Chapter 197: The Past [3]

I told myself I’d never think of that dark-blonde-haired stranger, and what happened that night was considered an unmentionable mistake, but I was basically lying to myself.

I saw him in my dreams.

That was the moment I realized that day had scarred me in a way I couldn’t explain, aside from the danger vibes I think I was getting fixated on a man I didn’t even know.

It seemed like I left pieces of my brain cells behind the scene because I was obviously losing my mind, mentally imprisoned by those memories.

I took the fresh cupcakes out of the oven, placed the large pan on the island, and then removed my mitts. I stared at the cookies, cupcakes, and velvet cake.

I had been stress-baking.

There wasn’t a new recipe I hadn’t tried because I was trying to get my mind off that stranger. My ballet classes didn’t help either.

Maybe I should come clean and tell my sister what happened. However, the moment the thought formed, I considered it a bad idea.

It wasn’t like I wanna keep it a secret. My sister and I had literally shared everything, and there was nothing hidden, but this felt like something I wanted to keep to myself.

Something forbidden that should be locked away.

Hearing footsteps, I glanced toward Jacob walking into the kitchen, and my face lit up instantly. I grew nervous when I caught him shirtless and beaded in sweat. The sight of his lean muscles got my throat dry.

He must be working out again.

Why think about that mystery man when there was a not-so-mystery man in my life? Well, if only he knew I had feelings for him. I haven’t quite gone into that yet.

Annabeth has urged me so many times to tell him, but I never found the courage to.

I guess I was scared he was gonna reject me, and I don’t deal with that kind of stuff well. I recalled fifth grade when I’d cry over the smallest rejection and hide beneath my blanket afterward, convinced that the world had somehow ended.

I rubbed my hands together, thinking of what to say as he headed toward the fridge for a bottle of water. It wasn’t like we hadn’t seen each other yesterday or the day before.

"Hey!" I chirped too loudly, and I almost slapped myself on the face.

"Hey..." He smiled.

I blushed and quickly asked. "C-Cupcake? Fresh out of the oven!"

He finished the water in one gulp and sighed as though in relief. "I think you should let it cool down first."

"R-Right! Sorry, I’m just..." I couldn’t find the right words to describe how I feel right now.

"At this rate, with all the pastries you keep making, you’re gonna make me fat."

"Hey!" I lightly pushed against his chest, and he laughed. "You love my pastries, don’t you? So don’t be mean about it."

"I don’t doubt that..." His eyes swept the kitchen, and my smile faltered. "Where’s Annabeth? Isn’t she here with you?"

He couldn’t stay in the same room as me for long without asking that question. It was always such a mood killer.

"Why? Getting bored with me already?" There was a slight bitterness in my tone, but he didn’t even notice that.

He chuckled nervously. "What are you saying? I’m never bored with you."

I smiled, holding onto that.

"I just wanna make sure she’s okay... you know."

But you’re my bodyguard, not hers.

I cleared my throat. "I don’t know where she is... the moment I got out of bed, I just came right here. It’s amazing how much you can accomplish in hours of relentless baking."

He narrowed his eyes at my words, sensing something was wrong. "You alright? It seems like something’s been on your mind."

"W-What?"

"Just that you have been tense this last week. Look, I get I was mad when I found you guys at the club, but I’m not anymore."

If only that was the reason I was so... out of it.

"Yeah, I know."

"Ana—"

"Hey guys!" Annabeth walked in.

"Where have you been?" Jacob asked, his attention fully centered on her.

How wouldn’t he be? She was in those tiny pajama shorts and camisole, leaving almost nothing to the imagination.

"With Father?" She replied, sitting as she tucked her hair behind her ear.

"Father’s back?" I asked, blinking.

"Yeah, just last night, but he’d be leaving soon for another business trip."

Figures. He never stayed too long before traveling for yet another business trip that sometimes took weeks or months. I think the last time I saw him was two months ago or something.

"I gotta get back to work," Jacob announced.

"You mean your workout work?" Annabeth teased. "Careful here... you might pop some veins if you keep that up."

She took a cookie and licked her finger, her silver nails glittering under the light.

"Care to give me some pointers?"

"I’m lifting weights that weigh more than me. No thanks."

He shrugged. "Just asking..."

I narrowed my eyes at him when he walked to the door, but not without looking at Annabeth’s backside.

What was that about?

I knew Jacob had always found Annabeth attractive, just like every other guy I knew in my life. She caught anyone’s eye, but that exchange there... I don’t know, felt... different?

Or maybe I was just imagining things. Yeah, that was the perfect explanation because Annabeth had mentioned that Jacob wasn’t her type.

"When are you gonna tell him?"

I blinked at Annabeth’s question the moment Jacob left.

"What?" I acted dumbfounded.

"Come on, Ana, you know what I mean... Don’t play dumb with me."

"Dumb?" I grabbed the dirty dishes and dropped them in the sink.

"Really? Come on, tell me. Pleaseeeee."

"Look!" I turned to her and held the edge of the sink. "I don’t know if I should."

"Why?"

I swallowed a thick lump down my throat. "Because I think Jacob likes someone else."

I think he likes you.

Annabeth huffed. "I don’t think that’s true. Jacob obviously doesn’t know your true feelings, so he can’t act on them. You gotta give him the hint, you know."

I wasn’t sure there was any feeling to act on. I have always had a huge crush on Jacob, but recently it was starting to feel like mixed signals. He was sweet, you know, but it doesn’t seem enough for someone who liked me.

He doesn’t treat me the same way he did Annabeth. The moment she walked into a room, she had his attention without even trying. His eyes always seemed to find her.

I wished I had someone who looked at me like that.

"Ana?"

I darted my eyes to Annabeth, who stared at me in worry. I was spacing out again.

"How about this?" she began lightly. "Why don’t you confess your love for him on our birthday?"

Our birthday was in a few days!

"I-I don’t think that’s..."

"I’m sure Jacob has feelings for you."

"Anna—"

"I’m serious and don’t argue with me on this."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair.

"I mean, have you seen the way he looks at you? He does love you, and if you keep being reserved about it, you’re gonna lose him."

She was right. I was probably getting all these mixed signals out of fear of rejection. I need to find a way to get past that.

"You got this, trust me."

Annabeth’s words brought me hope. She always had a way of giving me the courage I needed, and she has always been supportive of my feelings for Jacob.

"How about some good news to cheer you up?"

"Oh, yes, please!" I sat next to her.

Annabeth practically beamed. "So I talked with Father. I found the perfect match for me."

"Oh..." I murmured. "Match as in..."

"Yes, silly!"

"So you wanna get married?"

"You don’t want me to?" She tilted her head.

I shrugged. "I mean, don’t you think it’s too early? You know, the only reason father would be eager to discuss this with you is that he can’t wait to marry you off."

"I know, but it’d be on my terms. I’ll marry whoever I want, as long as he brings enough to the table to benefit the family."

I rolled my eyes. "And here I thought Father was the only one looking out for the family."

"I’m the firstborn daughter. The one who has to represent and smile at the cameras, and even attend business meetings."

Exhausting. But that was Annabeth for you... she always made sure she was perfect, and Father expected so much from her.

I knew marriage was gonna be discussed sooner or later, but I never thought this early. At least she was happy and gave her terms, which Father agreed to.

I guess in some way she wasn’t marrying a stranger.

"Good to know that our father does see value in us. But I bet he wished we were sons."

"Ana," Annabeth said softly and placed her hand on mine. "I think you should understand father just a little bit."

I wish I could.

"So tell me, who did you choose to marry?" I changed the topic.

She giggled. "It’s a secret."

"Come on, Annabeth, tell me!"

"It has to remain a secret because Father hasn’t made the arrangement yet."

"Just give me a hint then..." I urged sweetly, and she couldn’t resist her cute baby sister.

She pinched my cheeks. "Someone very, very important and the perfect match for me. My soulmate."