Bumpy Ride

 My astonishment was probably written on my face but she didn’t seem to mind it. In fact, she seemed like she half expected it. She must know it’s not her I was expecting.

“What are you doing, Ms. Chen?” I asked in a worry when she suddenly stepped in the car with one foot and wrapped her arms around my shoulder. I didn’t need to look to feel the puzzled look Carl gave us as he realized what was happening a few centimeters from him.

“Don’t worry, I’m not gonna ravish you,” she said cheerfully and kept tightening her grip around me. “I just want to make Jack jealous.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Ms. Chen. That won’t work,” I told her anxiously, trying my best to get free from her hug.

“You cannot know that,” she said, leaning closer.

“No, I actually do know it won’t. Now please, get off me!” I shouted at her, trying my best to get rid of her by putting my hands on her waist and pushing her away.

She must have a sixth sense to know when would Jack arrive and even I didn’t see him coming. But even so, by the time Jack pulled open the door she was still clinging to me vehemently, almost falling on my lap, while I was trying everything in my power to prevent it.

It was Jack, who grabbed her arm and snatched her off me faster than lightning, then dragged her away to talk to her in private. After telling her off I suppose, he came back with a savage look on his face and got in the car. I didn’t dare to turn around and look at him. I felt embarrassed. Especially, since even Carl was here to witness it. Thank God, at least he doesn’t know the real reason why his young master is so furious but it’s still awkward. At least he can attest that I had no intention of seducing the potential fiancée of his young master.

We were all silent throughout the journey back home. I didn’t even dare to move, not because of being afraid of him but because I just knew how hurt he might feel right now.

Jack spoke the first time after Carl finally stopped the car after parking it.

“You can go now, Carl. Asher, you stay. I have something to discuss with you,” he said sternly which made my stomach sink. So Carl got out as he was told and left us at the garage which felt eerily silent all of a sudden. “Come here, I don’t want to talk to your back,” Jack said after a while, this time in a milder tone than previously. But he still seems upset.

I got out of the car, went to the back and after getting in again, I sat beside him in the backseat. I waited for a while in silence but I realized he was probably waiting for my explanation, so I mustered up the courage to speak.

“I... I don’t want anything from her,” I said embarrassedly, not daring to look at him.

“Then why the hell did you let her lay her hands on you?” He raised his voice for the first time when speaking to me. He seemed extremely angry. Which is pointless, since he knows that I’m not interested in women, not to mention that his fiancée probably told him already that she was the one who jumped on me.

“I did not. I was about to push her away when you appeared,” I told him clearly, turning my head to look at him. “You see, being your fiancée and all, I couldn’t knock her unconscious. That would have solved the problem but your father would have killed me. Besides, that is not the way to treat a woman.”

“So, instead you let her have her way with you,” he said sourly.

“For the second time, I DID NOT. What is even your problem anyway? You don’t even like her. You told me so yourself,” I said, and now I also raised my voice out of anger. I’ve had enough of being told off for something I didn’t do and for something that is completely not my fault.

I must have pissed him off terribly since he didn’t even bother to say sorry or give me a reply. He just looked at me from the corner of his eyes and I glanced back at him. I saw that he was still extremely angry, maybe even jealous but I cannot do a thing about it. Or at least that’s what I thought but as it turned out, he had other ideas.

Jack suddenly kissed me, just as passionately or even more so as during our first kiss. But I didn’t have the time to think about that since I have other things to worry about now. If someone were to open the door now, I’m done for. I will not only lose this job but the retaliation I’m sure to get may have an effect on my future. I have to end this.

But it was easier said than done. He was already pressing me down to the backseat and it was clearly evident he wouldn’t stop until he got what he wanted. Not that I mind. I was busy thinking just a moment ago, that’s true, but I subconsciously must want him also, otherwise, I would have protested earlier when I had the chance. But now I can't since his movements are as fast as if there is no tomorrow. And maybe there won’t be, at least not for me, if I let him go any further. So, I stroked his back slowly as if I was caressing an upset cat in order to calm him down.

“It’s alright. Nothing happened with her and never will. You know I love you, right?” I told him in a low, soothing voice. “So please, just stop.”

He slowly raised his head from my neck and looked at me. He was shocked and surprised.

“Why? You cannot fool me. I know you want me just as much as I want you,” he said in a hoarse voice. I found it quite attractive but I didn’t dare give more thought to it. He is still clearly sore. Must have missed the part when I said I freaking love him.

“You are right. It’s just... You are too young. It feels wrong,” I told him shyly.

Hearing this, Jack got off me as if I hit him. His reaction broke my heart even though I was the one who wanted this. At least now I could finally sit up, so I quickly tidied my shirt and tie which he almost tore off me.

“Then why did you kiss me in the first place, if you don’t want anything to do with me?” He asked and this time he sounded hurt and sad, so much so that it wouldn’t have surprised me even if he started crying.

“I’m sorry,” I said, avoiding his gaze.

My reply must have angered him even more since he got out of the car without a word and left.

I stayed in the car for a few minutes trying not to think about anything. And when I realized that was impossible, I finally got up, got out of the car, and went into the house as well.

I don’t know what hurts me more. Me hurting him and seeing him hurt as a result, or him not giving a damn that I told him I love him and thus hurting me and leaving me alone to suffer in silence.