Ice and Fire novel Chapter 306

After they took a shower, Jackson and Cherry lay in the soft and comfortable bed, snuggling side by side. Jackson's arms held Cherry tightly.

Cherry wasn't ready to sleep, her brain was very much awake. She was trying to untangle and make sense of all the information she had just received. However, she had no idea where to start and to add more confusion to this mess was her feelings towards this man lying beside her. She was now uncertain of how she felt towards him and this made her feel very uncomfortable.

Dawn was now fast approaching, everyone in the house was fast asleep and not a creature disturbed the silence except for these two whose thoughts were racing in different directions. Jackson while looking at the ceiling broke the stillness and said, "Baby, I am really sorry about today. I was too impulsive."

Cherry didn't reply, instead, she held Jackson tightly and buried her head into his arms, snuggling up to his chest and feeling it rise and fall. She was reflecting on the words he just said.

Jackson pulled Cherry closer to him. He looked down into Cherry's eyes and asked, "Baby, can you promise me something?"

"Sure, what's it?" Cherry said. She knew that whenever Jackson was this tender to her, he was being very serious. So whatever it was that he was about to say he needed her full attention. Deep inside, Cherry immediately wanted to obey him, to please him and she wanted him to open up to her, tell her his thoughts what ever it might be.

"Please, don't ever, ever mention Mond's name in front of Grandpa." Jackson, said in an imploring manner.

Cherry didn't utter a word.

Jackson continued, "His name is a taboo in the Chu Family. We are not allowed to speak of his name or of him, especially not in front of Grandpa. And with his current health situation, I'm afraid that this will cause him unnecessary stress."

Cherry remained silent and thought for a while and then agreed, "Okay, I won't mention his name, I promise!"

She then didn't say another word, she knew that even if she asked him to explain why, Jackson would not tell her anymore details on this matter.

"Thank you, baby!" said Jackson, breathing out a relieved sigh.

Cherry suddenly remembered the words Derek told her earlier this evening. The information that he shared to her peaked her curiosity. She wanted to know the answer to her questions, she wanted to understand what's really happening around her and she hoped that he would respond and give her a bit of clarity. Cherry raised her head, looked at Jackson and asked, "Jackson, why do you say that JS Group is yours even though it's not, why do you claim it?"

"What, how do you know?" Jackson asked, in a surprised tone. He wondered who told her? No one knew about it except Derek.

Suddenly he remembered catching a glimpse of Derek and Cherry chatting at the party. 'Hmm...It must have been Derek who told her about this.' he thought.

So he bluntly asked her, "Derek told you?"

Cherry nodded and said, "Yes."

"Now, why would he tell you about these?" Jackson was a little confused. He didn't understand Derek's motive for sharing such a sensitive information to Cherry at the same time when he was also afraid that Selina might learn that the JS Group was not Jackson's but was actually owned by her brother. If she learnt of this information, a great amount of stress and pressure would be thrown at her. Jackson knew that she was an intelligent and capable woman and would be able to handle this, but still this did not ease his worry.

Cherry didn't reply to Jackson's query, she remained silent, but when she saw the worry lines on Jackson's forehead, she understood what was he thinking and what was he worrying about. Cherry looked into Jackson's eyes and said, "Don't worry, I won't tell Selina and I've promised Derek that I will be quiet about this."

After he heard Cherry's words, Jackson seemed to be a little more relaxed. He looked at Cherry and with a tender voice, said, "I am worried about Selina. I don't know if she can handle it."

"Jackson, I think Selina is a very capable and smart woman. Even if she finds out that JS Group has nothing to do with Chu Family, she will keep on managing in the best possible way that she can. I can't help but wonder why you and Derek are so protective of her, so much so, that you won't give her responsibilities, you won't allow her to take on any burden?"

Cherry had had this nagging question at the back of her mind. It kept on hounding her thoughts even while she was in the car on her way back home. She could understand that Derek and Jackson cared about Selina, but what she couldn't comprehend was the extent of their protectiveness towards her. Why were they so worried that Selina would not be able to take on the pressure. Cherry knew and believed in Selina's strength and capabilities yet these two grown men, who were very to close to her were treating her like a China doll. A doll that would easily break at the slightest pressure.

Jackson slightly shook his head and shifted his gaze from Cherry to the ceiling. He took a deep breath. His facial expression showed that his mind like searching, rummaging through a chest full of painful memories. Cherry remained silent, patiently waiting for him to speak. Finally he said, "Selina was once a frightened little girl who had a weak heart. With this immense pressure that the JS Group is bringing, Derek and I can't help but worry for her. We don't want her to suffer and go through another traumatic experience like she once did when she was still a child. We don't want to see her suffer again.

Cherry didn't say a word, she remained very still and quietly listening to Jackson, hoping that he would continue to tell her the story about Selina's past. She was afraid that if she moved, Jackson would wake from his trance-like state and stop talking about her.

"When we were young, Derek and I went out of town to attend a summer camp. That day Selna's parents also left to attend a short business meeting, leaving Selina alone at home. Her parents always kept their home windows open to let in the cool air. That late afternoon a very strong thunderstorm visited the area and this prevented her parents from immediately coming home. Selina, who was still very young, tried to close all the windows. It seems that during the storm a lightning struck a power line causing the area where Selina's home is to have a power outage. While she was closing the last window a strong thunder clap surprised her and she accidentally knocked down a glass that was sitting on a table. The glass fell on the floor and shattered to pieces causing Selina to further to panic and step on the broken pieces. Frightened by the storm and the darkness she hid herself under the table. It was not until next morning that her parents were able to arrive home. They found her huddled under the table, unconscious and bleeding."

Jackson paused for a second and then continued, "When Derek and I returned home from the summer camp. Selina was already home from hospital, her feet was bandaged. But she was still very scared, barely speaking a word. In the evening, she could not sleep and always asked Derek to sleep with her in her room, afraid of dark. Derek slept in her room for almost a year every night. Sometimes he would wait until Selina fell asleep and went back to his own room, only to have her wake up in the middle of the night crying and running to Derek's. She was really scared and weak that time."