v On the street opposite the KS Group building, Jameson leaned casually against his car door, hands in pockets, basking in the twilight glow as he fixated on the buildingâs entrance.
He had been waiting for Alyssa to reach out to him. Even if they couldnât meet, he would be satisfied with a text from her.
Disappointment settled in, confirming his suspicions that he did not hold any weight to her.
Worse, he knew for sure that Alyssa had a place for Jasper in her heart. It was concealed beneath the aftermath of her divorce and reluctance to admit her feelings.
Jameson adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and put on an icy look that contrasted the brilliant glow around him.
*Jimmy!â
Upon hearing Alyssaâs sweet voice, he immediately put on a warm smile. âLyse, youâre finally here.â
She shuffled up to him, hands on her back, and tilted her head quizically. âFrom the sound of it, youâve waited for a long time. Is that true? I thought you just arrived.â
Her demeanor was like a cheerful teen-the same girl who had saved him from the abyss 15 years ago.
Every time he saw her, he couldnât move his eyes from her, even if he typically remained stoic around Women âIâve been waiting for a while. Iâve been yearning to see you since Madam Lylaâs birthday,â he replied with a hint of disappointment. Coupled with his pale face, he appeared unexpectedly vulnerable.
She was taken by surprise at his words and was reminded of her abrupt departure from the party. She hadnât had a proper conversation with Jameson and Lily that night, which she considered impolite of her.
âIâm so sorry. You must have heard about the incident. Everything was a mess. I was worried about the safety of my family, and thatâs why-â
âLyse, you really should apologize to me,â Jameson interjected, suddenly serious.
Perplexed, she asked, âHm?â
âYou should apologize for not turning to me when you were in great trouble,â Jameson asserted, stepping closer to her with a touch of disgruntlement. âDo you not trust me? Or do you believe I wouldnât be of much help?â
âJimmy, thatâs not how I see youâ¦â
âI deeply regret arriving late, just after Jasper. If I had been there earlier, I could have protected you, too,â he argued, his tone growing intense. Regrets gnawed at his soul.
âWow, you totally shouldnât! It was such a violent attack. You could have ended up with head trauma,â
she said, waving her hands at him.
Each time she met his gaze, an unsettling feeling overcame her. She said, âJasper took the blow for me. You should stay out of this.â
âWhy him and not me? Do you genuinely believe only Jasper Beckett could protect you?â he pressed, his voice taut with tension.
She leaned backward out of shock. âNo, thatâs not the case. I donât want you to be hurt. Why would you insist on taking the blow for me? You shouldnât ever consider that, even if it were to save me.â
A warmth enveloped Jameson, a sensation he hadnât felt in a while. Gazing at her tenderly, he asked.â
Lyse, you care about me, donât you?â
Alyssa felt shaken. Jasper had often posed the same question after their divorce. Every time, sheâd chastise and mock him harshly. Despite that, she still felt a pang of pain deep in her heart when he asked that question.
In contrast, she felt nothing when Jameson did the same, which was totally fine. It further proved that Jasper meant more to her than Jameson.