Jayden froze. His smile faded, he could
sense the sudden shift in Jessica's tone and emotion.
Her question cut deeper than any blade. The room felt smaller. The air heavier.
He put his controller down, slowly.
Then took a deep breath and faced Jessica, who was unmoving. The time had finally come... for their talk.
"I didn't... mean to," he said quietly.
Jessica scoffed, voice cracking. "Didn't mean to? Jayden, you told me I meant nothing to you. That we were just kids messing around. That you never felt anything."
Her eyes shimmered. "You didn't mean that too, huh?"
Jayden sighed, this was the exact thing he didn't want happening. An outburst.
Jessica had been emotionally unstable after her mother's death, she could be happy at some point but then suddenly become angry... or sad. She was very emotional.
And Jayden knew this, which was why he was feeling so much guilt at the moment. She had emotional issues and he made it worse all those years ago after he broke her heart.
"Why?" Jessica shuddered. "I would ask myself that, every day. Why?"
Jayden's throat tightened. The guilt was already clawing at him. He knew this was coming. And yet...
"Why, Jayden?" Jessica continued, her voice trembling. "Why bring me into your world? Why make me feel seen, understood… safe? Why make me fall in love with you... And make me believe that you loved me too?"
Jayden couldn't answer. Because everything she said was true. And it hurt. He had basically given Jessica the scar of a lifetime, because he was her first love and he knew this. But yet he killed her heart. And the craziest part was... He killed he's too.
Jessica gave a broken chuckle. "You wanted to talk right? Well, here it is, Jayden. Let's talk. But tell me... was it worth it? Watching me cry that day? Seeing me break? Did you enjoy that?"
Jayden exhaled, his voice barely audible. "It wasn't," he muttered under his breath
Jessica frowned. "Don't tell me you didn't feel a bit of excitement to see me hurt,"
Jayden clenched his fist, the guilt was too much. "I... I didn't,"
Jessica shook her head. "That's not true, I don't believe you. Jessica narrowed her eyes. "Then why did you do it? Why say those things?"
Jayden's heart twisted. He clenched his fists. "Because I lied," he whispered.
Jessica blinked. "What?"
Jayden clenched his jaw. "I lied, Jessica. I said all that because I was scared. Scared of what I felt. Scared of dragging you into the mess my life was becoming."
He swallowed. "You were the only good thing I had after my mom died. And we got along so well that I did develop feelings for you. Yes, we were just kids but I knew what I felt. I understood it and I liked it... I liked the feeling. Especially because I knew you felt the same way,"
"You understood me so well because you had also lost your mother, and I knew that you were emotional. But you would act strong around me, console me and make me feel better. Even though you were going through your own grief,"
"But the truth is... I did feel the same way about you," he whispered. "I... I loved you,"
Jessica's voice trembled. "No! No, no no! Y..You can't say that.. you don't get to say that. Why are you just saying that now?" she voiced out, tears streaming down her face.
Jayden closed his eyes and took a deep breath, he was deeply heartstruck to see Jessica like that. He had no idea of the damage he had done. He thought she would get over him quickly, since they were just kids. But Jessica was an emotional type, it wasn't easy for her to just forget.
"I'm so sorry, Jessica," he muttered. "I'm really sorry for lying to you... for everything,"
Jessica wiped her tears, she seemed to have calmed down a little. "Okay, so tell me why? If you say you felt the same way, then why did you reject me? Why did you say you felt nothing for me?"
Jayden exhaled. "Because I didn't deserve you, and you were better off without me. I was broken. Angry. Full of rage. And you... you were beautiful. Driven. Hopeful. I couldn't drag you into my darkness."
"So when you told me how you felt," he continued, "I panicked. I thought, 'If she keeps loving me, I'll only end up hurting her more.' So I had to make sure you hated me."
Tears streamed down Jessica's face, she couldn't believe her ears.
"My life was filled with sorrow and you were the only beautiful thing in it. And it hurt me deeply that I pushed you away, but it was for the best... At least, that's what I thought,"
Jessica was speechless, she just continued to stare at Jayden in disbelief. She was shocked. "Why... why didn't you tell me all this time? It wasn't your decision to make. I had every right to know about what was truly going on with you... then to decide if I still wanted to be a part of your life. We promised to always tell each other everything," she muttered, her voice now calm and soft. She had already managed to keep her emotions in check.
"I know," Jayden said quietly. "And I'm sorry."
Jessica scoffed. "So... why tell me you love me now? Are you saying that just so I would forgive you?"
Jayden shook his head. "I'm telling you this, because... I died," he laughed, causing Jessica let out a sweet chuckle.
"But I also couldn't tell you how I felt because of..."
"What?" Jessica asked softly "Because of what?"
Jayden sighed. "My rage. I didn't have anger issues as a kid.. but it just suddenly began to develop after my mum died. And it kept getting worse,"
"You were the only one who saw past all the rage... the only one who still loved me regardless. But I still pushed you away... and for that I'm sorry," he muttered, wiping away the speck of tears that had welled up in his eyes.
Jessica exhaled, she could see all the pain and despair Jayden was feeling. It made her feel guilty, she had been angry with him all those years without noticing what he was really going through.
Then she moved... and wrapped her arms around Jayden. Giving him a warm, aching hug.
Jayden froze, stunned, before slowly hugging her back. He felt the warmth coming from her embrace... which was mostly her breasts pressing against his chest.
Then, the familiar smell of lavender drifted into his senses. Jessica's scent. Tasha's was orange blossom.
"It's okay," she whispered. "I forgive you. And... I'm sorry too. For being a jerk to you this whole time."
Jayden smiled weakly. "I deserved it."
They pulled apart, eyes meeting. Something unsaid passed between them. Then Jayden flashed a charming smile.
Jessica turned away quickly. "Jayden… it's too late for us now." she whispered
Jayden nodded. "I know. But I'm still going to try... to win back your heart."
Her eyes widened. She looked away fast, cheeks burning. She was flustered.
Jayden stretched out his hand, offering a smile. "So… friends?"
Jessica hesitated… then took his hand. "Friends."
But the moment their hands touched, her mind jolted. A memory... that of his transformation, flashed across her thoughts.
On instinct, she yanked her hand away, breath catching.
Jayden frowned. "Jessica? What's wrong?"
She didn't answer. Her heart raced. "Oh, God. He's here... Right in front of me!"
But then she saw his worried expression... and that warmth returned. "No. He'd never hurt me... I know that."
"I'm fine," she said, forcing a smile. "Your hand was just... cold."
Jayden studied her face, he saw the look on it. It was the same as the previous night at the dining. She was terrified... of him.
"Jessica... are you scared of me?" he asked softly
She looked up sharply, startled by how accurate his question was.
"No. Of course not," she said quickly.
Jayden sighed. "Don't lie to me."
Jessica gave a nervous laugh. "I'm not. I just… it's nothing. I promise."
Jayden nodded slowly. "Alright. But remember, we promised to tell each other everything six years ago. We're friends again, right?"
Jessica smiled, more genuinely this time. "Yeah. We are. And I'm fine. So... get out. I need to shower."
Jayden chuckled and stood. "Alright. If you say so." he said, walking to the door.
But before he left, her voice stopped him.
"Jayden."
He turned.
"Promise me. Promise you'll never hurt me again. That... you'll never do anything to hurt me... or my family,"
Jayden's smile faded into something deeper, he knew something was definitely up with Jessica. But for now, he decided to let it go.
"I promise," he said. "You're all my family too. And I'll protect you. Always."
Jessica smiled, her heart easing just a little.
"Thank you. And… thanks for coming here. I'm really glad we talked."
Jayden nodded. "Me too."
And with that, he slipped out, closing the door behind him.
Well. That went well,] Luna said, just as Jayden stepped out of Jessica's room.
Jayden sighed, his voice low. "Yeah… it did."
Then Luna burst out laughing.
Jayden frowned, confused. "What's so funny?"
[Oh no, don't mind me,] Luna replied between giggles. [It's just... you basically had her falling for you all over again. Very smooth. That whole 'I loved you all along' story? Classic. Good work, Romeo.]
Jayden exhaled and rubbed his forehead, walking toward his room. "It wasn't a story, Luna. That was real. Those were my true feelings."
[Yeah, okay, whatever you say. Wink.]
Jayden rolled his eyes and stepped into his room, heading straight for the bed and collapsing face-first into it. "Still… I couldn't control my emotions when I was talking to her. It felt like they were maxed out... like every part of me just cracked wide open."
[Hmm. Heightened emotions? No, I don't think so] Luna's voice turned mock-scientific. [Probably just your teenage hormones kicking in]
"I guess... but still. I cried," Jayden muttered. "Luna, I haven't cried ever since the day my mother died. Not once,"
[Whoa] Luna was surprised. [Well, maybe it's because you care about her more than you let yourself believe.]
Jayden leaned back, staring at the ceiling. "Maybe. But even after everything… she still looked scared of me. Why?"
[Perhaps she saw something... your transformation maybe] Luna stated
Jayden shook his head. "I doubt that. The only time I transformed was back in the forest and... the school. Oh, crap! She was there the day I sparred with Carl, do you think she saw... everything?"
[Well, that is a valid reason for her to be terrified. But it could also be something else]
Luna replied
Jayden exhaled. "I really hope it's something else,"
[Yeah, yeah. Enough of all this already, We've got important things to do]
Jayden frowned. "Like what?"
[Training you for what's to come, of course! You're clearly a natural when it comes to women, but you're still lacking in some critical areas. And don't worry... I can fix that]
Jayden groaned. "Oh no. Luna, not this again. I'm not in the mood for your ridiculous lectures."
[But Jayden, you're the Beastlord. You don't just conquer beasts. You conquer women too. Hehe.]
Jayden sighed in frustration. "Luna, please…"
[Okay, okay.. but answer me this. You like the other one too, don't you?]
Jayden raised a brow, he was slightly stunned but he didn't show it. "Tasha? Well... Kind of. But she probably hates me now,"
[Haha, I doubt that] Luna muttered. [But you're also worried about what would happen if you fell for two sisters, aren't you?]
Jayden smiled wrly, Luna had caught him red-handed. But even her accusations were an understatement. "Actually... I already have, but I don't know what to do. Or how to... choose,"
[Hehe, I can help with that] Luna chuckled mischievously. [They both clearly like you, and you clearly like them both... So why not have them both]
Jayden's head jerked up. "What?! I can't just... Luna, that's not how real life works! It's not..."
[..Proper?] Luna scoffed. [You're the Beastlord, Damn it. If you like a girl... you get the girl. If you want them both, take them both]
Jayden shook his head. "I don't want to mess with their emotions. It's not right."
[Then you'll need to communicate. Learn to be honest. Learn to express desire and still be respectful. You already have charm, but I'm here to sharpen the rest.]
Jayden narrowed his eyes. "How?"
Luna giggled. [Let's start with the simple things, and teach you about basic romance. Pick up your tablet and search "Titanic"]
Jayden frowned. "Titanic? That movie was a bore... I disliked it,"
[And this is exactly why you need my help] She sounded genuinely offended. [You have the emotional range of a spoon]
"Well, that seems to be working quite well. You said so yourself,"
[Yes, but it's not enough. You need to do more than just talking, Jayden. You need to really get into the passion and give in to your desires. It's about knowing when to whisper and when to roar. That's the true definition of romance]
Jayden scoffed. [And what would you know about romance? You don't even have emotions]
Luna chuckled. [I might not have emotions of my own, but I'm advanced enough to understand how they work]
Jayden sighed, he knew Luna wouldn't rest until he agreed. "Okay, fine. What do you have in mind?"
[Well, since you claim to know the basics of romance. Why don't we skip to the juicy part, one that involves less clothes and less talking] Luna stated
"I know what porn is, Luna," Jayden retorted
Luna was surprised. [Huh? I thought you were innocent?]
Jayden shrugged. "Knowing what it means doesn't mean I've watched it."
[Well, that's about to change.] Luna clapped mentally. [But first, let's ease into it. Start with something that blends romance and erotica]
Jayden sighed. "Okay, let's get this over with. I'll probably get bored and sleep off," he muttered
Luna grinned... well if she had a face, she would've. [Oh, trust me, Jayden. You won't get bored, I assure you. Infact, by the time I'm done with you. You'll be a Pro... Both in smooth talking... and pleasure giving]
[Now, look up "50 shades" and watch every movie under it]
"This better be worth wasting my time for," Jayden muttered under his breath as he tapped into his screen.
...
Back in the girl's room, just after Jayden had left. Jessica felt huge surge relief as Jayden walked out of the room. It felt as if a huge weight had been lifted off her chest.
Five years of hate, had vanished in a span of sixty minutes. It felt surreal to Jessica, how she had just let go of everything... how she had forgiven him.
But to her it was more than just forgiveness, to her it was a broken relationship being fixed. And it felt like all the emotions she had buried deep within her had suddenly resurfaced. Everything she had tried to forget had returned.
And the insane part was, she subconsciously welcomed it all. She remembered the feelings and refused to let it go.
"I can't believe this... Carl was right all along, huh?" Jessica thought, cuddling her pillow. "I never really got over Jayden... I'm still in love him. Sigh* Damn it!"
....
*********
A/Q:
Hola, everyone. First, i want to say thanks for reading this far. I really appreciate.
I didn't want to do this but I thought some of you might be wondering how everything suddenly got emotional
Well, that's because I decided to establish some emotional connections and build the romantic foundation between the MC and his harem members. I'm not a fan of romance, but... I don't like a harem building that has no foundation and romance.
So, I hope you don't mind all the mushy gushy emotional nonesense. I think i managed to balance the Action and Thriller well. So let me know if there's anything you'd like to add or point out.
Happy reading and
Gracias!