Girlfriend

Jackson glanced at Halia guiltily. He knew she cared about him, but he couldn't possibly grant her her wish, "I'm sorry, I already told you that I can't do that."

Halia looked at the man as her heart sank. Last night, when she asked him the same question, he had easily brushed her off. But, he must have sensed how serious she was when she wished for it again, yet he stood firmly with his decision. Perhaps, she had been too simple-minded; did she really think that this man would give up on such a big deal because of her. Who was she to him? Women swarmed over him every day? In fact, there was a possibility that she was just a toy while he was locked down here...

Halia furrowed her brows and picked up a knife.

Jackson looked at the woman in surprise. The way she held the knife looked so threatening. It almost looked like she wanted to stab it into his chest.

But, of course, it was for the cake. Halia quickly blew out the candles and sliced the cake into smaller pieces. She then handed a slice to everyone except Jackson.

Jackson looked at the woman in surprise. Was she upset? Women were certainly unpredictable.

He watched as Halia picked out a slice of cake for herself and went to sit on the other side of the lab. Max, Kevin and Rowan glanced awkwardly at their friend and gestured for him to do something. "Sister-in-law's upset," Rowan whispered.

Jackson sighed.

He then walked over and sat down next to Halia. "Ahhh," he said as he opened his mouth, hinting for the woman to feed him. Halia shuffled over and ignored him.

Jackson looked down at his fingers and frowned, "I accidentally hammered my finger last night while I was trying to make a bracelet for 'someone', now I can't even hold a spoon. How am I supposed to eat?"

Halia subconsciously glanced at the man's hands and saw that a couple of his fingers were indeed bruised.

"Why don't you ask the boys to bring another woman down here to take care of you. I'm sure there would be plenty of volunteers," she said.

Jackson shuffled up to Halia again. "But I don't want any other woman. I just want you," he said with sincerity.

Halia felt her heart race and her body heat up, but she had to remain composed. She couldn't fall for this man's tricks again. "I'm not one of those women you can toy with, Jackson. If you just want to have fun because you're feeling lonely down here, then I'm the wrong person."

At that moment, Jackson suddenly wrapped his arms around Halia and whispered beside her ear, "I'm not toying with you." He then lifted Halia's wrist so the heart pendant on her bracelet dangled at eye level, "I've already given you my heart. Don't you understand how I feel?"

Halia looked at the bracelet and felt a little moved.

"Can you be my girlfriend, Halia? Let me prove to you that I'm serious," he said.

Halia felt her heart almost pound out of her chest. In any other circumstance, she would have said yes without hesitation, but...

"I can't, Jackson. If you're still planning to meet with Remy, then there's no futu..."

Before Halia could finish speaking, she felt a pair of soft lips against hers. It was a quick peck, just enough to stop her from talking.

"There's no futu..."

Halia tried to finish her sentence, but another kiss fell on her lips.

"I'm not going to stop until you agree," the man said in a domineering tone.

His voice sent tingles down Halia's spine, but she was persistent, "There's no..."

This time, Jackson's kiss was much longer.

"I warned you," he whispered as his lips left hers for a second. "You're my girlfriend from now on, I'm not taking no for an answer," he said as he kissed Halia again.

His kisses were gentle and loving as though Halia was a delicate gem that he didn't want to destroy. He dotingly tucked some hair behind her ear with his right hand and carefully pushed her neck forward so he could kiss her a little harder.

His every move made it difficult for Halia to retaliate. Logic told her to move away, but her body wanted more. In the end, another idea came to Halia's mind as she slowly surrendered to the man's charms. If she couldn't stop him from going to the deal. Perhaps she could distract him from making the bomb. With that thought, Halia closed her eyes, put her cake aside and kissed the man back.

"Ahem, we're going to go first," Max said awkwardly near the stairs. "Boss, I left lunch in the fridge. I won't be returning until dinnertime. Have fun!!" he yelled as he hurried the other two boys up the stairs.