One Wild Night

Chapter 908  I Do Need A Break

Jade was in a much better mood by the time her cab pulled up in front of Tom's gate later in the evening. She walked down the distance from the gate to the house, and as she drew closer, her heart skipped a beat, when she saw one of Harry's cars parked in front of the house.

What was he doing here? Was he here to see Tom? She mused.

Deciding not to let his presence affect her mood or composure, she headed inside, prepared to go directly to her bedroom so she wouldn't cross paths with him.

It wasn't like she had anything against him, but if they were taking a break she didn't want to see him too often.

As she approached the stairs, ready to retreat to the sanctuary of her room, Sonia and Lucy emerged from the den, their faces lighting up at the sight of her.

"Jade, hey!" Sonia called out, a gentle smile on her face.

"Hi," Jade responded, trying to keep her voice steady.

"Harry's been waiting for you all day," Lucy said, her eyes flickering with a mix of curiosity and concern.

Jade frowned slightly, her steps faltering. "What for?"

Both women shrugged, almost in unison. "Why don't you find out? He's in the den," Lucy added, gesturing with her head.

Taking a deep breath, Jade turned and walked towards the den, while Lucy and Sonia continued to the kitchen since Sonia needed a snack.

As she entered, Harry's eyes lit up when he saw her, and he stood up immediately, holding the bouquet of sunflowers awkwardly in his hands.

Jade's heart skipped a beat, a rush of emotions flooding through her. She was still not sure what he was doing there or if she was ready to face him.

Tom and Bryan, who had been sitting with him, nodded to her before slipping out, giving Jade and Harry some privacy. Jade walked further into the den.

"Jade," Harry said, his voice gentle and filled with remorse. "Can we talk?"

Jade took a deep breath, forcing herself to remain calm. "Alright."

Harry handed her the bouquet. "These are for you."

Jade took the flowers, their cheerful appearance contrasting with her conflicted emotions. "Thank you. They're beautiful."

Harry sat down on the couch, gesturing for Jade to join him. She hesitated for a moment, then took a seat, clutching the bouquet as if it were a lifeline.

Harry's gaze softened as he looked at her, but Jade remained guarded. "I heard you were here to see me," she said, her tone neutral.

"Yes," Harry replied, his voice earnest. "Where have you been all day?"

"I went to yoga, saw a movie, and had an appointment with a house agent," she said matter-of-factly, watching his reaction closely.

His brow furrowed in confusion. "A house agent? Why?"

"Because I'm moving out of here. I'm getting my own place," she said simply.

Harry's brow shot up. "But we agreed—"

"I don't need your permission to move, Harry," she interrupted, her voice firm but not harsh.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I know you don't. And you know that's not what I mean. But why move so suddenly?"

"Because I need it," she said, crossing her arms, the sunflowers between them a bright spot in the tense atmosphere. "I need my own space, away from everyone and everything. I want to be alone as I was in Varis before you showed up."

"C'mon, Jade. We didn't break up," Harry said, reaching out to touch her, but she instinctively pulled back, maintaining the distance between them.

Harry sighed, "I came to apologize for the way I handled everything," he began quietly, his voice earnest. "I'm sorry. I realize now that I handled everything wrong. I shouldn't have left you to deal with this alone," he said softly.

Jade looked down at the sunflowers, her eyes stinging with unshed tears but she blinked fasting, willing herself not to cry. "It's fine," she replied, not looking up. "I know I deserved it. I'm sorry for ruining all your efforts and for doubting you. I'm also sorry for acting the way I did."

"No, you didn't deserve it," Harry insisted, a pained expression on his face. "I was wrong to hurt you that way regardless of what happened."

Jade blinked away her tears before looking at him, her gaze unwavering. "I do not hold it against you, Harry. You did what you thought was right for yourself. And it taught me a lot— to also do what is right for myself. For that, I'm grateful."

Harry's heart ached at her words and he dipped his hand into his pocket and took out the engagement ring, "We can work on this together, Jade, we don't need a break. Let's do it all together. The therapy…"

She shook her head slowly. "I do need a break. I didn't think so before now, and maybe if you had come last night or earlier this morning I would have been overjoyed, but I've had enough time to think. I've been thinking all day, and I realize that I need this time, Harry. For myself. I have my own issues to work through. So, let's stick to the break."

"Jade, are you really going to hold this against me? My feelings were hurt, emotions were high. I am human, Jade, am I not allowed to make mistakes? And even while we were there, didn't I try to talk to you but wouldn't even look at me?" Harry asked, sounding hurt.

"I'm not holding anything against you. I understand everything. Really I do. But yes, I felt abandoned by you. Your words hurt me, Harry. You said you regretted all the time we spent together…."

"I was upset," Harry cut in.

"I know. I get it. And honestly, I'm not doing this because I have anything against you. I'm doing this for my own sake. I realize that I should have healed first before trying to move on. I assumed that being single all this time meant it was okay to go into a new relationship, but that was a mistake. I need to take care of myself. All that clinginess, all that immaturity and insecurity, I don't want to be that person. I don't care if you don't mind me being that way. I don't care if you love me that way. I don't love myself that way. I don't want myself that way. That is not who I want to be. So, I think we should stay apart until I achieve my goal," Jade said firmly. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Harry wanted to reach out, to hold her and make everything right, but he could see the resolve in her eyes. "I understand," he said softly, though the words tasted bitter on his tongue. "But know that I will be here for you. I'm here for you. Always."

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Jade rose, "I need to go freshen up now, it's been a long day and I have to prepare for tomorrow," Jade said and Harry rose.

"Here. Hold on to this," he said, giving her the engagement ring, but she shook her head.

"I think you should hold on to it. Who knows? You might not want to marry me after I'm done working on myself," she said with a small smile.

"Don't say that, Jade," Harry said with a frown.

"And if you'd still want to marry me after I'm done, I'd still want a proper proposal regardless of the fact that I ruined this one," she said, and Harry nodded.

"Alright. But even if we don't get back  together right now, can I drive you to your therapy sessions and back? I'd like to do something. Anything. And maybe we can also attend couple counseling together over the weekends. Please," Harry said, and Jade looked at him for a moment.

"I'd like that," she said, very much to his relief, and Harry nodded.

"Thanks," Harry said, and Jade shook her head.

"No, thank you, Harry. Thanks for looking past how I reacted and coming to apologize even when you didn't have to," she said softly.

Harry gave her a nod, and they both stood there for a moment, staring at each other, "I spoke with Aurora earlier. I thought you might be with her so I called," Harry said and Jade raised a brow.

"Oh. How is she doing?" She asked, and Harry told her about their discussion.

"I will give her a call later," Jade said and Harry nodded.

"I was also at the yoga studio earlier to find you. I figured you might have gone there," Harry said and Jade smiled.

"You must have been worried," she said, and Harry nodded.

"I was worried," Harry admitted.

"I almost feel sorry for turning off my phone," she said and he raised a brow.

"Almost? You don't feel sorry?" He asked, and she shook her head.

"No. I turned it off because I didn't want to be bothered by anyone and I didn't want to keep staring at my phone hoping you'd call like I did for most of last night and the night before. I'll be off now. Drive safely," Jade said, and without waiting for Harry to say anything else, she walked away carrying the flower with her to her bedroom.

As Harry watched her leave, he couldn't help but miss her and wonder just how much she was going to change since she seemed to be changing already. He hoped she wouldn't change too much, cause he really did love her as she was, apart from the insecure part.

Tom and Bryan who had been at the dining returned to the den, "How did it go?" Tom asked as they joined him.

"Did she tell you where she went?" Bryan asked at the same time.

"She says she doesn't want to get back together yet until she works on herself. And she wants to move to her own place," Harry explained as he dipped the ring back into his pocket.

"Jade said that?" Tom asked, surprised, and Harry nodded.

"What are you going to do now?" Bryan asked curiously and Harry shrugged.

"I will let her do her thing and cheer her on while supporting her however I can. She agreed to attend couple counseling with me, and she also said I can drive her to therapy," Harry said and Tom nodded.

"That's good enough, I guess," Tom said and Harry nodded in agreement.

"Yeah."

Outside the den, as Jade made her way upstairs, Sonia and Lucy who had been hanging around with Tom and Bryan followed her.

"So, have you both made up?" Sonia asked curiously.

"We are still taking a break," Jade said simply.

Lucy frowned, "I thought he came to make up…"

"He did. But I want the break. It's me asking for a break now, not Harry," Jade said, and Lucy exchanged a look with Sonia.

Hadn't she been the one who was upset about the break? Why was she asking for a break now? They both mused.

"Why?" Sonia asked in confusion.

"Because I need it. As much as I'd like to chat, I'm really tired and I need to freshen up and get some rest. Maybe we can chat later after dinner," Jade said, flashing them a smile and they both nodded and watched as she walked away to her bedroom.

"Is it just me or does she seem like a different person?" Sonia asked, and Lucy nodded.

"Yeah. I expected that she would be laughing happily and be all over Harry. I was actually looking forward to seeing the joy on her face," Lucy said, equally bemused.

"Me too. I wonder what happened," Sonia said with a sigh.

"Well, the most important thing is that they are both okay with their decision. I hope it all works out fine for them," Lucy said, and Sonia nodded in agreement.