Mr. Badass ✔

35 The Car Accident

Gemma's POV.

After a long while, the dial tone finally sounds on the phone.

I try calling Jacob again, but no one answers.

I send long messages hoping he will let me explain, but Jacob still doesn't reply.

He has completely disappeared.

For a whole week, just as I think my third relationship will end this way, Jacob calls me.

"Let's talk," he says.

I agree.

We meet outside my building.

"I didn't know you two were still neighbors," he says, looking into my eyes.

After a week of not seeing him, he seems to have lost weight.

"It's just a coincidence," I pause. "The apartment I bought just happens to be here. I had no idea he lived next door. But now I'm paying off the mortgage every month, so I can't just move out..."

Jacob nods slightly, "So what do you want to do now?"

I freeze. I don't know what to do either.

"I originally thought the only issue between us was that you didn't see me as someone worthy of pursuing you. But that's not the case. The biggest issue between us is Luke," Jacob says softly.

"You two are neighbors and often see each other at work. I respected your job before, so I didn't say anything. But now, it seems like this is a barrier in our relationship."

"Do you really think that?" I look down at my toes.

"It's not about what I think, it's the reality," Jacob replies.

"But what can I do?" My voice is a little tired. " I looked all over New York to find this apartment. It's small, with a tiny balcony, but I love it. And my job — in these years of economic downturn, unemployment is everywhere. Finding a new job is really hard..."

"I've made the decision for you," Jacob interrupts me.

"Come with me to Chicago. I can buy you a new place there, bigger and more luxurious than this. As for your job, my family's connections can solve everything for you—"

Jacob takes out a plane ticket and hands it to me.

I look at the ticket, then at Jacob's face.

Jacob steps forward and pushes the ticket into my hand.

"Gemma, even though things didn't go as smoothly as I imagined, at least we've had a real relationship. I have no regrets. For a while now, we've been fooling ourselves, maintaining this illusion of happiness, and a lot of that comes from my own insecurity... We can't go on like this."

I nod. Yes, we can't go on like this.

"So I need you to make a choice," Jacob says softly. "There are still twenty days before the Independence Day holiday. During that time, I won't disturb you. I just hope you'll take the time to think carefully, about whether... you're willing to be with me."

Jacob's hair shimmers gently under the streetlight. "If you're want, come to the airport on the day of the holiday, and we'll leave together. If you don't come, I won't... trouble you anymore."

Silence spreads through the air.

Before leaving, he steps forward to hug me and places a kiss on my cheek.

"I'll be waiting for your decision," he whispers in my ear, then lets me go and walks away, disappearing from my sight.

I stand frozen in place. I don't know how long it's been, but there seems to be a rustling sound in the bushes by the roadside.