FORBIDDEN DESIRE
Forbidden Desire – Episode 10
Tags; Love, friendship, drama , thrilling.
📢Warning: Stay clear from my book. signed on platform
© Authoress Isabella Library
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The conversations between Susan and Ryan stretched on for days, deepening their connection in ways she had never dared to dream. She found herself wishing for the exchange to last forever. Unable to contain her excitement, she confided in Mirabel about Ryan and the feelings blossoming within her.
“That’s wonderful,” Mirabel remarked, a knowing smile gracing her lips. “I told you love would find you again.”
“But I haven’t met him face to face,” Susan replied.
“You can change that. Just tell him you want to meet,” Mirabel encouraged.
“Do you really think he’d want to meet me?”
“Absolutely. He knows you; you’re the one who doesn’t know him. Now that you’re certain about your feelings, it’s time for you two to meet,” she asserted, and Susan let out a weary sigh.
“I haven’t even told him how I feel. It’s been years since I’ve fallen for someone so deeply, and now it’s happening with a guy I’ve never even seen in person.”
“Are you worried about what he might look like?” Mirabel teased playfully.
“That’s certainly part of it. But what if he turns out to be one of those guys, hiding behind a facade?”
“I doubt that’s the case. He could be different from the rest. Besides, you two have been chatting for nearly a month now,” Mirabel reasoned gently.
“You’re right,” Susan admitted, her sigh mingling with a flicker of hope as Mirabel tenderly caressed her hands.
“It’s going to be fine,” she reassured her friend, their bond strengthening in that moment.
♦π♦♦♦♦♦♦
Susan entered her office, her personal assistant engaged in conversation beside her, and was taken aback to find Jimmy seated, patiently awaiting her arrival.
“Jimmy?” she called, moving closer as they embraced, lingering in the warmth of their reunion before pulling away. “What a surprise,” she added, settling into her chair as her PA placed files on the table and quietly departed. “Have you been waiting long?”
“Not really. I was informed you were in a meeting, so I decided to wait.”
“Oh, I’m sorry about that. Have you had lunch?”
“No, that’s why I’m here—so we can go together.”
“Well, perfect timing. Let’s go.” She stood, grabbing her bag, and they exited the office side by side.
Moments later, they arrived at an exclusive restaurant. Their reservation secured, they were guided to their table. After perusing the menu, they placed their orders, and the waiter whisked away to prepare their meals.
“This place is fantastic. Is it one of your favorites?” he inquired.
“Indeed, it’s where I usually have my lunch.”
“It’s lovely; I really like it,” he replied, eliciting a shared chuckle.
“I heard you’re on a short vacation.”
“Yes.”
“That’s wonderful.”
Their meals soon arrived, and as they began to eat, their conversation flowed joyfully. Ruby entered the restaurant to collect her order and was taken aback to spot them together. With a sly grin, she snapped a photo and sent it to Taylor. After a brief wait, she settled at a distance, observing them intently when her phone rang. It was Taylor, calling via video. She answered and adjusted the camera to face Jimmy and Susan.
As time slipped by, the pair finished their meal and stood to leave. Jimmy assisted Susan with her bag, eliciting a bright smile from her as they departed the restaurant, Ruby still fixated on the video call with Taylor. Once they vanished from view, she turned the camera back to herself.
“Don’t you think something might be going on between them?” she mused, prompting an exasperated sigh from Taylor.
*********
Later that day, Susan returned home, weariness in her every move. As she ascended the staircase, her cell phone emitted a soft beep, signaling an incoming message. A smile graced her lips as she recognized the sender.
“Hey, beautiful,” Ryan had texted. “How was your day?”
“Never been better,” she replied, continuing her ascent.
“Was work stressful?”
“A little; I just got home.”
“Sorry for the stress. Just take a shower, eat, and sleep like a baby,” he texted, and her smile widened.
“I will do that.” She kept her fingers dancing across the screen as she finally stepped into her room. “Ryan, there’s something I want to tell you.”
“Sure, what’s up?”
“I want to meet with you,” she typed, anticipation bubbling within her.
★Greg’s Mansion★
Morning light filtered through the windows, illuminating the scene of children dressed for school, eagerly consuming their breakfast.
“I can’t believe the holiday ended so soon,” Rachel lamented, prompting a chuckle from the others.
“A longer holiday will come soon enough,” Greg reassured them.
“I know, Dad. I’m stressed,” she confessed.
“Hurry up; you don’t want to be late for school,” Mirabel urged. The room fell silent until they noticed Jimmy, who sat in a brooding silence, barely touching his meal.
“Son,” Greg called, breaking the stillness and jolting him from his thoughts.
“Yes, Dad?”
“Are you okay? You seem quiet.”
“Is something bothering you?” Mirabel inquired gently.
“No, nothing. I’m fine,” he replied, though his tone betrayed him. Just then, his cell phone buzzed with an alarm, prompting him to rise. “I’ve got to go.”
“Aren’t you dropping us off?” Rachel asked.
“Do you want to come with me?” he asked, glancing back.
“Yes!” she exclaimed, standing up alongside John. They bid their parents goodbye before stepping out into the day.
Later that day at school, Jimmy was seated alone in the hall, lost in deep thoughts. His friends approached, standing in silence for a moment before finally walking over to join him.
“There you are! We’ve been searching high and low for you,” Austin declared.
“Are you alright? You seem a bit down,” Samuel observed, as Jimmy let out a weary sigh and rubbed his palms together.
“Nothing’s wrong,” he replied, though the words felt hollow.
“That’s not true. We can sense it. After all these years of friendship, we know when something’s bothering you,” Samuel insisted.
“Did you have a fight with Taylor?” Austin inquired, prompting another sigh from Jimmy as he rubbed the back of his neck.
“Not exactly.”
“Then what is it?” both friends pressed.
“I’m just… bothered.”
“Bothered about what?” Austin asked.
“Well, a neighbor of mine came to me for advice, and I’m at a loss for what to say,” he admitted.
“What kind of advice?” Samuel asked, leaning in.
“Um, he’s fallen for his aunt’s best friend, who’s significantly older than him, and he’s unsure how to approach her. So, he’s been pretending to have a crush on her, chatting with her online. They’ve hit it off pretty well, and now she wants to meet face to face. He’s completely lost,” Jimmy explained.
“Really? Does his aunt’s best friend like him too?” Samuel questioned.
“I’m not sure, but I thinks so,” Jimmy replied, sensing the confusion in their expressions. “I mean, he feels it,” he added nervously.
“Why do I have the feeling this whole situation revolves around you rather than your neighbor?” Austin remarked.
“What do you mean?” Jimmy asked, a hint of defensiveness creeping into his voice.
“Come on, Jimmy. We know you don’t interact with the neighbors. You’re either with us, with Taylor, or at home with your family. So spill it—what’s really going on?” Austin urged.
“That is the truth,” Jimmy insisted, though doubt lingered in the air.
“No, it’s not. I actually believe Austin has a point,” Samuel interjected, watching as Jimmy sighed and began to pace.
“Is this story about Aunt Susan? Have you fallen for her?” Austin asked, prompting a moment of hesitation from Jimmy.
“Are you serious, man?” Samuel exclaimed, disbelief.
“I don’t know; it… it just happened,” Jimmy replied, his voice trembling.
“How? When?” they both inquired, curiously.
“I know I shouldn’t feel this way about her, but I can’t help it. I’ve tried to control it, but it won’t stop, and I’m at a loss for what to do,” he confessed, glancing at his silent friends. “It’s fine; you can yell at me and judge me for it.”
“No, we’re not going to do that. Falling in love with your mother’s best friend, who happens to be older than you, isn’t a big deal. Age is just a number,” Samuel reassured him.
“Exactly, it’s not your fault you fell for her. Love isn’t a crime,” Austin added, his tone supportive.
“This isn’t going to be easy, man. Your family might not take it well, and it could upset your mother,” Samuel warned.
“I know all that, but I don’t know what to do anymore. It’s weighing heavily on me. I shouldn’t feel this way, especially since she’s my mom’s best friend and like a mother to me, but what can I do?” he said, sadness creeping into his voice as he struggled to maintain his composure. His friends moved closer, offering silent support.
“Don’t worry too much; we can figure out a way through this,” Austin said, helping him to sit down. “Does she know how you feel about her?” he asked gently, and Jimmy rolled his eyes in frustration.
“Does she feel the same way?” Samuel probed.
“I don’t think so. She sees me as her son and nothing more,” Jimmy replied, tears threatening to spill.
“I guess this is one-sided love,” Samuel said, his voice heavy with understanding.
Poor jimmy