CHAPTER NINE

 ❣️STAY WITH ME❣️

The next morning, Cindy awoke with a start. The window blinds were open. She'd forgotten to pull the shutters close as well.

"Well this explains the cold night" she mumbled and turned to the other side of the bed. She was face-to-face with Jason.

He was there, lying on the bed and staring at her with an annoying grin on his face. It looked more like a wicked laugh was being forced back in.

"Jesus! Oh my God!" She almost fell off the bed.

"I'm sorry. I scared you" he smiled, "good morning sunshine", he continued.

"What are you doing in here Jason? What do you want?" She was having none of it, the sweet talking. She got off the bed and walked up and down the room, searching for nothing in particular.

Today's your interview and we didn't set an alarm last night. So I thought I should wake you up in case you weren't up yet. You don't wanna be late for your interview", he began to make the bed.

"Why do you care" she mumbled, then said out loud "I'm awake now. Thanks. Now you can leave" she walked to the door, opened it, and stood aside, showing him the way out.

"Come on Crystal... Is it going to be this way? 

"Don't pretend like nothing happened last night, Jason. You hurt me!" She slammed the door shut when he didn't move.

"I'm sorry" he walked up to her. "I'm sorry, call me a jerk for doing what I did last night. I wish I can find the right words to apologize"

He held her shoulders and when she didn't move away from his hands, he took it as a cue. He drew her slowly and closer into his arms, wrapped her in a hug, and squeezed her tight.

She could hear him releasing a breath she figured he'd been holding in for a long time due to the tension in the bedroom.

"You're going to crack my spine", she managed to say before he pressed her head and forced her to place it on his chest. A relieving smile was on his lips and hers too.

He'd missed her. The previous night had been the worst of all. He kept cursing himself, his heart... His brain too.

Oh and his mouth too! 

"I never want to hurt you or see you hurt. How can I make it up to you?"

"By helping me prepare for my interview" she mumbled and smiled.

Freeing herself from his hold, she pecked his cheek. She didn't want to talk to him. She had resolved not to, for the entire day. 

But Jason was so charming. Staying mad at him for up to a minute was impossible. Some people are just irresistible and Jason, unfortunately, was one of them.

She had come to terms with what he'd said the night before.

"You're right about one thing though," she said and walked to the closet.

"About what?" He asked

"We shouldn't risk our friendship. I mean, we're fine the way we are. Right?"

She longed for him to say 'no'. They stood quiet for seconds and Jason replied 'yes'.

"Yes. Yes we're fine the way we are".

Her heart fell.

'Perhaps she doesn't want it' Jason thought. He hadn't expected Crystal to say what she said. He was just a second from saying they would talk about 'them' when she was back.

Well, things fall apart when we least expect them. He cursed himself some more. 

"Come on, run along now. Off to the bathroom, you go" he gently pushed her towards the bathroom door and patted her bum as she scurried off.

"Don't do that again" she yelled and slammed the door.

It was a few minutes to eight. She had to do her makeup, style her hair and practice some important questions and answers with Jason.

Her interview was scheduled for noon. She had to be there, at least, thirty minutes before the scheduled time.

Ten minutes later, she was out of the shower. She had a towel tied to her chest and another wrapped around her head, her hair properly tucked in.

She looked around the room and noticed a slightly satisfying difference. The bed had been made and everything was in order. But...