"Patience, Princess," I murmured against her lips, the words almost a growl.
She bit her lip, her frustration clear, but she didn't argue. Instead, she focused on the way I was driving her mad, her body trembling as I continued my slow, deliberate...
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JUSTINE
There's been something different about Jayden these past few days. He's become noticeably quieter, even for someone who's generally reserved. He used to be more talkative with me, but now he seems absent-minded, almost as if he's grappling with an internal struggle.
I can’t help but wonder if it’s something I’ve done or if our relationship has somehow become suffocating for him. The thought alone makes me panic because the idea of losing him is unbearable.
I know it might be too soon to confront him, especially since it’s only been a few days. I don’t want to appear overbearing and risk pushing him further away. But the truth is, I’m less worried about feeling neglected and more concerned about his well-being. Is he okay?
I want to be there for him, to offer whatever support he needs, but I’m unsure how to approach the situation. A heavy sigh escapes my lips as I contemplate my next move.
Maybe I should confide in my mom, but act like I'm asking for a friend. I knocked on her door and entered. She was reading a book but looked up and smiled at me, gesturing for me to join her on the bed.
"Hi, baby, how are you feeling?" she asked, pulling me into one of her tight mom hugs. I hugged her back, savoring the comfort of being in her arms. One thing I’ll never grow out of is my parents’ hugs. I inhaled her sweet cologne and relaxed against her shoulder.
"Do you need anything, sweetheart?" she asked, looking at me with concern.
"Yeah, a friend of mine is going through a dilemma, and I’m not sure how to help. But I know you always have the answer, so can I ask for your advice?" I said, meeting her gaze.
"Of course, a friend of yours is a friend of mine. I’d love to help. What’s going on?"
"So, let’s call her Barbara. Barbara is in a very happy relationship, but she’s noticed that her boyfriend has been unusually quiet lately. He’s not being mean or distant, but he seems preoccupied, almost detached, like he’s dealing with something emotionally heavy. She doesn’t know whether to give him space or check in on him. It’s only been a few days, so maybe she’s overthinking it, right, Mom?"
"Barbara sounds like a lovely girl who cares about her boyfriend," she replied thoughtfully. "Everyone handles emotional issues differently. I think she should relax a bit and let him come to her when he’s ready. Or she could gently check in on him and see if he wants to talk. But I don’t think there’s anything to worry about just yet. What do you think, honey?"
"Yeah, I agree with you," I said, lying back on the bed and resting my head on a pillow. "She should just check in with him. He doesn’t always have to be the one reaching out, even if he usually does." I smiled at her. "Thanks, Mom. I’ll let her know."
The conversation drifted into other topics, but in the back of my mind, I knew I needed to check on Jayden without being too intrusive. It was still early, and I didn’t want to overreact.
