Estrella's threat worked like a charm. She shot up in bed, blurting out, "Alright, alright, I'll write it! Or better yet, you write, and I'll just sign."
Jason, amused but slightly on edge, quickly jotted down a promise note and handed it over to her for her signature.
This whole routine was something Estrella had outgrown years ago, but Jason still clung to it, cherishing it as a quirky part of their relationship.
As she took the note from him, Estrella looked at Jason like he was the biggest fool. "Seriously? You're thirty and still playing these games?" she muttered, though she signed the note anyway.
Handing the signed note back, she couldn't resist a dig at his immaturity.
Jason grinned, taking the note and boasting, "This is all proof that you love me."
Estrella just rolled her eyes and turned over to continue her sleep, while Jason snuggled up next to her, wrapping her in his arms.
The next morning, Estrella woke up to find that Isaac had already left to hang out with Autumn, as was his usual routine of not disturbing her early in the morning.
With her arm draped over her eyes, Estrella felt the unmistakable signs of a cold coming on.
Resigned, she stayed in bed, and when Jason leaned in close, she pushed him away, "Stay back, I've caught a cold."
Jason's expression tightened with concern and irony. He was the one who had been out in the cold, yet Estrella was the one who got sick.
"Looks like fate's on my side. Stay away from other guys, and don't talk to them," Jason half-joked, getting a swift kick from Estrella in response.
Unfazed, Jason advised, "Well, if you're sick, take a couple of days off to rest."
But Estrella, swamped with work, had no intention of resting. After taking some medicine, she got ready and headed to the office, asking Autumn to keep an eye on Isaac and maybe give him some preventive meds.
By noon, as Estrella was deep in work, Alex waltzed in, whistling, "Ms. Estrella, time for lunch."
Feeling under the weather, Estrella brushed him off, "Not feeling well, keep your distance."
Alex's concern only grew upon hearing this, offering to take her to the hospital, completely ignoring the social media update Estrella had posted the night before.
Estrella, of course, declined his offer, suggesting he find somewhere else to hang out. But Alex soon returned with a collection of medicines for her.
“Let’s see if you dare to mess with my girl now! How do you like that discomfort?” he thought gleefully.
Observing Cole’s delight only sunk Jason deeper into gloom.
Without saying a word, he had Drew arrange a meeting with Alex’s dad, Juan.
By evening, after having "tea" with Juan, Jason went to pick up Estrella from her law firm.
Alex, shameless as ever, was still trailing behind her. Estrella remarked, “You really don’t get it, do you? If my man decided to deal with you, you wouldn’t stand a chance.”
Alex responded with a smug smile, “Ms. Estrella, you can't fool me. If Jason were really your man, he wouldn’t have let me stick around this long.”
After a few days of observation, Alex was almost certain there was nothing between her and Jason—it must be Drew she was involved with.
Just as Alex was basking in his arrogance, a deep voice suddenly came from the side, “Oh! Is that so? It seems I've been too lenient with you until now.”

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