Web Fic
Chapter 201
“I’ve heard about it. Jason still hasn’t uncovered the truth? That’s unlike his usual efficiency.” Estrella said.
Serene sighed, with a hint of frustration in her voice. “In all the years I shadowed Jason, he never brought it up. Even when I spoke to him recently about Holly asking me about the fire, he didn’t say much. You’re a lawyer. Can you dig into it?”
Before Estrella could respond, Serene’s brows furrowed with indignation. “After all, that fire did a number on me.”
Estrella smirked. “Looking for representation?”
Serene grimaced. “I can’t afford a lawyer’s fees.”
With a chuckle, Estrella glanced at the clock on the table. “It’s getting late, and my fever’s subsided. I’ll call my driver to take you home.”
“It’s okay. I drove myself,” Serene said, rising leisurely from her chair.
As Estrella crossed her arms and sized Serene up, a laugh escaped Serene’s lips. “The car is not expensive. I bought it myself. The house was a gift from Holly, and I couldn’t turn it
down even if I wanted to.”
After Serene finished, Estrella handed her the thermos. “Thanks for the
soup.”
“Get some rest and beat that fever,” Serene said, heading for the elevator.
“Mhm,” Estrella murmured, accompanying her to the elevator bay.
With her hands still tucked in her pockets, Estrella watched the elevator descend before turning back to her hospital room. She never expected that one day, she and Serene coul have a calm chat. The enemy of my enemy is indeed a friend.
The hospital was eerily quiet at midnight, the silence almost suffocating.
When Estrella passed by Jason’s room, she noticed Holly was already asleep on his be Shaking her head, Estrella wrapped her coat tighter and retreated to her own room.
The next morning, as Estrella’s eyes fluttered open, Bryce was peeling an orange on the sofa beside her. Noticing she was awake, Bryce popped a couple of orange slices into his mouth. “Run into Jason last night? Any arguments?”
Slipping her feet into slippers, Estrella responded nonchalantly, “After you left, Serene dropped by.”
“Serene?” Bryce paused mid-peel.
0.0.15 hog
Estrella stretched her neck. “She came to check on Jason. Holly was there, so she stopped by here.”
After her explanation, Bryce finally stuffed the rest of the orange into his mouth. “Three years and he’s still restless. Might need to send him some libido tonics.”
“Well, go ahead.” Estrella quickly changed the subject. “What’s up with you? Planning on joining the sick bay?”
Bryce crammed the remaining orange slice into his mouth. “Woke up with a fever this morning. Got the room next to yours.”
Estrella shot Bryce a disdainful look. “Happy now?” She had urged him multiple times to head home early last night, but he refused. Now look where it got him.
“Could be worse,” Bryce replied with a shrug.
As Estrella kicked his leg lightly and instructed him to carry her IV bag to the restroom, Bryce followed her orders without complaint.
“Mouthwash.”
“Toothpaste.”
“Face cloth.”
Bryce handed her each item as she requested. Despite his compliance, Estrella shot him a glare. “Couldn’t you have waited for me to wake up before hooking up the IV? Can’t even apply my moisturizer now.”
After Estrella finished complaining, Bryce picked up the skincare products and applied them to Estrella’s face following the correct steps. Estrella eyed him suspiciously, and Bryce quipped, “I may not have used it, but how many times have I watched you and Jesse go through this?”
As they emerged from the restroom, Jason suddenly burst into the room. At the restroom doorway, Estrella and Bryce came to a halt, not expecting his visit.
Jason’s expression darkened upon seeing them together. Well, they really were thick as thieves, not even avoiding each other in the washroom.
The standoff ended when Bryce greeted him with a casual smile. “Early bird, huh?”
Jason glanced at Bryce, holding Estrella’s IV bag, then silently approached, hung the bag on the hook, and showed Bryce the door.
“Jason, what are you doing? Estrella’s in the middle of treatment,” Bryce protested, gripping the doorknob, unwilling to leave her side.
What was with Jason? Just the night before, he and Holly were cozy, and now he was irked by Bryce and Estrella? Unbelievable.
08.15
“Jason, you’re out of line! That’s no way to treat people.”
“Jason!”
“Jason!”
Despite Bryce’s banging and shouting, Jason ignored him. Hands in his pockets, he faced Estrella with a cold voice. “You really don’t hold back, do you?”
Estrella chuckled at Jason’s sarcasm. “Afraid of being cuckolded? If you’re so scared, why not just file the paperwork?”
As soon as Estrella finished, Jason shot back. “Aside from this, don’t you have anything else on your mind?”
1
Jason was genuinely frightened of Estrella bringing up the topic it seemed she could provoke an illness from nothing.
After a long stare, Estrella nonchalantly pulled up a chair with her uninjured hand and sat. “If we don’t talk about this, what? Should we discuss poetry and romance?”
She hadn’t planned to bring up their paperwork. It was he who had come to her, so she had to find something to talk about.
Estrella’s attitude was laid-back, and Jason couldn’t muster any anger. He had lost much
of his confidence around her. Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.
Still with his hands in his pockets, he said, “I know you’re close to Bryce, but remember,
there’s a line between men and women.
Jason’s reminder had barely settled in the air when Estrella, who had just taken her seat, popped right back up. She said nonchalantly, “And what exactly gives you the right to boss me around now? Besides, you’re one to talk-don’t dish out what you can’t take.”
Oh, and wasn’t it convenient how Holly had spent the night in his hospital room, and played the fool?
Before Estrella could get another word in, Jason’s expression darkened. He strode forward, took her chin in his hand, and forced her to meet his gaze. “What do you me
Estrella couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh, come on. Holly was in your room all night, and yo still got the nerve to lecture me about keeping my distance from guys?”
After flicking his hand away from her chin, she turned to leave, but Jason was quick to catch her by the wrist-the one without the IV.
She spun back around, facing him in silent defiance, wondering just how shameless he could be. Their eyes locked, and Jason offered an explanation, “Holly only came after I was asleep. I wouldn’t have let her stay otherwise.”
Estrella was taken aback by his voluntary disclosure. The thing was, she hadn’t even
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planned to bring up Holly. It was just that Jason’s hypocrisy was too blatant and shameless.
After staring at him for a moment, Estrella decided not to let him think he had the upper hand. She began to say, “Holly-”