003—CROSSINGALINE
2107 Words
CHAPTER THREE: CROSSING A LINE
Conrad woke up at 5 a.m., unable to sleep. Something had been weighing heavily on him since last night —the name he saw in Jessica’s diary.
Stefan Gilbert.
He sat up quietly so he would wake Jess up, opened his laptop slowly, and typed the full name into the search bar.
Within seconds, images filled the screen.
A tall good good-looking man with broad shoulders.
Hazel eyes and the perfect jawline.
Conrad’s jaw tightened as he scrolled through.
CEO of a well-known luxury hotel.
Owner of a music band.
Featured in magazines. Successful and confident.
He shut the laptop and got dressed for work like he always did, knotted his tie, drank his coffee, and left the house with a plan to meet Stefan.
____
JESSICA
After Conrad left, I picked up my phone and stared at the messages from Stefan. Heart skipped.
I deleted the message and took a deep breath.
___
CONRAD
On his way to work, Conrad dialed his coworker's number.
“Hey man, I’d be coming a little late today.”
“Come on, we’ve got a ton of work. Hope there’s no problem? Jimmy responded.
“I know, I know..I just need to handle something urgent at my son’s school.” Conrad's jaw clenched.
“Alright. I got you.” Jimmy responded
Conrad ended the call and held the steering wheel tightly.
He wasn’t going to David’s school.
He drove the the hotel he had just read about—the hotel owned by Stefan Gilbert.
When he parked, he sat for a moment, breathing hard.
“What the hell am I doing?”
He stepped out of the car. The exact moment Stefan walked through the front gate—tall, broad shoulders, confident—as if the entire world belonged to him.
Conrad got nervous instantly.
He followed him inside.
“Hey! Excuse me, sir!” The receptionist called out sharply. “You are not allowed to go that way. Who are you looking for please ?”
Conrad blinked fast, forcing a polite tone.
“Oh—I’m sorry. I’m Conrad. I just wanted to see someone. I’d like to speak to Stefan Gilbert.”
She raised her brow. “One moment please.”
She picked up the phone looking at Stefan and wondering why he looked tense.
“Hello, sir? Someone is requesting to see you. His name is Conrad …
Stefan responded instantly.
“Let him in.”
Conrad walked towards Stefan’s office, holding his briefcase in one hand, the other clenched at his waist.
Stefan sat on his chair, relaxed, spinning slightly in his chair as if he’d been expecting him.
“I’m Conrad Sinclair.”
Stefan smirked.
“I know who you are. I was wondering when you’d finally get the balls to approach me.”
His smile deepened. “I guess she talked to you about me.”
Conrad’s jaw flexed.
“About what exactly? So you’re talking to Jessie now ?”
“Not really con. I ran into her. Then I sent her a text.”
“A text?” Conrad stiffened in disbelief. “What the hell?”
“Relax, it’s just a text.” Stefan leaned back, unbothered. “Definitely not a big deal.”
Conrad stepped forward.
“You don’t get to tell me what’s a big deal. Now you listen to me. Stay the hell away from my WIFE.”
He turned toward the door and then added under his breath__a low tone—
“Piece of crap.”
Stefan smiled softly, shaking his head.
Stefan knew something with Jessica wasn’t finished. Not for her. Not for him. Never will.
He pulled out his phone.
He hesitated.
Then he hit Video call.
____
JESSICA
I was in the kitchen washing David’s lunchbox when my phone started buzzing. I looked at the screen.
Stefan Gilbert —incoming video call
My heart skipped.
I’m not supposed to answer.
I knew I shouldn’t.
Everything in my body screamed Don’t do this.
But my finger accepted the call before my brain could stop it.
The camera opened.
I swallowed hard. “Why are you calling me?
He tilted his head. “You lied to me you don’t miss me.”
“Stefan, stop.” My voice cracked slightly. “I’m married.”
He leaned back in the chair. Still holding the mobile phone. “Then why did your husband come to my office this morning?”
I froze for seconds.
“He shows up furious. Asking a lot of questions. Telling me to stay away from you.” Stefan smirked. “I know what that means.”
“It doesn’t mean anything,” I snapped, Are you trying to ruin my marriage? My chest tightened painfully.
“It does.” His tone changed. “It means you’re not over me as you pretend to be. Because your husband wouldn’t have noticed anything unless you still feel something for me.”
“I don’t. What we had wasn’t real. I feel safe and happy with my husband. I’m not going to ruin my marriage because of your stupid games.”
“Are you sure?” He whispered.
Without warning, Stefan lowered the phone. To his private areas.
My eyes widened.
I shouldn’t look.
I shouldn’t.
But I froze.
——
Conrad came home late. The moment he stepped into the room. He kissed me—quick, distracted.
We tried to make love, but the flow was off, his mind clearly somewhere else. His touch was hesitant. And I complained, he pulled back sharply.
“Just forget it,” he snapped, voice cracking.
“I guess I’m not doing it the way he used to. Right?”
Face in shock. “Conrad—“
“Don’t,” he cut in, sitting on the edge of the bed, running his hands through his hair. “Just tell me the truth. Are you still in love with him?
“Of course not! I love you, Conny.” I responded quickly standing up.
“I read every word in your diary, Jess. You were questioning your life, our marriage. What we had. Was I a rebound to you? Are you miserable?” He said with so much pain in his voice.
“I am not miserable,” I said firmly, “why are you saying this? I love you, I chose you.”
His jaw clenched. “Do you still love him?”
“No.”
“Do you want to fuck him?”
“No,” , my voice wavered.
“God, Jess.” Eyes burning. “Do you understand how I feel to think I’m your second choice ?”
I grabbed his hands. “You’re not my rebound. Sadie and Stefan are dating. It’s not even an option for me, ever!”
He blinked. “What?”
“Yes, they’re together. We’ll all go out. You, me, Sadie, Stefan. Dinner. Tomorrow night.”
You’ve lost your damn mind, I was at Stefan’s office today and I specifically told him to stay away from you. Now a double date? With him?”
“Yes,” I said, steady. “You’d see for sure I’m not lying to you”.
Conrad exhaled. “Okay fine,” he muttered. “Dinner. All four of us.”
- Writer
