Only You || JAMAL MUSIALA

Shattered Masks

Paisley Pov

I felt like I'd been punched in the gut, the air knocked out of my lungs. Jamal's eyes met mine, a mixture of surprise and guilt flashing across his face. I forced a smile, trying to play it cool, but inside, I was seething. Who did Lola think she was, kissing Jamal like that? And in front of me?

I pulled back, trying to create some distance between us. "Congratulations everyone, really, you guys are a fantastic team," I said to everyone trying to break the sudden silence that covered the room.

I glanced around the locker room, hoping to escape the awkwardness, but everyone was staring at us, sensing the tension.

Jamal cleared his throat, trying to diffuse the situation. "Good job guys "

But I wasn't having it. I turned and walked away, leaving the team to their little celebration. I needed some air, some space to process what had just happened.

As I made my way out of the stadium, I couldn't shake off the feeling of anger.

I felt like I was losing myself in all of this, like I was just a pawn in a game I didn't want to play anymore. The media, the fans, Lola – they all wanted a piece of me, but what about what I wanted?

I took a deep breath, trying to calm down, but my mind was racing. I needed to get out of there, to get away from it all. I got into the car which was waiting for me and headed back to the hotel, feeling like I was escaping a prison.

But as I walked through the door, I knew I couldn't escape the truth. I was trapped, trapped in a life I didn't want, with people I didn't trust. And I didn't know how to break free.

Jamal Pov

I watched Paisley walk away, feeling a knot in my stomach. I knew I'd messed up big time. I hadn't meant to hurt Paisley, but I knew I had.

I turned to Lola, trying to process what had just happened. "What the heck was that?" I asked, trying to keep my cool as to not cause a scene but at this point my blood was boiling with rage.

Lola just smiled, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Just celebrating, Jamal. Don't be such a spoilsport."

But I knew it was more than that. I knew she'd done it to provoke Paisley, to get a rise out of her. I would deal with her later, for now I needed to be with Paisley.

I made my way out of the locker room, trying to catch up with Paisley. I needed to explain, to apologize, to make things right. She had already left so I got into my car and drove as quickly as I can in hopes of making things right with her.

When I reached her hotel, the receptionist told me she had already checked out. I was left standing there, feeling like I'd lost my chance to make things right.

I pulled out my phone, sending her a text.

Jam-jam 🦌
I'm sorry about what happened. I really am. I should have put Lola and my manager in their places a long time ago. I promise I'll fix this.

Jam-jam🦌
Please answer me. Even if you are at the ends of the earth I'll come find you.

Jam-jam🦌
Please don't leave me.

Jam-jam🦌
Mein liebling?

Jam-jam🦌
Sweetheart?

As I waited for a response, I couldn't shake off the feeling that I'd ruined things by not denying the relationship agreement of me and Lola in the first place.

After waiting for a while my phone pinged with a notification, I hoped it was a text from Paisley and it was, the only problem was that the words written in that text made my world crumble

Paisley🐨
Goodbye Jamal.

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