Broken Together

Chapter 8: Want

CHAPTER 8

AMELIA

“Here you go,” I announced to the guy sitting alone on one of the tables and served him the coffee that he ordered.

 “Thanks.” He replied, eyes glued to his phone, not bothering to give me a glance, and that’s fine, at least he said thanks.

 I went on to the kitchen and helped out with Ted and the rest of my colleagues at the restaurant. After crying my eyes out last night, I woke up realizing how pathetic I am. I’ve decided as soon as I crawled out of bed that I won’t cry or think about him anymore. I was purely something to pastime for him and he’s a prick for that, but it’s also my fault for allowing him to use me. So, here I am, doing what I do best to distract myself from everything, work.

 Ted approached me with a frown on his face, something that I don’t see on him usually. “Things are bad.” He stated.

“What’s going on?” I inquired, hugging the tray against my chest.

 He handed me a piece of note and it states that the land the restaurant is staying on is being auctioned. Oh no.

“There’s no buyer yet, but they’re advising us to be ready,” Ted explained looking at the whole restaurant with sad eyes.

“I’m sorry, Ted,” I mumbled. I liked working here because I get to meet various kinds of people with different stories that seem so fascinating to me. Plus, I would require to find another job.

After my shift finished at the restaurant, I walked back to my apartment building with a heavy heart because of the situation at the restaurant.

“Hey, Mel!” I looked around and spotted Jake smiling at me as he approached.

 “Hey.” I greeted, smiling back at him. I dug my fists inside my jacket because it’s growing colder and colder lately.

 “Just got back from work?” He asked. Sniffling a little because of the cold. He’s wearing his college jacket and a brown beanie.

 “Yeah.” I simply answered.

 “Oh, okay. Actually, my mom wanted me to ask you if you could babysit tomorrow? She’ll be gone for the whole day for a business trip and I have to go to practice tomorrow morning.” He said smiling. Jake has that boyish charm that makes him the perfect boy next door.

“Okay. I’ll be there.” I responded, already freezing.

 Jake grinned widely then replied, “Great! See you at seven!” He took off, jogging out of sight.

 I rapidly continued to my apartment building and rode the elevator to reach my floor. As soon as my apartment door opened, I practically rushed towards my bed and drifted to sleep.

 I woke up panting. I glanced at the clock on my bedside table and it says 6:15am. I sat upright, bending my knees in front of me as I hold my head in my hands. He even haunts my dreams. Those deep blue eyes sinking me further.

I whined in annoyance because even though I work hard not to think about him when I’m awake, he still occupies my dreams. I sprawled back on my bed, closing my eyes, and wished for those blue eyes and sensual grin would just leave me alone.

 I turned up at Mrs Montgomery’s house exactly at 7:00 am. Jake opened the door for me and he’s already wearing his jersey, about to leave.

 “My mom already left, and she made you cupcakes in the kitchen,” Jake announced before taking off.

 The other Montgomery kids are still upstairs sleeping, so I sat on one of the chairs around the kitchen table and ate the cupcakes Jake’s mom left for me. Hours went by. After playing hide and seek with the kids, feeding them their lunch and watching cartoons, Jake came back from his basketball practice at 4pm.

 “I hope they didn’t drain you,” Jake said, escorting me outside.

 “They didn’t,” I assured him, beaming. I had fun. Spending time with those kids, momentarily, made me forget about him. “Although, Martin loves to use that water gun on me,” I added, shivering because my shirt’s wet.

“I’m sorry about that. Are you sure you don’t want to dry it first before you leave?” Jake suggested, worried.

 We stood outside of their fence and the chilly wind blew past us and it made me shudder.

Jake took off his varsity jacket and placed it around me. “Here. You can give it back to me some other time.” He added smirking.

“Thank you, Jake.” I smirked back.

“Amelia.”

 Jake looked behind me and his smirk gradually diminishing. I know exactly who’s behind me because that voice haunts me even in my sleep.

 I turned around to face him and he’s glaring at Jake. This is becoming frustrating. Why is he suddenly showing up and glowering at Jake or even at Andrew last night?

 “What do you want, Vincent?” I responded, not bothering to suppress the bitterness in my voice. It forced him look at me instead of Jake.

“I want to talk to you.” He declared, still glaring.

 “No. We have nothing to talk about.” I countered, dismissing him.

He does what he always does with his hair when he’s frustrated. “We. need. to. talk.” Emphasizing each word as he leaned closer.

“No. You can go now.” I backed away from him and started to step the other way when he blocked me, stopping me from stepping away.

“Don’t make me- “he started to express, but I halted him.

“What?! What are you going to do?!” I raised my voice, placing my hands on my hips. I’m so furious that it’s making me brave.

 He stared at me for a few minutes, then I watched his expression changed from annoyance to lust. Like a predator looking at his prey.

 Jake stepped between me and Vincent. I forgot about him. He’s probably confused watching me and Vincent. Vincent’s eyes are still locked on me when he declared. “Let’s go, Amelia.”

 “I don- “before I can finish what I’m about to say, Jake, interjects in a defensive stance.

 “She clearly said that she doesn’t want to talk to you, Man,” Jake spoke in a relaxed voice.

 I feel like Deja vu as I watched Vincent’s reaction when Jake spoke. He tore his gaze on me and glared at Jake. Just like he did on Andrew.

 “Move.” Vincent hissed at Jake and a shiver went up to my spine. His hand balled into a fist and I feel like he’ll throw a punch at Jake any minute now and I don’t want that to happen.

 I shuffled around Jake and stood between them. “It’s okay, Jake. I can handle this.” I turned to look at Jake.

 Jake stared down on me and his eyes full of worry and it makes me realize what a good person he is. “Are you sure?”

 I can sense the rage boiling from Vincent’s body behind me as I talk to Jake. I assured him by giving him the best smile I can offer. Jake stared at me for a few seconds, then he nodded. He shot a look at Vincent one more time before walking back inside their house.

 I turned to look at Vincent.

“What was that?” I demanded at Vincent, who’s still glaring.

 “You have to get rid of that or else I’ll tear it off you.” He claimed, and it took me a few seconds to realize that he’s referring to Jake’s jacket.

 “I don’t want to.” I responded and before he can snag the jacket I continued, “My clothes are wet and I’m cold, okay?”

 He clenched his jaw and his expression starts to soften up when he spoke, “Let’s go inside my car and talk.”

Sitting in his car in my wet clothes as the heater starts to warm my body. Vincent sat silently on the driver’s seat, already quit scowling at me after I removed Jake’s jacket.

 “Stay away from Andrew.” He spoke without twisting to look at me.

 “Why?” I inquired.

“He’s... He’s going to hurt you.” His eyebrows furrowed, and he’s gripping on the steering wheel while looking straight ahead.

“And you didn’t?” I argued. I don’t understand him. Why is he telling me this? And why would Andrew hurt me?

“It’s not what you think, Amelia.” He then shifted to face me, leaning closer.

 “It shouldn’t matter to you what I think.”

 “It matters to me.” He said looking straight into my eyes and I can feel myself slowly collapsing back to his feet and I know better.

 I looked elsewhere and sought to open the car door, but no matter what I do, it won’t open. I turned to Vincent, and he’s still watching at me deadpan.

 “Let me out, Vincent,” I ordered.

 “We’re not done talking.” He responded indifferently leaning back to his seat.

 “Well, I’m done talking and for the record, there’s no ‘we’, okay? You already have a girlfriend." I started moving on my seat to get as far from him as possible.

 He shifted and face me again. “I don’t have a girlfriend.” he proclaimed

“Whatever! Just let me out!” I raised my voice, getting frustrated because every minute I spent sitting this close to him is weakening my brain and my heart.

 “Just f*****g hear me out!” He yelled back, running his hand through his hair.

 “What do you want?!” I ordered. 

 “You!” He exclaimed, “I want you, okay? Fuck.” He cussed under his breath, then shifted back to his seat.

 I did the same on my seat and I don’t know how to operate after hearing that. I’m still baffled as to who that girl was last night, but at the same time, my heart wants to rocket out of my chest.