Chapter 252: Are You Scared
My heart suddenly softened, melting in his embrace. I wrapped my arms around Jerry's waist, holding him tightly, letting him do as he pleased.
Probably because he knew there were two other people in the house, Jerry didn't push too far. He simply kissed me, his eyes intense. "Come over to my place tonight?"
My cheeks flushed, and I glared at him playfully. "Are Elissa here to be a sitter?"
Jerry raised an eyebrow. "It's not like I've been asking for her favor all the time.."
He was so thick-skinned.
But I still politely declined. "No, we’ve just started dating. There's no rush."
Jerry's gaze twinkled mischievously, his voice smooth as silk. "What do you think I’m rushing for? Besides, I just want to hold you while we sleep. You're on your period; we can't do anything more."
"Jerry!" I exclaimed, mortified.
He was so blunt, saying whatever popped into his head. I tried to cover his mouth, but it was too late. My face burned even hotter, and I felt as though my earlobes were about to burst into flames.
Jerry gently moved my hand away, holding it in his palm and kneading it, raising an eyebrow. "Can't even say it?"
"No. You can't even think about it."
Embarrassed but smiling, I pulled Jerry up and nudged him toward the door. "Alright, it’s late. You should go home and get some sleep."
He sighed dramatically. "Oh," and reluctantly walked out the door, waiting by the elevator. Surprisingly, he didn’t seem eager to get in even when it arrived.
I looked up at him, puzzled. "What..."
Before I could finish, Jerry suddenly pulled me close, hugging me tightly but gently.
I was momentarily stunned, unsure about this sudden surge of emotion from him. But I didn’t push him away. Just as I began to savor his warm embrace, his hand slowly moved down my arm, from my elbow to my forearm, eventually settling on my wrist. His warm, dry thumb slipped under the bracelet I wore, gently rubbing the scars on my wrist.
My entire body tensed. I had been hiding this from him; how did he know?
Before I could process my emotions, I heard Jerry's low voice. "Baby, does it still hurt?"
He didn't say much, but the anguish in his voice was unmistakable.
I was taken aback by the unfamiliar term of endearment. But quickly, I looked up at him, still in his arms. "It hurt a lot. Jerry, if anything happens to you again, I might hurt all over again."
Actually, this injury had little to do with Jerry directly.
It was his birthday. I had just won a highly prestigious award, basking in the applause and praise from both familiar and unfamiliar faces, all with good intentions. I left the ceremony with my trophy but caught a glimpse of Jerry in the crowded street. In a daze, I watched him disappear.
I searched every shop on that street, asked in every office building, but couldn't find him. The thrill and exhilaration of winning the award clashed painfully with the brutal reality that "Jerry was dead."
I bought a bottle of red wine on my way home, still in a daze. When I woke up, I was in the hospital. I realized then that I had slit my wrist.
Dave, usually quick-tempered, barely contained his anger, refraining from scolding me too harshly. He was terrified. "Everything seemed fine after the ceremony; why did you do something so drastic when you got home?"
I murmured, "I thought I saw him, but I couldn't find him."
"Him?" Dave immediately understood, asking, "Your light?"
I had confided in Dave about these things when he shared his love stories and started probing into mine.
"My light." That's how Dave summarized Jerry after hearing my story.
Lying in the hospital bed, I nodded. "Yes, Jerry."
Initially, I had been slowly coming to terms with the possibility of Jerry's death while searching for him. But lying in that hospital bed, I realized he couldn't be dead. That encounter on the street had to be a sign from above.
From that moment, my recovery accelerated, as if a deathbed patient had suddenly found a new will to live.
Jerry's demeanor shifted; his usually nonchalant expression turned serious. "No, Hope, you can't..."
I wasn't intimidated by his serious look. I spoke clearly, "Then you have to take care of yourself. Jerry, if you dare to get into trouble, I'll dare to die for you."
"Threatening me?"
"Yes. Are you scared?"
"Of course." Jerry's eyes were a mix of fear and affection as he admitted, "I'm not afraid of anything except something happening to you."
I said firmly, "Then promise me, you must take care of yourself."
I was scared too—terrified that facing Carlos again would make history repeat itself. It was easy to dodge an open attack but hard to guard against the hidden ones.
Jerry gently stroked my brow, planting a tender kiss. "Okay, I promise you."
I reached out my pinky finger like we did as kids. "Pinky swear. You promise me, and I'll promise you. Jerry, let's both live well for each other."
"Okay." Jerry smiled, hooking his pinky with mine, gently shaking it. "Hope, from now on, no one can take my life except you."
I said, "Why would I want your life? I just want you to be here."
As I spoke, a memory surfaced of seeing him in Fantasia Federation. Even if it might have been a mistake or an illusion, I couldn't help but ask, "By the way, where were you on this day last year?"
Jerry thought for a moment. "Fantasia Federation."
He paused, then touched my scar again. "If we had met that day, would you have suffered less?"
He didn't say it explicitly, but I knew he was wondering if my pain and actions could have been avoided.
My heart trembled slightly.
So, the person I had seen that day was him. It wasn't a mistake, nor an illusion.
I smiled at him. "But I saw you. You went to the downtown street that evening, didn't you?"
Jerry nodded. "Yes."
Jerry's pupils contracted, and his breathing was suddenly erratic. "You tried to kill yourself because..."
"No." Before Jerry could overthink, I denied, grabbing his hand, "Jerry, were you sent by God to save me? After that, I felt hopeful and stopped my medication within a few months."
He was skeptical, still feeling guilty. "Really?"
I looked at him honestly. "Cross my heart. If you don't believe me, you can check my doctor's prescription records. You've always been my salvation."
Jerry remained silent for a long time, then raised his hand to ruffle my hair. "Alright, go back to sleep. No staying up late on your period."
"Yes, sir," I replied cheerfully, knowing he hadn't let go of this matter so easily. Jerry would feel guilty and blame himself. There was no need to rush to explain everything; I needed to give him some time and stay by his side.
But I was still worried. "Do you remember our promise?"
Jerry chuckled, "I remember. Don't worry; I'm not as foolish as you."
Only then did I breathe a sigh of relief. "Are you really going to the dinner tomorrow night?"
"Yes."
"I'll go with..."
"I'll go alone." Jerry pinched my cheek gently. "If I bring you to the Hanmer household one day, it's to make you my wife, not to have others look down upon you."
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