Web Fic
Chapter 259
Jason’s heartfelt confession left Estrella staring into his eyes, which were rimmed with a persistent redness. His voice had trembled towards the end, a clear sign of his genuine anger-and it wasn’t a fleeting irritation either.
Gazing earnestly at Jason, Estrella remarked, “You know, in all the years we’ve known each other, I’ve never heard you spill your guts like that. You’ve practically left me speechless.”
Estrella skirted around the serious issues, prompting Jason to shoot her a cool glance before he turned away to light another cigarette. Words had failed him after his emotional outpour.
Jason ignored her after his tirade, so Estrella edged closer. His eyes were still reddened, veins threaded with frustration as if he’d endured a great injustice at her hands. A chuckle threatened to escape her. Throughout their shared history, she had often been the one to rile him up. Jason’s biggest gripe with her was her carefree nature, her seeming lack of concern for anything serious.
Standing by his side, she nudged him with her hip and teased, “What’s this? Are tears on the horizon?”
Jason simply gave her a look and remained silent.
Estrella had intended to pick a fight, but now it seemed futile. Jason’s air of wounded pride made it difficult to continue their spat. When he continued to ignore her, she prodded, “Giving me the silent treatment now?”
He just kept on smoking his cigarette, deep in thought.
With no other options, Estrella explained, “I was just humoring my mom, you know? If I didn’t, she’d never stop.”
Jason still didn’t respond.
Estrella tried to cajole him further, “Besides, you know me well enough. Sure, I want to find Isaac a father, but he’s got to be someone who outshines you. How else am I going to hold my head high around you? Not to mention your looks-you know what you’ve got. Finding someone who measures up to you? That’s a tall order,”
Her roundabout compliment seemed to lift Jason’s spirits, but he didn’t want to show it, maintaining his cool façade. He turned slightly away, allowing himself a moment’s relaxation before regaining his composure.
Estrella noticed Jason’s subtle gestures, including his smile, but she couldn’t be bothered to call him out on it. Taking a couple of steps closer, she asked in mock seriousness, “Jason, do you really want to give us a shot?”
At her words, hope flickered in Jason’s eyes. He faced her and said pointedly, “Have I not made myself clear enough? Or have I not been obvious enough with how I feel?” His intentions had been very obvious since she returned to Ravenwood.
Estrella backed off a step and proposed, “Alright, let’s not dwell on the past. If you can get along with Isaac and make me fall for you again, we can try starting over. If, after six months, I haven’t fallen for you again, we’ll go our separate ways.”
Jason replied seriously, “If I can’t meet your expectations, I’ll step back, no arguments.” If he failed to meet her wishes, he knew he’d have no right to speak of a future with her.
Estrella had to admit, the earlier call from Marie, and Jason’s own outpouring today, had softened her stance. It seemed only fair to give him a chance. Above all, Isaac needed a father, and Jason was his biological parent. It was his duty to care for Isaac and aid his
recovery.
As for her own relationship with Jason, Estrella hadn’t given it much thought. She simply wished for a bit of peace without their usual bickering. After all, men were meant to be Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!
useful, and in this case, it was for the benefit of her son.
With this in mind, she added, “Jason, my parents will never agree to this, so let’s just keep this agreement between us. As for dealing with my folks, we’ll cross that bridge when we
come to it.”
Her words were true; Autumn had already pushed her into dating, and her dad, Cole, would be even less agreeable. For now, they would take it one step at a time and see what the future held.
Jason put out his cigarette and looked at Estrella. No matter how he looked at it, he had the feeling that she was embarrassed to be with him.
Jason’s continued gaze prompted her to say, “If you’re not on board with this, then I’m of options. We won’t even have the chance to try.”
Jason replied coolly, “I agree to your terms.”
Despite knowing the agreement was lopsided, Jason had no leverage. When Estrella le three years ago, he had already lost ground in Cole’s eyes.
Estrella said, “Great, then you get back to what you were doing. I should head out.” As she turned to leave, she paused to add, “One more thing. If my parents push for something and I need to play along, just bear with me, okay? Don’t make a scene.”
Jason’s expression darkened instantly. He felt like he’d been hoodwinked by Estrella. All his efforts were meant to prevent her from dating others, yet she still intended to go through the motions.
His intense gaze made Estrella reassure him, “It’s just for show, like you did back in the day.”
09:42
The mention of his past actions struck a nerve. As Jason’s mood soured, Estrella patted his shoulder in consolation. But as she made to leave, he reached out and pulled her back with a swift tug. In the next moment, he drew her close and kissed her lips.
Estrella’s hands pressed against his chest, but Jason held her wrists firmly, pushing her back against the wall, trapping her in his embrace.
After a heated kiss, Estrella’s face turned stern as she said, “Jason, I was only going to give…”
But before she could finish her sentence, Jason’s lips were on hers again. She was back
now, and that’s all that mattered?
Jason’s kisses were dominant yet tender, and Estrella’s hands, pushing against him, gradually lost their strength. When Jason’s lips traveled down to the nape of her neck, then to her collarbone, Estrella’s breath hitched.
The sensation was overwhelming.
Jason wasn’t wrong, they knew each other’s bodies and needs very well.
09:42