Jessabelle takes off her jacket and leans forward on her arms against the table.
"So, I want to ask you a question flat out. You don't have to answer it if you don't want to."
"Okay." I nod.
"Why have you taken a... let's call it an interest in me recently?"
I almost spit out my water, choke and start coughing.
"Holy shit, are you okay?" She stands slightly, leaning forward to help me. I wave her away, calming myself down quickly.
"Yeah. Um... I... huh. Well, I... I noticed you were always by yourself, and... I felt bad..."
"I've been by myself for awhile." She tilts her head. "Why now?"
"Um... well... I... I..."
"Let me make it more clear." Jessabelle brushes a strand of hair back. "I'm worried about you."
"What?" I find myself staring at her stupidly.
"What happened to you?" She cups my face gently with one hand. "I want to make sure you're okay at home." She brushes her thumb against my cheek, across a dark bruise.
"I'm fine." I whisper, my face heating up from the close proximity of our faces as Jessabelle leans even closer.
"Are you sure?" She gets so close I can feel her breath fan against my face as she breathes. Her lips brush against my cheek as she whispers into my ear, "Don't lie to me. I will find out on my own if I must."
"Ahem. Am I disturbing something?" the waiter coughs. Jessabelle leans back with an air of confidence I had never seen before.
"No, not at all." She smirks slightly. The waiter takes out order and leaves, and it seems like he did it as fast as possible, though it may have been my imagination.
"So, um....." I start, and Jessabelle turns her eyes on me.
"Yes?" She blinks at me, and the words die on my tongue.
"Um..." I start blushing in embarrassment.
"Are you okay?" She asks with concern. I nod quickly.
"Alright then." Jessabelle touchs my hand. "Make sure you take care of yourself properly, okay?"
I swallow and nod. I squeeze my hands together to prevent Jessabelle from noticing how badly I'm shaking.
"Chandler?" she clasps my shaky hands. "It's okay."
I nod without speaking.
"Hey." She squeezes my hand. "Don't worry. I'm here too."
YOU ARE READING
Collateral Damage
RomanceJessabelle Corey commited suicide on December 9th. Now, Oliver Chandler has the chance to save her life. The catch is, he only has twenty one days, and if he fails, he will die in her place.
