Act Like You Love Me (Jessica) novel Chapter 103

Chapter 103

Jessica’s POV

80%

55 vouchers

I glanced at the clock on my computer screen for what felt like the hundredth time: 5:45 PM. The digital numbers seemed to mock me.

It had been forty-eight hours since Aaron had last set foot in the office-forty-eight hours of dodging curiosity from the staff, burying myself in emails, and watching the door like a prophet from heaven was about to walk through it.

In that time, I’d become a ghost hunter. I spent my lunch breaks and late nights hunched over my laptop, the blue light stinging my tired eyes as I ransacked the internet for any trace of Fiona’s current life.

I searched for fashion scandals, old paparazzi shots, lawsuits-any digital breadcrumb that would prove she still existed.

Nothing. Zilch. It was as if Aaron had reached into the digital world and simply hit “delete.”

Was he really that powerful? I knew the Tyrones were influential but the sheer thoroughness of her disappearance from the public eye was chilling.

To erase someone as loud and vibrant as Fiona required a level of control that made my pulse jump with a mix of awe and

unease.

If he could dissolve her brand and her history into total obscurity, what else was he capable of?

But beyond the power play, I craved one thing: an explicit explanation of what happened that day.

I had the hints: David’s assurances, Aaron’s obliviousness and Fiona’s own weirdly relieved reaction, but I wasn’t convinced.

The uncertainty gnawed at me, a constant itch under my skin. I needed the truth laid bare, no ambiguities, the kind you can only get when you look someone in the eye.

But Fiona was gone, and the answers were locked behind her silence.

I saved the latest draft of his LA schedule-charity galas and sponsor meetings that felt a world away from the reality of my life-and shut down the computer.

The sun began to dip behind the Los Angeles skyscrapers, painting my office in long, bruised shadows of purple and gold.

I packed my things on autopilot, each movement methodical: my laptop slid into its bag, my notepad followed, and the half-eaten granola bar from lunch-now as dry as my patience was tossed into the trash.

The usual office hum had died down to a low, distant murmur as the evening shift took over.

Slinging my bag over my shoulder, I stepped out and locked the loor. The metallic click of the bolt echoed down the long, empty hallway, sounding lonely and final.

I turned toward the elevators, my head still down as I adjusted my strap, and nearly walked straight into a wall of solid chest and expensive, fresh scent cologne.

“Yo! I was just coming over,” Seth chirped, flashing a grin that usually would have been infectious.

“Hi, Seth,’ I said, offering a weak smile that felt like it was slipping off my face.

Seth’s expression shifted instantly. The mischief in his eyes softened into genuine concern, his head tilting as he studied me.

“You look gloomy, Jess. Like someone kicked your puppy.”

1/4

111

09:39 Mon, Jan 26 C B B.

Chapter 103

I let out a dry laugh and shook my head, shifting the strap of my bag.

“It’s been a long day, Seth. And with the boss not-”

80%

55 vouchers

“Ahat I knew it.” His eyes flared with that familiar, playful glow. He stepped closer, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial note.

“You’re missing the boss. I knew something happened back in Madrid. Come on, Jess, you can talk to me. I don’t kiss and

tell

I shook my head, keeping my tone light to deflect.

“Something is seriously wrong with you. Seth,” I grumbled playfully.

“I was going to say that-with the boss gone, my work load has doubled. I’ve had to represent him in every meetings today and reschedule half the city for the stuff that requires his actual presence. I’m just drained, Seth. My brain is fried, it’s not a romantic thing

I explained while glaring at him half-heartedly, hoping to steer away from any Madrid slip-ups.

Seth’s lips formed a perfect ‘O’ of mock realization, and he laughed, the sound echoing in the nearly empty hallway.

“Well, that’s your story and you’re sticking to it. Doesn’t change the fact that I think there’s something brewing.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but he was quicker.

“Anyway, dinner?” he asked casually. Before I could reflexively decline, he held up his hands in a ‘peace’ sign.

“It’s not a date, Jess. Scout’s honor. Just a friendly dinner between two overworked colleagues. I’m starving, and you look like you need to remember what solid food tastes like.”

I sighed, the tension in my shoulders finally breaking.

Aunt Lydia and Adrian were probably out on their routine evening walk, and the thought of sitting in my quiet apartment with nothing but my spiraling thoughts was unbearable.

Seth was good company-safe, funny, and blissfully unaware of the drama in my life.

“Sure,” I said, giving in with a smile. “Friendly dinner sounds perfect.”

We ended up at a cozy diner a few blocks away; a retro spot with red vinyl booths, checkered floors, and a jukebox crooning oldies in the corner.

The air smelled of greasy fries and fresh coffee, the kind of place that offered peace after a rough day.

Seth chattered all the way to the diner and through the first half of our meal, a natural conversation-driver with an inexhaustible supply of energy.

He dived into the latest election drama with surprisingly insight before pivoting seamlessly to basketball stats.

He started drawing parallels between the league’s newest trades and Aaron’s firm, making me smile inwardly at how even my friends couldn’t help but center their world around the Tyrone orbit.

When the music changed over the diner’s speakers, he launched into a story about a concert he’d snuck into last weekend, mimicking the lead singer’s dramatic stage-dive until I was laughing so hard my sides actually hurt.

Then, the tone softened as he talked about his Eastern Asian rogs, blending tales of his grandmother’s rigid traditions with the chaotic, melting-pot vibe of LA.

He was a genuinely great guy-engaging without being suffocating, making me feel heard even though I was barely holding

2/4

09:39 Mon, Jan 26 GB B

Chapter 103

up my end of the dialogue.

80%

55 vouchers

I contributed where I could, nodding and throwing out question but mostly I just sat back, picking at my fries, and let his energy fill the silence I’d been drowning in for two days.

Afterward, he drove me back to my apartment.

The car ride was filled with the low hum of the radio and his lighthearted commentary on the terrible LA traffic.

When he pulled up to my curb, I turned to him, feeling a genuine sense of gratitude.

Thank you, Seth. Really. I needed the break.”

He grinned. “Anytime, Jess. If you keep thanking me like this, I might start charging.”

We both laughed, a light, easy sound that felt like the first normal thing I’d done in weeks.

We wished each other goodnight, and I watched him pull away before I turned toward the building.

The walk up the stairs felt longer than usual. My legs were heavy with fatigue.

When I reached our door, I fumbled for my keys but decided to just ring the bell, figuring Aunt Lydia or Adrian would be back by now.

The door whisked open almost immediately, but it wasn’t my aunt. It was Ella, our neighbor, standing there in an apron dusted with flour, a wooden spoon in hand.

Her curly hair was tied back, and she flashed me a warm smile

“Ella?” I blinked, my initial shock melting into a confused smile. What are you doing here?”

“Hello to you too, Jess,” Ella teased, stepping back to let me in.

I stepped inside, the aroma of simmering tomato sauce and garlic hitting me.

“I’m sorry, hi. I just wasn’t expecting… dinner to be a community project.”

Ella’s smile faltered slightly, her expression turning soft and a bit guarded.

“I’m sorry for invading your kitchen, Jess, but Adrian came over to my place about an hour ago. He said his grand-aunt wasn’t feeling too well, so I figured I’d come over and help you guys put something together.

The air left my lungs in a cold rush.

“Aunt? What happened to her?” I dropped my bag on the threshold, kicking off my shoes in a hurry, already making my way inside toward her room.

The ‘gloomy’ mood from earlier was replaced by panic.

“She’s sleeping now! Ella said, reaching out to catch my arm before I could bolt.

“You better not wake her. She’s been restless all day, Jess. Complaining of dizziness and that pain in her side. She only just fell asleep a few minutes ago”

I didn’t listen. I pushed past her and hurried into Aunt Lydia’s all bedroom

The room was dim, ht only by the streetlamps outside the windy. She was tucked under the quilt, her breathing shallow

and uneven.

3/4

111

O

09:39 Mon, Jan 26 G BB

Chapter 103

80%

55 vouchers

Even in sleep, her face looked perturbed-her brow furrowed as if she were arguing with someone in her dreams.

She looked so much smaller than she had two days ago. So much more fragile.

“Why didn’t anyone call me?” I whispered, my voice cracking.

Ella had followed me to the doorway, leaning against the frame with a heavy sigh.

“I insisted, Jess. I really did. But she wouldn’t let me. She kept saying you were busy with work, and that she didn’t want to disturb you over a little ‘spell.’ She’s stubborn.”

I exhaled, a sob catching in my throat as I slammed my palm against my forehead.

“Aunt,” I groaned under my breath. “You’re supposed to tell me.”

I sat at the edge of the bed, careful not to jostle the mattress, and took her hand. It felt thin and papery, the skin cool to the touch.

The guilt I felt pressed down on my chest until it was hard to breathe.

While I was out having “friendly dinners” and worrying about Aaron’s ex-girlfriend, Aunt Lydia was here, suffering in silence so she wouldn’t “disturb” me.

“I’ll go finish dinner,” Ella whispered from the door. “Adrian is in the kitchen by himself, and I don’t want the fire department coming over tonight.”

I barely heard her. My entire world had narrowed down to the woman in the bed.

A single tear escaped, hot and stinging, and rolled down my cheek to land on our joined hands.

“It’s just a matter of time, Aunt,” I whispered into the quiet room. “Once I get my paycheck this week-once I get the bonus Aaron promised for the trip-we’re going for that surgery. I dont care what I have to do. I’m not losing you.”

4/4

曲