Chapter 28: Motive

Ericka's POV

After a quick chat, Jared had some things to take care of and I decided to swing by the hospital to visit Jackson. I hope he's feeling better.

I decided to freshen up with a quick shower before heading out to visit my friend in the hospital. As I emerged from the bathroom, feeling more awake and ready for the day, I scanned my wardrobe for something suitable to wear. Opting for a comfortable yet presentable outfit, I quickly got dressed and checked my reflection in the mirror before grabbing my phone.

Making my way to the living room, I found my grandma sitting on her favorite armchair, engrossed in her knitting. "Grandma, I'm just going to visit my friend in the hospital, okay? I'll be back soon," I informed her, hoping to reassure her that I wouldn't be gone for too long. She looked up from her knitting with a warm smile and nodded in understanding. "Okay, take care," she said softly.

With that, I stepped outside into the fresh morning air, the chirping of birds and the gentle rustle of leaves providing a soothing soundtrack to my journey. As I closed the front door behind me.

Heading towards the hospital, my mind was filled with thoughts of Jackson and how he was coping with his recovery. I hoped that my visit would bring him some comfort and cheer, even if just for a little while.

At the hospital

Upon reaching the hospital, I quickly made my way to Jackson's room. Knocking on the door, I heard his faint voice invite me in. As I opened the door, my heart sank at the sight of him lying on the bed, his complexion pale and his expression weary. My stomach twisted with sympathy for his suffering.

"Hey," I greeted him softly.

His eyes met mine, and a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

"Hey, Ericka, what are you doing here?" he asked.

I entered the room fully, taking a seat on the chair beside his bed.

"I just wanted to check up on you and see how you're doing," I replied, concern evident in my tone.

Jackson attempted to sit up, a pained hiss escaped his lips, and my instincts kicked in. "Hey, hey, don't move too much," I said gently, assisting him in lying back down on the bed. "I can see you're still not feeling well," I added.

As Jackson winced in pain, a look of anger flashed across his face.

"I don't deserve this. That jerk is gonna pay for what he did," he grumbled, his voice filled with frustration.

"Have you told the cops about it?" I asked.

"Yeah, but they need more info about the guy. I couldn't see much in the dark, so I can't give them a lot to go on," he explained, his voice tinged with annoyance.

"How about checking the surveillance cameras around that area?" I suggested.

Jackson shook his head, a frustrated look on his face.

"Some of them are not working, and others are broken, like someone intentionally smashed them," he explained.

"Someone broke them on purpose?" I asked, surprised.

Jackson nodded grimly.

"Yeah, the police mentioned that it seemed planned. But I can't think of anyone I'm pissed off enough at to pull this kind of crap," he said, a hint of confusion in his voice.

"What could that person's motive be for doing this to you?" I pondered out loud.

Jackson let out a frustrated sigh before responding,

"I honestly have no idea. He just said something vague about me needing to stay away from something, but I couldn't make sense of it," he admitted with a furrowed brow.

As we talked about what went down and Jackson's chat with the cops.A nurse quietly entered the room to check on him. She offered a comforting smile as she assessed his condition and informed him that in just a few more days, he would be able to go home. She instructed him to continue taking the antibiotics prescribed by the doctor to ensure a full recovery.

As I said goodbye to Jackson, telling him to get well soon and promising to catch up again, he gave me a grateful smile and thanked me for visiting.

Once I left his room, I checked my phone and saw a text from Jared saying, "Come to my house tonight."

"Why?" I replied.

"Let's eat dinner together." His response was simple.

I couldn't help but frown, thinking about how unpredictable his moods could be.

"Okay, Mr. Demanding." I replied while leaving the hospital.

As soon as I arrived at my grandma's house, I wasted no time in informing her that I would be staying the night at my friend's place. I knew from past experiences that things could get a bit unpredictable when Jared and I were together, so I wanted to give her a heads-up well in advance.

Time Skip

6pm

After considering the potential scenarios for the night at Jared's, I suddenly felt the urge to freshen up and look my best. Without fully understanding my own motives, I hurriedly shaved and groomed, aiming to exude confidence and perhaps even impress him with subtle gestures. I couldn't quite pinpoint the reason behind my sudden desire to make an impression, but I went with it.

After completing my grooming routine, I turned my attention to selecting the perfect outfit for the night. Eager to strike a balance between classy and sexy, I rummaged through my closet until I found a white dress that felt just right. Pairing it with my deep red, lacy underwear underneath, I felt a surge of confidence as I admired my reflection in the mirror. Enhancing my look with a black heels and a touch of makeup, I opted for a subtle, natural look to complement my attire. With a few curls added to my hair, I was finally ready to head out.

I looked at the time and it's already 6:45 and I decided to go downstairs already. Before leaving, I grabbed my phone and small purse, my heels creating a noise that caught my grandma's attention as she watched TV.

"I didn't know that you're having a date with your friend Ericka," she said mischievously, wiggling her eyebrows.

"It's only a normal dinner, grandma. Stop teasing me," I whined in response.

"Who's that friend anyway? Is it Jared?" she inquired.

"Yes, grandma," I confirmed.

"Oh, now I get it. Have a great night, my sweetie," she said, smiling, before returning her attention back to the TV.

After leaving my house, I quickly hailed a taxi to Jared's place. Upon arrival, I knocked on his door, and a deep voice beckoned me to come in. As I stepped inside, the dimly lit room was illuminated by the soft moonlight seeping through the window. Making my way into the dining room, I was greeted by a sight that left me in awe – the table was adorned with flickering candles and scattered rose petals on the floor. The aroma of the delicious food filled the room, and I couldn't help but admire Jared, who looked effortlessly handsome in his casual attire.

"Are you just going to stand there all night?" Jared's voice snapped me out of my thoughts, and I walked towards the table, asking, "What's the occasion?" As I approached, he pulled out a chair for me to sit, responding, "There's no occasion, I just feel like doing it because you deserve it." His words touched my heart, as I had never experienced such a romantic gesture, not even from my ex-husband. "Thank you," I replied, smiling warmly at him as he took his seat across from me.

Today felt different somehow, a shift in the air that I couldn't quite pinpoint. Being with him had always been special, but today was unlike any other. As I gazed at the ethereal man sitting before me, a strange fluttering sensation tickled my stomach, and my heart raced in a way that was both exhilarating and nerve-wracking.

"Stop gawking at me, miss," his teasing voice broke through my imagination, pulling me back to reality. "I'm not," I protested, feeling my cheeks flush slightly.

But he simply locked eyes with me, a playful smirk dancing on his lips. "You're not even hiding it," he chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. Without breaking eye contact, he reached for the wine, effortlessly opening it and pouring us each a glass.

As he handed me a glass, our fingertips briefly touched, sending a jolt of electricity through me.

What the fuck is wrong with me?