CHAPTER 28: THEY CAME SOONER THAN WE EXPECTED

CHAPTER 28: THEY CAME SOONER THAN WE EXPECTED
“What did you say?” I asked, wanting to confirm if I heard him right.

“I said… you. Who’s your first love?” Gavin asked, pulling me back to reality.

Right. What was I even thinking? That he like me? That I’m his first love? 

How stupid of me to even let that thought cross my mind. Earlier, I already caught myself misreading his words. I thought he was about to say “love” when he only meant “lab” as in laboratory. How silly.

“My first love?” I repeated.

“Yeah. The one you felt that kind of spark with.”

“Um… well…” I hesitated.

“Jake, right?” He smiled, but I could tell it was forced.

“I… no… I mean… yeah,” I admitted.

“I believe you still don’t fully know him, right?” Gavin asked.

“Why?”

“Nothing. I just think he’s the same with you. But he knows you more than you know him,” he said.

Knows me? Then why can’t he read my eyes? Why can’t he tell when I am scared, or sad, or lying? 

If he truly knew me, he would see right through me. He would understand every part of me. The only thing he seems to notice is the way I move.

“I don’t think so,” I whispered, lowering my head and playing with my fingers.

“Is that because he misunderstood you?” Gavin continued, still focused on what he was cooking. I admired how he could carry on a conversation with me while staying completely in control of the stove.

I forced a small laugh and walked toward him, sneaking a piece of cooked bacon from the plate.

“Did you add something to the bacon? This taste so good,” I said, trying to change the topic.

He chuckled softly, knowing I was avoiding his question. “Just some seasonings from the market,” he replied.

I smiled. While still chewing, I noticed the sweat on his forehead from the heat. I reached for the tissue on the table and carefully wiped it away.

He stopped what he was doing, surprised.

“If you let yourself sweat like that, you might get sick after. Keep a towel on your shoulder or at least nearby,” I scolded him lightly while dabbing his skin.

“Why do I need one when you’re here?” He looked at me intently.

I froze and swallowed hard. I didn’t want to assume anything, but that sounded dangerously flirty. Well… indirect, but still flirty.

“I mean, I’m always forgetting things. Always clumsy. I might forget a towel, so… you can just remind me,” he said, clearing his throat.

"I-I just heard my phone ringing on the sofa. I'll just.." 

"Yeah. ou should.... pick it up," he said, forcing a smile.

The air in the room grew heavy. I stepped back, leaving him by the stove, and settled on the sofa. My heart was pounding so hard I had to place a hand over my chest.

Then a knock came at the door. I went to check, but when I opened it, no one was there. Instead, an envelope lay on the doorstep. My stomach dropped instantly. This was the same way I had received those photos before.

I quickly grabbed it and closed the door.

“What is it now?” I muttered under my breath, my heart racing.

“Who was that?” Gavin asked, walking toward me.

I shook my head without answering. My body froze, my voice refusing to come out. It felt like that same old trauma was wrapping itself around me again.

Gavin gently took the envelope from my hands. When he opened it, his brows furrowed. I expected him to walk away or maybe even yell, but instead, he sat beside me, still wearing his apron.

“Is this true?” he asked.

I couldn’t lie. I nodded, and tears immediately spilled down my cheeks.

He took a deep breath. I looked at him, searching his face. His jaw was tight, his fist clenched, but his eyes.... when they met mine, they were soft.

He tore the envelope into pieces.

Then he pulled me into his arms. “Let’s talk about this later, okay? Eat first. I want you to calm down. I’m here.... always and I will never leave you. Not ever,” he said, patting my head gently.

I knew this was not something normal between us, and maybe it was foolish to let the intimacy happen. But what if… what if he was just trying to help me.

He went back to the kitchen while I stayed on the sofa, still crying quietly and ashamed of myself. If I had known that my rebellion for just one night would haunt me like this, I would never have asked for freedom. I would never have tried to escape to find it.

I would never wish to meet Jake in my entire life.

It took me nearly half an hour to calm down. When I finally did, I walked over to the kitchen. Gavin was arranging plates and food on the counter. Without thinking, I approached him and wrapped my arms around him from behind.

He froze in surprise.

“I just… need this, please,” I said softly.

Instead of pulling my arms away, he turned to face me and hugged me from the front.

“Better?” he asked quietly.

I nodded and smiled faintly.

The moment was warm, safe… until the front door burst open.

JAKE’S POV

I was busy talking to Trix when someone tapped me from behind.

“What—”

I froze the second I turned around. Reina’s parents.

Shit. I thought they’d arrive next week? Damn it, not now.

My head went blank. What would they think if they found out I wasn’t Reina’s professor anymore?

“How was Reina’s training?” her dad asked while smiling like nothing was wrong.

“Where’s Reina? She’s not with you?” her mom added.

“I—uh…”

“I’ll just visit her in the office,” her dad said, patting my back before I could even react.

I stood frozen and my brain was refusing to work. By the time it hit me what was happening, they were already inside the elevator.

Fuck. Reina’s cooked. If they walk in and see something they shouldn’t—

No. I can’t let it happen.

“Trix, what’s the fastest way up?” I asked.

“Stairs, obviously. The other elevator’s still under construction,” she answered, confused.

“Thanks,” I muttered and sprinted.

First floor. Reina’s office was on the fifteenth.

Fifteen fucking floors.

I didn’t care. I had to make it before them.

Each step pounded against the stairs, echoing. Staff I passed by stopped and stared at me like I’d lost my mind, but I didn’t have time to care. My lungs burned. My legs were heavy. Sweat dripped down my back.

Reina, please. Don’t be in there. Please take James and leave your office. Just this once…

I felt like collapsing, but my body wouldn’t let me stop. My chest hurt. My vision blurred, but I kept going.

When I reached the fifteenth floor, I saw them just about to enter her office. I ran as fast as I could, trying to call out, trying to stop them—

—but before I reached them, the door was already open.

And then… silence.

We all froze on the spot. My heart dropped to my stomach.

Reina was there. And she… was hugging James.

My brother.

REINA'S POV

“Reina! What craziness is this?” A man’s voice roared through the room.

It was Dad. Behind him stood Mom… and Jake.

Mom rushed to me and slapped me hard.

“Mom…”

“Who is this?” She pointed at Gavin.

“Mom, I can explain—”

Another slap. Gavin quickly stepped between us.

“Get out of my way, rascal!” she yelled at him.

“Mom!”

“What, Reina?! What is this? We just left for vacation and now you’re behaving like this? What did you learn while we were gone? To be stupid over a man? I thought we made it clear that Mr. Margaux would be your professor and assist you. I thought you were a decent woman. But I was wrong. You’re just pretending!” She shouted again and again without even letting me speak.

“I hate you,” I whispered, before turning and leaving the room.