AN: Feeling much better and Happy Remembrance Day. Let's just take a moment to be thankful for those who served the military and fought for us years ago and those who continue to serve our countries. Proud to be able to say that I was also part of the army several years ago along with all my male cousins, father, and grandfather (every male member from my family).

And thanks for the apology and to those who replied back and to everyone who continues to support me in this community :) Love you guys. -IB

Though I am a guy, I am so excited to write this new chapter because their relationship is shifting. :D

Elsa immediately wondered if Jack had seen the caller ID on her cellphone. Ah. He must have. Though he had been smiling and laughing since this morning, the smile had now completely disappeared from his visage. She felt so nervous as the warmth from his usually bright eyes had cooled until it turned murky like a thunderous cloud during a vicious storm. His jaw was also clenched tightly and his brows had furrowed together. Elsa had seen this expression before when her ex-boyfriend behaved so rudely at Jack's party. It was a look which caused a shudder to run down her spine.

His intense eyes made her feel so vulnerably open. It was as if his eyes could peer into her soul and learn her inner thoughts. There was no doubt that he was bothered. No. That was the wrong word. He was incredibly furious.

Elsa was used to impulsive and explosive angers- like the one Santino had. Jack's anger was hundred-eighty degrees different. He would turn quiet for a while the temperature around him drop considerably. And when he spoke, his voice was turn husky and low. It would make the hair on her neck rise.

Jack's lips parted for a moment before the words scraped out of his mouth. "Do you still like him?"

Those words stung and she felt a pang of anger rise from within her. Offended, she asked, "Why would you even ask that?"

The frown on his face deepened as he crossed his arms. He said, "You aren't answering the question."

Elsa angrily replied, "Yes, because it is a stupid question. You know that Jack. You know how he treats me. Do you think I could continue to like a man like that?"

God, she felt so hurt at that moment. He knew damn well, but he was still asking her that question. She could feel the back of her eyes stinging and she held her breath. She wouldn't break down and begin to cry.

He growled, "Then why does he always contact you? He always calls you, even when we aren't working. I would doubt that you two wouldn't be friends anymore. But this keeps happening."

There was still anger remaining in his voice and she cried back, "We aren't friends! Do you think I want him to call me? He just keeps pursuing after me and that already annoys me enough as it is! And now you dare to question me about my relationship between him? Why would you even care?!"

At her question, Jack looked very wounded. He bent down to gaze directly into her eyes. She could still see intensity in his eyes and it made her hold her breath as he repeated, "Why do I even care? Why do I even care? Elsa. We are close enough to call each other friends. That gives me a right to care about your well-being. But in a more honest reply, I care about you."

Elsa continued to hold her breath. He mentioned being friends so he must have meant caring about her as a friend. Nothing more and nothing less. She wouldn't misinterprete his words to her own liking. For a moment, she wondered what it would be like if a man like Jack did have an interest in her. It would undoubtedly be better than her last relationship. But that would only be her secret fantasy- something only for her to know.

Even though she desired to keep her emotions controlled, but she kept her cheeks blush slightly. Jack continued, "Don't misunderstand me when I say I care about you."

Yes, she knew that he didn't like her romantically at all, and thus, she wouldn't hope for anything. That would be a painful error. However, to her surprise, he said, "I don't care about you simply as a friend. I know that I am attracted to you. I think that I am starting to like you more than as a friend. You are a phenomenal woman and I am starting to like you."

Elsa shocked and dared to ask, "So you get jealous when Santino calls me?"

This time it was her turn to peer at his face, trying to look for any sign as he spoke. His expression remained the same, but his eyes had finally softened. He calmly answered, "Yes. I do get jealous when he calls you. I get jealous when he keeps on trying to flirt with you at work. I get jealous when he even looks at you at work. The very topic of Santino irritates me."

She felt very dumbfounded by his admission.

Next he said, "So... when we are at least alone, try not to get distracted by other people. Or at least keep it in mind that I am starting to have feelings for you..."

Elsa was very happy to hear his sincere request and his feelings. However, was she ready to respond to it? After all, a relationship only had two endings: a break-up or a serious commitment, such as marriage. Nevertheless, she felt her heart stirring and her blush darkening.

She was about to say something in response, but he stopped her and said, "I know that you may not be ready to give me an answer, but I was selfish enough to think that it would be much better for me if I gave you an honest response right now before it's too late. Take your time and just give me an answer when you are ready."

Maybe he finally felt embarrassed because he started to walk away slowly towards to the parking-lot. Then she quickly followed after him and held his hand with a small smile on her face. She whispered, "That's my first response to you."

Jack also smiled and squeezed her hand back. He whispered back, "That's already good enough for me..."

If you enjoyed the new chapter, please leave a kind review as a token of gratitude. I know it is short, but it took me around three hours to writer (to be fair, I got a migraine.)

Love you guys. -IB