(FREYA'S POV).
I smiled as the waiter put the food on my table. I enjoyed it while chatting with Jason. He was a nice and polite guy. It felt quite comfortable chatting with him.
We met often before, but I rarely chatted with him for long because I was afraid Devan would get jealous. But that was back then before I knew that Devan didn't love me at all. Or rather, never.
"How was the food? Did you like it?" Jason asked.
I gave him a satisfied smile.
"Yes. It was delicious. And the place is beautiful too."
"Next time we can have lunch together here if you want."
"I hope," I said.
I didn't have the confidence to meet him on another occasion. It was like I couldn't guess what my future would hold. Like a storm that could come and destroy me at any moment. I just had to be prepared to wait for that destruction. Accepting it, making sure that I would be okay even though I would be hurt. So badly, without Devan's love and care.
"Well, are you going to tell me what happened with your boutique?" Jason broached the topic again and I dropped my gaze to him.
"Oh, right," I smiled awkwardly. I put my cutlery in its place and downed my drink before speaking again. "The owner of the building came to my boutique. He said that he had found a replacement place downtown. They're not using my building to build a new bar. And he decided to rent it to me."
"Oh, really?" he was surprised. His brow furrowed. It was the same expression I had when I heard about it from the building owner a few hours ago.
I smiled. "Yes. I'm quite relieved that he found another place and rented the building to me. I don't need a new place and about the money I borrowed... I'll give it back to you, Jason."
"That soon?"
"What?"
"Oh, no. I mean, as soon as he gets a new place to build his bar," he murmured.
"Um, yeah. He got it from his friend."
"Friend."
I noticed the strange look on Jason's face. Like he didn't believe and doubted my story.
"I'm very grateful that you were kind enough to loan me the money and I'm sorry if this makes you uncomfortable."
"No, no." He shook his head. "You don't need to apologize. I thought you had a fairy godmother who helped you secretly. That's why you got this luck."
"Fairy godmother?" I laughed. "Is there still such a thing in this modern world?"
"Well, there is. Someone who secretly watches over you." He smiled meaningfully.
I furrowed my brow. I was quite confused by Jason's attitude, but I tried to ignore it. I thought it was a joke or he was teasing me.
"That's impossible. There's no one secretly watching me," I evaded him. Smiling awkwardly.
"Freya, it's like you look down on yourself too much. You don't know that many of Devan's friends envy him for getting you. They think you're beautiful. Very pretty."
I was surprised to hear Jason's words. This was the first time I'd heard anything like that. Devan did introduce me to his friends, but after that, he never let me alone with his friends and was always by my side.
"You wouldn't expect that, would you?" he chuckled. Then it turned into a mocking laugh. "Devan is too attached to you. That's why they dare not tease you."
"Oh, that's ...." I bit my lower lip. I blinked my eyes with a feeling that was hard to understand. It was as if he had just said that my fairy godmother was Devan.
"Oh, fuck. That bastard...."
I widened my eyes in surprise when I heard the curse coming out of Jason's mouth. When I looked at him, he was laughing crisply while staring at his phone screen.
"Y-You okay?"
"Something happened," he growled. Slamming his phone slightly as he put it back on the table. His originally good mood turned into a mess.
"Did something happen in your office?"
He shook his head. "No, it's much worse than that."
"What?" I paled. I immediately stood up from my chair when I saw him stand up in annoyance. Instead of walking away, he walked over to me. Pulling me quickly to the edge of the glass wall and imprisoning me with both of his burly arms.
"J-Jason... What do you want to do?" I asked in a trembling voice. My heart was beating so fast with nerves and fear. Anxiety washed over me. I swallowed when I saw him smirking.
"Guess."
"Are you drunk?" I furrowed my brow. I was so confused. Jason's demeanor changed 180 degrees. I tried to push his body with both my hands, but it meant nothing as he didn't move an inch from his position.
"Huuh ... You smell alcohol from my mouth?" He brought his face closer to me. Blowing on my cheek with his warm breath.
"N-No." I turned my face away quickly. My face was bright red.
My body trembled, spreading to my hands. My fingers felt cold, and I could hear his heartbeat as fast as mine.
He brought his face closer, his lips touching my cheek. Cold meets heat. It made me shudder in horror. All I could do was close my eyes while my hands were busy pushing his body.
"You fucking asshole!!!"
"Ah! ... Jason?!" I screamed. My eyes glared at Jason who was already on the floor with blood dripping from the corner of his lips. Replaced by Devan who was now standing in front of me with a face full of anger.
"Nice punch, buddy," Jason smirked.
I stared in horror at Devan as he suddenly kicked Jason's body making him wail in pain.
"No, Dev! Stop!" I screamed in terror, pulling quickly on his hand and taking it away from Jason. My hands trembled as I felt his hands clench into tight fists. His eyes stared intently at me, like a serial killer waiting to end my life.
"Did you enjoy that?" he hissed. His hand gripped my chin. Pulling me closer just to bring me down mentally. "Do you like being a slut? Letting your body be touched at will by a man who borrowed you money?"
Tears seeped from the corners of my eyes. My throat was constricted. I couldn't say anything but roared for release. But Devan didn't even care about the pain of his words. All I saw in his eyes were sparks of hatred and anger. There was no love.
"Leave her alone, Dev. It's not good to be bad to womenー"
"Shut your fucking mouth!" scolded Devan. His eyes were narrowed sharply, warning, filled with a murderous aura directed at Jason.
I was trembling with fear. I could only watch as Jason stopped his steps. Devan didn't let Jason get close to me at all.
"One step forward here. I'll make sure your legs will never walk again," he growled warningly.