When it came down to it, it had been a good few years since Jack Atlas and Carly Carmine last saw or heard of each other.
It seemed like they both resigned to their own reasons of keeping their distance from each other.
For Carly, it was quite simple. He had rejected her, and he had done it in the most humiliating way, which was calling her the 'paparazzi' in front of Mina.
She would never forget that day, that moment. At first, the junior reporter thought that Jack was just upset over the fact that she was ambitiously trying to publish the scoop she had found. Then, when he called her the 'paparazzi' and in front of her boss, Mina, that was what she needed to hear for her to realize what he truly thought of her.
Of course, this would be the last memory she would remember of Jack; the man that she once had fallen for so deeply. Her #1.
When she was revived, awoken from her time as a Dark Signer, she had no recollection of her actions and thoughts of that period. She didn't know what she and Jack had ultimately gone through for one another, and for that, she was led to still believe in the misunderstanding of the true nature of Jack's feelings.
Carly went on to move away from Domino and continued to write articles; however, she had decided to step back from being an active reporter. The articles she would write were about street duels, something that she was accustomed to researching and writing. It provided her cost of living comfortably, and she liked being able to work from home most of the time.
She wasn't completely reclused, she did venture out when she needed to. Mostly, she felt as though there seemed to be a dark shadow lurking in her thoughts. Wherever she went, she couldn't shake that feeling of uneasiness.
At first, she didn't let it affect her that much. It wasn't until she began to lose her appetite from this type of anxiety and darkness that her weight and appearance seemed to wane. Her sleep was deeply affected as well.
Odd and overwhelming dreams would plague her nights, subsequently she would wake up with no memory of the dreams the next morning. She knew she would have had strange dreams when she would find herself awake on the bedroom floor the next morning or feel restless throughout the day.
For the past few years, it was taking a toll on her, but she dared not speak of it in front of others or seek help. How could she?
How would she be able to explain?
As for Jack Atlas, the famous Turbo Duelist, The King, he went on his way to continue being a top racing duelist for Ride Race Dueling League after leaving Domino. While he couldn't' defeat Yuesei, he was at least undefeated with every opponent after that.
It was per his ambition of wanting to be the best that he knew he could beat out all the others. However, it was also the fact that dueling so intensely and winning presented him with a moment of euphoria that could allow him to forget about someone.
It would be during the crowds of cheering and the confetti strewn in the air that Jack Atlas could forget about the lingering thoughts of a certain reporter that used to trail after him.
His #1 fan.
When the sun set and the dust was cleared, it was during then that he realized throughout those sleepless nights, his moments alone during dinner, that a thought of her would appear in every corner of his mind.
It had been three years, and he still remembered her vividly, but he would constantly talk himself out of looking for her. He was aware of her forgotten memories of the moments she was a Dark Signer. He had seen what those memories could do to those that had been taken. It was something he never wanted her to go through ever again even if they were things in the past.
Furthermore, deep in his heart, he knew that evil could always be lurking around the corner. Keeping his distance from her, her being away from him, was the only way he knew to keep her safe.
Three years had passed by in a blur, but neither forgot about one another.
Xxx
The roaring of the engineer seemed to be a little muffled to the ears as it was racing against the track in a duel. Everything looked to be black, white, and grey, as they passed by. It appeared like it was a scene from an old movie.
It faded in and out like moments of time.
Jack Atlas breathed heavily, panting, in his sleep. His fists balled and clenched the sheets on his bed while he tried to wake himself up. The things he was experiencing in his dream were intense but not coherent. Even in his dream, he felt his heart sky rocketing.
"NGH!" He let out as he suddenly sat up from bed, eyes pulled apart. His breath was shaky and short as he tried to catch his breath.
The King tried to recollect what he just woke up from, but he could only remember fleeting moments of the dream and the intensity he felt.
It was a turbo duel, that was at least obvious. He could still hear the muffling of the engine ringing in his ears. The wind that he felt whipping his face made it clear to him that he was on his dueling vehicle, and he was going fast. Real fast.
But…What was the dream about…Why couldn't he catch his breath?
This specific dream had been happening for a little while now. The last few nights was restless because of this dream too.
Doing his best to put aside his current concerns, he got up and went to the master bathroom to splash some water on his face. He stared at himself in the mirror as the droplets of water rolled down his face.
The King shook his head in an attempt to clear his mind. He left his bathroom to make his way to his closet to prepare his day clothes.
Thankfully, he did not have much planned today. Other than cleaning his turbo racer, and perhaps some training with his dueling, he resolved to take it easy.
As the day went by, he couldn't get the dream from the night before away from his thoughts.
The fragmented parts of the dream kept on plaguing his day, as well as his emotions. It felt suffocating and if he didn't do something to relax soon, he was going to go mad.
It was decided for him to take a walk and get some fresh air.
The sun was above the horizon, but the afternoon sky was a dark one. It looked like it was about to rain at any moment.
Jack shoved his hands in his black leather jacket for warmth while he waited to cross the street. He had no set destination, but he did catch sight of the park across the way. It reminded him of the times of him exploring the new city. He would even catch street duels if he explored well enough.
Hopefully today would be one of those days where fans would be considerate enough to leave him alone. Often enough, he would have to sign dozens of autographs or pose for photos with fans. Today, he was not in the mood for that.
Oddly enough, the park was not too filled. Other than a few groups dueling with each other, and other small children running around, it was moderately busy.
Jack sat at a bench near one of the ongoing duels. It was two teenage boys, and from what Jack could see, they were friendly but competing.
As he looked on, he started to notice people had gathered around the duel as well. The other onlookers kept their distance, but close enough.
Amid the crowd, Jack saw a familiar face that made his heart stop, and his eyes pulled wide from shock.
"Carly…" He whispered to himself.
It was her. There was no doubt about it. However, he almost couldn't recognize her. She was vastly different than the Carly that he knew.
Gone, were her signature trifocal glasses, and even her famous widow's peak hair. Her hair now looked to be styled in loose curls at the ends of her hair, and her hair parted toward the left side now.
She had always been thin and slender, but Jack noticed that she was even more so now. Her slightly flowy white floor length skirt blew with the easy breeze, but it only served to outline her very thinned legs. Her zipped up leather jacket fit her well; however, it only framed her thinning upper body more.
What was Jack to do now…
It had been so long, and every reason he had to have stayed away was still apparent. He couldn't risk putting her in any danger, even if all he wanted to do was to go pull her into a tight hug.
He watched her from where he was seated, not even caring about the duel was going on. Carly on the other hand was busy taking photos and writing notes on a little notepad.
She was covering the duel to write about it later.
What was she doing in this city though? Jack had thought he had left her safely back in Domino City. Pondering his next move, he continued to watch from afar.
The sun was starting to set, and the duel had ended. People in the park were starting to leave, Carly was as well. She put away her notepad in her satchel bag and began to leave the park while looking through the camera photos.
Jack wasn't sure if this was a great idea, but he opted to follow behind her. It didn't seem like a healthy thought. Why pursue with further urges of wanting to be with her? Why prolong her presence to himself?
He didn't want to admit it, but he missed her so much.
Carly was so into her own little world with her camera that she didn't notice that she was about to cross the busy streets before the traffic lights turned green.
From afar, Jack could see oncoming cars and that Carly was not paying attention. Acting quickly, he sprinted toward her to immediately take a hold of her arm. He spun her around into his arms so they would be both safely onto the sidewalk.
Carly couldn't believe her eyes.
Was it really…Jack Atlas..standing before her? Her widened eyes stared into his, as he tried to catch his breath. They were so close that she could feel his short quick breaths on her face.
They were safely out of the way from the oncoming traffic, but he still held onto her. It was like his life depended on it rather than her life.
It seemed like forever that they were standing there like that, her in his arms. They finally realized what was happening, and everything was a reality. They were really with each other.
Carly looked down and shyly nudged out of his hold. He almost begrudgingly let go of her to take a step back as well. He cleared his throat and avoided his face a bit.
"Thank you." Carly said in a quiet tone and turned her heels to leave in the opposite direction.
"It's been three years." Jack blatantly put it. "But you can't even greet me properly?"
Carly stopped leaving and stood still. She closed her eyes for a moment to take in a deep breath. With her back still facing him, she gave him what he wanted, "Hello, Mr. Atlas."
Hopefully that would suffice enough for Jack. All Carly wanted to do was leave, her heart was already starting to feel the heartache all over again.
The universe would not have it. Not a moment too soon, both would start to feel the droplets of rain come from the sky. It was not just a light drizzle, but immediately it was a heavy volume of rain.
Jack took a hold of her hand to pull her to follow him toward the shelter of a bus stop that was nearby. Once they were clear from the rain, Jack quickly let go of her hand before it made them both awkwardly uncomfortable.
"Where do you live?" Jack asked her as he dusted some of the rainwater off his leather jacket.
Carly was wiping away the rain water off her leather jacket as well when she answered nervously, "Not far..."
"Then give me an answer."
"New Digital District…."
"That's on the other side of town. I assume you don't have a way of transportation there."
Carly cursed herself for being so honest, but also for lying in the first place. Now she was caught.
"I can wait for the bus."
"The next bus isn't going to be here for another hour." Jack studied her nonchalantly. She was so thin and frail looking… She would surely get sick if she stay out there for too long.
Clenching down onto his jaw with a slight growl, he avoided eye contact when he said, "My place is close by. You can wait there until the rain stops."
She snapped her head up to him with wide eyes and a tint of blush on her cheeks, "I-It's alright, I don't mind waiting here."
Jack shoved his hands into his leather jacket and looked back to her, "That wasn't a question or a request. He continued indifferently, "If you are worried that I will take advantage of you in some way. Don't flatter yourself."
Before Carly could answer, a loud boom struck the atmosphere, followed by a quick flick of lightning.
The rain poured harder on the pavement, already filling the roads higher and higher.
"Come with me, or I'll get you there my way." Jack stated adamantly and coolly. He turned to take a few steps in the direction of his apartment before he stopped and his glanced to his shoulder, "Trust me. You will not like it my way."
XXX
His luxury apartment was indeed very close by. No more than five minutes and they had arrived. It was rather fortunate that the apartment was so close since their clothes were noticeably drenched from the rain. Their bangs clung to the sides of their faces, outlining the sharp features of both people.
If that wasn't worse enough, Carly's floor length white skirt, no longer flowed like those outfits during the eras when Chinese empresses would wear Hanfu dresses. Instead, per the rain, it clung to her thin legs and became a bit transparent.
Jack could vaguely make out the lining of her black laced underwear. His manly hormones were starting to awaken.
The Raven-haired Girl stood near the door, not sure what to do or where to go. It certainly wasn't her home, unfortunately it had to be his home.
She didn't want to drip the rain from her clothes onto his light-colored hardwood floor, so she was afraid to move around too much.
The King avoided looking at her for too long and disappeared down the hallway to fetch a couple of white towels from a closet.
He held one to her and kept one for himself. He watched her shyly take the towel to start drying her hair. Her eyes evaded with every movement.
Carly was still completely wet. Her heavy leather jacket weighing down on her railed body, and the clothing underneath clinging to her skin.
Jack turned around to start walking down the hall once more, but barely took a few steps when he noticed that she was not moving, "Well? What are you just standing there looking like an idiot for? Follow me."
Carly blindly went along with what he requested. It was now when she realized just how cold she felt from the unforgiving storm. Her soaked clothes were not helping the ice needles that seem to be piercing down to her bones and nerves.
It was also at this time while she trailed after Jack that she secretly peered around his home. It was quite luxurious indeed… Overall, the whole apartment was white or creamed color for the walls and windowsills. The living room was spacious enough to fit a large crème color L-shaped sofa. Hanging on the wall in front of it was a big screen TV, accompanied by a surround sound stereo system placed below it for entertainment.
Towards the side of the living room that faced the outside of the apartment was a walk-out terrace, which gave an impeccable view of the city lights since they were on the fourth floor of a sixth-floor building.
Even the hallway that he was leading her down to was long, and on the sides were doors to the five other bedrooms and two guest bathrooms.
Jack Atlas had done well for himself in the last three years…
He stopped at the very end of the hall when he opened a door that presented one of the guest bathrooms. His hand reached around the doorway to flick open the lights, then stood to the side so she could step through.
She looked around to find the bathroom was also just as lavish and spacious. The white sparkling bathtub was immense and separated from the standing shower that had multiple water jets.
Jack stepped through into the bathroom so he could go to the bathtub to turn on the water to fill it. He touched the water for a moment to make sure it was at a reasonable temperature.
Standing up straight, he faced her completely. His impression held not much emotion, "Give me your clothes to wash and dry."
Carly couldn't help but feel warm now, even though the fact that her wet clothes were making her near freezing just a moment ago. Her face, she was sure that it was as red as it could be. "I-It's okay. I'm not cold." She attempted to lie.
Jack crossed his arms over his chest, shut his eyes, bit down for a moment to calm his impatience with this woman. "I don't want you to ruin my apartment with your wet clothes." His lie seemed believable.
She frowned a little at his statement, "I-I..I didn't ask to come here."
"And I didn't think you would be this troublesome, nor stubborn, but you certainly have proved me wrong." Jack retorted, clearly in no mood as he kept his eyes shut and jaw clenched.
"I d-don't have anything else to wear."
Jack opened his eyes and rolled them to the side a bit, "I will take care of that." His eyes finally fell onto her figure, "Take off your clothes and give them to me." He looked to the bathtub and then back at her, "It is about to overflow while you are wasting time being a prude."
Carly could tell that he was irritated. That's how he was back then too, a bit entitled, if not completely entitled at times. She didn't want to test him any longer though. "T-turn around then.."
Jack nodded casually. The thought of Carly Carmine undressing behind him made his head start to spin and sped up his heartrate more than any turbo could. Whether it was consciously or unconsciously, he wanted this moment to happen one way or another.
But…He still had to be careful…He couldn't let her know he cared or that he was that attracted to her. That would make her want to return to his side even more. He couldn't risk putting her in any more dangerous situations.
Carly eyed Jack carefully as she unzipped her leather jacket to shed it off. She started to grow even more timid and nervous when she began taking off pieces of her other clothing.
Underwear included.
Hurriedly, she wrapped a big white towel around herself, leaving just her arms, shoulders, and legs bare. She held the towel securely in place on her chest while she bent down to pick up her clothes from the floor.
Shakily, she neared Jack's back and grazed his left forearm with her clothes. Jack didn't turn around but reached his right hand across his body to retrieve the clothes from hers. Sternly, he stalked out of the bathroom after gently closing the bathroom door behind him.
It was as though Carly was holding her breath the entire time. She shut her eyes and let out a heavy sigh, not really believing this was real.
It had been three years…and suddenly, Jack Atlas was before her.
XXX
After soaking for a little while and then washing the bodywash suds off herself in the shower next to the bathtub, Carly wrapped a clean big towel across her body once more.
She wasn't sure what she was going to do in the meantime without any clean dry clothes. Perhaps she could stay in the bathroom?
Sighing to herself for the tenth time, she opened the bathroom door and looked out to the hallway which Jack kept dimly lit.
She could hear the rain from outside getting louder than before. At the corner of her eye, she caught sight of an open door to a bedroom that was diagonal to the bathroom. It also appeared to be faintly lit as well.
Curious, she crossed the way to look inside the room. The girl stood at the door to see Jack standing deeper in the bedroom, his bare back facing her for just a moment before he slid on a black tank top over his head. He pulled down the nicely fitted tank top on himself before he noticed her presence.
The contours of his strong back and the chiseled waistline above his boxer briefs and sweatpants were very noticeable.
"Why don't you take a photo, perhaps it will last longer." He bit out coldly.
Jack finally turned around to see Carly at the doorway, wearing nothing but a towel. Thankfully, he kept his apartment warm so that she wouldn't freeze, but it wasn't helping his sudden rise in body temperature.
A tug pulled at his heart, and let's be honest, at his dangerous manly urges.
Even though she was stick-thin now, and she seemed weak, she looked incredibly sensual standing there.
She must have found the blow dryer in the bathroom because her hair was now dry and still ended down in light curls that brushed against her back. Her bangs combed delicately to the left side of her face, detailing her facial features well.
His hands clenched into tight fist now, "Do you make it a habit to roam along the halls of a man's home wearing nothing but a towel?"
There was a little frustration in his tone that he was trying to hold back. It didn't work too well. The tell-tale signs of his agitation were getting hard to hide.
She clutched the towel closely to her chest with one hand, while her other hand reached across her body to her nervously hold her waist.
"W-Would my clothes be possibly d-dry by now?" She blushed hard, trying to look anywhere else than at Jack.
"Think again." He turned back to his drawer and fished out one of his white T-shirts that would surely be an oversize dress for her. "I had to shower and get changed as well. I just threw your clothes in the washer just a moment ago."
Jack stood smoothly before Carly and presented the T-shirt to her. Her eyes glanced at it intriguingly for a moment, and then back at him.
He sighed slightly as he took the t-shirt in his hands, pulled apart the opening end, and stepped closer to her with the intention of helping her put it on.
Instinctively, Carly took a step back.
"Don't move." He commanded sternly and she froze.
Jack lifted the shirt above her head while holding the neckline of the shirt open to fit her head through.
Shyly, and praying to the dear universe that the towel would not loosen if she let go, she put her hands through the arms of the shirt and let Jack release the rest of it to flow down.
The shirt fell just above her knees where it was enough to cover the areas that should not be seen, but it showed enough of her legs to still give her a sensual look.
Jack was not finished though. His eyes locked with her olive gray orbs in a glare, intensely sharp and serious. He didn't break the gaze of his eyes when he used one hand to reach under the white T-shirt, found the end of the towel that was still on her, and gave it a strong tug.
Carly gave a quick gasp as he held up the towel in between his fingers. "There. Was that difficult?" He threw the towel into the laundry hamper that was nearby at the corner of the room.
The girl felt completely naked under the T-shirt, she was wearing no underwear, and if there was a quick sudden movement of any kind, she would surely be showing Jack more than she ever wanted of her.
"I-I could have done that myself." Carly stuttered, feeling like she needed to say something now.
"Yet, you didn't." Jack countered.
Her face couldn't stop blushing, "Because you're right here. I-c-cant-jus-"
"Can't what. Has it been that long that you're this unfamiliar with me now?" Jack leaned down, whispering devilishly into her ear, "Or was this the plan all along?"
Carly gaped at his comment. She distanced herself back, now it was her hands were gripped into fists. She looked at him blankly while he straightened his posture, "I appreciate your help this evening, but once the rain stops and my clothes are dry, I will be leaving you to your rest." She broke eye contact before continuing, "And..you were wrong with the latter of your theory, Mr. Atlas."
"Oh, so we are this formal now?" He glanced at the king size bed in the middle of the bedroom, and then again at her, "Fine Ms. Carmine. Your conclusion on the storm stopping tonight and that the roads will miraculously open right after, is nothing more than false hope."
He walked past her, but stopped at the door, facing his shoulder, "The bed is yours for the night. I will sleep on the sofa. Other than that, come outside when you're ready for dinner." With that, Jack left the room and closed the door behind him.
Dinner? Carly had no appetite for dinner. She was feeling the knots of her stomach tighten, rather than feeling hungry.
To say that Jack Atlas was naturally seductive, even when he was losing his patience, was an understatement.
No….He's still the King of Duel, and apparently to him, I will always just be the paparazzi…Don't put yourself in this trap again….
Xxx
Half an hour passed by or so. Jack was busy making some chicken and vegetable soup in the kitchen. Carly knew so, she could smell the scent of his cooking wafting the hall and then into the bedroom.
Jack switched off the stove and looked toward the kitchen entrance that led to the hallway. He was clearly irritated at the fact that the woman was still not out from the bedroom yet.
Unfortunately, she was genuinely not hungry. In fact, she was accustomed to eating less than the average person's regular diet nowadays anyway.
She was sitting at the edge of the bed, hugging her legs to her chest when she heard a couple of knocks on the door.
The Girl exhaled out tiredly before getting up to open the door.
Jack stood before her once again with his arms crossed over his carved chest. "Something so urgent that it is keeping you from dinner?" He questioned sarcastically.
She avoided looking at him, "I'm not hungry, but thank you."
"Hm." Jack simply grunted before grabbing her wrist to lead her down the hallway and into the kitchen.
A bowl of steaming hot chicken soup was sitting on the kitchen island waiting for her. Looking at it when they entered made Carley uncomfortably full already.
He tugged her along until they stood before it, "I don't care how much of it you can finish, but you need to eat something." Her wrist felt worriedly skeletal in his large hand.
Finally, a little fire lit inside Carley. He was not listening, and she was becoming nauseous by the thought of any kind of food at this point. She heatedly pulled her wrist out from his grasp and withdrew a little, "I am not hungry."
Ah, there's something familiar…She hasn't lost all her fire towards me… Jack almost cracked a smile at the thought of it. His eyes outlined her bare thighs and then upwards until he found her beautiful face.
She was a tease without even trying.
"When was the last time you ate anything?" He interrogated while trying to shake away any adulterated thoughts that might have been burgeoning a moment ago.
"Thank you for being concerned for my wellbeing, but I assure you I ate not that long ago." Carly answered and was about to return to the bedroom, but right when she turned away, Jack grasped her shoulders to turn her back around to face him.
"Is that right?" He breathed out in a low tone, towering over her figure while his hands slid down from her shoulders to her forearms. "What was it? What did you eat?"
They stared into each other's eyes as Carly stammered out, "L-let me go, please." His grip increased steadily. It was hard enough to where Carly had to bite her lower lip to endure it.
"No." Jack refused. "Answer the question."
She looked away from his face, hoping he would just forget the entire ordeal of her not eating and call it a night.
It was then that Jack noticed her prominent jawline, her very visible collarbone, the showing cheekbones, and finally, some darkness under the eyes.
Goodness, even her arms held no muscle to them.
While still beautiful, he thought, She's not herself…Why does she look so ill?
Jack reached up one hand to the side of her neck so he could turn her face to meet his.
"You listen to me." He warned her in a tone beckoning caution. "You will eat dinner."
Daringly, Carly replied, "N-No. For the last time..I-I'm not hungry."
His remaining fingers wrapped around the back of her neck as he lightly rubbed the dark colored part underneath her olive gray colored eye. She subconsciously bit her lip again from the anxiety bubbling.
Again, seeing her bite her lip, her being in his t-shirt, knowing she wasn't wearing anything underneath, only made Jack frustrated.
He narrowed his eyes at her, "You're such a mess that I can't even look at you right now." He roughly let go of her, almost in an unintentional shove.
Luckily the girl caught herself from falling backwards. Carly burrowed her eyebrows at him with increasing frustration, "I never asked you to look at me."
"I wouldn't, unless it was necessary."
Oh yes, he absolutely would. He would look at her all day if he allowed himself…
His comment no longer broke her heart since she spent three years accepting that Jack never cared for her that way. In fact, she came to the realization that she never had a chance with him to begin with three years prior.
What bothered her the most was that he was so persistent that she ate something. Something that should be so insignificant to him, she felt like he was willing to start a war over.
She didn't understand why he was so adamant about it. It was not like he was the one starving.
The Raven-Haired Girl tried to compose herself, "You should eat if you need to. It's getting late."
"I'm not hungry." He threw back at her.
Carly laughed softly in an ironic tone while lightly shaking her head in disapproval, "Don't do this…"
"Do what, exactly? Pray tell." He took a couple steps which made her step back until she felt a wall preventing her from backing up anymore. He had her cornered when he finished saying, "To make sure I don't find your corpse in the morning?"
"Missing out on dinner one evening is not going to present that outcome." Carly argued back, still not looking at him as she pressed herself against the wall.
"What rose colored glasses are you looking at yourself with?" A hand of his hit against the wall at the side of her face, while his other snatched her wrist and raised it up to her eye level. "Is this-" He started as he tugged her forward so that she would crash against his chest, "Is this normal to you? Your wrist is so thin now that I can break it at any moment."
"Then let go." Her hand tried to push his chest back, but he was no match for her.
Jack didn't let go, but he loosened his hold on her wrist a bit. He really felt like he could break it at any moment. "On one condition."
"There's no need to make deals-"
"You're not in any position to be refusing any offers I give you." He argued further, "And you know it."
Their proximity was beginning to sink in for Carly. Her heart started to beat rapidly again. She wondered if Jack could hear how loud it was too. She certainly could hear it drumming in her ears. Nevertheless, she tried to soothe her anxiety of him and steady her breathing.
"Only if-"
Jack intervened once more, "Now you want to make deals?"
Carly looked into his piercing eyes softly with her own, "If…I can eat alone."
The Blonde Man raised an eyebrow, "Your reason to why?"
She now lost her patience enough to summon all her strength to yank her wrist back. She heaved an angry sigh, paired with a set of heated eyes, "What does it matter to the reason why? As long as I eat something, isn't that what you want?"
He smirked arrogantly at her, "Don't assume that you know what I want."
She calmed herself down, feeling defeated. "I presumed you would not want to tell me what you want or why this is important to you anyway."
"I told you." His eyes appeared apathetically as he gave his explanation once more, "I don't want to deal with the press if I find you dead in the morning."
At the mention of "the press" brought back sour memories. She decided to just concede for the night.
The once-upon-a-time junior reporter walked past him and sat down on the high chair of the island. Shakily, she took the spoon in her hand.
Jack turned around to watch what she was doing. He noticed her hand shaking as she took the spoon. His eyes fell on her wrist. It was starting to bruise from him clutching at it so hard.
Guilt began to well inside. Perhaps he was being too harsh on her, but her stubbornness aggravated him. He didn't understand why she was so hardheaded, especially when she appeared so emaciated now. Was she blind to herself?
He didn't want to admit it, and he didn't want her to know, but in his heart, he knew it was concerning.
Was it because she was working too hard; therefore, she didn't have time to eat properly? Is it because she was researching something so much that it kept her up at night?
Jack pushed away those questions for now and went to the stove. He fetched himself the porcelain bowl from the cabinet above so he could ladle himself a bowl of soup.
He took his dinner to the living room, which he normally never ate anything at. When he sat on the couch that faced away from the kitchen, it was then he started hearing the clinking of the metal spoon and the bowl. The sound was coming from the kitchen.
XXX
The time was estimated to be around half an hour to when Carly finished half of the chicken soup.
Jack, of course, finished it long before that. In fact, he had a second bowl during that time. His bowl was already in the sink.
He had expected her to leave hers in the sink too, retreat to the bedroom, and slam the door behind her.
Instead, Carly rinsed both bowls thoroughly so she could place it in the automatic dishwasher below the sink.
Jack didn't move from his position on the sofa. He was going to sleep there anyway. Instead, he switched on the TV to watch the news.
Sure enough, he was right before. The storm wasn't going to stop anytime soon, and the roads were flooded.
Not long after the sound of running water was heard from the kitchen, it stopped, and he heard the door to his master bedroom close softly from a distance.
He pinched the bridge of his nose while dropping his head back onto the top of the sofa.
His emotions were split between being worn out from the back and forth between them both, and from his own awareness of how much he was still attracted to her after all this time.
The woman looked sickly, yes. Nevertheless, she became so beautiful. There were moments during the argument in the kitchen when he saw her fire and passion collecting in her again. It delighted him…as well as tormented him.
The fact that she was naked underneath his t-shirt didn't help his male hormones either….
He shook his head, trying not to think of her in that light. There could be no desire for that woman….
xxx
Carly had laid in the king size bed in the master bedroom for the long hours of the night. She listened to the pounding rain outside the bedroom terrace, hoping that it would die down, if it wasn't going to stop completely.
At this point, she could handle walking in light rain so she could leave Jack Atlas.
There was no way she could get any sleep. She barely slept each night anyway.
Sighing to herself, she sat up from the bed.
Perhaps a splash of water on her face will help clear her thoughts about the man sleeping in the living room sofa.
Carly couldn't comprehend him. True to his nature from the past, he would be just as arrogant, pompous, rude, and egotistical now. He was the currant King of Turbo dueling, so why wouldn't he be acting that way.
Every woman would flock and swoon in his proximity, maybe even throwing themselves helplessly at him. She was sure he knew this as well.
Regardless though, she couldn't comprehend why he seemed to care about her wellbeing in his own cold calculating way, but then, his mood would switch to being concerned about his image more.
He could have just left her in the storm.
Wouldn't that have been easier?
The woman got out of bed and quietly made her way to the bathroom to splash some water on her face.
She knew that Jack too, noticed how thin she had gotten as she was looking at her reflection from the mirror above the sink.
Ignoring her appearance as there was nothing she could do about it any time soon, she stepped out of the bathroom and into the hallway.
She was about to return to the master bedroom, when she heard the muttering of incoherent words coming from the living room. If she focused harder, she could hear heavy breathing in between whatever was being murmured.
Curiosity became the best of her. For a moment, she thought that perhaps someone else was in the house beside her and Jack. However, when she cautiously walked into the living room, all she found was him.
He laid flat, back against the length side of the L-Shape sofa. It did not look like he wasn't peacefully sleeping.
His eyes were squeezed tightly closed; however, Carly could see his chest raising heavily while he panted.
"No…". He muttered in his sleep as she neared the sofa more. His head snapped to the right and left, like he was struggling.
His hands gripped at his sides, palms and face clearly shining with perspiration. "S-Stop…" She heard him whisper.
Hesitantly, Carly leaned over him to take a better look, Jack Atlas really appeared to be tormented.
What was she to do…? Should she wake him up?
"D-Don't go….". Another mutter came out low and breathy.
Carly reached out slowly with a nervous hand, not yet touching him. She was indecisive at knowing what the right thing to do was.
"Hnngh!-" Jack's eyes snapped opened as he sat up and clutched her neck out like it was out of a reflex. His breathing was not yet steady, but he attempted to catch his breath as he glared into her eyes like he was not yet fully awake or aware what was happening.
The suddenness of his actions took Carly by surprise. His hand squeezed harder at her neck, practically throttling her. Her knees dropped to the floor and his eyes followed hers as they lowered because of it.
She managed to choke out, "J-J-ack…". Her voice struggled like her breath, "I-It's me." Her hands grabbed his in an attempt to get him to let her go.
Hearing her voice while his vision adjusted to the dark, he realized finally what he was doing. Immediately, he let her go and she fell back onto the floor.
Jack reached over to the lamp on the light stand beside the soda to turn it on. His eyes caught sight of her on the floor coughing from the lack of oxygen. Shocked at himself, and calming himself down from his dream, he got off the couch and lowered himself to the ground.
She backed herself away slightly, not sure of what his intent was.
"I'm awake now." He stated, throat parched.
Carly just stared at him, slightly afraid.
"Carmine." Jack called to her, it looked like she was now in a daze. "Hey." He tried again, but all she did was stare.
He held his hand close to the side of her face, and he saw her flinch a bit, but he continued. His hand held the side of her face gently, hoping to bring her back to reality.
His soft touch did in fact help. She relaxed a bit; he could see it.
"I-I was only trying to help" Carly stammered, hoping he believed her.
Jack sighed to himself. He didn't want to explain his dream.
Instead, he took her arm and draped it around his neck, held one hand at her back, and the other hand under her knees while making sure that the t-shirt covered any part, he knew she didn't want exposed. He effortlessly lifted her up in his arms to walk them back to the master bedroom.
Jack placed her down on the bed and watched her cover her bare legs with the white silk bed covers.
Again, a sigh escaped from him as he sat down in front of her at the side of the bed. "Get some sleep. We'll see how the roads are tomorrow."
Her eyes blinked a few times, finally tiredly.
Jack stood up from the bed to leave her to her rest. He was close to the door when he heard her ask, "Was it that bad..?"
He kept her back facing her, "What was?"
"Your dream."
Jack flinched to himself. He decided to keep his cool, she already had enough on her plate to figure out.
"Wouldn't you like to know."
There it was again, his cold demeanor returned just that fast. "It's none of your concern. Just sleep."
He closed his door the door quietly behind him.
XXX