Jennifer.
Tomas carried me to his room, and I found myself enveloped in a whirlwind of emotions. I was silently confused, unsure of what to say or how to act in this intimate moment. My mind was racing, and I was desperately waiting to see what would happen next. I tried to control myself, to think of questions I wanted to ask him, and to organize my thoughts. But despite my best intentions, I felt a wave of nervousness wash over me, making it hard to focus.
He opened the door to his room, and I could see a nervous look covering his face, which only mirrored my own feelings. He gently placed me down on the bed and sat next to me, his gaze fixed intently upon me. I felt my heart race as I returned his stare, raising my eyebrows in curiosity and uncertainty.
He leaned closer, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear with a tenderness that took my breath away. His hand brushed against my cheek, and I felt a shiver run down my spine as he looked deeply into my eyes.
“Jennifer?” he said my name in a husky voice that sent butterflies flitting in my stomach.
I trembled under his gaze. “Um, yes, Tomas?” I managed to ask, trying to maintain a shy demeanor despite the chaos in my mind. I was fighting the urge to look away, but it felt impossible; it was as if there was a magnetic pull drawing me to him. My thoughts were a jumble, filled with distracting ideas that made it hard to think straight. It felt like my brain had shut down completely.
I rolled my eyes, attempting to look away from his penetrating gaze, but it was futile. “Do you think that I still love Maya?” Tomas asked, breaking the silence.
I turned my head to him, shocked and momentarily choked up. “Well! I guess I was going to ask you the same question, Tomas!” I replied, raising an eyebrow, my expression a mix of surprise and curiosity.
“No, Jennifer! I’m the one who started this conversation, so please answer me. Do you think I’m in love with Maya?” Tomas pressed.
“I guess that crossed my mind for a second, Tomas…” I shrugged casually, not wanting to lie to him but also unsure how to express my feelings.
“Well, Jennifer, no, I’m not in love with her…” he said, his voice low and assuring.
“Then why did you treat her with all that anger, Tomas? Why did you scream at Mark like that?” I probed, genuinely wanting to understand.
“Because of you, Jennifer! Yes! I don’t know why, but when he said you are the most beautiful woman on earth, it turned my mood completely! I was ready to punch him right in the face,” he explained, his frustration evident.
I blurted out, “I guess maybe that reminded you that he took Maya from you! He stole the woman you loved!” My words hung in the air, and I realized I might have struck a nerve.
He stood up and walked nervously to the window, his back to me. I could see him running his fingers through his hair, a gesture that told me he was agitated. Then he turned to face me, his expression transforming into one of anger. “Are you stupid, Jennifer?! I thought you were a smart and intelligent girl!” he hollered, his voice rising.
I narrowed my eyes, not backing down. “What, Tomas?!”
“He didn’t take Maya from me! He was in a relationship with her, and they concocted a plan to make me fall for her and then steal all my money!” Tomas revealed, his voice filled with intensity.
I hopped off the bed and stepped closer to him, my curiosity piqued. “How, Tomas? Please tell me the whole story; I want to know what happened!” I urged, eager for the truth.
He nodded, and I could see he was opening his heart, ready to pull out the secrets he had buried deep within. I was surprised by how eager he seemed to share everything with me. “Okay, Jennifer, I will tell you my long story with Maya and Mark. But please be patient and don’t interrupt. It’s a long one,” Tomas warned me.
I nodded, feeling a sense of anticipation. “Okay, Tomas, I’m listening.”
“Then come and sit next to me, Jennifer, please…” He beckoned with his fingers, and I complied, moving to the couch beside him.
As he began to recount the long tale of Maya and Mark, I felt a sudden buzz from my cellphone in my pocket. I stood up quickly to check the message, not wanting him to see who had sent it.
But Tomas was watching me intently, his gaze piercing and curious. I returned to sit next to him, clearing my throat nervously. “Um, sorry, Tomas, please start,” I said, trying to sound casual.
Yet he continued to stare at me, his curiosity piqued by the message I had received. “Jennifer!” he raised his brows, demanding an explanation.
I gulped, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks. “Yes, Tomas?”
“What about this message?!” he pressed, his tone growing more insistent.
I rolled my eyes, trying to deflect. “What about the message, Tomas?” I asked, avoiding his gaze.
“Are you hiding something from me, Jennifer?!” he queried, leaning closer to try and get a glimpse of my phone screen.
I shook my head nervously. “No! Why would I?” I insisted, feeling cornered.
“Then give me your cellphone, Jennifer!” he said sternly, a command rather than a request.
“No way!” I almost screamed, feeling defiant.
“Why, Jennifer?!” He gasped, shooting me a glare that felt like daggers.
“Because it’s private! You can’t!” I replied simply, standing my ground.
“I’m your fiance, Jennifer!” he informed me, narrowing his eyes as if that should settle everything.
I scoffed, reminding him-and myself-of the reality. “You mean my boss, Mr. Tomas!” I shot back.
He groaned in frustration. “You’re making me mad! Angry! Show me the message now, Jennifer!” he commanded, his voice rising in volume.
I stuck my tongue out at him teasingly. “No! And now tell me your story!” I insisted.
He frowned, clearly annoyed. “Why?! No, I’m not going to tell you! Why do you care?” Tomas asked, crossing his arms defiantly.
I cleared my throat, trying to sound serious. “Mr. Tomas, it’s for the sake of the job. I need to know everything!” I informed him.
“That’s it, Jennifer?! Just for work?!” He questioned, his arms still crossed over his chest.
“Now what do you want me to say, Tomas?!” I retorted, feeling the tension rise.
He huffed in exasperation. “Nothing! Just please leave me, Jennifer. Go to your room. I want to relax for a while before the midnight meeting with Maya and that jerk, Mark!” he told me, his voice laced with frustration.
“Well, Mr. Tomas, I’m not leaving until you tell me the whole story. She’s my enemy now. I need to know everything about her to figure out how I should deal with her,” I explained, my curiosity winning out over my better judgment.
Actually, I lied; I was jealous and needed to ensure he had truly forgotten his feelings for her.
He chuckled, a sound that held both amusement and exasperation. “Don’t, Jennifer! She’s heartless! Just ignore her and neglect me too, for now. Leave me, please…”
“But!!” I protested, not ready to back down.
“But what, Jennifer?!” he shot back, clearly frustrated.
I rolled my eyes, feeling the weight of the moment. I grabbed his hands and pressed them gently, trying to convey my sincerity. “I need to know, please, and don’t ask me for a reason. Because I will keep coming up with different excuses and lies. So please, just tell me,” I pleaded with him.
He stared at me, and after a moment of silence, he finally relented. “Okay, Jennifer. I will.”