Scars of Time

Chapter 41: "Jealousy"

Jo's POV

Time was insistent on heading home, but I couldn't bear to let him leave like that. It was clear that he was upset, and even though he claimed it was just fatigue, I could already sense that his grandmother was the underlying cause. Thankfully, Alex's arrival seemed to lift his spirits ever so slightly. Despite their constant bickering, I couldn't help but suspect that deep down, they harbored secret affections for one another. They act like children whenever they meet.

As we settled around the table, an unusual silence fell upon us. It was a stark contrast to the lively atmosphere of our previous New Year's Eve dinner. Maybe it's the absence of alcohol.

Hope's inquisitive tone cut through the silence, "Why aren't you both eating?"

They continued to stare at each other as Time replied, "I don't have an appetite" and I glanced at him, feeling a tinge of disappointment. I cooked all of this to cheer him up and he didn't even touch it.

"Don't you like my cooking?" I asked, a hint of sadness in my voice.

Alex, on the other hand, shrugged nonchalantly and declared, "If he doesn't feel like eating, then let him be. I'll gladly devour his plate as well, because it is simply too scrumptious to resist." Nevertheless, my attention remained fixated on Time's response. Why does he appear so sad today? Could it solely be due to his grandmother? Hope, on the other hand, remained silent, but I believe she handled it with more composure than him.

Alex reached for his plate which Time tried to hold, leading to a brief struggle. Unfortunately, when Alex finally let go, the entire contents ended up splattering onto Time's clothes. I immediately rushed to help him clean up, but he angrily brushed my hands aside and headed towards the bathroom. I couldn't comprehend why he was upset with me now! I wasn't the one who spilled the food. I was just trying to help!

"I'll take care of it. You should carry on enjoying your meal" I assured them and followed him to the bathroom.

He was struggling to clean his shirt, which was in his hands instead of his body. This was not the right time for me to look at his well-defined abs, so I had to push these enticing thoughts aside.

"Let me help you" I offered, waiting for him to answer, which he didn't. He blatantly ignored me, and I could sense his anger boiling inside. Instead of addressing the issue, he just stubbornly continued scrubbing that shirt, as if it had personally offended him. And when he finally gave up, he angrily threw it down and let out a frustrated sigh.

"Lend me some clothes." he said curtly, not even looking at me.

"My clothes?!!!!"

"Alex's. Since apparently he has a lot of them here."

"Oh. So that's what this is about."

"Yes, Jo! It's about him being able to continue showing up here whenever he feels like it!"

"Alex and I broke up, Time. I think I already told you that. We are only friends now, and yes, he can come here whenever he wants to. But you might not be welcome if you continue acting up."

"I'm the one acting up!!" His voice rose, a mix of disbelief and frustration "Didn't you see the way he talked earlier!! Do you really think he sees you only as a friend?!"

"I don't know and I don't care." I yelled, the words spilling out before I could stop them. "I see him as a friend only and that's all that matters."I screamed, and strangely enough, it appeared to calm him down. He stared at me, his eyes dark and searching, as if trying to find cracks in my resolve. I held his gaze, refusing to back down.

And then, without warning, he stepped closer, his hands cupping my face as he leaned in. Before I could process what was happening, his lips brushed against mine in a kiss that stole the breath from my lungs.

I froze, stunned.

Is that all he wanted to hear to feel better?!

The shock wore off quickly, and I swung my arm to smack him. But he caught it mid-air, his reflexes annoyingly quick. With a smirk, he pulled me closer, his grip firm but not unkind.

How does he find a way to do this every single time?

"Good then. Because I can't share you with anyone."

......................

Time's POV

This time, she didn't push me away when I hugged her. It's as if she's slowly coming to terms with the fact that this is just who I am.

"Are you feeling better now?"

"I'm still jealous, but I'm not going to do anything. Don't worry."

"That's not what I'm asking about," she said, which got me confused. "Hope told me that your grandmother showed up."

"Did she tell you we were adopted?!"I asked and to my astonishment, she nodded in affirmation.

"She must feel close to you. She has never mentioned this to anyone else."

"Why? Is being an orphan something to be ashamed of?"

"It's a little different for us. Since everyone around us is from the company. It would affect a lot of choices if people knew we were not Evan Astor's biological children."

"I think blood relations are a bit overrated. If Evan Astor had accepted you as his children, then it's no one's right to say anything different" she said, which got me smiling in irony. It's amusing how she sees the world with such innocence.

"I say you don't have to worry about anything. Even if your grandmother appears or even if your biological parents themselves show up, you're still Time Astor. No one can take that away from you."

If only life could be as uncomplicated as she believes it to be!

I nodded in agreement, letting her words hang in the air. But then, without warning, she reached out and placed a finger on my cheek.

Her touch caught me completely off guard. “What are you—"

"And don't get jealous of me. I'm not your girlfriend."she said, her voice teasing, her expression unreadable.

Her statement was so unexpected, so absurd, that laughter burst out of me before I could stop it. And in that moment, I understood that it was her intention anyway. Because her finger was perfectly aligned with the line etched on my face, a testament to the joyous smile she had brought forth.

I used to always hate how there was only one unnecessary single line. At least there could have been one at each side, but I never knew I could start loving it with only one touch of her hand.

And she has the audacity to act annoyed when I kiss her. Yet she does things like this! How could I possibly stop myself when she’s the one who keeps breaking every wall I put up?

"Should we go eat?" I asked and she looked at me up and down, reminding me I was shirtless.

"Like this?"

"Then lend me something to wear."

"Fine. Let's go look at Alex's clothes."

She sighed, clearly unimpressed, and grabbed my arm to drag me into her room. Throwing open the closet, she started rummaging through some clothes, trying to find something suitable

"But there is a shirt I already have in mind" I said casually, leaning against the closet.

She turned to face me, eyebrows raised.

"Which one?"

"The one you are wearing right now."

She froze for a moment, staring at me like I’d just spoken another language. “Why would you want this one? There are a dozen other options here that would fit you just fine.

"Because this one would suit me better than it suits you.. This color just doesn't work for you at all. You can wear something from your closet. And if you insist on wearing men's clothes, I can always bring you some of mine later. Trust me, they'll suit you way better than that one."

Her jaw dropped, and she shot me a look that was equal parts disbelief and exasperation."Didn't I just tell you, you can't be jealous?"

"I can't help it." I crossed my arms and leaned in slightly, letting the smirk tug at my lips. “So, what’s it going to be? I’m not wearing anything else but that shirt. "But if you want me shirtless, I can send these two home right now."

She groaned, throwing her hands up in defeat. "Ughghgh Fine. I'll wear something else. You know you're weird, right?"

"I know." I said, the smirk on my face widening as she stomped off to her closet