Dreams Can Come True

55. Jacob

The soft hum of the engine filled the silence in the car as we drove through the city streets. I glanced sideways at Jacob, his hands firmly gripping the steering wheel, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. Quietly, I whispered a thank you, almost inaudible, but I noticed his attention briefly shift as he glanced at me before returning his focus to the road.
"That's my job," he muttered, but there was an undertone of frustration in his voice. I sensed there was more going on than he let on. "Everything alright, Jacob?" I asked, concerned. He sighed deeply before responding. "Elise, I know you once had a relationship with David," he said, without taking his eyes off the road. His words slowly sank in, and a suffocating feeling crept over me again. It was as if I had to justify myself again for the actions of the other Elise, as if her shadow continued to haunt me.
I glanced outside at the passing buildings and streets as I told yet another lie about her past life. "I was too young to realize what I was actually doing with David," I said, my voice soft. Jacob grunted in agreement. "Yes, you were too young," he agreed, and I felt his understanding, his empathy.
"I had warned David too," Jacob continued, his voice heavy with the burden of memories. "But you seemed so mature, I felt like you had always been a very mature woman. And," he continued, "I also think you knew very well what you were doing."
I met his gaze, my eyes filled with genuine seriousness as I replied, "I had to grow up very early." Jacob sighed, his gaze softening as he briefly looked at me. "I know," he simply replied.
There was a brief silence between us, filled with a mixture of emotions that made words unnecessary. Then Jacob broke the silence, his voice tinged with concern as he spoke: "I care about the guys from Tokio Hotel. And I can see how crazy Bill is about you, Elise. Please tell me you're not going to break his heart."
His words touched me deeply, and I placed my hand on his arm, a silent promise of trust and dedication. "I won't break his heart, I promise you, Jacob," I whispered convincingly. "Besides, I'm not the Elise I used to be." A smile appeared on his face, a rare moment of vulnerability that strengthened our bond.
He took a moment to gather his thoughts before speaking again. "I hope things will be okay with my old boss." I nodded in agreement. "Me too," I sighed back, my heart heavy with the burden David had placed on my shoulders.
"His wife and child have left him because he's so obsessed with you," Jacob continued, his voice heavy with regret. "He's lost his job because of you."
Jacob's words struck me deeply, and I felt a pang of guilt wash over me. But I didn't let myself be overwhelmed by the emotions. This wasn't my fault, this was the fault of the other Elise. "Maybe he should seek professional help," I suggested, my voice determined. Jacob nodded in agreement. "We're here," he finally said, parking the car near Bill and Tom's apartment.

As I walked to the kitchen to offer Jacob a drink, I felt the cool tiles under my feet. My hand slid across the countertop as I grabbed a glass and turned on the tap to pour water. The gentle stream of water filled the glass with a soothing sound as I tried to organize my thoughts. When I turned around to offer Jacob the glass, I saw that his face was still marked with worries. He shook his head when I handed him the glass, a sign that he didn't need anything to drink. I decided to take the glass of water myself and took a few refreshing sips. The cool liquid seemed to clear my mind and bring a sense of calm over me.
At that moment, the sound of Jacob's phone interrupted the silence in the kitchen. His reaction was short and businesslike, with only a few words before he ended the call. His facial expression didn't change much, but I could feel the tension in his posture. "Bill is coming here soon," Jacob told me, his voice heavy with concern. "David has been admitted to the hospital, but he's getting away with a broken nose." His words hung in the air for a moment, filled with a sense of relief mixed with worry. I sympathized with Jacob's inner struggle and knew he was worried about his old friend.
Without hesitation, I took a step forward and placed my hand on his shoulder, a gesture of support and comfort. "It'll all be okay, Jacob," I reassured him in a soothing tone, my voice soft but determined.