23 Breaking a habit

"I haven't gotten what I wanted. You're not mine yet."

More than flattered, Fil was horrified. She looked away, her neck twisting like a rusting robot.

What sort of scam was this guy spewing now?

Her attempts to have a normal and casual conversation failed miserably. How could she respond to that answer? Even though she knew he was just saying a bunch of nonsense, Fil wasn't 'built' to respond to such conversations, after all.

'I thought if I talked to him normally, it would be less awkward,' she thought. 'Guess not.'

"Haha." Jackson chuckled, retrieving his hand from playing with her hair. "You think that's full of crap?"

She nodded without a second thought.

"You're breaking a man's sincere heart, sweetheart."

Fil puffed her cheeks and set her eyes on the window, watching the flashing roadside. She could still feel his gaze on her side, but she did her best to ignore it. On the other hand, Jackson smiled from ear to ear, amused at her attempts to ignore him completely. 

*

*

*

Thirty minutes later, they pulled over in front of a hotel located in the busiest part of the city. Seeing the location and the people around, Fil couldn't help but sigh in relief. At least, he didn't take her to a secluded place; that would be too scary. 

Just as Fil reached for the knob to open the door, it flew open from the outside. There, standing outside, was a man in a formal suit.

"Uh…" Fil awkwardly stepped out of the sedan. "Thanks."

The man in a suit simply nodded without saying a word. Meanwhile, Fil couldn't help but look at him with slight curiosity. When she looked back, she caught at least two other cars parked behind their vehicle and then another one in the front.

'Is he a son of a wealthy family?' she wondered, now realizing this because she was too surprised at the 'prank' Jackson had pulled on her earlier. 'Or maybe a politician? Even Vincent didn't have bodyguards.'

"Ready?"

Fil flinched when Jackson's voice rang in her ear. When she turned, Jackson was bent over from her side, speaking straight in front of her ear.

"Are you a son of a politician?" she blurted out. "How come you got so many escorts?"

Jackson raised his brows and glanced at the escorts around them. "Do they bother you?"

"No, it's just that —"

"My friend lent them to me," he explained as he straightened his back. "He said if I'm going to impress a lady, having bodyguards will make me look rich."

"I hope you're joking. That sounds like what a conman would do."

"That's what I told him." He nodded. "But he was dead serious, so I believed him. Aren't you impressed?"

"I —" Fil stopped herself, instead she smiled. There was no point, was there?

"Anyway, let's go. My friend is waiting for us." Jackson checked his wristwatch before casting her a knowing look. When she nodded, the two of them headed inside the hotel. 

On their way to the hotel room, Fil had some thoughts about herself. Standing behind Jackson in the lift, she glanced at his broad back and shoulders. 

'I think I'm crazy,' she told herself. 'I'm worried that I'm obediently following a stranger to a hotel room without knowing if this friend of his was there. This could be a trap!'

Yet, she wasn't doing anything. 

Thinking about it, she was utterly displeased at Vincent last night. Vincent already assumed she would be over the moon and obediently accept the invitation without consulting her first. But wasn't Jackson the same? He arranged a meeting with his 'friend,' without consulting her first, and even told her to be ready at a certain time. Not only that, he trespassed her place. If she didn't wake up, she would have found herself inside an ambulance. 

"Is there something wrong, sweetheart?" 

Suddenly, Jackson's voice slashed through the thick silence in the lift. He didn't look back at her, making her wonder if he had eyes on the back of his head. 

"Nothing," she murmured.

"Are you sure?"

Fil didn't answer immediately. "I don't like it."

"Don't like what?" he asked, this time glancing over his shoulder. "The silence?"

"Not being given a say in things." Fil almost choked upon saying those words, not used to speaking her mind. She was someone who was used to saying 'yes' to people just because she was scared she would offend others if she refused. 

Even so, she figured people took advantage of her because she wouldn't stand for herself. 

"You said I shouldn't care if I deliberately or unintentionally offend you," she added, this time, her voice was just above a whisper. "So, even if you get angry, I don't care. But I don't appreciate you trespassing in my place, and arranging an appointment without asking me first."

Fil winced, fiddling with her fingers nervously. Breaking a habit was always hard. 

"Of course, I appreciate your willingness to help," she continued, taking a deep breath as she raised her chin. "But next time, it would be nice if I was told beforehand."

"A quick assessment. You need more power in delivering your thoughts. But, sure."

"Huh?" Fil furrowed her brows, looking at his back with confusion. "That's it?"

"Hmm."

Fil was almost in disbelief, expecting him to make a fuss about it. However, he didn't. That was unexpectedly easy. 

"You're not… angry?" she blurted out, pressing her lips when she realized her question. 

Jackson glanced over his shoulder. "Why would I?" 

"Well…" Fil massaged her nape before she smiled. "Nothing. I just want to put that out, so we're clear. Next time, don't barge in my place."

"Sure. I'll knock next time."

Fil nodded, but then her smile disappeared. 'What did he mean by that?'

Before she could even ask that suspicious reply, the elevator rang shortly. She only heard Jackson say, 'Come on,' before he stepped out of the lift. As instructed, Fil followed him while glancing at the floor as they got in.

'The penthouse?' she wondered, keeping a close distance behind Jackson. 'Is his stylist friend a famous person? Am I going to meet a celebrity…?'

Fil's train of thought halted as she caught a beautiful person — a goddess walking in their direction. Her eyes twinkled and her steps slowed down, eyes on the goddess talking to another person while walking. 

'Isn't that an A-lister and an international star, Kim Rock?!'