PHOENIX

15| THIS IS PERFECT

The next morning, Jackson found himself once again tailing Melissa, determined to unravel the mystery of her shifting personas and her connection to Roy's family. This time, she drove to a school outside the city. Jackson kept a safe distance, ensuring he wouldn't be spotted. However, as soon as they reached the school, Max seemed to catch sight of him. Jackson quickly ducked behind a parked car, his heart pounding.

He peered out cautiously, seeing Max scanning the area. Melissa, unaware of the brief commotion, was already heading towards the school entrance. Max lingered for a moment, his eyes sweeping the parking lot. Jackson held his breath, hoping his hiding spot was sufficient. After what felt like an eternity, Max turned and followed Melissa into the school.

Relieved, Jackson waited a few more minutes before emerging from his hiding place. He couldn't afford to be careless now. His curiosity and determination to understand Melissa's actions drove him forward, but he knew he needed to be cautious. He walked around the perimeter of the school, looking for a vantage point where he could observe without being seen.

As Jackson observed the school, he felt a wave of relief wash over him. The arrival of numerous cars at the school provided perfect cover, ensuring he wouldn't be easily spotted. Realizing it was a parents' meeting by the sheer number of vehicles and the steady stream of adults entering the building, Jackson pieced together that Melissa was there for her younger brother, Ric.

Melissa's involvement in her brother's life added another layer to her complex character. Despite her connections to dangerous people and her unpredictable behavior, it seemed she still cared deeply for her family. This realization tugged at Jackson's heartstrings, reminding him of the bond he shared with Sue and Ethan.

While the meeting progressed, Jackson took the opportunity to reflect. He thought about how fiercely protective Melissa appeared to be of her family, much like he was of his own. The duality of her nature—part nurturing sister, part enigmatic and possibly dangerous woman—left him both intrigued and concerned.

After about an hour, the parents began to trickle out of the building. Jackson watched as Melissa and Max emerged, blending seamlessly into the crowd. They headed back to her car, and Jackson braced himself to follow them once again.

He couldn't follow them as Max saw him again as he was about to open the door. He said something to Melissa and walked to Jackson's direction. Jackson used the opportunity provided by passing cars to move from his spot to the direction of the toilets. He was about to enter the men's toilets when a hand pulled him to the ladies' toilets. He wanted to ask who pulled him but his question got caught in his throat when soft lips collided with hers and he didn't need to ask again because he knew the familiarity of them. He'd kissed those lips countless times.

Jackson's heart raced as the familiar sensation of Melissa's lips pressed against his. The urgency of the kiss took him by surprise, but it also brought back a flood of memories, both sweet and bitter. For a moment, he let himself be lost in the kiss, his hands instinctively finding her waist and pulling her closer.

When they finally broke apart, Jackson stared into Melissa's eyes, which were filled with a mix of desperation and determination. She placed a finger over his lips, silencing any questions he might have.

"Not here," she whispered urgently, glancing toward the door. "We don't have much time."

Jackson nodded, his mind racing. He could hear Max's footsteps approaching and knew they had to act fast. Melissa led him deeper into the restroom, towards a window at the far end. She opened it and gestured for him to climb out.

"Go," she urged, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'll cover for you."

Jackson hesitated, his mind torn between the need to escape and the need to understand what was happening. But the sound of the restroom door creaking open made the decision for him. He climbed through the window, landing awkwardly on the ground outside.

He looked back at Melissa, who gave him a small, sad smile before closing the window behind him. Jackson took a deep breath and started to move away from the building, staying low and out of sight. He found a small alleyway a few blocks away and ducked into it, catching his breath and trying to piece together what had just happened.

Why had Melissa kissed him? Was it just to distract him, or was there something more? And why was she helping him escape? His mind buzzed with questions, but he knew he couldn't stay there. He had to get back to his car and find a safe place to regroup.

As he made his way back to the parking lot, he kept an eye out for Max, but the bodyguard was nowhere in sight. He reached his car without incident and slid behind the wheel, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly as he tried to calm his racing heart.

Driving back to the hotel, Jackson's thoughts kept returning to Melissa's kiss. It had felt so real, so familiar, and yet he couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to it than just a distraction. He needed to find out what Melissa was really up to and how it connected to everything that was happening.

Back in his hotel room, Jackson paced restlessly, his mind a chaotic whirlpool of thoughts and emotions. The woman who had betrayed him—Melissa—now seemed desperate to protect him, a twist he couldn't wrap his head around. He sank onto the edge of the bed, running his hands through his hair as he tried to make sense of it all.

"Why would she protect me now?" he muttered to himself, his voice echoing in the quiet room. "What game is she playing?"

He couldn't trust her, that much was clear. The memory of her betrayal was a scar that hadn't faded with time. Yet, he couldn't entirely ignore her either. Not after that kiss, and certainly not after she had helped him escape from Max.

A troubling thought struck him—did she know who he really was? Had she somehow figured out that Zachary Stone was actually Jackson Stanford, the man she had once loved and supposedly betrayed? Or was she merely protecting a stranger she thought looked like her past lover?

Jackson's mind raced as he considered the possibilities. If Melissa knew his true identity, her actions could be driven by guilt, remorse, or even lingering feelings. But if she believed him to be Zachary Stone, then her motivations were murkier. Was she trying to use him for some purpose, or was there a part of her that still recognized Jackson beneath his new identity?

He sighed heavily, feeling the weight of uncertainty pressing down on him. He had always prided himself on being able to read people, to understand their motives and intentions. But with Melissa, everything was a blur. Her genuine moments of vulnerability clashed with the image of the ruthless woman who had once betrayed him.

He stood up and went to the window, looking outside the busy city. He remembered their first meeting at the bar, the way her eyes had sparkled with mischief and curiosity. He remembered how she had gradually let down her guard, revealing a softer, more vulnerable side. And he remembered the pain of her betrayal, a wound that had never truly healed.

"Does she miss me?" he wondered aloud. "Or is this all just a part of her plan?"

He realised that the more he followed Melissa, the more tangled and perplexing the web became. His desire to uncover the truth about her was a relentless itch that he couldn't scratch, but every step he took seemed to lead him deeper into confusion.

He left the window and sat at the small desk in his hotel room, staring blankly at the notes and photos he'd accumulated over the past few days. Melissa's actions were erratic, her motives unclear.

"Why, Melissa?" he muttered to himself, running a hand through his hair in exasperation. "What are you hiding?"

His mind raced, replaying their conversations, searching for hidden meanings or clues. Melissa had mentioned missing someone from her past—someone she wouldn't talk about with a stranger. Was she referring to him, Jackson Stanford, the man she once loved? Or was it another ghost from her past?

He sighed, feeling the weight of his confusion pressing down on him. He needed to take a step back, to clear his mind and approach the situation with fresh eyes. But it was hard when every thought seemed to circle back to Melissa.

The next morning, he decided to take a break from his relentless pursuit. He needed a moment to breathe, to think. After a quick shower and a change of clothes, he headed down to the hotel's breakfast area. Maybe a change of scenery would help him clear his head.

As he sat down with a cup of coffee, his mind wandered back to his sister Sue and his little brother Ethan. Their safety was his top priority, and his recent confrontation with Sue had only heightened his anxiety. He couldn't afford to be distracted, not when their lives could be at stake.

But even as he tried to focus on his family, Melissa's face kept creeping into his thoughts. Her genuine smile, the way her eyes lit up when she talked about something she loved—it was hard to reconcile that image with the woman who had betrayed him.

"Get it together, Jackson," he muttered to himself, taking a sip of his coffee. "You can't let her get to you like this."

He needed to find a way to balance his need for answers with his responsibilities to his revenge as well as his family.

After finishing his breakfast, Jackson decided it was time to stop procrastinating and focus on securing a safe and stable home for his sister and Ethan. He had been putting it off for too long, and now, with the events surrounding Melissa only adding to his stress, he knew he needed to ensure his family had a safe haven.

He headed to the estate agent’s office, a small but well-maintained building on the edge of the city. The agent, a middle-aged woman with a warm smile named Claire, greeted him as he walked in.

“Mr. Stone, it’s good to see you again. Are you ready to take a look at the apartment?” she asked, her voice cheerful and professional.

“Absolutely,” Jackson replied, shaking her hand. “I’ve got a lot going on, and I need to get this settled as soon as possible.”

Claire nodded understandingly and led him to her car. The drive to the apartment was short, and they made small talk along the way. Jackson found himself relaxing a bit, focusing on something other than the tangled mess his life had become.

When they arrived, Claire unlocked the door and stepped aside, letting Jackson enter first. The apartment was spacious and well-lit, with large windows that let in plenty of natural light. The living room was open and inviting, with hardwood floors and a neutral color scheme that gave it a modern, yet cozy feel.

“The kitchen is fully updated,” Claire said, leading him through the apartment. “Granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and plenty of cabinet space. Perfect for a family.”

Jackson nodded, impressed. The bedrooms were equally appealing, each with ample space and large closets. The master bedroom had an en-suite bathroom, and the second bathroom was conveniently located in the hallway, easily accessible from the other bedrooms.

As they walked through the apartment, Jackson could already picture Sue and Ethan here. It was safe, comfortable, and a far cry from the uncertainty they had been living in.

“This is perfect,” Jackson said, turning to Claire. “What do we need to do to finalize the purchase?”

Claire smiled, pleased with his enthusiasm. “We can go back to the office and get the paperwork started. If everything goes smoothly, you could be moving in within a week.”

Jackson felt a sense of relief wash over him. Finally, something was falling into place. They returned to the office and began the paperwork. It took a few hours, but by the time he left, the apartment was nearly his.