Chapter 255: Closing Eyes
There were no secrets between Mia and me, so I spilled the tea about the gross thing Jenny pulled last night.
Mia went ballistic, chucking everything she could grab while perched on the edge of the bed. She was so worked up, you'd think she was the one who got burned.
She hugged me tight and, after a bit, said, "Jane, I don't know how to deal with this. My love life’s been a train wreck, but that doesn’t mean all love is doomed. I can see Brad’s into you, and you’re into him. Since you guys are all lovey-dovey, don’t do anything you’ll kick yourself for later."
"I never told you this, Jane, but back then, I followed Benjamin without a second thought, all for that fairy-tale love. I thought he was worth it, so I was ready to give it my all. Even though it crashed and burned, I never regretted it. I gave it a shot, so no regrets."
As she said this, the deep pain that used to be in Mia's big, beautiful eyes faded, leaving just a hint of sadness and regret.
Five years, what a waste.
"Mia, if, and I mean if, Benjamin could drop everything and start fresh with you, would you go back?"
"No."
"Why not?" I was thrown by her quick answer.
"Because I don’t love him anymore. Too much letdown, too much hurt. It drained my love for him. Who wants to spend forever with someone they don’t love? It’s a shame."
I stayed quiet.
Mia was right; because of love, we were willing to trust and commit.
Jenny's actions were like a thorn in my heart. But because of love, I’d give my feelings and trust. No matter what happens, I didn’t want to have any regrets.
"But I still feel like crap."
Mia held my hand gently and said, "I get your anxiety. I think Brad might feel the same way. Don’t overthink it. Taking care of Jenny with Brad is the priority now."
"Yeah, I know." I said, rubbing my slightly stuffy nose.
I wanted to crash with Mia, but Yancy kept bugging me to go back to my room. I had no choice but to leave reluctantly.
"Why do you keep pushing me? If I don’t sleep with her, you won’t either." I glared at Yancy, annoyed.
Yancy lowered his voice and said, "I’ll get my chance, but you never will."
Fine, I lost.
At six in the morning, I was jolted awake by some noise in the room. I opened my eyes to see Brad ditching his pajamas.
Rubbing my sleepy eyes, I sat up and asked him why he came back. Wouldn’t it be easier to go straight to work?
Brad had already showered, his hair still a bit damp. As he buttoned his shirt cuffs, he said, "It's Monday, we need to take Jenny to the hospital for a check-up, remember?"
His words jogged my memory.
After patting my groggy head, I got out of bed and went to the bathroom to freshen up.
When I came out, Brad was sitting on the sofa with a serious look on his face.
I touched my nose, puzzled. Staying out all night was one thing, but sitting there early in the morning with a grumpy face—who was he mad at? I hadn’t done anything to tick him off.
"Does Adam call you this early every day?" Brad asked, coming up behind me. He took the towel from my hand to dry my hair, still ticked off, but his touch was gentle.
So that’s what this was about.
I glanced at my phone and saw a call that lasted forty-seven seconds, obviously answered by Brad.
"What’s up?" I asked Brad.
I was just as confused by Adam’s call. He usually rang around 7:30 in the morning, asking if I wanted breakfast.
But with Yancy at home, making sure Mia and I had a full breakfast every day, I always turned him down. So, what was Adam doing calling at 6:30 and letting Brad pick up? No clue what they talked about, but it clearly got under Brad’s skin.
"He asked what you wanted for breakfast and what time you'd be at 'our Crystal House'." Brad’s tone was icy, and my heart skipped a beat.
Adam must be nuts. Crystal House was just Crystal House, but he called it "our Crystal House" like we co-owned it. Not only did Brad hate hearing that, but it also rubbed me the wrong way.
He shouldn’t talk like that.
"When I’m free in the morning, I usually get there by 8:30. Today’s Monday, no morning classes, so that's still the plan." Having almost dried my hair with the towel, I picked up a comb to smooth it out, plugged in the hairdryer, and got ready to blow-dry my hair. "I always have breakfast at home, no need for him to bring it. Did you tell him that?"
"How would I know what you two have arranged? What could I tell him? Call him back and tell him you're not going to 'your' Crystal House today."
Brad’s voice was low, emphasizing "your" Crystal House.
I looked at Brad’s annoyed face in the vanity mirror and asked with a grin, "Brad, are you jealous of your own student?"
Brad’s ears turned red at my words, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "So what if I am? My girlfriend is being eyed by another guy, can’t I be jealous?"
Jealous Brad was so cute. I leaned against him, laughing heartily.
With my head resting on Brad’s chest, the distance suddenly shortened. Brad, worried the hairdryer might hurt me, turned it off and set it aside. Seeing me laugh non-stop, he angrily grabbed my chin and kissed me.
The passionate kiss caught me off guard, and my brain momentarily went blank. I stared wide-eyed at the angry yet intoxicated Brad.
Then a big hand came up and covered my eyes.
When the kiss ended, I was left breathless and almost collapsed, but Brad caught me.
"What, no strength left? Weren’t you quite the tough one when you were mocking me just now?"
"I used up all my strength, I have none left." I looked up at him pitifully, hoping he’d let me go.
Having experienced swollen lips from kisses twice before, I decided to yield and show weakness to avoid attracting strange looks when we went out later.
Seeing my submissive look, Brad smiled. He curled his index finger and brushed my lips. "Jenny's caregiver suddenly can’t make it. When we go to the hospital later, it’d be inconvenient for me to go alone. Come with me, so you can help if needed."
I looked up at Brad, his shining eyes gazing at me with utmost sincerity.
I slowly smiled.
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