[Music: Soul Tied By Ashley Singh]

I clutched my phone close to my chest, waiting impatiently for the elevator. It became so slow that it seemed like forever.

Jacob.

How much I miss his face and that smile of his that made my toes curl, his manly voice that made protectiveness wrap around me. He was the one person who meant the whole world to me.

The elevator stopped, and the moment the glass doors slid open smoothly, I sped out, my shoes making sharp clicks.

I swirled restlessly, my eyes searched every sign for that one name.

My anxiety got the best of me as I made no progress.

Where is it?!

And then my eyes landed on the sign. Without missing a beat, I rushed toward the café, halting midway. My eyes travelled until they settled on a figure wearing a hoodie and a baseball cap.

I could recognize that cap anywhere. He had that thing like forever.

My gaze softened with longing as I watched him respond to the waitress, giving a subtle smile as he nodded his head before bringing the cup of coffee to his lips.

Drawing in a deep breath, I took a step forward, pushing through the door as I got in. I walked to the end, where he sat.

"Jacob..." I said softly.

His head shot up, a bit confused, so I took off my sunglasses, grinning ear to ear, cheek heating.

"Hi."

Slowly, he rose to his feet, face going pale. In a heartbeat, I practically threw myself at him, hanging against his frame, my arms secured around his neck tightly.

"I’m so glad you’re okay."

My heart fluttered when I felt his hands on my waist, placed at first before he gripped harder and ripped me off him.

I stumbled back in shock. "Jacob...?"

"What the fuck are you doing here?!"

At his sudden outburst, I flinched. He had never raised his voice at me, never.

Despite trembling, I forced a smile on my lips. "What... what do you mean?"

I finally caught notice of the faded bruises on his face.

"Your face..." I tried to reach for him, but he took a step back like my touch was acid.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, looking out the window as if expecting someone to just pop out and strangle him.

"Y-You texted me. Said you wanted to meet and—"

"What? Texted you from where?"

"Your phone, silly!"

"My phone? What are you..." He paused, blinking a few times before impatience crossed his face. "Stop this, Ana."

"Stop what?" 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"Stop!"

I jumped.

"Lying..." he added through clenched teeth.

"I-I’m not lying! L-Look..." I showed him my phone, the texts he had sent me, but he didn’t even bother to look.

"I lost my phone. I haven’t had it on me for the last week."

What? Then who...!

I dismissed the thought with a shake of my head. "Listen, forget the texts, just tell me if you’re okay. Are you hurting anywhere?"

Jacob chuckled as if I had asked him a ridiculous question. "Funny you asked that, huh... isn’t Zade Salvero your husband now? What... he doesn’t whisper enough in your ear while fucking you?"

My mouth hung as whatever words I had to say died in my throat, but my eyes screamed shock and confusion.

"Just stay away. I don’t want anything to do with you."

He brushed past me.

"Jacob!" I panicked, gripping his hand tightly as tears streamed down my cheek. "Please don’t go, please! Let’s... Let’s talk, alright? T-There’s been some kind of misunderstanding, I’m sure of it."

"Misunderstanding?" He ripped his arm away from my hold. "I have served your family for as long as I can remember. I... I’ve been by yours and Annabeth’s side. Loved Annabeth with all my—"

He hit a pause when he realized he had said that out loud.

Something inside me broke at that instant.

"What?" I muttered.

He always loved Annabeth? B-But that doesn’t make any sense! He has always smiled at me, been close by whenever I needed him, held me through nightmares... B-Been my greatest supporter.

Wasn’t that his love for me?

"I should have left after she died," he continued, eyes no longer filled with regret but with certainty. "But your father insisted I stay, and now I’ve gotten caught up in all your mess."

I managed a strained smile. "Jacob."

He moved, but I held his arm again, my nails digging into his skin so that he wouldn’t leave. He can’t leave me. He can’t!

"That’s not true, right?" I said desperately.

Maybe it was a slip of the tongue or something. It’s not possible he has never had feelings for me, that past two years we spent together, we—!

Jacob’s jaw clenched. "It’s the truth, Ana. There is only one woman I have ever loved. Annabeth."

No.

"The only reason I stayed after her death was because of the deal I made with your father. You were spiraling, and he paid me well to stay by your side."

I released him, taking a step back in shock. He never wanted to stay? I-I thought the reason he didn’t get reassigned to the docks was that he couldn’t bear to leave me alone.

"Look, you’re married. You’re a Salvero, and I don’t wanna be involved any further than this. So please, stay away."

He walked, and this time I didn’t stop him. Murmurs erupted, and I looked around the small company. Those same judgmental eyes again.

My bottom lip trembled as I attempted to storm out, but I got blocked by Lisa.

"Look at you..." she said, amused, clutching my arm as she pulled me under the stairs, where it was a bit more private.

"What are you doing here?!" I forced my arm away, glaring daggers into her.

"Oh, haven’t you guessed yet? I thought you were supposed to be smart." She raised a phone, the screen showing the last message texted to me.