[Music: Soul Tied By Ashley Singh]
I clutched my phone close to my chest, waiting impatiently for the elevator. It beca so slow that it seed like forever.
Jacob.
How much I miss his face and that smile of his that made my toes curl, his manly voice that made protectiveness wrap around . He was the one person who ant the whole world to .
The elevator stopped, and the mont the glass doors slid open smoothly, I sped out, my shoes making sharp clicks.
I swirled restlessly, my eyes searched every sign for that one na.
My anxiety got the best of as I made no progress.
Where is it?!
And then my eyes landed on the sign. Without missing a beat, I rushed toward the café, halting midway. My eyes travelled until they settled on a figure wearing a hoodie and a baseball cap.
I could recognize that cap anywhere. He had that thing like forever.
My gaze softened with longing as I watched him respond to the waitress, giving a subtle smile as he nodded his head before bringing the cup of coffee to his lips.
Drawing in a deep breath, I took a step forward, pushing through the door as I got in. I walked to the end, where he sat.
"Jacob..." I said softly.
His head shot up, a bit confused, so I took off my sunglasses, grinning ear to ear, cheek heating.
"Hi."
Slowly, he rose to his feet, face going pale. In a heartbeat, I practically threw myself at him, hanging against his fra, my arms secured around his neck tightly.
"I’m so glad you’re okay."
My heart fluttered when I felt his hands on my waist, placed at first before he gripped harder and ripped off him.
I stumbled back in shock. "Jacob...?"
"What the fuck are you doing here?!"
At his sudden outburst, I flinched. He had never raised his voice at , never.
Despite trembling, I forced a smile on my lips. "What... what do you an?"
I finally caught notice of the faded bruises on his face.
"Your face..." I tried to reach for him, but he took a step back like my touch was acid.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, looking out the window as if expecting soone to just pop out and strangle him.
"Y-You texted . Said you wanted to et and—"
"What? Texted you from where?"
"Your phone, silly!"
"My phone? What are you..." He paused, blinking a few tis before impatience crossed his face. "Stop this, Ana."
"Stop what?"
"Stop!"
I jumped.
"Lying..." he added through clenched teeth.
"I-I’m not lying! L-Look..." I showed him my phone, the texts he had sent , but he didn’t even bother to look.
"I lost my phone. I haven’t had it on for the last week."
What? Then who...!
I dismissed the thought with a shake of my head. "Listen, forget the texts, just tell if you’re okay. Are you hurting anywhere?"
Jacob chuckled as if I had asked him a ridiculous question. "Funny you asked that, huh... isn’t Zade Salvero your husband now? What... he doesn’t whisper enough in your ear while fucking you?"
My mouth hung as whatever words I had to say died in my throat, but my eyes scread shock and confusion.
"Just stay away. I don’t want anything to do with you."
He brushed past .
"Jacob!" I panicked, gripping his hand tightly as tears stread down my cheek. "Please don’t go, please! Let’s... Let’s talk, alright? T-There’s been so kind of misunderstanding, I’m sure of it."
"Misunderstanding?" He ripped his arm away from my hold. "I have served your family for as long as I can rember. I... I’ve been by yours and Annabeth’s side. Loved Annabeth with all my—"
He hit a pause when he realized he had said that out loud.
Sothing inside broke at that instant.
"What?" I muttered.
He always loved Annabeth? B-But that doesn’t make any sense! He has always smiled at , been close by whenever I needed him, held through nightmares... B-Been my greatest supporter.
Wasn’t that his love for ?
"I should have left after she died," he continued, eyes no longer filled with regret but with certainty. "But your father insisted I stay, and now I’ve gotten caught up in all your ss."
I managed a strained smile. "Jacob."
He moved, but I held his arm again, my nails digging into his skin so that he wouldn’t leave. He can’t leave . He can’t!
"That’s not true, right?" I said desperately.
Maybe it was a slip of the tongue or sothing. It’s not possible he has never had feelings for , that past two years we spent together, we—!
Jacob’s jaw clenched. "It’s the truth, Ana. There is only one woman I have ever loved. Annabeth."
No.
"The only reason I stayed after her death was because of the deal I made with your father. You were spiraling, and he paid well to stay by your side."
I released him, taking a step back in shock. He never wanted to stay? I-I thought the reason he didn’t get reassigned to the docks was that he couldn’t bear to leave alone.
"Look, you’re married. You’re a Salvero, and I don’t wanna be involved any further than this. So please, stay away."
He walked, and this ti I didn’t stop him. Murmurs erupted, and I looked around the small company. Those sa judgntal eyes again.
My bottom lip trembled as I attempted to storm out, but I got blocked by Lisa.
"Look at you..." she said, amused, clutching my arm as she pulled under the stairs, where it was a bit more private.
"What are you doing here?!" I forced my arm away, glaring daggers into her.
"Oh, haven’t you guessed yet? I thought you were supposed to be smart." She raised a phone, the screen showing the last ssage texted to .
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