The Promise Ring (Dear Jann Series 1)

Chapter 19: Tell Me

Since I stepped in the bar where Marvin asked me to meet him, I knew there was something wrong. But he doesn’t want to inform me. What happened? Why was he on a drinking spree with his friend, Arthur? I wanted to know, but he keeps doing things that would not lead me into questioning him.

Now, they're here at the park and couldn't even walk straight. How was I supposed to allow them to go home like that? They were both drunk but still able to walk and talk amiably. Worried they might end up somewhere, I invited them to stop by our house. Yes, we do have a house, but I chose to be in a boarding house. It was my sense of independence and me.

"Babe, why don't we go to our house for a while until both of you are sober?" I suggested.

"Are you sure about it?" he asked worriedly.

"Yeah. It's just three in the afternoon anyways. You can rest there for a couple of hours before you go back home." I said.

"How about your parents?" 

"Let me take care of that."

We hailed for a cab and rode in. I told the driver where we should go. The driver gave a smirk as he saw the two guys drunk but sped up anyways. When we reached our destination, Marvin assisted Arthur and reminded him where we were.

"Hey, man. Please straighten up. Don't get me in trouble." Marvin told Arthur.

"Sorry, bro. I will. Sorry, Jann." Arthur said and straightened himself.

"It's okay." I answered.

I knocked at the closed door, but nobody answered. I took my keys, opened the door, and invited them in.

"Wow, man. You didn't tell me your girlfriend was rich!" exclaimed Arthur.

I smiled hesitantly and carefully looked at Marvin. I could undoubtedly see he was amused too but looked at me annoyed with his drunk friend. I looked elsewhere. I hated the way he looked. It subtly reminded me of the night he hit me. It was like he was furious about something.

"Stop it, Arthur. You're embarrassing. Sorry babe. This guy just can't keep his mouth shut. If only I knew he would be like that when drunk, I should have not agreed to this." Marvin said after he let Arthur sit on the couch.

He approached me and cupped my face in his palms.

"I'm really sorry."

"It's fine. As long as I am with you." I answered which instantly made him smile widely.

"So, this is your house. Very impressive. I never imagined I would ever step here." he said as he looked around and nodded his head in approval.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I-I.. hmmm did h-he...hmmm never mind. Forget it, Jann."

"What is it, Marvin? You have been acting weird today? Want to tell me all about it?" I was getting impatient.

He looked at me and was about to answer when Arthur interrupted us.

"Hey, Jann. Is that a sea?" Arthur asked.

We didn't even notice that he was already at the balcony. I smiled when I saw what he was pointing at. He was pointing at a silhouette image at the eastern part of the mountains. We approached him and looked in the same direction.

"Yes, it is. It's the sea." I answered with a smile.

"You have a great view of the sea and the mountains here. Fresh air always." Marvin said.

"Yes. I guess it is one of the reasons why my parents built this house here. Away from the city and traffic. The rooftop view is a lot better. Want to see it?" I suggested.

"That would be nice." Arthur said.

"You think you guys can walk properly going up there? It's pretty high." I worriedly said.

"It's okay. I will assist him." Marvin said which made Arthur laugh.

We passed by the second floor of the house before reaching the rooftop. When we reached it, Arthur couldn't contain his excitement when he saw the monkey swinging on the pole. He rushed towards it and smiled wildly.

"Is this for real?" Arthur asked while beaming with a smile.

"Yes. Meet my dad's pet." I said as the monkey approached me asking for some food.

I went to the small cabinet below the monkey's house and took out some bananas. I was about to give it when Arthur seized my hand.

"I want to do it. I want to do it. Please, please, please." he exclaimed excitedly which made me laugh.

Marvin laughed too as he shook his head. I gave him the bananas, and we watched him feed the monkey. Arthur was so delighted with it he was even talking to it.

"Hey, monkey. I gave your food, so we are friends now. Can you show me some tricks?" Arthur asked the monkey.

And just like the monkey comprehended him, it started swinging and making some noise which made Arthur laugh more. He was enjoying it, and I guess the monkey liked him too.

While his friend was actively playing with the monkey, Marvin held me on my elbow and I gently turned to look at him.

"Babe, I am a bit tipsy. Is there anywhere I could lie down for a while? Looks like my friend is in love with the monkey and will take a while to pull him away from it." he said and we both chuckled.

"Sure. You can use my room, so you can rest well on my bed." I said.

"Arthur, we'll be downstairs. If you're done with your date with the monkey, just meet us downstairs." Marvin said while laughing.

"Shut up, bro. Just go away." Arthur said as he went back playing with the monkey again.

We can hear Arthur laughing as we descend the stairs back to the second floor of the house. My room was at the far end corner. I opened the door and allowed him in. He looked around and ended his sight on me with a naughty smile.

"It's so girly." he said and chuckled.

"Shut up, Mr. Bravo. Of course it is girly. I am the one who sleeps here." I said smiling at his reaction.

My room was not that big but it was just enough for me. The bed was placed near the window, and a closet was just across it. I got posters of my favorite anime character on my wall and some flowery wallpaper. My comforter's print was the Disney princesses which matched my pillows with the same design. My table was filled with books and papers that I use for school. I pointed to my bed, and he went on it. He placed his hands on his head and bowed down.

"Are you okay?" I asked worriedly.

"Can I lie down here? Take a nap for a few minutes?" he asked.

"Yeah, sure. Let me just get some cold water for you. I'll be back." I said and left the room.

I went to the kitchen and grabbed some cold water from the fridge and went back to my room. I found him lying down on my bed with eyes closed, so I moved slowly not to wake him up. I placed the water on the side table and slowly sat on the bed beside him. He looked peaceful, but I could still smell the alcohol from him. I stared at his face and just like some magnet, my hand automatically landed on his cheeks. I moved closer and kissed him lightly.

"I missed you, babe. I know there is something wrong. I wish you could tell me." I whispered.

I slowly pulled away but to my surprise, he pulled me back to him. He opened his bloodshot eyes and smiled lovingly at me.

"I missed you too, babe." he said and pulled me closer.

We kissed. Actually he kissed me a little too hard, he nibbled my lower lip. He pulled me under him and started kissing my neck, savoring every part of it. I closed my eyes as I could feel the heat in his every kiss. It was maddening. I held on to him tightly after he had taken off his shirt and mine. He landed more kisses and whispered.

“I missed you, Jann. Stop me now while I can.” he said while breathing heavily under my ear.

I gently pushed him away and cupped his face, so we could see each other. I smiled lovingly and kissed him on his lips.

“I missed you too, babe.”

He kissed me deeper after he heard what I had to say. There was no stopping him. I wanted him too. Our bodies' desire and lust were overflowing, we needed to express it with each other. We both moaned as we savored each other’s touches and kisses. I clung tightly as he thrust his way inside me. Slow at first then gradually moving faster. He would stop for a while to caress my exposed bosom and would thrust deeper.

“Ahhh. You are mine, Jann. I love you.” he said as he moved faster again.

He held me tighter as he made his way deeper into me. I wanted him there too. We both clung to each other and never wanted to let go. How I missed him and all his caress. I loved how he whispered my name while we were making love. Hearing our moans was a bliss. Music in my ears. We were gasping with air when we were through. He kissed me more as we lay there on my bed naked.

"I miss you so much, Jann. I'm glad to see you even for a few hours. You made me miss you so much." he said childishly.

"I'm sorry. I was just so busy with a lot of stuff." I told him as I caressed his cheeks.

“Sorry too. I know I wasn’t able to come and see you.”

“It’s okay. So, are you going to tell me now why you have been drinking?” I asked.

He looked at me and kissed me on the forehead. He gave a sigh but didn’t say anything. I was waiting for him to open up. I wanted to know what he was going through. I wanted to be there if he had a problem. I wanted him to feel I am not just his girlfriend, that I am also a friend if he needed help.

“Tell me, babe. I know there is something bothering you. You can trust me.”

“Jann, Jann, Jann, my sweet baby. That is one of the reasons why I love you so much.”

I lifted my head and looked lovingly at him. He smiled and touched my cheek.

“You are always willing to listen to anybody’s problem. As they say, a very good adviser too. You seem to have a very wide knowledge of things and very long patience in listening. It’s so you.”

“So there is a problem then?” I said and he chuckled.

“I can never lie to you, Jann. But can you do me a favor?” my heart skipped.

“What is it?”

“Don’t ever doubt that I love you, and I fought for you.” he asked.

There was loneliness in his eyes when he mentioned those. Why was he lonely? I wanted to know. I wanted to make him happy. I wanted to drive away whatever is making him sad. Before I could utter another word, he placed his index on my lips.

“Don’t ask me what is wrong. I admit I am going through something, but I don’t want to involve you. So please, don’t ask me again to tell you what is bothering me. I promise I will resolve this on my own and if I can’t, then you are the first person I will run to.” he explained.

I wasn’t happy with the idea, but I smiled anyways and agreed to it. One way or another, I will find out what was bothering him. I watched him get dressed and picked up my clothes on the floor. He handed it to me smiling. I just looked at it and looked back at him naughtily.

"Oh no, babe, don't give me that look. You know I can't handle it." he said.

"What? What am I doing?" I asked innocently.

He approached the bed and sat beside me. He pulled down my covers which exposed my nude bosom and he ran his hands across my chest.

"Stop seducing me, babe. You know I won't, and I can't stop myself." he said as he moistened his lips while looking at my naked top.

I smiled widely and drew myself closer to him. He gave a deep breath when I touched his chest.

"But I am not seducing you, babe. I was just innocently sitting here, striking your chest, kissing your neck, and-"

He wrapped me tightly in his arms and kissed me passionately again. His hand travelled down my back and up to my nape. His other hand cupped one of my bosoms which made me moan.

"You're driving me crazy, babe. I want to make love with you again and again. I love you so much." he said as he started kissing my neck and shoulders.

My hand travelled to his chest and down to his crotch. I smiled when I felt him stiffen. He looked at me with the longing look in his face as he nibbled his lower lip and smiled. I moved my hand inside his pants until I grabbed it gently. He let go a moan.

"Babe." he said.

"Yes?" I asked.

He didn't answer but instead he kissed me wildly. His kisses were filled with so much desire and were deep. I had to pull back to get some air. But everytime I do that, he would just shower me with more kisses. He pressed me down to the bed and started unbuttoning his pants when we heard Arthur calling.

"Hey lovebirds. Sorry to bother but man we need to go home right now." Arthur shouted from the outside.

"Damn!" exclaimed Marvin and looked at me.

We laughed and he hugged me tightly.