Page 73 of Obsession (Dark Revenge)
“Yes, but unlike some people, I learned to swim when I was a kid.”
Jared narrowed his eyes, then turned away from me in a frustrating manner, showing his displeasure through his body language. My anger began to dissipate as I grew intrigued by how he could have never learned to swim.
“Why were you never taught?” I asked.
Jared continued to gaze at the wall instead of me.
“Well?” I pressed.
He turned his head, focusing on me again, but the anger still lingered in his eyes.
“And who should have taught me?”
“I don’t know. Your mother. She didn’t leave when you were a baby,” I reminded him.
“No, but even when she lived there, there were rules.”
“Rules?”
“Certain ways for us to live in that house,” Jared informed me.
“Did your dad hurt your mother too?”
“We aren’t discussing parents, remember?”
“No, we didn’t delve into that on our first date. But this isn’t a first date anymore, and since I’m not allowed to ask questions about this place, why can’t I inquire about you?”
“Because I’d rather you didn’t,” he replied, his tone firm. “My past isn’t particularly important.”
“It is to me.”
“What?”
A heavy silence hung between us, and I suddenly realized what I had blurted out. It wasn’t my intention to reveal this, but after spending these weeks with Jared, I had witnessed facets of his character I had never seen before. I had learned so much about him, and the more I discovered, the greater my desire grew to understand the younger Jared as well. I wanted to uncover all those aspects of him I had overlooked while being so self-absorbed. I was inherently curious, and Jared had always held a certain mystique for me.
“I didn’t mean it that way,” I stammered.
“You want something to use against me,” he snapped, pushing away from the chair and striding over to the balcony. He stepped outside, and I glanced over my shoulder, observing him standing there, gazing into the evening as night slowly descended.
I continued to eat my meal, but after finishing, Jared had yet to return. I rose from the couch and joined him outside, yet neither of us spoke immediately. We simply stood side by side, immersed in the tranquil atmosphere. The contrast between this place and the bustling city was striking, and I found myself relishing the serenity.
“Sometimes it’s not about using information,” I confessed.
Jared turned his head, his gaze locking onto mine.
“When I want to know something, sometimes it’s just curiosity, like anyone else.”
“You expect me to believe that?” he questioned skeptically.
“I’m not a being of pure evil,” I retorted, facing him. “I have ordinary qualities.”
“I’m not entirely convinced of that.”
“That’s fine if you don’t believe me. But why guard your past so fiercely? It’s not like I have the power to manipulate it against you anymore,” I reminded him. “You hold my secrets. You know so much about me now. What harm could I honestly inflict?”
“I’m not certain, but I can’t shake the feeling that you might attempt something.”
I sighed. “Of course,” I groaned before turning to face the world again.
