Joined Paths

Chapter 6

Allena

I sprang up from the sofa on the sound of the bell.

"I will go open the gate," I said and quickly walked away. This was not how it's supposed to be. All these feelings coming back to me like a flood is making my hands quiver.

I can't go through this again, it always ends painfully. I have to keep my distance from him.

I opened the gate and now I regret why I didn't check from the peephole first. The last person I wanted to see in this whole world standing there giving me condescending looks.

"Laura, how can I help you" I smiled even though I felt like puking on her dress.

"Move out of my way." she pushed me aside like a piece of garbage and walked inside like it was her house and I was the intruder. God, I hate her.

I followed behind her and as we entered the hall and I saw the frown forming on Jack's face but of course it didn't stop Laura from almost launching a hug at him.

When Jack didn't hug her back she finally gave up and moved back.

"What are you doing here at this time?" he asked coldly.

"Actually your mother called, she was worried about you so she asked me to check on you," she said rubbing her hand all over his arm and I could see Jack's face softening.

For god's sake, even a kid could tell that she was just making an excuse to stay close to him with her pathetic acting skills but he couldn't.

Why do I even care? He is a grown-ass man, he can take care of himself and besides that, I don't even know what their relationship is like. What if they are together, it seemed like that on the last day on set.

"Can you please tell her that I am alright?" he said.

"Of course I will, but you see, I currently have another problem that needs to be solved," she said sitting on the sofa and I already had this really bad feeling that she isn't going anywhere now.

"What is it, tell me?" Jack prompted.

"I had missed my flight to London to come here and there is no other flight till morning so I have to find a hotel room"

"No problem, you can stay in the guestroom here. Allena do you mind?" he said looking at me.

"It's your house, sir. I will take leave now." All this was really frustrating me, I don't know what I want and it's better if I leave before I say something stupid.

"Do you have to?"

"Yeah, I do. It's getting late. I will be here at 7 in the morning. "

"Okay, Robert will take you." was all he said.

He had nothing else to say to me now, just that Robert will take me.

What was I expecting anyway? After all, his girlfriend has arrived and now he would want me to leave.

I moved out as fast as I could walk and sat in the car and Robert started driving without any question. I know I was being rude but I couldn't help it, I felt like punching something, I don't know why I was feeling both uneasy and angry.

I was almost near my house when my phone rang.  It was Jack.

"Yes Jack"

"Allena, you didn't seem good when you left.  Is everything alright? "

"You don't have to worry about me. Why don't you go take care of your guest?"

"Do I hear jealousy there? " I could imagine him smirking at the other side.

"Huh, you wish. You can go around and sleep with every girl in this world. I don't care what you do. "

"Okay, I got your point but just to prevent rumors there is nothing between me and her. She is just a friend to me. And anyway, you might not know but I am in love with a lovely girl and I don't want anyone other than her. She is a little stubborn and is fixed on being friends but I will convince her soon. "

"Really, you seem to be a little overconfident to me. " I smiled

"Yeah but this time..... uff" he winced in pain

"What was that? Are you in pain? Jack are you fine? Tell me?" I shouted at top of my voice.

"Relax, It's just a little muscle pain. Just tell me where the painkiller is and I will be fine. "

"They are in the right drawer of your bedroom. Are you sure you are fine?"

"Yes, I will manage. I will see you tomorrow."

"OK, take a rest "

I cut the phone and when I looked up I realized that I have reached my house.  I opened the door and got out but immediately sat back in. 

"Robert, can you take me back to Jack's place. "

I don't know why I am doing this, I know this is not what I should do if I don't want to develop feelings for him but he is in pain and he needs me. And however hard I try I can't ignore the fact that I hadn't stopped caring about him.

I opened the door of his apartment with the extra key he gave me at the hospital which I then thought I would never use.

I walked in and all the lights were off. I tiptoed towards Jack's room not making any unnecessary sound. I knocked at the door.

"Laura, go back to your room. I swear if you don't I will throw you out without caring about the time. "

I turned the knob and thankfully it was open.

"Sorry to disappoint you but it's me, not Laura" I smiled and I could see his face light up and he gave me a huge smile. His reaction made me feel something flutter inside me.

He got up but his muscles twitched and he sat back flinching in distress. I moved toward him and helped him lay on the bed.

I gave him the medicine and that helps him relax.  All this while none of us said a word,  there was silence but it wasn't awkward.

"Are You feeling better?" I asked

"Yes, it is. Will you leave now? " he asked lightly.

"Yeah,  I should. "

"Stay...."

"Jack,  don't make it hard.  It will only complicate things. "

"Trust me I won't do anything, I just don't want to be alone.  You do trust me?"

I do trust him.  No matter what he did, I know he will never hurt me intentionally. Next to him will always be the safest place on this planet for me.

"Yes," I said and I lay next to him. His hand moved on to mine and he just held my hand tightly like he was afraid I will go away. None of us moved or said something, it was just a beautiful moment and we didn't want to break it.

I don't know if I am ready to forgive or love him again but I know I can't leave him.

We just lay in bed like that and I felt sleep overtaking my thoughts.