Jefferson noticed that Rita was actually upset about the so-called intimate photo.
He questioned her, "Do you really believe that stuff from Linda? The one who's always lying? And hold on, why does it even bother you? Are you jealous because she was with me?"
Rita tried to hide how she felt, but her emotions were too strong to keep in.
She stumbled over her words, attempting to sound indifferent, "No... of course not! Why would I be jealous of you? It doesn't matter to me who you're with."
But as she spoke, her cheeks turned red, betraying her true feelings.
Seeing her blush, Jefferson thought to himself, "Is Rita embarrassed? Did she actually fall for me? Maybe I should ease up a bit..."
So, he just shrugged and clarified, "Look, just so we're clear-I would never choose Linda. She's not my type at all, alright? If you knew me, you wouldn't listen to that nonsense."
Rita nodded, trying to seem nonchalant again.
But Jefferson added, "And don't forget the important stuff-our visit to the Hum family this weekend!"
Feeling relieved that Linda was not involved with Jefferson, Rita's mood lifted.
She responded cheerfully, "Sure! Thanks, Jeff!"
Then Jefferson headed back to his study.
Once inside, he covered his wide grin with his hand, thinking, "It's such a good feeling to know she's into me!"
Meanwhile, Rita made a phone call to Esther, "This weekend, I'm heading to Lew City with Jefferson. I'm going to rescue my parents from those troublemakers!"
Esther was buzzing with excitement on the other end of the phone.
"At last! I'll be there to pick you up from the airport. If you hadn't filled me in, I might've thought you two were an actual couple!"
Rita's face warmed up again as she heard her best friend's teasing.
Esther went on, "You know, when I first heard from the detective how rich and good-looking Jefferson is, I figured he was just another playboy. Never would've guessed he's actually a decent, sweet guy. You scored, Rita."
Rita tried to play it off, "Oh, come on, don't talk like he's my boyfriend or something. But honestly, I think I might like him a bit. Though, it doesn't seem like he's into me that way. We're just friends, alright?"
"Sure, Rita," Esther replied, "but who knows what the future holds, right? I'll see you this weekend. Bye."
---
When the weekend rolled around, Rita was about to remind Jefferson about their flight, but he beat her to it, "Don't stress about it. I've got a private helicopter. We can leave whenever you're ready."
Rita was taken aback, "Helicopter? You have one?"
"Yep, cutie. Let's get going," he said with a smile.
On their way, Rita sent a quick text to Esther, "We won't be landing at the airport since we have another way to get to Lew City. I'll get in touch later, okay?"
Esther responded with understanding.
When they finally arrived in Lew City, Rita noticed they were landing much closer to the club where she had nearly gone broke three years earlier—the same club where she had embarrassed Jefferson.
She sneaked a glance at him, feeling awkward, and hoped he wouldn't remember that humiliating incident and the place where it all happened...
However, it was as if Jefferson had a sixth sense, because just as she was lost in her thoughts, he turned to her with a curious proposition.
"Hey, Rita," he began casually, but with a hint of mischief in his eyes, "how about we swing by that club we met at three years ago? You know, for old times' sake?"
Rita felt a wave of embarrassment crash over her.
That night was a chapter of her life she would have preferred to keep closed.
She nervously played with a strand of her hair and replied, "Oh, Jefferson, I don't know... That night was just... It's not something I'm eager to relive. It's probably the most awkward thing that's ever happened to me."
Jefferson leaned in, his voice reassuring yet firm.
"But don't you see? That's exactly why we should go. It's not about reliving the past, but rather acknowledging it. You've grown so much since then, and sometimes, facing our old selves is the best way to appreciate who we've become."
Rita took a deep breath, letting his words sink in.
There was a certain wisdom to what he was saying, and she couldn't deny a part of her was curious to see how she'd feel walking back into that club-not as the person she was, but the person she had become.
And the most importantly, she wanted to see if Jefferson still blamed her for what she had done previously. She wanted to check if he truly forgave her now.
She looked up at Jefferson, her resolve building, and nodded more confidently this time. "Okay, let's do it. Let's go to the club."
With that, they made their way to the club after landing.
As they approached the entrance, Rita felt a mix of nostalgia and anxiety.
The neon sign flickered just as she remembered, and the thumping bass from within stirred up old sensations.
Jefferson, sensing her tension, offered his arm.
"Shall we?" he asked with a supportive smile.
Rita took his arm, grateful for the gesture, and together they stepped into the club.
As they sipped on their drinks and swayed to the rhythm of the pulsating music, Jefferson leaned in closer to Rita, his voice barely audible over the booming bass.
He nudged her playfully and said in her ear, "You know, you should let loose like you did back in the day. That carefree girl who didn't worry about what anyone thought—she's the one I remember. This... this timid and shy person you've become? That's not the Rita I know."
Rita felt a jolt of surprise at his words.
They stirred something within her-a longing for the fearless spirit she once embodied.
She took a deep breath, the beat of the music seeming to embolden her, and with a newfound spark in her eyes, she decided it was time to shed the layers of caution she had wrapped around herself.
"You're right, Jefferson," she shouted back over the noise, a smile breaking across her face.
"It's time to bring her back, even if it's just for tonight!"
And with that declaration, she let the music take over, dancing with a freedom she hadn't felt in years.