Jason’s POV
As I drove Sharon home, the excitement of the day had already started to fade, replaced by a growing sense of unease. When we arrived at her house, I only met the housekeepers. It seemed her parents were out of town. I hesitated but decided it was best to ensure she was settled before leaving.
“Jason, please, don’t just leave me with the housekeepers. I need you to take me upstairs,” she slurred, her tone a mix of desperation and insistence.
Reluctantly, I helped her out of the car and guided her up the stairs. Her weight was slight, but her unsteady movements made it challenging. Once we reached her room, I gently placed her on the bed, removed her shoes, and covered her with a blanket. As I turned to leave, she grabbed my arm, pulling me closer.
“Jason, don’t go,” she whispered, her eyes pleading. Before I could react, her lips pressed against mine in an unexpected kiss.
I pulled back, my mind racing. “Why did you do that?” I demanded, my voice edged with frustration.
“I’ve been terrible since you broke up with me,” she said, her voice breaking. “I still love you and miss you Jason”
I was taken aback. “Since when do you care about me? Unfazed by her declaration of love."
"Are you even drunk?" I asked seeing that she looks sober and knows exactly what she's doing
Sharon’s gaze dropped. “I got an anonymous tip that you are with another girl at the arcade. That’s when I started following you. I went to the restaurant and pretended to be drunk so you’d take me home.”
Anger surged through me. “You’re insane. You have no right to intrude on my life or on Tiara’s. Don’t ever come near us again.”
“Are you dating her?” Sharon asked, a hint of jealousy in her voice.
“That’s none of your business,” I replied tersely. “I’m done with this conversation. You need to move on.”
Sharon’s eyes filled with tears, but her voice remained defiant. “I want you back, Jason. I know you haven’t moved on from me, you are just playing with that girl aren't you?.”
“Get over yourself, Sharon,” I said firmly. “It’s time you accepted that we’re done. I’m leaving.”
Without waiting for a response, I walked out of the room, my mind still reeling from the encounter. I had hoped to end the day on a high note with Tiara, but now, all I could think about was putting this mess behind me.
Tiara’s POV
The evening had started so beautifully with Jason. I was enjoying every moment until his ex, Sharon, showed up and disrupted our dinner. The way she behaved, looking at me with a hint of mischief and clinging to Jason, was unsettling. I couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy, even though I tried to dismiss it. It was frustrating that our time together had to end like that.
I tried to book a ride, but they were all busy, and our driver had already gone home for the weekend. Just when I was about to call my aunt for help, a car pulled up, and to my surprise, Folu stepped out.
He asked, “Tiara, do you need a ride?”
I was taken aback and asked, “What are you doing here?”
Folu replied casually, “I saw you from a distance and and told my driver to pull up.”
I got into the car, feeling a bit uneasy. During the ride, Folu inquired, “What were you doing out there anyway?”
“I was with Jason, we were having dinner” I said, deciding to be honest since there was nothing inappropriate about it.
Folu didn’t seem surprised. “I didn’t realize you two were so close.”
“Well, if you remember the bet Jason and I made, I agreed to do whatever he wanted. That’s why we were out together,” I explained.
Folu nodded. “Does Jason like you? It's a bit odd that he asked you out on a date because of a bet”
“I’m not sure,” I admitted.
Folu then asked, “Would you be interested in going out with me next Saturday?”
I hesitated and responded, “I don’t think so. I need to study, and my aunt probably wouldn’t approve.”
“But she allowed you to go out with Jason,” Folu pointed out.
“That’s because she knows him,” I countered. “He’s been to our house before.”
The constant questioning was starting to annoy me.
Finally, we reached my house, and I was relieved. As I got out of the car, Folu followed. He took my hand and said, “Don’t take Jason too seriously. He’s still very much in love with Sharon and will likely go back to her.”
I was caught off guard and asked, “And what about you?”
Folu continued, “On the other hand, I’m genuinely in love with you. You can trust me. Think about it.”
He then left, and I was left feeling unsettled by Folu’s comments. His sudden shift in demeanor made me uneasy. As for Jason and Sharon, the situation seemed more complicated than ever. What if he's right? after all Jason is his best friend, he knows him better than I do.
As I finally entered the house, my aunt noticed my downcast expression and asked, “How was your date?”
I forced a smile and replied, “It was nice.” My aunt’s keen eyes, however, could see through my facade.
She gently urged, “Come and sit with me.”
Reluctantly, I sat down and began recounting the evening's events.
My aunt listened carefully, then advised, “Tiara, don’t jump to conclusions about Jason based on what Folu said. Folu is trying to get you too, and he probably said that to dissuade you from seeing Jason.”
I sighed in agreement. “Boys are so confusing.”
My aunt nodded sympathetically as we settled down to watch TV together. The comfort of her presence was a small relief amidst the confusion.
After the movie, we retired to our rooms. Just as I was about to freshen up, my phone rang. It was Jason. Unsure whether to answer, I hesitated. The call dropped, only for him to ring again. I decided to pick up.
“Hi,” I said, my voice hesitant.
"Hi Tiara, I just wanted to know if you have gotten home and to apologise about how the day ended". Jason's tone was apologetic.
“It’s fine,” I replied, trying to sound nonchalant.
“You order a ride home right?” He asked.
I explained, “I tried but I couldn't get any ride... Folu happened to be in the area and gave me a ride home.”
Jason asked, “Folu? What was he doing there?”
“I don’t know,” I said, “He just showed up.”
“Okay, I'm glad you got home safe. Did you... Did you enjoy our time together?” he asked.
“Yes,” I answered honestly. “It was nice.”
Jason continued, “Before Sharon interrupted, I wanted to tell you something. Tiara, I...”
I cut him off, feeling overwhelmed. “You don’t have to tell me. It’s better this way. I don’t want to be part of any games.”
With that, I ended the call, my heart heavy but resolute. It was easier to walk away from the uncertainty than to remain entangled in it. As I put my phone down, I felt a mix of relief and sadness. For now, focusing on my studies seemed like the best way to escape the swirling drama around me.
