31

Jennifer.
After Maya left me alone in my room, confusion enveloped me like a thick fog, leaving me feeling bewildered and lost in a labyrinth of conflicting emotions. I felt terrible, trapped between two opposing stories that pulled me in different directions. I couldn’t determine whether Maya was the liar or if it was Tomas. Both of them had given me entirely different accounts of what transpired between them, and the more I contemplated the situation, the more tangled my thoughts became, like threads of a fraying tapestry.
Maya’s narrative, filled with raw emotion and sincerity, began to resonate with me in ways I hadn’t anticipated. She had done everything in her power to make me break up with Tomas, yet she also confronted both him and me with her truth. She openly admitted her lingering feelings and her ongoing attachment to him, stating her intention to win him back. It was painful to realize that she might not be entirely wrong in her assessment of the situation.
As I sat there, my mind raced, comparing their stories, desperately seeking clarity in the midst of my emotional turmoil. But I couldn’t reach a firm conclusion. Perhaps it was my heart’s reluctance to accept the possibility that Tomas might be dishonest. After all, I was deeply in love with him, and that love clouded my judgment, casting shadows over my ability to see the truth clearly.
In an attempt to calm my swirling thoughts, I made the spontaneous decision to take a nap. Maybe a brief escape into sleep would help clear my mind, even if just for a moment. But as I lay on the bed, I found sleep elusive, like a distant dream slipping through my fingers. A pounding headache throbbed at my temples, and the weight of uncertainty pressed heavily on my chest like an anchor dragging me down into despair. I realized I needed to do something more active to shake off these unsettling feelings.
So, I made a spontaneous decision to put on my bikini and go for a swim. Perhaps the water would provide some relief, or at least serve as a temporary distraction from the emotional chaos swirling in my mind. I changed into a sexy pink bikini, feeling a conflicting mix of confidence and vulnerability, and headed downstairs to the outdoor pool, where the sun glinted off the water like diamonds.
As I approached, I noticed Tomas and Jack lounging near the water. Tomas was sitting there, his posture relaxed, exuding an air of casual confidence, but next to him was Selena, animatedly talking and laughing with him. The sight stirred something deep within me, a strange mix of jealousy and insecurity bubbling to the surface. But when he caught sight of me, his demeanor shifted; he narrowed his eyes and focused intently on me, as if assessing my every move. I chose to ignore his gaze, pushing past the feelings it stirred within me like a wave crashing against the shore.
Jack, however, was in a different mood. He stood by the pool singing a cheerful tune, his voice carrying through the air like a soothing balm. When he spotted me, he set down his guitar and approached, but just like I had done with Tomas, I ignored him too. I jumped into the pool, swimming to the far side to create distance from them, seeking solace in the cool water.
“Jennifer?” Jack called out, his voice laced with genuine concern. I swam further away, unwilling to engage. He followed me, stepping next to the pool while I remained submerged. “Please talk to me! Why do you keep ignoring me like this? I didn’t do anything to you!” he pleaded, desperation creeping into his voice.
For the third time, I ignored him, and in a moment of frustration, he took off his clothes and jumped into the pool, pulling me by the hand. I stared at him, my expression a mix of annoyance and confusion. “What, Jack? What do you want from me now?” I asked, my voice sharp, cutting through the tension in the air.
“Why do you do this to me?” he questioned, his eyes wide with genuine concern. I could see Tomas standing up, moving closer, his expression tense and unreadable.
“What? You don’t know why?!” I smirked at Jack, my voice dripping with sarcasm, fueled by my frustration.
Jack shook his head. “No, I don’t know,” he admitted, looking genuinely perplexed, as if he were trying to unravel a mystery he couldn’t comprehend.
“Then you’re so stupid, Jack! Or maybe the one who hurt me before was just your ghost!” I yelled at him before climbing out of the pool and storming towards my room. As I passed Tomas, I accidentally bumped into him, hitting his shoulder in a moment of frustration. I looked him up and down, my expression defiant, and left without uttering a word, my heart pounding in my chest.
Just as I reached my room, I heard Selena shout my name. I turned back, irritation bubbling within me like a volcano ready to erupt. “Now what do you want?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest defensively, ready to fend off any further confrontation.
“I want to know why you’re acting so foolishly. Why are you treating Tomas like this? You should be thanking your lucky stars that he chose you!” Selena said, her tone incredulous, as if she couldn’t fathom my actions.
“What?” I widened my eyes, her words contrasting sharply with Maya’s. “What do you mean, Selena? Chosen me?”
“I mean that Tomas is not a bad guy. He tried to fall in love with me, and he really did his best. But love isn’t something you can force; it’s a spark, a miracle that happens unexpectedly. He’s not that bad, Jennifer! You need to do everything in your power to not lose him, just like Maya did!” Selena explained, her expression shifting to one of sadness and empathy.
“But I thought you’d tell me I should break up with him! I expected you to try to convince me to end things!” I exclaimed, raising my eyebrows in disbelief, feeling the ground shift beneath my feet.
“Listen, Jennifer. I know that Tomas loves you! I have to tell you that. I’ve never seen him like this before-jealous and caring. This isn’t the Tomas I used to know! But I’m also here to try to win him back, not through tricks or deceit. I want to show him how much I love him so he can see the difference between me, you, and even Maya! But I will never steal him from you. Fair games only, Jennifer. Good luck,” she stated firmly before walking away, leaving me to grapple with my swirling emotions.
“Oh great, and I thought she’d wish me luck with Tomas!” I murmured to myself as I walked back to my room, collapsing onto the bed in a heap of frustration. I attempted to think clearly, but my mind was still spinning, caught in a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts and feelings. Suddenly, my cellphone rang, breaking the silence and pulling me back to reality.
I glanced at the screen and saw it was a restricted number. My curiosity piqued, I felt a mix of apprehension and intrigue. “Who is it?” I answered, bracing myself for whatever news might come.
“It’s me, Miss Jennifer. It’s Cercus. I hope I’m not disturbing you with my call at this hour!” he said cheerfully, his tone oddly upbeat.
I nodded, even though he couldn’t see me. “Oh, not at all. I’m not sleeping,” I replied, attempting to sound casual.
“Well, Miss Jennifer, I thought you might like to catch some time at the shore. If you don’t mind, could you join me now?” Cercus asked, his voice smooth and inviting.
“What? Now? It’s 5 p. m., Mr. Cercus,” I responded, a bit taken aback by the sudden invitation.
“Exactly. So can I come now and drive you to the shore? The beach is stunning at this time,” he urged, his enthusiasm infectious.
“Um, okay, Mr. Cercus. I’ll change my clothes and wait for you,” I agreed, a sense of excitement bubbling within me despite my earlier reservations.
“Okay, see you then, Miss Jennifer,” he replied, his tone warm.
“Bye, Mr. Cercus.” I hung up and headed to the washroom to take a quick shower and change into something nice for the beach, my heart racing with anticipation.
As I stood under the water, I wondered why I was still here, contemplating a meeting with a man I hardly knew. Would it be wise to spend time with him? After all, he was a stranger-Mr. Cercus, a mystery in his own right. The prospect of the unknown thrilled and terrified me in equal measure.
**Tomas**
I was boiling inside when I saw Jennifer walking to the pool, wearing her sexy bikini. My anger boiled over, and I struggled to keep my temper in check. I felt an overwhelming urge to confront her, to demand why she was flaunting herself around so provocatively, especially in front of Jack.
But when Jack approached her, I hesitated, deciding to observe and learn what was happening between them. Before Jennifer arrived, Selena had been talking to me about our past, expressing how much she missed me since our breakup. She shared the struggles she faced after I left her and how she had avoided all relationships since then, her tone heavy with nostalgia.
“Are you inviting me to stay the night in your room?” I asked, trying to gauge her intentions, curious about where this conversation was headed.
“Tomas, you know I love you so much!” Selena said, her eyes pleading as if her heart were laid bare before me.
“I know you loved me back then, but I’m not so sure about now,” I replied, unsure of how to navigate this delicate conversation without causing more pain.
“Come to my room tonight, Tomas! Just give it a test. If you don’t enjoy your time with me, then you truly love Jennifer. But if you do, then you’ll know where your heart lies,” she suggested, her tone teasing yet laced with sincerity.
“You’re out of your mind, Selena! I’m a man! I could sleep with anyone, even if I’m in love with someone else!” I retorted, trying to dismiss her proposition as if it were a mere distraction.
She giggled, a mischievous smile on her face. “I know you’re not that type, Tomas! You’re better than that!”
I narrowed my eyes, feeling the tension rise between us. “Are you trying to manipulate me?” I asked, half-jokingly, but the seriousness of the situation gnawed at my conscience.
“Do you remember what happened the last time you started to read that letter? You didn’t touch me then!” she reminded me, her voice softer now, a hint of vulnerability creeping in.
I sighed, remembering the pain that letter had caused me, how it had changed everything. “But I did sleep with you when I was with Maya. So I guess I’ve moved on from that,” I replied, trying to sound confident, but doubt lingered in the back of my mind.
“Are you afraid to fall in love with me again?” she pressed, her voice dropping to a whisper that seemed to linger in the air.
“Not a chance! I haven’t fallen for anyone in three years. Why would I start now?” I laughed, attempting to brush off her words as if they were inconsequential.
“Because I believe you’ve never truly gotten over me, and maybe you’re drawn to Jennifer because she’s innocent. But are you sure she’s really as innocent as you think?” she challenged, her question hanging in the air like a dark cloud.
After witnessing the interaction between Jennifer and Jack at the pool, I found myself questioning if Jennifer was indeed the innocent girl I had imagined, or if she was just pretending. The complexity of feelings swirling around us made it hard to discern the truth, and as I watched her swim away, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the waters of love were far murkier than I had ever anticipated.