Chapter 52 — Farewell, Friend

"What?" Jessi put on a straight face as she stared back at her boss, who stood right outside her apartment unit, alone and looking like he'd had much better days. "Why are you here?"

"Why aren't you answering my texts? And calls?" Jenson took a step closer. His wrinkled pants looked almost as dark as his plain shirt, and his steely gaze wouldn't leave her face. The lights weren't that bright, but she readily noticed his cheeks looked pinkish. Like he had been drinking all evening.

Where was he before he drove all the way here? So he'd been driving while intoxicated? Shit.

When she didn't say anything, the guy made a face and looked away. "So I'm not allowed to check up on you?"

"I'm busy packing." Jessi backed off and turned away from him, her heart beating erratically in her tight chest. She walked away from the front door but left it open for him.

Why was he here at this hour? And drunk again?

"I know." The guy let out a noisy sigh and stepped inside her apartment. "But why didn't you text me back at least?"

"Sorry."

"Why'd you leave the cemetery without telling me?" He followed her towards her bedroom door, his deep voice almost echoing against the cold and dark walls of her apartment.

"I got things to do, and you were obviously busy." Jessi walked straight into her room. Holding back a more vitriolic response took a lot of effort, but, right now, she'd rather finish packing than waste her night arguing with him.

After everything that Kel said over the phone, he shouldn't even be here, acting like he badly wanted an apology. Why did he look drunk and upset? Just because she didn't care to reply to his texts and ignored his calls?

"So you're mad?" Jenson swiftly took off his shoes before entering her bedroom. "Why? 'Cause she was there with me?"

"No." Jessi held back a scowl and resumed stuffing the rest of her clothes into her suitcase, crouching by the bed and ignoring the almost painful pounding in her chest. Tears filled her eyes all of a sudden.

The heck... Why was she even crying? Ugh.

No need to spell it out that she was jealous of the woman. But if it was enough to explain her distant behavior all day, then maybe she wouldn't have to admit what Magnus did...that the man practically threatened her and told her to go back home. Stay away for good. Never again interfere with Jenson's relationship with Charmaine.

Magnus even asked her if she wanted a "permanent life" with Jenson. "Don't take this personally, Jessiah, but I think you're nowhere near ready for married life. Much less a relationship with someone like Jenson," Magnus said before they ended their serious conversation alone in the limousine. "In this industry, a lot of desperate morons would be more than eager to cash in on something like this. You're a smart girl. Save yourself the headache and the inevitable heartache. I suggest you try another line of work. It would be better for you, for your family, and for your peace of mind."

"Jessiah."

She shook off the memory and resumed folding her clothes, the sound of Jenson's voice immediately drawing her back to the present. His stern voice saying her name startled her, stealing her attention as he stood just a few steps behind.

"Can we talk? Please?"

Oh dear. Obviously he wasn't going to leave anytime soon.

"Jessi..."

"What?" She kept her back to him, maintaining an indifferent tone and pretending to be busy with arranging the clothes in her suitcase.

Jenson stayed quiet for a moment. Then he let out a sigh before stepping closer to her. "What time's your flight?"

"Before midnight."

"Okay. I'll drive you there."

"No."

"Why not?" he mumbled, sounding annoyed now.

"You don't have to drive me to the airport," she replied without bothering to explain why. The things she just found out about him and his uncle still agitated her. Her brain couldn't even focus on anything else.

"But I want to."

"Just go home."

"I'm sorry." Jenson took another step closer till he was able to touch her hair.

"Get a cab. Go home." She almost flinched when he put his arms around her to hug her from behind.

They stood right next to her bed for a while, with him embracing her and with his lips pressed onto the back of her head. He felt so warm and firm, like always.

As much as her common sense wanted her to push him away, she just couldn't. She still felt like he only played with her feelings, but it wasn't entirely his fault that she felt hurt and betrayed.

It was her fault that she let herself fall for him. But he didn't need to know that. He didn't need to know how she really felt for him. For his own good.

"What do you want from me?" she murmured while suppressing useless tears that almost burned her eyes and dimmed her vision. She quickly wiped them off before he could see any of it.

"Nothing. Just for you to be honest."

"Honest?" She turned to push him away till his arms finally let her go.

How dare he? After he invaded her privacy, betrayed her trust while basically treating her like a side chick, he was calling her a liar now? Wow. After everything she had done for him...

"So I'm the one being dishonest and keeping secrets." Jessi kept her back to him and walked away from the bed to shut the closet doors. "Are you serious right now?"

"What? Why are you so upset?"

"Just leave. Go straight home. And I don't want her or anyone to know you were here again."

"Fine. But answer me first." He followed her into the bathroom and stood next to her while she washed her face to hide the stupid tears. Jenson leaned against the sink with his arms crossed, his brows and forehead wrinkled by his deep scowl. His arm touched hers while she stood by the sink with her hands under the warm water.

"You're drunk again. Call a cab. Go home."

"I'm not." He sighed louder. "You think I'm only here 'cause I wanna sleep with you?"

What the heck? Did he really expect her to answer that?

"Just go. I have things to do." She turned off the faucet and opted to ignore his question. Merely his stare was enough to make her cry her frustrations out, but he didn't need to see that. She had to hold it in. Apathy now. Cry later.

"Fine." It was all he said before walking out on her.

A few seconds later, she heard him shut the front door. Jessi breathed out a sigh. Fresh tears wet her cheeks before she could even try to stop it. She rushed towards her bed and flumped her face onto the pillows, muffling her sobs that worsened the pounding of her heart.

She should leave and never come back here, like his uncle said. Jenson wasn't the guy for her. He should just work on his relationship with his oh-so-perfect fiancée and stop messing with her feelings.

It was for the best.