Silent Strings

Chapter 5

As the final notes of the song echoed in the memory, so did the feeling of that moment—the strange familiarity, the unspoken pull, and the way Jackson had unknowingly staked his claim on a piece of her world with something as simple as a melody.

Ines blinked, shaking herself back to the present. The clinking of plates and the muted hum of conversation in the cafeteria replaced the piano's melody in her mind. Across the table, Jackson was watching her again, the same kind of intent curiosity he'd shown all those years ago. His smirk hadn’t changed—it still carried that mix of confidence and teasing that always managed to throw her off balance.

“You’ve barely touched your food,” he commented, resting his elbow casually on the table and propping his chin on his hand.

“I was… thinking,” she replied, trying not to let her cheeks betray her.

“Thinking about me?” He grinned, leaning forward. “Because I wouldn’t blame you.”

She rolled her eyes, but her lips twitched. “Actually, no. I was thinking about how I’m wasting my break sitting here with you when I could’ve been enjoying some peace and quiet.”

“Ouch.” Jackson placed a hand over his chest as if her words physically wounded him. “You’ve grown sassier, I see. Must be my bad influence.”

“Hardly.” She finally took a bite of her lunch, avoiding the way his gaze lingered on her a little too long.

“And yet,” he said after a moment, “you didn’t say no.”

“To what?”

“To thinking about me.”

Ines almost choked on her food and shot him a glare, though the heat rushing to her cheeks was impossible to hide. “You’re insufferable, Dr. Huáng.”

“Ah, but you can’t deny I’m entertaining.” He leaned back, his arms crossed, his grin never faltering. “And as your senior and unofficial mentor, it’s my duty to make sure you’re properly welcomed.”

“Welcomed,” she repeated, arching a brow. “By dragging me to lunch and making me regret my life choices?”

“See? You’re smiling. I’m doing a great job.”

She shook her head but couldn’t stop the laugh that bubbled up. The ease of their banter, the way he made everything feel lighter—it was something she hadn’t realized she’d missed.

But as they sat there, surrounded by the murmur of the hospital cafeteria, her thoughts drifted back to the music room, to the first time she’d met him. Maybe it was that day when her life had started veering off course in ways she hadn’t understood yet.

Now, as she glanced at him, the same Jackson Huáng who could infuriate her and make her laugh in equal measure, she wondered if she was ready to face the man who’d unknowingly changed her world all those years ago.

And from the way he was looking at her—like he saw through her carefully built walls—she wasn’t so sure she had a choice.

Ines sipped her iced tea, eyes darting anywhere but the man seated across from her. The cafeteria buzzed with voices, the clatter of trays, and the occasional laughter, but all of it felt muted compared to the tension humming between them.

“So,” Jackson started casually, leaning back in his chair like he hadn’t just turned her world upside down. “No boyfriend, huh?”

Ines choked slightly on her tea, glaring at him as she set the glass down with a clink. “Why are you even asking me that?”

He smirked, the kind of smirk that always sent a mix of irritation and warmth spiraling through her chest. “Can’t a guy be curious? Three years is a long time, Nurse Cua. What happened to all those admirers you used to have back in Uni?”

Her stomach twisted at his tone, so effortlessly light yet laced with something unspoken. She rolled her eyes and forced a scoff, hoping it would mask the heat creeping up her neck. “Oh, please. As if I had the time.”

Jackson’s gaze sharpened, though his grin remained in place. “Time? Or interest?”

Her fingers tensed around her fork. He was getting too close to the truth, and she hated how easily he could do that. How easily he had always been able to do that.

“Not everyone’s a genius doctor who can juggle work, women, and everything else without breaking a sweat,” she quipped, deflecting as she stabbed at her salad.

“And not everyone’s Kassandra Ines Cua, who managed to keep every guy at arm’s length for, what, years?” His voice dropped slightly, turning softer, almost teasing, yet carrying a weight that made her heart skip. “What’s the deal, Ines? Scared to get your heart broken?”

Her hand froze midair, the fork hovering over her plate. She could feel his eyes on her, probing, waiting for her to crack under his words.

She forced a laugh, though it sounded strained even to her own ears. “Why would I be scared? I just haven’t found the right person, that’s all.” Her gaze darted to his, challenging. “Oh, and mind you, Dr. Huáng, it’s partly your fault.”

Jackson raised a brow, leaning back in his seat with that infuriatingly smug grin of his. “Oh? Now how did I manage that?”

Ines folded her arms, the edges of her lips twitching as she tried to suppress a smirk. “Those men thought I was taken by you. One of them even said you glared at him too much during a college fair. Now tell me—” she leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table, her voice dropping just slightly, “—how am I supposed to get a boyfriend when the great Jackson Athanasius Huáng scares them all off?”

His grin didn’t falter; if anything, it widened. “You can’t blame me for having standards for you, Ines. I mean, come on. Would you really want to waste your time with some spineless guy who runs off because of a little glare?”

“Little glare?” She gawked, pointing a finger at him as she lowered her voice, mindful of the other people in the cafeteria.

“Jackson, you looked like you were ready to throw them out of the building. One guy literally told me he felt like his career would be over if he so much as offered me coffee.”

“Good,” he said, nonchalantly picking up his glass of water. “Saved you from bad coffee and worse company.”

Her jaw dropped. “Are you even serious right now?”

He set the glass down, his expression softening, but there was something unmistakable in his gaze—something possessive and unapologetic. “Completely. I wasn’t about to let some i***t who wasn’t good enough for you get in your way.”

Her heart stuttered at the way he said it, so casual yet so heavy. She swallowed hard, trying to deflect. “And who, pray tell, is good enough for me, Dr. Huáng?”

Jackson’s eyes didn’t waver, his voice dropping an octave as he leaned forward, closing the distance between them. “Haven’t found anyone yet.” His gaze dipped briefly to her lips before flicking back to her eyes, his tone teasing but his words laced with meaning. “But you’ll know when you do.”

Her breath hitched, heat rushing to her cheeks. “You’re impossible.”

“I’m just honest.” He shrugged, sitting back again, though his smirk remained firmly in place. “And for the record, I didn’t stop you from dating anyone. You’ve had three whole years to make your move.”

Her face flushed deeper at the reminder, and she threw a napkin at him. “You make it sound like it’s my fault!”

He caught the napkin midair, his reflexes annoyingly perfect. “Well, isn’t it?” he countered smoothly. “You’ve been holding out. What’s the real reason, huh?”

Her throat tightened. She couldn’t exactly say, Because no one compares to you. Because you ruined me for anyone else. Because you’re all I’ve ever wanted but can’t have. Instead, she forced another laugh and reached for her drink to mask her flustered state. “Maybe I just have high standards too.”

Jackson leaned closer again, his voice a soft murmur now, just for her. “Good. You should. But if you keep holding out too long…” His lips twitched, that familiar teasing light in his eyes. “You might just end up stuck with me.”

Her pulse raced, and for a moment, she couldn’t tell if he was joking or dead serious. She swallowed hard and tried to keep her composure. “Stuck with you? That sounds like a nightmare.”

Jackson chuckled, the sound rich and full of amusement. “Oh, sweetheart, you wouldn’t survive a day without me.”

She rolled her eyes, though she couldn’t fight the smile tugging at her lips. “You’re insufferable.”

“And you love it,” he shot back without missing a beat, leaning back again, utterly satisfied with himself.

She opened her mouth to retort, but nothing came out. Instead, she busied herself with her lunch, ignoring the way her heart was still pounding. Damn him and his infuriating confidence.

And damn herself for knowing, deep down, that he wasn’t entirely wrong.