Chapter 59
Valerie’s POV
It seems Damian never loved me from the start because he has not bothered to search for me or call to know how I’m faring.
It’s been days since I left Richardson Manor and I have had a breathe of fresh air. I’ve been in communication with Jacob as we have always had a lot to catch up on.
Weeks passed since my hospital stay, and Jacob’s frequent calls became a welcome routine. We’d talk about everything and nothing our jobs, families, and childhood memories. His warm voice and genuine interest made me feel seen and heard.
At first, I attributed our rekindled friendship to nostalgia. We were reconnecting with an old friend, that’s all. But as time went on, I began to notice the flutter in my chest whenever my phone rang, displaying Jacob’s name.
I couldn’t deny it; I was developing feelings for Jacob. But I quickly pushed those thoughts aside. I was still married, even if my marriage was crumbling.
One evening, as I was preparing dinner, my phone rang. Jacob.
“Hey, Valerie! How’s your day going?” he asked, his voice cheerful.
“It’s been good,” I replied, trying to sound casual. “Just cooking dinner.”
“What’s on the menu?” Jacob inquired.
“Grilled chicken and veggies,” I said, smiling.
“Sounds delicious. I’m stuck in a meeting, wishing I was enjoying your cooking instead.”
I laughed. “Maybe next time.”
The conversation flowed effortlessly, like we’d never lost touch. As we chatted, I found myself relaxing, feeling more and more at ease.
Then, Jacob’s tone shifted.
“Valerie, I was thinking… would you like to grab dinner with me sometime this week?” he asked, his voice hopeful.
My heart skipped a beat. Dinner? Just the two of us?
“Jacob, I… I don’t know,” I stammered.
“Come on, it’ll be fun,” he coaxed. “We can catch up in person.”
I took a deep breath, reminding myself of my marital status.
How would Damian feel about this? Even though he had cheated on me but I can’t do same to him.
“Jacob, I’m flattered, but I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I said firmly.
There was a pause on the other end.
“Why not?” He asked.
“Jacob, you know that I’m married…” I started.
“Your husband does not care about Valerie and you know that. Why not have some fun? He’s probably out there making out with some other woman as we speak.” Jacob said, cutting me short.
“I hate to think of it but I still can’t. Please respect my decision, Jacob.” I finalized.
“Okay, I understand,” Jacob said finally. “I just thought it would be nice to spend some quality time together.”
“Jacob, I appreciate that, but I’m still married,” I explained.
“I know, Valerie. I respect that,” Jacob replied. “I just… never mind. Forget I asked.”
The tension was palpable.
“Jacob, don’t be upset,” I said softly. “You’re an amazing friend, and I value our friendship.”
“We’ll just stick to phone calls, then?” Jacob asked.
I nodded, even though he couldn’t see me.
“Yes, that’s best.”
We wrapped up the conversation, and I hung up, feeling guilty and relieved.
As I finished dinner, my mind wandered back to Jacob’s invitation. Why did I feel so drawn to him? Was it the comfort of familiarity or something more?
I pushed the thoughts aside, focusing on the present. My marriage might be failing, but I couldn’t explore feelings for someone else until it was officially over.
The days passed, and Jacob continued calling, never mentioning the dinner invitation again. Our conversations remained easy and friendly, but I sensed a subtle distance.
Had I hurt him? Was our friendship forever changed?
Only time would tell.
One evening, as I drifted off to sleep, my phone buzzed with an incoming text from Jacob.
“Goodnight, Valerie. Sweet dreams.”
My heart skipped a beat. The simple message felt intimate, a reminder of the connection we shared.
I smiled, feeling a flutter in my chest.
“Goodnight, Jacob.”
As I fell asleep, I wondered what the future held for us as friends or something more.
*********
Weeks turned into months, and Jacob’s calls remained a constant in my life. We laughed, shared stories, and supported each other through life’s ups and downs. Our friendship deepened, and I found myself looking forward to his calls more and more.
One evening, as we chatted, Jacob asked, “Hey, Valerie, can I get your address? I want to send you a care package.”
I hesitated for a moment, unsure if I should share my home address with him. But Jacob was my friend, and I trusted him.
“Okay, it’s 1456 Oak Street,” I said, providing the details.
“Got it,” Jacob replied. “Thanks, Valerie. You’ll receive a surprise soon.”
Days passed, and I forgot about our conversation. Then, on a sunny Saturday afternoon, the doorbell rang.
I opened the door to find Jacob standing on my porch, holding several bags and wearing a bright smile.
“Hey, Valerie! How are you doing today?” he exclaimed. “I brought some goodies for you and the baby.”
My eyes widened as he handed me the bags. “What’s all this?”
“Just some small gifts,” Jacob said, shrugging. “I thought you could use a pick-me-up.”
I was touched by his thoughtfulness. Inside the bags, I found my favorite snacks, books, and even a cozy throw blanket.
“Jacob, this is too much,” I said, feeling grateful.
He chuckled. “I wanted to spoil you a bit.”
As we sat in the living room, surrounded by the gifts, Jacob’s eyes sparkled with warmth. I felt a flutter in my chest, but pushed it aside.
We chatted and laughed, enjoying each other’s company. The atmosphere was relaxed, but I couldn’t shake off the feeling that Jacob’s intentions had shifted.
As the evening drew to a close, Jacob moved closer, his face inches from mine.
“Valerie,” he whispered, his voice husky, taking my hand is his.
Before I knew it, his lips brushed against mine. The touch sent shivers down my spine.
For a moment, I let go, surrendering to the kiss. It was like time stood still. We kissed passionately for some minutes, setting my hormones on rampage as my body was on fire.
It has been months since I was touched, kissed. It felt so good and I wanted more.
But reality hit me like a ton of bricks. I was still married.
I pushed Jacob away, gasping.
“Jacob, stop,” I said firmly.
His eyes locked onto mine, filled with desire and confusion.
“Valerie, I-”
“No, Jacob,” I interrupted. “I’m still married. This can’t happen.”
Jacob took a step back, his chest heaving.
“Valerie, you and I know that you want this. You looks flushed and could do with a good f*ck.” Jacob said
“Jacob, please stop. I’m sorry but this can’t be happening.”
“I know, I know,” he said, running a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t help myself.”
The tension was palpable.
“Jacob, we need to talk about this,” I said, trying to calm down.
“Not now,” Jacob replied, his voice laced with emotion. “I need some time to process.”
With that, he turned and left, leaving me stunned and conflicted.
As the door closed, I realized our friendship had crossed a threshold. Where did we go from here?
The rest of the evening was a blur. My mind replayed the kiss, Jacob’s words, and my own feelings.
What did I want? And what was I willing to risk?
Days passed since Jacob’s sudden kiss, but the memory lingered, refusing to fade. I couldn’t shake off the feeling of his lips on mine, the spark that ignited within me.
At first, I tried to convince myself it was just a friendly gesture, a momentary lapse of judgment. But deep down, I knew better. The kiss had awakened something inside me, something I couldn’t ignore.
Jacob occupied my thoughts, creeping into my mind at unexpected moments. I’d find myself wondering what he was doing, if he was thinking of me too.
As I went about my daily routine, I felt restless, my mind wandering back to that evening. The way Jacob’s eyes locked onto mine, the gentle pressure of his lips, the flutter in my chest.
I couldn’t deny it; I’d enjoyed the kiss. It was like a breath of fresh air, a reminder that I was still alive, still capable of feeling.
But guilt followed closely behind. I was still married, even if my marriage was crumbling. The thought of Damian, my soon-to-be ex-husband, brought a pang of regret.
Why was I thinking of Jacob this way? Why did I feel drawn to him?
I tried to distract myself with work, hobbies, and TV shows, but nothing filled the void. Jacob’s presence lingered, a constant reminder of what could be.
One evening, as I drifted off to sleep, I felt a pang of longing. I wanted to see Jacob again, to talk to him, to understand what had happened between us.
But fear held me back. What if our friendship was ruined? What if Damian found out?
The questions swirled in my mind, keeping me awake.
As the night wore on, I realized I needed to confront my feelings. I couldn’t keep pretending that Jacob’s kiss meant nothing.
The truth was, it meant everything.
I wanted to explore this connection with Jacob, to see where it led. But fear of the unknown, fear of hurting others, held me back.
The internal struggle raged on, leaving me exhausted and uncertain.
As I finally drifted off to sleep, Jacob’s face hovered in my mind, a haunting reminder of the emotions I couldn’t shake.