It was none other than Jason.
He looked completely wasted. His shoulders slumped forward as he sat on the edge of the rooftop, staring blankly into the night sky. The wind tousled his hair, but he didn't move. He didn't even glance my way. Not once.
He just sighed and kicked at the air like a bored child—like I didn't exist. Like I was nothing but a speck of dirt under his shoe. The same speck he'd been stepping on for years.
I clenched my fists. I knew he didn't like me. I knew he hated my presence—but this was too much. I didn't deserve to be treated like trash.
I stood up, frustration burning through me. "I'm done," I muttered, turning to leave.
That's when it happened.
He grabbed my wrist.
The sudden touch stopped me in my tracks. His hand was warm, calloused, trembling slightly.
And then—without a word—he pulled me toward him.
It wasn't gentle.
It wasn't soft.
He yanked me so close I could feel his breath on my skin, smell the alcohol on him. Before I could say anything, he wrapped his arms around me and held me tightly, like I might disappear.
"I missed you," he murmured, his voice raw and shaky. "I missed you so much I thought I'd die."
My whole body froze.
What?
I didn't know what to think. My heart was racing. My head spinning. His arms held me like he needed me to breathe—but his words didn't make sense.
"Jason...?" I whispered.
Then his hand slid up, cupping my cheek. And before I could blink, his lips crashed against mine.
The kiss was rough, unsteady, urgent.
There was no warning. No softness. Just heat.
His lips moved like he'd been holding back for years, like kissing me was the only thing keeping him from falling apart. I could taste the sharp bitterness of whiskey and something else… something desperate.
My eyes widened in shock. My whole body went stiff.
What was happening?
My hands came up slowly, gently pushing at his chest.
He didn't resist. He let go.
Our eyes met.
And just like that, the fire in his gaze vanished. He looked… empty. Hollow. Like he wasn't even fully here.
Something was wrong.
He wasn't in the right state of mind. He looked completely lost, like a boy trapped in a man's body, searching for something he couldn't name.
I couldn't stay.
"I have to go," I said softly.
Then I turned and walked away, heart pounding like a drum.
He didn't follow.
He didn't call my name.
He just stood there—motionless—like a statue.
When I got back downstairs, I barely made it through the restaurant doors when Lucinda appeared, smirking like she'd been waiting for her cue.
"Chocolate Cream! We were just talking about that time you fell in the mud during our camping trip. Remember that?" she said with a loud fake laugh.
Of course she brought that up.
Before she could keep going, I snapped.
"For the love of God, Lucinda, grow up! This isn't eleventh grade anymore," I said sharply. "You're a full-grown adult. Stop acting like a neglected child. Why can't just leave me alone? What the hell is wrong with you?"
The entire room fell silent.
Everyone turned.
Even Teresa and Abbie's mouths were slightly open. Julie looked like she'd stopped breathing.
Me? I was furious. Not just because of Lucinda, but because of everything. Jason. The kiss. The confusion. The storm inside me.
Lucinda was the least of my problems.
I grabbed my coat and bag and walked straight out. I didn't care who was watching.
Teresa, Abbie, and Julie rushed after me, but the elevator closed before they could reach me.
The taste of his lips still lingered on my mouth, burning like a wildfire I couldn't put out.
Downstairs, I stepped out into the cool night air and hailed a cab.
Just as one pulled over, my friends caught up.
"Cassie! Wait!" Julie said, panting. "Are you okay?"
"I'm not," I admitted. "I'm really not. I just want to go home."
They exchanged looks.
"We'll come with you," Abbie said. "We're tired too."
Julie hesitated. "I'm part of the organizing team, so I have to stay. But I'll check on you first thing tomorrow, okay?"
I nodded, giving them a small wave as I got into the cab. "Thanks but I want to be alone for a while. I think is best I go alone."
The ride home felt long—but not because of the distance.
My mind kept going back to that kiss.
Why did he kiss me like that? Like he meant it?
Like he wanted to devour me?
Maybe it was the alcohol. Maybe he thought I was Jessica. His girlfriend.
That's the only thing that made sense… right?
Still, that didn't explain the way he held me.
Like I was someone who mattered.
I got home exhausted. Mom was closing up the shop. She looked surprised.
"Back so soon?" she asked. "I thought you'd stay longer."
"I didn't enjoy it," I said honestly, setting down my purse. "I felt like I didn't belong. It was suffocating."
She looked at me for a second, then opened her arms.
I didn't even hesitate—I melted into her hug.
"You don't have to belong anywhere but here," she whispered. "You're special to the people who love you. Everyone else's opinion doesn't matter."
Her words grounded me.
I headed upstairs, took off my makeup, and stepped into a quick shower. The hot water felt good on my skin. Afterward, I put on a face mask—one of our own products from the company—and slipped into my pajamas.
But I couldn't sleep.
No matter how many excuses I made for him, nothing added up.
Even if he was drunk, there's no way he mistook me for Jessica.
Jessica was tall, slim, blonde, blue-eyed, and white.
I was… not.
I was average height. Curvy. Black. Brown eyes. Dark, curly hair.
Not even a blind man would confuse us.
So what did it mean?
Why did he kiss me?
Why did it feel genuine?
And more importantly… why did it feel like part of him had been waiting for it all these years?