Novel Square
Chapter 87
Approaching Estrella’s suite, Jason fished out a key card from his pocket without breaking stride and tapped it against the door sensor. The lock clicked open, and he sauntered inside, hands buried deep in his pockets.
There she was, Estrella, curled up on the bed, hugging a pillow, seemingly oblivious to the world. Jason’s expression darkened, his features growing stormier than the night sky outside.
He hadn’t been back to his place in days, had even brought Serene along for a retreat at the resort, and they’d had a few spats just that evening. Yet there Estrella was, snoozing away as if nothing mattered.
How could she be so indifferent?
Gazing at Estrella in the dimness, it dawned on Jason just how little he mattered to her. Grayson had tried to console Jason earlier, insisting Estrella had feelings for him, that she hadn’t even considered anyone else and had married him straight away. But Jason suspected Estrella just couldn’t be bothered with the hassle and was solely focused ticking off a box to have a child.
Jason moved closer to the bed, eyes locked on the oblivious Estrella for a long moment. Then, with barely a hint of annoyance, he nudged her exposed foot with his own before shooting her a glare and making his way to the bathroom.
Emerging from the bathroom, Jason felt an inexplicable sense of calm wash over him as he stared at the still-sleeping Estrella. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he tousled his hair dry with a towel before stretching out beside her.
Since he entered, he hadn’t flipped on the main lights, just operated by the soft glow of the bedside lamp, as if reluctant to disturb the sleeper.
He turned to watch Estrella for a while, finding the silence of the moment surprisingly comforting. Just as he was about to succumb to sleep, a sharp kick to his lower back. jolted him awake. His face soured, but before he could reach for the lamp, the room. blazed with light.
Estrella’s voice, sharp and annoyed, cut through, “Jason, what the hell is wrong with you? Why did you sneak into my room in the middle of the night? Don’t you have your own. bed?”
The light revealed Jason beside her, and the shock on her face quickly morphed into anger. He did it several times throughout the night. What on earth was he up to? Already grumpy from being woken up, Estrella thought the kick she delivered was more than justified.
Sitting up and rubbing his back, Jason shot back, “Damn
getting a little too used to
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throwing your weight around, aren’t you?”
Estrella grabbed the pillow next to her and threw it at him, then pointed to the door and said, “Get out. Go to your own room.”
Catching the pillow, Jason scanned her with a cool Nelson International. Every room was his by rights.
aze. The entire resort belonged to
Estrella, realizing that he was indeed the boss of the place, slid out of bed in her bare feet. “Fine, you won’t leave? I will.”
As Estrella headed for the door, Jason grabbed her arm, pulling her back to the bed. “Where do you think you’re going in the middle of the night?” he growled, and then softened, “I’ve been looking for you all night. Can’t you give me a break?”
Pulled back onto the bed with a light thud, Estrella was too winded to be angry. Pushing
ly want?” her hair back from her face, she confronted him. “Jason, what do you really
Jason searched through the hotel’s first aid kit for medicine as he spoke. “Why else would I be looking for you? Who else am I supposed to turn to?” There was a hint of vulnerability in his voice. Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.
He found a bottle of pain-relief oil, and started rubbing it onto his lower back. “You almost kicked my kidneys into next week.”
Estrella indifferently huffed. “I’m well aware of how much force I used.”
Jason glanced up. “You should be.”
Tossing the oil beside her, he sprawled out on the bed. “Can’t reach the spot. Help me out, or I’m calling your mother.”
Estrella watched Jason lie nonchalantly on the bed, as if they hadn’t argued earlier that evening, and he hadn’t been away for several days. And he had even used her mother to
threaten her.
As shameless as he was, she still picked up the oil.
“Estrella, are you trying to kill your own husband?” Jason complained the moment her hands touched his back.
Estrella dropped the oil bottle onto his back with a thud. “If you don’t like my touch, feel free to find someone else.”
“Fine, fine, do as you please,” Jason conceded, then snatched her hand and placed it back on his lower back.
Estrella shot him a weary look but resumed the massage with less enthusiasm.
As Jason breathed in relief, he murmured, “Estrella, you need to work on this aggressive streak. Not everyone out there will be as accommodating as me.”
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She scoffed internally. Not many could best her anyway.
With his eyes closed, enjoying Estrella’s not-so-comfortable massage, Jason’s thoughts drifted away. He longed to let go of the past, but memories of ironclad evidence weighed heavily on his heart.
As her touch softened, Jason suddenly pulled her into his embrace. Estrella tensed, but Jason pressed her closer, whispering, “I haven’t slept well in days. Let me hold you.” He nestled his chin into the crook of her neck, and despite the complexity of their relationship, in that moment, he just wanted to hold her tight.
The faint scent of her shower gel mingled with the lingering aroma of his cologne. It cast a spell over Estrella, flooding her with memories from years past.
Back when she used to watch him play sports, he’d always wrap her in his arms after a game, resting his chin on her shoulder, claiming exhaustion while seeking her support. At first, she’d thought he was genuinely tired. But after arriving late a couple of times and catching him still energetically practicing post-game, she realized he was just taking advantage of her.
Reflecting on the roller coaster of events that had unfolded in their lives, Estrella placed her hands firmly against Jason’s chest, peering up into his eyes with a wry smile. “Quite the adventure we’ve had, huh?”
Jason pulled her closer into an embrace, chuckling softly. “It’s been exhausting. I swear, I’ve sprouted more gray hairs over this than anything else.”
Gray hairs? Estrella couldn’t help but laugh. She was curious to see how far he’d take this act, and what he was truly up to.
Their gazes locked, and the world around them seemed to fall silent, punctuated only by the weight of shared histories and unspoken thoughts. After what felt like an eternity, Jason finally broke the quiet. “The necklace was meant for you, you know. Seeing you toss out the meds and the breakfast-that was just me trying to get under
your skin.”