I Am Jealous

Adonis's POV

"Look, Jake," I muttered, running a hand through my hair, "I know I've dragged you into every stupid plan I had to annoy Maya. And I could always tell you hesitated… like you didn't fully agree. I think I finally understand why." I let out a sigh. "You like her."

Jake glanced at me with a smirk that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Took you long enough to figure it out."

I stared out the window, unwilling to meet his gaze.

"You've hated her for years," Jake went on. "Always complaining she stares at you too much, always finding a reason to mock her. But you're not exactly blind, Adonis. You see what the rest of us see."

His words landed like a slap.

"She's beautiful. And I think you've known it for a long time."

I wanted to deny it, shrug it off, scoff like I usually do. But my silence said it all.

Jake leaned back in his seat, voice lowering. "James told me yesterday he plans to court her. Says he doesn't care if the rest of the circle laughs or talks behind his back. She's been his crush since forever."

I turned to him sharply. "What do you mean, court her?"

"I mean, he's serious. It's why he always visits his grandfather's estate on weekends—even when his parents disapprove. Maya's the reason."

A strange, suffocating feeling settled in my chest.

"I won't lie to you," Jake continued. "I like her, too. But because you always had a problem with her, I kept my distance. We're not kids anymore, Adonis. We're adults. And honestly, I'm done playing along with your games."

His voice was calm, but his words hit hard.

"So tell me," Jake said, turning toward me, "what's really going on in that stubborn head of yours? Because if James is serious, and I decide to be serious too… there's nothing stopping either of us. You can't keep treating her like she's some pawn just because you can't figure yourself out."

I clenched my fists.

"I mean, you insulted her so bad this morning I wanted to punch you," Jake said, his tone suddenly sharper. "But clearly, she didn't need saving. I still saw the red imprint of her hand on your perfect face."

He laughed under his breath, and I reflexively reached up to touch my cheek, heat crawling up my neck.

Jake's words rattled in my skull.

He was right.

I hurt her.

I always do.

But what shook me most was the image of Maya laughing with someone else. Smiling at James. Letting him kiss her. It made my blood boil, and I hated that it did.

I stared ahead as we passed beneath the arched gates of our estate. My mind spun like a hurricane, but one thing was clear—I needed to decide. Now. Before I lose the right to.

Jake pulled up in front of the grand house and hit the lock button. The soft click echoed in the silence. He opened his door, but I remained seated, frozen in thought.

"You're quiet," Jake muttered, glancing at me. "And weirdly spaced out. Honestly, I've never seen you like this. You're in some kind of bubble."

I stayed silent.

"Rich is your best friend. I'm your cousin. But I'll tell you now, it looks like both of us are falling for the same girl—and the only one who doesn't like her is you. Or maybe," he paused, "you're just the only one too scared to admit that you do."

I glared at him, jaw tight. But no words came.

Jake smirked. "You know Rich has the advantage. Maya obviously likes him, too."

That did it.

"Jake, can you shut up?" I snapped, the anger bursting out before I could stop it.

Jake blinked, genuinely stunned. "Whoa. Relax. Did I hit a nerve?"

He opened his door, climbed out, and slammed it shut without looking back. I sat in silence, stunned at myself. What the hell was I doing?

Minutes passed before I finally forced myself out of the car. My legs felt heavy as I walked to the entrance. Jake was nowhere in sight—probably sulking in the game room.

I didn't care.

I couldn't care. Not right now.

I dragged myself toward the stairs, my head pounding with thoughts I couldn't untangle. And just as I reached the landing, I saw her.

Ariana, my lovely twin sister. Maya's best friend.

She stood there with a soft smile, like a light cutting through my storm.

For a second, I almost smiled back. Almost.

But then I remembered her best friend's tear-streaked face, the words she flung at me like daggers, and the slap that still burned on my skin.

My twin was sunshine.

And I… I was the storm she never saw coming.

"Hey, bro, are you alright?" Ariana asked, tilting her head as she studied me. Her voice was gentle, but her eyes held concern—the kind only a twin could have.

I nodded quickly, forcing a smile that didn't reach my eyes. "I'm fine."

I love my sister—always have. Growing up, our parents were constantly busy with business trips and meetings, leaving us alone with a rotating cast of nannies and house staff. Ariana and I only had each other. That bond grew stronger during adolescence and somehow lasted even now. We've always been close. We share everything. We always talk.

But today… I was about to lie to her for the first time.

"Are you sure?" she asked, her brows furrowed. "You look like a complete mess, Adonis."

"I said I'm fine," I replied, trying to sound light. "Why do you look so happy, though?"

She beamed. "I just gave Maya my old iPhone. I'm going to call her in a bit."

I froze for a second.

Of course. Maya.

Why is everyone always talking about her?

I gave Ariana another forced smile, then turned on my heel and walked away without another word. I needed to be alone. My chest felt tight, my thoughts cluttered. It was like Maya was everywhere. In every room. On every screen. In every conversation.

How the hell was I supposed to get peace of mind when her name followed me like a ghost?

I entered my room and collapsed on my oversized bed. The silence didn't help. I stared at the ceiling, wondering what had happened to me. How did one girl twist my entire world out of shape like this?

I groaned and dragged myself to the bathroom. Maybe a cold shower would fix this madness.

I let the icy water cascade down my body. It did little to cool the fire in my chest, but at least it drowned out the chaos in my mind—temporarily. I closed my eyes and pressed my palms against the tiles. I didn't want to see her face in my thoughts again. But she was already there—her lips, her tear-filled eyes, the anger in her voice when she called me a monster.

And worse… Jake's words kept echoing.

James will court Maya.

The idea of someone else kissing her… holding her… made me want to scream.

I hated this. Hated how she made me feel. Hated that I was jealous. But the truth hit me like a punch—I didn't want anyone else near Maya. Not Jake. Not James. Not even Rich.

Damn it, Adonis.

I turned off the shower and dried off quickly, trying to shake off the tight knot building in my chest. I threw on my favorite tattered jeans and a plain black T-shirt—my comfort clothes. Mom would throw a fit if she saw me in this, but she wasn't home to comment, and I couldn't care less. I needed to think.

I wanted to reach out to Maya… but I didn't even have her number. Asking Ariana was out of the question. I wasn't ready to deal with her teasing smirks or curious questions.

So I messaged Rich instead.

Me: Where are you?

His reply came fast.

Rich: At the house. About to pick up Maya.

My heart dropped.

Me: Why are you picking her up?

Rich: Mom asked her to come over. I don't want her walking again.

My grip on the phone tightened. I wanted to smash it against the wall, but I closed my eyes and forced myself to breathe.

This was jealousy.

Pure and ugly.

And it terrified me.

Why am I like this? I wondered. Since when do I care this much?

I thought about texting Rich to say I'll pick her up instead. But I stopped myself. He'd ask questions. He'd notice. And I wasn't ready to answer anything. Not yet.

I needed to be sure of what this feeling was. All this time, I thought I hated her. But now… it felt too raw. Too real.

Maybe I needed to face her.

Spend time with her.

See if this was just guilt… or something more dangerous.

I leaned against my desk, staring blankly at the messages on my phone. I've never been in a serious relationship. Girls were always the ones chasing me, making it too easy. Too boring. I blocked most of them for being too clingy, too loud, too desperate.

But Maya? She was different. At least, she used to be.

Now I wasn't sure, after I insulted and hurt her last year.

She used to look at me like I was the center of her world—and I mocked her for it.

Now that she hated me… it's as if I'm chasing that gaze again.

And that terrified me more than I could admit.