Chapter 256

Kelsey bought breakfast from a different place and headed over to Jack's house, carefully covering the peephole on the door.

When Jack opened the door and saw her standing there, he paused for a second before starting to close it.

Kelsey hurriedly reached out, and the door pinched her hand.

She let out a sharp cry as the breakfast she was holding hit the floor.

Jack quickly reopened the door, pulling Kelsey inside and immediately checking her hand.

Her slender fingers were marked with a clear red line from where the door had pinched her, and it looked like it really hurt.

"Does it hurt?" Jack asked, his voice filled with concern.

Kelsey bit her lip and nodded. "Yes, it hurts. It's killing me."

Her high-pitched tone left Jack at a loss, unsure of what to do.

He released her hand. "Let me get the first-aid kit."

As he went inside, Kelsey stepped into his small but tidy apartment. The space was compact but neatly organized, with a few pots of flowers on the balcony.

When Jack returned with the first-aid kit, he found Kelsey bent over, inspecting his plants.

His gaze dropped, and he noticed she was barefoot on the floor.

Jack set the kit down and went to fetch a pair of clean slippers.

"Here, put these on. You don't want to catch a cold."

Kelsey turned and noticed Jack's eyes were fixed on her feet.

She instinctively pulled her feet closer.

Realizing his mistake, Jack quickly averted his gaze, his ears turning pink.

Kelsey noticed and slipped her feet into the oversized gray slippers, which felt loose and made her walk awkwardly.

Jack had already opened the first-aid kit and was rummaging through it. "Come here, let me put some antiseptic on that."

"Okay," Kelsey said, moving to sit on the stool across from him.

"Give me your hand."

"Sure."

Kelsey extended her hand, resting it in his palm. Her eyes remained glued to him, but Jack avoided looking up, his focus fixed on the task at hand.

Kelsey's heart felt like it was coated in honey as she was savoring the moment.

After a while, Jack finished and released her hand. "All done."

Kelsey, still not entirely satisfied, asked, "That's it?"

Jack was silent for a moment as he packed away the first-aid kit. "What made you come over here?"

"I brought you breakfast," Kelsey replied.

Jack hesitated before asking, "There's breakfast at the office."

"That's not the same," Kelsey said, nudging the stool closer to Jack, "I bought this myself. How can it be the same as what you get at the office?"

Jack didn't have a retort.

Seeing Jack's silence, Kelsey took advantage, shuffling the stool even closer until she was almost pressing up against him.

"Jack."

"Hmm?"

"Why won't you look at me?"

"There's nothing to see," Jack replied, his voice low and uncomfortable.

"Then why don't you take a look?" Kelsey prodded, her tone teasing.

Jack stiffened momentarily before slowly turning his head to meet her gaze.

In that instant, it felt like fireworks exploded around him. Kelsey's face was so close that it was almost within his reach.

"Do I look good?" Kelsey asked, her voice soft and inviting.

Jack's Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed hard. "You look good."

"Do you like me?"

The warmth in Jack's ears felt like a tiny fire, spreading quickly, turning his whole face red.

"Jack, I like you," Kelsey said boldly, seizing the moment, "Would you be willing to go out with me?"

Jack froze, then forced a smile. "Ms. Jose, don't joke around."

"I'm not joking!"

Jack suddenly stood up. "I need to put away the first-aid kit."

Kelsey stood, too, grabbing his hand and pressing it against her chest.

Jack looked startled, his eyes wide as he watched her.

"Jack, listen to my heartbeat," Kelsey said, inching closer until her feet nearly touched his. They were so close that their breaths mingled. "I'm serious. If you feel even the tiniest bit of affection for me, could you try to overcome your insecurities and give us a chance?"

Her sincerity was like a blazing flame, almost consuming him.

Jack's heartbeat quickened, but he fought to keep his composure. Finally, he lowered his gaze and spoke softly, "Ms. Jose, I'm sorry, but I don't have feelings for you."

He tried to pull his hand away, but Kelsey clung to it, her eyes burning with determination. "I don't believe it. Unless you let me hear your heartbeat!"

She tried to move closer, wanting to press her ear against his chest to hear his heartbeat.

But Jack pushed her away.

Kelsey stumbled back, her face showing hurt.

Jack met her gaze briefly before looking away. "Please, go."

Once he had spoken, Jack carried the first-aid kit into the bedroom.

Sounds came from outside, as if Kelsey had really left.

Jack placed the kit and took a moment to compose himself before leaving the bedroom.

The sight that greeted him made his heart skip a beat. There, perched on the window sill of the balcony, was Kelsey.

She hadn't left; the sounds were from her opening the window and climbing up.

The wind howled through the open window, Kelsey gripping the window sill, watching him quietly.

Jack's expression hardened. "Kelsey, what are you doing? Get down now!" He took a step towards the window.

Kelsey smiled at him, then, as he took a stride closer, she let go and plummeted from the window.

Jack opened his mouth, but no sound came out. As he watched Kelsey fall, he felt his heart leap out of his chest with her.

Without a moment's hesitation, Jack climbed onto the windowsill, stepping out into the air after her.

As he leaped, the view unfolded below him. He seemed to see a large crowd below and an inflatable mattress.

Two thuds echoed around.

Jack landed on the mattress, wasted no time in getting up, and rushed to check on Kelsey.

Kelsey lay in the center of the mattress, eyes shut, unmoving.

"Ms. Jose?" Jack patted Kelsey's face gently, but she didn't respond.

The crowd buzzed with talk. Jack, usually so calm and composed, lost his rationality, picking Kelsey up. "Someone call an ambulance, now!"