Chapter 320
Cece watched Jackson’s retreating figure, feeling an irresistible urge to follow.
Before she could take a step, Victor appeared before her, blocking her path. “Cece,” he said in a timely manner, let me escort you back to your room.”
“You-” Cece bit her lip, her resistance clear on her face. She thought, ‘What is the relationship between that girl and Jackson?‘ For reasons unknown to her, she felt an intense dislike for the girl. A very strong dislike!
Meanwhile, Oneida had returned to her own room. She walked aimlessly to the edge of her bed and sat down, her heart heavy with a mixture of emotions. Although Jackson had made it clear that she shouldn’t think too much, the sight of the girl stirred uncontrollable complexity and aversion within her. An instinctive dislike. So strong was her aversion that she wished never to lay eyes on her again.
Just then, the door was thrown open with force. Instinctively, Oneida’s eyes lifted to see who it was. There stood Jackson in the doorway, his eyes dark and intense as he fixed his gaze upon her.
“What are you doing here?” Oneida asked calmly, her mind feeling oddly numb, “Aren’t you going to entertain your friend?” Jackson was silent for a moment. Then, he strode over with long steps. “Someone else will entertain her, he answered. In an instant Jackson was standing in front of Oneida, towering over her. His deep eyes swirled with complex emotions.
Oneida thought he was about to speak. But after a few seconds, Jackson remained silent, his lips pressed into a thin line. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he let out a soft sigh. His features relaxed, revealing a gentleness that had never been seen before. “Are you upset?” he asked softly, the warmth in his voice impossible to ignore. The sound of his voice was like a feather on Oneida’s ear, causing it to tingle.
“No…” Oneida murmured, barely getting the word out.
“Really not upset?” Jackson asked, clearly skeptical as he sat beside her. “You always hide your true feelings,” he said with a slight chuckle. As he spoke, he wrapped an arm around Oneida’s shoulders, his voice dripping with barely contained affection.
At his words, Oneida’s heart skipped erratically. Jackson’s long, cool fingers rested on the nape of her neck, sending a thrill of warmth through her.
“Ida…” Suddenly, Jackson leaned in closer, his breath tickling against her ear. Oneida instinctively clenched her fingers, a warm blush spreading across her ears. “I really like you,” Jackson confessed into her ear. At this moment, he was no longer the aloof, noble figure he was made out to be. He was just a boy, plainly expressing his affection. “More than just like,” Jackson murmured, his voice low and intoxicating as he relocked his intense gaze onto her, “I love you.”
These three words made Oneida’s heart quiver—it was the first time Jackson had said them to her.
“So, I am yours alone,” Jackson declared, pulling Oneida even closer so that she was fully enveloped in his embrace. She could smell his scent–a crisp, cool fragrance that was undeniably him.
“But that girl…” Oneida’s lips moved almost unconsciously.
“You are concerned after all,” Jackson chuckled lightly, a knowing look on his handsome face, “even though you wouldn’t
admit it.”
Jackson,” Oneida exclaimed, somewhat angrily and embarrassed at her thoughts being so easily read, “you better explain yourself clearly to me!”
