Love's Flames

To gather material for my novel, I interviewed the prodigy I had secretly admired for years at a class reunion.

I drank too much, got carried away, and directly asked him, "Did you break up with the most admired girl in the department because of your... health issues?"

Before I could finish, I fell right into his arms.

The next morning, I woke up to find the prodigy staring at me with a deep gaze.

"Do you remember what you did last night?"

"Uh, well..."

I stammered, trying to maintain my composure after a long pause. "You saw it too; it was just an accident."

"An accident?"

He raised an eyebrow, and as he let go, the blanket slipped down, revealing wounds on his collarbone and other areas.

"Were these also accidents?"

I glanced at Jaxon's beautiful collarbone and noticed the bite marks still faintly bleeding.

My vision went dark. "Did I do this?"

"Of course."

Jaxon's voice was as clear and pleasant as a mountain stream, carrying a calm and unhurried demeanor.

Yet now, that voice was calmly listing my offenses.

"Last night, you only drank half a bottle of beer, then asked why I broke up with Ariella, grabbed my collar, cursed that no man is any good, and scratched me several times..."

He paused slightly, squinting his eyes with a mysterious glint in them.

"Like a... fierce kitten."

With his help, I was forced to recall the events of last night.

Indeed, my alcohol tolerance has never been great.

Coupled with my recent writer's block, I finally asked about the unresolved mystery from three years ago-why Jaxon and the most admired girl in the department, Ariella, broke up after just three months.

But... how did Jaxon respond to me?

I frowned, enduring the headache from my hangover, and finally remembered vaguely.

Last night, almost everyone had left, leaving just me and him in the room.

I rolled up my sleeves, put one foot on the chair, and leaned in to ask Jaxon, "Back then, you and Ariella were a perfect match. How did you break up?"

"We just didn't click."

When he said this, Jaxon's eyes, cold as a spring, were as obscure as a misty mountain, revealing no emotion.

I pressed on, getting even closer, my nose almost touching his. "Did you break up because you were... inadequate?"

Then Jaxon suddenly laughed.

He leaned forward and kissed me on the lips, saying in a low, husky voice, "If you really want to know... why don't you check for yourself?"

The soft touch and the refreshing minty scent mingled with the alcohol, and his deep voice carried a strong allure.

Boldly, I tugged at his collar. "Let's go, upstairs."

As I snapped back to reality, I met Jaxon's eyes, which were filled with a teasing smile.

"Well, it's too late to regret it now."

I stopped pretending and laid it all out.

"We're all adults here; it's no big deal.

Once we leave this room, we're still classmates. Just pretend it never happened-I promise I won't tell anyone."

I must have had a "you better not underestimate me" look on my face that threatened Jaxon. He turned his head, sighed, and said softly, "Regret?

I do regret..."

His voice trailed off, and I didn't catch the rest.

But after trying it out, at least I got my answer from last night.

I rubbed my sore waist and thought.

Yes, he and Ariella must have broken up due to incompatible personalities.

Half an hour later, Jaxon and I were dressed and standing in the elevator.

As the elevator descended, my editor suddenly called, asking, "Didn't you say you were going to find a man for inspiration?

I've been waiting for your draft for half a month.

Where is it?"

In the small, quiet space, her voice was particularly loud.

My brow twitched, and I instinctively glanced to the side, meeting Jaxon's slightly cold gaze.

Oh no, he heard it!

"The draft... I'll send it to you when I get back. I'm out right now."

I quickly hung up the phone and braced myself to explain to Jaxon, "I didn't mean to use you; I was just drunk.

Really, you have to believe me."

He gave a slight smile, but his eyes lacked any warmth. "Sure, I believe you."

Then he ignored me, took out his phone, and pressed a few buttons.

The next second, a call came through.

I caught a glimpse of the name flashing on the screen-Ariella.

Jaxon glanced at me, answered the call, and listened silently for a while.

When the elevator stopped on the first floor and the doors opened, he finally spoke, "Alright, I'm coming to see you now."

Then he hung up.

Three years since the breakup?

Incompatible personalities?

Who are you kidding?

A sharp pain suddenly pierced the most hidden part of my heart, leaving me breathless. I rushed out of the elevator, but after just a few steps, a hand grabbed my shoulder.

I was forced to turn around and heard Jaxon's calm voice, "Wait here for me. I'll be back soon."

Then I watched him walk into the pharmacy next door.

Moments later, Jaxon came out with a bag of medicine and handed it to me. "Remember to take the medicine and apply the ointment when you get back."

"What medicine?" I asked, eyes widening, my face turning red and then white. "You don't mean..."

Clearly, Jaxon understood.

He froze for a moment, sighed, and said softly, "What are you thinking?

It's ibuprofen. Didn't you say your headache was acting up?

The other is an ointment for swelling and bruises. Use it yourself."

I was stunned for a moment, and when I realized, my face turned bright red.

My awkward walking posture... he had noticed it all.

"I have something important to take care of, so I have to go now. Tonight... never mind."

Jaxon's eyes met mine. "You have my messaging app and phone number. Contact me anytime if you need anything."

I clutched the bag of medicine, watching him leave, get into a cab, and drive away.

Before he left, his indifferent eyes glanced at my face through the car window, like a fleeting shadow, disappearing in an instant.

Jaxon left without hesitation, as if this incident never happened, as if last night's absurdity was just a dream.

I stood there in a daze for a while, then took out the box of ibuprofen, popped a pill, and swallowed it down.

I am known as Jaxon, the academic prodigy, for a reason.

From my freshman year to senior year, my GPA consistently ranked first in my class, leading to a seamless transition into a master's and Ph.D. program at a top university in China.

During my undergraduate years, I participated in countless competitions and won numerous awards. By my junior year, I had already published my first paper in a prestigious scientific journal and received a special scholarship from the Ministry of Education.

In terms of character, I was always impeccable.

The very next day after receiving the scholarship, as the class president, I took it upon myself to buy a gift for each classmate.

I received a finely crafted astronaut figurine, which still sits on my desk at home.

On my way home, I suddenly received a call from my close friend, Elsie. "Hey, did Jaxon attend the party yesterday?"

"Uh... yes."

I was taken aback, almost thinking she knew something. I hastily explained, "We were the last to leave, and he even walked me to my building."

Elsie, who was busy with her graduate studies and couldn't attend the party, told me that Jaxon was there because he was in town for a three-month study program with his advisor.

"I heard Ariella was supposed to come too, but something came up at the lab, so she couldn't make it," Elsie said, her voice lowering.

"It's just as well she didn't come. I know you don't want to see her..."

Her comforting tone made me suddenly recall the call Jaxon received from Ariella in the elevator earlier.

A dull ache settled in my heart.

"I have something to do, I'll hang up now."

When I got home, Jaxon sent me a message on Whatsapp: "Is your head still hurting?

Your voice sounded a bit hoarse; you should take some anti-inflammatory medicine."

I hesitated for a moment and didn't reply, tossing my phone aside to start writing.

During college, Ariella always had it out for me, finding ways to make my life difficult.

Her family was wealthy and influential, and I had no intention of confronting her directly. But Ariella was relentless, and our conflict escalated to the point where I almost had to drop out.

After she and Jaxon got together, I deliberately kept my distance from him.

By dusk, I finally finished the first three chapters and the outline of my new book and sent it to my editor.

She quickly replied, "This plot... seems quite tumultuous.

Kaleigh, don't you usually write sweet stories?"

"I wanted to try something new. I had the inspiration, so I wrote it."

After replying, I tossed my phone aside and lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling until I drifted off to sleep.

I was awakened by the ringing of my phone.

Groggily, I answered, and Jaxon's voice came through the line, "Kaleigh, open the door."

"Huh?"

I mumbled, stumbling to the door with my hair a mess, peering through the peephole. Jaxon stood outside in a white shirt, his handsome face cast in a warm glow by the hallway light.

Startled, I took two steps back, bumping into the corner of the shoe cabinet and gasping in pain.

The call was still connected, and Jaxon's voice, now carrying a hint of urgency, came through clearly, "Open the door."

My hand trembled as I hung up the call and opened the door.

Jaxon walked in casually, changed his shoes, and followed me to the living room, where he turned on the electric kettle.

"I brought you some more medicine. Your voice didn't sound right this morning; you might have a throat infection."

Was he always this observant?

I stared at Jaxon's attractive lips under the bright light, momentarily dazed.

Once the water boiled, he poured a cup and handed me two capsules. "Take your medicine."

I didn't take them, instead glaring at him. "How do you know my address?"

Despite my wary gaze, Jaxon smiled, his lips curling as he asked, "Did you forget?

I mailed your delayed graduation certificate and degree to you."

I finally remembered.

Due to insufficient credits, I had to take an elective in my senior year, which coincided with the graduation ceremony. I missed my own ceremony and had to wait for the second batch to receive my diploma.

At that time, I was out of town and had to ask Jaxon, as the class president, to send it to my home.

I grabbed the water cup and swallowed the capsules, exhaling as I looked at Jaxon. Suddenly, I asked, "What about Ariella?"

"Ariella?"

He paused, "She went back to school.

Why, do you want to see her?"

His expression was flawless, his gaze as calm as ever.

"No, I just thought of her absence at the party last night and asked."

"She's fine, you don't need to worry about her," Jaxon said, looking at me.

"But you, you were always sick and taking leave back then. It's been a year since graduation, and you're still not taking care of yourself?"

"I... I know."

His eyes scanned the living room before settling back on me. "Remember to take your medicine on time.

Do you have anything else?"

His question caught me off guard.

"No."

"Alright."

Jaxon nodded. "If there's nothing else, I'll be going."

For a moment, I didn't react, just watched him turn and walk to the entrance, then open the door and leave.

The sound of the door closing snapped me out of my daze, and I rushed to the door, opening it-

The elevator numbers flickered swiftly, and Jaxon was already gone.

So why did he come tonight?

Just to bring me medicine?

Was it necessary?

The crisp early autumn breeze swept through the corridor, damp and brushing against my face. I gripped the doorknob, staring blankly at the empty hallway, my unfocused gaze drifting into the void.

Jaxon was like that, his pride built from his own excellence, appearing almost effortlessly commanding.

I was once captivated by this brilliance, and I watched as he left my life without even a goodbye.

Unexpectedly, three years later, he could still easily stir my emotions and then leave calmly.

I bit my lip, a strong sense of unwillingness rising in my heart, eventually coalescing into a dormant resentment.

Jaxon, you shouldn't be like this. You can't be like this.