Jason kept staring at his wristwatch the entire day, when would 7pm reach? He was feeling uneasy the entire time. Seemed Jonathan had successfully managed to crawl under his skin and make him anxious.

'you see my feelings also aren't a secret but I say them to those whom their directed.'

​​

Did he really confess to Jessie? And if he did what did he say? Ugh! It drove him mad! How was he supposed to remain calm and level headed? Even if Jessie was his to claim this would still make him anxious but that heartless actress hadn't even said anything, she alone kept him on his toes and now this?

Did someone write 'Mess with this man, his feelings and peace of mind don't matter?' On his forehead. If they did he would really love to know. It wasn't normal anymore.

He looked at his wrist. 6:08... he scoffed, it was as if time was also playing a game on him. And he couldn't call Jessie, she always did the opposite of what he said. How can he tell her not to fall in love with Jonathan? She would go and do just that.

"You know what? Screw this." He stated bluntly picking up his office phone he phoned Matt. "Do I have anything else on my schedule?" He asked.

"Not that I know of sir, are you already finished reviewing the minutes of the meetings?" He asked. Jason was a strange and talented man, but even a robot couldn't finish that in fifteen minutes.

"No, I'll take it home." He said, pouting through the speaker.

Matt lips curved into a small smile, of course he would want to leave. "I'm certain I can arrange that sir."

"Good, I'm leaving now."

**************************************************

"Yes?"

"Is he leaving now?"

"I'm not sure... probably."

"Yes or no, I need a decisive answer."

"It not as though I can see him across from my office. Besides as soon as he joined Paradise he disappeared. It's like he is here but he then he isn't."

"I don't condone excuses, I didn't send you to KE holdings to not be sure."

He scoffed. "It's good that your beginning to come clean about why you really had me." He spat. "And why you were so insistent I come here."

The eye roll was obvious even through the other side of the speaker. "How then do you expect me to help you then?"

"He leaving right now, I just got a text. Do it now." He replied.

"Never say I'm a terrible mother, I'm helping you get the girl you want." She finished, cutting the call as she did.

**************************************************

Jason walked out of the building with purpose, surprised at himself and how eager he was to leave work this days. Well when Jessie was the end goal, of course he would be happy to leave. As he was about to step out the door Matt stopped him.

"What?" He asked.

"There is an emergency with Paradise." He said quickly.

"Paradise?"

Matt handed the phone over to him, and he watched the news where the first lady was being battered and chased by reporters.

"Malpractice?" Jason scoffed. "Can she be arrested?"

"Yes, one of her husband's propaganda for getting into office was no immunity for his position." Matt replied.

Jason shut his eyes and sighed. "I didn't even like her, can she just get arrested?"

"She's threatening Paradise." Matt replied.

"Threatening Paradise?" He asked in disbelief and shock. "Can she even do that?"

"I'm not sure sir, but I do know we have to go... now." Matt stated.

**************************************************

"You're late!" Jessie chastised as soon as the door opened, Jessie sprang up and spun around. Her expression distorting when she saw who was standing across from her.

"You're not Jason." She blurted out before she could stop herself.

Jonathan cocked a brow. "Sorry to disappoint?"

"No, oh no I'm sorry I said it like that." She replied. "It's just that..."

"You were expecting my brother instead." He finished.

She bit her lower lip and looked at anywhere but at him. "Do you have any idea where Jason is? Do you know if he is still at work?" She asked.

"Why? Are you that eager to see him? Or are just running away because of what happened earlier?" He asked bluntly.

Jessie breathing hitched for a second, totally shocked at his bluntness, but it was probably a family thing. Jason was pretty blunt as well.

She nodded slowly, "well since you brought it up and since it's never smart to drag this things out I'll just have to address this first." She started.

"Why do I feel like I'm about to get rejected?" Je asked his eyes and tone not at all mirroring each other. His tone sounded casual but his gaze bore holes into her.

She sighed heavily. "I'm sorry Jonathan but I can't accept your feelings for me. You know this as well, I'm in love with your brother." She said.

"But he doesn't know that, I wonder why?" He asked, dropping his suitcase, he walked into the room.

"That- that is not your concern." She replied stepping backwards quickly before he trapped her again.

"But I'm oh so very curious. He loves you and you that. But you love him and he doesn't know that. I want to know why?" He insisted.

"When did you become so... persistent?" She frowned.

"The moment I realised you were in love with Jason. I refuse to be the male friend who is watching the woman he loves fall for another form the side lines. I'm sorry that I'm selfish and I refuse to consider how hard and uncomfortable for you this might be. But instead of suffering in silence I thought you should know." He shrugged. "Besides, what if you actually fall for me?"

"Look Jonathan, I understand that you can't exactly choose who you like and falling in love is not a crime but you have to understand. I already love someone else, and that is not going to change-"

"What makes you say so? You have heard the saying if you love two people go for the second. You wouldn't have fallen for him if you truly loved the first." He said.

"So what? You want to seduce me?" She asked.

He laughed lightly "don't make it sound so scandalous. You are not in a relationship of any sort. And why shouldn't I be allowed to try?"

"Because it makes me incredibly uncomfortable. Aren't you worried about the friendship between us? I don't want to lose what we already have, you are important to me and I owe you a lot. Does all that not matter?" She asked.

"I don't think I can be just friends Jessie, I like you too much." He replied.

She stared at him for some seconds before replying. "So does that mean we are parting here?"

Jonathan huffed angrily "is he really that important that you'd choose so easily between us? Not even a thought?" He asked the hurt and anger evident in his voice.

At that moment she began to realize her error. How did he fall so deeply for her without her noticing? "Jonathan." She started "you have been a wonderful friend and support system to me and I honestly cannot thank you enough for everything you've done for me. I'm sorry that instead of paying you back for all the things you've done I'm hurting you like this. But I love Jason and it's even beginning to scare me how much." She explained.

"I haven't told Jason I love him because I don't deserve to be happy right now. Not with the way my life is going, I have too much to settle and fix individually." She said. "What I need is a friend, I know this is selfish to ask but to be honest these days I'm beginning to feel so comfortable and admist it all, content? I never had the friends I have now when I was still popular and loved. I don't want to lose that. You are important to me and I don't want to lose you. So please... don't make me choose."

Jonathan stopped approaching and stared at her intently, "do you really mean that?"

She nodded "I do."

"Fine, I'm not giving up but I wouldn't want you choose. Especially when I wouldn't be that choice." He said. "I won't mention this again, but in return I want you to promise me something."

"What is it?" She asked softly.

"You would never forget" he replied.

"Never forget what?" She asked.

"Never forget that I have feelings for you, I won't say it again and I will act accordingly from now one. But you have to promise that whatever I do for you, whenever I smile at you, and with every moment that passes by between us. I like you and very deeply as well. Deal?"

"Jonathan." She breathed out.

"Promise." He stated firmly.

She nodded. "Fine, I promise."