"Mark, stay on top of this project until I return, be my proxy for our meetings tomorrow. I will call you later." He stated before disconnecting the call.
"Hey, I made us dinner, go sit, and I will be out in a minute." I neatly placed the sandwiches on a clean plate. Jake led us out, and we were now comfortably eating.
"Was that Mark on the phone? I think I should have informed him about my absence to work tomorrow." I stated genuinely. I worked in his team; he should know if I take a leave.
"You don't need to inform anything to anyone at work unless you are here with me". Jake's cold retort came as a surprise.
I looked at him with a raised eyebrow, figuring what was with this sudden authority? I scanned his face to read his expressions, but found nothing. I decided to let it pass and nodded silently.
"You seem to be close to Mark. I saw you in his company all week." He whispered, while slowly swallowing his food.
"Yes, he is a nice guy and is extremely helpful. I am glad he makes me feel comfortable."
"Too comfortable." Jake stated.
I was curious again. Jake sounded different.
Oh, God! Was he jealous of Mark?
I decided to play along and tease him a bit.
"Yes, indeed. I really enjoy myself with him. He seems to be a decent guy. I wouldn't mind knowing him outside work". I got up from my chair and was about to take my finished plate to the kitchen sink.
Instantly, I felt Jake pull my hand from behind, jerking me closer to his chest with his face now inches apart.
"This isn't funny, Emma. Take it back." His tone was somber and his blue orbs agitated.
I was trying so hard to stop myself from laughing. I still acted along. "What isn't funny? I don't understand?"
He closed his eyes, took a deep breathe, and continued, "Your closeness with Mark, it's completely not okay with me. Take back your words, now."
"Oh? Is it? Why is that? Are you jealous, Jake?" I whispered, giving out a small giggle. I just couldn't control it anymore. He was giving me a deadly stare.
"Yes. I am jealous, and I don't like this feeling, so stop messing with me, please."
"I don't like to see any other guy around you. I like it when you are here, close to me." He held both my hands and pulled me closer.
My heart skipped a beat at his honest confession. His sense of jealousy and possessive earned a blush on my face. Suddenly, we were interrupted by his phone. "It's work. Kind of important" He sighed, losing his grip on me.
I nodded and blinked my eyes, indicating him to go ahead while I clean up. He took his phone and was again busy over long conference calls. I even volunteered to help him with some of his office work as there was nothing else to do in this cottage, given it was still raining outside, not that heavily, but pouring nevertheless.
We spent a couple of hours working together. Jake still had back to back calls; it was already close to nine pm, so I decided to excuse myself and let him work without any disturbance.
I went to my room and was now laying on the bed.
My heart was warm and full of emotions, the guy who caused me sleepless nights felt something for me in return too.
What would have happened if his phone didn't ring?
Even if my mind warned me that I was playing with fire and may get hurt in the end, I couldn't ignore the fact that I haven't felt this alive and happy in months. With all these thoughts in my mind, I did not realise when and how, I slowly drifted to slumber.
***
"Can I come in Emma?" Jake asked while still holding the doorknob. I was rubbing my eyes, flickering them open.
A couple of hours in sleep, I was woken up by a sudden knock on my door. I looked at the time; it was one am.
"Yes, Jake, what happened? Is everything okay?" He rushed to my side, and took my hand, "follow me, Emma. I want to show you something".
He literally dragged me with him in a rush.
The moment we stepped out of the cottage, I realised it wasn't raining anymore, but it was freezing cold.
I felt chills. Clearly, the clothes on me were not warm enough. He held my hand, and we walked a bit further towards the edge of the big terrain right outside the cottage.
I was spellbound after what I saw next. I froze when I saw the green glow of the sky for the first time.
The light was literally dancing, moving across the sky, changing shapes, fading and appearing again.
In this moment, I felt like a speck in this whole wide universe. The sky was changing colors presenting its own little show; aurora borealis was indeed something else.
It…was...just...spectacular.
As I was admiring the beauty in front of me, minutes later, I felt Jake put a big warm jacket over my shoulders and hugged me from behind.
His arms were wrapped around my waist, and his chin was resting on my shoulders. He was holding me tightly against his chest.
"I have lost the strength to stay away from you, Emma." He slowly whispered in my ears from behind.
I rested my head back on his chest, leaning my weight on him. I closed my eyes reminiscing his touch and soft words; this moment was surreal.
"Then don't.... don’t stay away". I whispered back.
"You are precious, Emma, I lost, and found you once. I do not wish to let you go again" He tightened his grip around my waist.
I listened
