Crises in Love (Zora and Jaylan)

The ringing of the phone was unusually clear in the quiet room, and the person on the other end picked up almost immediately.

Jaylan, phone in hand, left his bedside and headed toward the bathroom, but I could still faintly hear the person on the other end ask, "You've arrived?" Squinting, I watched as Jaylan disappeared into the bathroom.

I tried to catch their conversation, but the voices were too soft. However, it was apparent that someone knew Jaylan was back, and I guessed it must be Jerome.

Jaylan seemed to have forgotten something and came out again, grabbing a fresh towel from the closet before heading back in. All this while, he just held his phone and murmured responses from time to time. With a bravery I didn't know I had, I slipped out of bed and tiptoed toward the bathroom, pressing my ear against the wall. I just managed to hear Jaylan murmur, "Get someone to check the CCTV and send it to me! Have you sorted out what I asked you to? ... Yes, get a move on, we can't delay any longer. ... If he insists on being stubborn, teach him a lesson!"

'... But... Silverdale City...'

I thought I heard the person on the other end mention Silverdale City, but I couldn't be sure. Eager to hear more, I tried to move closer, but didn't watch my footing. I knocked something off the side table with a clatter.

The sound from the bathroom stopped immediately. The next second, the bathroom door was flung open. Suddenly, an idea hit me. I picked up a vase from the side table and shouted, "Who's there? ... Come out!"

My voice quivered with fear, and it was far from intimidating.

Jaylan emerged from the bathroom. I raised the vase to strike, but he caught my hand, saying loudly, "It's me!"

I stared at him dumbfounded, and my knees gave out.

He took the vase from my grasp, supporting me as he snapped, "What were you thinking?"

My face drained of color, I leaned into him, pounding his chest weakly. "You ... you scared me half to death ... I thought someone broke in ... You said you weren't coming back... Then I heard noises ... I was terrified!"

Innocence and fear marked my face. The tremors that racked my body were genuine, a result of the fright I'd just had.

Jaylan's expression hardened, and his tone was none too pleasant. "Who could have gotten in? You're always scaring yourself!"

My face fell, and I glared at him. "Jaylan, are you yelling at me?"

He blinked, quickly shifting gears. He put down the vase, and with a laugh, wrapped his arms around me, steering me back into the bathroom. "Honey, I was just upset to see you frightened. Who could possibly break into our home in the middle of the night? I rushed back because I was worried about you. You have no idea how much it hurt me to see you crying your heart out the other day."

Hearing his words, I inwardly cursed him. What a snake, with his pretty words and false concern.

I struggled, but my weak attempts could easily be misconstrued as just playing hard to get. I was no match for him.

"What are you doing? ... Stop it! I can't fight back!" I collapsed in his arms, completely drained.

Jaylan touched my chest. My stomach turned, and I retched. He immediately halted his actions and looked up. "What's wrong? Are you really feeling unwell?"

I took deep breaths, and gestured towards my heart. "What do you think? Intense activity makes me nauseous, and my heart races. Do you actually think I'm faking it? You should take me to the hospital when you can. The medicine doesn't seem to be working!"

The corners of his mouth twitched imperceptibly. Then his face softened as he cooed, "Then we'll stop taking it. I was planning to take you to the hospital for a thorough check-up anyway."

I leaned against him, my body trembling like a leaf in the wind.

I cast him a sideways glance. "Playing the good guy now, are you? Coming back in the dead of night, hiding in the bathroom to make a call, and nearly scaring me to death! If you want me dead, this method will definitely work."

He chuckled, gluing himself to me again, and pulling me close. His hands roamed over my body as he said, "Honey, I've missed you so much..."