272 Ensnaring Jackson

Friday

7:15 PM

Sabrina is having dinner with Jackson in an exclusive restaurant that values the privacy of customers.

Jackson can't help looking at the extravagant décor and puffing his chest proudly. His only regret is that privacy screens are prohibiting him to see other patrons, and also the others can't see him in this high-end place which is reserved for the elite with connections.

Other than being absolutely high on the fact that he gets the pleasure to enjoy this restaurant, Jackson is elated that he is with Sabrina. Everything is going according to plan, and even better. Jackson assumed that it will take a few days after Ashton's misfortunate accident for Sabrina to get back to him, but this is much faster.

Sabrina is gorgeous and smiling and Jackson is confident that Sabrina has no clue that he is behind the attack on Ashton. In Jackson's opinion, if she is suspecting him, she would not bring him to this exclusive place or be so nice to him. Actually, he does not remember if Sabrina was ever this nice to him.

"I must say… I was surprised when you said that we are having dinner at the Fifth Season. It was probably difficult to get a reservation." Jackson said while enjoying the best medium-rare steak he ever had in his life.

"Not that difficult." Sabrina responded casually.

"Of course, as an Anderson, you don't understand the problems of us mortals."

Sabrina covered her mouth with her palm and laughed. "You are funny. I like your sense of humor."

Jackson's eyebrows shoot up. He is still wrapping his head around the fact that Sabrina called him earlier that day for dinner. His mother advised him not to go, but Jackson was convinced that Sabrina realized her mistake in breaking the engagement and that she wants to make up. Now that Ashton is out of the picture, Sabrina had time to re-think her priorities and it's natural that she decided to return to him. After all, Sabrina and Jackson share a history that is difficult to ignore and breakup is not beneficial for anyone.

"She is up to something…" Mrs. Adams warned her son.

"What do you know, mother? Isn't this what we wanted? Sabrina needed a few days, but she understood that my seizure and my addiction are because of her. She probably connected that I did all that is because I love her, and I was desperate to keep her by my side. And now that her boy-toy is out of the picture, she decided to give me another chance… Besides, if she is up to something, there is no need to stage a dinner where we can be seen."

Mrs. Adams had to agree that what Jackson said makes sense. If anyone from the Anderson family wants to harm them, there is no need for elaborate plots. "Make sure you look your best. And compliment her, women like that. Don't go without flowers…"

"Yes, mother."

Back to the present…

The compliment came from the heart. Sabrina's hair is braided and pulled into a bun, and her deep blue gown is matching her eyes. Light and flawless makeup is accentuating her beauty. Sabrina is thirty-three years old, but she does not look a day older than twenty-five. She is a gem. And the most important thing is that Sabrina never smiled so much when she was with Jackson. Is it possible that he was right, and she is falling for him?

"Thank you." Sabrina responded with a smile.

Lying and pretending comes naturally to Sabrina when she is with Jackson, but this time she finds it to be more difficult than usual. Knowing that the man across the table got someone to hurt Ashton, makes Sabrina want to rip him into pieces. But for now, she needs to smile.

'Just a bit more… Keep it up a bit more…', Sabrina chanted internally.

Sabrina asked about Jackson's stay in the hospital and current condition, and he assured her that doctors got the diagnosis wrong, probably they mixed the blood samples, and then he spoke how everyone is treating him well. Sabrina included.

Jackson wants to believe that all this is real, but there is a worm of doubt which requires clarification. "Will you tell me the reason why we are having this dinner?"

"I don't understand." Sabrina said innocently.

"The last time when we spoke, it didn't end well." Jackson reminded her.

"I was angry and acted impulsively. A girl should have the right to change her mind. Don't I get a second chance?"

"What about Ashton?" Jackson asked suspiciously. He knows that Ashton is out of the picture, but he wants to know Sabrina's opinion on the topic.

Sabrina was surprised that Jackson is so straightforward. He is usually the scheming one, but she is ready for this. She can't dismiss Ashton completely, because if Jackson knew about Ashton's route from her studio to the café, it means that someone was following them. So, her response needs to be as close to the truth as possible.

Sabrina showed a troubled expression. "Is there a need to bring him up? Didn't you have any flings so far?"

"I can't deny my flings. But you didn't have any so far how much I know."

Sabrina exhaled. "And it would be better if I didn't have this one either. After only a few days, he bails on me. Last night I made a reservation and got dressed up, and he didn't show up. It figures. I admit that I got carried away, but after he stood me up I thought about it and I realized that the thing with him was not real."

Jackson nodded in understanding. "He stood you up?"

Sabrina confirmed. "We had lunch together and agreed on dinner. I had a successful meeting with a big client and pulled some strings for a dinner reservation so that we can celebrate in style. And he ghosted me. He didn't show up and he is not answering my calls. It's like he disappeared. I was such a fool to trust him that I'm ashamed of it…" Sabrina ended in a small voice.

Jackson's lips stretched into a smile. "Some men are like that. Unreliable."

He took a sip of his drink before asking: "So, where does that put us?"

"I was thinking… No matter how we started and what we went through, you were always a gentleman toward me, and you never disappointed me. Are you willing to give us another try?" Sabrina looked at him shyly.

Jackson could not hide the surprise from his face. What luck! This is better than what he imagined. It took him some time to recover and respond. "How can I deny you anything?"

Sabrina lowered her head. "Thank you, Jackson. You were always kind to me."

Jackson chuckled. "This is not kindness. You have a special place in my heart."

They ended the dinner in a good mood and with a delicious dessert.

"Do you want me to drive you home?" Jackson offered when they walked toward the parking lot.

"No, thank you." Sabrina said with a small smile. "My car is here. And it would be silly if one of us leaves the car behind. Maybe next time?"

Jackson agreed. Sabrina's response surprised him. Sabrina never allowed him to drop her off home, she was always independent. He thought that getting back with Sabrina will take more time and effort, but his charms are undeniable. It seems that Sabrina is not so icy toward him, after all.

"Jack, for our next date, I would like you to pick me up. In that way, you can drop me off as well. My car is here and even though I don't need a ride, you can open the door for me."

Sabrina saw that Jackson nodded and she gestured toward the right. "That way, next to that black van."

Jackson smiled and followed after Sabrina. This sounds promising. He wondered, is it possible that after this reconciliation they will be a real couple? And he gets to melt the iceberg called Sabrina Anderson? He would love to get a taste of her. Jackson reminded himself to stay cool. He will need to process all this when he gets home. Ah, his parents will be stoked when they hear how well his evening went!

Sabrina unlocked her car with a remote key and waited for Jackson to open the door on the driver's side.

"I had fun…" Jackson said while holding the door for her. "I hope that we will see each other again soon."

Sabrina's smile widened and her eyes flashed in madness. "We will see each other sooner than you think. The night has just begun."

Jackson didn't understand that comment or her change in expression.

In the next moment, four hands belonging to Mike and Derek pulled Jackson in the back of the van which was parked behind him. Jackson was so focused on Sabrina that he didn't notice that the side door of the van opened.

Jackson was disoriented when he hit the floor of the van. What happened? Is he being kidnapped? Before he had a chance to fight back, they pinned him down, and Jake was putting duct tape over Jackson's mouth while Hunter was tying his hands in the back.

"We are ready to go." Hunter told Sabrina when he confirmed that Jackson is tied up.

"I will be right behind you." Sabrina responded to Hunter and got in her car.

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