Chapter 3 Secret Affection

Secret Affection

{From Foes To Forever}

Chapter 3

°°°°°°°°°

I don't know who's giving Jade the nerve to talk back to you,Tessa,Tori said.Don't let her get under your skin.we need to put her in her place.

Tessa nodded,"I'll take care of it.'

Before Tessa could respond,Angelina replied,Do we need to,thought?I mean,Is it really worth our time?

Tessa's expression darkened,she yelled,"Shut up,Angelina!You're not helping!"

°°°°°°°°

Josephine eyes narrowed,"Beck,what's going on with you?Ever since that argument with Jade,you've been acting weird."

Beck shrugged,avoiding eye contact."I'm fine,Josephine.Just stressed out with school stuff."

Josephine smiled,"School stuff? Or Jade stuff?Be honest,Beck,Are you into her or something."

Beck face flushed,he hesitated before speaking,"Maybe,I don't know,Josephine,she's so....different.I feel like I can relate to her in some way."

Josephine expression softened,"Beck,you can't save everyone.Especially not someone like Jade,who seems determined to push everyone away."

Beck signed,"I know josephine.But there's something about her....I can't explain it.I feel bad for ignoring her all this while."

Just be careful,Okay?Don't get too caught up in trying to rescue her.

Beck nodded.

Airport***

Hardin leaned against the airport wall,his eyes fixed on the arrival gate.when Adrian emerged ,luggage in tow,Hardin raised an eyebrow."Look what the wind blew in."

Adrian grinned,dropping his bag."Hey,Hardin!Miss me?"

Hardin shrugged,"feigning indifference.Maybe,if I remembered you were gone."

"You're such a liar!I know you've been counting the days till my return",He replied.

Hardin scoffed,"Whatever,so how was your holiday!Get some p**sy to f**k?"

Not everyone is like you Hardin,always looking for every means to get under their pants.

He smirked,"c'mon Adrian should I have said no when they threw themselves at me."

Maybe,But i heard things were heating up between you and Jade while I was away.

"Jade? Please",He replied.

Adrian raised an eyebrow."Oh come on! You can't fool me Hardin I know you've been trying to get under her skin since day one.Has she finally thawed out for you?"

Hardin smirked,playing it cool."You know me,Adrian,I don't chase anyone.If they can't keep up I don't f**king care."

Adrian laughed,"okay,keep telling yourself that,I know You're hooked on Jade,and you don't even know it yet."

Adrian expression changed,"Drop it,Adrian."

©©©©

Hardin trusted through his front door,He collapsed onto the couch,exhausted and frustration washing over him.

He closed his eyes,then his phone buzzed with an unexpected message from Tessa.His eyes opened to find a string of flirtatious message,he was tired so he ignored.

Tessa message grew more provocative,inviting him to come over and "relax" with her.Hardin stress had reached a boiling point.He couldn't muster the energy to respond,let alone indulge in Tessa's advances.

He signed and turned off his phone,his mind still occupied with Adrian's teasing words.The last thing he needed was Tessa's drama.

©©©©Next day ©©©©

She brushed her hair and applied a light layer of makeup,her aunt watched her with a side eye.

"Jade,you're so beautiful,just like your mother,I'm happy that you've finally let you self out of your shell",she said.

She smiled,"Her aunt rarely spoke about my parents,and whenever she did,it was always in whispers and fragmented sentences."

Thanks,Aunt Rachel,I said,trying to sound casual.But I wish you'd tell me more about them.What were they like?What happened to them?

Her aunt expression changed again",You'd better hurry up,Jade.You don't want to be late for college."

She signed,"Why did her aunt always shut down when she asked about her parents?

what secret was she hiding from her?"

©©©hardin's house ©©©

Hardin stood before his father's desk,his back pack slung over his shoulder.What's up,Dad?

His father's expression changed,"Hardin we need to talk about your future.I've been patient,but it's time to face reality."

You're going to take over the company one day,and I can't have you pursuing some...frivolous degree I'm science when I have a company waiting for you.

Hardin's eyes narrowed,"It is not frivolous Dad,It's my passion."

His father scoffed,"Passion doesn't pay the bills,Hardin.Business administration will give you the skull to rum this company successfully.I'm switching your major,effective immediately."

You can't do that,I won't let you dictate my life.

His father's face reddened."You'll do as I say,Hardin.I'm your father,and I know what's best for you."

The tension escalated until Hardin's fathers hand cracked across his face,he slapped him,leaving a stinging sensation.

You'll obey me,Hardin.No more arguing.

Hardin's eyes widened,"tears streamed down his eyes,and he stormed out."

He reached his car,he noticed a mysterious letter on the windshield.His heart raced as he opened it,revealing a message.

Hardin eyes scanned the parking lot...but there was no one in sight.

Who could be behind this?

What was his father hiding?

Xoxo💜