Where it hurts the most

Cordelia

'I kicked him where it hurts the most.' I told Stacy who stood in the doorway horrified to see Jackson in my apartment. I guess his being on the floor was more the reason that she stared at me with her widened eyes.

Jackson didn't leave this chance to remind me of what the future holds as he said, 'you should've thought about our kids, darling.'

I shot him a glare. 'There will be no kids.'

Stacy shut the door when she was inside. 'I sure did come here at the wrong time.'

'No, you didn't. Jackson here was leaving.'

He got up. Damn, I should've put more power into the kick. 'Not so fast. We're yet to discuss our future despite you attempting to ruin it just now.'

With her hands on her hips, Stacy looked at me as if I'd hidden some deep dark secret from her. My head shook immediately to tell her I had no plans in keeping her out of this. 'He wants to marry me.' Jackson cleared his throat loudly and I rolled my eyes. 'I mean my grandfather wants him to marry me.'

'That I know.' She said and Jackson raised a brow.

He didn't react much when I said, 'She's my best friend. I tell her everything.'

'Not everything but almost…' I snapped my head in Stacy's direction and she pressed her lips together.

'As I was saying she knows everything hence it is only fair that she is informed of our possible arrangement.'

'Possible arrangement?'

I turned to Stacy and nodded. 'Jackson wants me to sign a contract with him. We'll be married for a short while until Grandpa is convinced and then we'll go our different ways.'

Stacy bit her lip and then took me to a side. 'Are you sure this is a good idea? I mean Jackson isn't a simple guy. I'm sure things aren't as simple as they look.'

'Trust me Stacy I'm not as bad as your friend here.' Jackson said from right behind us. I turned to find him very close. He grinned and I sighed.

'Stop saying nonsense.'

'I was just stating facts.'

Before I could respond and another argument could begin Stacy intervened. 'Okay, guys let's not waste our time by engaging in unnecessary fights. Both of you want something from Delia's grandfather and for that, you need to marry.'

Jackson interrupted her. 'I'm doing this because I owe him. I don't want….'

I raised a hand in the air to shut him up. 'All of us here are aware of your materialistic tendencies. So don't try to fry us in butter.'

Stacy began again. 'So it would be better that you could join hands and get this over with without any damages to BOTH the sides.' I liked how she emphasized both because Jackson might think he's at a disadvantage as she is my friend. I didn't know that probably I'm not the only one who has a trusted one by my side.

I would admit I was a tad bit, only a tiny, very little bit, jealous when he said, 'Thanks for thinking about me Stacy but I have my people to worry about me.' He said, people. Is he mentioning his team or...? I gulped.

One look at Stacy and she knew there needed to be a girl talk. 'Okay in that case here is what I suggest. We meet tomorrow to discuss a contract. You can bring in whoever it is that you trust and I'll accompany Delia.'

He nodded with a smile. 'I've already had a contract drafted. I'll ask my secretary to send it over to you tonight. Both of you can ponder over it and suggest if there's anything to be added.'

'What if she needs to omit anything?'

'That won't do. I will stick by what I want.' When he said that he made sure to look at me up and down with a certain shine in his eyes. Huh! I looked away, my face heating up. How can I forget I was kissing him just a few minutes ago? I better reprimand myself for losing control. This cannot happen. Not after what he said tonight. I did get him dismissed from two of his jobs but I had my reasons for them. He didn't need to be a total jerk about it.

'Then how is this, a discussion?' Stacy asked.

'I never said it was.' He straightened his suit jacket and talked again. 'I will see you two tomorrow. My secretary will let you know where to meet.'

'You're not giving us an upper hand in the contract. Let us at least decide where to meet.' I don't know why I was allowing my best friend to do all the talking.

Jackson scoffed. 'No, thanks. I don't want to step into a below-average restaurant that doesn't even qualify to be called one again.'

My mouth fell open. 'What did you just say? There was nothing wrong with the restaurant okay?!'

He just stared at me and then chuckled. 'Oh no, Cordelia Rosette has officially become a human of the streets. She doesn't even know how to differentiate between decent restaurants and rundown stalls.' He was doing this purposely now! The restraint might've not been a five-star but it was not that bad. 'Tomorrow I'll show you, ladies, where nobles dine.'

'You've become boastful.' That came out unintentionally.

He didn't say anything until he was by the door. 'I've learned from the best. You.'

Someone exhaled loudly behind me. 'Delia, this guy is something.'

I made coffee for me and Stacy while she carefully sat on the couch, her eyes fixated on me. Both of us needed time to think. But I guess her patience ran out. 'You're going to marry Jackson Carter! Wow!'

Keeping her glass on the table I said, 'There is nothing to be excited about this, Stacy.'

'Maybe this will give both of us a chance to sort out the misunderstandings.' I rolled my eyes at her optimism. There is no way we're sorting out anything.

'There is nothing to sort out. Everything is out in the open. He hates me and I hate him too.'

'Then why did you try to help him back then?' I stared at her while taking a sip of the coffee that lacked sugar. Suddenly, it was too bitter.

'I was just having fun.'

'Then you shouldn't complain about him getting back at you for that.' She looked away after saying that because she knew I would be mad. To think of it, even if I was trying to do the right thing, he was unemployed because of me. But he shouldn't have gone too far after that.

Thirteen years ago

Another school year began and I was hoping for a great year ahead especially since now was the time I put in extra effort to get into the best college. Dad always said preparation should be started early. A year was still left till I finished school high school but I was already juggling between classes and extracurricular activities to show the future selectors that I'd run the extra mile.

But my extra mile was already cut short when I noticed him back in school. 'I thought he had left.' Stacy who was retrieving her books from the locker right next to me followed my gaze.

'Oh, Jackson. He never left.'

My head snapped. 'He didn't?' I clearly remember he was kicked out by his previous employer, the criminal lady. Then how come he could pay for his tuition fee?

It was as if Stacy was well aware of my thinking that she answered, 'He got a scholarship.'

I scrunched up my face. 'I filled out every application I could but I never got one. How come someone like him could?'

'Because he's an orphan and we're not.' I sighed. How can I forget? He was working because he didn't have a set of parents to support him financially. Times like this make me appreciate my parents even more. At least they didn't leave me alone in this world. I almost felt bad for Jackson but that almost converted into never when the very next day he decided it was to be the day of his revenge.

A note was left in my locker saying I had to be in the boys' locker room during lunch. Now I don't pay attention to any of these childish games but since it was signed in his name along with a warning that he would consider me a chicken if I didn't come, I went ahead. To be honest, I wanted to experience some thrill. Him, being completely mute for the end of last year made coming to school boring. I kind of missed broken test tubes in the chemistry lab, a false fire alarm leading to a flood in the classroom, fake insects in each other's burgers, getting him thrown out of his workplaces, calling him everything I could to irk him, and whatnot.

So when Stacy was getting ready to fight for that cheese salad that sold like a pop idol's concert ticket, I took the chance and vanished to reach the war location. Jackson, you better be ready, because I have some new insults ready to be rolled off my tongue.

'Not surprised that you came dancing in here to meet me, Cordelia.' He said the moment I entered.

'Stop pleasing your ego by false assumptions.' I retorted.

He smiled and walked to stand in front of me. He leaned against a locker and I did too. Why should I tell him that I was a bit nervous to be in an empty boys' locker room with him?

'What can I do when you're hell-bent on bruising my ego? I need to please it.'

I scoffed. 'Then suit yourself.' He smirked and suddenly coming here didn't seem like a smart idea at all. It got worse when he pulled his blue sweatshirt over his head. 'What are you doing?'

'Let's call it pleasing my ego. I don't want to use pauper language in front of my lady.' His tongue swirled at 'lady'. My heart started thumping loudly. Oh no, he was still upset about the whole painting episode that happened last year.

'Jackson, I did it because…..' He stayed in his place and kept a finger on his lips.

'Shhh…I already know what you did. Now I want to know what you will do to make it better.' No, Jackson might be a jerk but he wasn't sinister. I know he's doing it to scare me so that I don't bother him again.

'I….I….will apologize….'

He laughed. 'Oh Cordelia, I wish things were that easy.'

'What do you want then?'

I gulped when I noticed his eyes turning dark. 'The lady, she made me beg her.' He didn't need to say who I already knew who he was talking about. This was about the painting. 'I had to beg in front of the school, let them know I was a poor orphan and needed money complete the rest of the year.'

'You're still young. Child services would've helped you.' His laughter roared in my ears.

'Are you suddenly worried about me Cordelia?'

'Jackson….'

'Get down on your knees.' Suddenly I couldn't understand English. 'Do as I say.'

I took a deep breath and in a panic, I turned to leave but he blocked my way. 'You've lost your mind, Jackson.'

'All thanks to you.' It was as if there was no emotion left in him that he continued, 'They don't take people with a criminal record in Ivy Leagues.'

'Neither of us has one.'

'Yet.'

'What do you mean?'

'My ex-employer is ready to report you for stealing her painting.' My eyes widened in fear.

'But I was trying to…..'

'Get me in trouble.' I shook my head ferociously refusing his claim. Maybe I should tell him the truth.

'I did decide to trouble you because you always keep bothering me but later…..'

'Ha! You're confessing it now. But too bad. It's late. I don't need a confession, I need you to feel what I felt.'

Our eyes met for a second and I knew he could get me in trouble. I deliberated. He just wanted me to kneel. There was nothing else mentioned. Maybe he just wants me to ask for forgiveness for my falling at his feet. There's no harm in this. But what if he wants more…..I gulped. Shit, where was Stacy when I needed her to rescue me?

'Jackson….'

'Do it now!' He mouthed. I sighed. Finally giving in to his over-the-top demand I knelt on the floor. My knees touched the cold tile and I felt a shiver down my spine. 'Now look at me.' I followed his order like a puppet and raised my head but closed my eyes. There was no way I could see the satisfaction of him humiliating me like this. 'How are you going to look at me when your eyes are closed?' I didn't answer. That must've agitated him because his fingers got themselves entangled into my messy hair locks that were not restrained by a hair tie today. 'I just want you to see how it feels to be there. Not everyone is privileged like you, Cordelia. But we do live our lives with honesty. Don't you dare make someone question my honesty ever again!' I felt bad. Filled with the guilt I opened my eyes to stare into his. They were filled with so much emotion. Jackson wasn't the enemy right now he was my victim. An apology was almost on my lips when suddenly I heard a loud hooting. I froze but Jackson was quick to turn and his hand immediately retreated from my hair.

When I got to my feet again I was surrounded by cheers and lots of clapping from the whole goddamn basketball team of our school. They were slapping Jackson's back as if praising him and I with a horrified look on my face had nothing to do but run out of there. I remember I ran through the corridor, passing the classrooms, and the cafeteria, finally reaching a quiet corner of a library. My legs felt weak and I allowed myself to slump to the floor. Keeping a hand on my mouth I let the tears wreak my face. There's no need to mention this but after that day the image people had of me in their minds changed. Unfortunately, there was nothing I could do about it except hate Jackson Carter even more. After all, he'd hurt me where it hurts the most. The intelligent, hardworking, kind but untouchable perfect student had now been reduced to a random girl who went down for Jackson Carter, the stud of the school.