Elder Allen, feeling the soothing effect of Jessica’s massage, let out a deep sigh. His tense muscles gradually relaxed, and his eyelids grew heavier.
"Grandpa, we might be leaving very early in the morning," Jessica said softly, her tone gentle yet firm.
Elder Allen hummed in response, his voice laced with drowsiness. "That’s fine, my child. Just be careful."
"Grand pa. I will also take the document in your hand." She smirked, a faint smile on her lips.
The Old man smiled "I have secured it for a while and I am sure it is wise for you to pay for the security services rendered." He smiled lightly.
Jessica chuckled softly, shaking her head at Elder Allen’s playful remark. "Grandpa, are you asking me to pay for keeping what is already mine?" she teased.
Elder Allen let out a low laugh. "Nothing is truly free, my dear. Even family must know the value of what they hold."
Jessica’s eyes flickered with amusement. "Fair enough. How about I settle the bill with a promise—you let me handle things my way, and I’ll make sure the Allen family doesn’t regret it?"
The old man studied her for a moment before nodding approvingly. "That sounds like a fair deal." He handed over the document.
Jessica took it carefully, her fingers tightening slightly around the folder.
They both chatted about several other situations and the possible solution.
Davis sat in silence, his fingers idly tracing the armrest of his wheelchair. It felt strangely unfamiliar—to be alone, even for a short while.
Ever since Jessica entered his life, they had gradually grown to the point of being together at all time that it felt more natural and never in any’
And their visit to the Allen family had been one funny episode because they spent all their time in one closed space of his bedroom and now has to wait in silence for his return.
Slowly his hand moved to the cheek were she had kissed him lightly, the warmth and scent lingering in the air that a faint smile crept up his lips.
Now, without her presence beside him, the room felt emptier than usual. It was a rare moment of solitude, yet instead of relief, he felt a faint restlessness creeping in. He didn’t want to imagine if he will be able live again without her presence.
Leaning back, he exhaled softly as his mind wandered back to the various incidents where she had to protect him and the manner with which she handles issues —simple, concise, confident and with a clear objective of goal but it is more amusing to see her take on the state of naivety. She is one sort of a fearless woman he never dreamed to met or have.
He smile played at his own naivety. He had once thought her a mere pawn or spy in the family’s schemes but it is ridiculous and laughable that the people that felt her to be their pawn are been used as a pawn by her.
He wasn’t sure when it had started, this growing attachment, this unfamiliar warmth whenever she was near. But now, sitting alone, he understood one thing.
He missed her and had become dependent on her.
While Davis was deeply immersed in his thought reveling the happiness and warmth, Vera slowly walked up to him, "Davis, is been a long time."
Davis breathe hitched at the sound of that voice, it’s an all too familiar voice, the voice he heard in the hospital ward.
He closed his eyes momentarily and by the time he opened it again, he had managed to suppress whatever emotion that is threatening to spill forth. "Vera", her name rolled out of his tongue tinged with disgust.
He didn’t expect that in this lifetime he will come to the point where he wouldn’t want to call this name that had once been his heaven out of his mouth.
"What is the problem?" He asked with a biting coldness.
Vera’s lips curled into a faint smile as she took slow, deliberate steps toward him. "Davis, you don’t sound happy to see me," she said softly, her voice laced with feigned hurt.
Davis let out a dry chuckle, his gaze cold and unyielding. "Should I be?" His tone was sharp, carrying the weight of betrayal that still lingered in his heart.
Vera sighed, tilting her head as if observing him for the first time. "You’ve changed," she mused. "The old Davis wouldn’t have spoken to me ."
"The old Davis was really a fool," he countered, his grip tightening on the wheelchair armrest. "But I’ve learned my lesson."
For a moment, silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken words and buried memories.
Vera’s fingers twitched at her side, but she masked the flicker of emotion with another smile. "I heard about what happened at the mall," she said, changing the subject. "I hope you were okay?"
Davis exhaled through his nose, uninterested in entertaining her conversation. "I can see you are too informed for me to inform you again." He smirked.
Vera’s expression flickered with frustration at Davis’s unwavering indifference. She took a deep breath, composing herself. "Davis, you have to understand... this wasn’t entirely my choice. I never planned for things to turn out this way."
Davis scoffed, his gaze cold and detached. "And yet, they did." His fingers drummed against the wheelchair armrest. "You made your choice, Vera. You don’t get to stand here and ask for my understanding now."
She clenched her fists. "I had my own challenges, my own predicament—"
"And I had mine," he cut in sharply, his voice carrying an air of finality. "I understand, Vera. That’s why I chose to let you go. And I hope you can do the same."
A tense silence stretched between them.
Vera’s lips parted slightly, as if to argue, but she found no words to counter him. Instead, she swallowed hard and nodded stiffly. "I just... I just thought you should hear it from me," she murmured.
"If you’re here to reminisce, Vera, don’t bother. Whatever we had is dead." He said with an air of finality.
A faint footsteps echoed down the hallway. A presence that was both familiar and reassuring.
A smile crept up her lips but in the next moment he froze. Vera, fell forward and by instinct he stretched his hand to stop her but she skillfully fell into his arm and some parts of her body resting on his immobile leg.
Davis’s expression darkened instantly. He clenched his jaw, his body stiffening as Vera lay partially draped over his immobile leg. He could feel the weight of her presence, the deliberate nature of her actions.
"Vera," his voice was cold, laced with restrained anger. "Get off."
Vera lifted her head slightly, her eyes shimmering as she looked up at him. "Davis... I didn’t mean to—"
"Enough." His patience was razor-thin. "I don’t have the time or interest for your games."
Just then, a soft clap echoed from behind them.
"Well, well... What an interesting sight."
Jessica’s voice was light, but the sharpness in her tone was unmistakable. She took slow, deliberate steps forward, her arms crossed over her chest, amusement dancing in her eyes.
Davis hand hung in the air, he didn’t know where to place his hand. His heart beating wildly in trepidation and fear of what Jessica will do.
"Baby, ...I can explain..", he stammered, his voice anxious and breathe coming in gasps. Jessica raised a brow at him. "I...I...I