Chapter 7

JAYDA

“Sebastian Miller is not only my cousin, but he’s also one of the richest bachelors in the city. He’s known in the whole United States as the fourth richest,” Lilian said.

Jayda face-palmed. She had no idea.

“No wonder he was surprised when I didn’t know who he was. He must be used to women running after him all the time. No wonder he thought I just wanted his money,” she added. “Not that it’s a good excuse for how he treated me.”

“Yes, he’s had his share of women trying to get close to him for his bank account. He’s still a major asshole, though. We don’t even act like cousins because I hate him so much. He hates me too.”

Lilian pounded her fist into her opposite palm.

“But I’ll make sure I cut off his balls when next I see him. Thank God you’re an amazing lawyer. You’ll defend me if he takes me to court.”

Jayda shook her head. “Please don’t get into trouble, Lily. All I want to do is to forget him and move on. I don’t want anything to bring me and him together again.”

“Did you guys use protection?” Lilian asked, which made Jayda think.

She ran her fingers harshly through her already messy hair.

“I’ll go to the pharmacy for a morning-after pill. I don’t want to cross paths with him again. He was a mistake that should never have happened. I have a job that needs me. I’m done with men,” Jayda concluded.

“I made dinner. Let’s go and eat and after that, we will settle for a movie,” Lilian offered.

“I’m not hungry,” Jayda replied.

LILIAN

“I swear, I’m going to strangle Sebastian with my bare hands the next time I see him,” Lilian whispered to herself.

Jayda was a food lover. Never had she refused Lilian’s food, most especially pasta, her favorite. If she wasn’t eating, it must be because of what Sebastian had done to her.

She took Jayda’s hands in hers. “I don’t want you to fall sick or feel depressed because of that asshole. Trust me, he’s not worth it. You should forgive yourself, babe.”

“I’m trying to, but I can’t. I don’t regret last night, but I do regret everything that happened this morning. He hurt me really bad with his words and actions. No matter how much I try to hate him, I end up hating myself more.”

Jayda shook her head.

“I’ve never been so angry with anyone, and I behaved so badly. I hurled insults at him, I slapped him, and threw one of my heels at him. I think it hit him on the head.”

Lilian giggled. “He deserved everything you did to him. Don’t beat yourself up for anything. Dinner is ready and after that, we’ll stroll to get some ice cream and then come back to watch our movie. Please don’t say no,” Lilian pleaded.

JAYDA

Jayda wasn’t hungry, but she couldn’t let her friend down. “That sounds great.”

Anything would be better than having to think about Sebastian Miller ever again.

***

SEBASTIAN

Sebastian heaved a tired sigh as he slammed the document he was going through on the table. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t concentrate on anything.

All he could think of was Jayda—the passionate night they’d shared, the way he’d acted like a jerk to her the next morning, the tears in her eyes when he hurled hurtful words at her.

The more he remembered her with tears in her eyes, knowing he was the reason for her sadness, the more he hated himself and regretted not going into the bathroom and apologizing to her.

Since that night, not a second had passed without Sebastian thinking about Jayda. She was all he could see in his dreams, and it was making him crazy.

He did his best to forget her by calling an ex-fling to meet him at a hotel, but he stopped after a few kisses when he realized he wanted something more. He didn’t feel the heat, the passion, the burning desire that he had with Jayda.

Obviously, Jayda had destroyed him for other women.

Sebastian was brought out of his thoughts when his intercom buzzed, and he was informed that Caleb was here to see him.

Caleb came in and was surprised by what he saw.

“You seriously look like shit. Haven’t you been sleeping well?” Caleb asked as he sat opposite Sebastian.

“You thought I was joking when I said I don’t understand what’s going on with me anymore,” Sebastian mumbled before burying his face in his hands.

Caleb chuckled. “Karma is already dealing with you.”

“It’s not funny, Caleb. I literally can’t do anything without thinking about her. This is so unusual and strange. I’m never this clingy about any woman I fuck.”

Caleb gave his best friend a closer look and saw a small bump on his forehead.

“She did that?” Caleb asked, trying to hold back his laughter.

Sebastian ignored him. He poured himself a half glass of Cîroc, then gulped down the liquor immediately.

He’d paid a visit to the hospital on his way from the hotel on Saturday morning. His head had been aching, and he wanted treatment for the bump Jayda’s shoe had left when it hit him. Fortunately, he saw his family physician, Dr. Ellie, who’d examined him right away.

Dr. Ellie gave him painkillers and a cream he was supposed to use on the bump, but even though he’d been applying it religiously, the devilish bump just wouldn’t disappear. In fact, it was as if the bump was getting bigger. He’d started to fear it was always going to be there, disfiguring him.

Reminding him of the woman who’d given it to him.

He turned to Caleb. “I’ve been trying to forget her, so I called up Alice. I couldn’t even make it past kissing her!

“It just wasn’t the same. Jayda and I had this sort of connection. We had a burning desire between us.”

CALEB

Caleb had the biggest smile on his face as Sebastian spoke. He’d detected something that was still unknown to his best friend. He’d always known Sebastian would truly feel this way, and he was glad to be here to see it.

“Just admit it to yourself, you like her,” Caleb said.

Sebastian chuckled. “You must be kidding me. You know I don’t bother with that garbage. And if I did, it wouldn’t be with that woman. Do you know how many times she called me a bastard and a dumbass?”

Caleb and Sebastian were as close as brothers. They told each other everything. Hearing how his friend spoke about this mystery woman said more than Sebastian’s words ever could.

No woman Sebastian had been with ever had the guts to stand up to him or call him names. Whoever this Jayda was, she was the one for Sebastian.

Caleb was glad his best friend actually had some sort of passion for the opposite sex again.

“Maybe if you hadn’t insulted her, she wouldn’t have done the same to you,” Caleb said.

“It’s all your fault. If only you had come with me to the club, I wouldn’t have met her at all,” Sebastian mumbled.

Caleb shrugged. “I had to make time for Michaela. Besides, this has nothing to do with me being there or not. Your mystery woman was bound to be at the bar.”

“She claimed she didn’t know who I was,” Sebastian muttered.

“Maybe she didn’t.”

Sebastian frowned. “Everyone knows me. No woman refuses me. She was putting on an act to trick me, the way they all do. Jayda will be after my money, just like the others.”

Caleb shook his head in disbelief at his best friend’s arrogance. No doubt Sebastian needed someone like Jayda in his life. A woman who could put him in his place.

“Do you like the idea of Jayda going to bed with another man?” Caleb asked.

SEBASTIAN

“She wouldn’t dare!” Sebastian blurted out in a possessive tone before he could stop himself.

CALEB

A knowing smirk crept to Caleb’s lips. The anger on Sebastian’s face said it all. His friend had been caught up by love whether he wanted it or not.

This should be very interesting…