Pieces | Jacob Elordi

Chapter Eighteen

The morning sun cast a warm glow through the windows, bathing the room in a soft, golden light as Jacob and I sat across from each other at the kitchen table. The air between us crackled with tension, the weight of the email from the producers hanging heavy in the air.

"So, what are you going to do?" Jacob asked, breaking the silence that had settled between us. His voice was tinged with uncertainty, mirroring the turmoil raging inside me.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the conversation that lay ahead. "I've made my decision," I replied, my voice steady despite the uncertainty gnawing at my insides. "I'm walking away from the franchise."

Jacob's brow furrowed in surprise, his eyes widening with disbelief. "Are you sure?" he asked, his tone laced with concern. "The Budapest Springs franchise is a huge opportunity for both of us."

I nodded, my resolve hardening with each passing moment. "I know," I admitted, "but I can't continue to be a part of something that's built on lies and manipulation. It goes against everything I believe in."

There was a moment of silence as Jacob absorbed my words, his expression unreadable. Then, with a sigh, he leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his tousled hair.

"I understand," he said softly, his gaze meeting mine with a mixture of resignation and determination. "And I respect your decision. But what about me? What am I supposed to do?"

The question hung in the air between us, the weight of it pressing down on me like a lead weight. I knew that Jacob was facing the same difficult choices as I was, torn between his career and his integrity.

"Jacob," I began, reaching across the table to place a reassuring hand on his arm, "you don't have to do this alone. We can walk away from this together, start fresh, build something new."

Jacob's eyes softened as he met my gaze, a flicker of hope igniting within them. "Do you really think we can do that?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

I nodded, a sense of determination coursing through me. "I do," I replied, my voice filled with conviction. "But we have to be willing to take that leap of faith, to trust that there's something better waiting for us on the other side."

As we sat there, locked in a moment of shared understanding, I couldn't help but feel a sense of hope stirring within me. No matter what challenges lay ahead, I knew that as long as we faced them together, we could overcome anything.

Jacob looked at Willow with a newfound determination in his eyes. "Willow, I want to take you on a real date," he said, his voice tinged with sincerity.

Willow's heart fluttered at the unexpected proposal, her cheeks flushing with a mixture of excitement and anticipation. "A real date?" she echoed, unable to conceal the hint of surprise in her voice.

Jacob nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Yes, a real date," he confirmed, his gaze unwavering as he met her eyes. "No cameras, no paparazzi. Just you and me."

A surge of warmth flooded through Willow as she took in Jacob's words, the sincerity behind them melting away any lingering doubts or reservations she may have had. In that moment, she realized that despite the challenges they had faced, there was a genuine connection between them—one that deserved to be explored and nurtured.

"I'd like that," she replied, her voice soft yet filled with determination. "I'd like that very much."

As they sat there, lost in the quiet intimacy of the moment, Willow felt a sense of excitement building within her. This was the beginning of something new, something real—a chance to explore the depths of their connection away from the glare of the spotlight.