Chapter 33
Tessy’s POV
“Do you remember now?” His voice finally brought me to reality and I held my dress so firm, I really couldn’t face this embarrassment now, I needed to pretend I had no idea what happened, I just needed to do so because this was insane…
I managed to lift my head slowly and our eyes got locked together, I opened my mouth but the words were not coming out at all, it was like I was hit with an unexpected sickness not making me speak. Just looking at him, I saw how stupid I was last night, did I really command him to love me? I need to quit drinking, I am terrible at it.
“I really don’t remember, I am so sorry!!” I was able to finally say something out and deep down I felt guilty. I am really sorry Jackson, you are a good guy and someone like me doesn’t deserve you, despite how I treated you, you still came to my rescue, I will never forget this, I am in your debt.
I notice how sad and disappointed he was by everything, but he still manages to bring out a beautiful smile saying, “It’s fine, you were really drunk so you did a lot of things because of the state you were in, but can you promise me something?”
“What could that be?” I asked in a gentle tone and he smiled again, is he always smiling? I always thought of him as a jerk because of the way he was over me in school and how he was behaving seems I judged him wrongly from the few things I have seen in school.
“Promise me anything you want to drink or get drunk, call me, I will feel jealous if another sees you in that state… I will get the car ready so we can go to class, I am already late..” He got up not even looking at me as he exited the place. I took a deep breath, I might not know what he meant but I am willing to keep that promise, when I am drunk I will call just him and no other person.
I got on my feet and was drawn to the lake’s serene beauty, I wanted to enjoy this place for the last time before leaving. I walked closer to the patio’s edge and took in the breathtaking view. The sunlight danced across the water, creating a dazzling display of turquoise and emerald hues. A gentle breeze rustled the reeds and water lilies, releasing sweet, earthy scents into the air.
I brought out my phone to snap a lot of photos, capturing the lake house’s tranquil atmosphere.
Beyond the lake, rolling hills rose, cloaked in lush green forests. Birds flitted between trees, their songs weaving a melodic tapestry.
“You can always visit if you like it here,” Jackson’s voice whispered from behind, I turned, my eyes meeting his warm gaze.
“Really?” I asked, hope rising in my chest.
Jackson nodded, his smile spreading.
“Anytime,” he said, his eyes crinkling.
I turned back to the view, my imagination running wild. I envisioned summer evenings, watching fireworks explode above the lake. Autumn afternoons, walking the shoreline as leaves turned golden. Winter mornings, sipping hot cocoa by the fireplace as snowflakes danced outside.
The lake house was a haven, a sanctuary from the world’s chaos.
As I absorbed the tranquility, Jackson stepped beside me, his shoulder brushing mine.
“Imagine waking up to this every morning,” he whispered, his voice low and enticing.
I closed my eyes, letting the vision wash over me.
“Blissful,” I sighed.
“Exactly,” Jackson agreed, his voice filled with understanding.
At that moment, I knew I wanted to return, to experience the lake house’s serenity again and again.
And with Jackson’s promise, I felt a sense of belonging, a connection to this enchanting place…
This feels so magical and at that moment, it was as though I was perfect, like I had no worries but then I missed him, I wish I was here with him… He cheated, I should stop thinking of him, I hate him, I hate him so much.
I guess my reaction was loud and Jackson said to me,
“I will go grab your bags so we can go for classes.”
“Sure.” I nodded and he exited the place.
I stood at the lake’s edge, waiting for him and I was still snapping photos to capture its serenity. Jackson appeared out of the blue saying, “You know, you’re even more breathtaking than this view,” he whispered, his voice low and husky.
I blushed, feeling a flutter in my chest.”Thank you,” I replied, trying to sound casual despite the moment.
Jackson handed me my bag, his fingers brushing mine.
“I brought your bag,” he said, his eyes sparkling.
Then, I noticed the camera in his hand.
“What’s that for?” I asked being so curious.
“I watched your livestream,” he said, his gaze locked on mine. “I’m a fan.”
My cheeks flushed hotter.
“But that’s not why I want this picture,” he continued, his voice dripping with charm. “You should be the face of New York. Your beauty rivals this landscape.”
I laughed, feeling a little shy.
“You’re smooth, aren’t you?” I teased.
Jackson grinned.
“Only around you,” he replied, his eyes crinkling.
“Please, Tessy, can I take a picture of you with this nature?” he asked, his voice persuasive.
I couldn’t resist.”Sure, you can,” I said, smiling.
“Thank you so much,” Jackson exclaimed, his eyes lighting up. “I’ll never forget this.”
He snapped photos, capturing me laughing, gazing out at the lake, and smiling at him.
With each click, I felt my guard dropping.
Jackson’s words, his gaze, and his charming smile chipped away at my defenses.
As he lowered the camera, our eyes met.
“Beautiful,” he whispered.
For a moment, I forgot about the camera, the lake, and everything else, what’s happening to me?
“You should get that?” He said.
“Get what?” I asked feeling confused.
“Your phone, it’s ringing!!” He said to me and I felt like a fool, how come I didn’t know my phone was ringing…
“Oh, yes, I was about to get it.”
“Okay, come with me to the car.” I nodded. I checked the caller while walking with him and the caller turned out to be Elizabeth. Answering the call, she screamed saying, “Where the hell are you? You missed the first class, this is unlike you..”
We pulled up to the school, the smooth drive ending all too soon. As we stepped out of the car, Elizabeth approached us, her eyes widening in surprise.
“Good morning, Elizabeth,” Jackson said, his voice casual, but his eyes gleaming with a hint of possessiveness.
Elizabeth’s reply was brief, her gaze darting between us.
Jackson turned to me, his eyes burning with intensity. He pulled me into a hug, his arms wrapping tightly around me.
“See you some other time,” he whispered, his breath tickling my ear. “Remember to always look beautiful.”
Immediately he left us, Elizabeth’s eyes fixed on me, her expression demanding.
“Start talking!” she exclaimed, her voice low and urgent.
I took a deep breath, trying to process what just happened.
“I…” I stuttered, why am I stuttering like I did something wrong?
“Since when did you become a stammerer? Tessy. What’s going on between you and Jackson?”
“Nothing is going on, you overthink things, jeez!!!’
Elizabeth kept disturbing me by telling her things in detail and after classes, I had no other choice but to explain everything that happened, I didn’t hide anything from her.
“Jackson is a sweet soul, if only you could give him a chance but too bad your cheating sugar daddy captured you..”
“Hey!!” I yelled.
“What? Are you going to defend him? Come on what do you expect from a rich billionaire like your Anthony, he will never be committed..”
“Enough please, you should be encouraging me instead, you are so blunt, your tongue like a razor!”
“I learnt that from you..” She added.
I suddenly remembered the call I had with Anthony, I called him names, and I won’t apologize because he deserves it, I suddenly tried hard to remember the words I used on my father when I also called him,
“OH NO!!!!!” I screamed out jumping on my feet.
“What is it? Are you okay?” Elizabeth trying to find out and each word played in my head,
“I hate you! I hate you so much father, you left Mom and abandoned us. You’re a terrible father.”
“Tessy, I…”
“Don’t speak, I am not done, you are useless! You don’t care about me or Mom if you did you wouldn’t have divorced her..”
“You’re still in love with her, but you didn’t fight for us. You gave up and you know what?? you don’t deserve to be called my father. You’re just a coward, running away from your problems, I wish you never came back into my life. You’re just a reminder of pain.” The line went dead and Elizabeth’s constant tap on my shoulder brought me to reality, “Elizabeth, what’s the painless way to die? Because I need to die, I am done for!!” I bite my lips, how stupid of me to hurt my father that way…
TBC