Stormed out

Being looked at by Stephens kind, but demanding eyes, Jenny couldn't help but look away. With a hint of hesitation she replied, "Father, I know it has been too long... but I can't come home yet. I hope you understand." After saying this, she lifted her eyes up and continued. "Sorry, for leaving the house without coming to you and mother first, but I will be sure to solve this situation on my own. It shouldn't take much longer, so I hope you and mother can be patient." Stephen sighed and nodded. "Do I need to teach Jason a lesson to move things along?" Jenny chuckled and shook her head.

Though she was laughing, she was filled with guilt. She realized that she hadn't only distanced herself from Jason, but from her in-laws and the others as well, and it was clear that they had missed her. "No, he has been doing surprisingly well." "I see. Well, how are you doing at your job?" Jenny smiled gratefully. "I am doing well. Thank you for arranging something as great as this for me. I couldn't have asked for something better." "Good. I am glad you are doing well. Well, I wont hold you any longer. Go on your way, before you are late." This time it was Jenny who nodded and turned around to leave. But just before she did, she turned around once more and she gave her father-in-law a hug. Though very unexpected, Stephen was pleasantly surprised by Jenny's gesture and happily returned her hug as his expression softened. After a few seconds he patted her shoulder and they let go. Now Jenny was finally ready to leave for work and Stephen went back to continue his work.

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Over at the school when Jason's last class of the day finally ended, he immediately stormed out of the classroom. Hoping he could still catch Jenny, whose location hadn't changed from Westwood mansion yet. He ran down the stairs and with big strides he walked to the car waiting for him outside. Seeing the dark expression on Jason's face, the driver threw away the cup of coffee in his hand and quickly went to his seat before turning on the car. Once Jason stepped in, he only said two words "Westwood mansion" before closing the door. Immediately the driver drove off and with as much speed as could be deemed sensible, he traveled the distance to the main home. While Jason was staring out of the window, he had his head rested on his closed hand and a tense expression on his face. Each minute that passed felt like an hour to Jason at the moment and he felt like taking over the wheel himself as he felt that they were driving too slow. But even if the driver had increased his speed, they wouldn't have made it in time. They were barely half way, when Jason glanced on his phone and saw that the dot he had been so focused on had started moving away.

When he came home he walked inside the mansion with a disappointed expression and some residual anger. He didn't greet anyone and headed immediately upstairs under the concerned stare of Garry. Once he opened the door, he looked around the room. In hopes of finding a trace of Jenny, but everything still seemed in place. Just the way he had left it this morning. He loosened his tie and the buttons of his sleeve, to change out of his school uniform. Absentmindedly he walked into the bedroom he shared with Jenny to grab his laptop and start his work for his company, when his eyes landed on his neatly folded jacket at the foot of the bed. When he came closer, he noticed a small folded note on the jacket with his name on it. He grabbed the note along with the jacket and sat on the bed. He placed the jacket next to him and grabbed the note and with some anticipation he folded it open. The note said:

"Dear Jason,

Thank you for lending me your jacket today. I hope you don't mind that I came when you weren't home, but I think it's for the best at the moment. Even though I can't be with you for now, it does not mean that I don't care about you and I am glad to know that you haven't stopped caring about me either. Are you eating well? Are you sleeping well?

I haven't been able to clean your jacket before returning it, but I thought you should have it back before school starts again. So, I hope you forgive me if I got it dirty somehow. Hopefully I will be able to return to your side soon.

Love, Jenny"

He stared at the note as he read the words over and over. Though they were just a few hurried words, it brought him comfort and gave him hope. It told him that his current strategy was working and if that guy dropped the ball for even a slight second, he would be able to get Jenny to come back to his side. When he grabbed the jacket, he brought it to his face and could smell Jenny's faint scent on the fabric. She had only worn the jacket for a few minutes, but it had absorbed her presence so clearly. He was glad she hadn't brought the jacket to the cleaners, this way it was like she was still here with him. He let himself fall on the bed while still holding onto his jacket and he drifted off slowly. He hadn't been sleeping well all week, but despite his lack of sleep nothing seemed to help. Every time he closed his eyes he kept seeing the scene of Jenny leaving, him falling into Max's trap or he had annoying dreams about Max somehow winning over Jenny and the two of them dating. Instead of seeing images like that, he would rather stay awake. But today, he slept deeply and peacefully, forgetting all about his work.