018. Distrust

The car came to a smooth stop in front of Jason's majestic mansion. The exterior lights illuminated the driveway, casting long shadows over the immaculate garden, which stretched out like a perfectly manicured green blanket. Amelia and Jason got out of the car, both enveloped in a silence heavy with unspoken tensions.

Amelia looked at the mansion's façade with a mixture of awe and apprehension. The stone walls and large windows reflected the light of the setting sun, giving the house an air of an ancient fortress. However, in her mind, thoughts flitted between Jason's potential betrayal and her worries about Lucía. She felt a sharp pang of pain each time she recalled Jason and Inmaculada's tired and sweaty faces—images she couldn't expel from her mind. The feeling of doubt and confusion wrapped around her like a dark shadow lodged in her heart.

Beside her, Jason stared at the mansion with a serious expression, his eyes fixed on the entrance, but his mind elsewhere. He interpreted Amelia's silence as a reflection of the stress and fatigue of the day, without suspecting the true reasons for her distance. He felt a growing unease, a sense that something intangible stood between them, but he didn't know how to address it without adding more tension to an already complicated situation.

"Let's go inside. We need to have dinner and then rest a bit," Jason said, trying to break the ice with a tone that aimed to be casual but couldn't hide the underlying worry.

Amelia nodded silently, following Jason into the mansion. The echo of their steps resounded in the spacious foyer, adding a layer of unease to the atmosphere. Every step seemed to reverberate in their hearts, amplifying the tense silence that surrounded them. The walls, adorned with elegant works of art and family photographs, seemed to watch them with an inquisitive gaze, as if perceiving the latent tension between them.

As they crossed the foyer, Amelia couldn't help but feel small and insignificant against the opulence of the place. Every object, every detail, seemed to remind her of the widening gap she felt between them. For his part, Jason, though accustomed to the luxury surrounding him, felt the weight of responsibility and the pressure to protect Amelia from everything that loomed over them. However, words felt elusive, and the silence that was meant to be comforting turned into an insurmountable barrier.

The mansion, usually a refuge of tranquility and security, now seemed like a stage for a silent confrontation. Both knew they needed to talk, but the fear of hurting the other, of triggering a discussion they didn't know how to end, kept them from opening up completely. The air felt dense, charged with unexpressed emotions and unconfirmed suspicions, creating an atmosphere of tension that pervaded every corner of the house.

They entered the dining room, prepared for a dinner that promised to be as silent as the rest of the night, each battling their own demons and hoping to find a way to overcome the barriers that now seemed insurmountable.

The dining table was impeccably set, with fine porcelain plates and shining silverware under the elegant chandeliers' light. A delicately prepared banquet by Jason's personal chef was laid before them, the delicious aromas filling the air. Yet, the atmosphere remained heavy with tension, like a dark cloud looming over them.

Amelia sat opposite Jason, her movements somewhat stiff as she tried to maintain her composure. Her eyes avoided his, fixed on her plate as she nervously fiddled with her fork. Jason, aware of the shift in their dynamic, tried to start a conversation to ease the tension.

"Amelia, how are you feeling after everything that happened today?" he asked softly, his voice filled with genuine concern, hoping to break through the wall of silence surrounding them.

"I'm fine, just tired," Amelia replied, her tone more distant than usual, a clear barrier between her words and her true feelings.

Jason frowned, noticing the change in her attitude but not understanding the real reason. Worry and frustration mixed within him. "I know it's been a tough day. I'm here to help you with anything you need," he said, trying to offer her a support point.

"Yes, sure, thank you," Amelia said, forcing a small smile that didn't reach her eyes, the trace of distrust still present in her gaze and tone.

The silence that followed was thick, almost palpable. The sounds of silverware against plates seemed to resonate loudly in the dining room, each noise amplified by the lack of conversation. Jason felt increasingly frustrated, unable to find the right words to reach Amelia and understand what was happening. The barrier between them, instead of diminishing, seemed to grow with each failed attempt at communication.

Amelia, on the other hand, struggled with an internal storm of emotions. The image of Jason and Inmaculada, tired and sweaty, replayed over and over in her mind, fueling her suspicions and sense of betrayal. She wanted to confront him, to ask for explanations, but the fear of the answers she might receive kept her silent. Every glance she avoided, every measured word, was a desperate attempt to stay calm while her inner world wavered.

Near the end of dinner, Jason took a small vial from his pocket and placed it gently in front of Amelia. He looked at her with a mix of tenderness and seriousness.

"Amelia, I want you to take this. It's important," he said, trying to sound as caring as possible.

Amelia looked at him with a frown, taking the vial between her fingers. "What is this?" she asked, her tone full of distrust.

"It's a contraceptive. It's to make sure there are no complications," Jason explained, trying to keep his voice calm and reassuring.

Amelia's face hardened at his explanation. A wave of anger and jealousy washed over her. "Maybe Mrs. Montalbán should take it," she replied coldly, though she obediently opened the vial and drank its contents.

Jason stood still for a moment, surprised by the harshness of her response. Her words set off alarms in his mind, making him realize that Amelia might be jealous of Inmaculada. However, he decided not to confront her at that moment, fearing he would worsen the situation if he addressed the issue unprepared.

"Thank you for taking it. It's just for our safety," he said softly, trying not to add more tension.

Amelia nodded silently, her gaze fixed on the table as the vial's cold liquid went down her throat. Dinner ended in even thicker silence, both lost in their thoughts. Jason, now more aware of Amelia's possible jealousy, planned to address the problem later without escalating the situation.

Amelia, for her part, felt betrayed and alone, her thoughts spinning in a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. The tension between them was becoming more palpable, an invisible wall that seemed to grow with every passing minute.

Finally, dinner came to an end. Jason, with a look of determination, decided not to press further, hoping that time and patience could eventually break the invisible barrier between them. Amelia, still immersed in her thoughts, got up from the table with a sigh, ready to face the rest of the night with the same mix of uncertainty and distrust.

After dinner, they headed to the library, a vast room with shelves full of books that extended to the ceiling. The dim light of reading lamps illuminated the rows of leather-bound volumes, creating an atmosphere of tranquility and knowledge. Amelia sat at a dark wooden desk, turning on the reading lamp and taking out her laptop to prepare for the next day's meeting. The screen glowed with a cold, bluish light, contrasting with the library's warm glow.

Jason approached her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Do you need help with anything?" he asked, his voice carrying a mix of worry and frustration over the growing distance between them.

Amelia tensed at the contact but remained calm. "No, thanks. I just need to focus on this," she replied, not meeting his eyes, her tone lacking its usual warmth.

Jason sighed, trying to ease the tension. "Shall I fix you something? A Sex on the Beach?" he offered with a forced smile, hoping a light joke might ease the atmosphere.

Amelia looked at him with resentment in her eyes, the emotional wound clearly visible. "Why don't you go have sex on the beach with Mrs. Montalbán?" she retorted sharply, her words laced with pain and jealousy.

Jason, taken aback by the intensity of her response, lost his temper. With a swift, decisive movement, he slapped her across the face. "That's enough. Why would you think I want to have sex with Inmaculada Montalbán?" he demanded, his voice harsh, the sound of his hand echoing in the silent library.

Amelia's eyes blazed with resentment as she touched her slapped cheek, her expression a mix of disbelief and fury. "Think? What were you two doing in another room that made you sweat? You didn't even bother to hide it by showering," she said, her voice trembling with restrained emotion.

Jason clenched his fists, struggling to contain his anger. "What we did is none of your business, but rest assured, we didn't sleep together. On the other hand, you belong to me, and I owe you no explanation," he replied, his tone firm and authoritative.

Amelia looked at him, her eyes full of tears and despair. "I'm supposed to play the role of your girlfriend. Shouldn't a girlfriend be outraged if her boyfriend is cheating on her?" she said, standing up to face him. But seeing the fury in Jason's eyes, she regretted it and lowered her head. "I'm sorry," she apologized, starting to cry. "Your sister is coming in a few days with a suitor, and here I am making a scene. You've treated me so well these days that I forgot my place."

Jason hugged her, gently stroking her hair, trying to soothe her. "It's alright, I said things I shouldn't have as well. Yes, you belong to me, but I don't want to treat you like a slave. Just trust me. Between Inmaculada and me, there's only rivalry, a shared master, business, and you. I'd like to tell you what we did, but it's still too early to grant you access to that knowledge. If I explain and things go wrong, I'd have to kill you. There are things I won't reveal until much later," he said in a soft, conciliatory voice.

Amelia clung to him, her body trembling slightly. "I'm sorry, I don't think I'm ready for this pressure. The slander on the internet, in the company, Lucía's anger, and your secrets have thrown me off balance. This morning, all I could think about was how to look sexier for you. Now I'm on the verge of a panic attack, attacking you when all you've done is defend and pamper me," she confessed, her voice full of vulnerability.

Jason sighed, feeling the weight of his own decisions. "I should have handled things differently and not kept secrets, but there's no solution for that. How about we play a game of pool to decide who's at fault?" he tried to joke, a small smile appearing on his lips.

Amelia managed a faint smile, though the stress was still evident on her face. "I'd be the one at fault. Better make me that Sex on the Beach, and I'll focus on preparing for tomorrow's meeting," she said, trying to regain some normalcy.

Jason nodded and went to prepare the drink, leaving Amelia with her thoughts. The library, with its accumulated wisdom, offered a temporary refuge from the emotional storms they both faced. While Amelia immersed herself in her notes and plans for the meeting, Jason reflected on how to address Amelia's jealousy and the complexity of their relationship.

Finally, Amelia closed her laptop and stood up, heading to the bedroom. Jason followed her in silence, both feeling the day's heavy burden on their shoulders. The air between them was thick with palpable tension, a mix of unspoken emotions and worries weighing like a stone.

Upon entering the bedroom, Amelia headed to the bathroom to prepare for the night. The door closed behind her, leaving Jason alone in the room. He sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the closed door with a mixture of helplessness and sadness. He knew Amelia was emotionally drained, and he too felt the weight of his own secrets, which seemed to stand as an invisible barrier between them.

While Amelia was in the bathroom, Jason mentally reviewed the day, from the press conference to the uncomfortable encounter at Inmaculada's mansion. His secrets and the constant pressure Amelia was under only seemed to worsen the situation. He wanted to comfort her, but he knew any attempt might be in vain as long as those barriers remained.

When Amelia came out of the bathroom, her face showed signs of exhaustion. She went straight to bed without saying a word. Jason watched her, searching her face for any sign of the cheerful and brave woman he so admired and protected. But all he saw was a mix of exhaustion and distrust.

"Amelia, if there's anything I can do or say to make things better, please talk to me," Jason finally said, his voice filled with a mixture of sadness and frustration.

Amelia turned to him, her eyes shining with contained emotions, fighting not to spill over. "I just need to sleep, Jason. Tomorrow will be another day," she replied, her voice trembling slightly, reflecting the fragility she felt at that moment.

Jason nodded, feeling a pang of pain at seeing her vulnerability. He lay down beside her, but the physical and emotional distance between them was almost insurmountable. The tension in the room was almost tangible, and both knew they would have to face their issues eventually.

Jason realized that despite his best efforts, his secrets and the pressure Amelia was under were barriers he couldn't easily break down. He wanted to protect her, but it was becoming increasingly clear that his protection was also a burden for her.

Amelia, for her part, struggled with the feeling of betrayal and uncertainty about her future. She wanted to trust Jason, but the day's doubts and pain left her emotionally shaken. She turned towards the window, looking out into the darkness while feeling Jason's presence beside her—so close yet so distant.

Both closed their eyes, trying to find a moment of peace amidst the chaos of their thoughts. But silence and discomfort reigned in the mansion, enveloping Jason and Amelia in a night of restlessness and distrust. They knew the road ahead would be difficult and that only time and truth could heal the wounds left by the day.

As the darkness of the night surrounded them, they both tried to hold onto the hope that, despite everything, they could overcome the obstacles together. But for now, distance and uncertainty kept them trapped in a fragile truce, hoping that dawn would bring with it a new beginning.