She needed him to say it out loud... Only then would she be able to fully believe it. Everything felt like a nightmare. She was losing one of her best friends… that's how it felt.
"Jade…"
"I want to know," she insisted.
"I've been in love with you for a long time. I couldn't tell you how or when it happened… but I don't regret it, you know?" He smiled, took her hand and began tracing circles on the back of it with his finger. "I don't regret it because what I feel for you is beautiful. It's real. It's a feeling that threatens to kill me and bring me back to life." He sighed. "I know you don't love me, that you only see me as a friend." He smiled sadly.
"I wish…"
"Don't worry. I'm not blaming you for not loving me, even if it hurts that my love isn't returned." He squeezed her hand gently. "But I'm happy if you are. And I know your happiness isn't with me."
"I wish I could. You have no idea how much I wish I could feel the same," she whispered, eyes filling with tears. Christian leaned in and wiped them away.
"Don't cry," he asked. "I hate seeing you sad."
"It's just that I feel guilty for you, for me, for everything… My life is upside down and I don't know how to fix it."
"You have to. Get things in order and please take care of yourself. I don't want anything to happen to you, and don't suffer. I don't want to leave and know that—"
"Leave? You're leaving?" Jade took his hands. "Why? You always stay longer here."
"I can't bear seeing you with him. It hurts. I can't handle the jealousy. It's poisoning me slowly. He's my brother and I love him, even if he hates me. I've been offered a position in Los Angeles, and I'm going to take it. Depending on how things go, I might come back."
"I don't have anything going on with Dominick." She let go of Christian's hands and covered her face, leaning back in the chair. "He's the one who's been chasing me. We don't even get along. Did you know I spent several hours in jail because of him?"
Christian's eyes widened in shock.
"Why?"
"I might've scratched him for grabbing me. Anyway, he kissed me and… I'd had a few drinks," she lied, lowering her gaze as her cheeks flushed. "But I promise, there's nothing going on between us."
"Even so… I have to go. He seems interested in you, and I don't want to make the same mistake twice," he muttered.
"Can I ask you a personal question?" she asked. There were so many things she didn't understand, and curiosity was eating her alive. He nodded. He already knew what she wanted to know.
"Why does Dominick hate you?" she frowned.
"Jade, I'll tell you what happened… even though I know you'll hate me after. All I'll say is that back then, I was an idiot."
"I don't understand. Why would I hate you?"
"Just listen to me." Chris looked down at his open palms, afraid of her rejection more than anything. "I betrayed him, Jade. Me and his fiancée…"
Christian told her everything, deeply ashamed of what they had done. He didn't try to justify himself because he knew there was no excuse. He said they had planned to come clean to Dominick, but he had found out on his own. Everything that happened afterward...
"He burned the house down. Spent several days in the hospital… and after that, he just vanished," he confessed, looking at Jade, waiting for her reaction.
She didn't know how to react. Jade hated infidelity more than anything. She had watched her father suffer because of it—and she had suffered too.
"Jade…" Chris understood. He shook his head with a sad smile. He felt broken. "Goodbye."
He left money on the table and stood. Jade took a few seconds to process what had just happened, then jumped to her feet and ran—under the curious eyes of the few people in the café—to catch up with him. She did, just outside the establishment.
"Christian! Wait!" she called out, seeing him about to step off the curb.
He turned around to see her standing a few feet away.
"I can't hate you for something that doesn't concern me," she said firmly, stepping right in front of him. "It's true I don't agree with what you did. It was wrong… but I can't judge you for something that happened years ago. And I know you regret it. More than anything, you're my friend."
"I'm glad you think that way."
Jade hugged him tightly, saying goodbye without knowing when she might see him again. She had always wished for a brother, and she thought Christian could've been one—not by blood, but by love… But things had changed.
Still wrapped in her arms, Christian whispered:
"I know it's a lot to ask, and I'll understand if you say no, but please… I beg you to give me a kiss," he pleaded, breaking the hug, leaving just a few inches between them. "Just one kiss, because I know your lips will never be mine. And today, before I leave, I'd like to have the privilege of tasting them. Just once…"
He gently brushed her cheek with the back of his hand, but her silence was all the answer he needed. He let his hand fall to his side, letting go of the last bit of hope he had.
He turned around…
"Chris…" she called out. "Wait, don't go…"
~•~
Dominick
He'd just come from an informal meeting at a luxurious restaurant downtown. Everything had gone exactly as planned, and he was in a great mood.
He parked in front of the hotel and handed the keys to the valet, buttoning his jacket when Jade's voice calling his brother caught his attention.
"Christian! Wait!"
Dominick narrowed his eyes and watched the strange exchange between Christian and Jade with growing suspicion. She was speaking, gesturing with her hands. He stepped closer, crossed the street to get a better view, though he still couldn't hear what they were saying.
He observed as Chris spoke and Jade listened. Dominick clenched his fists the moment he saw him touch her cheek.
"Don't touch her, bastard…" he muttered, frowning when Christian started to walk away—only for Jade to call out to him again. And what happened next, Dominick hadn't seen coming…
She stepped closer, took his face in her hands, and kissed him.
Dominick was stunned—confused and dazed. He wanted to march over and punch Christian in the face. He wanted answers from her. But then the reality hit him like a punch to the gut, and bitterness clouded his vision. He turned around and, like a furious bull, stormed into the hotel.
Jade
She slowly pulled away from Christian, who stood frozen, unable to believe what had just happened. It felt like a dream—one that had just come true.
The pure adoration in his gaze made her blush. She didn't know what to say. It had been an impulsive act that would have serious consequences.
They remained silent for several long seconds, until she finally spoke.
"When are you leaving?"
"Tomorrow morning. I'm flying to Los Angeles. A friend's birthday—and I'll take the opportunity to wrap up a few deals," he replied, looking at her, unsure of what else to say or do. He had been prepared for rejection. He knew what he had to do. But now? Would this change things somehow? No, he wouldn't let himself get his hopes up.
"I think…" the blonde looked past him.
"Yeah, I… I've got something to do over there," she lied, pointing in no particular direction.
"All right," Jade murmured. "See you soon, Chris."
She walked toward the hotel and, just before entering, glanced back at Christian, still standing in the same spot. Then she disappeared inside.
~•~
She had gone to bed, but couldn't sleep. She kept tossing and turning. Her eyes drifted to her friend's bed, where she slept soundly—and for a moment, she envied her. She could sleep peacefully, while Jade's mind was full of chaos.
She grabbed her phone. 2:35 a.m. She sighed, set the phone on the nightstand, and got up.
She went to the closet to get some clothes, got dressed, and left the room in complete silence. As she climbed the stairs, her mind wandered back to the kiss she had given Christian. She wanted to believe it hadn't been wrong—that it was just a way of saying goodbye…
But she couldn't.
Her subconscious kept scolding her for such a foolish move.
She rubbed her forehead.
She felt frustrated, exhausted, and utterly lost. Every day felt like a new challenge—worse than the last. On one side was Dominick and his touch that made her see stars, but his cruel words reminded her why she couldn't get involved with him. Then there was Robinson… she had liked him for a long time, but ever since Dominick arrived, everything had changed.
No. She wouldn't fall for him. Never.
She told herself she needed to relax. That's why she headed to one of the bars still open at that hour.
She stopped before going in—she had no money and didn't know how she'd buy a drink.
She turned around—and froze when she saw Maximiliano with two men.
"Jade?" Maxi frowned. "What are you doing here at this hour?"
"I…" she cleared her throat, "I was going for a drink, but I forgot my wallet." She glanced at her friend. "I was going back for it."
"She's beautiful. Who is she?" asked the blond man with a French accent.
"Etienne, this is Jade. A friend," Maxi replied. "So don't flirt with her."
"I just asked who she was," Etienne said, raising his hands innocently.
"Oh, please," the other man rolled his eyes. "You see a woman and the only thing you want is—"
"Armand," Maximiliano interrupted, "save the commentary for later. Jade, do you want to join us for a bit?"
"I don't want to intrude…"
"You're not. And my grumpy cousin only barks—he doesn't bite," Etienne grinned, showing all his teeth.
Etienne had short, tousled blond hair and was tall. His brown eyes sparkled with youth, though he looked to be around thirty.
"No problem by me," Armand added with a disinterested look.
He was the complete opposite of his cousin. His green eyes had gray flecks, and his jet-black hair was tied neatly in a small bun with not a strand out of place. He was tall—even taller than Etienne and maybe a few centimeters taller than Maximiliano.
"Well, what are we waiting for?" Etienne exclaimed with a bright smile.
The four of them headed to the bar. As they walked in, the loud music hit them. The place was soundproofed so guests wouldn't be disturbed.
Maximiliano looked genuinely happy—lively, even. It was like, for a moment, he had forgotten all his problems and decided to enjoy himself.
He wrapped an arm around Jade's shoulders as they walked toward the VIP area. He let her go so they could climb the stairs more easily. They found a table and sat down.
"Let's have some fun—but don't go overboard," Etienne said with a smile. "Beauty," he turned to Jade, "how do you know this fine gentleman?" he asked, pointing at Maximiliano, who rolled his eyes.
"She saved my life a few years ago," Maxi answered, signaling the waiter.
"And he gave me a job here at the hotel," Jade added with a smile.
They began a pleasant conversation over drink after drink, where Jade was finally able to relax and forget about everything—at least for a while.
Armand, though not much of a talker, eventually joined in after a couple of glasses of whiskey.
Maximiliano and Etienne went off to dance with two stunning women, leaving the two of them alone...
Jade didn't know what to say. Armand didn't seem like the talkative type. Anyone could see from a mile away that he wasn't the social kind, and his serious expression was nothing like his cousin's.
The blonde took another sip, the burn of the liquor now much softer than it had been nearly an hour ago.
She let her head fall against the back of the chair and sighed, closing her eyes.
"You don't look happy," Armand said suddenly, startling her—and surprising her just as much.
First, because she hadn't expected a comment like that from him of all people—he didn't exactly seem thrilled to be in her presence. And second, because she realized how close he was now.
Her eyes flew open.
"What?" she didn't know what else to say. Why would he say that? Then again, she didn't even have an answer herself. Was she… happy?
"I said you don't look happy. You look drained, careless, thinner than usual…" she stared at him, eyes wide with disbelief. "You seem like the kind of woman who gives her all to everyone, but never gets anything in return. You work yourself to the bone and convince yourself it's for a greater good… but you're losing yourself in the process. One day you'll realize that while the sacrifice might've been worth it, it still destroyed you."
Armand took a sip from his drink under Jade's stunned and confused gaze. She didn't know why this stranger was saying these things—he didn't know a damn thing about her. But what bothered her most, deep down… was that he might be at least a little bit right.
She stayed silent and took another drink.
"You don't know anything about me," she snapped, meeting his gaze.
"No," he shook his head, setting his glass down on the small table. "I don't. But I know what I said is true."
"Why? How do you know that if you don't know me?" she asked, frowning.
"Because you and her are exactly alike…" he murmured, just loud enough for Jade to hear. "You both wear the same sad eyes behind a fake smile."
She was about to answer back, but Armand stood up and walked away from the table, leaving her completely alone… and with a bitter taste in her mouth.