Nowhere|✔️

Chapter 25

       Victoria POV

I trust Jaxxon, I really do. But the late nights spent out doing "work" and hearing hushed conversations on the phone brings back memories of my past relationships.

I break out of my trance as Jisoo waves her hand over my face.

"Investigating? What do you mean." She asks with a look of confusement.

"Jaxxon is not telling me something, and when I tried to talk to him about it, he just shut me off." I say, watching Jisoo and Valencia exchange glances.

"I don't care anymore. I'm telling her." Valencia says clearly annoyed, before explaining about James.

I hold a shocked expression, the entire time. Now, I just feel bad on accusing Jaxxon. But still angry. How could he not tell me? Does he think I can't handle this?

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Valencia POV

Turning my head toward Victoria, I notice she seemed really angry and quiet. But Jisoo and I pretend not to notice and continue talking.

"J Bear!" A man shouts, with a happy look on his face when walking toward Jisoo. He's really attractive, his dark, curly hair with bulging muscles that show through his sweaty tank. He throws his arm around Jisoo, as she look up and wraps an arm around his waist. They both look at each other smiling, while I cough grabbing their attention.

"Oh! Um, this is Bennett." She introduces snapping out of her gaze.

"We were best friends from high school." He explains.

"You grew up in Japan?" I ask.

"Yes, my parents moved to Japan when I was 5." He says.

"Why did you move here?" Victoria asks.

"I thought J bear was the private investigator." He chuckles.

"J bear?" I say with a smirk as Jisoo blushes.

"It's our little thing." She explains, as he raises an eyebrow towards her.

Bennett explains on how he came here for a new job opportunity. When realizing that he wanted to move his business from Japan to here. We all leave the gym and decide to go the nearest diner for lunch.

After lunch, I invite him over to Zayd's place for dinner. He ends up obliging, as we all stare at his back retreating. Victoria and I turn to Jisoo, with knowing looks.

"What?" She asks rolling her eyes.

"There was so much tension between the both of you." Victoria points out.

"We dated in high school, but parted our ways when we got accepted to different colleges. So, I haven't heard from him since then." She says.

"Do you still like him?" I ask.

"Yes, he is one of my best friends."

"No I mean like-like him." I ask.

"I used too, but I guess those feelings just faded over time."

I nod and stand up, as they follow me and head to Jaxxon's car.

I don't know if Jisoo noticed, she seemed clueless to realize that Bennet still likes her. I'll just ask her later on tonight.

Zayd POV

After finishing our meeting, Jaxxon and I head toward my car.

"Everything okay with you and Val?" Jaxxon asks.

"I almost kissed her."

"Almost kissed? You've never went further?" Jaxxon asks, shock in his eyes as he raises a brow.

"She's still not ready, and I don't blame her after what happened with James."

"Speaking of James, did you tell Victoria yet?" I ask, as he looks down.

"I want to, but I'm afraid she'll freak out. It also doesn't help that she's probably assuming that I'm cheating on her." He says with a sigh.

"You'll have to tell her either way. Keeping a secret isn't going to solve anything."

"Isn't that what you're trying to do with Valencia?"

I roll my eyes as I reach over to grab my keys.

"Zayd! Jaxxon!" Turning my head, I see my brother, Asher walking towards us.

I give him a hug, as Jaxxon does the same.

"I thought you were in Florida with your girlfriend?" I ask.

"After a while, I came to the conclusion that I got tired of her. So, consider her dumped." He says with a chuckle, running his hand through his hair. Jaxxon and I roll our eyes.

"You need to settle down, bro." I say.

"I could say the same for you!" Asher replies.

"Surprisingly, he did. So, did I." Jaxxon says with a proud look on his face.

"Come home with us. I'll explain everything on the way." I say, as he nods and steps in my car.

Driving home, I explain everything to my brother. From the arranged marriage to meeting Valencia to her ex James threatening our relationship. He was surprised but stayed silent the whole ride, as he took in everything.

Driving up toward the parkway, I notice Jaxxon's car parked in too. Well then, looks like Val and Victoria are going to meet Asher.

Asher beats us to it and knocks on the door, expecting Valencia or Victoria to open the door.

Jisoo opens the door and his jaw drops as he gapes at her. Great, now he found his new target. She punches his stomach when noticing him gape, he crouches down in pain sitting on the floor.

"I think I fell for you." He says, wiggling his brows to Jisoo. Jaxxon and I exchange a look trying not to laugh.

"Oh please." She says, rolling her eyes as we hear a cough from behind us.

I turn to see a man who Jisoo freezes when noticing.

"Who is this?" I ask.

"Oh, um this is my friend. His name is Bennett. Valencia invited him over for dinner." She explains, as I nod and introduce myself.

We all step into the house to see Valencia and Victoria making popcorn, laughing with each other. I wanted to just grab and pull her into my arms, but then remembered what she pulled earlier today at the gym. As she's introduced to my brother and he nods his head in approval towards me. I ignore him and avoid her, and went up to my room to change my clothes. I hear a knock, watching as Val walks in and sighs.

"I'm sorry, it seemed like a fun idea at the moment."

I smiled and pulled her into an embrace. "I'm not mad anymore, but don't do that again." I say, as she smiles and for the second time today, I find myself leaning in and before I could stop, I press my lips against hers.

Jaxxon POV

Sitting on a couch, I watched Valencia go up to Zayd's room, and Asher repeatedly hit on Jisoo. As she laughs each time, turning my head to Bennett, I notice he's holding a clenched fist with anger written over his face.

"Wanna go up to my room?" He asks, wiggling his brows.

Before I realized what was happening, Asher was on the ground with Bennett on top throwing punches repeatedly.