Laura
I could still remember the way the sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a warm glow over Jackson's room. It felt like a sanctuary, a place where nothing else mattered but the two of us. That day… that morning, we had been lost in each other, wrapped up in laughter and playful banter, teasing one another about the future.
"Come here," Jackson murmured, pulling me closer as he leaned in for another kiss. My heart raced as I melted against him, losing myself in his touch. But just as I began to lose myself in the moment, he suddenly pulled away, his eyes gleaming with mischief.
"What are you doing?" I asked, my brow furrowing in confusion.
"You'll see…" he let out and then opened one of his drawers and brought out a camera. I quickly sat up and then pulled the duvet over my chest.
"No, don't cover up. I want to see those two babies…" he winked at me but I wasn't having it at all.
"What? No!" I said blankly.
"Just one picture, Laura. For memories," he said, moving toward me with the camera. A wave of anxiety washed over me. "No, Jackson, I don't want to."
He smiled, a mixture of charm and persuasion. "Trust me, it'll be fun. Just a couple of quick snaps, and I'll delete them right after." The sincerity in his voice was compelling, and I felt the tension in my stomach ease a little.
"But—"
"No buts. You know what? Just take mine first then, and we can take yours later." he urged, his tone playful. "You know how gorgeous you look today."
Reluctantly, I gave in, allowing him to guide me as I took a few playful pictures of him and we took some together too. With each click, I laughed, the moment feeling innocent enough. He was right; I did feel beautiful, and the camera captured that glow, that warmth.
Once we were done, I watched as he pretended to scroll through the images on his camera. "And now it's your turn," he said, coaxing me closer, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
"No, really, Jackson, I don't—"
"Please? Just one! I promise, I'll delete them right after," he insisted again, and this time, I found it hard to resist him.
Reluctantly and slowly, I pulled off the duvet, revealing my naked body while I posed for him, feeling a thrill run through me. It felt intimate, exciting, a secret just between us. He snapped away, and each click seemed to capture not just my image but the joy of that moment.
When he was done, we scrolled through the pictures together and he kept complimenting my body, making me so beautiful and happy. He clicked some things and after a few seconds, he showed me the screen, scrolling through the images I'd just taken. "See? All gone," he said confidently. "I deleted them."
I should have known better.
********
Standing in the center of the grand hall, surrounded by familiar faces, and my nude pictures being displayed on the screen, I felt everything crashing down. My whole life was coming apart right in front of my eyes and I was helpless.
The lights dimmed, and the projector went off. I felt relieved a bit but the thought didn't last. It whirred back to life again, and my heart plummeted as the screen lit up again with new images. They were pictures I had never expected to see again. My nude pictures which Jackson had taken and deceived me with his empty promises.
"No…no!" I gasped, horrified, as the room erupted into shocked murmurs. The mood which was formerly light, with smiles and laughter surrounding me quickly turned into a complete opposite.
My skin crawled with embarrassment, and my breath quickened. There was no way this was happening. I felt the heat rise to my cheeks, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes as I glanced around. People were staring, some whispering, others pointing, their judgment palpable in the air. I could feel there judging eyes plugged on my body.
"Jake!" I shouted, my voice breaking as I turned to see him struggling with the projector, frantically hitting buttons, but the damage was done.
"Laura, I'm trying to turn it off!" he shouted back, panic etched across his features. But it felt like I was in a dream, the kind where you're screaming but no one can hear you.
The stares burned into me, each one cutting deeper than the last. I couldn't take it anymore. The humiliation surged through me like a tidal wave, and before I could think, I turned and ran for the exit, my heels clattering against the polished floor.
"Laura, wait!" Jake's voice was distant, but I didn't stop. I pushed through the doors, nearly stumbling as I fled into the night air.
Outside, the cool breeze hit my flushed skin, but it did little to calm the storm brewing inside me. I felt like a cornered animal, my instincts screaming at me to escape. My heart raced as I glanced back, half-expecting Jake to come bursting through the doors after me.
"Laura! Wait please!!" He kept shouting as he ran after me but I didn't wait.
I couldn't face him, maybe he wouldn't judge me but I just didn't want to wait around for the answer.
A sleek black car suddenly pulled up at the curb, the driver peering at me through the tinted windows. Without thinking, I dashed over, yanking the door open.
"Drive! Please, just go fast!" I exclaimed, my voice trembling with urgency. The driver didn't hesitate, slamming the pedal to the floor as I sank back into the plush seat, gasping for air.
"Oh my goodness… why? Why can't I have a moment of peace?" I thought to myself as I burst into tears.
As we sped away, the reality of the night's events began to settle in, crashing down around me like shattered glass. I had trusted Jackson, believed in his words, and now I was left with the wreckage of that trust. I buried my face in my hands, willing myself to breathe, to calm down, but the shame clawed at me, suffocating.
All I could think about was how I had been deceived, manipulated into a moment that had spiraled out of control, leading to this nightmare.
I knew Jake would come looking for me, and a part of me wanted to face him, to explain everything. But another part of me was terrified he would see me as I now saw myself, broken and vulnerable. I couldn't bear the thought of him looking at me with disappointment or pity.
So instead, I leaned against the window, letting the city lights blur into a kaleidoscope of colors as the driver took me away from the chaos of the event, leaving behind a world that felt utterly shattered…