Day Fifty-Nine...
~~*****~~
When Jane stepped out of Nathan's cabin, she was surprised when she bumped into Ethan who was standing there outside.
'Oops... Ethan is here.' Jane halted on her steps. She felt like she was caught stealing inside someone else's house. She got busted.
Ethan, on the other hand, could feel Jane's awkwardness. She wasn't comfortable since Ethan caught her leaving Nathan's room. She was even wearing Nathan's shirt.
"Ethan... I–" She wanted to explain but she didn't know what to say.
Ethan didn't need any explanation from her because he didn't want to make it hard for her to justify her action.
"Good morning, Miss Jane. Are you hungry? Let's eat breakfast. Others will be waiting for us in the breakfast hall," Ethan changed the topic. He never questioned Jane's presence and what she did inside his father's cabin.
"Oh, sure," Jane replied, blinking her eyes. She could tell how thoughtful Ethan was. She wondered if he overheard their conversation a while ago.
"Miss Jane, wait for me. I'll just go inside and brush my teeth! You can change your clothes first. I'll fetch you in your room." Ethan said cheerfully.
Jane could only nod her head. She headed to her cabin only to meet Abigail and Dave on the balcony. They were together. Jane's eyes fell on their entangled hands. She could tell that the two spent the night together. Abigail didn't return to their cabin last night.
"Long enough to overhear your conversation with Miss Jane," Ethan answered matter-of-factly. "Dad! You are a man. You should take responsibility for her!" he demanded.
Nathan sat up with disbelief in his eyes. "How much did you hear?" He asked him exasperatedly.
Ethan just shrugged his shoulders. "Dad. I'm just a kid. But even for my age, I know what is the right thing to do. You should be responsible for her!"
Nathan crumpled his face. Ethan sounded like an old man reprimanding and lecturing his naughty son.
"So what do you want me to do?" Nathan lifted his eyebrow, giving him a questioning gaze.
Ethan paused for a moment. He rubbed his small chin as if he was thinking about something. Nathan stared at his son, waiting for his response.
"Don't tell me you want me to marry her. I thought you hated her for killing your mother? Have you forgiven her already?" Nathan didn't filter his words since he wanted to assess Ethan's feelings about Jane.
Complicated emotions flashed through Ethan's eyes. If he said yes, he would feel sorry for his biological mother. But he couldn't bring himself to hate Jane. He just felt so attached to her. Was he betraying his mother for feeling like this? How would his father react?
"Just give her a chance and treat her well. Don't be too blinded by your hatred and resentment. Maybe the time will come and you will be able to accept and acknowledge your feelings toward her." After sharing his thoughts, Ethan proceeded to the bathroom to brush his teeth. Jane was waiting for him.
A deep crease formed on Nathan's forehead as he watched his son's back. 'Acknowledge my feelings for her? Do I feel anything for her? Of course not. We can't be together. I only acknowledge my feelings for Abi.' Nathan clenched his fists. He felt like he betrayed Abigail for getting intimate with her sister, Jane.
'No. It's just a mistake. I should warn Jane not to reveal this to Abi.' Nathan made up his mind. He couldn't afford to have more misunderstandings between Abigail and him.
'Fuck! What I have done?! This shouldn't have happened!' Nathan regretted his action. If he was not drunk, last night's incident wouldn't happen.
But then again, his alter ego spoke to himself. 'How sure are you that it wouldn't happen even if you are not drunk? You were sober a while ago but you failed to stop her from touching you. And your body enjoyed it.'
Nathan cursed himself once more, scolding himself over and over again. He didn't know what was happening to him. He was very confused, uncertain about his feelings when it came to Jane.
In the end, Nathan got off the bed and decided to take a cold shower. He needed to cool himself down and gather his emotions because the remnants of Jane's sweet revenge and torture still lingered in his mind and body.