Chapter 26
Jason stood on the balcony for quite a while, trying his best not to think about what had just happened.
Suddenly, he smelled something burning. Only then did he remember I had been cooking in the kitchen earlier.
Jason hurried into the kitchen and turned off the stove.
Seeing I had no intention of coming out of the bedroom, he simply walked to the bedroom door, knocked, and asked, "Are you planning to hide in there forever?"
"Don't you dare come in!" I was hiding in the bedroom at that moment, my heart pounding.
This was so embarrassing! Having my ex-boyfriend at my place was bad enough, but having him come face-to-face with my underwear!
Jason, that pervert! How could he do something like that!
I stared hard at the white bra I'd tossed on the bed.
This bra was ruined, I couldn't keep it anymore!
"Weren't you cooking? Does this mean you're going on strike?" Jason's unhurried voice came through the door.
I froze for a moment, then remembered I was supposed to be making dinner.
Jason's stunt had made me completely forget. Oh no! My pot!
Without thinking further, I pushed open the bedroom door, keeping my head down to avoid looking at Jason, and rushed into the kitchen.
Jason stood where he was, and couldn't help but chuckle softly.
Jessica was hiding in the small bedroom across the way, eavesdropping by the door.
I looked at the burnt food in the pot and regretfully dumped it in the trash.
What a waste.
I washed the pot clean again and was about to start cutting vegetables when Jason walked into the kitchen.
"Need any help?" Jason's tone was calm, as if nothing had happened earlier.
My vegetable-cutting paused slightly, then I forced myself to sound composed. "No need."
Despite what I said, Jason still walked to the sink and started washing vegetables.
No one spoke in the kitchen, only the sounds of cutting and washing vegetables.
I felt a bit dazed.
Five years ago, when Jason and I still lived in that small rental apartment, it was just like this.
Back then, I often cooked at home.
One reason was that homemade food was clean and healthy, and also because it was cheaper.
And Jason, who was hiding his identity while staying by my side, would also help out.
Back then, I really thought we would be together like this forever.
As Jason washed the vegetables, his gaze shifted to me.
His eyes grew more intense, fixed on my back.
I felt uncomfortable all over but didn't dare say anything.
I was afraid of provoking Jason, worried he might do something wild in the kitchen.
After all, it wouldn't be the first time...
Fortunately, Jason left after washing the vegetables.
Only then did I breathe a sigh of relief.
After leaving the kitchen, Jason headed straight for the balcony.
Jason's usually calm and composed face showed barely concealed frustration.
Just standing together washing vegetables, and his eyes hadn't left Sue the entire time.
Her slender, elegant neck, her fair, delicate skin, even her slow, steady breathing—everything was like a deadly aphrodisiac, constantly stirring his impulses!
Jason couldn't help but think back to five years ago, when we got wild in the kitchen and ended up spilling cut vegetables all over the floor.
The more he thought about it, the hotter his body became. Jason took several deep breaths.
But his mind was filled entirely with my image.
Jason said through gritted teeth in a low voice, "You once said you'd marry a rich man and leave me, but you're still so attractive now!"
He had been trying hard to control himself, not to think about it.
But longing is a strange thing—the more you suppress it, the stronger it grows.
The moment we reunited, even though Jason didn't want to admit it, his uncontrollable, chaotic heartbeat had already revealed everything.
The days after that were even stranger.
He told himself countless times that I was just a woman who cared about money, that I hadn't passed his test, that I didn't deserve his love.
But he couldn't control himself from getting closer to me again and again.
Even his body was more honest than his mind.
Just being near me would excite him.
The kiss that night was the same.
He couldn't help himself, couldn't control it.
Jason took one last deep look at me, still busy in the kitchen, then quietly left.
"Dinner's ready." When I finally pulled myself together in the kitchen and came out with the food, I was surprised not to see Jason anywhere.
I looked around the whole place but couldn't find Jason.
Where did he go?
Jessica finally came out of her room at this point.
Jessica had happily thought she'd created some alone time for Jason and me, and now wanted to check on the results.
She looked around but didn't see Jason, and the smile on her face gradually faded.
Jessica asked, "Mommy, where's Daddy?"
I answered, "He probably had something urgent to deal with, so he left early."
I patted Jessica's head to comfort her. "It's okay, let's eat first, alright?"
Thinking there would be one more person for dinner tonight, I had even made two extra dishes.
Tomorrow, Jessica and I will be eating leftovers.
I silently complained to myself about Jason's mood swings lately.
But Jessica was secretly studying my expression, asking tentatively, "Mommy, did you and Daddy fight?"
During those days, she stayed with Daddy; he never suddenly left like this!
I shook my head, feeling sorry for Jessica's sensitivity.
Forcing a smile, I comforted Jessica, "We didn't fight, don't worry. If we don't eat soon, the food will get cold."
Jessica nodded obediently.
Seeing her mood wasn't great, I thought for a moment and picked a topic. "What did you and Daddy do together this afternoon?"
Jessica blinked and replied happily, "Daddy taught me to swim! Daddy has a really big swimming pool at his house! Daddy's arms are really strong; he can lift me up, and they're so warm. I love being close to Daddy!"
When Jessica talked about Jason, her tone became noticeably more cheerful.
Looking at the red mole under Jessica's right eye, I suddenly felt nervous. "Jessica, did Daddy see the red mole on your face and ask about it?"
Jason also had a red mole under his right eye.
"Hehe, that just means Daddy and I are really connected!" Jessica playfully blinked at me.
If Jason could believe that explanation, it seemed he really liked and trusted Jessica.
After dinner, I played some little games with Jessica for a while.
Then I had Jessica wash up, and I read her a bedtime story to help her fall asleep.
After Jessica fell asleep, the house instantly became quiet.
I cleaned up quietly.
When I returned to my room and saw that white bra on the bed, Jason's face uncontrollably appeared in my mind.
So what was up with him today?
Why did he suddenly leave?
I lay in bed, holding my phone and tossing and turning for a while.
I stared at Jason's name in the Facebook chat box, clicking in and backing out, repeating this several times.
Should I send a message to ask? But what right or position did I have to meddle?
Maybe Jason would think I was being calculating.
Forget it, I shouldn't meddle in other people's business.