Chapter 18: Jealousy

"Love is an untamed force. When we try to control it, it destroys us. When we try to imprison it, it enslaves us. When we try to understand it, it leaves us feeling lost and confused."

- Paolo Coelho

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Eleanor Pallos' POV

I was shaking as I drove off. I could still feel his lips on mine and I hate it. The effect he has on me is just too powerful. I was fine the whole time. My insides feels mushy, but thanks God, my control is better now, but damn, he kissed me. That kiss broke all the resolve I've been trying to keep.

Damn, why he has to show up?

What does the fate wants?

I'm good here. I'm doing better and then all of a sudden, the fate has to ruin it.

As I'm driving back home, my mind was filled with my past, how I was a fool back then. How love managed to control my head and actions. I hate to think about it, but now that I saw him again, it all came back to me like a waves. Whacking my sanity.

I'm over him.. I'm over him, for fuck sake!

I didn't realized that my tears are streaming down my cheeks until all I can see was a blurry road. I wipe my tears with my other hand while the other holding the steering wheel.

Two fucking years, and yet this foolish feeling didn't seem to dwindle, not a bit.. It became worst. I felt so weak, though I did tried it hard to keep my cool and my sanity intact. The only thing that's left in me, is my dignity, in which I almost lost two years ago. When I foolishly tried to seduce him that night.

Forget it, Elle. Dammit!

I punch the steering wheel in frustrations.

I saw the condominium building and I just decided to park it in the parking lot at the front, that's should only for the guest or visitor. I'm too lazy to park underground.

I ignored the amber Mclaren sports car that pulled next to my car as I walk quickly to the entrance door. Just as I was about to approach the entrance door, I saw JJ leaning on the wall near the glass. I hoisted my purse on my shoulder and plastered a smile. I don't want him to see me sad.

"Hey," he stood up straight, then walk approaching me. I stop when he got closer to me. His eyes were looking at my face with scrutiny.

"Did you cry?" He asked.

"No!" I responded, all too quickly. His eyebrow quirked and I know he didn't believe me. He steps a bit closer and his hand touch my cheeks. " Your mascara is smeared around your eyes and your cheeks." He said as he wipes my cheeks. Then his thumbs ran under my eyes. to wipe the mascara off.

"Alright." I admit. I can't deny it, can I?"

"Why did you cry, baby doll?" He asked. He always calls me that, because he said, I was his sister now. I filled the emptiness his sister left, and I'm so happy that they treat me like their own blood.

"I was too happy, it's a tears of joy JJ." I chuckled, but it was too fake. JJ frowned and shook his head, unconvinced.

"Really. You sounded so fake, Elle." He tucked his hands in his pockets and stared at me.

"Why are you here by the way?" I asked.

"I thought we could go have dinner, tonight." He replied. It's almost ten to have dinner now.

"Oh, I'm sorry. You should have called me." I said. "I already have."

"I did." He replied calmly.

"You did?" I frowned. I quickly fish out my phone in my purse and after a few minutes, finally I found what I was looking for.

I have a small MK hamilton purse and sometimes, I don't understand why it's so hard to find the things inside it. It seems like the inside was like a big drawer where tons of stuff were stored. And I honestly, there's only few things in my purse. Cellphone, keys, small pouch for my lipgloss and lipstick, blush on powder, and my small organizer book.

That's it, but it took me a hell of two minutes to find my phone.

I check my phone and indeed, I have nine missed calls and thirteen messages. Most of it, from him. Looking for me, inviting me for dinner and to meet his girlfriend.

I look at him when I read the last part..

He wanted me to meet his girlfriend.

"You have a girlfriend?" I asked.

"Yes. We just got official yesterday." He grinned happily. I chuckled, because he was acting like a teen-struck love fool. Honestly, I felt happy. Finally, he found a girl. I'm just hoping the girl is deserving.

"Congratulations!" I grinned cheekily then almost jumped on him in joy. He chuckled and catch me for a big hug.

"Thanks, baby doll." He said between chuckling. I was so happy for him.

"Ehem. .." I heard a fake cough behind me. We both pulled away and look who it was and I felt my body stiffened.

"Yes?" JJ pulled me to his side like he was ready to defend me. His happy face is now cold and grim, but not as grim as Nicolai's face.

Nicolai's jaw are clenched. A prominent crease line on his forehead makes him more look menacing and dangerous. His cold stare is too intent, it sends tingles down my spine, but not in a good way. It's alarming.

"Who are you?" JJ asked when he didn't respond. He was just staring at me with contempt, and some unknown emotions.

"Nicolai Petropoulis." He simply said as he shot him a disparaging glance. His lips then pursed as he averted his gaze to me, scorchingly.

When I look at JJ, he stared at me, eyes filled with curiosity. He knew why I ran away, and he knew about Nicolai. I didn't lie to them. And he knew how much I love him, although he didn't know what I did, before I collapse that night.

"Nicolai Petropoulis, the son of the renowned Hotelier, Nicolas Petropoulis." He steps closer to Nicolai. "I'm Jaschel James Baumgartner, a restaurateur and a realtor." He extended his hand and Nicolai just stared at his hand with his face gave nothing away.

JJ shrug it off and tucked his hand in his pockets.

The two stood a few ft away and I could sense the tension getting thicker each seconds. I decided to intrude since I can't take Nicolai's presence anymore. My insides is too weak right now.

"Let's go JJ." I tug JJ's left hand, and then shot Nicolai a glance. "I'll see you tomorrow at my office." I said before turning on my heel and led JJ quickly to the entrance door.

I could still feel Nicolai's burning stare on my back. My legs is starting to shake, so I held onto JJ's arms trying to get more support. JJ link his hand around my waist to hold me in place.

"Are you okay?" He asked as he opened the door and led me inside.

"Ye-yeah." I heaved a sigh to relax my muscles and insides, then I pulled away from him and smiled. "I'm fine." I walk to the elevator that just opened and waited until the passengers emptied the small room and then I step in. JJ followed and stood beside me. I punch the 8th floor and when the door closes, I heaved a heavy sigh.

"You still love him," he commented matter-of-factly.

I nodded.

I can't lie to him. It's like he can read me all throughout.

"He loves you, too." He remarks, that made me look at him. He's reading him wrongly.

"He doesn't, JJ." I shook my head profusely. "Besides, he's with my sister now." I smiled bitterly.

That statement felt like a sharp knife, stabbing my heart furiously and incessantly.

"How do you know?" JJ asked.

The door ping and then it jolted to stop. We both walk out the elevator, and then I walk ahead of him straight to my door.

JJ is behind me as I punched in my code. I'm too lazy to fish out my keys in my purse and I just realized I was still holding my phone.

"Elle," JJ interrupting my thoughts.

"If he did," I turned to face him with my hand still holding the door knob with the door ajar. "Then, he should have come looking for me." I stated the bitter truth. It really stung a lot. "See, he didn't even came for me. He came for his friend's favor. It's all fate's cruelty why we meet again." I push the door widely open and then walk in. I felt JJ following me.

"I think, you need to talk to him, Elle." I heard JJ closed the door. I didn't bother to look back. I tossed my purse on the couch on my way to my island counter in my kitchen and took a chardonnay wine that was stored under it and took two glasses.

I poured the two glasses with wine and I walk back to the living room. I saw JJ sitting comfortably on my baby lilac leathered plush couch, while flicking channels.

I handed him the wine and he thank me. I took my purse and tossed it on the paired single armchair adjacent to the couch and sat as I made successive sips of my wine.

"I don't think we need to talk." I responded after a long pause, with my eyes glued on the screen, but not paying attention. "Besides, there's no us. I was just an extra to the picture. An outcast." I tasted that bitterness again and I hated it.

I look at JJ who was intently staring at me. I smiled to reassure him that I'm fine and everything is under control, although I know deep within me, I'm crashed.

"Tell me about your girlfriend." I grinned.

Then, his eyes sparkled again like a diamond. I chuckled with his reactions. He's indeed whipped.

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Nicolai Petropoulis' POV

I pulled to the spot next to her car. She was too zoned out that she didn't notice me stepping out of my car. The parking lot is a little dim, but it's enough to see anyone.

I followed her, but kept a distance. She indeed was beautiful. I can't help myself, but stare at her wide hips as she gracefully walks and so her ass that was unselfishly showcase by her fitted pencil-cut skirt.

My body's temperature starting to rise. I quickly averted my eyes and stops at my tracks when I saw a tall good-looking guy in his crisp blue expensive button down shirt, paired with a gray suit pants. He looks imposing.

He met her on her way to the door and then both stops face to face and they conversed. She looks happy talking to him and even with the distance, I could tell how the guy looks at her with admiration and love.

The jealousy I felt kept growing. When he touch her cheeks, I felt my nails dug in my palms with how tight my balled fist is.

Jaw clenched and I wanted to rip that man's hand out of her and break it.

I used all my willpower to control my emotions as I stood there watching them with raging jealousy. It was heartbreaking.

Then, suddenly, I saw how she launched herself to him and the guy was too happy to catch her and hugs her tightly. That's when my control exploded, erupted like a volcano, with my blood likes a lava surging throughout my system.

My heart is furiously pumping, like a drum.

As soon as I was close enough for them to hear me, I made a fake cough. My anger is radiating off me and it really pisses me off how the man stay calm after seeing me, not a bit intimidated.

I saw fear in Elle's eyes, but then she conceals it right away.

I saw how JJ pushes her to his side, ready to protect her. I curse him inwardly. I should be the one doing that. Protecting her.

You had a chance before, but you didn't do anything! My conscience recalled. I shook it off and studied the two.

Is he the guy she was referring who get to touch her? Is he the guy she is with now?

My jaw clenched as I stared to her. I hate it.. I hate to see them so sweet and happy. I should be the one with her.

I heard that JJ, whom she calls, ask my name.

"Nicolas Petropoulis." I said curtly.

His eyes lit up in recognition and then he stared at her. Then she met his eyes and the two seems to talk with their eyes. I felt a surge of jealousy flooded my system. I wanted to rip the man's eyes, but I just balled my hands into fist and kept it inside my pocket.

I was too close to hitting the guy's face.

Too close...

"Nicolai Petropoulis, the son of the renowned Hotelier, Nicolas Petropoulis." He steps closer to Nicolai. "I'm Jaschel James Baumgartner, a restaurateur and a realtor." He extended his hand and I just stared at it. I know if I take his hand, I will rip it off. So instead, I just stared at it impassively.

He just shrug it off.

I saw Elle step in and tug his hand. "Let's go JJ. .." then she shot me a glance. "I'll see you tomorrow at my office." she said before turning on her heel and walk away with JJ in tow.

I watch them walk side by side, with my heart bleeding. I felt the stray tear drops on my cheeks. I wipe it furiously and then strode off to my car.

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I knock on her door. According to the reception in the lobby, her condo is 808. I'm already knocking for fucking five minutes, and yet I don't hear any shuffling sounds behind the door. I know it's fucking past midnight and here I am. After drinking a bottle of Jack Daniels, I drag myself here at her door. I'm woozy, eyes a bit blurry, but I know what I'm doing.

I had to win her back...

Even if it had to be in a drastic way.

The door opens and there stood shock Elle in her black nighties. And that night came flooding in my head.. transporting me back. The woozy feeling disperse and my whole body tense up.

"Why are you here?" Her rasp, hazy voice asked me. With her bedraggled hair, she still looks hot and stunning.

"I need to get you pregnant, so you can't get away from me anymore!" I blurted out, and then I felt passing out. I guess the alcohol starting to kick in my system.

Before I lost consciousness, I heard her muffled words, with her hands snaking around my falling body.

"How could you impregnate me when you're knock out, ass.." she hissed and I hope I heard it right.

I let the darkness completely engulfed me with a wide smile in my face.

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A/N: Sorry guys.. it's short..

Please do vote and ignore the errors.. thank you! I'm very late to work..