The unexplainable bitterness that succumbs to my being made it so hard for me to swallow the soft velvet cake in my mouth. For someone who claims to have cake as their all-time favorite dessert, it’s odd that I couldn’t enjoy the sweet flavor that’s currently exploring in my tongue.
“Anyway, I’ll go ahead. I just dropped by to deliver the cake as a welcome gift for you,” Cassandra said, her white set of teeth were showing as she smiled sweetly at Jack. The subtle touch she made on his arm didn’t escape my eyes.
This girl is getting way too comfortable being touchy to him, I thought bitterly. Well, he’s not flinching so obviously, he likes it too!
I mentally rolled my eyes. She’s obviously just using the cake as a reason to see Jack. ‘Cause how the hell did she lasted for almost an hour here if she just dropped by to give us the cake? Desperate bitch!
“Thank you, Miss Cassandra. I’ll walk you to the inn,” Jack volunteered and I wanted so badly to oppose but I don’t want to sound mean. And who am I exactly to do that, anyway? And why am I having such mean thoughts these past few days?
The lamp posts are only available on the seaside so it’s pitch black outside along the pathway leading to our home. But she got in here on her own! Can’t she go home by herself, too?
“You can call me Cassy outside work, Jack!” she laughed elegantly while playfully hitting his muscular arm. “And I wouldn’t decline your offer! Gosh, it’s so dark outside. The town’s mayor needs to do something about this matter. Maybe I can request a few light posts in his office.”
“That’ll be helpful.”
I snorted sarcastically, watching them walked out of the doorway. Jack slightly pulled the door close as their flashlight illuminated the dark pathway. Cassy my ass!
I let out an irritated sigh before rising to my feet, walking towards the small center table to clean the utensils we used while eating the cake. I also brought the box with me to the kitchen and stock it in the fridge.
She’s probably gonna invite him in her room and he won’t decline, that’s what I thought until I heard him entered the house not even five minutes later.
I was in deep thoughts the whole night in bed. Before Jack, I remember having so much respect and admiration for Cassandra as she is one of the kindest woman in town. She's very helpful, intelligent, and successful. I looked up to her a lot and this irrational dislike I suddenly felt towards her is so disturbing for me.
The whole weekday passes by swiftly. Rest day for me is optional during the Sundays. I could close the shop the whole day or went to work and have a double pay. Well, I decided to treat myself to the beach for today because it's been a while since the last time I took a dip. And that was when I found Jack on the cove.
"Nina!" Alicia shouted while hopping on the sand merrily on her way to me. She's wearing the same baby pink dress while carrying a cute little basket in hand.
"Hello, Alicia!" I bent down a bit and pat her head.
"Nina, I brought some mango!" She showed her basket to me that is containing three ripe mangoes.
"That looks yummy! I made some egg sandwich," I also showed my basket to her, which is a bit larger than what she's carrying. We'll be having our own little picnic at the beach today.
Alicia insisted to have it done behind the rock formations where we found Jack. I rejected her idea at first but she was so persistent. To attend to her whim, we'll be taking the other route to reach the cove. There's a safer way to get in there but we have to walk further on the coastal road...under the hot and remorseless sun.
"You didn't invite Jack?"
"Uhm...I think he's busy. You know Jack, he doesn't run out of things to do. It's like his schedule is always packed," I reasoned out when I perfectly knew he takes a half-day during Sundays.
When I left the house, he was having a siesta on the bamboo lounge outside 'cause my mom was watching her favorite local drama in the living room. It's also his rest day at the inn but he went out to go fishing this morning. It's also a half-day work for my mom during the weekends so everyone's currently home.
"I can't walk anymore, Nina!" Alicia whined beside me. The cloudless sky just added to the heat.
"We're almost there. And this is your idea!"
"It's not my idea to take this way instead. We could just easily cross the rock formations to get there!" She wailed continuously and I widened my eyes at her.
We reached the cove ten minutes of whinings later. The water level is a little high today, it reaches half of the cove sand so we settled close to the rocks.
"Do you want to eat first or you wanna go swim- nevermind," I said, shaking my head as I watched Alicia munch on the egg sandwich I made. Her cheeks gone puffy as she shove more bread in her mouth.
"I'll go take a dip," I announced and she nodded casually, still with her mouth full.
I stripped off the yellow sundress from my body, leaving me in my generic black two-piece. I buy most of my clothes from a thrift shop but they look just as nice like the branded ones.
I soaked my body in the crystal clear water of Whale Bay. It was cold, contradicting the scorching sun and effacing the unlikable heat I was feeling a few minutes ago.
"Alicia, come join me here!" I shouted but the kid was too busy wolfing down the foods in the basket. I laughed silently.
"I can join you instead," a deep voice said and I looked around to find a tall, topless man standing gloriously at the top of the cove. My eyes widened a bit.
It was Leandro, the ex-mayor's son!
My lips curved into a force smile. This man is known as the black sheep of their family, the complete opposite of his good-natured father. The police found a few kilograms of cocaine in his car after the guy got into a drag race accident. He's always a part of group riots too. Or sometimes, he's the one starting the mess! He's been sent to jail multiple times but the strong connection he has couldn't keep him inside of the cell.
And to top it all, he's an ex-suitor of mine!
Forever doesn't exist. But with you, I'm willing to prove them wrong."After all this time?" Dumbledore asked, stupefied as Snape's memories and buried feelings slowly unfold right in front of his eyes."Always," he answered.Always. Constant. Never changing. Like my feelings for you."Angelus! Follow me to my office." Sister Anna had said, her eyes as stern as always, as if telling me that I'd be dead if I fail to set foot inside her office in ten seconds. And so, I gladly followed. But of course, right after I excused myself to my fellow orphan friends. Especially to Gaston whom I was the closest with.A man, and I presumed his wife, were seated side by side in front of Sister Anna's desk. The old man smiled warmly at me while the beautiful, elegant lady remained silent and expressionless. Her eyes mirrored the chief nun's strictness. I couldn't lock eyes with her for too long 'cause I felt as if she's judgin
I remembered fainting right after I set foot inside the café, but I didn’t expect to wake up on the hospital bed with Ryan sitting on the small bench across the white alcohol-scented room. His eyes sparkled in relief when he saw my conscious state. But before he could even walk towards me, the door creaked open and Regina got into me first. “Nina! You’re awake. Thank goodness! How are you feeling?” She cried out, gripping onto my cold palms tightly. I forced out a weak smile. “I feel a lot better now compared to when I woke up this morning. Thanks for bringing me here.” Her face scrunched up in a chastising manner. “Why did you even go to work today when you’re perfectly aware that you’re sick?! You’re lucky Mom wasn’t there or you’d hear an earful from her!” She said furiously. “Nina, more than anything, we prioritize our employees’ health first. A simple text or email would do, you know?” My lips curled up into a smile. I do not have
Florian ring my phone nearly half an hour later but I was too drain to even answer him. I slumped down directly on the bed as I scroll through the messages he left after two missed calls.Florian :Sorry about that. Are you still up?Florian :Good night, baby. I'll call you again tomorrow, sleep tight."Good night, baby. I'll call you again tomorrow, sleep tight!" I mimicked in irritation. I threw the phone to my side before pulling the blanket over my hide with slight harshness. I was rolling my eyes heavenward underneath the thin sheet.The sun was up and the neighbor's chicken was already clucking loudly when I woke up from my long slumber. I was in a hurry since I only got an hour left before my work. I didn't even bother to dress up nicely anymore. After putting on a plain black shirt and a tight denim jeans, I hurriedly left the house and ran to the café.Agatha was already in there and en
I wiped them off quickly. The last thing I wanted for my neighbors to see is me walking home wailing as if I'm a high schooler who got bullied at school.I blinked back my tears and gritted my teeth to force them back inside my lid.When I got back home, I immediately shut my door lock and dashed inside my room. I slumped down my bed as my tears started wetting my pillow. The only consolation I could think of in this situation is that at least, he's not dead. At least, it's not as painful as when I lost my mother and my dad.Maybe I'm just going to pretend that I'm a wife who's waiting for her husband to come back home from an overseas trip. I dramatically sniveled on my pillow. Yes, maybe tricking my head into thinking that way would help.I sluggishly got up from the bed and walked towards the mirror. The little amount of eyeliner I applied on my lashes earlier already smudged.I can't behave this way! Who th
He didn't mention a specific time. Wether he's leaving straight after we eat, or he's staying at least one more hour to kiss and hug with me, I don't know. I'm not sure. And I wanted ask but I didn't want to ruin my mood at the same time.It's awfully agitating as I sat there across the two who's obviously enjoying their food with voraciousness. My eyes kept glancing back and forth to the big round wall clock hanging behind them, as if I'm guarding the time or I could do something to pause it.Florian brought us to a fast-food restaurant, as what Alicia wishes. He filled almost all the space in our big six-seater table. He ordered two buckets of chicken and doubled every meal for each one of us. It's as if it's our last supper as I'm gawking at the amount of foods on our table.Alicia clapped jovially as she started chewing on the chicken that she's been craving for. I shook my head before glancing at Florian. He's eating but his eyes were di
I am engaged.I couldn't wrap my head around that fact just yet when a few months ago, I was just planning to raise a cat alone and be single forever.It's easier that way. And although, I am not someone who was raised inside a non affectionate household, I still believe marriage is not for me. I believe in love, yes, as I grew up witnessing my parents' unconditional love for each other. But I don't know... I just feel like I am not destined for that.But Florian came. And he managed to bend all of those silent thoughts I used to have without lifting a finger.I exhaled happily. The diamond ring wrapping around my finger never fails to precipitate serotonin cells from me whenever I would take a look at it. Or even when I would just accidentally had my gaze on it.We headed back to Whale Bay after spending two hours of our time at the cemetery. Florian was planning to pick up Alicia later for a fancy dinner. He's been