{CHAPTER TWENTY}

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Henry's face lit up with a crafty grin as I stepped out of the taxi. He eagerly smacked the wheel in excitement, then gleefully rubbed his hands together as he licked his lips, uttering, "Yes," while flashing a triumphant sign with his hand.

I stood out and watched him reverse his car to make the turn and drive away.

As he departed, my mind wandered back to our recent chat, replaying our conversation in my head.

"Yeah, It was pretty obvious. But hey, if you're cool with it, there's something I need to let you in on. I know we're not exactly best buds, and there's that whole messy situation with your friend. Still, I can tell you're a stand-up person, and I'd hate to see you go down a road you'll regret. So, it's only fair that I give you a heads-up on this."

"Sure thing, go on," I responded eagerly.

"It's about this your boyfriend."

My heart did a little dance as he brought that up. 'What's he getting at?' I wondered. "My boyfriend?" I questioned a look of bewilderment on my face. "Alright, spill it, what about him?"  

"Guys are not always who they claim to be, so you better be on the look out," he muttered, keeping his gaze fixed on me through the rearview mirror. The moment our eyes locked in the reflection, he quickly averted his gaze.

"Uh, sure," I replied, puzzled by the sudden caution. I needed him to elaborate further on his warning.

"Being a dude, I get why I'm saying this. Guys can't always be trusted. They'll swear they're all in, but deep down, it's just a front."

'Yeah, like when you fed Lisa all those lies about love and then went and broke her heart,' I silently retorted. I longed to let it out, but sometimes it's smarter to keep quiet and move on.

His words hung in the air, and he took a deep breath before continuing. "I get it might sound weird and all, especially with the whole Lisa saga, but deep down, I know I'm a decent guy. Just 'cause things didn't pan out between us doesn't change that."

"Yeah, sure thing," I nodded, tapping my nose as if to say, 'Get to the point already.'

He went on, "But hey, not every guy's a saint. Keep your guard up, alright?"

I couldn't help but chuckle softly, "Seriously? That's it?" I expressed my disappointment with the conversation in full force.

He said, "I know, sounds kinda silly, right? But seriously, watch your back. You know how the story goes, guys are always looking for the next one."

"Yeah, real eye-opening coming from a cheat," I coughed out, swiftly using my hands to cover my mouth, muffling the words to keep them from being overheard.

"What was that?" He quickly shot back, his curiosity piqued.

I brushed off the question, my thoughts drifting back to the endless conversation. "Uhm, what you said wasn't silly, and thanks for the advice. I'll keep it in mind. But just one thing, though; mine is different, just like you claim to be." My words were chosen carefully, not entirely reflecting my true feelings but aimed at defending Jackson.

Just then, I interjected, "Oh, looks like we're here," I pointed ahead, indicating our arrival on the street.

"Alright— I just need to park properly, and here we are," he announced once he had parked the car.

"Could I get your contact info? You know, just in case you ever need someone to chat with," he added, in my attempt to make my way out of the taxi.

After a brief pause, I pondered, 'Was giving him my contact necessary?' I had Lisa, my go-to person for chats. Plus, imagining how Lisa would react if she knew I shared my contact with someone she cares about hit me. Yet, reconsidering, I figured there was no harm. He seemed genuine, and maybe, just maybe, he could help bridge the gap between him and Lisa. So, before stepping out of the taxi, I decided to share my contact with him.

As I was about to close the car door after stepping out, he chimed in, "Don't forget what I told you, okay? And I'll make sure to keep in touch," he said, miming a phone call with his hands.

Lost in contemplation about Henry and our conversation, I snapped back to reality. Without a second thought, I blurted out, "What if Jackson cheats on me like Henry did to Lisa?" Shaking my head to rid myself of the absurd idea, I bit my lip and quietly mumbled, "Jackson wouldn't do that." Suddenly, a deep, manly voice chimed in beside me, asking, "Wouldn't do what?"

"Oh my God!" I flinched, my heart skipping a beat as I missed a step, my ankle twisting. I nearly slipped, hands shooting up in surprise, only to be swiftly caught around the waist by the voice's owner. To my relief; it was Jackson!

He held onto my waist tightly and drew me closer to his chest, our hands meeting as our eyes locked. In that instant, I felt my heart pound, my feet tremble, and my palms grow sweaty. The intense stare between us was shattered by a gust of wind that harshly blew sand into my left eye, causing me to flinch uncomfortably.

"Ow," I let out a cry, attempting to brush the sand off, while Jackson leaned down to my level, ensuring I was okay, his face clearly showing concern.

"I'm all good now," I muttered with a bashful grin after sorting out the eye scratch. Giving his chest a playful pat, I teased, "Jackson! You startled me, almost had me slipping because of you."

"Ouch," he feigned a pained expression, clutching his chest. "Is this the thanks I get from my girlfriend after swooping in to save you from a slip-and-white dress disaster? Huh?" he quizzed, raising an eyebrow.

I clicked my tongue at his playful antics, realizing he was accurate about my white patterned floral dress. The last thing I wanted was a stain; I couldn't afford to look disheveled with Jackson around.

"Thank you," I murmured almost inaudibly.

"Uh, I missed that," he held me, drawing my waist closer to his chest, his hands encircling me. "Didn't catch that."

At this juncture, I surrendered. His determination was unwavering, and I yearned to break free from his hold. My heart raced as I felt the proximity of my chest to his solid frame, his firm grip securing my waist. "Thanks!" I yelled.

He soon let go, a smile playing on his lips.

"Jeez, what's gotten into you today?" I questioned, relieved to be out of his grip, fixing my rumpled dress.

"Why do you ask?"

"Nothing—you just seem... different," I said, giving a final adjustment to my rumpled dress.

"Hmm, yeah, 'cause I've missed your face," he said. In Jackson's mind, he saw love bombing as the key to a lady's heart. He was a master at it, and just like that, it was working its magic on me.

"Let's head inside," he suggested, a sly grin appearing on his face, though its meaning eluded me, revealing a side of him I hadn't seen before. Regardless, I did take it as a bashful smile from him.

We entered the karaoke venue, enveloped in its lively and vibrant atmosphere. The staff warmly greeted us, guiding us to our designated room. While strolling through, I glimpsed a couple sharing a passionate kiss, prompting a subtle look of distaste from me. Jackson, observant as ever, flashed a smile in my direction, intertwining his fingers with mine as we continued our path.

Bathed in the glow of mesmerizing LED lights cascading from the ceiling. The stage was set with a dazzling flat-screen TV displaying lyrics, an array of microphones at the ready, and plush seating beckoning us to sing our hearts out. The ambiance was electric, inviting us to immerse ourselves in a world of music and fun.

"Can you sing well?" Jackson inquired, a smile tugging at his lips.

"Uh, yeah," I lied. You all know I couldn't confess the truth; I had to impress him. My vocal cords had to be flawless today. 'The heavens better cooperate,' I inwardly prayed.

"Wow, really? I didn't know that. That's extra fun for us," he said with excitement.

I mustered a strained giggle, "Yeah, extra fun."

As we settled into our seats, I placed my bag beside me. The staff who had been with us all this time asked, "Do you need anything, like snacks or a drink?" she said with a beaming smile, her teeth nearly blinding me. I could already envision the ache she must endure in her cheeks every time she flashed such an extreme smile.

Jackson turned to me without a word, but his actions made it clear he was passing the decision back to me. "Oh, I'm good for now. I'll give you a heads-up if I need anything," I responded swiftly. Glancing at Jackson who seemed lost in thought, I suspected he must have been expecting a request from me. "All good, I ate a lot before heading out," I said, mimicking the staff's wide smile; goodness, my cheeks were starting to ache, prompting me to gently massage them.

After the staff gracefully departed, leaving just the two of us, we ventured into the realm of song selection. Jackson, with a twinkle in his eye, chose the most enchanting melody; though he initially nudged me to lead, we playfully settled the matter with a game of rock-paper-scissors, which he lost. Thus, he took the stage first — it seems my silent wishes had found their mark.

I was entranced by his strong hands cradling the mic, poised to sing. The moment his voice filled the air, I was captivated. A gasp slipped from my lips, my hands instinctively rising to cover my mouth as my eyes widened in awe of Jackson's angelic tones.

"Wow, he sounds like an angel," I whispered, moved by the beauty of his heartfelt performance, tears glistening in my eyes.

His voice was a melody to my ears and a comfort to my heart. It resonated like angels singing 'Halleluyah' to the heavens; there I sat, captivated by the man before me, feeling grateful for the stars aligning our paths.

Soon, he drew nearer, reaching out his hand to me, a twinkle in his eye. I nodded swiftly, declining his offer even as his hand lingered in the air.

"Join me," his voice resonated over the mic.

I gracefully declined as he moved closer, inadvertently bumping into the table beside me, stumbling and falling towards me. Our eyes locked in that moment; his breath whispered in my ears, my heart racing in the silence. His face drew near like a timeless embrace. After a pause, he coughed, trying to rise. But, as he shifted, his grip slipped, drawing him closer, our lips meeting in a tender kiss. The little distance between us dissolved as our lips entwined; the romantic melody softly playing in the background.