Chapter 11: "Beneath the Surface".

Chapter 11: "Beneath the Surface".

The crisp night air wrapped around the hotel as the stars twinkled overhead. The hustle of the hotel festival had finally faded, leaving behind a quieter, more intimate atmosphere. Jake stood in the courtyard, gazing up at the sky, reflecting on how things had changed. Johnny had been ecstatic lately, talking non-stop about starting a family with Mavis. He was busy preparing for a future that Mavis and Jake had complicated behind his back.

Jake's fingers clenched as he tried to shake off the feelings. He thought he'd feel more guilt about everything, but the truth was, the secret moments with Mavis had become something he looked forward to. They weren't just exciting—they felt right. It had been months now, and their relationship had taken on a rhythm, a quiet dance they both knew, one that had become less and less conflicted as the days passed.

As Jake turned to go back inside, he felt a familiar presence. Mavis was standing by the fountain, the soft moonlight glinting off her pale skin. She smiled at him, a mix of warmth and longing in her eyes. The conflict, the uncertainty—it had dulled over time, replaced with something more comfortable, something they both craved.

Mavis walked over to Jake, her wide-brimmed hat still shielding her from the remnants of the day's sun. She glanced around, ensuring no one was watching, then leaned in close.

"I missed you," she whispered, her voice soft, yet filled with unspoken desire.

Jake felt the familiar tug in his chest, a part of him knowing this was wrong, but another part not caring. He reached out and gently touched her arm, his fingers brushing against her cool skin.

"I missed you too."

They stood there, the space between them narrowing as the night wrapped around them like a secret cloak. Mavis glanced back toward the hotel, her expression softening. "Johnny's so focused on the future, and I love him for that… but I can't stop thinking about you, Jake. Every time we're apart, I feel this pull, like I'm supposed to be with you too."

Jake's heartbeat quickened. He had been feeling the same way, but hearing her say it made it real. His doubts, though lingering, seemed to fade more with each day that passed.

"Maybe we're not supposed to fight this," Jake said, his voice barely above a whisper. "We've been careful. No one knows."

Mavis hesitated, her hand resting on Jake's chest. "Johnny doesn't deserve to be hurt. But I— I don't know how to stop this. Being with you feels right, even when I know it shouldn't."

Jake took a deep breath, cupping her cheek. "We'll figure it out. Let's just… enjoy what we have for now."

Mavis didn't respond with words, but instead, her lips found his. They kissed, slowly at first, but then deeper, more passionately. The familiarity of their intimacy was no longer new, but it was no less powerful. They weren't rushing anymore—there was no need to. Over the past few months, their relationship had settled into this strange balance, a hidden world that only they shared.

Suddenly, footsteps echoed in the distance, and Mavis pulled back quickly, her breath catching. She glanced over her shoulder, panic flashing in her eyes. They hadn't been caught yet, but there had been some close calls.

They quickly adjusted themselves, acting casual just as Johnny appeared, walking toward them, a grin plastered on his face.

"Hey, guys! What are you doing out here?" Johnny asked, oblivious to the tension that had just filled the air. He clapped Jake on the back, laughing.

"Nothing much, just enjoying the night," Jake replied smoothly, his heart pounding from the near miss. He exchanged a quick glance with Mavis, who seemed to have composed herself.

Johnny stretched. "Well, you should head back in. We've got a lot of planning to do for the baby, right, Mavis?"

Mavis smiled sweetly at Johnny, though Jake noticed the flicker of something deeper in her eyes. "Yeah, we do."

As they walked back toward the hotel, Johnny chatted away about baby names and nursery ideas, while Jake and Mavis exchanged subtle glances, their connection stronger than before. They both knew this wasn't going to stop anytime soon.

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Over the next several weeks, Mavis and Jake found themselves stealing more moments. Whenever Johnny was preoccupied with preparations for the baby, Mavis would sneak away to meet Jake. At first, they'd feel a pang of guilt, but the more they did it, the less conflicted they felt. It became a routine, something that, to them, had become normal.

One evening, while Johnny was out shopping for baby supplies, Mavis and Jake met by the lakeside. The moon was high, casting a silver glow on the water. Mavis wore the sun-protection amulet Jake had bought for her, which allowed her to roam outside during the day, something that had strengthened their connection even more.

"I don't even feel bad anymore like before," Mavis admitted, sitting beside Jake, her fingers tracing patterns on his hand. "I thought this would weigh on me more, but it doesn't. I'm with Johnny, yes, but I'm with you too… and I like it that way."

Jake nodded, his hand resting on her thigh. "Same. I know it's not right, but it feels like it is when we're together."

They shared another long kiss, the kind that had become second nature. The conflict wasn't gone entirely, but it was a dull hum now, far from the roaring storm it once was.

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As time passed, Johnny remained blissfully unaware of what was happening. He was excited about the baby and focused on their future, while Mavis and Jake continued their secret relationship in the background. It wasn't something either of them wanted to give up anymore. They had moved past the point of doubt and conflict—they were committed to this strange, hidden love they shared.

The question now was how long they could keep it up before things got complicated again.

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