Chapter 6 ''Old Flame''

• Beth's heart raced at the sight of Jason Sterling, her ex. Jason was Alicia’s oldest son who had always loved Beth, but their social statuses could not allow them to be together. This was something Jason accepted. He loved her from a distance.
• "Oh, sorry," Beth fidgeted, trying to pick up the cup of coffee she had just dropped. "Let me get a mop," she anxiously said, rushing back. Her mind failed to comprehend that the man she had left for Greg was standing right in front of her, at the door. Jason stared at her as she anxiously tried to mop, her trembling hands were betraying her unstable emotions.
• "You don’t have to do that, Beth," Jason spoke up calmly
• "No, it's fine," she responded, trying to avoid his gaze.
• "Beth," he said, moving closer and holding the mop in a way that caught her attention.
• Finally, she looked up at him.
• The innocence and gentleness could be seen in his eyes; he still looked as handsome as he did back in the days. As he held the mop, he grasped a part of her hand.there was a connection that moved through her body, She could still feel the gentleness in his touch as she did back in the days; there chemistry was still alive
• . His body might have changed a bit; his beard was darker and longer, but it was his warm smile that always drew Beth to him. there was a peace that came with his stare, its like he was seeing her heart
• She stared deeply into his eyes. After so many years of not seeing him, his presence brought back many memories. Their eyes locked in a way that ignited a flame… It was as though the world stopped at that moment.
• As they were caught in that moment, Kayla finally drove by the road. Her arrival prompted them to separate. Beth quickly shook her head, snapping out of her deep thoughts. She rushed to her car, stealing a final glance at Jason as she ran towards her sister.
• "Oh Beth," Kayla said, reaching in to hug her older sister and sympathizing with her.
• Jason stood there, silently observing the heartfelt embrace between the two sisters. Not wanting to interrupt, he played with his feet, swinging them left and right in an attempt to gain their attention and to make his presence known. Trying to subtly catch their attention and assert his presence, he started to whistle, feigning disinterest in their conversation.
• "Jason, I didn’t see you there," Kayla said suddenly, breaking the moment and giving him the attention.
• Kayla, Beth's younger sister had always been her protector despite their age difference. She was outspoken, confident, and commanding, the type to confront bullies and fiercely protect her loved ones. Her numerous heartbreaks had made her cynical about men deserving anything good from women.
• "Oh, you're talking to me?" Jason teased, glancing around as if searching for someone else, then he burst out laughing.
• "Come here, my beautiful girl," Jason remarked warmly as he pulled Kayla into a hug. Even after all these years, his body and height allowed him to lift her just as he had when they were young.
• "Jason," Kayla giggled affectionately. They had always shared a beautiful relationship.
• Beth smiled wishfully as she watched her sister and Jason interact, her smile was hiding how she truly felt about how they got along. He was like the older brother she had never had, and she couldn't help but wish that Kayla would relate to Greg in the same playful manner.
• "Uhmmm… That’s my cue to leave," Jason quipped suddenly as his phone rang persistently. He had been ignoring it up until now when he finally glanced down at the screen.
• "Are you in a hurry somewhere?" Beth asked, curious about his sudden departure.
• "Yeah, there's somewhere I need to be," Jason replied with a smile, turning away. "It was great to see you again, Beth. Tell Mum I'll come back later."
• Beth stared after him as he walked off, his hands nonchalantly tucked into his pockets as usual. Kayla, noticing Beth's expression, couldn't resist teasing her.
• "I can see he still gets to you, huh?"
• "Oh, please," Bethany replied quickly, trying to mask her thoughts. "I was just thinking about something else." She lied, trying to deflect the playful accusation.
• "Did you tell Mum I was here?" Beth asked Kayla as they settled into the living room.
• "No, Mum and Dad have been out of town, Beth. You've been so caught up with the Griffins that you've lost touch with your own family, haven't you?" Kayla teased playfully.
• "That's not a funny joke," Beth responded sternly, sipping her cup.
• "How did you find yourself here, Beth? What happened?"
• "Well, the thing Mum and everyone warned me about came to pass… Michelle is back. The queen of his heart returned, and he tossed me aside like trash," she said emotionally. "I guess I deserved it. There's nothing much for me to offer. I can't be as pretty as her, and my body will never match hers."
• "Don’t say that, Bethany," Kayla said reassuringly, drawing her closer and resting her head on her chest. "You are a very beautiful woman. If Greg doesn’t see that, then that's on him, not you."
• As she lay on Kayla’s chest, Bethany slid a positive pregnancy test result from under the blanket she had covered herself with.
• "Bethany!" Kayla exclaimed, startled. "You're pregnant? Oh my gosh, I'm going to be an aunt!" She hugged Beth tightly, brimming with excitement. "I can't wait for walks in the park, babysitting…"
• As Kayla drifted into her joyful thoughts, she noticed Beth wasn't sharing her enthusiasm.
• "Come on, Beth, at least let this be a reason to smile."
• "I'm not keeping this child, Kayla," Bethany finally spoke out, her voice tinged with sadness and uncertainty.