My Mr. Perfect, Imperfect

Chapter 31: Mr. CEO Or Mr. Romantic

***

Driving back home, Jade noticed that the drive was silent. He turned to look at Sapphire, but she had a sad face on. She didn't say anything, neither did she turn to him. Jade couldn't help but to wonder why she wouldn't even say anything.

He took his gaze off her and looked back to the road.

“So, is this Zoey girl your best friend?”

“Yes. She's been my best friend since middle school.”

“And she lived next door?” she paused.

“Up till college, anyway.” and added.

“Roman--”

Jade gawked at her again. Hearing his name alone makes him so crazy.

“Okay, what do you want me to call him then? That's his name, and he's like a brother to me! It's not as if his name is Harry styles! I can't even refer to him as if, like seriously... because we're dating?”

“Don't just see him, period! Then you won't have any reason to refer to him whatsoever.”

“Like seriously?” She asked and turned to him with an unfair manner.

“Yeah, seriously.” He replied with seriousness and gently packed up by the side of the road where he usually drops her off.

Getting down, Sapphire noticed that all her neighbours were outside.

“Good evening, teacher.” They greeted her.

"Hello..." She replied their greetings too.

"Why's everyone out of their houses? Is everything okay?”

“Not really.”A woman in her mid thirties replied to her. “All the houses in the next building got picked clean! It happened hours ago when everyone left for work!”

Sapphire cupped her mouth in shock. She couldn't believe it.

“You should be careful too, teacher. Since you stay alone.” The lady advised.

After then, a blabbed mouth living next door joined in their conversation as she saw Jade. “Oh, you have a reliable boyfriend here. So probably shouldn't be worried.”

“He's not my Boyfrie--.” Sapphire corrected almost immediately but Jade gave her a sudden side hug.

“Let's go to your room.”

“Uh?”

Sapphire felt her heart beating faster, but Jade pulled her along as they went upstairs to her bungalow roofed house.

“Why would you come all the way up here? I didn't even invite you.” she cried.

“Don't worry, I won't finish your food.”

Sapphire stole glances at him like a student doing examination malpractice.

Pissed.

She turned to him finally, expecting him to take his leave, but he didn't. Instead, he faced her directly and pocketed his hands in style.

“What about your keys? Do you lock your door properly?”

“What? Yes, sure.” She replied to him nervously.

“At least, you're doing something right.” He muttered. “What about the inside? Do you usually lock your rooms? Is there a lock inside too?”

He opened his hand in front of her.

She gazed up at him in wonder.

“Your keys. Give me your keys.” He requested. Sapphire pretended as if she's lost.

“Okay, fine then. Open your door. Let's enter.”

Sapphire stared at him vacantly before unzipping her bag. She brought out the keys and unlocked the door. Immediately, she held the door so that she would lock it immediately she enters, but Jade grabbed the side of the door.

“Wait!” She mouthed, freaking out already.

“I won't touch you.” He raised his hands up as if he was trying to say I mean no harm.

Jade followed her into her flat as he closed the door behind him. Sapphire quickly arranged some stuff in her room as she got in. Not wanting Jade to meet anything at the wrong place, but her room was neatly arranged, anyway.

Sapphire dropped her keys and bag on her reading table while Jade entered her room without being invited.

A smile played on his face when he saw everything perfectly neat. He checked her windows, trying to open it, but it was struck.

“You need to install some bars on your window.” He advised.

“I was actually thinking about that, but it'll make me feel like I'm in jail.” She explained.

“That's far better than the alternative.” He turned to her as his eyes caught the big, Gabby's poster on the wall. He keek at the picture as if he was watching a pig rolling in the gutters.

“Whatever!” Jade's eyes scanned the room as he went to her kitchen. She followed him to inspect whatever he touched too. It's her room after all.

Jade went to check the kitchen windows.

"They won't be able to come in through that." She explained to him, peeping from behind.

"They could climb up the gas pipe." He muttered. Trying to check it out too, Sapphire moved closer. Feeling her presence made him turn back to her as their first eyes met.

She stared at him, trying to figure out what he was thinking, but Jade moved closer to her. With a smile on his lips, he leaned forward while she pulled herself up to seat on the kitchen table.

“A... aren't you going to leave?” She asked, confusedly.

Jade placed his hands around her waist and pulled her forward. "I will." he replied her with a sincerity.

“So... What are you doing now?” She looked away to avoid his seductive manoeuvres.

“I want to kiss you.” He stated out clearly.

Sapphire stared at his full symmetrical lips and then, her gaze swept over to his dark brown eyes. For some reasons, she got lost in his eyes, then shut hers. With this, he placed his forehead to hers, so they were close enough, face to face. The tip of his nose touched hers. Sapphire could feel the minty-flavoured heat of his breath on her face. About to kiss her, Sapphire turned away, making Jade's well planned kiss land on her left cheek. She still quivered to it.

It was kind of disappointing but he smirked at her awkwardly. Just then, Jade pulled away from her, giving her space and freedom.

“A... aren't you going to leave?” She stammered again.

"Make sure you lock the doors properly after I leave.” He uttered. “And call me if anything happens.”

Jade on his way out saw Gabby's pictures pasted on the wall, at the corner of her room.

“And take down these weird things from your walls. Aren't you going to lock your door?” Jade voiced as he walked out the same way he walked in- Each hand by the side of his pocket with style. Finally, he closed the door after he'd left.

Poor Sapphire. Her heart was shattered. She walked out of her kitchen as if she'd suddenly gone crippled. She stumbled on the floor and gently slapped her cheeks.

“You've done a great job, Fire, don't give in. Try as hard as you can. Don't give in, Fire.”

She clutched her long, auburn hair in confusion as tears clouded her eyes. Tears of regret of why she had let him in. Sapphire sniffed immediately and placed her hands on her chest to feel her heartbeat. It felt like the racing sound of an engine. Confused in all of these, Sapphire closed her eyes and took out a deep breath of relieve.

Jade, on the other hand, was driving home. Memory of Sapphire brushed through him as he smiled with all of his teeth.

Her awkwardness turns him on and her presence wants him to move closer to her.

The beautiful smile lasted for only a minute until a call came in from Lucas.

“Hello.” He started as he pressed the answer button.

“Right now?” He frowned.

“Okay, give me 10 minutes.” He cuts the call and drove faster.