BENEATH THE CREST: A CHARTERHOUSE NOVEL

Jayden stopped bouncing the ball as they approached, his gaze fixed on Louisa, a flicker of something unreadable in his blue eyes. Ashtray and Jason were lounging on a nearby bench, watching with a mixture of boredom and curiosity.

"Wren," Jayden acknowledged, his tone surprisingly neutral, devoid of the possessiveness he'd displayed in the classroom.

He glanced briefly at Ellie and Scarlett. "You brought backup."

"They're my friends," Louisa stated, her voice a little shaky but firm. "Whatever you wanted to talk about, you can say it in front of them."

Jayden's gaze intensified, focusing solely on Louisa. "Actually, Wren, this is more of a… private conversation. My car's right there."

He gestured with his head towards a sleek Bentley Flying Spur parked near the edge of the court.

Ellie and Scarlett immediately stepped closer to Louisa, their protective instincts kicking in. "No way," Ellie said firmly. "Whatever you have to say, you can say it here."

Scarlett's eyes narrowed. "We're not letting you go anywhere alone with him, Louisa."

Jayden sighed, a hint of impatience in his expression. "Look, I just want to talk. Away from the peanut gallery. It's about… making sure things stay quiet. About Cassia. Trust me, it'll be quicker this way."

Louisa hesitated, torn between her friends' warnings and the undeniable pull of wanting to understand what was happening. The image of Mateo's predatory smile flashed in her mind, and Jayden's earlier intervention, however strange, had offered a sense of protection.

"Louisa, don't," Ellie pleaded, her grip tightening.

"Just for a few minutes," Louisa said softly, her gaze meeting Jayden's. "I… I need to know what he wants." She looked at her friends, a flicker of reassurance in her eyes. "I'll be okay. Just wait here."

Ashtray, from the bench, drawled, "Yo, King, how are we supposed to get back to the city?"

Jayden glanced at them, a hint of annoyance in his tone. "You both have cars. Start using them." He opened the passenger door of the Bentley. "Come on, Wren."

With a deep breath and a final reassuring look at Ellie and Scarlett, Louisa reluctantly walked towards the car and slid into the passenger seat.

Jayden got in the driver's seat, and with a smooth, almost silent motion, the Bentley pulled away from the basketball court, leaving Ellie and Scarlett standing by the gate, their faces etched with worry.

The smooth glide of the Bentley was a world away from the rattling subway Louisa usually took. She couldn't help but steal glances at the plush leather seats, the gleaming wood trim, the subtle ambient lighting. It was like being inside a spaceship, silent and luxurious, as they navigated the bustling streets of Manhattan.

She caught Jayden's eye in the rearview mirror once, a fleeting connection that made her cheeks flush and her quickly look away at the blur of the city lights.

The car pulled to a smooth stop outside a brightly lit building with a whimsical sign: "Gelato Galleria Grande." It looked like a palace dedicated to frozen treats.

"What's your favorite ice cream flavor?" Jayden asked, unbuckling his seatbelt.

"What? Uhm, I don't really have a favorite," Louisa replied quietly from the passenger seat, a hint of embarrassment in her voice.

Ice cream had been a rare treat growing up, not a daily decision.

Jayden stared at her for a moment, a thoughtful expression on his face, before pushing open his door.

"Wait here. I'll be right back." He left the engine running, the cool air conditioning a welcome caress against Louisa's skin.

She watched him disappear into the dazzling storefront, a pang of longing mixed with disbelief at this casual display of wealth.

He returned a few minutes later, a large, insulated nylon bag with the "Gelato Galleria Grande" logo in hand.

"Here," he said, handing it to her as he got back into the driver's seat. He clicked his seatbelt into place and pulled back into the Manhattan traffic.

Louisa cautiously peered into the bag on her lap. Her eyes widened in astonishment. Nestled inside were numerous small containers, each labeled with a different flavor of ice cream.

Chocolate, strawberry, pistachio, mango, cookies and cream… it looked like a rainbow of frozen delights.

"What the hell?" Louisa exclaimed, turning to Jayden, her surprise evident.

"What's the problem?" he asked, his eyes on the road.

"Did you… did you buy the entire place?" Louisa blurted out, still staring at the bag.

A small, almost imperceptible smile played on Jayden's lips, one that Louisa didn't see. "No. I just got one of every flavor. I didn't know what you liked."

Louisa was taken aback by his unexpected gesture. A warmth spread through her, chasing away some of the anxiety. She turned back to the window, watching the glittering Manhattan skyline blur by, a million questions swirling in her mind.

When would this strange, surreal ride end?