He had gotten the meds for her and they were going back towards their home.

His eyes were burning with worry and to hide that , he had shades on. Jonathan's heart had tightened at the sight of her under the hospital's harsh lights. He couldn't help but keep thinking of her. . looking out at her because he was in love with the girl sitting beside him. .so in love he wanted to run away from it because his control was snapping each day . .his heart was constantly questioning the distance between them on bed. .

His phone began to vibrate on the dashboard and feeling thankful for it ,he accepted the call right away.

"Yeah Dad?"

Her eyes immediately snapped on him.

"No—yes everything's fine. Yeah she's fine." He said in a smooth manner and her eyes turned into slits at his lie.

"She's sleeping right now. Yeah, talk to you soon."

Jennifer ,who had felt a tinge of happiness knowing it was Mark, her heart died down instantly.

Seeing him put back the phone on the dashboard , she spat. "Why did you lie?!"

"What? Did you want me to spill the truth?" He challenged.

"I'm awake! I wanted to. .to talk to him." Her voice turned low. .

"Tomorrow." He said gently.

"Now!" She urged like a petulant stubborn child.

"I said. .. tomorrow."

"I don't care what you said!" Her voice rose ," I want to talk to him right now!!"

He clenched his fists around the wheel.

"Shut the fuck up! Keep your fucking voice down! I hate women who keep screaming like a fucking banshee!!" His cut throat tone was a slap on her face on her behavior.

She jerked at the intensity of his anger.

He had taken off the shades now and she could clearly see his eyes had glowered at her.

Jennifer wanted to burst into tears . .right there and wail her heart out. He just. .hated her!

"The thing is whether I scream or whisper. .you hate me anyways." Jennifer had tried to smile but her lips quivered and she turned away from him.

His anger dissipated at seeing her hurt again. He could clearly hear her sniffs.

Sighing , he called her out.

She didn't respond.

This time he reached out and his hand wrapped around her hand laying in her lap , feeling her temperature right away.

Hot.

"Do you want me to apologize?" He asked lightly.

Slowly , she shook her head.

And her subtle manner made him want to take her in his arms and crush her down and make her feel how much he loved her but he kept a wall over his feelings.

"If Dad heard your voice , you know how would he react right? He would be worried sick."

His gentle manner got her look at him.

"God Jennifer! You make me explain myself and I have never dish that out to anyone. Ever." Jonathan accepted with an open heart and leaving her hand , he patted her head like a child making her smile.

"One minute you're ready with waterfall in your eyes and next minute..." He shook his head.

A nice comfortable silence fell.

Both of them feeling each other more than they ever had.

××××××××

He had gone up to get his caffeine shot in the middle of the night and now as he entered the room , his gaze fell on her who was sleeping soundly on her side of the bed . .her eyebrows would knot now and then as if dreaming. .

She was restless in dreams too.

Jonathan got to his side of bed and leaned against the headboard but tonight he couldn't ignore his heart and as if helpless with it , his neck turned at her . . scrutinizing her features . .and her upper lip was more full than the lower. .the cut of them. .his heart leaped in joy and he didn't stop it or stomped on it.

He kept looking at her until his eyes turned raw.

And then very slowly , he bent over her face .

"How do I save myself?" He whispered in her ear , it didn't matter what he said for she was far gone.

"Tell me something. .a remedy that can save me from you because. .," gently he traced her cheek with the back of his hand ," I don't want to lose and I'm loosing. ."

"You're breaking me down. .my temper. .my hold . . everything." His voice was barely a whisper and her silence ignited the fire in him.

"Don't think I love you. ." he warned feeling her warm breath.

"You witch. ." He breathed , tracing her eyebrow.

"I won't forgive you. .I'll punish you. .it's decided." He felt the softness of her lips , his eyes shining with a deep emotion and a decision.

"I hate you." He whispered and very gently placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

She groaned in sleep , getting a smile from him she had never dreamed of .

"Happy birthday , sweetheart."

He watched her go back to sleep and knowing well it was her birthday, he had gotten up early and prepared a breakfast for himself not wanting to ruin her day by giving into his temper.

××××××××

When she got up, she searched the entire apartment for him but couldn't find him and it hit her heart.

Angry at her own feelings , she wished she could kill them for once and all! His love was like a drug flowing in her blood . .never leaving her. With a dead heart , she prepared breakfast for herself and tried not to ruin her already ruined life.

It was her birthday and she was far far away from the people she loved and crave for. .

The person she wanted the most didn't give a damn about her! He had left so he could escape her today too!

Checking her phone , she had gotten birthday messages from Daisy and Logan and Mark. .that had made her somehow smile.

Mark had called too and when the call cut off , so did her charade too.

Another long day awaited her.

A long lonely day.

×××××