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,

"Emily, actually..."

off by

and I saw the name

felt a

and picked up

quiet car, I could hear Ethan's voice loud

my wife go missing?"

me, a faint smile in his eyes, all calm

downstairs. We're

car and headed

were off, but I knew Ethan

bed, Ethan suddenly yanked

night, are you sleepwalking?" His tone was playful, but there was

pulled away from him, lay down beside him, and explained, "I heard a car and didn't see Jason come up, so I went

was ringing on the nightstand. I thought you sleepwalked into

rolled my eyes, even though he couldn't

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

and ruffled my hair, hugging me tight before I could

one, I'm not. We balance

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

we don't have room

this isn't a long-term 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 in front of me every day." Two days later,

three-bedroom apartment

at Blue Ocean Bar to

up too, her hair now shoulder-length. If it were before, she

said curiously, "You've never

to grow it out.

said, "I'm excited to see it. You're

with someone

a

time, Bella had truly fallen

a sensitive stomach, so I didn't let him drink. I stopped

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

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

words. Bella nudged me and whispered, "Emily, you're lucky to

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

the chance to hit the restroom and stopped a waiter to have

real tense. I casually grabbed some fruit to munch

song had barely started when Ethan suddenly stood up, making my heart skip a

me a cheeky

of his hand,

sitting quietly on the side, so I

up, "Jason, do you know where Fiona is

in his glass. "Her remains were taken back to her hometown

they never saw her

might still be alive?" I voiced my

looked stunned,

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

that text message

and Ethan came back. I wrapped

over to

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

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