Consequences

A few minutes ago.

Jack woke up from his frustrating dream. At least he believed it was a dream, despite how real it felt. How else would he meet Fortuna? He was in the mortal world and she, well, in the divine realm. Their paths couldn't intersect.

But that didn't mean he wasn't frustrated. No one had ever treated him like that bitch goddess. He had always been the one in control of intimate encounters, and maybe didn't like it when the roles were reversed. Maybe.

Of course I didn't!

Jack thought to himself, vigorously shaking his head.

It was a dream. Just forget about it.

However, unlike his encounter with Fortuna, Jack couldn't say the same about Jessica. Things between them happened for real.

She drugged him and probably had her way with him, considering the quest was completed while he was passed out.

As pleased as he was about the quest completion, their encounter had left a sour taste in his mouth. Just as he was thinking about ways to get back to her, he heard the commotion and walked outside.

—x—

Back in the present.

"What's going on here?"

Jack was surprised to see cops at the door, along with the receptionist. However, none of them replied. The men were took stunned to see a man walking around naked without a shred of shame and couldn't speak.

Meanwhile, Jessica had the entirely different reaction. She was scared that Jack would tell the cops about what happened and panicked as he approached them.

However, to her surprise, Jack stood beside her, his hand wrapped around her shoulder as he pulled her closer. He didn't spare her a glance and kept looking at the officers.

"How can we help you, officers?" Jack asked.

"Um… there was a slight issue regarding payment—"

"Oh, I see."

Jack laughed, running his hand through his hair before turning to Jessica, lifting her chin.

"I'm sorry officer, I went a too hard on her," he said. "We passed out from ecstasy and lost track of time. I apologize for any inconvenience and we'll pay for what we're owed, won't we?"

Jessica put on a hesitant smile and leaned against Jack's chest, putting on a performance of a loving partner.

She knew Jack wasn't talking about the money she owed to the hotel, but for what she did to him. She regretted toying with him more than ever now. Jack wasn't as simple a man as she thought, and he had no intention of letting things go.

"O-Of course we will! I was just about to pay them—" she said, but Jack cut her off.

"You should do that, then. In the meantime, I'll get dressed."

Jessica sighed in relief when the payment went through and the cops left, thinking she was safe.

"Clear the room in ten minutes," the receptionist warned and left as well.

I should leave too. This man would never find out who I am… and everything would be fine.

With that thought in her head, Jessica was about to step out when Jack pulled her back inside, closed the door, and pressed her against it.

Their faces were merely an inch apart. Jessica stared into his eyes, scared of what was about to happen.

Thoughts ran rampant inside her head. Each thought led to a similar conclusion. Him on top of her.

Jessica's cheeks turned red as such thoughts got wilder with each passing second. She averted her gaze, trying to calm herself, but Jack grabbed her jaw and forced her to look up.

"Where did all that bravado go, hm?" he asked.

"I-I'm sorry, it was a mistake—"

"Cut it."

Jessica closed her mouth, not wanting to anger Jack in case he decided to report her because of it. She would play docile for now and escape the second she gets the chance.

"I think you owe me something," he said. "Scratch that. You owe me a lot for not reporting you to the cops."

The actual reason Jack didn't report her was because, well… he didn't have any ID on him. If the cops got involved in the matter, things wouldn't end well for him, though Jessica didn't need to know that.

"I-I'm out of money," Jessica mumbled, then smile as she remembered something. "You don't have any evidence either way. So… you better let me go. You don't know my husband. He'll ruin you—"

Jack didn't pay any attention to her words. Primarily because he had heard the same bullshit from countless woman. Her husband would do this and that. Nah, the only thing her husband would do is wear a green cap around him and love it.

But those were tales of a different time.

From the corner of his eyes, he saw Jessica clutching her handbag and smiled.

"Hm, I see. So you want proof."

"Wait, what are you—?"

Before Jessica could do anything, Jack snatched her purse and dug out the recorder. He looked carefully, and sure enough, it had a camera and a microphone.

She wanted evidence. Well, there it was.

Besides the recorder, there was another device in it. Jessica panicked when he saw the cryotube in his hand.

She could bear the loss of the recorder since she had the observations fresh in her mind, but the sample was essential for further progress.

"L-Look, I'll pay you as soon as my paycheck arrives. Take the recorder, just let me have that tube—"

Jack raised an eyebrow, wondering what was so special about the tube. With a click, he opened the black tube and saw something unexpected.

"…are you sick in the head or something?" he mumbled. "Why the heck do you have… my stuff? Don't tell me you're a collector or some bullshit."

Jessica's anger flared up. She was a lot of things, a doctor, a scientist, a Harvard graduate, and many things more, but being a promiscuous woman was not one of them.

"Do you think I do it with just anyone!?"

"So, you're telling me I'm special?" Jack smirked.

"Th-That's not the point!"

Her cheeks flared up again as she looked away before continuing.

"Look, just let me have the sample and I'll pay you later. Just give me your phone number and I'll contact you when I have the money."

"I don't have a phone."

"Then take my business card and call me when you get one," she said, desperate for the tube. "Just let me have the sample—wait!"

While Jessica was blabbing, Jack had poured the tube's content all over the floor. She could only watch as the fruit of her labor got ruined. Jack then put the tube and the recorder in his pocket before looking back at her.

"You can have your sample when I get my money," he whispered, taking her business card. "But just so you know, my services aren't cheap, but considering the circumstances, I don't think you'll mind that."

Jessica didn't reply, her eyes still focused on the ruined sample on the floor. Before she could say or do anything, he returned her handbag and nudged her out of the room, shutting the door.

"Jessica Pearson, Chief Researcher. It's been an exciting meeting," he mumbled, putting her info along with Cindy's number.

It wasn't a bad start towards a new life.

"I should get an ID first… but where can I get one from?"