CHAPTER 41
1046 Words
"I'm sorry about what happened," Mrs. Sarmiento said. "She's probably in a bad mood."
"We understand, Ma'am," Steve said. "She's going through difficult times. We'll leave now. Thank you for your hospitality." Steve signaled everyone to leave the house.
"Why did we leave immediately?" Janine asked Steve. They all hopped in to the car.
"What have you seen?" Mark was wondering why they left early. "I don't want to see what you guys can see, but sometimes I'm curious."
"We saw the shadow with horns on her back," Steve said. "Like a piggy back ride. It's feeding all her
hatred and negative emotions. Berna's just a victim, too. Whoever made a pact with the shadow alread sold his or her soul to the demon."
"What can we do?" Jen leaned on the car seat. "That's a little scary though."
"You saw it?" Janine was shocked. "You also have the ability to see those creatures?"
"I can see them. I just don't say it. Who would believe me? People would think I'm crazy." Jen laughed.
"Since when did you see them?" It was new to Janine. They've been neighbors and friends since they moved to their current house ten years ago.
"Since I was a child," Jen said. "I told my mom about it but she did not believe me, that's why I just kept it to myself."
"That's why you weren't that shock when you saw the Soul'eater."
"I was really shocked. It's my first time seeing a lowly demon." She grinned, "I just always see spirits."
"We're meeting Marvin and Jackie at the restaurant," Steve said. "They have an important thing to tell us."
"What is it?" Janine asked.
"They probably know who's that shadow." Steve looked outside the window. "The road seems not busy today. We can get there early."
"I'll drive faster to get there immediately," Mark said. He stepped on the accelerator to reach the restaurant immediately. There was no traffic jam yet. "I'm now also into this adventure. I'm liking it." He grinned.
Janine laughed at Mark. She feels blessed to have someone like him. He's supportive and patient. There's nothing she could ask for.
*****
Marvin and Jackie were already at the eat-all-you-can restaurant where they had their first dinner together. They occupied and reserved the same room they used before. They were sitting beside each other with enough distance.
"I'm going to eat everything here," Jackie said. "I'm hungry!"
"They will be here soon." Marvin looked at her intently. "Jackie..."
"Yes?" She looked at him. 'What?" She felt awkward when she saw he's staring deeply at her.
"Jackie, I know you're quite confuse why I act like the way I do to you..."
"W-what act?" She got nervous. She smiled awkwardly.
"Jackie, I like you," he said. "I think this is the right timing to tell you that."
"W-wait, what?" Her mouth went wide open. She can't even breathe.
"I am serious. I know you have different cultures. I'll do what Mark did to Janine and take it slowly." He smiled at her. She can see sincerity in his eyes.
"I'm, sorry, I was just shocked." She's sure her cheeks are hot red. She can feel her knees a little shaky. She also likes him, but it's too early to say yes. "Stay calm, girl. Don't grab the meat yet," she reminded herself. "But thank you for respecting me."
"Of course, Jackie," he said. "I like you so much. And thank you for giving me the chance to prove to you how I feel."
They were staring at each other when the door opened. She immediately averted her gaze and fixed her posture.
"Hi, Jackie!" Janine cheek kissed her best friend. "Why is your cheek so hot? And it's reddish. Do you have skin allergy?"
"I don't," she defensively denied. "I'm okay, it's nothing. Don't mind it. It was just too hot outside earlier."
"Okay, if you say so," Janine said. "Just tell me if you're not feeling okay."
"Yeah," she replied. She glanced at Marvin and she saw him laughing. She glared at him. He stopped but he's still smiling.
"So, what happened to your visit to Henry, my ex?" Jen asked. She grabbed a plate to prepare to get her food.
"Right, we found out that he's really a scumbag." Jackie rolled her eyes. "But to be serious, he said, he had a girlfriend last year for five months, where he dumped when she told him that she's pregnant."
"That asshole! He won't really change!" Jen acted he's stabbing someone with fork.
"He said she was his classmate. Her name is Claire Cervantes."
"Let me see..." Jen tried to recall a student named Claire Cervantes. She didn't ask about her ex boyfriend's relationship after their break up. She flicked her fingers in the air. "I remember her!"
"Who is she?" Janine asked. She doesn't recognize the name.
"She's the same course and year as Henry. I remember she was rushed to the clinic because she collapsed during her screenplay rehearsal. The doctor in our school back then was her aunt, Doctor Sarah Aguirre? Remember her? Claire was pregnant that time."
"Where is she now? And where's Doctor Sarah, anyway? I haven't seen her for a while. I always see you in the clinic." Jackie asked too many questions.
"Doctor Aguirre filed an indefinite leave two months ago. I don't know if the school will hire a new doctor or they will still wait for her return." Jen shrugged her shoulders. "About Claire, I'm not sure. I haven't seen her since that day she was rushed here."
"Is there a way we could get their address and see how she's been doing?" Janine asked. "Henry said she was pregnant when they broke up. That was almost 6 months ago. She's probably about to give birth now."
"I'll get that tomorrow morning, then let's visit her on Saturday. For now, let's eat first." Jen laughed. They all went out of the room to get their food.
"Jackie," Marvin called her attention.
"Y-yes?" Jackie got nervous.
"I'll protect you, and I will never hurt you. I'll make sure of that." He smiled at her, then held her hand as they walk towards the banquet area.
- Writer
