A Flower Among Thorns

Chapter three

With great care, Jason lowered me onto the bed, his intention to quietly slip away lingering in the air. However, just as he began to retreat, I reached out, clutching the fabric of his shirt, and whispered, "Please don't leave me." Those words hung between us for a moment, heavy with emotion, before I surrendered to the embrace of sleep once more.

As I stirred from my slumber, an unexpected weight pressed down upon me, prompting me to glance to my side. To my astonishment, I discovered Jason sprawled beside me, his bare torso exposed to the morning light. A shriek escaped my lips, echoing in the stillness of the room, and in a flurry of panic, I tumbled out of bed.

In an instant, Jason was at my side, concern etched on his face. “Are you alright, Riley?” he inquired, his voice laced with worry. Confusion swirled in my mind as I grappled with the reality of sharing a bed with him. “Why were you in bed with me?” I questioned, my voice trembling slightly.

Jason chuckled, a knowing glint in his eyes that only deepened my bewilderment. “You asked me not to leave you last night, don’t you remember?” The question hung in the air, heavy with implications. Of course, I had no recollection of the events that led to this moment; otherwise, I wouldn't have reacted so dramatically.

“No, Jason, I don’t remember anything. Can you please help me up now?” I pleaded, extending my hand toward him. Instead of grasping my outstretched fingers, he scooped me up effortlessly into his arms, cradling me in a bridal carry, and gently placed me back on the bed."You could have effortlessly helped me to my feet," I remarked, a hint of frustration in my voice. He responded with a warm smile, leaning down to plant a gentle kiss on my forehead before retreating into his closet, leaving me in a state of bewilderment as silence enveloped the room. Moments later, Jason's voice broke through the stillness, filled with excitement. "I’m taking you shopping today! We’ll be leaving tonight to visit your parents," he announced, his enthusiasm palpable.

It was clear that he had meticulously planned everything, and I felt a wave of gratitude wash over me, relieved that I wouldn’t have to organize any of it myself. "Actually, I’m not going shopping. I’ll just swing by my place to pick up a few things," I countered, determined to stand my ground.

He emerged from his closet, a frown etched across his face, but I refused to waver. "Alright, I can agree to that," he relented, "but when we’re with your parents, you must allow me to spoil you. I want them to see how committed I am to you, so we can truly convince them."

His words stirred something within me, and I found myself warming to the idea. As long as I could retrieve my clothes, I felt content with the arrangement."Alright, but I'm left wondering how I will reach my apartment with my car still parked at the office," I expressed, a hint of frustration in my voice. He flashed me a warm smile, taking my hand gently, and guided me outside to where my car awaited. "Did you really arrange for someone to retrieve my car last night?" I inquired, surprised. He merely shrugged, downplaying the gesture, yet it filled my heart with gratitude knowing he had taken the time to help me. In a spontaneous act of appreciation, I pressed a kiss on his cheek. "Thank you, Jason. I promise I'll return later with my belongings."

As I attempted to stroll away, he grasped my hand, and I turned to him, puzzled by his sudden hold. "I'll drive you there and back," he stated, "since you’re unfamiliar with the route." Reluctantly, I agreed, acknowledging that it would indeed be more convenient, especially since I had drifted off to sleep the previous day. He summoned someone to fetch his keys, and together we embarked on our journey to my apartment.After a seemingly endless two-hour drive, we finally arrived at my apartment. As I stepped out of the car, I was taken aback to see Jason following me. A look of confusion must have crossed my face, but he simply smiled and reassured me, “I know you have two roommates, and it’s essential that we inform them about what’s happening.”

It struck me as curious that he was aware of my living situation, though I suspected that he must have done his homework before hiring me, perhaps even consulting my landlord to confirm my residence. Just then, Jason approached and took my hand, his fingers intertwining with mine. The sensation was both strange and comforting, igniting a warmth that spread through me.

As we entered my apartment, I was immediately enveloped in a warm embrace from my best friend. “Where on earth did you disappear to last night? Are you alright? What happened?” Her concern was palpable, and I chuckled softly as her girlfriend, Carla, gently pulled her away, directing her attention to the fact that I wasn’t alone.

“Lilly, Carla, this is Jason—my fiancé and boss,” I introduced him, and their expressions shifted to one of astonishment.

“You go grab your things, and I’ll fill them in on everything while you pack,” Jason suggested, and I nodded, feeling a mix of gratitude and anxiety.

Packing didn’t take long; I had already prepared a suitcase previously. All I needed were a few essentials: my tampons, pads, toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, shampoo, conditioner, and my makeup bag. Once I was finished, I stepped into the living room, where I found Jason, Lilly, and Carla deep in conversation, laughter filling the air.

“What did I miss?” I asked, a hint of confusion in my voice.

“Nothing much,” Lilly replied with a smile.

“Are you ready?” Jason inquired, and I nodded in response, feeling a flutter of nerves and excitement.

I embraced Lilly and Carla, promising to keep in touch and share every detail of my adventure while I was away, as Lilly insisted I do. Jason then took my bags, effortlessly carrying them to the car and loading them in after graciously opening the door for me. As I settled into the seat, I couldn’t shake the feeling that life was about to take an unexpected turn.Jason and I drove in silence back to his home, the weight of unspoken words hanging heavily in the air between us. A sense of dread gnawed at my insides as I contemplated what awaited me in my hometown. I feared that my parents would dismiss my concerns, and the thought of being denied the chance to see my brother was almost unbearable. Thankfully, they were unaware of my impending arrival, nor did they know that Jason would be accompanying me.

Upon reaching his residence, we settled into a rhythm of quietude, with Jason retreating to his home office to tackle work and other tasks that remained a mystery to me. Meanwhile, I found solace in the cozy confines of his sitting room, engrossed in a book I had discovered on his bookshelf.

After what felt like an eternity—six long hours—Jason finally emerged from his office, announcing that it was time for us to leave. He guided me to a waiting car, where a driver stood ready to take us to the airport. The journey took about 45 minutes, during which I mustered the courage to ask Jason about our gate. To my surprise, he ignored my question, instead intertwining our fingers as he led me toward a private jet.

"I forgot to mention," he said, a hint of excitement in his voice, "that my family has access to a private jet. We can take off immediately, and it will get us there much faster. Plus, there's a bed inside, so you can rest if you need to."

His thoughtfulness warmed my heart. As we boarded the jet, I held tightly to his hand, guiding him toward the inviting bed. "If I'm going to sleep, so are you," I insisted gently. "You've been working hard and deserve some rest too."

A smile crept across his face as he removed his jacket and settled onto the bed, extending his arm invitingly for me to join him. I nestled beside him, our bodies fitting together comfortably, all the while maintaining the charade for the attentive staff on the jet. In that moment, I felt a sense of safety enveloping us, as if the world outside ceased to exist.