FORBIDDEN SEDUCTION

JACKSON'S TRUTH

RYAN

“You should eat something,” I began, watching the curled up figure rocking herself on my couch. Her damp hair still clung to her face in a mess but she made no efforts to take it off.

“Or at least drink some tea. It’ll warm you up,” I added, but she didn't reply.

Just as I turned to get her tea, she suddenly asked, breaking the silence, “Why did you tell me to stay away from Jackson?”

I froze immediately, before slowly turning to meet her eyes.“Kaelana, not tonight.”

“No. Tonight,” she snapped, her eyes glinting with tears once again.

Clenching my jaw, I repeated, “Just Drop It.”

“No,” she shouted, shooting up the couch, meeting my gaze. “You tell me to stay away from him. You burn me with your gaze when I’m with him. You kiss me, then pretend it didn’t happen. And now, tonight, you’re suddenly playing the hero?”

Figured this was my cue to leave, but before I could take another step, she grabbed my arm and appeared in front of me.

“Ryan, look at me!” she demanded but I didn't. I mean how could I?

“You know something…” she said finally, letting go of my arm as she stepped back slowly. “You knew something this whole time, didn’t you?”

I stayed quiet, my fingers curling into fists.

“Tell me,” she demanded but I shook my head.

Suddenly she let out a sharp gasp, enunciating each word, “Oh My God.” Her hand moved over her lips as she continued in a whisper, “Ryan… what did he do?”

“Kael…” I began but she cut in immediately.

“Tell me, damn it!”

“You're not gonna like this,” I muttered, digging my hand into my pocket, bringing out my phone and digging out a video.

"She’s just another bet," came the all too familiar voice of Jackson. "Come on, man, you really think I’d go for a minute creature to like her? It was just a game. I won."

She didn't say anything even after the recording ended. She simply stared into space for so long that I was beginning to get worried.

“No,” she said suddenly, breaking the silence. “No. That… that can’t be real.”

‘Oh but it is,’ I wanted to say but I didn't dare to say it.

Letting out a laugh that seemed more mockful than anything else, her hands shaking furiously she said, “You… this is a joke, right? A sick joke?”

I took a slow step forward, trying to hold her but she dodged it like my hands were full of viruses.

“Kaelana…”

“No,” she cut in, her hands in front of her.

I wanted to hold her and comfort her but she wouldn't let me. Suddenly, she turned, grabbed her phone and her purse and said, “I have to go home.”