Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

Chapter 100 We Balance Each Other Out

Jason's hands were on fire, and his grip was anything but gentle.

My heart did a little flip.

"Chill with me for a bit," Jason said, his voice all deep and serious.

I nodded, and he let go. I slid into the passenger seat.

Both windows were down, and the breeze was kinda chilly; no booze smell or anything.

Jason just sat there, leaning back, puffing on a cigarette, looking like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.

The only thing moving in the car was the smoke, swirling around in the moonlight.

"You dropped Lacey off, right?" I finally broke the silence. "Yeah."

I thought for a sec and then said, "You know, Lacey's pretty cool. She's hot, smart, straight-up, and sweet. Even though her family's kinda messed up, you can tell she got a good upbringing; probably 'cause her dad's a teacher. You two are both awesome and single, so maybe..."

"Enough!" Jason cut me off, his voice sharp.

He was usually so chill, but his shout made me jump.

He must've realized he freaked me out 'cause he softened his tone, "You just know when it's right. The best person isn't always the right one for you."

I figured he was thinking about his first love, the one he never got over. Dude's got some deep feelings.

I whispered, "Sorry."

He gave a helpless smile. "I should be the one saying sorry. Didn't mean to snap at you. Don't sweat it."

I said, "It's cool."

A gust of wind blew in, and I shivered, rubbing my arms.

Jason noticed and rolled up my window.

He casually turned on the music, and "Happen To Meet" started playing.

"As winter said goodbye, I woke in a moment lost in time..."

The soft music filled the car, and we just sat there, listening.

The first time I heard this song was in a movie theater, and I bawled my eyes out.

"The saddest part of love is meeting at the wrong time, and missing the right one.."

Jason's voice was tinged with sadness as he spoke along with the song.

I felt a pang in my chest and tried to cheer him up. "Let the past be the past. Move on and start fresh. She'd want you to be happy."

Jason turned to look at me, a small smile playing on his lips.

"Really?" His smile was kinda goofy and innocent.

I nodded seriously. "Yeah."

"Actually, the rarest thing in this world is not meeting but reuniting." He said this while staring at me, his gaze intense.

of the car, it

"Emily, actually..."

off by his

saw the name

felt

music and

I could hear

wife go missing?"

at me, a faint smile in his eyes, all calm

downstairs. We're just

car and headed inside, each going to

bedroom lights were off, but I

walked to the bed, Ethan suddenly yanked me into his arms, and

you sleepwalking?" His tone was playful,

him, and explained, "I heard a car and didn't see Jason come up, so I went down to check." Ethan grunted and pulled

phone was ringing on the nightstand. I thought you sleepwalked

eyes, even though he

Do you think I'm you? I'm not that

laughed and ruffled my hair, hugging me tight before

you're the reliable one, I'm not. We

and said, "I've been looking for a place lately. Found a good one a few days ago. If it works out, I'll move." His words came out of nowhere, and I couldn't help but look at him in

not like we don't

get a girlfriend, it'd be awkward bringing her here. You'd have to get a hotel room." Jason smiled lightly. "Mainly, I don't want to see you two flaunting your love in front of me every day." Two days

fully furnished three-bedroom apartment

evening, Oliver treated us at Blue Ocean Bar to celebrate Jason's

too, her hair now shoulder-length. If it were before, she would've

"You've

to grow it out. As my best friend, what do

to see it.

person's change often starts with someone

trying on dresses, or a short-haired girl wanting to

this time, Bella had truly

let him drink. I

extra, but I was dead serious, and he just smiled and gave in. "Alright, I'll listen to you." One

a henpecked husband is a badge of honor. You guys don't get it. A real man takes

little happy dance at his words. Bella nudged me and whispered,

think Ethan's kindness was the best thing ever. Back

and stopped a waiter to have a quick word. When I got back, Connie was singing

table got real tense. I casually grabbed some fruit to

barely started when Ethan suddenly stood up, making my heart skip a beat. I grabbed

and gave me a cheeky grin. "Just hitting the bathroom. Wanna come

let go of his

sitting quietly on the side, so I

up, "Jason, do you know where Fiona

"Her remains were taken back to

they never saw her

chance she might still be alive?" I voiced

looked stunned, then

week before they took her. How could she still be alive?" Her body was in the funeral home for a

Fiona wasn't alive, that text

came back.

walked over

said, "Oliver, I've signed up for the 'Youth Sings Loudly' competition. I might

forget about Blue Ocean Bar. Come back and do a couple of