An Interview with Mr. Ex

Chapter 11: Desires and Disasters

Chapter 11: Desires and Disasters



(Present - After the meeting between Jade and Jared)

(Jade)

"Good bye." She said to him as she pushed her notepad and recorder back into her handbag. He looked at her with those dark eyes through his ridiculously long lashes and she wanted to throw every dollar she had in her bag at him and then pull him in for a kiss.

Oh. She was so ready to pay a month's salary for that kiss. House rent be damned. Food be damned.

And I haven't lost all my brain cells yet. Stop. Stop thinking like that, you i***t. Are you insane?

But it was hard to stop, stop wanting him. It had been too long, too long since she had felt all these feelings.

She remembered a quote she had often told him when they were first married... It was by one of her favorite poets, Rumi.

'The minute I heard my first love story,

I started looking for you, not knowing

how blind that was.

Lovers don't finally meet somewhere.

They're in each other all along.'

And he had been in her all along, and he was still in her, even after the betrayal. The hurt. The pain. The heartbreak. It was such a bad bad joke, but oh, she was laughing.

Of course, she didn't believe she was still in love with him as she had once been, or so she had told herself over and over again. She had long forgotten how to love anyone, someone like she had once loved Jared—the romantic kind. The kind of love that made you want to jump off from the cliff, to drown inside the vast magnificence of an ocean, to spread and soar in the azure sky. The kind of love that could rip you apart and fix you together.

Yes, she loved Cole with everything she had and she loved Megan and Nate and Tessa and little Rain, Nate and Tessa's daughter. But that was the kind of love which would wrap you inside warm, comfortable feelings and you would feel safe in that love. That was the kind of love that wouldn't break you into million pieces and the kind of love she preferred. She loved them all, so damn much, but loving Jared... it was something beyond expression, beyond words and she promised herself she would never love another like that, ever again. The pain was enough for one life time and the next.

"Who is that?" He motioned to her phone as he asked her and she glared at him. When he wasn't talking, she could almost be polite with him, but when he opened that food hole of his and uttered something with that irritating voice of his, she wanted to push a pillow against his face and smother him.

She was generally not a violent girl. But he made her feel all kind of strange things... then and now.

"Are you really asking me that? Why don't you rethink your question one more time, huh?" She glared at him as she turned away from his eyes.

"...I rethought it. Who are you talking to in..."

Jade heard him muttering something under his breath, but she didn't turn back.

"Run, Jade, run away." His voice taunted. "But I will chase..." she didn't hear the rest of his taunts as she slammed the door behind her.

When Jade walked out of his mansion, her heart banging against her ribs. She took a deep breath to calm herself, calm her nerves and walked towards her truck, her lips pressed together in irritation. The jerk was goading her, taunting her. Of course, she expected anger, threat, but this...this she didn't expect.

She opened the truck door and took a seat in the tattered seat of her truck. It smelled like the fries Cole had eaten yesterday. Cole. She wanted to see him, wanted to hug him. Wanted to lose herself in his smile. He was the only one who could pull her out of this nightmare. My baby boy... Mamma is coming.

For another moment, she just sat there without starting the truck. Just this... this took everything out of her. She didn't know how two more days with him would be. She didn't want to know. Everything in her was screaming to run as far away as possible. Her life was perfect the way it was, the was she liked it to be, but he, he would be an unwanted, tumultuous addition in her life. She liked her calm.

I don't want chaos and he is chaos. He is made for entropy. He always, always bring me a bucketful of emotions and before I can fully comprehend it, he brings tempests and cyclones to disrupt every emotion.

But sadly... she could not walk away from this, from him. For just that second, Jade hated Megan. Even if Megan thought this was good for her, she shouldn't have pushed her into this. Of course, this was a job, but Meg knew it was much more than that. Meg knew how much it took for Jase to take control of her life after the divorce.

And how can I move on if I still have the same damn messed up feelings that I had long ago... that I still want to kick him, kiss him... kill him. Yes, I don't love him, but I lust him and that is just as poisonous.

This was so wrong. This was not something that would pull her out of the pit. If anything, this would push her back inside that big gaping hole and bury her, alive. This was not going to be mess free and clean when they wrapped up. She knew they would both be a mess by the time this damn interview would be over.

I am going to kill you, Meg, even though you are my best friend.

Someone knocked on her truck window. She looked up to see the security guard. "Are you alright, mam?" He asked, looking a little bit concerned. She gave him a reassuring smile.

Of course, she was not alright, but he didn't need to know about that.

"I am good, I will be gone in a minute." She said as she looked at him.

"Oh, no worries, mam. You can leave whenever you want. It is not a problem," he said as he walked away.

Jade took a bottle from the dashboard and gulped the water down without taking a break. When she was done, she started her truck. It groaned and moaned, as if it was too tired to move from that place.

Don't do this to me, old girl. I am not in the mood to play this game with you. Anywhere else, anytime else, I would forgive you. But not today, not here. Today I am already at the brink and don't you dare make me fall...

She started again and her truck made a loud wailing noise before it stuttered and stopped.

I hate you. First thing tomorrow, I am going to send you to a scrap metal shop or something. They will chop you up and you will deserve it, you damn thing. I have loved you and here you are...

She almost kicked her truck and when she realized she had been pouring all her anger on her poor truck, she stopped herself and screamed.

Again a knock. She composed her face and looked up. This time it was Jared. The devil made of delicious things. She cursed at herself.

This was like a cage and she needed to break free. She needed to find that damn elusive keys. And open the cage, and then she had to run, run as fast as her legs could carry. But for now, she sat there, looking, because the key, she still hadn't found it.

"You okay?" He looked at her with a look that made her want to scratch his eyes out. It would satiate half of her hunger. The other half wanted something else.

Meow... Mmhh.

"Perfect. Do I look like I am not okay?" She gritted the words out. He looked like he was enjoying the show as she tried to start the car again. "Looking at you is upsetting my truck. Get away."

"Your truck must mirror your feelings." He said with a self-satisfied smirk and she burned a vicious red. Her death glare went to a full hundred percent.

"Go away." She hissed, sounding very much like a snake.

"Why don't I give you a ride?" He asked, a tilt at the side of his lips. The bastard is laughing at my misery.

She fisted her palms on the steering wheel. She didn't need his charity. She was not his charity case. And if he talked one more word, she would maul him, scratch his eyes off, and run him over with her truck—if it decided to start— and it wouldn't be her fault.

"No thank you. This is not new." She said, almost calmly. "Just let me do this in peace."

But when had he ever done something she had asked for?! Never. That is right. Never.

"Why don't you buy a new one?" He asked, as if the answer was so simple. "This looks older than my great grandfather. Oh, and he was dead long before I was born."

"Maybe I love this old thing. Maybe not everyone has the heart to discard the old ones and move on with some new and shiny things whenever they want." Jade spat as she thought about the day she had walked away from him. No, the day he pushed her to walk away.

"What?" It looked like he understood her barb.

He looked like he wanted to punch her. Oh, go on. She thought. She wouldn't run away now. She would punch back just as hard. She wasn't the old, feeble, blabbering mess anymore. But even then, when it mattered, she hadn't run.

"Nothing." She said with a smile that was just as sweet as poison, and started the truck again. This time it came to life without humiliating her. She steered the vehicle away from him and drove away.

She could see him in her rearview mirror for a long, long time. And then she was gone. She drove towards home with a permanent scowl on her lips, and a knot in her brows. Her heart was feeling pretty beaten as she stopped her truck and climbed up to her apartment on the fourth floor. The apartment had a rusty lift, of course, but most of the time, it was in a constant state of bed rest.

She knocked on the door and Amanda opened it with a greeting. She was already in her coat and shoes. "I am so sorry, Mandy. I didn't think it would take so much time. If I had known, I would have called you earlier."

"Oh, it is alright, Jade. Mrs. Brent bought food and we all ate."

"Oh, is Meg still here?"

"Yes. She is playing with Cole. I am leaving now. Bye." Amanda walked out and Jade closed the door behind her. When she walked inside, she saw Cole and Megan sitting on the couch, and they both had a big smile on their faces. Her heart felt lighter. The frown shifted into a smile that almost hurt her face.

"Where is that boy who always comes to greet me? Did you see him?"

He looked up and, with a laugh, he came barelling towards her with a squeal and she caught him in her hand and lifted him up.

"Mommy, I missed you." He said as she spun him around before putting him down.

"I did, too. If I could have come sooner, I would have." Jade said as she threw an accusing look at Megan. Megan gave a glib shrug.

She kissed him on his cheeks and he kissed her back with a sweet little pchh sound that made her heart, the heart that felt so empty just a few minutes ago, full... it was filled up, now, with love, adoration and pride.

This here is my miracle. I don't need anything else in this life.

“But then I came running and one little boy was not there to kiss me. He would rather be talking with aunt Meg. What should we do to him?” She gave him a fake glare and then plunked him on the cushion and started tickling him.

"Sorry. Sorry."

"Um, I want a hundred kisses if you want me to let go."

"Ok, mom."

She let him go and showed her cheek to him. His grey eyes glinted with a mischievous smile as he said, "Hundred kisses" and kissed her on cheeks. "Done." He giggled and twisted out of her grasp. Stealthy little eel.

"You little cheater. That doesn't count." She said as Meg laughed.

"Smart." Megan said with a twinkle in her eyes. "I see you’re not dying as you had told me before you left his house." Megan's smile was so frustrating.

"I died and went to hell. And then I was brought back." Jade said as she slumped down with a frown.

"Over dramatic much?" Megan pushed.

"If you are not my friend, I would just have broken your nose. I almost broke Mr. Wilson's nose." Jade added as an after thought.

"What? Jade..."

“Nothing." She said, looking innocent as hell.

"If you blew this, Isaac would have a fit. Please do not..."

"Should have thought about that before you pushed me inside this biiiiig trash can." Jade sang. "Now I am going to drag the garbage out and throw it all around me. Everyone will get to enjoy the amazing smell of it." Jade felt sadistic as she watched her friend's face turn a weird shade of purple. She deserved that, only a little, but still.

"Please..." Meg's voice was pleading. Jade felt almost sorry, but not really.

"Mm. Let's see. Okay." She said with a shrug. "Since you asked so nicely."

"You are a sadist." Megan complained and Jade laughed. "You think it is funny?"

"I do too." Megan said.

“What garbage, momma?” Cole asked her as he put his arms around her and snuggled next to her.

Megan threw a small look at Jade and Jade frowned.

"Nothing, baby. It is just... I had an interview with a guy. He is kinda rich."

“Rich? What do he do?” The boy asked. His eyes were wide with excitement.

At four, he was full of questions and curiosity and Jade was proud of the questions he asked. Sometimes it made her feel a little bit dumber.

He hurt me, Jade wanted to say. One day she would tell him that, but today wasn't that day.

“He owns a big company. They do everything, the games you like to play, he makes some of it.” Meg explained to Cole. "But super obnoxious, too." She added under her breath so that Cole couldn't overhear it.

“Ah." Cole's mouth hung open. "When I grow big, I want to be like him.” The boy clapped his hand and smiled up at Jade. .

Her heart struck in her throat. Like him? Who’re you going to hurt then? No way... I won't let you. You will never be like him.

But he was her baby and she wouldn't let him hurt anybody. He was her baby and he wouldn't hurt anyone.

“No, you won’t, doll. You’ll be much better. You’re my son. My son.” She said firmly and threw a look at Megan.

Megan nodded her eyes as she looked at Jade.

"Yes of course, he is yours, darling."

"But Meg... what am I going to do with this..." she pointed to Cole and herself. Megan understood.

"Do you want to... tell him?" Megan hesitated.

"I don't know. I hate him, and I always thought Cole was better off without him." Jade whispered so that Cole couldn't hear her. "But now... I feel guilty. What if I- he is rich, Meg, and he can give Cole everything and I can not..."

"Money is not everything, Jadey. You know that."

"I do... but,"

"Let us not think about it right now, okay. You are tired. Go and freshen up. Dinner is ready. You need to eat, babe."

"Okay. Oh, and Meg, you are still not forgiven."

"I know and I don't know if I deserve your forgiveness." Megan looked serious.

"Hey," she bumped into Megan's shoulder on her way to the bathroom. "I will think of a way for you to earn your forgiveness." She smiled and Megan laughed.

"Oh, I know you will."

***

(Jared)

Tomorrow. Oh, tomorrow when will you be here?

He was looking forward to meeting her tomorrow. To show her around, to introduce his life to her. He wanted to show off.

Like a damn peacock? You think she will be impressed with your wealth, with your dollars, with your shiny buildings?

Why wouldn't she? Everyone was impressed with him and his life. Everyone wanted a piece of him and his life. So why wouldn't she be?

He was rich. And it had taken four long years, without her, to become rich. But now that he was here... he was feeling a little bit lonely. What if she could come back to him? He could forgive her.

The moment he saw her, he was sure he had not forgotten her. He was angry, yes, but he still wanted her. Only her.

Don't you remember what Tom said. She is married. She has a family.

"But..." He stared at the mirror defiantly. "She is driving an almost dead truck. Her husband must be a good for nothing. I mean, I

wouldn't send my wife anywhere in a truck like that."

She walked when you were married. At least she is driving a truck now.

"You are my conscience, right? So why are you supporting this man, whoever he is?" The thing stayed quiet.

He glumly looked in the mirror again when the doorbell rang. He opened the door to find Tom standing there with a frown as he pulled his phone out and waved it in front of Jared.

"What the hell is this?" Tom showed a text message and Jared took a glance at it.

"Jade is the one who is interviewing me. Ms. Danvers had a family emergency." He read it word by word.

"I know. You sent that to me. And I can read, even though I am dyslexic. It is hard, but I can read. What I am asking is... you know what I am asking." Tom scowled as he pushed his friend and marched inside.

"I didn't do anything, if that is what you want to ask." He rolled his eyes.

"I don't believe you. I should have questioned you when you asked me to hire a PI and investigate her. I shouldn't have done that. Now what the hell have you done? Is this another one of your insane games?" Tom looked angry. He stomped from one end of the hall to the other, looking like a caged tiger.

"I promise I didn't do anything. I opened the door for Ms. Danvers, but when I saw the face, it wasn't Olivia Danvers."

"Why would I trust you?"

"Why wouldn't you trust me? I am not lying." Jared said with a deep sigh. "That was exactly what happened."

"All right," Tom said as he slumped down on the couch with a grunt, but he still looked suspicious as he looked at Jared, all the way from his head down to his toe.

"Okay, I believe you. Now tell me what you are planning?" He asked with a frown.

"What? I am not planning any-"

"Stop. How long have I known you? Stop lying and tell me." Tom said with a knowing look in his face. Of course, Tom knew him better than anyone. Jared sighed as he looked at his friend with a strangely bashful smile on his face and Tom's eyes narrowed further. Jared was never bashful. He was definitely planning something. "What the hell are you planning? Out with it, Jar-head."

"I- I am going to ask her to leave her husband."

___