Jenna's POV
As we were about to leave, Mr. Bennett spoke up again, his voice dripping with disdain. “Seriously, Felix? You’d choose that girl over your business partnership with us? She’s the one who deceived my son,” he said, glaring at me as if I were the villain in this story.
I felt my heart sink. It was infuriating how he twisted the narrative, placing the blame solely on me when Aiden had been the one to cheat. “Excuse me?” I shot back, my voice shaking with frustration. “You act like I’m the one at fault here. Aiden made his choices, and you know that.”
Felix stepped closer, his expression fierce. “Don’t even try to turn this around on her, Mr. Bennett. Aiden’s actions are his own, and Jenna is not responsible for the mess he created. If anything, she deserves support, not blame.”
Mr. Bennett’s gaze shifted between us, his frown deepening. “You think you can just walk away from your obligations? Business is business, Felix. You can’t let some girl distract you from what really matters.”
“Maybe you should try listening to your son instead of trying to control him,” Felix countered, his tone unwavering. “Aiden chose his path. I’m choosing mine with Jenna.”
The intensity of the exchange made my stomach churn. I had never seen Felix this worked up, and part of me was grateful for his defense, but the other part felt suffocated by the weight of the expectations around us.
“Jenna, are you really worth this?” Mr. Bennett’s question pierced through the tension. “What can you possibly offer him that would justify throwing away a business partnership that could elevate his future?”
I felt a rush of indignation. “I can’t believe you would reduce my value to what I can offer Felix in terms of business. I’m not a bargaining chip. I’m a person, and I deserve to be treated as such.”
Felix glanced at me, a flicker of pride in his eyes, before turning back to Mr. Bennett. “Jenna means more to me than any business deal. If you can’t accept that, then maybe you should reconsider your priorities.”
Mr. Bennett's jaw tightened, his face a mask of frustration. “You’re making a mistake, Felix. You’re throwing everything away for a girl who clearly isn’t worth your time. Mark my words; you’ll regret this.”
“Maybe you should consider the possibility that I won’t,” Felix replied coolly. “Let’s go, Jenna.”
He took my hand, and we walked away, leaving behind the weight of Mr. Bennett’s expectations and judgment. As we stepped outside, the cool evening air enveloped us, a stark contrast to the heated confrontation inside.
I couldn’t help but look up at Felix, my emotions swirling inside me. “Thank you for standing up for me,” I said softly, my voice filled with sincerity.
Felix glanced down at me, a small smile breaking through the tension. “I meant every word. You deserve someone who will fight for you.”
For the first time in a long time, I felt a flicker of hope. Maybe amidst all the chaos, there was still a chance for something real between us. But I couldn’t shake the worry that lingered in the back of my mind—how long could we survive the scrutiny of those who didn’t believe in us?
As we walked towards the car, I felt Felix’s fingers interlaced with mine, a comforting warmth that made me believe, even for a moment, that everything would be okay.
AIDEN’S POV
I sat at the bar nursing my drink, the amber liquid swirling in the glass, mirroring the turmoil inside me. Jenna had broken up with me, and I couldn't shake off the weight of that reality. I thought about how everything had spiraled out of control—the lies, the betrayal, and now, the loss of her.
Just then, Daniel, one of my friends from college, approached me, his expression a mix of concern and confusion. “Hey, man, you look like you’ve seen better days,” he said, taking the seat next to mine. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing I can’t handle,” I replied, attempting to sound nonchalant, but my voice lacked its usual bravado.
“C'mon, Aiden. We both know that’s a lie,” he said, motioning for the bartender. “Another round, please.” He turned back to me, a serious look crossing his face. “Is this about Jenna? I saw her with Felix at that event.”
I let out a frustrated sigh, my fingers gripping the glass tightly. “Yeah, it’s about Jenna. She’s with him now. I messed up, Daniel. I didn’t think she would actually walk away from me.”
“Did you think she would just take it? You cheated on her, man,” Daniel pointed out, his tone firm. “You can’t expect her to stick around after that.”
“I know, I know!” I snapped; a surge of anger mixed with regret. “I just thought... I thought we could work through it. But now she’s with him, and I can't do anything about it.”
Daniel raised an eyebrow. “You seriously think she’s with Felix? After everything? I mean, sure, they looked cozy, but it doesn’t mean she’s over you.”
“I saw them together,” I muttered, bitterness creeping into my voice. “They were happy, and I’m here drowning in my mistakes.”
“Look, man, what’s the deal between you and Clara?” he asked, genuinely curious.
I let out a short laugh, a bitter sound that echoed in the dimly lit bar. “Clara? She’s just... a distraction. I thought she could help me forget everything. But it’s not working. Not even close.”
Daniel frowned. “So, you’re using her to fill the void Jenna left?”
“It’s not like that!” I protested, but the defensiveness in my tone betrayed me. “I mean, maybe it started that way, but it’s complicated. Clara’s great, but she’s not Jenna.”
Daniel leaned back, studying me with an intensity that made me uncomfortable. “Aiden, you have to be honest with yourself. If you’re just trying to fill a gap, it’s not fair to either of them. You need to decide who you really want.”
I ran a hand through my hair, frustration building. “I know who I want, but I messed up with her. I hurt Jenna, and now she’s with Felix. What do I even say to her?”
“Start by admitting your mistakes. It’s a painful process, but if you care about her, it’s worth it,” he advised, his voice steady. “You can’t keep playing games or running away from what you feel.”
I nodded slowly, his words sinking in. “You’re right. I’ve been avoiding the truth, thinking I could just forget about Jenna and move on. But every time I try, it just reminds me of what I lost.”
Daniel took a sip of his drink, eyeing me seriously. “So, what’s your plan?”
“I need to talk to her. I can’t just let her think I don’t care. If she’s with Felix, then I have to let her know how I really feel,” I replied, my resolve strengthening.
“Good. But be prepared for her reaction. She might not be as willing to forgive you as you hope,” he warned.
I swallowed hard, knowing he was right. “I’ll deal with it. I can’t just sit here and let her slip away.”
Daniel nodded. “Then go find her. Don’t wait until it’s too late.”
With a renewed sense of purpose, I pushed my chair back and stood up, my heart racing. I needed to act fast. I grabbed my phone, pulling up Jenna’s number, but hesitated for a moment.
“Just remember, man, if you really want her back, show her that you’re serious,” Daniel said, giving me an encouraging nod.
“Thanks, Daniel. I really appreciate your advice.” I gave him a brief smile before rushing out of the bar and into the cool night air. The streets felt alive around me, but my mind was solely focused on Jenna.
I didn’t know where she would be, but I had to find her. She needed to know that I was ready to fight for us, no matter the odds. I couldn’t let Felix take her away from me without at least trying to win her back.
As I walked, I considered every place we had shared memories—our favorite café, the park where we had our first date, and even the little bookstore where we spent hours lost in each other’s company. I hoped she would be at one of those places, but I knew I had to start somewhere.