"MY DEAR, where have you been? You almost gave me a heart attack!” It was written on Dad's face how he's worried sick of me. Manang quickly gave me a towel to dry up my hair and when I entered the mansion, our family doctor is having a sip of his jasmine tea. I smiled weakly then started walking feeling heavy with the soaked blanket around my shoulder and almost fell on my knees. Gladly, Marc was holding my shoulders and supported me until I reached upstairs. Inside my room, Jia was calling someone on her phone and Hazel rushed to lock me in her tightest hug.
"Jess, are you okay? Did you hurt her? Where's Marz?!” Hazel interrogated with her eyes darted at Marc like a falcon.
"Marz is on his way, and I didn't hurt her." Hazel let out a relieved sigh and assisted me in changing my clothes so that the doctor could check me since I still have a fever. After taking a quick half bath, I slipped into my comfortable sleeping dress and went to bed. When I went out, Jia was sitting on the small couch near the window beside Hazel and Marz entered the room as well.
"Do you know that I even reached the rooftop of the hospital to find you?!" Marz exclaimed with his restless shoulders I mouthed 'Sorry' as they all sat on my bed. Jia was drying up my hair while Hazel was hugging me from the side.
"Jacob will be discharged tomorrow so don't worry," Marz assured me and quickly went to the mirror to look at his face and started complaining about how haggard he is. After a moment, our family doctor entered the room together with Dad and my friends exited my room. I was sitting properly on my bed as the doctor placed the stethoscope on my chest, and my back, checking my vital signs and then getting my temperature. He asked me how I feel if I have rashes or bruises or any other signs and symptoms. He extracted a blood sample as well and advised that I will stay away from stress and take rest, stay hydrated, and not overwork. He will call tomorrow to report my laboratory results and he will check me again if I will still have a fever for the next consecutive days.
Eventually, Sunday came, and I went to church with Dad. My lab results were reported as normal and thankfully, I feel better now after taking some vitamins that our family doctor prescribed. When the homily was finished and the sharing of peace came, I can't help but feel sad because Mom was not on my right, and I used to hug and kiss her first before Dad. Dad curved a bright smile at me and hugged me so tight then unexpectedly, I saw a familiar figure at the adjacent pew to the right side. It was Mr. and Mrs. Fuentes. Mrs. Fuentes was smiling at me gracefully while Mr. Fuentes didn't even bother to look at me. Subsequently, in the Holy Communion where everyone will fall in line in the center aisle, Ms. Fuentes was at my right on the second line. She warmly greeted me with a hug like I'm her daughter.
"Thank you for taking care of Jacob in the hospital. I was late that time, I didn't have time to check my phone because I was signing a lot of documents in the office." Her eyes were filled with worry and stress as she carefully wiped her under-eye wet with tears using her handkerchief.
"I completely understand Mrs. Fuentes.” She was amazed by how I addressed her but I'm not planning to correct it because it's high time that she knows that Jacob and I were not really in a relationship.
"Did something happen between you and Jacob?" She patted my shoulder and I nodded without looking at her directly in the eyes.
"That explains why my Jacob looked miserable these past few days... it's because of you. Everything happened all because of you.” I looked up directly into Mrs. Fuentes' eyes when her tone suddenly became dangerous. Seemingly, she's mad at me because of what happened to Jacob, and at the same time blaming me for something I don't have any idea about. I felt a shivering cold traveling my spine as her sweet presence certainly changed into something dark. I was about to tell her the truth when the priest spoke and gave me the symbolic body of Christ. When I returned to my seat, Dad seemed to notice that I'm disturbed especially when I glanced at the seat of Mrs. Fuentes which was already occupied by another couple.
The next day, Marz and I decided to rent a dress for the most awaited wedding of Ate Jofraine. I just want it to be simple yet sophisticated and of course perfectly attractive that could turn the people's attention on that day. Not to mention that it's also fun to draw people's attention forgetting the bride's existence. Currently, we're here in Chantalle's fashion house. She's a good friend of Marz who launched her own fashion house after her parents migrated to Paris. Chantalle is the only heiress of Moss' family who is a prominent family in Paris for its exceptional designs that no one can duplicate.
"Chantalle, long time no see beautiful." Marz greeted her full of energy as he pushed the sliding door leaving me behind and rushed to kiss Chantalle's cheeks. I was about to enter when I realized that I left my phone inside the car, so I didn't mind telling Marz that I went back to the car to get my phone because she was so excited to catch up with her designer friend.
I was about to open the door of my car when I suddenly felt an odd feeling in the surrounding. I looked around to check if there was anyone who passed by or got out of the car but there was none.
Nothing suspicious around but just cars lining around the parking area. I let out a forceful breath to calm my nerves and then opened the door. I snatched my phone which was ringing loudly and answered it directly.
"Hi babe." Judging from the playful tone, the naughty caller was none other than Marc.
"Hello, I think you dialed the wrong number." I secretly smiled foolishly when I heard him cursing on the other end while looking at the number.
"Just kidding, yes babe?" I took it back right away and yes we have a mission again.
"Let's have dinner later here at home. I will pick you up at the mansion later.” I almost jumped in excitement when he said that but of course, I remained my composure.
"Okay then, see you later babe."
"Where's my kiss?" I immediately put the phone away when I heard that from him. Cringey.
"You fool, kiss your ass. Bye then." I automatically pressed the end button and closed the door of the car then went back to the house. When I arrived, Marz was already choosing dresses from the magazine that Chantalle had handed to him. He was sitting next to his friend and Chantalle was pointing at each mannequin that was lined up inside. I waved to Chantalle and she greeted me with a warm welcome.
“Welcome to Chantalle's Fashion House Jessica!” She gracefully welcomed me and gestured to have a seat adjacent to them.
"Thank you for having us here, Chantalle. I can't wait to try one of your designs.” I smiled at her naturally and my attention was nailed at the pale-yellow off-shoulder long tulle dress. Without looking at other gowns worn by the mannequins, I stood and pointed the dress at the center and tried it on me inside the fitting room. I inhaled a large amount of air and exhaled forcefully before turning around to see my reflection in the mirror. I gasped when I looked at the dress that fits my body perfectly and it matched my skin tone.
Majestically, I looked like a fairy without wings because the dress is the wings itself. My small waist was emphasized, and my beautiful shoulders were proudly exposed.
"This is the one." Marz and Chantalle left their jaws hanging when I opened the door of the spacious fitting room and strutted out the exquisite dress.
"Oh my Jessica, you can be my model. You're so gorgeous in that dress, don't you agree Marz?" Chantalle applauded and grabbed her phone to take a photo of me. I intentionally looked at the side so that she will capture my side features and my beautifully carved shoulders.
"Bonga! They will all be amazed when you ramp that up best." Marz gave me a thumbs up and I dramatically made a courtesy to them like royalty.
After paying for the dress and setting a date when the dress will be delivered to the house, we also said goodbye to Chantalle. We also decided to go home early because Marc and I still have dinner and I still have to prepare what to wear. The witch was very excited and would have wanted to come if only Tita had not called her because they had a family gathering in Iligan City so he had to go home immediately and pack because they were going on a trip tomorrow.
"Be careful best. Let's just have VC on messenger later." Marz waved at me before turning on the engine of her car. I waved back and opened the door of my car but before I could, I felt an unusual feeling again that someone is eyeing my every move in the parking lot.
This time, I did not wander my eyes around and quickly got inside the car leaving the place as fast as I could. In the middle of the highway, I frowned when I found a red Toyota auto tailing behind me when I looked at my side mirror.
"Why is this stupid car following me? What is he up to?” I muttered and floored the accelerator to prevent the car from having a chance of following me. I checked my side mirror again and the diligent car was still tailing me from behind. This is not good, so I stuffed my Bluetooth headset and dialed Marc's number.
"Babe, do you miss me again?"
"Someone is following me, red Toyota no plate number." I calmly report controlling myself not to panic but my heart is already pounding so hard, I think I'm gonna explode in nervousness.
"You're pranking me again babe." He playfully pulled off a sweet voice in the other line, but this is no time for jokes.
"I'm not kidding here. I'm taking a shortcut, meet me at Xavier." I floored the accelerator after throwing my headset on the shotgun seat in nervousness and swerved the steering wheel taking the fastest shortcut I know. I checked the side mirror again. Gladly, I think I lost the car. I breathed a sigh of relief, but I still didn't settle and when I arrived at Corrales Avenue, I parked in front of the 7 eleven where we often bought sundaes during vacant time in high school. My chest suddenly tightened as I remembered the days when Jacob and I were happy, we were happy going out with my friends.
The colorful phase of my life where smiles and laughter were full and true.
FLASHBACK
"I miss you, babe." I ran towards him with a wide smile on my face and hugged him as tight as if there was no tomorrow. Jacob hugged me back and swayed me a little then whispered in my ears that made all my butterflies go crazy, "I miss you more babe."
"We're in the same class, do you still miss him?" Marz blurted out with her brows arching up and gave a nonchalant shrug before going to the fridge.
"I'm jealous! Rey and I will go on a date later." Hazel moved her brows up and down playfully then hummed as she walked away heading to the chocolate section.
"Ivy, I'm pretty and curvy, right? But why is Kris still looking for those cheap girls? I'm here. I'm far better and hotter than those he dated. Why can't he notice a goddess like me?” Ivy rolled her eyes at Jia's rant and idly dragged her to the fridge to shut her up and buy something cold and refreshing.
When Jacob unlocked himself from me, I pouted, and he pinched my cheeks a little. He offered his hand that in no time I held on, and I giggled so much while we were heading to the table. He moved the chair for me to comfortably sit on and he went to the freezer to get ice cream. He stayed there for a while so I was surprised because my friends had returned with their food while he was still crouching there and I wasn't sure what he was doing because I can only see his back.
"Hey best! Why don't you get any snacks with you? No one will serve you here," Marz joked while sitting next to me in our usual arrangement.
"Oh no Marz! "Aren't you used to it?" Jia pushed her shoulder a little then sat adjacent to Marz.
"Jacob, what are you doing there? Do you have any plans to go inside that freezer?” Ivy called Jacob as he sat next to Marz.
"It's almost done, just wait." Jacob raised his hand holding a red marker not glancing back at us then returned to the table with 2 cups of Selecta Ice cream in each hand. One is double dutch and the other is buko salad. Why is he carrying a marker? Did he vandalize the freezer? We are dead when the owner catches us.
I just stared into his eyes until he sat across from me and handed me a cup. My gaze followed his hand that held mine until it landed on the lid of the ice cream that said, 'Will you be my prom date?'
I blinked because of the beauty of the calligraphy he made himself, that's why he stayed in the freezer for a long time. My friends screamed first with excitement when they read what was written on the cover of the cup. I was still being pushed around by the witches and revealed to the other students what they had seen. Jacob's eyes were also locked at mine the whole moment and who am I to refuse if my babe asked me that question, right? Without a doubt, I nodded and answered, "Yes!"
END OF FLASHBACK
Tears streamed down my face again. I was lost in reminiscing that I only came back to reality when my phone rang like a crazy bell. I immediately answered the call when I identified the caller and grabbed my black hoodie from the back seat.
"Babe, I'm here. Sorry in advance because... I brought a big bike.” I immediately coughed when Marc opened up to me, he knows how much I hate riding on big bikes. It's scary and dangerous! I always feel like dying even before hopping on it.
"Are you trying to kill me?!" I exclaimed and slammed the door of the car in frustration. I did lose the one who was chasing me earlier but I will die because I will ride on his vehicle. In other words, either way, I'm still going to die of a heart attack.
"I'm saving you from harm so stop complaining okay." I heard him chuckle on the other line which makes me suspect that he's up to something. Is this some kind of 'payback time' because of the horseback riding thing? I didn't even have the slightest idea that he's a coward when it comes to horses. This is frustrating!
I crossed the pedestrian crossing with a frown where he was waiting on a blue Yamaha while his eyes wandered to where I was. He waved when he saw me then hung up. Right after I got to him, he immediately received a strong blow from me.
"Hey! What's that for?" he asked me in shock and held his painful arm.
"I hate you! How am I supposed to--?” I was cut off when he put a black open-face helmet on me. I couldn't finish what I was going to say when I stared at his angelic face but a playboy disguise. His face was so close while he was fixing my helmet, I couldn't help but stare into his eyes full of concern. I can't explain how my tongue suddenly got tangled just because he smiled at me and also stared at me after fixing my helmet strap.
“Let's go.” I blinked as he pulled away from me and knocked my helmet like a skull. I hissed at him in disgust, but he just chuckled and glanced at the back. I let out a heavy sigh of frustration and throw my butt on the back since I have no choice anyway.
I texted our driver to get my car right away and I'll explain the details to Dad later this evening. Before he turned on the engine, I gasped when he held my hand and wrapped it around his waist. My lungs temporarily paused when he clasped my fingers on his abdomen and I felt the hardness of those packs that most women went crazy. Suddenly, seeing him half-naked in the hotel during the reunion crossed my mind that made me unclasp my hands right away from his abdomen, but he quickly caught them and positioned them back again.
"Do you want to fall?" He glanced back at me, and his silly grin made me more disgusted. He's taking revenge on me because I took advantage of his weakness on horses and mocked him endlessly.
"I'm also absolutely fine if you fall for me too. How could I refuse?” I huffed in disgust at his pick-up line and when I heard the engine, I closed my eyes and leaned on his back. My heart was beating uncontrollably like a drum when I heard the clicking sound of the stand and the engine revving up. I bit my lips and tightened my hold around his waist and the moment we left the area, everything went cleanly swift.