(FREYA'S POV).
I bit my lower lip nervously. I hope he doesn't do something stupid and put me in big trouble. I don't want to see Devan angry. It makes me sick and scared. Like a nightmare.
I paced back and forth in the room. Waiting for Jason to call me again and tell me that he was going to give up. Or at least give me a clue that he was disappointed not to see me at home. But my cell phone hadn't had any messages or incoming calls since then.
"Fey! Are you in there?" I gasped. Surprised when I heard Aiden's voice from behind the door. I Turned towards the door with wide eyes. "Fey?"
"Yes?!"
I hurriedly opened the door. Aiden's body loomed in front of me, staring at me.
"What's wrong?" I asked nervously. The look on his face was serious.
"Jason is downstairs. Looking for you."
I widened my eyes in surprise. Like I'd just been struck by lightning. My lips were paralyzed. I couldn't say anything.
"That's impossible," I muttered.
"Fey?" I saw Aiden raise his eyebrows. Confused at my behavior. "You okay?"
"Yeah, um." I swallowed. Trying to smile. "Can you tell him I'm not home? I'm not in the mood to see anyone."
"I'm sorry, Fey. Before coming here, he called me. Asked if you were here and I said yes."
I glared, even more shocked at Aiden's words. Somehow, all the answers to my questions from a few minutes ago were instantly answered with Aiden's words.
"Are you really okay? Did you fight with Jason?" he asked worriedly.
"No." I shook my head. "I'm just tired," I lied.
"Then let me tell him that you don't want to be bothered."
"No, no. It's okay. I'll go down to see him."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes." I forced myself to smile.
"Want me to accompany you?"
I shook my head again. "I'm fine. I'll call if I need anything. Besides, we were just talking."
"Okay. I'm in the room if you need anything."
"Mm. Thanks, Aiden."
I looked at Aiden who was walking back to his room. With heavy steps, I closed my bedroom door. Letting out a long breath, I went downstairs to meet Jason.
When I was almost in the living room, I saw Jason sitting on the sofa. He immediately stood up when he saw me.
"Freya...."
"Let's talk in the backyard," I said curtly. I looked away and turned around, nonchalantly walking towards the backyard. And he followed me without saying anything else.
When we were in the backyard, I turned around and looked at him sharply. With my arms crossed. I tried to ensure a safe distance between us.
"I'll give you ten minutes. Say whatever you want and then get out of here," I demanded. I tried to look angry to make him uncomfortable and feel guilty.
"Did something happen?" He looked at my neck and hands.
I awkwardly touched my neck and hid my hands behind my back. "Nothing," I replied coldly.
"Are you sure?"
"Are you here just to ask how I'm doing? If so, then leave." I was about to move from my spot, but Jason quickly held me back. I reflexively pulled away as Jason's hand reached out to touch my arm.
"No, please," he pleaded.
"Ten minutes."
"I'm sorry," he said. His voice sounded weak.
"I know. I heard it on the phone. So, what else do you want?"
"Freya, I know I was wrong. I’m making a mistake. I regret it. But trust meー"
"Trust me? Trust in what?" I interrupted irritably. "You deliberately brought me there just to rape me! You think I'm a whore?! You kissed me, Jason! You kissed me when I..." I couldn't let the last words out of my mouth. It felt like I was choking on the lump in my throat.
"Freya, I'm such a jerk."
"Yes, you are."
He looks at me guiltily. Not at all offended or angry when I interrupted him with a cold tone.
"Yes, I am," he admitted, "that place is indeed ... just like Devan said. But I swear to you, I never thought of raping you there."
"Oh, really?" I mocked him, "So, did you think of any other place to do it?"
"No, Freya. I swear, I never thought that way about you. I just ... lost my control." He grimaced, looking at me with a pained expression that made me uneasy. "I shouldn't have kissed you. I purely brought you there to have lunch with you."
"Then why was Devan there?" I interrogated him.
He seemed frustrated by my question. "I don't know, Freya."
"You're a liar!" I snapped.
"No! Look...." He hurriedly took out his cell phone from his coat pocket. Showing me his message with Devan. "I only received this message from Devan. I don't know anything about how he knew we were there."
I sighed as I saw Devan's text message to Jason. It was a threatening message, more like a warning for Jason to get out of the restaurant and away from me.
"See?" He put his phone back. "Now do you trust me?"
I blinked, still not satisfied to see the message, but Jason had already put his cell phone back in his coat pocket. I was still curious. Still wondering about everything that happened.
"But that doesn't justify your kissing me," I snapped.
"Please forgive me. To be honest, I just wanted to upset Devan. That's why after seeing Devan's message, I tried to approach you and kiss you. I'm sorry," he explained. Then looked down with a guilty face.
I looked at him closely. Trying to find the truth in his eyes, but all I saw was guilt and regret. But I couldn't just take my word for it.
"Ten minutes are up," I reminded him. I try to act nonchalant in front of him.
"Freya..."
"Please, Jason. I don't want another fight between me and Devan. You don't even know what happened after that incident." I looked at him pleadingly. And I gasped when he looked back at me with a worried face.
"Did he hurt you?"
I paused. Biting my lower lip nervously. I shouldn't have gotten out of control and talked nonsense in front of him. I couldn't get over the fact that he was Devan's friend.
I shook my head hard. "Nothing happened. It was just a knife wound when I was learning to cook. And my neck. It's normal. We're husband and wife," I explained like a fool even though he didn't ask about my neck and hands.
He looked at me intently. His eyes darkened when he saw my neck. I'm sure there are many kiss marks there.
"Now, go away. I'm tired." My voice was muffled. My energy was suddenly gone.
"Okay. But before I go, I want you to know that I meant what I said. I never thought I wanted to do anything bad, Freya. I care about you. It's honesty."