chapter 6

Jackson sat on the sofa with Jennie's head resting on his lap. She had fallen asleep when they were in the middle of an action movie. He carried Jennie into the bedroom and kissed her on the forehead after laying her on their bed. Then Jackson went outside for fresh air.

A car stopped at the bakery. Jackson watched Julie getting out of a cab. He saw that her face seemed gloomy and wondered why she looked dispirited. Jackson jumped over his balcony and ran toward her. "Julie, why a troubled appearance? Please, tell me who's the punk that bullied you, and I will beat him up. Was it that rascal, Steven?" Jackson said with heavy breath when he reached Julie, attempting to make her laugh and relieve her stressful expression.

Julie gazes at his worried and sweaty face and laughs. "I passed my interview at your company. Do you want to celebrate with me? We can eat all the pastries and sweets in my father's bakery. After all, I am his only daughter, so I get a princess treatment." She said with a smile. To Jackson, Julie sounded like a brat but the pleasant kind, not the spoiled ones.  "For someone who just passed her interview, she sure seems down in spirit." He whispers to himself.

Jennie was resting, and Jackson craved to know why Julie did not look thrilled about her new job. Therefore, he accepted her offer, and they went to her family bakeshop. "Dad, a three-layer chocolate cake, a plate of butter biscuits, a dozen coconut tarts, and a gallon of apple juice for our table!" Julie shouted toward Mr. Harper as she and Jackson approached their table. Jackson pulls out a chair for Julie to sit down. Then he sits opposite her.

Louis appears shocked at his daughter's request. He put the tray down on the counter and wiped his hands against his apron. "Are you okay, baby? Do you have friends coming over?" He asked. Julie felt embarrassed and stared at the customers' faces. Some customers concentrated on their food, and the other buyers focused on her. "Please! Not now, dad. Can I have my order or not? Plus, there's Jackson and me only." She replied. Louis gazed at his wife, but Mrs. Harper did not react to their conversation. "Sure, honey. Give me a minute to get them ready." He said.

"Why are you angry?" Jackson asked Julie after watching her brief scene with her father. "I am not mad!" She screamed before realizing that her remark came out too loud. Jackson dragged his chair closer to Julie and beamed. "See, this is what I mean. There's too much rage in your eye. However, it's not only anger but also sadness. Talk to me, Julie. If you consider me as a bro to you, then let me in." He replied.

Julie was hesitant to tell Jackson, yet she could tell he was anxious about her. At that moment, Julie recognized him as the big brother that she never had, although they barely knew each other a few weeks ago.

"I believe that this job is not something I earn. I know it makes little sense. I have a position, met a guy I like, and he's not ashamed to express his affections for me. Steven told me to be comfortable around him, and I love that he is bold. But I am a hypocrite. I pretended like I don't care, though my feelings for Steven are obvious. I feel everything that has happened recently is surreal. I know that there is no way life can convert your dream into reality without a price. And that cost is what I don't want to pay." Julie explains.

Jackson knew there was more to her anger than what she let on, and that was what he wanted to find out. "What is the dilemma? You accepted the job, and you want Steven. What is holding you back?" Jackson asked. Julie seemed puzzled over his inquiry. She just revealed her feelings to him, so why was he asking a further question? Julie knows the answer to Jackson's two questions means explaining her past, and that's a story she never wants to relive. "Did you not hear what I just said?" Julie replied.

Though Julie could not go into depth with her past, she appreciated Jackson's concern for her. He affected her life at that moment. Growing up, Julie was not the social type. Her parents were always busy with the bakery, and she did not fit in the social circle on campus. However, books became her exclusive friend until later on when she met him. Jackson is the third person, including her parents, to display this kind of attention toward her. There was another who Julie thought cared, but he ended up like the rest of the bullies.

Jackson looked her in the face, and he could see that she was about to cry. "So what? Who minds? You want the job, and you like the guy. If that is what you desire, then do not allow skepticism to hold you back. Life is about uncertainty. Only those who are not hesitant to gamble on everything experience the pure essence of adventures. Julie, give it your all and do not leave space for regrets." Jackson told her.

His words touched Julie, although she knew that Jackson just scolded her. But her heart feels truly satisfied. Julie realized that she was about to cry, yet she did not hold back. Julie started sobbing and giggling at the same time. "Kiddo, don't cry. I don't need others presuming that you got bullied by me. If Steven ever hurt you, don't hold back on telling me. Please notify me, and I will kick some sense into that guy's head." He told her, holding her tight, and allowing her to weep to her heart content.

Mr. and Mrs. Harper thought it was wise not to ask them questions, witnessing how upset their daughter was. Plus, they noticed that Jackson did an impressive job calming her down. There was no demand for their interference.

"What the heck is going on here, Jackson?" Jennie screamed from the bakery door. Staring at another woman in her husband's arms made her furious and heartbroken. Although she knew within her heart that she did not have the right to be mad. But the scene of them embracing carried a sick feeling down her stomach. Jennie approached Jackson and slapped him in the face. The entire bakeshop became bewildered with shock.