Unduh Aplikasi

Bab 27: Chapter 27

Rella winced, groaning as the first ray of sunlight hit her face. She put her hand against her face to shield her eyes from the onslaught.

Turning away from the source of her discomfort, she stretched lazily.

When she finally sat up she bit her lip from crying out loud at the sharp pain in her head. Muttering expletives, she cradled her head all the while reminding herself never to drink again.

  She has a killer headache that felt like someone was drilling a hole inside her head. 

  "I could've warned you about how nasty it can get but it's best to experience it yourself so you don't drink like a fish next time."

  Rella glanced up to find Stefan with an amused expression on his handsome face.

  "This is not funny." She said glaring at him.

Stefan laughed instead and that made her angrier. And yes she was never getting within ten feet of a wine bottle ever again. Suddenly remembering why she drank in the first place and her heart ached.

  Rella knew she was only delaying the inevitable, if Cindy doesn't show up she feared she might cave in and her relationship with her sister would no longer be the same again. Rella prayed it wouldn't come to that.

  She was so caught up in her thoughts that she didn't notice Stefan in front of her.

  "Here I brought you some soup, drink up it'll help with the hangover."

  She reached for the bowl but he stopped her.

  "Let me."

It was then that Rella noticed his state of undress. The washed jeans he wore was hanging dangerously low on his narrow waist, her body reacted to him instantly having a mind of its own and God that sleek wet hair will always be her undoing. Rella was suddenly feeling uncomfortably hot she needed some fresh air.

  "I-i'll do it myself." She stuttered.

  "No let me."

Rella stared up at him swallowing hard, seeing how determined he was. She conceded, allowing him to feed her and every now and then he'd wipe soup from the corner of her mouth, his eyes never leaving hers.

His gaze held her spellbound. 

Who knew feeding someone could be so erotic?

  After he was done feeding her he leaned towards her, kissing the corner of her mouth, his tongue snaked out warm and soft to lick dribble of soup before she could lick them herself. Rella's heart hammered furiously across her ribcage as she felt herself responding to him.

Stefan lingered and Rella's eyes drooped on their own momentarily lost in the sensation. Mentally, she reminded herself not to get too carried away, not to forget the reason she'd drowned herself in alcohol last night.

  She couldn't let anything happen between them.

Stefan thankfully pulled back and although she missed his warmth she was grateful for a crisis averted.

  To make sure what happened that morning didn't repeat itself, Rella pretended to be down with fever.

Although she had no idea how long she could keep pretending for it was just a spur of the moment thing.

  Stefan fussed over her all day she felt guilty for lying to him. 

It occured to her to hire someone to find Cindy asap but that idea was squelched when she realised she didn't have enough money and that Stefan might find out what she was up to. She called her mom but they still haven't heard from her twin.

  "How am I even certain you're actually looking for Cindy? For all I know you could care less about the situation if it meant crisis averted and you get to save face in front of your precious Manhattan high society."

  " Darling I know I asked you to do such a daunting favour and believe me I HAVE been looking for your sister but I can do so much to find someone who doesn't want to be found. Dear as much you hate this situation think of it as a blessing in disguise."

  " Mom you cannot be serious right now." 

  " As a matter of fact I am. This is fate I don't know what to tell you, this marriage between Stefan and Cindy was never about love and your sister proved that when she ran away."

  " Stefan thinks he's married to Cindy mom, the entire city thinks I'm Cindy."

  " If you like the guy I suggest you never tell him the truth."

  " You're cruel."

Her mom sighed. " Hate me all you want Rella but I am being practical here. What's done is done you got married to him not Cindy that should tell you everything you need to know. You're starting to fall in love with aren't you?" 

Rella furiously wiped at the tears rolling down her cheeks. Her mom took her silence as confirmation.

  " It was bound to happen and I suggest you let fate play out if Cindy shows up I'll deal with her. I know you don't believe me but I love you, I love the both of you." 

Josh Hamilton waved and smiled but it didn't quite reach his eyes. Van wanted to go to him but she was swarmed by customers and it'd be selfish on her part to leave it all to Monica. She was going to tell him that, but he nodded in understanding. She thought he was going to take a seat at one of the tables but he surprised her by going into the storage room and taking out an extra apron as he proceeded to help with the orders.

  By the time it was noon, it had trickled down to two or three customers all of which she let Monica handle as she went to speak with Josh.

  ''Look I'm sorry about that day–taking advantage of you and then storming out the way that I did–it was pretty stupid of me.''

  ''It's okay Josh I forgive you so there's nothing to worry about.''

An awkward silence ensued. Josh buried his hands deep in his pants pocket while Van fidgeted, bouncing on one feet to another. It lasted a good minute before Josh sighed and said. 

  ''I really don't stand a chance do i?''

  ''Look Josh–''

  ''I know." he sighed regretfully. "Which is why I came to say goodbye.''

  ''You're leaving?'' she did not expect that. 

  ''Yes. I got a call this morning that my dad had another attack.'' Van covered his arm with hers instantly filled with remorse.

  ''I had no idea.'' The news reminded her of her own father, those dark few weeks before he finally gave up. She had sold her soul to the devil and now she's paying for it.

  ''It's okay, I don't like talking about it much.''

  ''I'm sorry.''

  ''Don't be. I probably got what I deserved.''

  ''When will you be back?''

  ''I don't know. Will you see me off tonight?'' his tone was hopeful and she didn't want to disappoint him so she smiled and said, ''sure, why not?'' 

 

  "Hey man," 

  "Hey." Josh glanced up momentarily from packing up his suit case to regard Jake who'd just walked into the room, his hands shoved casually inside his jeans' pocket.

  "I heard about your dad." Jake said, "do you think he'll be okay?"

  "I don't know."

They lapsed into an uncomfortable silence.

  "Do you love Van?" Jake asked finally.

  "Yes." Jake stiffened at Josh's affirmation. 

What had he expected? It was no secret that Josh had always liked Vanessa he knew that for a fact but knowing something and having it thrown in your face was a totally different thing, it made reality seem like a whole new level.

But Josh quickly added, "she loves you."

Jake's eyes widened. "What?"

  "I think you heard me." Josh pointed with a roll of his eyes. 

Jake heard him alright he just needed a moment to process it. Something shifted in his gut and suddenly he felt the weight of the fear of losing Van dissipate and hope returning with a vengeance.

  "It's because she chose you that i'm backing off Jake so I suggest that you man up and do the right thing, forget about your stupid vendetta." Josh told him. "Van is an extraordinary person, she deserves better from you."

  "I know." Jake agreed and Josh looked surprised. 

Josh sighed and looked away glancing down at the suit case he'd abandoned a few minutes ago before he looked at Jake again. "I didn't tell her the truth because it's not mine to tell. You have to be honest about everything Jake, if you trully love her and care about her. You have to tell her the truth or you'll find yourself right back where you started." 

  Jake never thought he'd be able to have any decent conversation with his new step brother much less have Josh give him advice on his love life of all things but he still managed to be grateful for the first time which was a good thing. And as they both stared at each other it wasn't to size each other up, no, it was a look that said they understood one another.


Bab 28: Chapter 28

"Don't worry you go ahead I'll just be a minute and then I'll lock up." Said Van to Monica later that evening. It was eight p.m. and Josh's flight is in two hours, she hoped she'd be in time as she briskly straighten out her hair.

  Sifting through her bag, she brought out a little hand mirror and smeared her lips with lip-gloss. She was about to drop them back into her purse when she suddenly felt she was not alone.

  "Going somewhere?" Her spine stiffened in a fraction of a second before she regained her composure. After not hearing from him for many days now Van thought she'd gotten rid of him. What rotten luck she had.

Ignoring him, she slung her purse across her shoulder.

  ''I can't let you go.''

  ''Don't waste your breath.'' She began to leave but was caught by surprise when he grabbed her wrist. In a flash, she was flushed against him before his lips crashed down on hers hot and demanding, forcing her mouth open, she fought furiously against him but his hands tightened around her, pinning her in his embrace.

  Unable to resist for much longer and realising that the only way to punish him was through the kiss so Van kissed him back with the same ferocity biting his lip. 

Jake pulled back in surprise and stared at her speechless.

Van stared back, her chest rising and falling frantically then Jake cursed under his breath and he was reaching for her again, this time holding her tenderly like he was afraid she might break. His hot mouth fused on hers and Van didn't try to stop him, she would have if she wanted to but she let him kiss her with such fiery passion that made her forget why she was supposed to be mad at him her hands wrapped around his neck as she clung unto him reacting to his caress in a way she never had before. He made her feel so good and she didn't want this feeling to end. 

  It abruptly ended when they both came up for air. She was on fire from the kiss and one look into his smouldering eyes made her forget everything else–everything but the burning passion he ignited in her–and only now realising how much she craved his touch.

  ''God I've missed you so much.'' He admitted in a sultry murmur. She shivered at the bold caress of his fingers on her cheeks and before she could stop herself she admitted breathlessly, ''I missed you too. Jake...''

  ''Did you respond with the same passion when he kissed you?'' Van squeezed her brows in confusion ready to ask him what he meant by that when it suddenly dawned on her…

  ''How did you–''

  ''Did you like it? Please tell me you didn't.'' he gazed at her with a pained expression on his face, even though Josh had told him she loved him Jake wanted to hear her say it.

  Van watched the varying emotions on his face and not wanting to torture him further she answered with a plain no. he sighed with relief.

  ''But how did you know? Were you spying on me?'' she pulled away from his embrace instantly feeling cold at the lose of his warmth.

  ''Well…yes–'' but as she opened her mouth to lash out he hurriedly added, ''It's not spying per se–''

  ''Stalking?'' she supplied between clenched teeth.

  ''No. Van, I was making sure you were okay.'' when he saw her eyes narrowing he elaborated, looking away as if he was ashamed of being caught in the act. ''I come here every day to watch over you, make sure you were safe. I'd make sure you shut the door behind you when you go home every night.'' He shifted from one foot to the other nervously as he waited for her response but Van only stared in stunned silence. She thought she had everything figured out this past few days but his revelation changed everything.

  ''You did that? For how long?''

  ''Ever since the day you said you never wanted to see me.'' That was like two weeks ago. Her throat suddenly closed up and her heart clenched tightly.

  ''Why didn't you let me see you?''

  ''Because I needed to be ready to say the right words and know that I mean it with all my heart.'' He swallowed hard. He had rehearsed this moment so many times and those three words were at the tip of his tongue. ''Vanessa i–''  he held her expectant gaze and the words felt right. ''I love you.''

 


Load failed, please RETRY

Status Power Mingguan

Membuka kunci kumpulan bab

Indeks

Opsi Tampilan

Latar Belakang

Font

Ukuran

Komentar pada bab

Tulis ulasan Status Membaca: C27
Gagal mengirim. Silakan coba lagi
  • Kualitas penulisan
  • Stabilitas Pembaruan
  • Pengembangan Cerita
  • Desain Karakter
  • Latar Belakang Dunia

Skor total 0.0

Ulasan berhasil diposting! Baca ulasan lebih lanjut
Pilih Power Stone
Rank 200+ Peringkat Power
Stone 0 Batu Daya
Laporkan konten yang tidak pantas
Tip kesalahan

Laporkan penyalahgunaan

Komentar paragraf

Masuk

tip Komentar Paragraf

Fitur komentar paragraf sekarang ada di Web! Arahkan kursor ke atas paragraf apa pun dan klik ikon untuk menambahkan komentar Anda.

Selain itu, Anda selalu dapat menonaktifkannya atau mengaktifkannya di Pengaturan.

MENGERTI