EPISODE HUNDRED AND TWENTY ONE
THEME: A New Friendship
MOON STONE FORTRESS
Jayden sat by the private booth as he ignored the device that was vibrating in his hands. Liam was calling and the last thing he wanted to do was talk to the leader of the Rogues. Since his little brawl or so to say argument with his mother and Sebastian, it had been more of him keeping to himself and trying to put all of the worry past him.
Most of his time now are being spent in the Fortress’s office delegating on the Fortress duties. He had woken up a bit cranky but to a surprise message from Lorelei. She had asked for them to meet at the diner not too far from the infirmary.
To kill time and find a way to leave the confines of his office, Jayden didn’t think twice before going ahead to the diner. When he checked the time, he was five minutes early and the moment his butt rested in the booth his phone had began ringing tirelessly.
Uncertain of what step he was to take next lingered in his mind and having the one person every member of the father and his dead father despise so much as a talking partner isn’t so pleasing to the ears.
For about a week, Liam had kept dropping texts messages and calls which he has all ignored. They were beginning to seem more like a disturbance to him. Tapping on the phone in irritation, he cussed out loud and was too engrossed in what he was doing to take note of Lorelei’s presence.
Lorelei stared at him for a long minute, she had no idea why Jayden would look so lost and uncomfortable this way. Since the day they had met at the park, her conscience kept digging at her. She had no idea how lonely he might be feeling until Sebastian had also admitted to not being in a good terms with him.
Thoughts of how awful it seems for one to lose every of his friends and family to a silent feud. Jayden, despite his egoistic attitude had been her friend at a point and she realized he needed someone to be there for him too.
Knowing it might not really end well for her, Lorelei was still willing to take the risk. When she figured out that he wouldn’t notice her until she calls out to him, Lorelei cleared her throat which prompted him to look up at her.
“Hey.” Lorelei smiled widely at him.
“Oh. Hi Lorelei. I didn’t realize you were here.” Jayden replied a bit too cold.
Lorelei ignored his rudeness as she sat next to him. After a waiter came to take their order, she turned towards him. “How have you been?”
“Lorelei, I want to believe this isn’t a pity party you are trying to form. Say whatever it is you have to say, I have things to attend to.”
“I just wanted to be a friend, Jayden. That is why I called you here.” She said.
Jayden chuckled dryly. “The last time I checked you wanted nothing to do with me. Is this your guilty conscience at play?”
Lorelei stared at him like he had grown ten head and she held back the remark about to fly off her mouth. It wasn’t going to be a good one and the last thing she wanted was to have an argument with him when she is gunning for a good start between them.
“Jayden, I know behind all of this facade you want and need a friend at the moment. And I want to be that friend.” Lorelei said in a calm tone.
Jayden glared at her as he almost scoffed in her face. Memories of the night he had found her leaning into the arms of Jaylen crossed his mind. Jayden felt betrayed and left out. Even though he hadn’t exactly expressed how he truly felt to Lorelei but he expected her to know just how he feels. On a second thought, this could be his moment to get Lorelei back. There was nothing Jayden wanted more than to get all that he feels belongs to him. Lorelei being one of them.
Tuning down his ego, Jayden decided to play along with whatever she intends to offer him in the course of this new found friendship.
Jayden took in a deep breath even as he held her gaze. “I don’t know what this is about Lorelei but I would be willing to take my chances with you. I do hope this doesn’t end up with me being tagged as the bad one cause that seems to be the mantra around here lately.”
Lorelei giggled. “I know it has been some tough moments. How is your mom fairing?”
He shrugged. “She is doing fine I guess. It’s not like the both of us have been on much talking terms.”
“You can’t keep doing this to the both of you, Jayden.”
“I have nothing to do with this.” Jayden countered. “And I want to believe that with time we would sort out differences.” He stood up to leave. “Thanks for calling. I would take my leave now.”
“Bye!” Lorelei said as she stood up to hug him.
Jayden pat her back lightly in return. “Take care.”
On his way out Jayden met with Claire and Ron on the way. And only Ron extended a greeting while Claire had her nose up in the air and ignored him.
“Please don’t tell me you are forming a relationship with Jayden.” Claire said with a stern look on her face as she sat opposite Lorelei.
“Calm your nerves, you haven’t even sat for a second.” Ron rebuked.
Lorelei rolled her eyes. “You know he isn’t exactly a monster right?”
Claire snorted. “No one said so. But you do know Jayden can’t be trusted.”
“Why are you all faulting, Jayden when it is Jaylen that ran off with his tail in between his legs?” Ron inquired. He was apparently getting confused by all of the talks. Claire and Lorelei didn’t give a response. “You both don’t even have anything to say. And all I see is everyone throwing fits at him but he hasn’t done anything wrong since his post was taken away from him. Jayden hasn’t indulged in any image tarnishing act.”
Claire raised her hands. “Enough Ron. You talk like you aren’t part of the family. Jayden could have acted right to go find Jaylen but he has clearly told mom that he would do no such thing and he is insisting the Alpha position belongs to him. I hate that he caused Jaylen to drift away from home again.”
Lorelei held her hands. “I understand your grief Claire but he needs us at the moment. He can only do the right thing when we show him some love.”
“He got all the love while growing up till dad died. He should make do with that.” She said bitterly.
“What did I miss?” Hermione announced her presence with an irritable chew of gum.