knew when to show up, uninvited but always welcome.

Jeslyn answered with a tired voice. “Hello…”

“Hey, are you home?” Kiara’s usual cheery tone quickly shifted when she heard Jeslyn’s flat reply. “What’s wrong? You sound like someone who just got hit by a hurricane.”

Jeslyn let out a bitter chuckle. “Nothing. Just... tired.”

“Liar,” Kiara said bluntly. “Okay, here’s the deal. Put on something decent, grab your bag, and get ready. I’m picking you up in twenty minutes. We’re going out tonight.”

“Kiara, I—”

“No buts. You need to get out of that apartment and I’m not letting you mope like some tragic drama queen. We’ll drink, we’ll laugh, and you’ll feel a hundred times better. Deal?”

Jeslyn paused. Then exhaled softly. “Okay. But not for long.”

“Promise. Just all night,” Kiara teased with a laugh and hung up before Jeslyn could argue.

***

Thirty minutes later, Jeslyn was in the passenger seat, wearing a light black blazer over a plain dress. Kiara glanced at her while driving.

“Still gorgeous, even with that gloomy face,” she said. “So unfair.”

Jeslyn gave a faint smile. “What’s unfair?”

“Your face. Why is it always so pretty?” Kiara grinned. “You look like you’ve binge-watched a tragic movie on loop. Something happen?”

“I don’t even know where to start,” Jeslyn replied.

“This is about the giraffe guy again, isn’t it?” Kiara guessed.

“Jefran, Ki. Why do you love renaming people?”

“Giraffe sounds great,” Kiara smiled.

“Anyway, tonight—our favorite bar. Good music, dim lights, and life-saving cocktails. You’re not going to be sad over that giraffe. Tonight is our night!”

“You’re too excited. But okay, tonight is ours,” Jeslyn replied, laughing with her.

At the bar, soft music pulsed through the dimly lit room, mixed with a faint citrusy-alcohol aroma. Kiara led Jeslyn to a corner booth and ordered two cocktails.

“Now spill it. What turned you into a zombie earlier?” Kiara asked, sipping her drink.

Jeslyn stared at her glass, then slowly looked up. “I saw Jefran… with another woman. They looked close. Their hands were… holding each other.”

Kiara snorted. “Oh, hell. That guy…”

Jeslyn cut in, “I don’t know what to feel. I’m… confused.”

Kiara placed a hand over hers. “Okay, listen. Maybe you still have feelings. Or maybe you’re just disappointed because you expected something more. That’s normal. But one thing’s for sure—tonight is not the night to cry. It’s the night to let go.”

Jeslyn looked at her and chuckled weakly. “You always know how to cheer me up.”

“And you always need a reminder that you deserve better,” Kiara replied with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

“Besides, you two got together because of an arranged marriage. Did you ever ask if he loved someone else?” Kiara asked, taking another sip.

“I did. When the engagement was arranged but before we agreed to date. I asked if he had anyone he loved, a girlfriend maybe, and he said no. He was willing to go through with it, and so was I. We agreed to date to get to know each other. But maybe… maybe I was just being naive,” Jeslyn said.

Kiara leaned back, watching Jeslyn’s emotionally worn face. “No, Jes. You weren’t naive. You just… hoped. And there’s nothing wrong with that.”

Jeslyn stirred the ice in her glass. “I thought, if we gave each other a chance, maybe we could fall in love. But… seeing him with her, the way they touched—it wasn’t something casual.”

“And that hurts. Because you’ve been trying to open your heart,” Kiara said gently. “I know you're not someone who falls easily.”

Jeslyn nodded slowly. “Maybe I trusted too much.”

“It’s not wrong to trust. You just gave it to the wrong person,” Kiara said firmly. “If he already had someone else, he should’ve been honest. He shouldn’t have dragged you into this emotional mess.”

Jeslyn took a deep breath. “It’s strange... I don’t even know if I love him. But I still feel betrayed.”

“That’s because you feel replaced. Like you’re not enough,” Kiara said softly, leaning closer. “But you’re wrong, Jes. You’ve always been enough. He’s the one who failed to see that.”

Jeslyn let out a laugh, blinking back tears. “Thank you, Kiara. I… I needed to hear that.”

“Always, babe,” Kiara raised her glass. “To tonight. To your freedom. And to the idiot who’s going to lose you.”

Jeslyn clinked her glass against Kiara’s. “Cheers.”

They drank, and for a brief moment, the weight on Jeslyn’s chest felt lighter.

“There’s… something else,” Jeslyn admitted.

“What?” Kiara raised an eyebrow.

“I don’t really feel betrayed. I feel… guilty,” Jeslyn confessed.

“Wait, what? Guilty?”

Jeslyn then told her what had happened with Leonel. That one unexpected, steamy night. The night she’d stumbled into the wrong room—and into a one-night stand.

“Wait… WHAT?!” Kiara shrieked, though thankfully the loud music muffled her voice from nearby patrons.

She stared at Jeslyn, mouth agape. “Say that again. Slowly. You… slept with who?”

Jeslyn looked down and downed the rest of her cocktail in one gulp. “Leonel. Jefran’s older brother.”

Kiara froze. It took a few seconds to process that. “Have you lost your mind?!”

Jeslyn nodded. “Probably. I think I have,” she replied with a sheepish smile.

Kiara stared at her, nearly speechless. “Okay. We need a bottle of tequila. Now. I need something to calm this emotional whiplash!”

Jeslyn laughed bitterly. “Yeah… it’s crazy. I slept with my own future brother-in-law.”

“And he didn’t stop you?”

Jeslyn’s face twisted into a mix of embarrassment, confusion, and a touch of… nostalgia. “He’s the most annoying person. And I don’t think he ever intended to stop me.”

Kiara downed her cocktail like water. “Jeslyn... this is next-level scandal drama. You—slept with your future brother-in-law?! And he didn’t stop you?”

Jeslyn nodded. “I was drunk. But… I sobered up halfway. Still, I didn’t stop. I... wanted it.”

Kiara closed her eyes, clearly overwhelmed. “Okay. I’m not judging. But you realize if this gets out, it’s going to blow up everything, right?”

Jeslyn nodded. “Yeah. That’s why I haven’t been able to sleep for days. Not just because I feel guilty toward Jefran… but because I keep thinking about Leonel.”

Kiara’s eyes widened. “Oh my God. You like him?”

Jeslyn bit her lower lip. “I don’t know. But he… he makes my heart race. Something I never felt with Jefran. Worse, I keep craving his touch. Is that messed up? This was my first time…”

“I’m speechless, Jes!” Kiara exclaimed.

“Yeah. It’s insane…” Jeslyn sipped her drink.

“You know Jefran has another woman. Why don’t you just talk to him, end things cleanly? Then maybe you can be with Leonel. No drama,” Kiara said.

“It’s not that easy, Ki. I don’t even know Leonel. He’s… so mysterious.”

“Oh God. Is he hot?” Kiara asked.

“Yeah… even more than Jefran,” Jeslyn replied, unconsciously picturing Leonel’s face again.

Kiara’s jaw dropped, eyes wide with a mix of frustration and awe. “Girl, you’re not just falling in love. You’re free-falling off a cliff without a parachute.”

Jeslyn lowered her gaze, letting her lips brush the rim of her glass before downing the last sip. “I know. And the worst part is... I can’t stop thinking about him. The way he looked at me—like he was devouring me. His touch, the way he said my name…”

“Jes…” Kiara stared intently at her best friend. “You need to understand one thing. If you’re already catching feelings for Leonel, you have to be prepared for the consequences. That includes losing Jefran—maybe even losing their family’s trust. Are you ready for that?”

Jeslyn took a deep breath, then gave a slow nod. “I’m more afraid of losing myself, Ki. Because if I keep pretending… I’ll slowly fall apart.”

Kiara sighed, then reached out and took Jeslyn’s hand. “Then stop pretending. But make sure first, Jes. Make sure Leonel isn’t just a fleeting temptation. You need to know if he truly cares about you or if he’s just... playing with you.”

Jeslyn fell silent. Her heart began to race. Kiara’s words hit her like a slap of reality. Did Leonel really want her? Or was that night just a one-time thing that would never happen again?

“If he’s just playing with me… I need to walk away,” Jeslyn muttered, more to herself than anyone else.

Kiara gave a faint smile. “But if he’s more than that… you have the right to know. Ask him. See him. Look into his eyes and find the answer.”

Jeslyn nodded softly. For the first time that night, a flicker of courage sparked inside her. “Should I really do that?” she asked.

Kiara raised an eyebrow. “Of course. You need clarity, don’t you?”

Jeslyn fell into thought. “Instead of talking to him, I think I want to talk to Jefran first. I need to be sure if he has someone he truly loves or not,” Jeslyn replied. “And I need to be certain about my feelings for Leonel too.”

“Ugh… this is frustrating. We should dance!” Kiara suddenly suggested.

Jeslyn let out a small laugh, though her mind was still in chaos. “Dance?” she asked, frowning.

Kiara was already on her feet, pulling Jeslyn up before she could protest. “Yes! Dancing can help you forget for a moment. Maybe your moves will summon that courage a little faster.”

In the middle of the crowded club, bathed in colorful lights and thumping music, Kiara began to move to the rhythm. Jeslyn hesitated for a moment, but eventually allowed herself to get lost in the music. Her movements started slowly, then gradually became freer.

Kiara’s laughter was contagious. For the first time in days filled with emotional turmoil, Jeslyn felt slightly more alive.

But as she spun her body around, her eyes caught a glimpse of a man standing in the corner of the bar. Tall, broad-shouldered, with sharp eyes that were all too familiar.

Leonel.

He stood there with a glass in hand, dressed in a black shirt that made his masculine aura all the more striking. His gaze was fixed on Jeslyn, and for a brief moment, time seemed to stand still.

Kiara noticed the change in Jeslyn’s expression. “Hey, what’s wrong? Don’t tell me…”

Jeslyn swallowed hard. “He… he’s here.”

Kiara followed Jeslyn’s gaze. Her eyes widened when she spotted the man. “Oh my god. That’s him? That’s Leonel?”

Jeslyn gave a small nod, her body tense.

“Wow… he’s even more handsome than I imagined. Now I understand why you can’t stop thinking about him,” Kiara whispered.

Jeslyn could barely breathe as she realized Leonel wasn’t just watching her—he was walking toward her. Pushing through the crowd, eyes locked on her, as if she was the only one who existed in his world tonight.

“Jes, breathe. Please don’t faint,” Kiara whispered, half-worried, half-teasing.

But Jeslyn didn’t respond. Her heart pounded wildly as Leonel finally stood right in front of her. Only a few inches separated them.

“Hi,” Leonel said softly, his voice deep and almost drowned out by the music—but Jeslyn heard it loud and clear.

“What are you doing here?” Jeslyn shot back sharply, surprising Kiara with her sudden tone shift.

“Seriously? Hypocrite!” Kiara cursed inwardly.

“I wanted to join you…” Leonel replied, flashing his signature smile.

“No need!” Jeslyn snapped and turned to walk away—but Leonel grabbed her slender waist, pulling her into his arms.

“I couldn’t stand watching other guys approach my woman. So, I’m staying right here—with you.”

Thud…

***