Ice and Fire

Jackson then hung up the phone without saying any more words, And Cherry quietly snuggled up against his shoulder again.

Jackson dropped his head, and as he gazed at her, he whispered, "Baby..."

But Cherry just stared ahead at the sea without replying to him.

"Are you mad because of the phone call?" asked Jackson, who could definitely tell that Cherry was irritated because of Sally calling him.

She suddenly looked up at Jackson, and said, "Can I ask you something?"

Jackson nodded.

"Can you tell me what's really going on between you and Stephen?" She had always wanted to know the truth, but Stephen had always avoided to tell it to her. All the other people who knew about it also avoided the subject, because they were afraid of Jackson. She had to ask him personally, and Cherry finally found the courage to do it.

Jackson's expression then slowly changed. He looked away, trying to avoid Cherry's inquiry.

Seeing Jackson's palpable reluctance, Cherry became even more eager to know the answer.

"Tell me, please! I'm curious!" said Cherry while nuzzling him.

This time, Jackson didn't dote on her as he used to when Cherry begged him for something. Instead, he coldly said, "Drop the subject."

When Cherry saw Jackson's reluctance again, rage burned inside of her. She then got out of Jackson's arms and rose to her feet, and as she looked down at him, she said, "Am I only an outsider to you?"

"No, baby, you're not!" said Jackson. He also got up and wanted to cuddle with her again.

Cherry, however, stepped a few steps back to avoid his touch.

"Don't touch me!" cried Cherry, making Jackson freeze in his steps. She then looked him in the eye, and said, "You only care about Sally, don't you?"

"Honey, stop it, please! "I only love you, you have to believe me!" helplessly said Jackson. His eyes blazed with sincerity, because Cherry was the only woman that he had ever loved.

Cherry shook her head and refused to believe him. His words meant nothing at all to her.

"Jackson, you said that you want me to live with you, but you still have a relationship with Sally going on! How could I come back to you when Sally is still around lingering in your life? Do you want what happened five years ago to happen again?" As she said this, her memory of Emily suddenly flashed through her mind. When the old sadness struck her, she realized that she had never really forgotten about it.

"Honey, please, listen to me! It's not what you think, " begged Jackson, while slowly moving closer to Cherry.

"No, no! Get away from me!" yelled Cherry, unwilling to hear any of his excuses.

but she was resisting so

shouted Jackson furiously while he stared

cry, and

to compose himself before he apologized to her, "I'm sorry, honey,

at him, emotionless. She

lose his temper in front of her, but why did

go for her if you care about her, because she probably loves you more than I do." She then paused, and

of his hands and

her arm, and pulled her back to him before she was able

severely, as he put his arms around her again. He said, "You were the one who wanted to mess with

he held in his arms was the

have rather never known you in the first place!" said Cherry, while she tilted her head back and looked

flow in him, and Jackson

talk to Sally in a gentle tone, but you

and tone. She wanted Jackson to treat her best, but he didn't, and to top it

Jackson, but Cherry

you, but Sally isn't! That means that you can't afford to lose her, can you?"

were throbbing with rage, and he snarled at her, "What did you

to utter another single word,

demanded again, "How did you find out? Who told

stammered Cherry, too

ignored the scared expression on her face, he said, "Did Stephen tell you?

Cherry immediately. "He had

quick reply alarmed Jackson. He stared at her, and thought, 'She

then looked into Jackson's eyes, and said, "Why do you think it was him?

her, " said Jackson,

then gave a helpless smile, and said, "You really trust her with your

her, without speaking

you believe me if I tell you that

still doubting.

'He trusts Sally

to gaze at her in silence.

flow down on Cherry's cheeks; she

eventually. She then summoned all of her strength and got rid

didn't go after her this time, and just stood alone and confused on the beach watching her leave. Cherry couldn't lie to him, and even if

murderous look then emerged on Jackson's face. Except for Cherry, anyone who dared to cross the line