Taming Demi's Mom (ONGOING)

Chapter 27

{JACKSON}

I WAS surprised when someone hugged me from behind. When I turned around, Enzo's annoying face greeted me. And he was even smiling!

I immediately nudged him on his side. His face quickly crumpled, and he let go of me. I'm currently cooking steak right now. It's so boring! I have nothing to do, so this is what I ended up doing. I'm also getting used of Enzo's repeatedly grilled fish. It's always fish. It seems like that's the only thing he knows how to eat and cook every dinner.

"Ouch! I was just about to say how hardworking my wife is. But then you hurt me," he grumbled at me.

He sat on one of the stools. I had just finished cooking, so I also served the steak on the table. I gave him a stern look. He had just arrived and was still wearing his police uniform.

"You're saying such disgusting things. Do you want coffee? Maybe it'll make you think twice about what you're saying!" I retorted, but he just laughed at me.

I grabbed a plate, put my food on it, and started eating. As Enzo remained motionless, I looked at him with a furrowed brow.

"What are you waiting for? Shall I feed you too?" I sarcastically remarked to him.

That's when he finally stood up to get his own plate, still laughing at me. I don't know what he finds so amusing. I'm not even joking. Tsk!

After getting his food, he looked at me again, shaking his head. "I used to be the grumpy one, and you're the one who always bothering me. But now, it seems like the world has turned upside down. What happened?" he commented.

I glared at him like a woman. "You know the answer, no need to ask," I said irritably. It's not that I'm annoyed with him, but I'm irritated by the topic he's bringing up now.

Over the past week, I kept myself busy to forget everything that happened. It really hurts, you know! If I think about it all the time, it might give me a heart attack. If that happens, where's my dignity? I'll look like a weak man. Tsk!

"You know, instead of sulking here and repeatedly calling her, why don't you just go back to New Orleans and talk to her in person? It's really unlikely she'll answer your calls. Who knows, she might have a good explanation for what happened, and maybe she just can't bring herself to reach out first. Of course, as the man, you should take the first step. It's like you don't know women. It's their fault, but they still want us to be the ones to make amends for their mistakes. Women, indeed!" Enzo expressed at length.

I raised an eyebrow at him. "Didn't you tell me the other day to just find another woman because I don't deserve someone like Victoria?" I reminded him.

"That was the other day, not today. And are you numb? Can't you feel that I'm pushing you away? You've been acting like my baby for a week now. And I'm getting tired of looking at your face," he replied philosophically.

I just continued eating. There's really no sensible conversation happening between Enzo and me. But I couldn't help but think about what he said. I've been wanting to go back to Victoria in New Orleans for a long time. I'm just holding back. I'm still angry with her until now. But I still call her every day, hoping she'll answer, but not once has she picked up. As time passes, my anger towards her grows like a plant.

I feel like she really doesn't care about how I feel. Maybe she never really loved me? But I love her, whether she loves me back or not. Enzo is right. I need to take action. Tomorrow, I'll fly back to New Orleans to win her back from Liam. I know Victoria truly loves me. I know myself. Even though I'm furious about what she did to me, I can still forgive her, and I'm ready to accept whatever reason she would give to me.

"Early tomorrow morning, I'll go back to New Orleans. You're right. I should talk to her in person because nothing will happen if I just do this," I said seriously to Enzo while eating.

He gave me a thumbs up, while still laughing. I don't really know what's up with him. "That's the right decision, cousin. Chase her and be a fool for that woman as long as you want. I support you," he joked.

"i***t!" I finally laughed with him, finding amusement in his jokes. This guy has never been a decent person to talk to.

"By the way, I talked to Uncle the other day. He knows you're living with me, and he qas worrying about you. I told him you're doing well, and I'm taking good care of you," he proudly recounted.

He leaned forward. "Why haven't you talk to Uncle yourself?" he asked, a curious expression on his face.

This guy talks too much. Just when we're facing the dining table having a our dinner.

"I don't want to talk to people for now. I need space," I said.

I was surprised when he smacked me in the back of my head. I gave him a stern look. No manners at all!

He pointed at himself. "You're talking to me! Am I not a person?" he asked.

"Your an animal, remember that," I said seriously, but deep inside, I was laughing at him. His face became even more furious. I finally got back at him for teasing me.

THE time passed quickly. I'm already here in New Orleans. I just got off my private plane, and as I checked my watch, it's only 9 o'clock in the morning. I'm dressed in a formal suit, wanting to present my best appearance to that man.

According to my hired investigator, Victoria and Demi are currently staying at Liam's mansion. My heart feels squeezed with pain upon learning that. So she's still with that man? I'm contemplating whether I should proceed and meet her to talk or not. But I'm already here. I shouldn't back up.

Outside the airport, a BMW M5 is waiting for me. My driver opened the door for me on the passenger seat, and I got in. He drove me towards Liam's mansion. As I'm on the ride, I can't stay calm. My hands are getting cold, and it feels like I can't breathe properly. I tried loosening my tie, but it didn't help me breathe more easily.

I just really hope that Victoria would come back with me. I don't know what I would do if she doesn't agree to come with me. Would I beg her on my knees? Would I force her to be with me? But I'm not that kind of person, and showing such behavior would only push her further away. I feel like I'm going crazy thinking about what to do when I face them.

"Sir, we're here," my driver reminded me, breaking my train of thought.

He was about to get out of the car to open the door for me, but I stopped him. I grabbed his shoulder.

"I'll handle it. Just wait for me inside the car," I told him.

"Copy, Sir," he replied.

I stepped out of my car and stood in front of Liam's mansion's grand gate. I stared at the doorbell, struggling to press it. What am I doing here? I must look like a fool right now! I don't deserve this situation. Never did it cross my mind that I would become a third party, and yet here I am, audaciously chasing a woman who's still legally married to her ex-husband.

Okay, Jackson. Remember why you came here! No backing out! You're here now. You need to do this. Now or never.

I was about to ring the doorbell when my eyes caught the peephole in the middle of the gate. As far as I know, only someone inside can open it. But there's no harm in trying. Maybe they forgot to lock it.

I approached it and sincerely prayed that I could open it. I tried and was immensely grateful when it actually opened. I brought my eyes close to the hole, scanning around until I stopped at a scene.

Tears welled up in my eyes. Liam was carrying Demi in his arms. Beside him was Victoria, and the three of them walked together in the garden. Demi reached for Victoria's cheek, kissing her, and then did the same to her father. I observed their faces. They looked so happy, and I didn't want to erase that happiness from their faces.

I immediately stepped away from the peephole, turned away from the gate, and sat on the dusty cement. I wiped my face harshly with both hands. f**k it! I wanted to scream. I wanted to punch his face. I wanted to blame Victoria for this. I am a powerful man, yet I can't win the woman I loved. I feel sorry for myself. Why did I let myself come here? For what? To get hurt again? To be slapped with the reality that Victoria chose her husband over me? Yes, who am I anyway? We were together for a short time. It was impossible for her to fall deeply in love with me. And I was stupid to love her intensely in that short period.