FORBIDDEN SEDUCTION

THE JEALOUSY TRAP

KAELANA

“Good day, class,” came an unfamiliar voice, accompanied by the clicking of heels.

I stared at the woman as she circled the table and placed some textbooks down.

"My name is Mrs. Vicky Thompson," the woman continued, her sharp gaze scanning us all with a smile. "I will be your substitute Maths teacher. Your teacher, Mr. Blake, called in sick today."

Sick?

I straightened up at her words. Mrs. Thompson turned to the board and started scribbling some formulas on the board. I wasn't sure how much I heard but the bell snapped me back to concentration.

‘Was Mr. Blake actually avoiding me?’ I wondered as I walked absentmindedly along the hallway.

Was it because of the kiss?

I swallowed hard, tracing the notebook's edge, still in deep thought.

‘It is much obvious that he regrets the kiss. Or else, why did he pull away like that, walked away and didn't turn back once. He must really hate me,’ I concluded, nodding my head a bit until a rap on my shoulder jolted me.

Blinking rapidly, I turned only to find Jackson staring down at me, looking amused.

"I’ve been calling your name for the past minute," he said, tilting his head. "You okay? You looked... lost."

"I…uh…" I began, scrambling for words.

Jackson came to my rescue immediately, cutting off my stutters, "Don’t worry about it. I just wanted to ask… Will you be my date to the school gala?"

My heart paused and I let out a sharp gasp before repeating, just to be sure I heard well. "You want me to be your date?"

“Yeah. You free?” Jackson asked with a small chuckle.

I was stunned. This was Jackson Sullivan, the guy I'd had a crush on forever. The guy I used to dream about dating.

Happiness overwhelmed me and I nodded continuously, “Yeah. Sure. I’d love to.”

“Good. It’s a date then,” Jackson said grinning. He walked backward for a while before winking and then he left.

I remained where I was, not entirely sure if everything was actually reality. Less than a second later, June appeared at my side, pulling me back to earth.

"I just saw Jackson leave," she said breathlessly. "What did he say?"

I exhaled sharply, staring around. I caught Emily's sharp glare so I simply grabbed June's hand and said, “Let’s go. I’ll tell you on the way.”

We had barely settled into June’s car, when she began nagging me to tell her what he had said.

"Spill. Right now."

I let out a short laugh, knowing she'd not let me be till she heard it,Well… Jackson asked me to be his date to the gala on Friday.”

“Shut. Up. Are you serious?!” June literally screamed before catching herself and pressing a hand over her lips.

"Dead serious," I replied, a small smile framing my face.

“Girl, this is huge! You’ve been crushing on him for years!”

I smiled watching her fuse over it. Finally she declared, "You need a gown."

"I already have one," I replied quickly.

“No. Not one of those boring, 'My dad bought me this' dresses. You need something show-stopping,” June fired back, a disgusted look on her face.

Before I could argue any further, June had already started driving toward the best boutique in town.

Inside, the store glittered with stunning evening gowns, but as they browsed, a commotion near the checkout drew their attention.

A woman stood there, looking embarrassed as a shop assistant glared at her.

"I told you, I lost my purse," the woman pleaded. "If you give me a little time, I can—"

"No money, no dress," the assistant snapped, her voice loud enough for other customers to hear. While sine people were whispering, others laughed but none made efforts to help.

'Ugh, the feeling of public humiliation.’

“I’ll cover it,” I cut in, just as the assistant was bout saying something else.

Everyone's eyes snapped to my direction and the woman shook her head, "Oh, no, I couldn’t…"

"It’s fine," I cut in, handing over my card.

Only after I had paid did I turn back to stare at the woman who was full of gratitude. After ensuring that she was all good, I pulled June's hand so we could leave the store.

We finally settled for a midnight blue dress. Nothing too revealing but I knew dad would find a reason why I couldn't wear it.

“Trust me, dad won't approve,” I told her but she was adamant about it.

“He's your dad, surely you can convince him,” came June's response.

That was what I thought as I walked down the stairs in my blue dress on the night of the gala. I had barely alighted from the stairs when Dad's booming voice stopped me.

"You can’t wear this," he said. "It’s too revealing."

Fighting the urge to roll my eyes, I argued, "Dad, it’s literally a normal dress."

"You’ll change into something more appropriate."

"I don’t have anything else."

“Then you’re not going,” He shot back.

"Dad," I began rather calmly, "I’m nineteen. I can decide what to wear."

I watched his eyes go dark and I just knew it that I had gone too far in my speech. I was simply just reciting my apology letter to Jackson and June when his voice came again.

"Hmm. Your driver would pick you at 10. No drinking. No kissing. No foolishness."

I nodded, trying to conceal the joy I felt for fear that he'd change his mind.

As soon as I stepped unto the floor, gasps resounded from everywhere and at first, I was scared that someone had played a prank again.

But before I got a chance to fret, Jackson was right beside me, staring longingly at me.

"Damn, Kael. You look…" He shook his head, grinning. "You’re gonna steal the whole night."

My face grew hot and red… definitely. "Shut up."

He took my hands and we began to dance. Everything felt so surreal like nothing else could go wrong.

We were slow dancing when Jackson brushed a strand of stray hair from my face. “I've never realized how beautiful you look.” Jackson said and if there was a chance to blush harder than I already was, I did.

"You think?" I whispered, my head against his chest.

"Obviously," he replied. "I should’ve asked you out a long time ago."

Noting that he couldn't see my face, I smiled widely. “I had a crush on you for so long,” I finally spilled.

"Had?" I heard him say. “Look at me Kael.”

“Maybe still a little,” I said, meeting his gaze. He didn't say anything, just stared into my eyes. I couldn't even pull my eyes from him.

We kept staring at each other. It was like the whole stopped and it was just us. He stared at my lips and then leaned in…

"Kaelana!" Came June's voice, stopping in front of us.

I jumped back, heat crawling up her face.

As if just realizing what she interrupted, she began apologizing, "Sorry, sorry! Just… wow. You look amazing."

We exchanged pleasantries for a while before she left. As soon as she was out of earshot, we shared an awkward laugh.

"I need a drink, would you like one?" Jackson said, already pulling me towards the refreshment table.

"Wine?" Jackson continued.

Shaking my head, I replied, “I promised my dad I wouldn’t drink."

Jackson sighed dramatically, before replacing it with a small smile and offered, "Fine. Water, then?"

“Water’s fine,” I nodded, taking it from him.

We continued talking until I got a message from my driver that he'd be there in a short while. By then, Jackson's voice had slurred, "Kaelana, y-you’re so... wow. So gorgeous."

“Jackson, how much did you drink?" I asked, helping him towards the balcony.

"Not much,” he replied.

"Jackson, we need to get you home," I said.

We were right on the dancing floor and I twisted my neck back a bit to call June when suddenly Jackson gagged and pucked all over my dress.

My first reaction was shock and then horror. People were filming me amidst roaring laughter.

“Oops.”

That was it.

A hot, humiliating tear slid down my cheek before I took to my heels.

It was raining heavily when I stepped outside. My dress was soaked, my makeup was ruined and u didn't even know where I was going. All I knew was that I was moving.

My heels snapped and I jerked forward, but before I could fall, I felt gands wrap around me.

It was one I was used to.

Ryan.

His gray eyes somehow warmed me and I wrapped myself in his embrace, crying my hearts out.

“Kaelana?” he rasped breathlessly.