Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)



Jason couldn't peel his gaze away from her wide eyes, his voice laced with a mix of despair and determination, "I love her, but she's in love with someone else. I've had to bury my feelings deep inside, playing the role of just a friend, just a boss, always there to protect her, no matter how much it hurts me, I can't let go."

Sophia shivered, instinctively stepping back.

Jason, unable to contain himself any longer, took a step forward, "After all this time, when she finally ended things and came back to me, she tells me she sees me more like a father."

"And now, she's saying I'd be better suited with someone else!"

"Sophia!" Jason's eyes were filled with pain as he looked at her, "How much more do you intend to hurt me?"

Sophia's face was a picture of shock, disbelief shaking her head, "No, no, that can't be right. How could you possibly be in love with—"

How could he possibly be in love with her?

"Why not?" Jason laughed bitterly, "If it wasn't love, why would I demean myself like this? When you were crazy about Robin Ziegler, I had to listen to you talk about him every day, analyze whether he loved you back. When you broke up and cried in the streets, it hurt me even more than it hurt you. You're not just torturing yourself, Sophia, you've been torturing me all along!"

"Seeing you upset, I tried everything to make you laugh, to keep you occupied so you wouldn't dwell on the sadness. I took you jogging, to amusement parks, to the movies. Did you really think I had that much free time?"

"I've been so careful to hide my feelings, just so I wouldn't make things difficult for you!"

"Sophia, tell me, isn't that love?"

Sophia backed up until she hit the wall, panic-stricken as she looked at him.

"I—I—" Sophia was in turmoil, "But I've always seen you as my best friend."

A friend she grew up with, almost like family!

"Now you know, what do you think?" Jason pressed her for an answer.

On this snowy midnight, he had laid bare the feelings he'd hidden for so many years, and he needed an answer.

Sophia shook her head in fear, "I don't know. I've never thought about us being together."

"Think about it now. Does my love make you happy, or does it hurt?"

Sophia bit her lip, silent.

Jason leaned in, insistent on getting an answer, "How do you feel about me? Does seeing me with Jewel bother you?"

Just as Sophia was about to speak, he suddenly grasped her hand, "Tell me the truth!"

Sophia's eyes welled up, filled with the night, the falling snow, and him.

Her voice choked up, she nodded, "Yes, it bothers me. But that's normal isn't it? It's like if someone took a toy you've played with since childhood-I'd be upset, I'd need time to adjust,"

Her words tumbled out, eyes downcast, avoiding his gaze.

"It doesn't mean anything, really. I just need time to adapt."

Jason frowned, his expression turning cold, "So to you, I'm just a toy?"

All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

ΟΛ

He touched her face, his fingertips cold as they traced her cheeks, a mix of heartache and deep love clashing in his eyes, casting an intense glow.

His tall frame blocked the streetlight, casting Sophia in shadow. She trembled under his icy touch, instinctively trying to withdraw.

But her attempt to pull away triggered something fierce in Jason, unleashing years of repressed emotions, all demanding an outlet.

His fingers brushed her soft lips, no longer hiding his desire, he leaned down to kiss her.

A toy?

A chilling thought crossed his mind, his lips void of warmth, his kiss not one of affection but of punishment and possession, desperate to make her understand his pain.