He finally sent a bunch of texts, begging her to
come back, but she wasn’t answering.
He felt like he was going crazy.
Jake closed his eyes and saw Ashley, huddled
on the roof, crying.
His heart started to ache.
He took another big gulp of his drink.
<
Someone touched his shoulder. Mark put his
arm around him, and looked at him.
“What’s the deal? The bartender told me you’ve
been here every night. Sarah asked why you’re
not answering her texts?”
Jake paused for a second, pushed Mark’s arm
away, and poured him a glass of whiskey.
“I’m fine. I’ll call Sarah later.”
Mark nodded, took a sip of his drink, and
looked at Jake.
He was acting really strange.
Jake looked back at him, then hesitated for a
second before saying quietly. “Have you seen Ashley?”
“Who? Ashley?”
Mark looked even more confused. Jake rarely
mentioned her, he figured Jake had already forgotten her.
“Ashley is gone. I haven’t been able to find her for a week.”
Mark chuckled. “Why bother looking?”
“She’s playing games, trying to get us to feel
sorry for her, and then, she’ll show up.”
<
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“She’s like that. She plays those games to get
what she wants.”
Jake didn’t say anything. He just kept drinking.
He’d thought the same thing, but now, it had
been too long.
Mark was starting to get worried.
He thought Jake had stopped caring about
Ashley, and that’s why he was fine with saying
all that stuff in front of her.
Now, he seemed like he was worried.
So what was going on with Sarah? She really liked Jake. He had to do something about that. He finished his drink and got up. “I’m just here to remind you, Sarah’s birthday is tomorrow.” “I know,” Jake said. Mark nodded, and left. He threw in a quick, “Maybe take it easy
tonight, and show up early tomorrow,” before he walked away.
Jake ignored him.
Later that night, Jake stumbled out of the bar,
and went home alone.
He kicked off his shoes and collapsed on the
couch.
<
He yelled, “Ashley, Ashley!”
Nobody answered. The mansion was silent.
Ashley wasn’t coming back.
He staggered to the kitchen.
Before, when he’d drank too much, Ashley
would always have a cup of warm honey water
waiting for him.
There would always be some soup on the stove
for him.
But now, the kitchen was a mess.
Dirty cups were piled in the sink, smelling awful.
Jake went to the medicine cabinet.
All the pills were in their place, except for his
antacids.
Jake felt a sharp pain.
Ashley, you’re such a pain, acting like this…
- 11.
The next day was Sarah’s birthday party. It was
just as fancy as last year.
The guests showed up early, giving her gifts
and well wishes.
Jake was the last to arrive.
He’d showered, but you could still smell the
く
booze, his face was a mess. He just looked sad.
Sarah hesitated for a moment, then greeted
him, holding onto his arm.
“Jake, you finally made it. I was waiting for
you.”
Jake forced a smile. “Sorry, Sarah, been busy. I
forgot your gift.”
Sarah’s lip started to tremble, her eyes got
watery.
Jake patted her back. “Don’t cry. I’m sorry. After the party, we can go get you something.” Sarah stopped crying, and looked at Jake like
she had a secret, with a longing look.
The party began, everyone talked and laughed.
Sarah was surrounded by a crowd, looking
happy.
Mark raised his glass at her, then poked Jake,
“Hey, let’s say happy birthday to Sarah.”
Jake nodded. He grabbed his glass, and looked
at Sarah. “Happy birthday, Sarah.”
Mark nudged Sarah, winking at her,
“Sarah, what do you want for your birthday?
Jake will give you anything!”
<
Sarail UUKEU UUWit, aulily like SITE was sity.
“Jake, you know what I’ve always wanted, you
know…”
Mark and Sarah had planned this. She’d tell
Jake she liked him during the birthday party.
They knew that Jake wouldn’t say “no” in front
of everyone.
But before Sarah could finish, Jake cut her off.
“Sarah, I see you like a sister. My girlfriend is
Ashley.”
His voice was soft, but the nearby guests heard
him. Sarah was totally embarrassed.
Her eyes welled up with tears, and she looked
at Jake like she couldn’t believe her ears.
“But…Ashley’s gone.”
sn’t. She’s just mad. When she feels
ne will come back!” Jake said without
ation.
The party instantly became awkward.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith looked at Jake, not happy,
but they had to stay civil.
“Jake, the arrangement between families, has
always been with you and Sarah.”
“After Sarah went missing, we asked Ashley to
<
stand in. But now, Sarah is back. The
engagement should be hers!”
“Besides, what’s so good about that Ashley
girl? She’s so selfish and bratty. She’s not as
good as Sarah.”
- 12.
The Smiths always talked bad about Ashley in
front of Jake, but usually no one cared.
But today, Jake felt like those words were
piercing him.
Ashley had done a lot of mistakes, but this
time, she was the victim.
If they kept picking on her, she might never
come back.
Jake put his glass down, and looked at the
Smiths. He slowly got up.
“What happened, happened. Sarah suffered
before, but Ashley is suffering now.”
“I’m going to make it up to Sarah, and take care of Ashley. And please, don’t say things
about Ashley in front of me.”
Jake was trying to be nice, but he had some fire in his eyes.
<
The Smiths could see that Jake wasn’t just a
future husband, he was the heir to the Jake
family.
Mark didn’t say anything. Mr. and Mrs. Smith
didn’t push any further.
Jake’s actions ruined Sarah’s birthday party.
Everyone kept quiet, but they all left early.
Sarah looked at Jake, so angry, but she was too
scared to say anything.
After the party, Jake took Sarah out shopping,
and bought her tons of expensive gifts.
Sarah didn’t know what to make of Jake, but
she loved the expensive stuff.
The next day, Sarah was bragging to her friends
about all her new things when she got a call to
go to a lab meeting.
She’d stolen Ashley’s research, so she had to
show up at the lab.
“What meeting? Why do they have to call me?”
She whined when she walked through the door.
A cold look met her.
At the head of the table sat a young guy, with a
clear face, dressed in a black suit. He seemed
(
974
<
too young to be so serious.
