Chapter 6

"Nina, you forgot to bring my basket!" Alicia gasped when she noticed I was only carrying one basket in hand, and that was mine. I smiled apologetically at her then flashed a peace sign. The kid continued whining. 

"Nina?! What about my mangoes?! And the basket? That was Mama's advance Christmas present for me! She'll be mad if she sees me empty-handed when I go back home."

We took the coastal road for the second time that day. Fortunately for Alicia, Jack insisted to give her a piggy back ride 'til we get home. The hot weather hasn't subside a bit. It's still boiling hot so I didn't bother to wear my sundress anymore. I just covered my lower part to protect myself from the malicious stares of the passersby.

But Jack was a different conversation. He seemed to be more bothered about me being half-topless 'cause I can feel the subtle glances he's been throwing at my direction since we got out of the beach. 

If he was a different man, I'd assume those glances were for my boobs. Well, not trying to brag, but I know I got the perfect size. Not too small, and not too big. But he's Jack! He's as wholesome as a G-Rated TV show. 

"Don't worry, I'll go back later to the cove after I take you guys home."

"Thanks, Jack! I hope Leandro didn't ate my mangoes. Hmp!"

Jack and I chuckled. 

Speaking of Leandro, we left him red-faced and irritated at the cove. Good thing he didn't bother to follow us to create a larger mess. He's probably aware that he can't be involved with fights these days because nobody would bail him out of the jail anymore.

"Do you..." Jack trailed off as he glances for the hundredth time at me. He sighed. "Do you want to borrow my shirt?"

My lips parted a bit, then it stretched out to a goofy grin. I looked away from him, trying to stifle the smile spreading on my face.

"I'm fine. D-don't worry about me." 

Besides, I don't want him to walk topless under the heat of the sun. He might get sunburns on his back. 

"Are you sure?" 

I nodded, unable to look at him. I heard him let out a soft sigh for the second time. When I lifted my eyes to look at him, his emerald eyes immediately connects to mine. He looked away.

"You're sweating," I noticed. The beads of sweat forming on his forehead were gliding down like waterfalls on his cheeks...along his perfectly sculpted jawline, down to his neck. 

He glanced at me silently, as if he's waiting for me to do something. I awkwardly cleared my throat before grabbing the towel from my basket.

I looked at him again. Alicia was busy watching the sea on his back, completely unaware of the small tension forming between me and Jack.

"Uhm..." I extended my arm to lend the towel to him but it seems like he's got the wrong idea. His head bent down a bit, leaning close to me, as if he's waiting for me to wipe off the sweats from his face.

My cheeks flushed as I hesitantly drag the towel to his forehead with my hand shaking nervously. He let me wipe his face as we traversed on the newly asphalt road of Willowvale, under the torrid sun.

"Thanks," he whispered huskily. 

There are few opened stalls in the supermarket when we passes by the place. Alicia was ogling and pointing at the street food carts paraded on the street, as if she didn't just finished the sandwiches I made not even an hour ago. 

"Does your stomach ever run out of space?" I kidded and her small lips pouted at me. Jack sauntered closely towards the stalls, indulging the little girl's craving stomach. I followed behind them, a little uncomfortable because of my get-up.

Girls parading in their swimsuits isn't a brand new thing in Willowvale. Of course, it was expected because the small town is surrounded by beautiful beaches. Tourists can be found strutting back and forth everywhere in their bikinis, sporting their beautiful skin and bodies, and showing off their lovely swimsuits. And I'm not saying that I haven't done that. It's just that...I haven't experienced to walked around the main highway with just a piece of cloth covering me. 

I grimaced uncomfortably. I should've wore my sundress instead. Especially now that we're heading towards a more crowded place.

We stopped in front of a shawarma stall, I was hiding behind the two.

"Can I have three shawarma wrap? Chicken flavor, please." Jack ordered for us while fishing out his wallet to pay for the snack. Alicia was cheering happily on his back while I was trying to hug my body to desperately cover up a few inches of my exposed skin.

Jack looked back at me. His brow immediately furrowed, clearly noticing the uneasy expression on my face. His head cocked back at Alicia before whispering something on the kid. Alicia then nodded before climbing down from his back. 

"Hi!" Alicia hopped towards me, clinging on my waist while giggling mischievously. My lips curved as I raised my eyebrow at her.

When I looked back at the man in front of me, my mouth almost gaped when I saw him removing his shirt. His muscled abdomen contracted sensually and I had to looked away because it felt wrong to stare at such view. A few gasps and squeals echoed in the market. 

"Here...wear this," he handed the shirt to me. Although it was a bit damp from his own sweat, I didn't decline his offer anymore. I accepted the piece of cloth and mumbled my thank you to him. 

We shared the shawarma he bought for us as we continue heading back to Whale Bay. Alicia decided to just walk on her own while Jack insisted to carry the basket for me.

Thick clouds covered the sky, hiding the golden and merciless sun. 

"Jack, have you remembered anything yet?" Alicia inquired curiously.

I glanced at Jack, waiting for his answer. His jaw clenched before a sigh escaped his lips. His head shook dejectedly. 

"What if you won't remember forever?" 

"Alicia, don't say things like that," I reprimanded the kid. "Jack will heal. You should always pray to God so that he'll recover his memories fast."

I saw the side of his lips rose.

"Just me?" Alicia said, frowning.

"We all should!"

"Right!"

The three of us chuckled.

"But what would happen if he finally remembers? Are you gonna leave us, Jack?" 

My laugh slowly died down. Honestly, I never thought about these things yet. What if he actually never recover his memories anymore? Will he be with us forever? And if it comes back one day? Would he leave?

I sighed inwardly. Silly, of course he will. He has his own life before he got in here. He probably has a family worrying about his disappearance. Are they looking for him? Or do they think he's already dead? 

"I might..." He trailed off as he caresses Alicia on the head. "There's a possibility I might leave one day, but know that I would always still be with all of you." 

My brow arched. 

"Huh?" Alicia stared up at him, baffled. Jack chuckled softly.

"We're here," he announced when we finally reached the inn. "I'll leave you two here, I'll go ahead to get back your things Alicia."

"It's okay, Jack. You don't have to go back, it's too far," the kid pouted. "I'll just tell Mama that Leandro stole the basket because he want my mangoes."

Jack crouched a bit to level his eyes with Alicia.

"Are you sure?" He smirked teasingly. The little girl huffed dramatically while crossing her little arms. I couldn't help but laugh as I watched them.

"Well if you really insist...go ahead and take back my basket." 

Jack and I burst out laughing. 

"I'll be quick. We'll be watching the firework show tonight, right?"

Alicia's eyes widened, so as mine. Right! How could I not remember? There's a firework show on the beach side during the end of the month. How did he know about that? 

I shrugged. Maybe he found out from his workmates.

"Yes, yes! Let's watch that later!" Alicia jumped happily. She tugged my arm and looked at me expectantly. "Please, join us, Nina. You rarely watch the firework show!"

I sighed. As if I can say no to her? 

Everyone is always looking forward to watch the fireworks every month, even my mom! However, I am never excited about this stuff. It was fun at first but I eventually got bored with it. 

"Fine, fine." I glanced at Jack, there's a ghost of a smile plastered on his face.

For the first time in so many years, I'm actually looking forward to see the firework show tonight.