“Okay, I can do that. Just don’t shut me out completely,” he replied, his expression softening.
I was about to speak when suddenly someone spoke up, and when I looked, it was Felix with his arm draped over my shoulder. “Is he bothering you?” he said, looking at Aiden, who was glaring sharply at Felix.
These two guys are both messing with my head.
Felix’s sudden appearance disrupted the fragile moment I had with Aiden. The protective way he leaned into me made my heart race, but it also stirred something uncomfortable. I could feel Aiden’s tension rise as he clenched his jaw, and it only added to the chaos swirling in my mind.
“No, Felix, it’s fine,” I said quickly, trying to diffuse the tension. “We were just discussing the project.”
Felix raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. “Really? It looked more like an argument to me.” His grip on my shoulder tightened, and I could sense he was ready to defend me against Aiden.
Aiden took a step back, his expression hardening. “It’s not an argument, Felix. We were just talking. You can let her go now.”
The challenge in Aiden's voice made the air thick with tension. I wanted to scream at both of them to just stop and let me breathe for a second. “Guys, please,” I interjected, feeling like a referee in a bizarre competition. “This isn’t helping anyone.”
Felix looked at me, his gaze softening. “Are you sure you’re, okay? I don’t like the way he looks at you.”
“I’m fine,” I insisted, though inside, I felt anything but fine. The truth was, I didn’t know how I felt about either of them, and their constant bickering wasn’t making it any clearer.
Aiden stepped forward; his voice low but firm. “Jenna deserves to make her own choices, Felix. If she wants to talk to me, that’s her decision, not yours.”
Felix’s face darkened. “And you think she can trust you? After everything?”
I felt a pang of frustration. “Can we not do this right now?” I pleaded, my heart racing. “I don’t want to choose sides.”
Aiden softened his tone, looking at me with a mix of regret and determination. “I’m just trying to fix things between us. You know that, right?”
Felix’s grip on my shoulder loosened slightly, but I could tell he wasn’t ready to back down. “And I’m just trying to make sure she’s safe. You can’t expect her to just forget what happened.”
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my emotions. “I appreciate both of you caring about me, but this isn’t just about protecting me. I need to figure things out on my own.”
The tension hung thick in the air, and both guys seemed to be processing what I had just said. I felt caught in the middle, and the weight of their expectations pressed down on me.
Felix glanced at Aiden, then back at me. “Let’s go.”
Aiden remained silent, his eyes searching mine as if he hoped I would choose him. The tension in the air felt suffocating, and I could sense the weight of the moment hanging over us. Part of me wanted to reach out to Aiden, to tell him that I still cared, but the hurt he caused lingered like a shadow.
I glanced at Felix, who was waiting patiently, concern etched on his face. The warmth of his presence was comforting, a stark contrast to the turmoil within me. I nodded, trying to shake off the confusion swirling in my mind.
“Okay,” I finally replied, feeling a mix of guilt and relief as I turned away from Aiden. I could see the disappointment in his eyes, and it hurt more than I expected. But I couldn’t ignore what had happened between us, the betrayal that had left a mark on my heart.
As we walked away, Felix slipped his hand into mine, offering a sense of reassurance. “You okay?” he asked softly, glancing at me with genuine concern.
I forced a smile, even though my heart felt heavy. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just… trying to figure things out.”
Felix squeezed my hand gently. “You don’t have to rush it. I’m here for you, Jenna. Whatever you need.”
I appreciated his support, but the ache in my chest remained. I could still feel Aiden’s gaze on me as we walked away, a reminder of the complicated emotions I was wrestling with. Did I really want to close the door on what we had?
We reached the car, and as Felix opened the door for me, I took a moment to breathe deeply. “Thanks, Felix,” I said as I slid into the passenger seat. “I know you’re just trying to help.”
He smiled, and for a moment, I felt a flicker of happiness. “Always. I care about you, Jenna. You’re important to me.”
I nodded, appreciating his words, but the thoughts of Aiden still swirled in my mind. The memories of our time together were hard to shake off, even if they were tainted by pain. As Felix started the engine, I glanced back at the office, catching a glimpse of Aiden standing alone, looking smaller than I remembered.
“Let’s go grab something to eat,” Felix suggested, pulling me from my thoughts. “My treat.”
“Sounds good,” I replied, trying to focus on the present. Maybe a distraction would help clear my mind, at least for a little while.
As we drove through the bustling streets, I attempted to engage in casual conversation with Felix, but my thoughts kept drifting back to Aiden. The way he had looked at me, that mix of hope and hurt, lingered in my mind like a bittersweet memory.
What if I made the wrong choice? What if walking away from Aiden meant losing the chance to reconcile? But then again, could I really trust him after everything?
“Jenna?” Felix’s voice broke through my thoughts, and I turned to see him looking at me with concern.
“Sorry, I was just thinking,” I admitted.
He smiled softly, his eyes reflecting understanding. “About Aiden, huh?”
I sighed, feeling exposed. “I can’t avoid that. Aiden is still my boyfriend.”
“Ex,” he corrected me, his tone sharp but tinged with an edge of hurt.
The correction hung in the air, making me falter. I hadn’t fully acknowledged our breakup, and hearing it stated so plainly felt like a slap in the face. “Right,” I mumbled, avoiding his gaze.
“You’re making it too clear that I have no chance with you,” he said coldly, a hint of frustration in his voice.
I looked up at him, surprised. “That’s not what I meant. I didn’t say you don’t have a chance.”
“Then what do you mean?” he pressed, his brows furrowing. “It feels like you’re still holding onto him. And I get it; it’s complicated. But I’m here, Jenna. I care about you.”
His words tugged at something deep inside me, a mixture of guilt and affection. I could see the sincerity in his eyes, but the memories of Aiden loomed large in my mind. “I know you care, Felix. But it’s hard for me to let go of everything with Aiden. We had a lot of history together.”
“History doesn’t mean you have to stay stuck in the past,” Felix replied, his tone softening. “You deserve to be happy, Jenna. And if Aiden hurt you—”
“I’m not saying I’m giving up on Aiden,” I interrupted, my voice rising a notch. “But I can’t just jump into something with you either. It feels wrong, like I’m betraying him.”
Felix took a deep breath, his frustration visible. “You have to think about what you want. Not what you think you should want. You’re not betraying him by trying to find happiness for yourself.”
I felt my heart racing as I processed his words. He was right, yet the pull I felt toward Aiden was still strong. “I just don’t want to hurt anyone more than I already have,” I admitted, my voice quieter now.
Felix’s expression softened, and he moved closer. “Jenna, you’re not responsible for Aiden’s feelings. You need to put yourself first for once. You’ve been through so much.”
“He betrayed you; he let you go. Can’t you see that? He’s manipulating you to come back to him. If he truly loved you, you wouldn’t be in this situation,” he said, the intensity of his voice sending a shiver down my spine.
His words cut through the fog of my confusion, making me question everything I thought I knew about Aiden and our relationship. Was I really letting him manipulate me? The thought lingered in my mind, gnawing at my resolve. Was Felix really serious about me?
Before I could respond, Felix stood up, his demeanor shifting as he spoke firmly. “Just follow me to the car,” he said, walking toward the exit of the restaurant without waiting for my answer.
I hesitated for a moment, taken aback by the sudden shift in his tone. Was he jealous? Was he angry? The thought fluttered through my mind, but I quickly dismissed it. I didn’t want to read too much into his behavior, especially not when I was still grappling with my own feelings.
With a deep breath, I gathered my things and followed him outside. The evening air was cool, a stark contrast to the whirlwind of emotions I felt inside. As we walked to his car, I couldn’t shake off the feeling that something had shifted between us.