Chapter 11: A Little Longer
To Love You Again, My Husband
Chapter 11: A Little Longer
After the meal, her mother went to her. She apologetically spoke, “Child, I’m sorry for not being a good mother to you all along. I… lacked and had my shortcomings.”
She responded after contemplating, “I understand, Mom. You… haven’t met Evan, right?”
Her mother shook her head, “I did see him with his friends occasionally, but I knew that deep inside, he must be blaming me.”
Airina assured, “Nothing to worry about. In fact, Evan was just awkward around you.”
Once again, a look of disappointment was presented on her mother’s face. Their parents parted ways, and Evan, who was young and lacked the necessary understanding, disliked his real mother for abandoning them and had them suffer at the hands of their stepmother, Linda.
Airina patted her mother’s shoulder, “It will take time. Well, it’s quite late so I should get going now.”
“Ah, let us drive you.”This content belongs to Nô/velDra/ma.Org .
“I’m fine, Mom. I’ll take you to my house next time.”
Her mother smiled, “Of course, dear. I had a good time with you today, see you.”
Airina nodded her head, then gave her stepfather a glimpse who merely tugged his lips upwards, acknowledging her presence.
Having seated inside her car, she looked at the steering wheel, reminded of Jackson’s hand while he was driving them home.
Veiny, skillful hands, circulated the steering wheel. He had a serious, yet inexplicable expression on his face but he was still composed and unreadable – just like before.
Airina set her keys on her desk and then sat in front of the mirror. It reflected her flawless, smooth skin – something that she never had as she didn’t have money for it.
“Mhm, skincare is the best. My skin had drastically changed to a better complexion.”
Later when she had changed her clothes to her nightgown, she received an anonymous text,
[“You left your bracelet in my car.”]
Airina stared at the text in confusion and before she knew it, someone rang the doorbell then she put on her shawl before descending the stairs. She opened the door and then her eyes slightly widened at the unexpected guest.
She frowned, “Why are you here?”
Jackson simply smiled at her, “Aren’t you going to allow me inside?”
Airina glanced inside her house and scoffed, “Yes, I won’t. Were you the sender of that text, if so, give me my bracelet.” She offered her hand with a nonchalant expression. As if she was disinterested in her abandoned bracelet.
Jackson sighed and then rummaged in his pocket. “Here.”
Briefly, Airina had intended to close the door to his face but then he forcefully made his way inside. Airina rolled her eyes and then closed the door without further ado.
She folded her arms, “What is your motive?”
“I want water.”
She merely mindlessly then threw the bracelet somewhere on the cushion. Jackson couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable at her unfamiliar movements. He smacked both of his lips against each other and then turned to face Airina.
“Is everything well here?”
“Suddenly caring for me? What of Nicole?”
Jackson swallowed her saliva, “Nicole and I had parted ways soon after our divorce. We owe nothing to each other.”
“Oh, I didn’t ask about her. Hurry along, I need to sleep.”
Jackson smiled at her, “Sleep, then. I will guard you.”
She frowned, “No need”, she urged him as she sat on the cushion, playing with the bracelet he had returned to her.
“But you look adorable.”
Airina restlessly looked at him and then picked up her phone. Suddenly, she was pressing a familiar number and before she could call it, Jackson stole her phone.
He said, “I’ll be quick, you don’t need to call the police.”
“You should have said that earlier.”
He wanted to stay longer with her. Yet witnessing her determination not to want to be with him any longer, he could only yield.
“Thank you for the water, I’ll leave now.”
Airina nodded without words while Jackson wistfully looked away from her expressionless eyes. Airina followed suit behind him; Jackson momentarily halted looking sorrowfully at this annoying door. Suddenly, Airina’s stomach rumbled, causing him to instantly look back at her with a bright smile.
Great! Now he can spend more time with her!
Embarrassed, she looked away, pushing him to the door.
He merely offered, “I can cook, is there anything you want to eat?”
“In particular, I want you out of my sight.”
Jackson giggled, “I’ll leave after cooking, promise.”
“… Ok, since you’re persistent.”
Now that he was successful in staying longer, he wouldn’t waste this time and show off his abilities to cook. He must charm her with his excellent capability in cooking skills and let her be entranced by his delicious, and unique taste of food.
Fortunately, Airina had the ingredients he needed. It was evident that he had cooked several times before and yet she had never tasted it before. If they hadn’t divorced, would she ever have had the chance to eat his cooked meal? Maybe never in her wildest dreams.
The chosen meal of Jackson wasn’t hard, so Airina didn’t wait long before the meal was served prettily on her plate. Even the aroma was already tempting her – not to mention the adept plating of the meal – chef’s kiss.
As soon as she chewed on the meat, it was tender, and soft on the inside and a little bit crunchy on the outside; just the way she liked it. She didn’t know Jackson was into cooking.
However, what was unsettling wasn’t his cooking abilities, but his endless stare at her. Listless, she sighed, asking him.
“What in the world do you want from me?”
“Nothing,” he smiled, “You look pretty when you eat.”
“… Get out of my house this instant, Jackson.” She mustn’t be swayed.
Jackson chuckled, “Care to call my name again? It feels good.”
She warned him through waving her phone, relaying she would call the police, thus he was defeated.
Before he left her house, he told her. “Tell me whenever you’re hungry, I could always cook for you”, he stared into her eyes, “Good night.”
And just like that, Airina’s heart was dancing with butterflies again.