Falling in Love with You

Chapter 2

Jessica Pov...

No one will know that I betrayed my best friend and had the man she wished to have. Gertrude has everything! She is always an A student, beautiful, and a muse, while I am a dumb friend following her around. I had a perfectly gorgeous body that caught everyone's eyes, including Jonathan's attention, but my body wasn't enough. He also needed a brain and that's what Gertrude was capable of.

As he headed to the company, I consistently helped him with his tasks, often enlisting Gertrude’s eloquence to draw his attention. Over time, I became the embodiment of beauty and intelligence in his eyes, and my long-held dream of being with him came to fruition when I accepted his proposal. This opportunity was something I had longed for, and our seemingly chance encounters were actually carefully orchestrated steps leading to this moment. "Poor Gertrude!" I murmured.

I’m eager to tell Gertrude how he courted me, but she’s always busy. As I headed to our faculty to find her before graduation tomorrow, I saw her chatting with my boyfriend. A surge of jealousy hit me as I observed them laughing together. Jonathan even reached out and touched Gertrude’s shoulder. At that moment, one of his friends appeared with a drink, and Jonathan opened it before handing it to her.

I can’t shake the feeling of jealousy as I watch them interact joyfully. Gertrude has the power to win him over because she embodies Jonathan’s weakness: her intelligence combined with an undeniable charm. Although she doesn’t wear extravagant clothes, her family has meticulously prepared her to represent their major corporation soon. Star isn’t just any company; it’s a direct competitor to Lewis Towers, operating in the same industry. Additionally, Star is a key sponsor of our school and its foundation. To keep a low profile and avoid drawing attention, Gertrude leads a modest life and steers clear of friendships due to the weight of her family’s influence. Only one dean knows of her identity as Star’s heiress, ensuring her status remains a secret.

Before I joined them, I stopped by the canteen to grab some sandwiches.

"Hi!" I beamed, intruding on their fun.

"Hey, babe!" Jonathan said as he pulled me onto his lap. I noticed Gertrude gulp nervously before averting her gaze.

"Hi, Ge!" I greeted her. She smiled, and took a sip of her water, before responding.

"Hey, Jess. I'm happy you could come, not sure if I can meet you tomorrow since my brother just got here. " She said. I felt a surge of panic at the mention of his brother; Jonathan couldn’t find out who he was.

"Oh! In that case, we should celebrate today. How does that sound to you, babe? " I suggested to Jonathan, hoping to steer the conversation differently.

"Absolutely!" he replied, and I felt my heart settle with relief.

We collected our things and walked over to one of Evan's buildings, which mostly housed restaurants. We decided on Italian food, as Jonathan and I love pasta, while Gertrude prefers paella.

We were savoring our meal when Jonathan graciously offered to help Gertrude peel her shrimp and serve her some baked mussels. I felt a pinch of jealousy as I observed them, attempting to conceal my envy by biting my lips. In the meantime, Jonathan's friend noticed my reaction and quickly intervened to assist Gertrude instead.

"Thank you!" Gertrude gestured before digging her food again.

I can’t let them get too close. I initially thought that if Jonathan were my boyfriend, Gertrude would understand my feelings better, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. Jonathan has begun to bond with her and enjoy her company, and I’m not happy about it!

Today is our graduation day, and I've done everything to steer clear of Gertrude and her family. Given the circumstances, avoiding Gideon and Gertrude is essential. Everything is going well for me now, and I don't have the time or energy for drama.

I scanned the room for Jonathan, but my eyes nearly bulged when I saw his family chatting warmly with Gertrude. His father held her hand as they talked, and his mother adjusted her toga with a friendly smile. They all seemed engrossed in an important conversation, exchanging smiles and laughter. Had Gertrude already taken the lead? Why did it always feel like I was a step behind? Was it just because she was a Cushe, or was I merely being paranoid?

I bit my lip and stayed silent, watching them closely, knowing it wasn’t the right time to voice any objections. There’s a way to intervene without coming off as the villain, and I planned to step in as his protector when the moment was right.

We sat attentively, savoring the atmosphere of achievement as each graduate received their diploma. During the ceremony, my gaze often shifted to Gertrude, seated just four chairs away. Although she remained calm and reserved, her graceful posture and inherent beauty created a captivating presence. Without uttering a word or offering a smile, her presence enchanted everyone around her.

She was my closest friend, but I couldn't shake feeling envious of everything she had. Though I wasn't impoverished, I often had to rely on bribery or deceit to achieve my goals, while she seemed to enjoy life's luxuries effortlessly. It felt deeply unfair to those of us who were genuinely striving. I worried that Jonathan might see something captivating in her, and I was determined to keep him from discovering the allure she possessed. It didn't matter if he found out that Gertrude was the face and heir of Star.

After skillfully evading Gertrude's family’s watchful eyes during the graduation ceremony, I felt a wave of relief as she received her c*m Laude award amid the applause of everyone around us. This distraction gave me the perfect chance to slip away unnoticed. Once I finally collected my diploma, I made a discreet exit, relieved, and avoided unwanted attention.

Just as I was about to approach Jonathan's family, I saw him fuming with anger, his family equally enraged as they struggled to restrain him before hurriedly departing. As their car sped away, I overheard a conversation about him. Curious, I edged closer to the crowd and discovered they were talking about a video from three years ago. The footage showed Jonathan with a cheerleader in a bathroom at a business management building. I gasped in shock, unable to believe that Jonathan had such a video. Yet, it made sense; he was a heartthrob, and with his striking looks and impressive physique, it was no surprise that everyone seemed eager to be associated with him.

We had heard the rumor before that the cheerleader from the basketball team was having s*x in the school bathroom, but the story quickly faded away, and soon after, the cheerleader left the school. No one spoke about it, and I had no idea it was Jonathan!

I slipped away from the crowd, making my way to my family to leave before I ran into Gertrude’s family.