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At the bar, Jade continued to maintain her composure despite Luke's persistent advances. She took a step back, subtly placing distance between them. With a firm tone and steady gaze, she rejected his advances.
"I appreciate your company tonight, but I think it's best if we remain friends," Jade said, her voice steady and assertive.
Luke, taken aback by her directness, tried to laugh it off. "Oh, come on. We've always had great chemistry. Can't you feel it?"
Jade shook her head, her eyes unwavering. "No. We had our time, and it's over. We need to move forward."
As the tension between Jade and Luke escalated, Taylor couldn't help but step in, her protective instincts kicking in both as Jade's bodyguard and as someone who had developed an emotional attachment to her. She walked up to the bar and placed herself between Jade and Luke, using her physical presence to establish boundaries.
"Is everything okay here?" Taylor asked, her eyes locking onto Luke's.
Jade looked at Taylor, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Yes, Taylor. Thanks for checking in. Luke and I were just catching up."
Luke, visibly annoyed by Taylor's intervention, raised an eyebrow. "You really need a bodyguard for a friendly chat, Jade?"
Taylor didn't back down, her stance firm and protective. "It's my job to ensure Jade's safety and comfort at all times. If she feels uncomfortable, I'm here to help."
Luke's frustration escalated into a lengthy confrontation. He tried to justify his past actions, his voice rising with desperation. "Jade, I'm not the same person I was back then. I made a mistake when I cheated on you, but I wasn’t thinking clearly. It was a moment of weakness. I've changed."
Taylor stood strong and firm, her protective instincts unwavering. She looked at Jade, silently asking if she should intervene.
Jade shook her head and addressed Luke, her voice calm but assertive. "I've forgiven you, but that doesn't mean we're meant to be together. We both need to move on."
Luke clenched his jaw, realizing that his attempts to rekindle their romance were futile. "Fine, I'm sorry for everything. I hope you can find happiness." With that, he turned and walked away, defeated.
As the confrontation ended, Jade's eyes met Taylor's, her expression filled with gratitude. She reached out, gently placing her hand on Taylor's forearm. "Thank you. You were amazing."
Taylor looked down at Jade's hand, a small smile playing on her lips as she acknowledged Jade's comforting touch. "You don't have to thank me. I'm just doing my job."
Jade moved closer, her voice soft and sincere. "It's more than that. I know you care about me. And I want you to know that I care about you too."
Taylor's heart raced at Jade's heartfelt words. She couldn't deny her jealousy during the confrontation, but Jade's reassurance brought comfort and a deeper connection between them.
"Jade, I do care about you. More than I've ever cared for anyone I've protected," Taylor admitted, her voice barely a whisper.
Jade smiled, her eyes glistening with unspoken emotions. "I'm glad it's you who's here with me."
Liam sensed the emotional weight of the moment and decided to step in, hoping to lighten the mood. "You know, that was almost as intense as the time I tried to make a soufflé," he quipped, a grin spreading across his face.
Jade and Taylor exchanged puzzled glances before erupting into laughter, the tension dissipating as they were reminded of Liam's previous culinary disasters.
Wiping tears from her eyes, Jade turned to Liam. "Please, do tell us that story again. It's been a while."
Liam eagerly obliged, setting the scene with dramatic flair. "It was a dark and stormy night—"
Taylor interjected, smirking. "It was a sunny afternoon, Liam."
Liam waved his hand dismissively, continuing. "Fine, fine. A sunny afternoon, and I decided to try my hand at a soufflé, a dessert notoriously difficult to master."
As Liam recounted his comical culinary misadventure, Jade and Taylor found themselves leaning in closer, their arms brushing against each other as they laughed. Their unspoken connection was becoming increasingly apparent, their actions betraying their growing feelings.
As the award ceremony began, they took their seats inside the venue. Jade brushed her hand against Taylor's and gently interlocked their fingers, causing Taylor's heart to skip a beat. Throughout the ceremony, Jade's thumb traced comforting circles on the back of Taylor's hand, the tender caresses speaking volumes about their growing connection.
During the evening, the two women exchanged knowing smiles and shared whispered comments about the speeches and performances, their laughter and intimate conversation a testament to the deepening bond between them.
Liam, fully aware of the situation, played the role of supportive friend, never intruding on their moments but offering encouraging smiles and nods whenever their eyes met.
As the awards ceremony drew to a close, they stood up, still holding hands, and made their way towards the exit. The lingering glances they exchanged spoke of the intensifying emotions between them, hinting at the challenges they would soon face together.
