(Is it possible there's something else inside her than just beauty?)
"Sorry... did I wake you up?"
(She's indeed beautiful. Those eyes... I think I never really look into her eyes so close. I could swear it was kind of grey but here they're amazingly blue.)
"Mandie..."
---
When I wake up in the morning Jackson is watching me. I'm still very sleepy, I can feel he's touching my hair. He's looking so deep into my eyes, I feel butterflies in my stomach.
"Sorry... did I wake you up?"
(How can be possible for someone to look so good in the morning? Shit... I'm in trouble)
"Mandie..."
(oh no... don't "Mandie" me.)
"Your eyes, I thought..."
And my savior finally comes to take me from this awkward moment.
"Hey, baby boy! Good morning, love."
Jax is awake in full energy.
(Thank God...)
I get up, I'm afraid Jackson tries to finish what he had on his mind.
On Friday night and I have another boring event to attend. I'd never get used to the fancy tasteless food, boring jokes, and cocky people from the tennis club. But Jackson is one of the most important members there's no way to skip this one.
We arrive at the tennis club, I didn't miss this place at all. Jackson walks around the car to meet me and take my hand.
(Game's on. The happy couple act.)
We walk inside the restaurant area hand in hand.
"Omg Amanda!"
The woman takes me totally out of guard and hugs me. I have no idea who is she.
"We haven't seen you like forever."
"I know, I've been busy with the baby and the foundation."
"Oh, I see..."
"The woman looks at me like I just said I was on a Mars expedition."
"Nice to see you again Serena."
"Jax is polite but I can see the tension between them, He doesn't like her."
"I'll talk with some people, it's ok if I leave you for now?"
He asks like it would make any difference if I'm not ok.
"Sure."
"geez... I don't know how you still put with him."
"He's my husband, so..."
"The husband you despise."
Now I see, she must be close friends with Amanda.
"He's a good man we just didn't have enough time to know each other before Jax's birth."
Serena still has that weird look at me.
"Ok... now tell me, what about lunch with the girls tomorrow? We have so much to catch up on."
"I don't know Serena, that's usually the time I'm with Jax."
"You fired the babysitter?"
"No..."
"So?"
"I'll have to check and tell you later. Excuse me a bit"
I don't know if I could stand a lunch with that woman and other Amanda friends.
I find our table and I'm glad to see Matt is here, at least someone to talk to. I don't think he is close to Amanda but at least he's always nice to me. We talk for I while but I can't stop thinking about where Jackson is.
"You don't like these events, do you?"
"Is that so obvious?"
"Looks like you'd rather be anywhere else."
I just smile, I can't reveal that much.
"Look, I know you and Jackson don't have the perfect scenario but I know he's trying."
His words make me thoughtful.
"He's a good man, he would never let his kid down."
(sure, that's all is this about. His kid)
"I'm sorry Amanda, I'd love to keep making your company but I have to meet some people."
"Don't worry, thanks, Matt."
He leaves and I'm completely lonely again.
I see Jax from a distance talking with Hanna and a few other men, she looks more like his wife than me. I'm wondering why is he with Amanda and not with her? Or maybe he is, Is not that a know everything about them.
For some reason I can't watch this anymore I need some fresh air.
I walk outside to the garden, the night is beautiful. For a moment I miss my home, my real home. I miss the nights with my grandfather and Bonnie. Then I remember baby Jax, I miss him too. But I know both lives could never coexist.
"I should thank your husband for being so absent."
The familiar unpleasant voice takes me out of my thoughts.
"The main objective of coming outside was to be alone."
"That's better, we could be alone together."
Maxwell takes a step forward.
"I think I made myself clear I'm not interested in having company."
"Come on sweetheart, why are you wasting your time with a man who doesn't know how to appreciate such beauty?"
"Thank you for your concern about my relationship, but I assure you I don't need your help."
He gets closer, and I know asking politely will not work.
"Is this about the money? This wouldn't be a problem, a woman like you deserve to be treated well."
He runs a finger on my chin while he speaks, makes me hold my breath, this man gross me out.
I slap his hand away from my face, but he holds my wrists and tries to force himself on me.
"What the fück are you doing?"
I barely have time to see Jackson approaching before he hits Maxwell.
I take a step away trying to understand what's going on. I notice people starting to come out to see what's happening.
"Jackson, stop!"
My calls are useless, is like I'm not here at all.
"Jackson, please, let him go!"
I see Matt and Hanna coming outside too. I ask for help.
"Matt, please, do something!"
Finally, Matt manages to take Jackson from Maxwell who is now trying to get on his feet with a split bleeding lip.
Some other men take Maxwell away.
Jackson is still furious, Matt is still holding him.
"Are you ok Amanda?"
"Yes..."
"That bastard!"
"I never saw Maxwell acting like that, are you sure you didn't give him the wrong impression, Amanda?"
Hanna couldn't be more inconvenient.
"Hanna! Blaming the victim? We all know Maxwell treats women like trash."
Max gladly makes her stop talking, she just looks at me with no sympathy at all.
(Is she for real?)
"Are you sure you're ok, Amanda?"
"Yes, thank you, Matt. I just want to go home."
I'm starting to feel sick, I glance at the people watching with curiosity.
"You can let me go now, Matt."
Matt finally set Jax free, he walks to me and tries to take my hand. I ignore him and walk towards the car.
When we're inside the car I glance at him again, he doesn't even care to ask about me.
We're silent all the way home, when we arrive I storm inside the house to my bedroom, Jax follows me.
I turn back to him, I'm fuming. I can see he's burning too.
"What were you thinking?"
I explode at him.
"What?!"
"Are you crazy, starting a fight like you're some high school teenager?"
"Should I let that asshole have away with you?"
"I don't need you using your fists to save me, Jackson!"
"Are you really mad because I was protecting my wife?"
"Are you sure is what is this about? Were you protecting your wife or claiming your property?"
Jackson stares at me with surprise at my accusation. I know this is how it is, Amanda gave him a son, he gives her money. But I'm not Amanda and I'm not allowing him to treat me like this.
"Get away from my bedroom."
My tone is firm. I turn my back to him while he leaves slamming the door.
Things were getting better with Jackson, but after the incident at the tennis club dinner, we got distant again.
He left early in the morning, we're not talking but I don't have time to worry about Jackson.
I check Amanda's phone, she got a new message.
**Tennis and lunch today, are you in?**
(a... I don't want to answer this.)
Then another one from a hidden id.
**I know you, we better be friends**
My heart sinks to my stomach.
(Is that for me or Amanda? Someone found out who I am? oh no...)
I'm shaking, my mind is racing, feels like an anxiety attack.
(Who sent this message? What does it mean? "Be friends?")
I try to remember everyone that could hate Amanda, the list can be endless.
(What if this is not for Amanda?)
I run for Josie, she's the only person I can talk to about this.
I find Josie taking some tea in the kitchen.
"Josie... I need to talk with you."
I'm pretty sure my scared face sends the urgent message, Josie stands up from her place and walks with me to my bedroom.
"What happened? You're scaring me."
I hand her the phone and she carefully reads the mysterious message.
"I think someone knows about me."
"The only person who could prove you're not her is herself."
We're careful enough to not say names.
"But, the message says it knows me..."
"The message was sent for her phone, not yours."
"I'm freaking out Josie."
"Just don't, there's no reason to think that way. Someone is trying to mess with her."
"Still, I don't know what's this about."
"Then you should try to discover, did you manage to open the box?"
"Not yet, I was thinking about getting back to the apartment I found the other day. Maybe I can get more clues."
"You think it's safe?"
"Probably not, but right now I don't have a choice."
"What about the other text?"
"Which one?"
"From Serena."
"Oh! I don't want to go but now I think meeting her friends could give me some info."
"You're right. Listen... you'll be fine and no matter what happens I'm with you."
"Thank you, Josie."
She squeezes my hand to give me some comfort.
I type a message back to Serena confirming I'll meet them at the tennis club.
When I get to the Tennis club later that day, feels like I'm walking on the death corridor. I'm not thrilled to spend time with Amanda's friends, especially after that suspicious message.
"Amanda! Finally, you managed to escape that prison. You don't meet us anymore for ages."
"How are you, Serena?"
I try my best to don't roll my eyes.
"You know, always so busy with those events, I think I need some vacation."
"Sure..."
"Are you ok, hon?"
"Yes, just lack of sleep. I argued with Jackson."
Maybe I can fish something from Serena about their relationship.
"Ugh! I think you mean another argument? I don't know why are you still married. He's cute and all but I bet you can find better."
"We have a baby together."
"So what? Many kids have stepfathers. Also, I bet that crow Hanna can't wait to put her fake nails on him, I'm surprised they never had anything. She hates you for stealing him from her."
(Totally makes sense, Hanna and Jackson are not together because Amanda got pregnant)
"I'm sure she does."
"He's not even that rich anymore, you should dump him already."
Serena covers her mouth like she said something mean then laughs loudly.
(What! Jackson is having financial trouble? It could explain why he's always at work and always stressed.)
"Did you get your equipment?"
I just look at her not knowing what to say.
"Your tennis equipment..."
"Oh! I need to change first."
I leave Serena and walk into the locker room. I look for Amanda's locker, I'm glad I'm alone here. I don't think anyone would believe I just forgot where's my locker.
Finally, I find the locker, it's filled with workout clothes, hygienic supplies, makeup...
And behind all that, a mint tin. I check if no one is around before I open.
(A key! What if this is the other box key? I need to get back home now, I can't wait for a tennis match and entire lunch before I find out.)
I run back to Serena.
"Hey, you didn't even change!"
"Yeh, I'm sorry. Tell the girls I'll have to rain check, Josie called me about my baby. I have to go back home now."
"But, Amanda...!"
I don't give her the time to protest, I run back home, straight for the closet, and take the box. I try the key and it works.
Credit cards, jewelry, bank recipes, and... pictures. Two pictures from Amanda with another man.
(There's no way this is before Jackson. Who is this man? I don't think I met him at any event since I'm here. Amanda was having an affair?)
I put everything inside the box again and hide it back in the closet. I need to ask Josie if she knows who the man is, or if she knows about the affair.
When I'm looking for Josie I can't find her anywhere, I try the library but instead of Josie, I find Jackson.
He's laying on a chair, glass in hand. He looks tortured, I can't stop thinking about what Serena told me about him not being that rich anymore.
I'm standing there, I don't know if I should talk with him. We didn't speak a word since last night.
Jackson raises his eyes to look at me, I take a step back to leave him alone. But he finally say something.
"Stay..."
He stands up, and I freeze on my feet. Jackson leaves the glass on the counter table and walks to me. His eyes are tired, he's suffering. I wish I could help.
(Can I help him? Can I give them what he needs now?)
He raises my head to meet his face and looks deep into my eyes. I'm trying my best to keep breathing.
Jackson runs a finger on my lips, I close my eyes enjoying his soft touch.
After everything that happened last night, the weird message, everything I found about Amanda today. I'm too tired to resist, I don't have the energy to tell him no. I can't say no to this man in pain in front of me.
He kisses me soft first, but as soon as our lips collide it feels like an explosion.
Jackson's kiss is hard, demanding, claiming my lips. I never felt like this before. But I can't keep this going.
(He's kissing Amanda, he wants Amanda not me.)
"Jax..."
My voice is just a whisper, not enough to make him stop.
"I can't..."
He finally breaks the kiss but still holds me tight.
"Come to bed with me."
"I... I don't..."
"Please, just stay with me."