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.

the cramped space of the car, it

"Emily, actually..."

cut off by his

I saw the name

felt a

music and picked

could

my wife go missing?" Ethan

smile in his eyes,

downstairs. We're just

call, we got out of the car and headed

lights were off, but I

bed, Ethan suddenly yanked me into his

the night, are you sleepwalking?" His tone

and didn't see Jason come up, so I went down to check." Ethan

your phone was ringing on the nightstand. I

rolled my eyes, even

I'm you? I'm

hair, hugging

one, I'm not. We

Jason grabbed some bread 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

not like we don't have room for

gig. If you 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

a fully furnished three-bedroom apartment downtown, ready

evening, Oliver treated us at Blue Ocean Bar to

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

"You've never let your hair grow this

and whispered, "I want to grow it out.

"I'm excited to see it. You're gorgeous, so any hairstyle

starts with someone coming

dresses, or a short-haired girl

thought this time, Bella had

sensitive stomach, so I didn't let him drink. I stopped him from accepting any

and he just smiled and gave in. "Alright, I'll listen to you." One of his buddies cracked a joke about Ethan being a henpecked

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

his words. Bella

to think Ethan's kindness was the best thing ever. Back then, I never imagined I'd one day

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

vibe at our table got real tense. I casually grabbed some

when Ethan suddenly stood up, making my heart skip a beat.

cheeky

go of his hand,

sitting quietly on the side, so I

up, "Jason, do you know where Fiona

his glass. "Her remains were taken back to

they never saw her

any chance she might still be alive?" I voiced

stunned, then

Her body was in the funeral home for a week before they took her. How could she

wasn't alive, that

and Ethan came back. I wrapped up

over

I've signed up for the 'Youth Sings Loudly' competition. I might need some time off work

off. "No problem, dreams are important. If you make it big, just don't forget about Blue Ocean Bar. Come back and do a couple of shows to boost our place." Everyone was in high