XIV
1410 Words
I got home around 1 am after driving Jean home. I've stayed for an hour or two. I badly want to spend the rest of the night with her and I hope one day, we can do that. When I we no longer have to be separated. Have our own home and settle down.
“Where did you meet her?” It seems like mom has been waiting for me.
'I happened to pass by her house. And then after that, maybe fate brought us together. We kept on seeing each other unintentionally.' I tried not to look in her eyes while talking.
“I meant the very first time you met her.”
“I just told you mom, I happened to…”
'Son, I remember her. Did you just really happen to pass by? Or did you look for her? The thing that I fear is finally happening.
“Mom, what are you talking about?”
“She’s the daughter of that woman.”
“What do you mean?”
“You know what I mean, son. Why did you approach her? Do you even really love her? Or do you just feel guilty?”
“I love her. I won’t go this far if I don’t. I truly love Jean. It might not be at first, but I sincerely love her now. I can't live without her.
“Does she know?” Mom worriedly asked.
“She doesn’t have to know.” I'm scared if she knows.
'Jacob, you can never hide that. If you don’t want her to know, then you should not have approached her.
'I know. But it just happened. I can’t live without her now.'
'What about Jin?'
'I’ll figure it out. I'm sorry, mom. I didn't mean to worry you, but trust me on this, please. I love you and Jin, but I can't lose Jean. I love her so much.'
“Jacob, you’re home.” Jin came at the right time, interrupting our conversation.
'Yeah, why are you still awake? It’s past midnight.' Mom looked at me, but I no longer wanted to talk about this topic. I quickly gave her a kiss on the cheek and said goodnight.
"So, why are you still up?" I asked Jin as he followed me to my bedroom.
“I just can’t sleep.”
“Hmmm. What is it?” I asked. If he had stayed up until now, I'm sure that he would have something in his mind.
“Hmm. Can you help me with something?” he hesitantly said.
“Sure, what is it?”
“Can you help me find a person?”
“Person? Who?”
'You remember the accident. That woman. I want her to know that I'm okay now. I want to meet her and maybe invite her to our school event. The last time we talked, she said that she was looking forward to seeing me on the stage playing the piano.'
“Really?” I don't like where this conversation is going. Things happening today are getting closer and closer to losing Jean. And I can't handle that.
“Yes, she’s kind. She’s nice to me even though, you know, it’s my fault that were…”
'It’s not your fault, okay? It’s never your fault.'
“So, can you help me find her?”
“I’ll see what I can do, okay.” I can't let him down. I know that finding her is impossible, and I need to figure out something that could put all of us in peace.
“Okay. Thank you.”
***
“Hi, sis.” Jin greeted me with a big smile. It's been a while since he came to my house.
“Jin, why are you here?”
“I miss you.”
“Really?” I asked suspiciously. He should be in school. And Jacob said that their mother does not let him go out if it's not for school or the hospital.
“I’m bored.”
“Do your mom and brother know you went out?”
“Uhm.”
“Jin?”
“Fine, I’ll send mom a message.”
“Okay.”
'So, this is what your house looks like. And the garden,' Jin enthusiastically said.
“Happy?”
“Yeah.”
“Feel at home. I’ll get you something. What do you want?”
“Strawberry milkshake.”
“Wow, how did you know I have strawberries?”
“I smelled it.”
“Are you a rat?”
“I’m a cute hamster.”
“Hahaha, you’re cuter.” I squished his mochi cheeks. He's not chubby, but his cheeks look like a steamed dumpling. “Alright, I’ll make it for you. Wait here.”
Jin roamed around the house. From the books on the shelf, the figurines and decorations.
“Jin, come here. Your drink’s ready.” I called to him from the kitchen.
“Hmmm. Thanks. Jean, someone’s calling you.” He handed me my phone, but it seemed like his eyes are glued on it.
“Oh, let me see. My assistant. I’ll just get this. Wait here.”
“Okay.”
"Who's that?" Jin asked after I ended the call and sat beside him.
"Huh, my assistant."
"I mean your wallpaper."
"Oh, my mother."
"I see. Where is she?"
"Hmmm, she passed away 7 years ago."
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have."
"No need to apologize. How's your milkshake? Happy?"
"Yes, it's good. Thank you." I just nodded and smiled to Jin. This young man really has a charm that makes my heart adore him. Like I'm looking at my own son.
I was cleaning the table and Jin was washing the dishes when somebody knocked on the door. I'm sure it was Jacob, so I went quickly to open it for him.
“Jin, you should’ve told me you wanted to come here.” Jacob went straight to Jin; he didn't even greet me. Wow, am I just an air to him now?
“Bro, I’m not a kid. And I told mom.”
“And she told me late. If I didn't check with your driver, I wouldn't know where you are. I’m just worried, okay. How did you come here? Your driver said you texted him to not pick you up at school.
"I took a taxi." Jacob’s phone then rang. A call from the office. It seemed like he had just left the office without saying a word to his staff. I recall, he said yesterday that they'd been busy in the office and going home late.
“I have to take this.” Jacob excused himself and went outside.
“Don’t you think he’s overreacting?” Jin murmured.
“No, he’s like that because he loves you so much. He almost lost you once, the fear that it might happen again overwhelms him.”
“I feel bad now.” He looked at me, and it shows that he regrets going out without letting them know.
“You should be. He didn’t even notice I was there." I pointed at the door.
“Oh, sorry.”
“Just kidding.”
"I need to go back to the office. I'll send you home first." Jacob said after ending the call.
“Sorry, Jacob."
"It's okay. Just make sure to let me know early next time. I'll go with you wherever you want to go."
"Okay. I’ll go to the car first. Bye sis, thanks for today.”
“No problem. Feel free to drop by anytime.”
“I’ll do that.” He hugged me briefly before going outside.
“Sorry for the trouble,” Jacob said. It's just the two of us now, and I feel that he's still upset.
“What are you saying? He’s welcome here anytime.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it. Go ahead. You have to go back to the office, right?”
“Hmmm. I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
"Can I sleep here? I'll come back after work."
"No, sleep in your house."
"But I miss you."
"Then, miss me more."
“I’ll come again tomorrow, okay?"
“Aren’t you busy?”
“Let’s at least have dinner together.”
“Okay. Then see you tomorrow.”
“Okay,” Jacob replied and kissed me goodnight, and I returned it. His soft lips are truly irresistible and his every movement makes me melt.
- Writer
