8. Tell Him Or I Will
1651 Words
I pulled the door shut as I followed Jaden inside. I'm weird, I know. You can tell me that—even crazy—as I've just followed a complete stranger into an empty mansion at God knows where.
"Hey, I won't bite you, no need to be over-cautious," he said in an amused tone. Too late to go back anyway.
"I wasn't being cautious," I defended with a shrug. "I'm just not used to these."
He smiled at me before grabbing my wrists. "C'mon, I understand. I mean, it's not every day you get approached by the hottest guy in school." He winked.
I exhaled lightly. Cocky jerk.
He led me past the hallway and into a dimly lit room. The shutters were down.
Oh crap. Scary.
At the peak of my nervousness, my phone rang, startling me even more. I already knew who was calling. He's practically the only one that calls me.
I pressed the receive button and brought the phone to my ear.
"Hey, Alex."
"Summer, where are you?" he asked, a bit startled and angry.
"I'm with a friend," I managed to explain.
"Can you be a bit more specific?" he yelled. I ended the call and noticed Jaden standing directly in front of me.
"So many pictures with this same Eve." I choked back on my own words.
Gosh, I am envious of this woman—flawless skin, tall, kissable curvy lips, and a lustful body. God is so cruel.
"That's my mom you're calling Eve," Jaden stated. I felt my cheeks heat up as I did a double take on this siren biting into an apple. Her eyes fixed ahead, curly, bouncy brown hair cascading down her breast to her waist, glossy constellation-blue eyes, and a lustful smile gracing her lips.
"She looks fetish and way too young to be your mom," I voiced out, tracing her body with my fingertips. Her eyes felt like they were on me.
"I know, she's a beauty smoked out of the Creator's pot," he smiled. "She's 39 years old."
"Wow." I couldn't help but fidget with my fingers. His mom is really beautiful.
I couldn’t help but think about my late mom. I swallowed the lump in my throat as I pictured her enchanting face.
"So you’ve never wondered where I got my good looks from?" he said cockily.
I smiled, pushing my imagination to the back of my head. I rolled my eyes playfully at Jaden.
"Why bring me here?" I questioned, scrunching up my nose as I realized I had forgotten the reason I was here anyway.
A sharp intake of breath filled my ears. Jaden looked down at me and beckoned for me to follow him.
I sauntered behind him into a different room that looked like an office.
The office was really stunning. Neat, organized, and professional. A mini aquarium filled with tiny fish sat on a table.
"Please, have a seat," Jaden offered. I swept my eyes around the office before sitting in the well-polished armchair he pointed at.
"Care for a drink?" he asked abruptly, clapping his hands together.
"Yes, please. I really need water," I said, feeling the couch relax under me as Jaden turned to get water from the mini freezer.
He poured the water into a glass and handed it to me. I took small sips, quenching my burning throat.
"Uhm... as you’ve seen, I want to pursue photography," he said, looking away from my eyes.
Jaden wants to pursue photography? I never saw that coming.
"I didn’t know that, ’cause I thought you were a business student—but then I saw you in literature classes," I replied sincerely.
"Well, I take art classes without my parents knowing," he said.
I couldn’t help but stare at him in amazement. I'm here struggling with art classes, and someone is combining art and business classes?
His eyes twinkled as he spoke, and the look in his eyes right now is someone in love—but this time, with photography.
Well, I thought photography was just about clicking poses.
"You see, my parents are kind of against it. My dad especially. He thinks photography should just be a hobby, not a job."
"Oh." His father has my mindset.
"So yeah, he won’t sponsor my education if I decide to pursue my dream career... photography," he said, buckling his knees together, eyes dulled.
"So I came up with Plan B. There's a contest—for a scholarship. And I have to win it."
His blue eyes met mine. Then he looked away.
"Which university? Well, your IQ is pretty high," I chuckled, looking around. I couldn’t figure out why he asked me to come with him.
"New York University," he replied.
My eyes snapped up to his again.
"That's like one of the best colleges in the world!" I fazed, shocked. I mean, like—who gets admission there to learn photography?
"I know, but the admission isn’t really my problem," he said.
I couldn’t help but snort at his pride.
He chuckled. "I can’t afford the fee with my savings alone... and my dad won’t pay it."
"Oh... what about your mom?" I enquired, growing more curious.
"As much as I hate admitting it... my mom’s kinda a jellyfish—never sticking up to Dad for me. She’s Dad’s sweetheart," he vented with a really sad look.
I really wished I could comfort him, but he was beyond my reach.
"I can’t afford the fees without selling my heart, soul, and body to the devil," I said, raising my hands to make him see my point.
He came in front of me, taking hold of my hand and placing it on his chest.
"As long as this heart beats, I’ll..." he smiled warmly, "...I’ll do what I want."
I hastily tore my gaze away from his.
"Well, lucky for us, there’s a lifetime contest and a scholarship to New York College is part of the winner’s package," he added, leaning on his desk beside me.
"So why do you need me?" I enquired.
He held my gaze for a moment and then exhaled audibly.
"I need you to model for the competition," he whispered, tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear and placing his hands on each of my knees.
"Please don’t say no," he added.
My eyes flew wide and I stared at him, momentarily shocked.
He held my gaze with those blue orbs—connecting to my soul and warming it up.
"No way." I choked out, looking away from his eyes. "Why me? You’re making a terrible choice. I’m not model material," I exclaimed, recovering from the shock.
He grabbed my knees as I tried to get off the armchair.
"Because no one has caught my attention like you do," he said, full of seriousness.
I snorted, raising an eyebrow at him.
"I see my mother in you," he added.
I almost burst into laughter.
"Then you are blind," I muttered, grabbing my phone, ready to get away from the words he was spewing.
"You wanna leave?" he asked, leaning back on the couch.
I grunted, practically rolling my eyes and taking another step.
"I’ll tutor you if you agree."
"Ah, ah, ah... it’s okay," I forced out sarcastically and brushed my hands over my thighs, ready to leave.
But Jaden grabbed my arm.
"I know you’re in love with Alex," he said.
I gasped, my stomach twisting. "What? No—" I shook my head quickly and slapped his hand away. He didn’t move. He just stared at me, his grip tightening slightly as if daring me to deny it again.
"I said I’m not!" I insisted, yanking my arm back and stepping toward the door.
He just looked at me. That same unreadable, knowing expression on his face. His lips curved—not in a smile, but something like amusement laced with disbelief.
"Is that all you ever want him to be?" he asked, rising slowly from the couch.
I didn’t answer. I couldn’t.
Tears stung the corners of my eyes before I could stop them.
I froze when he stepped closer.
My heart started pounding again, but this time for a different reason.
I clenched my fists.
"I mean, if that’s what you want—just a bestie..." he said mockingly, voice low. "...should I tell him?"
My chest clenched.
"No," I whispered, eyes flickering to the floor.
"I don’t love him that way," I lied, my voice breaking.
His eyes didn’t leave mine.
"Maybe you don’t. Or maybe Alex will choose your words over mine."
He took another step forward.
"But if I tell him—he’ll start looking closer. He’ll see what I see. And then maybe..." He tilted his head, almost cruel now. "...maybe he’ll realize how much you’ve been hiding—and drift away from you."
That hit. Hard.
"But help me—and I’ll make him see what he’s about to lose. I’ll place you far beyond his reach."
His voice dropped, intense and rough.
"I’ll make him want you so badly, it’ll break him to let you go."
My throat tightened as I held back a sob.
"Did you bring me here to hurt me?" I finally choked out.
Tears ran hot down my cheeks.
"Just take me home."
"Sunshine—" he reached for me, his voice suddenly soft again.
"I said take me home!" I snapped, louder this time, stepping back.
"Princess, I’m sorry. I crossed the line—I’m just so desperate," he said, voice cracking as he stood.
I shook my head. My legs trembled.
"Jaden..." I whispered. "Please. Just take me home."
He stared at me for a second, as if trying to memorize the damage he’d just done.
His blue eyes finally softened.
"I’m sorry," he said again.
And this time, I believed him.
But it didn’t make anything feel better
- Writer
