Scorched return
1998 Words
Chapter 1 :Job Hunting
Jade sat at the table folding her CV .Two interviews.Two rejection. Her final hope was the nanny job.
"You hate children,"Lina said.
"I hate chaos,"she replied.
"Why then did you apply for the nanny job?"
"Am desperate,"she said.
She scrolled through her phone when a message popped,"Can you start tomorrow."She stared at the screen."I got the job."
"Congrats,"Lina said.
****
The gate was tall .She breath in and out then rang the bell.
It didn't take long when a woman came and opened ."Are you here for the nanny job?"She asked.
She was welcomed in.The The house was huge surrounded with neatly trimmed green lawn and flowers.
The inside was stylish and inviting."Wait here,"The woman said.As she was sitting ,something hard hit her head and she dizzy.
****
"Mike, didn't I warn you not to play in the house."A deep voice said.
Jade could hardly move her head ."I'm sorry,"the boy said.
The man took ice from the fridge and rushed closer to Jade ."Here,"He said.
Jade placed it at her head and looked up.Their eyes met ,there was an awkward pause."Jade?"He called.
She remained there staring at him.Her throat tightened and tears came blurring everything.
She stood up and stepped back.None of them talked.She turned and left,each step feeling heavy but it was the only way to protect herself leaving him standing in the silence he once chose.
****
"Why did he come back, why."She said.
"You need to come down,"Lina said.
"I hate him so much ,I,,,,,."She said and burst out crying.
Lina gave her a hug "I'm here for you."She said.
Chapter : 2 Before (flashback)
"How comes you look more beautiful everytime I look at you."Elias said .
"Maybe because you are finally learning how to look properly."She replied.
Their bodies hovered inches apart,close enough to feel the heat.His hands around her waist."I love you."He said.
Jade looked at him and smiled.Her pulse jumped under his gaze ;it's was dark, steady and hungry with restraint.
Neither of them moved, making it unbearable.
Her breath slipped out shaky,and the tension snapped tight like wire pulled too far.
He leaned in ,it's was slow deliberate toture.Their lips brushed once_accidental,intentional_and the world tilted.
He kissed her. Not rushed.Not gently.A kiss heavy with everything they haven't said, haven't touched yet .
*****
Jade and Elias had been together for 3 years.Everything was perfect .
One day he took her out and proposed.
"I've loved you in quiet days and loud storms,"he said.
He dropped to one knee ,and brought out the ring,"Will you Marry me?
Jade laughed through tears, pulled him up and pressed her forehead to his.
"Yes . Always yes."
He slipped the ring onto her finger and gave her a warm,tight hug.
****
Two weeks had passed and the wedding arrangements were being prepared.
Jade received a call from home,her mother was seriously ill.She arrived and found her lying on bed unable to move.
She was scared of losing her and ended up using all the money needed for the wedding.
Her dad had died when she was young and all she had was her and Miya.
Miya was a 14 year old ,sharp tongued teenager.
Her mother was recovering. She thought everything was getting better but became her worst nightmare.
She found her sleeping but when she held her arm,she noticed it was cold.
She could not feel her pulse.She called the doctor but it was too late.
Shocked, she passed out.When she came too ,she received another news."You are pregnant."Lina told her.
She tried calling Elias to inform him of what had happened but he did not receive the calls.
A week had passed and Jades mother was already buried.Jade returned but Elias was not home.
They ended up involving the police but he could not be found.One day she heard a knock at the door,she rushed only to find a parcel with a letter,"am sorry, don't look for me."
She knew his handwriting and was sure he wrote it.She felt a sharp pain in her stomach luckily Lina was arriving at her place .
She rushed her to the hospital and was told she had a miscarriage.
Chapter : 3 After
Jade lied on bed trying her best not to think but she couldn't.She remembered everything clearly.
That night she tossed and turned on bed all night .She woke up tired."You good?Lina asked.
Jade nodded ,"girl don't lie to me,you don't look fine,"Lina said.
They heard a knock on the door.Jade opened it and was surprised to see her sister and a man who handed her a letter.
"And what are you doing here?"She asked letting her inside.
" I need fees,aunt sent me here .She has no money so I am living with you.
She opened the letter.It was a notice from the agent claiming she was late on her rent payment and was to pay before the end of the week.
"What!"She shouted.
"Why is this happening,one problem after another."
****
They were taking breakfast when she got a call from an unknown number."Hello is this Jade?"The voice said.
She hung up immediately."It's him ,"She said.
****
It was raining heavily that evening.Jade and Miya were rushing home from the restaurant.They were sharing one umbrella but it was too small."Why didn't you take the bigger umbrella."Jade asked.
"I didn't see it."Miya said
Jade stopped and held her head."Are you fine?"Miya asked.
Before she could answer,she fell down and collapse.She tried waking her up but she was not responding.An ambulance arrived and she was immediately rushed to the hospital.
"After a few she woke up.Miya rushed to call the doctor.
The doctor arrived.It was Elias."Don't touch me."She said weakly.
"This is my work and right now you need proper treatment."He said.
Jade had to agree and he checked on her ."You have servere anaemia." He said."You need to rest.
Jade looked at him and said nothing.
The next morning ,Jade woke up and found fruits and food on the table beside her.She took one fruit and started eating.
The door suddenly opened and Elias entered."I guarantee quick recovery."He said.
"Who brought this."She asked.
"I did,"He said
.
Jade placed the fruit down."You don't have to."She said and lay on her bed .
Elias sat down on the couch at the corner."Once you are well, you can come back for the nanny job."He said.
"Your sister told me about your situation right now and I promised I'll help ."
Jade turned and looked at him."You are a jerk.And please don't you dare interfere in my life. I'll figure everything by myself."
The next day she was discharged.
She arrived home but was worried."What now .Miya asked.
"The rent due is today."She said.
"Don't worry, I received my salary I'll pay."Lina said.
"Ummm, about that,I think it's already sorted".Miya said .
"What!How!Lina asked.
She hasitated for a while,"the doctor."She said.
"Do you have any shame,"Lina said."You just tell a random stranger about your,,,"
"I just wanted to help, besides he's not a stranger,he even said you can go back and work once you get better.I want to go back to school."She said.
Jade almost slapped her but was stopped by Lina.
Chapter 4: Confession
Two days passed and Jade was getting better.She had decided to do the job."Once I get back on my feet I'll quit but now I can't let my sister drop out ."She said.
****
Jade was playing ball with Mike outside when Elias arrived."Mike rushed to him.
"Can I join".He asked.
"Yes!But nanny is such a good player."
Jade watched them but said nothing.""Mike,why don't you go play alone for sometime I have to talk to nanny."He said.
"Ok."He said and left.
How are you doing."He asked .
"Good."Jade said.
Actually I,,,."
"Stop!Am not interested in whatever you want to say.I came here to do my job.She said.
At night she cleaned Mike and read him a story until he slept.
****
"She came back for a reason am not letting this chance slip away."Elias told Dave.
Dave was his best friend since high school.They sat near the pool drinking wine.
"I have nothing to say,just wishing you luck."
"I'll get her back."He said.
****
She stood at the balcony when she heard someone speaking."I'm sorry."Elias said.
"For what!"Jade asked.
"For leaving."
Jade was about to leave when he held her hands."He's not my son.I got a call in the morning.An accident had occured and only one person had survived .My sister had written a letter before she died telling me to take care of her son."
"I was confused.I did not want to burden you with responsibilities you never chose."
"So you left."She said.
"I thought leaving was protecting you.I'm sorry I didn't trust you and tell you everything."
"So what!Do you know what the hell I went through.I hate you so much."She said.
"Yes I do.Your sister told me everything.Please forgive me .I never thought you would go through all that."
"I can't forgive you."You're so ,,,."She said and left.
*****
Mike was playing when he fell down.
She rushed immediately but Elias was already there.He carried him to the house and cleaned his wound.He then made a joke and Mike started laughing.
Jade looked at him ."Maybe I should forgive him."She said silently.
Chapter 5 :Approach
Elias had promised himself to win her love back.He had been trying his best to show his love for the past 2 weeks .
She was trying to take a nap near Mike .She looked up smiling when she heard someone whispering.
"You are falling for him again."It was Lina.
"Shut up!"
"Welcome to the month of love.And it seems my bestie has someone this year."She said.
"Will you stop!.Am not in love ,and stop shouting you will wake him up.
****
Lina was walking down the hallway when she met with Elias."Don't you dare hurt my friend again,"She said .
"I promise I'll never do that again."
The tension between them was growing when Jade suddenly intervened."Don't worry,am just making sure he won't dare hurt you."She said.
"And I was just telling her that it'll never happen again.I still love you.I had never even once stopped loving you".He said.
Jade took Miya's hand and left .I can see it you are falling for him, again!"Miya said.
"Will you stop saying that.Jade said smiling and rolled her eyes.
*****
"Hey,"Elias said.
Jade was in the kitchen drinking water and was almost choked when she heard his voice.
"Couldn't sleep."He said.
"No, thirsty."She answered.
She turned to leave but bumped on him.Their eyes met building the tension .
Elias fingers touched her cheeks giving her chills."Can I ."He asked.
Jade did not answer."It's okay he said and pulled away but Jade immediately held his hands and kissed him.
They smiled at each other."I love you."Elias said and kissed her intensely.
Chapter 6: Valentines
"For you."Mike gave her a letter and ran.
"Will you be my valentine?"
Elias was watching her at a distant.She turned and saw him then nodded smiling.
****
She stepped out of the Limonsine.She wore a black backless dress with red glitters.
Elias held her waist.They were at a restaurant near the beach.It was filled with red and white roses at the corner, heart shaped lanterns hung on the tress,casting a soft golden glow.Fairy lights were wrapped around the branches, twinkling like the stars .
A pathway lined with rose petals led to a small wooden gazebo draped in sheer white and crimson fabric.Inside ,candles flickered in glass holders,and the table set for two was set with sparkling glasses of wine.
After the meal,a dessert arrived_a chocolate lava cake with "Be mine forever."
Soft love songs begun to play gently."May I ."He asked reaching for her hands.
They danced slowly."Yes I'll be yours forever."Jade said looking in his eyes.
He smiled and kissed her on the forehead."I love you."
"Happy Valentine's.
I promise to be better."He said holding her hands then kissed her passionately.
- Writer
