Chapter 6
“Are you really done with that jerk for good?”
I clicked my tongue and shot him a sidelong glance. It’s the holidays, Jackson. Shouldn’t you be at home with your wife instead of hanging around here? Aren’t you afraid the wife you barely won back might run off again?”
Jackson’s smile faded, and he tossed a small lump of clay at my apron. I came all the way to check on you, and this is how you repay me? Feeling a bit deflated, Jackson got up from his chair and placed a handwritten invitation on the table. The pale pink paper was adorned with elegant calligraphy, no doubt penned by his calligraphy loving wife.
“It’s our third wedding anniversary,” he said softly. “And, well, Antony will probably show up. But it’s up to you; I understand if you don’t want to come.”
Jackson gathered a bouquet of roses from beside him and gave me a nod as a farewell gesture. But just as he reached the door, he hesitated, turning back to look at me.
“Jenny,” he began, “Antony still cares about you, Sure, he’s been living it up with new flings every other week, but he’s often staring at his phone, waiting for a text from you.”
“I’m not defending him,” Jackson continued, sincerity in his eyes. “It’s just, after all these years, it seems like you’re finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I wouldn’t want you to miss out on that just because of a misunderstanding.”
“Whatever you decide, I’ve got your back,” he promised. “And if you want to move on, I’ll introduce you to someone new in a heartbeat!”
Just then, the door swung open, and the cheerful jingle of a shop bell sounded. Allen, clad in a black puffer jacket, walked in, snowflakes clinging to him.
“Excuse me,” he said in a cool, collected voice. Jackson, caught off guard by Allen’s striking looks, snapped out of his trance and stepped aside with a quick apology. As he left, he shot Allen a curious glance, trying to recall where he’d seen him before.
“Is it snowing?” I asked, peering out the window with a smile. “Snow on Christmas, how perfect.”
“Yeah,” Allen nodded, not saying much else. As the students craned their necks to see the snow, he swiftly leaned down and planted a quick, chilly kiss on my lips, leaving me wide–eyed.
I playfully punched his arm, shooting him a reproachful glare. “Hey!”
Allen just smirked, raising an eyebrow in defiance. “As your secretive, under–the–radar boyfriend, sneaking kisses is just part of the job. And I wouldn’t want to mess up your friend’s matchmaking plans.”
I rolled my eyes. “We’re not exactly a secret,” I protested. “We’ve been dating openly for over a month now. I’ve just been laying low to avoid running into Antony.”
The clock on the wall chimed six, signaling the end of class. I nodded at Allen, announcing to the students that it was time to head home. As the last student was picked up, darkness had fully descended outside. The streets were lit with festive lights, their glow enhancing the romance of the falling snow.
Allen wrapped his arms around me from behind, pulling me into a warm embrace. His lips brushed against my ear, his voice a deep, comforting murmur. “With this atmosphere, wanna sneak in a date, my dear?”
I clicked my tongue again. This guy, never letting up.
At 10:10 PM, a rare update appeared on my usually dormant Facebook:
“Merry Christmas. To a man who’s been hinting for a public announcement.”
The accompanying photo showed our hands intertwined.
Jackson finally remembered where he’d seen Allen before. Allen, who at twenty–five had become the youngest
04:46
Chapter 6
CEO of the Bishop Group, declared on his first day that he’d sever all ties with the family’s shady past,
transforming the company into a reputable entity in just six months. How could such a high–profile figure end up at Jenny’s pottery studio? Surely not to learn pottery, right?
His phone buzzed with notifications as the group chat exploded.
[Whoa! Did Jenny just make it official?)
[And check this out! The background in the photo–they’re on a bed!]
[At 10 PM! Are they living together?]
Is it with Antony?]
[Nope, Antony was here drowning his sorrows last night, glued to his phone, waiting for something.]
The chat went silent for a few seconds until someone tentatively typed:
[Could he have been waiting for Jenny?]
The awkwardness lingered in the chat, the conversation halting abruptly.
Jackson’s heart sank as he exited the chat to check Jenny’s Facebook. Upon spotting the ring on her finger, he gasped, “Oh man, the jerk really blew it this time.”
The day after Christmas was a weekend, and the pottery shop was closed. I left Allen’s place and headed to the mall instead of going home. I picked out an anniversary gift for Jackson and his wife. On a whim, I also bought Allen a tie as a belated Christmas present.
“Ding-”
The elevator doors opened to my apartment floor. Just as I stepped out, a shadow loomed, and I was pushed against the elevator wall. I yelped in surprise, my protest silenced by a forceful kiss. “Mmph!”
་
Chapter 7
