Decision

Chapter 5

Jessica returned to the mansion at dusk, stepping out of the car as though nothing in the world could touch her.

No hesitation,

No guilt.

The gates opened without question. The guards straightened as she passed. Even the workers,those who usually kept their distance seemed strangely relieved to see her.

“Welcome back, Miss,” one of them said softly.

Jessica smiled.

Not warmly.

Not coldly either.

Just… knowingly.

“I never left,” she replied.

The worker frowned slightly, confused, but said nothing.

Felix stood at the entrance, watching her approach.

“Jessica,” he called.

She stopped just a few steps away from him, tilting her head slightly as though studying him.

“Felix.”

The way she said his name sent a chill down his spine.

“You’re back early,” he said carefully.

“Was I gone long?” she asked.

Felix hesitated.

“Long enough.”

A faint smile touched her lips.

“Hmm.”

That was all she said.

Just hmm.

And yet it felt like she knew something he didn’t.

Dinner that night was unusually quiet.

Not tense.

Not uncomfortable.

Just… quiet.

Jessica ate slowly, almost gracefully, as though she wasn’t in a hurry to do anything, not even speak.

Felix watched her,

Every movement,

Every expression,

Trying to find the crack,

The inconsistency,

But there was none.

“Everyone was worried about you,” he said finally.

Jessica glanced up at him.

“Were you?”

The question landed heavier than expected.

Felix didn’t look away.

“Yes.”

She held his gaze for a second longer.

Then nodded.

“Good.”

And went back to eating.

Later that night, something changed.

Jessica didn’t go to her room.

She didn’t even walk toward that side of the house.

Instead, she followed Felix.

Casually,

Silently.

Until he stopped at his door and turned.

“Jessica?” he said, confused. “What are you doing?”

She leaned slightly against the wall, arms folded.

“Where else should I be?”

“In your room,” he said.

She shook her head slowly.

“Not anymore.”

Felix frowned.

“What do you mean?”

Jessica stepped closer.

Too close.

Close enough for him to notice the difference in her eyes.

There was no hesitation there.

No uncertainty.

Just calm certainty.

“I’ll sleep here,” she said.

Felix blinked.

“What?”

“With you,” she added.

The words hung in the air.

Sharp.

Unexpected.

“Jessica, that’s not”

“It’s fine,” she cut in smoothly. “Isn’t it?”

Felix opened his mouth to respond.

Then stopped.

Because something told him

This wasn’t a suggestion.

It was a decision.

She’s his girlfriend…..

He didn’t argue.

That night, Jessica lay on the bed beside him.

Calm.

Still.

Awake.

Felix could tell.

Because he wasn’t sleeping either.

He stared at the ceiling, his mind racing.

Beside him, Jessica shifted slightly.

“Felix,” she said softly.

“Yes?”

“You worry too much.”

His chest tightened.

“I have reasons to.”

She turned her head slightly, her gaze finding his even in the dim light.

“And you think I don’t?” she asked.

There was something in her tone.

Something layered.

Like a message hidden beneath the words.

Felix swallowed.

“What happened to you tonight?” he asked.

Jessica smiled faintly.

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

“Try me.”

She looked at him for a long moment.

Then,

“Some truths are dangerous,” she said. “Especially when they come back.”

Felix’s pulse quickened.

“What truths?”

Jessica turned away.

“Sleep, Felix.”

And just like that,

The conversation ended.

But the questions didn’t.

The next morning came too quickly.

Sunlight filtered into the room, cutting through the silence like a blade.

Felix sat up, rubbing his face.

Jessica was already awake.

Sitting at the edge of the bed.

Watching him.

“You’re up early,” he said.

She didn’t respond immediately.

Instead, she studied him.

Carefully.

Like she was memorizing him.

Or measuring him.

“Felix,” she said finally.

“Yes?”

“You haven’t asked me the most important question.”

He frowned.

“What question?”

She smiled slightly.

“My results.”

Felix exhaled.

“You haven’t shown me your results,” he said.

Jessica stood slowly.

Walked a few steps away.

“I don’t feel like showing you,” she replied.

His expression hardened.

“Jessica”

“I have a lot of carryovers,” she continued, her voice calm. “I don’t want to go to school anymore.”

Felix stood up immediately.

“No.”

The firmness in his tone echoed through the room.

Jessica turned.

Eyebrows slightly raised.

“No?” she repeated.

“You will go to school,” he said. “This is what you’ve always wanted.”

Her gaze darkened slightly.

“Was it?”

Felix stepped closer.

“Yes. Don’t let one failure define you.”

Jessica let out a soft, almost amused breath.

“You think this is about failure?”

“What else would it be about?” he asked.

She didn’t answer.

Instead, she walked past him toward the window.

Looking out.

As if the answer was somewhere beyond the glass.

Felix watched her, frustration building.

“I’m serious, Jessica,” he said. “You’re going back.”

She turned slowly.

And for a brief second,

Something flickered in her eyes,

Something sharp,

Dangerous.

“Careful,” she said softly.

Felix froze.

“Careful of what?”

Jessica’s lips curved slightly.

“Of thinking you’re still in control.”

The words hit harder than he expected.

“What does that mean?” he demanded.

But she didn’t answer.

Instead, she walked toward the door.

“I’ll be back,” she said.

And left.

Minutes later, Felix stood alone in the kitchen, trying to calm his thoughts.

He poured a glass of juice, his mind replaying everything.

Her behavior,

Her words,

Her tone.

When Felix returned to the room, he wasn’t prepared for what he saw.

Jessica stood near the window.

Back turned.

One hand raised.

Something between her fingers.

Thin,

White,

Burning.

Smoke curled slowly into the air.

Felix stopped in his tracks.

“Jessica…?”

She didn’t turn immediately.

Instead, she took another slow drag.

Then exhaled.

The smoke spread, filling the space between them like a barrier.

Finally, she turned.

And looked at him.

Completely unfazed.

“You’re smoking?” Felix asked, disbelief clear in his voice.

Jessica shrugged slightly.

“Relax. It’s just one.”

Felix set the glass down harder than necessary.

“This isn’t you.”

She smiled.

“And who exactly am I?”

The question caught him off guard.

“You’re not someone who..”

“Who what?” she interrupted. “Makes her own choices?”

Felix stepped closer.

“This isn’t about choices. It’s about..”

“Control?” she finished.

Silence.

Thick.

Heavy.

Jessica took another drag.

Then stepped closer to him.

Close enough for him to smell the faint mix of smoke and something else.

Something unfamiliar.

“You really don’t see it, do you?” she said softly.

“See what?”

Jessica reached out.

Tapped lightly against his chest.

“You,” she said.

Felix frowned.

“What about me?”

Her smile faded.

Slowly.

“You’re scared.”