Forgotten

Chapter 14

14

Chapter Title: Butterflies and Fire Escapes

Today is the day—I’m going to Jacin’s apartment. I’m so nervous. The butterflies in my stomach have been fluttering wildly all day, making it nearly impossible to concentrate at school. It’s Friday, which means I’m going home with Liara. I’ll get ready at her place, and then Jacin will come pick me up after his shift.

I’m cooking for him tonight. We’re going grocery shopping first, and honestly, I can’t wait. I’m nervous, excited, terrified—all rolled into one. We agreed—or rather, I insisted—that Jacin shouldn’t pick me up from school. I don’t need anyone recognizing him and gossip reaching my father. I’m not ready to explain why a guy on a motorcycle is whisking me away. I did promise Jacin that I would introduce him to my father… eventually. Maybe once I’ve graduated high school and can actually make decisions without getting crushed under someone else’s expectations.

Yes, I know it’s pathetic that I’m scared to tell my father about the guy I love. And yes—I do love him. I haven’t told Jacin yet. I’m scared he’ll think I’m moving too fast, or that he’ll back away. I’ve tried to say it so many times, but the words never make it out. That has to mean it’s real, right? Real love is terrifying.

When the bell finally rang, I jumped up like I’d been released from a cage. My bag was already packed, and I darted out of the building, heading for Liara’s car. She came strolling up at a pace that made me want to scream. We didn’t have the last period together, so she must’ve been catching up with friends.

“Sorry,” she said, finally unlocking the car. “I was talking to this insanely cute new guy in my class. Honestly, ‘cute’ doesn’t even cover it. I’m hoping he asks me out soon. And now that I’m not glued to your side 24/7, I might actually have time for a guy. Maybe we could even double-date... Don’t worry—I’ll swear him to secrecy.”

Ouch. I suddenly felt like a horrible friend.

Maybe I’d been holding her back, always dragging her into my world. Or maybe now I was neglecting her, wrapped up in Jacin and our secret romance. Either way, I felt guilty.

“We need a girl’s day soon,” I said. “Facials, healthy-but-still-delicious snacks, and silly rom-coms until we laugh ourselves to sleep.”

Liara glanced over, smiling. “You silly girl. I’m not upset. I love spending time with you. I guess I’m just a little jealous. Seeing you and Jacin makes me wonder what it would be like to actually commit to one guy. I’ve kissed a few frogs, but never wanted a prince before.”

That made me feel a little better. Still, I meant it—we needed more time together.

“Let’s make that girls’ night happen soon,” I said firmly. “I actually have a boy to gossip about now!”

She laughed. “Finally!”

Once we got to her house, we headed straight to her room, where I’d been secretly stashing clothes. It would’ve been way too suspicious if I packed a bag every time I saw Jacin. I picked a dark blue velvet crop top with high-waisted jeans and black ankle boots. I straightened my hair, touched up my makeup, and put in hoop earrings while we chatted.

“By the way,” Liara said, hands on her hips, “I’m officially declaring half this closet mine. Fair’s fair.”

“Go crazy,” I said, laughing. We were about the same size—except for my slightly more generous bust—and I didn’t mind sharing at all.

When I heard Jacin’s motorcycle, I jumped up like a kid on Christmas morning. Subtlety was definitely not my strong suit. He had just parked and was walking toward the door when I threw it open and launched myself into his arms.

“Happy anniver—” he started, but I silenced him with a kiss.

“I take it you missed me?” he asked, laughing when we pulled apart.

“You missed me too. Admit it!”

“I really missed you,” he said, serious now. “Days feel longer without you. Nights feel endless.”

My heart melted. I wanted to say “I love you” right then and there, but the words stuck in my throat.

“Lovebirds,” Liara called from the doorway, “you should get going before my parents get home. They’re cool, but not ‘hide-your-illegal-boyfriend’ cool.”

She wasn’t wrong. I took Jacin’s hand and pulled him toward the bike before he could linger and tempt fate.

The ride was exhilarating, as always. I loved being on the back of his motorcycle, wind in my hair, arms wrapped around him. We stopped at the supermarket—the same one where we’d run into each other again. Our supermarket.

I loaded the cart while he pushed it, grabbing ingredients for dinner: olive oil, bell peppers, peas, carrots, mushrooms, broccoli, corn, chestnuts, garlic, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, green onions, and sesame seeds. Plus ingredients for a chocolate cake and a few essentials he desperately needed in his fridge.

“Is all that for one meal?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Not all of it, but you’ll thank me when you realize you own vegetables now,” I teased.

He made a face. “I’ll survive if there’s dessert.”

At checkout, we fought over who would pay. He ended up winning, grabbing my card and handing his over instead. It was an ongoing debate between us—he wanted to pay because he felt it was the “man’s role.” I wanted to pay because I knew how tight his budget was. We compromised by taking turns, but I still felt a little guilty. That’s why I’d started monetizing my blog, with Liara’s mom’s help. I had my own account now, funded by ad space and sponsors. Maybe Lyssa would finally stop scrutinizing my spending.

Once we arrived at his apartment, I felt like I was buzzing with excitement. He carried both helmets in one hand and held my hand in the other. But just as he reached for the door, a voice called out behind us.

“Jacin…”

A girl stood in the doorway across the hall. She was wearing nearly nothing—lacy pajamas that left very little to the imagination. My heart sank.

“Oh… you have company,” she said, looking disappointed. She was stunning. Tall, toned, long legs, and effortless confidence. I suddenly felt like a child playing grown-up.

“Could you help me?” she asked sweetly. “My tap is dripping again.”

“Sorry, I can’t tonight.” Jacin didn’t even hesitate. “This is my girlfriend, Alysson. We’re celebrating our one-month anniversary.”

He turned back to the door without giving the girl a second glance. My jealousy melted away. He didn’t just acknowledge me—he claimed me.

His apartment was perfect. Cozy, functional, and warm. I walked straight to the kitchen, already imagining all the meals I wanted to make here. He turned on the TV, tuned it to a music channel, and came over to help me prep.

I gave him peeling duty while I sorted aeverything. His fridge was nearly empty—he really was surviving on instant noodles and snacks. That would change. I’d make sure of it.

As I sautéed the vegetables with garlic, I started dancing to the music. Jacin came up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist, his thumbs stroking my exposed skin.

“It smells incredible,” he whispered. “I can’t wait to taste it.”

I froze, heart thudding. The word “taste” hit differently, and I was suddenly flooded with thoughts I wasn’t prepared to voice. He laughed softly and stepped back before I could burn dinner.

I made the sauce next—soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, chicken broth, and cornstarch—and added it to the sizzling vegetables. The smell was divine. In a second pan, I seared the steak in strips, then tossed it all together and garnished the stir-fry with green onions and sesame seeds.

For dessert, I made a quick chocolate sponge, rolled it with caramel, and sliced it into neat little pinwheels.

We sat down to eat, and Jacin couldn’t stop praising me. “You should do cooking videos on your blog,” he said between bites. “People would love this. You could recreate meals from your reviews.”

It was a great idea… but impossible at home. I wasn’t even allowed to cook there.

Later that night, we climbed out his window and sat on the fire escape, sipping hot chocolate and looking at the stars. The city lights blurred beneath us, the moment suspended in magic.

“I love you,” he whispered against my ear.

There was no hesitation. No doubt. Just truth.

“I love you too,” I said, and kissed him softly.

Everything about this moment was perfect—his arms around me, the stars above us, the words we’d finally said out loud.

“Do you really have to go?” he asked, his voice low. “Can’t you stay?”

I wanted to. God, I wanted to. But…

“I didn’t arrange it with my father,” I admitted quietly. “I wish I could.”

He sighed. “I just hate seeing them control your life like this. Don’t you feel suffocated?”

I didn’t answer right away. I couldn’t explain it all. The weight of obligation. The fear of disappointing the only family I had.

“That’s just… how family works, I guess,” I said, even though I wasn’t sure I believed it anymore. “But let’s not talk about them tonight. Let’s just be here. You and me.”

And for the rest of that night, we were. Just us.