Chapter 61 He Hates Her
Alison shut her eyes tight, trying to block out Jack's presence. She just wanted to sleep and escape the misery she felt.
But Jack wasn't going anywhere. He stood right in front of her, his scent filling her senses and making her heart race. She silently begged, "Please, just go away. I can't deal with you right now."
Just as she was about to lose it, Jack spoke up, "Aidan, you should sit inside. She might throw up again."
Jack's face was a picture of frustration. Why did things always go wrong when this woman was around? On the plane, Alison had thrown up and ruined his clothes, and he had no spare since he'd checked his luggage.
Aidan noticed Jack's expression and chuckled to himself. That look of disgust was almost comforting. "Jack, keep an eye on her for me."
Alison heard them but didn't want to move or speak. She just wanted to lean back and sleep. Throwing up had drained her.
As Jack moved to the middle seat, his bare upper body accidentally brushed against Alison's face, making her shiver.
Even though it was summer, being shirtless on a plane was still a bit odd.
"Jack, why don't you wear my shirt?" Aidan suggested.
"Is it new?" Jack asked.
"I've only worn it once."
"No thanks." Jack didn't like wearing other people's clothes. He'd change once they landed and got their luggage. It wasn't cold in the summer anyway. He glanced at the Russian beauty across the aisle, who was staring at his chest.
Jack whistled loudly and flashed a charming smile at the woman, who immediately beamed and walked over. "Sir, can I have your number?"
Jack, the playboy, wasn't just talk. He took the pen, scribbled his number, and handed it to her with a playful, "Make sure to call me."
Alison was speechless, even more so when Jack dared to touch the woman's face.
The woman giggled and returned to her seat.
Alison hadn't wanted to watch, but for some reason, she opened her eyes just as Jack was "making a move."
Her head felt heavier and heavier. She didn't want to hear or see anything about Jack anymore.
Every time she did, it felt like a knife cutting through her heart.
She closed her eyes again. After throwing up, her motion sickness had eased a bit. She started counting sheep.
One, two...
Calm down, think of nothing but those cute, white little sheep...
Alison fell asleep, her head initially resting on the seatback, then slowly sliding onto Jack's shoulder. Her short hair lightly brushed against his shoulder, tickling him. Jack turned to look at her small face resting on his shoulder, feeling a mix of emotions.
Alison's head, which had been resting on the seatback, gradually tilted towards Jack, her short hair lightly brushing his shoulder, tickling him. He turned to see her small face leaning against his shoulder, sleeping soundly. He wanted to push her away, but seeing the serene smile on her face, like a flower quietly blooming, he was mesmerized and forgot to move.
By this time, Aidan had also fallen asleep, and most of the passengers on the plane were in dreamland.
Jack couldn't bring himself to disturb Alison. He gently lowered his hand, listening to her soft breathing. A wave of tenderness washed over him, but he reminded himself that she wasn't Emily, and he couldn't project his feelings for Emily onto her.
At some point, Alison's hand fell onto his leg, small and fair, making him want to hold it. But he told himself he couldn't, he couldn't act impulsively for her again.
So, he put on his headphones and started watching an artsy film on the in-flight entertainment to pass the time.
It wasn't until the announcement that the plane was about to land that he took off his headphones, nudged Aidan awake, and gently woke Alison. "Hey, wake up. We're here."
"Ah!" Alison woke up with a start, realizing she had been leaning on Jack. She quickly sat up straight, apologizing repeatedly, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."
She knew Jack found her disgusting, and yet she had fallen asleep on his shoulder. It was too much.
As Jack packed up his things, he teased, "Don't worry, once we get to the hotel, I'll take a shower and wash off the drool you left on my shoulder. I won't take advantage of you." Aidan woke up then, missing the awkward moment.
Jack's words made Alison blush. She looked at his bare shoulder in confusion. Did she really drool?
She sat quietly, her head still aching, letting Jack help with the packing, just hoping to get off the plane quickly. But thinking about the long flight back made her feel a wave of dread.
As the plane began its descent, the sudden loss of altitude made her grip the armrest tightly, her face pale.
Jack's sharp voice cut through, "Hey, take care of yourself. Or hold onto my brother's sleeve. I need to take care of him now."
He must hate her, Alison thought bitterly, whispering, "Let's go, I can manage."
Whether she could or not, she had to walk on her own. She kept telling herself she could live without anyone.
But she was lucky because she had Sophia and Ethan. They were her life's continuation and her hope.
Jack, still shirtless, didn't mind the attention his chest was getting from the women at the airport. From the plane to the baggage claim, pushing Aidan's wheelchair, he attracted many admiring glances.
Alison followed behind like a little lamb. It wasn't until they got their luggage that Jack put on a shirt, returning to his polished, princely appearance.
"Aidan, should we head to the hotel first?" he asked, pushing the wheelchair.
"Yeah, Alison's tired too. Let's just rest today."
Alison really wanted to rest, missing her bed at home. Though she still looked pale after getting off the plane, she felt much better than before.
She pushed their luggage, following Jack slowly because of her headache. Jack was already at the exit, and she was still a few steps behind.
"Hey, can you hurry up?" Jack frowned, annoyed at her slow pace.
"I can." She gritted her teeth, hating how he called her. She had a name, after all. But she didn't have the energy to argue, just wanting to get to the hotel for a hot shower and a good sleep.
"Jack..." Alison hadn't caught up to Jack when she heard a woman calling his name at the exit.
It seemed he had quite a few women. They had just arrived in Paris, and someone was already looking for him.
She walked on, unhurried and unbothered.