Chapter 25: Gentleness
A realization dawned–she was trapped.
Struggling desperately, Julia’s breath hitched as a low, resonant voice whispered in her ear, “It’s me.”
A stillness overcame Julia as her frantic struggles ebbed away. She raised her gaze to meet the man’s eyes, and in that moment, a rush of emotions swelled within her. Her heart, once suspended in fearful anticipation, found solace.
Tears welled up, cascading down her cheeks, splattering onto the man’s waiting palms. Each drop, a release of pent–up emotions, a testament to the trials she had endured. “Don’t cry,” the man whispered, his touch tenderly brushing her tears aside. “What? I… I didn’t cry,” Julia stammered, momentarily surprised.
Her response tugged at the man’s heartstrings, a poignant reminder of the facade she was trying to uphold even in the face of overwhelming circumstances.
“Apologies for my tardiness,” Jared’s voice, tinged with regret, resonated softly.
His arms encircled her gently, drawing her into a protective embrace.
Elsewhere, Naomi’s grinding teeth and envious glare bespoke the turmoil festering within her. Joseph observed the scene with raised eyebrows, pondering his boss’s next
move.
“What shall we do with them?” Joseph inquired.
Turning his gaze to Julia, Jared inquired, “What do you suggest?”
“They should be taken to the police station, locked away for a significant period. A stern punishment, as they pose a danger to innocent girls,” Julia replied, her voice firm.
Despite his inability to comprehend the depth of her animosity, Jared was committed to supporting her decision.
“First, get in the car,” Jared urged Julia, guiding her towards the vehicle. Along the way, he nonchalantly stepped on the hand of one of the fallen vagrants, eliciting a pained outcry.
“Why did you step on him?” Julia inquired, concerned.
“Accidental,” Jared replied with an unassuming shrug.
With the vagrants sorted out, they resumed their journey, Julia leaning wearily against the car window, maintaining a physical distance from Jared.
Observing this distance, Jared’s mood took a dip, his thoughts clouded by concern.
Meanwhile, Julia’s internal turmoil escalated. Her hand moved involuntarily, eventually finding its way to Jared’s hand.
Perplexed, Jared regarded her hand with curiosity. Before he could fathom her
intentions, she propelled herself towards him.
Caught off guard, even Joseph’s seasoned driving skills almost faltered as he navigated . the road.
Scene transition.
In another setting, Shiloh was engrossed in a sports match when the commotion outside grabbed his attention. His brother’s return, no doubt.
Startled, he watched as Jared strode in, holding Julia in his arms. What caught his eye, however, were Julia’s hands, engaged in an audacious endeavor. She was in the process of adjusting Jared’s clothing after a minor mishap.
Shiloh’s disbelief and indignation surged forth. “Julia! Shameless temptress! Is
daylight not enough for your advances?”
Julia, her face a picture of constraint, murmured, “I don’t want to be doing this. My hand seems to have a mind of its own.”
“Release my brother immediately!” Shiloh exclaimed, hurrying over with a wheelchair, his incredulity unabated.
“Apologies, I can’t comply,” Julia responded with a bitter undertone.
Shiloh directed a pointed gaze at Joseph, urging him to intervene. “Why are you still standing there? Hurry up and separate her from my brother.”
Joseph’s internal monologue: Sorry, I can’t do that either!
“There was a misunderstanding,” Jared spoke on Julia’s behalf, his gaze momentarily flickering towards Joseph.
Caught in Jared’s unwavering gaze, Joseph’s discomfort was palpable; he realized he had been implicated unintentionally.
“A misunderstanding?” Shiloh raised an eyebrow, skeptical, though he couldn’t ignore Julia’s proximity to his brother.
Even in the face of suspicion, Julia stood her ground, her face blushing as red as a sunset, extending to the nape of her neck and ears. Yet, she wouldn’t allow her brother–in–law’s scrutiny to compromise her dignity.
“Brother, release her and step away,” Shiloh urged with urgency.
“No, don’t let go,” Julia pleaded, her grip on Jared’s shirt unwavering.
Her plea was not only for the sake of maintaining physical proximity but also for the -subtle relief she felt in his embrace. Amidst her discomfort, Jared’s hold provided an
unexpected solace.
The girl’s plea sent a tremor through Jared’s being, his once–resolute stance faltering under the weight of her vulnerability. He nodded, almost entranced.
“I won’t leave you,” his words resonated like a gentle promise.
Shiloh stared in disbelief, his brother’s behavior seemingly alien.
“Brother, you can’t do that. If you don’t let her go, she might keep provoking you, maybe even try to seduce you.”
As Julia’s breath quickened, the situation spiraled out of her control, her plan threatened by unforeseen consequences.
“Your brother has a point. Perhaps you should consider rendering me unconscious.” Shiloh turned his attention to Joseph once more, his insistence unrelenting. Joseph, a reluctant pawn in this predicament, found himself yet again tasked with an unwanted responsibility.
“My stomach is acting up. I’ll be right back,” Joseph hastily excused himself, retreating towards the bathroom, eager to distance himself from the brewing chaos. Shiloh glanced at Joseph’s hasty departure, lamenting his role as the perennial scapegoat.
“Fine, F’ll deal with it myself,” Shiloh declared, determination in his eyes.
Julia braced herself, her grip on Jared’s shirt intensifying.
“Just be gentle; I’m sensitive to pain,” she warned, preparing for the impending
outcome.
However, to her surprise, Jared didn’t administer a physical reprimand. Instead, he lifted her into his arms and ascended the stairs with measured steps.
Confused by the unexpected turn of events, Julia peered at Jared’s face from their close proximity, her vision slowly adjusting. She was greeted by an unparalleled visage, a captivating handsomeness that stirred an electric pulse within her.
Back downstairs, Shiloh’s gaze followed their ascent until Jared’s door closed, realization dawning upon him. He quickly made his way to the adjacent room, pressing his ear against the door, eager to glean insights from the muted sounds within.
As he eavesdropped, a loud crash startled him, causing a sharp pain in his ears.
