Jessica and Davis looked at her inquisitively then glanced at themselves in confusion.
"How?" They asked in unison.
"You are here laughing and chatting while Aaron and Vera are fighting themselves to death." Pamela smirked. She witnessed that scene with all seriousness but recalling it makes her laugh uncontrollably.
"Fighting?"
Jessica’s brows lifted slightly, while Davis’s expression darkened, it is a rule in the Allen. Family not to lift a hand against one’s wife. It seems Aaron and Desmond have made it a duty to crash every rule.
Pamela sighed dramatically, stepping further into the room. "Yes, fighting. Well, more like Aaron finally realizing that his wife is a walking disaster. He slapped her."
Jessica smirked, folding her arms. "Slapped her? Why?." She turned to Davis and focused her stare on him, her eyes narrowed. Dave felt the stare, looked at her composure and gulped. "Why staring at me?" He questioned.
"Am thinking, Davis will you also slap me in the nearest future just like Aaron?" Because...it seems ...like the Allen family men a..re.." Jessica started to say contemplatively.
"You don’t count me along with men like Aaron and besides I don’t beat women", he retorted, his tone cold.
"How can he be counted with a man like Aaron? Isn’t that soiling his name and dignity. He had never lived like him, why will he have to beat a woman?" He mused within himself.
"And what about...." Jessica started. "That’s their problem, not mine." Davis retorted his composure indifferent as adjusted his collar.
Pamela chuckled. "That’s what makes it unfair. Both of are here enjoying your peace over every word while Aaron is outside dealing with the consequences of his own choices. It’s almost like karma is slapping him too."
Jessica shrugged. "Well, everyone gets what they deserve eventually and possibly what you wish for."
Pamela clapped her hands. "Exactly! And speaking of getting what we deserve—shopping! Are you both ready?"
Jessica nodded, then turned to Davis. "Well, Mr. Allen, shall we?"
Davis sighed with reluctance "Do I even have a choice?"
Jessica leaned closer, whispering with a teasing smile, "No."
Pamela rolled her eyes playfully. "Can we just go?"
"Yes, we can... Pamela ask Ethan to bring the car around. He will drive." Jessica instructed. This is the first time of Davis facing the public again and she can only go with someone she trusted much.
Though, she had only met Pamela for the first time due to her visit to the Allen family but she must not be the problem and should she be, she believes she can handle her alone and protect Davis.
"Alright, I will do that. See you downstairs." She smirked and left the room. Jessica turned around, gathered their phones on the nightstand, backing Davis she typed out a few instructions to Richard to prepare some shadow guard for Davis and ensure he is not hurt in any eventualities.
"What are you doing with phone again, Pamela will definitely have your head." He said playfully. Not bothered about what she is doing.
The staff had always greeted him with respect, their eyes filled with admiration and a bit of awe. His entrance leaving male and female in shock. While some marvel at his physique, some drool at his charm... The ladies? The ladies will always want to throw themselves on him at any opportunity.
But now...
It is a different story. His reflection in the window showed a different man. A man confined to a wheelchair. A man who had lost control over so much of his life. A man who would now be the subject of pitying stares and whispered gossip. A man who lost his fiancée to his cousin.
A man who had his life dictated by another, a man wallowing in shame and disgrace. His chest tightened at the reality before him.
If given another choice, he wouldn’t go. He wouldn’t place himself in a position where he could see the disappointment in the eyes of those who once looked up to him. He didn’t want to endure the awkward sympathy of acquaintances who would struggle to find the right words to say.
His breathe hitched coming out in shallow gasps, his eyes red, his hand clasping Jessica’s hand unconsciously tightened.
Jessica winced lightly in pain, her fingers reddening but Davis wasn’t aware and wouldn’t let go. Jessica looked at his eyes which has lost focus, the answer clearly written all over him.... Another episode.
She sighed deeply, slowly she began patting his hand, slowly rubbing and massaging his wrist in a circular motion, she couldn’t let the people in the front notice the situation at the back.
Noticing the warmth on his hand, he looked over to his hand still clasped with her hand. Jessica...
His gaze shifted, landing on her serene profile. Her fingers, warm and reassuring, rested against his.
He noticed the redness of her hand and his hand skipped a bit. "Did I hurt you?" He quickly grabbed her hand to look over it. His eyes brimming with pain. "Why didn’t you talk?"

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