08
I got another strange box the next morning. This time my boss disposed of it by himself before I could open it.
I was surprised that Sara was still after my life because I had already let go of Jared for her. I didn’t understand
what she had to be threatened about.
That was until I returned home that evening to meet Jared standing in front of the apartment door. He was
hooked to an IV line.
He was pale and shriveled. His eye bags were large. Most of his hair thinned as well as the eyebrows on the top
of his head.
I almost felt pity for him but I remembered that a few days ago he left me for Sara’s undisclosed emergency.
“What do you want?”
“I need to explain what goes on with me and Sara.” He raised his voice.
– ગ
I looked left and right. I didn’t want my neighbors to be concerned about me. My boss had already alerted them
that there was someone stalking me. He had given them strict instructions to call him or call the police if a strange
man ever showed up at my door.
“You have five minutes but don’t think you can change my mind.”
“I only need two.”
Jared was always overconfident. Maybe that’s why he felt he could behave anyhow with me.
I opened the door with the access key card.
After the Fireworks Faded
I waited till he sat down on the chair before asking one of the questions that bothered my mind. “What happened
to you?”
“The doctors can’t tell. They simply asked me to stay off stress.”
“I can’t imagine what in the world would stress you. Definitely not Sara. Do you want me to offer you anything?
Food or water?”
“Ashley, I just want you.”
I let out a loud laugh even though I knew that it would hurt him because he sounded so sincere. “I don’t know
what you’re talking about.”
“I’m not able to sleep properly. I can’t eat. I can’t think I can’t do anything. You fill my mind. I need you.”
“You have Sara.”
“We’re nothing more than friends.”
“Tell that to Instagram users who believe that you are a star couple. Do you know that in my office, you have been voted couple of the year?”
“That means nothing to me.”
At this point I couldn’t help but raise my voice as tears started to fill my eyes. “Then why do you always run to her side at the slightest opportunity? Why do you disregard my feelings for hers?”
“Sarah is the daughter of my father’s former right hand man. When we were younger, we were playing in the garden and some men tried to attack us and kill me. They didn’t succeed because her dad got in the way. He was shot trying to get me to safety.” Jared’s face was sad as he spoke.
“So?”
“With his dying breath, he made me promise to take care of his daughter.”
“That’s a wonderful story.” I clapped my hands. “Now I’m sure that you have a PhD in storytelling.”
“I’m telling everything as it happened. I’m only staying by Sara’s side to make sure that she’s fine.”
“I’m sorry, Jared. Your cock–and–bull story does not move me because I’ve gone past the point where I need or want your affection.”
Jared asked as he looked around the room like he has never seen it before. My mannequin along with rolled up yards of fabric leaned against the wall
“You’re sewing again,” He said.
“I have so much free time on my hand. I didn’t know you were stopping me and holding me back from a lot of things that I actually enjoy.”
“I know I won’t win any award for the best boyfriend, but you have to give me another chance. I promise, you will be my best priority, and I will support anything you do.”
“This is not the first time you’re making this promise. It would be stupid of me to believe that you’re going to do that when you’ve done nothing else but lie.”
“Ashley, I have proof that you’re my number one. Come outside with me.”
“It’s late I want to make dinner, and I still have some work to do before bed time.”
G
“Just give me 10 minutes, I promise. If you don’t change your mind, I will leave you and I won’t not bother you again.”
“Just 10 minutes?” I repeated.
I knew there was nothing he could do to change my mind within 10 minutes.
“Thanks baby.” He started to walk towards the door.
“I’ll agree if you promise that after ten minutes you’ll go straight to the hospital and you won’t come to see me until you are fully recovered.”
་
After the Fireworks Faded
“Are you crazy? What about all those years you warned me to stay undercover? Stop this immediately.”
“Ashley, I did this all because I love you.”
Once upon a time, the fireworks would’ve been the sweetest gesture he did for me but now, it just irritated me.
“I’m sorry but this means nothing to me.”
“I want to make up for the missed time and for giving Sara the attention that should belong to you.”
“It was never about the fireworks.” I folded my hands. “I fulfilled my own end of the promise. Now, you must go to the hospital. We’ll talk when you get out.”
I knew that there would be no conversation as I watched him walk away in pain.
My conversation with him made me realize that a life outside this city would be the best start for me. He had helped me make my decision.
By the time he gets out of the hospital, I would most likely be working with Victoria Steele and living in the city
across the sea.
I could only hope that he would see what a horrible and manipulative person Sara was before she ruined his life.
