Bound to You

Chapter 27: It's Complicated

Jace sped away on his bike in between the cars, wondering why he never asked Ileana for her  number. It would make things so easier but he didn't mind taking out the bike to go and meet her. This road has become so familiar now as he slowed down before her house. 

Hmm, the lights were on. He saw Sierra's car parked right there. He considered making a U-turn now. Or he could just sneak in Ileana's room? He stopped his bike and with a deep sigh, he just walked up to the door, was about to knock when he noticed the doorbell. He pressed it repeatedly, clearly hearing the ringing tone inside. 

He heard Sierra grumbling inside, "I'm coming. Stop." She opened a moment later, looking annoyed and then, astonished, "Jace? What's up?" He shrugged, glancing down at the novel in her hand, "I want to talk to you." She arched an eyebrow, observing him, "Are you sure you're not asking for Ileana?" 

He looked away, wondering why the hell he was embarrassing himself like that, "No." She shook her head, opening the door wider, "Come in. But if you want to know, she's not home. She'll reach in maybe half an hour."

 A delicious smell wafted through the room as he followed her. "So what do you want to talk about? I guess it's not homework?" He grimaced, "Hell no! Who talks about that sh— Mmm, what are you cooking? It smells so damn good."

A moment later, he was sitting before a plate of honey chicken stir-fry and dipping his piece of baguette in the yummy sauce to happily chomp away. Sierra privately smiled as she poured him a glass of cola. 

She crossed her arms comfortably, leaning against the counter as she watched the door, wondering if Ileana would instead stay with her parents today. She never asked her. She sent her a quick message and Jace broke in her reflection, "Dad's about to lose the company. My uncle and grandpa are bringing in some investors on Sunday." 

Sierra was surprised but she said nothing. Jace pointed his fork at her, "So... you're just gonna let it happen?" 

She pursed her lips, "Jace, I don't see what I can do." 

He shrugged, provoking her, "So you're just like my mother then? Chasing a man for his wealth... because you don't seem to care about him." 

Sierra glared at him. He merely sipped into his soft drink, sharply returning her glare. He pushed his chair back, "Your silence says everything. Thanks for dinner." He proceeded to walk out and she stopped him, "I wish there was another way, Jace." 

He chuckled, taking out his packet of cigarettes from his back pocket, "Oh please, if you wanted to do something, you could do it. Hell, what's so scary about getting your parents to meet grandpa and grandma?" 

She didn't even know what to say in her defence. "It's... complicated." 

He broke into a sarcastic laugh and anger spoke in the depth of his voice, "If you knew you weren't going to marry him, you shouldn't have got engaged in the first place. You bloody gold-digger! One day you're flirting with that fool of Henry Stone, the next day you're exploiting my father and God knows what else you're doing. You're just a disgusting and ungrateful woman." 

The door suddenly opened, startling them. Ileana was breathing hard. She heard everything. She instantly grabbed Jace's arm and yelled, "Hey, don't you dare talk to her like that!" 

Jace only frowned, shaking her hand away from him. She had been listening through the door. She wanted it to be fake but Sierra's distraught face told her everything. She stammered, releasing Jace and turning to face her aunt, "You—you didn't do something like that, Sierra... this—this is not you..."

Her pulse quickened when she heard anger and pain in her niece's voice. She didn't know what to tell her. Guilt engulfed her right now. She trembled, "I'm sorry...I'm so sorry! I can explain."