PHOENIX

13| I'M LEGAL

Around midnight, Jackson gently guided a very tipsy Melissa back to the hotel. Her cheeks were flushed from the alcohol, and she was giggling at almost everything he said. As they walked, she clung to his arm for support, her steps unsteady but her spirits high.

"Y'know," she slurred, looking up at him with a dreamy expression, "you really remind me of Jackson."

Jackson chuckled, amused and touched by her candidness. "Oh, really? What makes you think that?"

Melissa pouted thoughtfully, swaying slightly as they stopped at a crosswalk. "It's just... the way you talk, and the way you look at me. It's like you know me, really know me."

"Maybe I do," Jackson said teasingly, giving her a playful nudge. "Maybe I'm actually Jackson in disguise."

She laughed the sound light and musical despite her inebriation. "Oh, please. Jackson would never wear a suit this nice. And he'd definitely not be so... put together."

Jackson smiled, feeling a pang of nostalgia. "Well, Jackson sounds like quite the character. What was he like?"

Melissa's expression softened, and for a moment, her eyes seemed to clear. "He was... kind, funny, and he always made me feel safe. But he also had this way of disappearing, like he was always running from something."

"Sounds complicated," Jackson replied, his voice gentle. "Do you miss him?"

She nodded, her eyes welling up slightly. "Every day. But he's gone now, and I have to move on."

They reached the hotel entrance, and Jackson steered her inside, making sure she didn't stumble. As they approached the elevator, she looked up at him with a curious, almost vulnerable expression.

"Why do you care so much about me?" she asked suddenly, catching him off guard.

Jackson paused, considering his response carefully. "Because... I see something in you. Something worth caring about."

She blinked, as if trying to process his words, then smiled. "You're sweet. Too sweet for your own good."

They reached her floor, and Jackson walked her to her room, fishing her keycard out of her purse. He opened the door and helped her inside, making sure she was steady before letting go.

"Get some rest," he said softly, guiding her to the bed. "You'll feel better in the morning."

Melissa sat down heavily, looking up at him with a grateful smile. "Thanks for tonight. And for listening."

"Anytime," Jackson replied, his heart aching with a mix of affection and regret. "Goodnight, Melissa."

"Goodnight," she murmured, already half-asleep as she lay down.

Jackson quietly left her room, closing the door behind him. As he walked back to his own room, he couldn't help but replay the night's events in his mind. The way she had spoken about him, not knowing it was really him, made his heart ache with a longing he hadn't felt in years.

He sat on the edge of his bed, running a hand through his hair. Melissa's words echoed in his mind, and he couldn't shake the feeling that despite everything, he was getting closer to understanding her. But with that understanding came the realization that he was also getting closer to the danger he had been trying to avoid.

As Jackson lay in bed, the events of the evening slowly giving way to memories, his mind drifted back to the first time he saw Melissa. It was a night that seemed so far away now, yet every detail was etched in his memory as if it had happened yesterday.

He remembered walking into that dimly lit bar, the air filled with the sounds of laughter, clinking glasses, and the low hum of music. He had been there with a few friends, looking to unwind after a long week. As he scanned the room, his eyes landed on a group of girls sitting at a corner table, their animated chatter and frequent bursts of laughter catching his attention. Among them was a girl who stood out, not just because of her beauty but because of the way she seemed to light up the room.

Melissa.

She had a youthful exuberance that made him wonder if she was even old enough to be in the bar. Her laughter was infectious, and her eyes sparkled with a mix of mischief and innocence. He was instantly drawn to her, unable to take his eyes off her as she interacted with her friends.

He remembered the moment she caught him staring. She had looked up, their eyes meeting across the room, and she had given him a playful smile as if daring him to come over. Jackson, never one to shy away from a challenge, had walked up to her table, feeling a strange mix of confidence and nervousness.

"Hey there," he had said, trying to sound casual. "Mind if I join you?"

Her friends had giggled, but Melissa had looked him up and down with a curious expression. "Sure, why not?" she had said, her voice carrying a hint of amusement.

He had sat down, trying to make small talk, but he couldn't shake the feeling that she was too young to be there. It wasn't until later in the evening, after a few drinks and more conversation, that she had leaned in and whispered, "You know, most people think I'm sixteen. I know you do too, but I'm actually nineteen."

Jackson had been taken aback, surprised not just by her age but by her candour. "Nineteen, huh? You sure don't look it."

She had laughed, a sound that he would come to cherish. "Yeah, I get that a lot too. But I promise, I'm legal."

From that moment on, they had clicked in a way he hadn't expected. There was something about Melissa that drew him in, something that made him want to know everything about her. They had spent the rest of the night talking, laughing, and getting to know each other. By the end of the evening, he was completely smitten.

As he lay in bed now, Jackson couldn't help but smile at the memory. Those early days with Melissa had been some of the best times of his life. But along with the fond memories came the painful reminder of how things had changed, how she had betrayed him in ways he never thought possible.

He sighed, turning onto his side. Despite everything, a part of him still cared for her and still wanted to protect her. It was a conflict he couldn't easily resolve, a battle between his heart and his mind. He knew he had to stay focused on his mission, to uncover the truth and keep his sister and Ethan safe. But he also knew that his feelings for Melissa were far from resolved.

His thoughts drifted to Melissa's words from earlier in the night: "I miss him." Those words had struck a chord deep within him. Despite the betrayal and the pain, the notion that she might still miss him tugged at his heart. He couldn't help but wonder about the choices she had faced, the impossible decisions that might have been thrust upon her. Had she been forced to choose between her powerful family and a man she was just dating, a man whose future with her was uncertain?

Over the past few days, Jackson had observed her closely, noting the duality in her behaviour. There were moments when she was the Melissa he had fallen for, the one with the infectious laughter and the bright smile that could light up a room. In those moments, he saw glimpses of the girl who had captivated him, the girl who had made him believe in love again. But then there were other moments, darker ones when she seemed like a completely different person—cold, calculating, and almost ruthless. The shift was disconcerting, making him question everything he thought he knew about her.

Jackson recalled their interactions, trying to piece together the puzzle of her behaviour. Could it be that she was torn between her loyalty to her family and her feelings for him? Was the change in her demeanour a reflection of that inner conflict? He remembered the warmth in her eyes when she was genuinely happy and the steely glint when she was in protective mode. It was as if she wore different masks, each suited to the situation she found herself in.

He wondered if Melissa had been forced to put on a facade, to become someone she wasn't in order to survive in her family's world. He knew the Roy family was powerful, with a reputation that preceded them. Perhaps, in their world, there was no room for vulnerability, no space for the kind of love they had shared.

The thought that she might have been protecting him, or even herself, by pushing him away gnawed at him. He hated the idea that she might have been suffering as much as he had. Yet, he couldn't ignore the fact that she had hurt him deeply, that her actions had left scars that still hadn't healed.

Jackson sighed, running a hand through his hair as he stared at the ceiling. He was torn between his lingering feelings for Melissa and the need to guard his heart against further pain. Despite everything, he couldn't completely shut off the part of him that cared for her. But he also knew he couldn't let his emotions cloud his judgment. There were too many variables at play and too many risks.

As he mulled over his next steps, he resolved to keep his focus. He needed to protect his sister and Ethan, to uncover the truth about the Roy family and their machinations. But he also knew that he couldn't completely ignore his feelings for Melissa. Perhaps, in time, he would find the answers he sought. For now, he would tread carefully, keeping his eyes open and his heart guarded.

Even though the events of the day had exhausted him, Jackson couldn't find peace without knowing if Ethan and Sue were safe. His concern for their well-being gnawed at him, overshadowing his own need for rest. Driven by a sense of responsibility and the love he held for his sister and brother, he decided to drive to their apartment, even though it was late.

As he navigated the quiet streets, Jackson's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. When he arrived at the apartment complex, Jackson parked his car and quietly made his way to their door. He didn't want to alarm them with a sudden, late-night visit. As he approached, he noticed that the lights were still on, which brought him a measure of relief.

Jackson arrived at the apartment, parking quietly to avoid waking anyone. He knocked gently, expecting Sue to answer the door. Instead, it was Sarah, Sue's neighbour and close friend, who greeted him with a worried expression.

"Jackson, what are you doing here?" she asked, clearly relieved to see him.

"I came to check on Sue and Ethan," he replied, stepping inside. "Is everything alright?"

Sarah shook her head, her concern evident. "Sue was supposed to be back by eight, but she's been gone for over six hours now. I've been waiting with Ethan, but I'm starting to get really worried."

Jackson's heart sank. This wasn't like Sue at all. "Where did she go?"

"She said she had some errands to run, but she didn't give me any details," Sarah explained. "I've tried calling her, but her phone goes straight to voicemail."

Jackson's mind raced. This was bad—very bad. He had no idea where Sue could be, and the thought of her in danger made his blood run cold. He quickly composed himself, knowing he needed to stay strong for Ethan.

"Thank you for staying with Ethan, Sarah," he said, his voice steady. "I'll take over from here. You should go back to your apartment and get some rest."

Sarah hesitated, clearly reluctant to leave. "Are you sure? I don't mind staying longer."

Jackson offered a reassuring smile. "I'll be fine. Ethan will be worried if he wakes up and realises that Sue is not around. I'll handle things from here."

She nodded, finally relenting. "Alright. If you hear anything, please let me know."

"I will. Thank you," he replied, watching as she left.