Chapter 21 – Random Behavior

"Alright, Sir. I’m entrusting Jeslyn to you," Kiara said as they exited the club, both of them drunk—including Jeslyn, whose face was flushed.

"Hey, are you trying to sell me off?" Jeslyn protested, clinging to Leonel.

"Yes, because I don’t want to deal with your drunk self. Anyway, I’m off. Bye... See you, babe." Kiara waved and walked toward her car parked neatly in front of the lobby.

"You should go home too now," Leonel said as he helped Jeslyn toward his car.

"No! I want to go for a walk..." Jeslyn refused, pushing against Leonel’s chest.

"It’s already late, and you’re drunk, Jessy," Leonel said gently.

"Oh… ow… no! I want to walk!" Jeslyn said, pushing him harder until she broke free from his grip.

And with that, she took off running, catching Leonel off guard.

"Jessy?" Leonel called out as he ran after her.

Jeslyn, stumbling along the sidewalk, laughed as she ran, her movements wobbly.

"I’m free... I love this!" she sang in a silly tone.

She came across a traffic sign pole and hugged it, spinning around it while dancing a little.

Leonel couldn’t help but smile at her antics. Jeslyn always did random things when she was drunk.

"I’m happy… la la la… I’m free…" she sang in a screechy voice.

Leonel finally caught up, standing a few steps behind Jeslyn, who was still hugging the pole like a spontaneous street performer. He was panting, torn between exhaustion and laughter.

"Jessy, you’ll end up on the news if you keep this up," he said, half amused.

Jeslyn turned with a dramatic expression. "The news? Perfect! Let the world know that I—hiccup—I love freedom!"

Leonel stepped closer, trying to take her hand. "Come on, let’s go home. Before you start hugging trees and dancing with them too."

But Jeslyn stepped back, nearly tripping over her own heel, then pointed at Leonel with a mock-serious expression, clearly failing due to the alcohol. "Listen, Leonel. I may be drunk... but I know one thing..."

Leonel raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

Jeslyn leaned in close, her face inches from his. "I love freedom..."

"Yeah...?"

"So don’t force me!" Jeslyn shouted, taking off running again, arms spread wide in delight.

"Wow... The wind feels so good!" she yelled.

Leonel sighed and followed her.

Jeslyn kept running and laughing like a child who just escaped from kindergarten. Every now and then, she’d shout nonsense, "Watch out! Drunk Superwoman on patrol!" while pretending to fly with one arm outstretched.

Leonel kept a safe distance, holding back laughter.

Suddenly, Jeslyn stopped in front of a closed kiosk and turned dramatically, eyes filled with determination.

"You know what, Leonel... I want to sing!"

"Please, don’t," Leonel muttered in dread and amusement.

But it was too late.

Jeslyn climbed onto a small park bench near the kiosk, lifted her heels like a microphone, and began to sing with all her heart,

“Let it gooo~ let it goooo~ I’m one with the wind and sky!”

A stray cat sleeping under the bench bolted, making Jeslyn almost lose her balance.

"Jeslyn!" Leonel rushed forward, but Jeslyn raised a hand to stop him.

"I’m performing. Please respect the artist!"

Leonel facepalmed. "Alright, Diva. But this concert ends now. It’s almost 2 a.m. and we could get arrested for disturbing the peace."

Jeslyn climbed down with exaggerated flair. "Fine. But I’ll only come with you if... you can guess how many colors are in the night sky!"

She pointed to the clearly dark sky.

Leonel glanced upward, then looked back at her with a defeated smile. "Three. Black, blacker, and darkest."

"Wrong answer," Jeslyn said smugly.

"Yeah, I know. But can we go home now?"

Leonel stepped closer and offered his hand. When Jeslyn took it, she clung to his arm and leaned against him like a ragdoll.

"No! Let me dance again," she giggled with enthusiasm.

"Jessy, it’s late. Aren’t you tired?" Leonel asked, looking into her eyes, which stared back with unexpected intensity.

"I am," she admitted.

"Okay then, let’s head back," Leonel said with relief.

"Put on your shoes first. Your feet will hurt without them," he added.

"Leonel..."

"Hmm?"

"Kiss me, please..."

Leonel froze at her sudden request.

"Come on… I’m ready…" Jeslyn said, moving her face closer with her eyes closed.

"You’re way more honest when you’re drunk," Leonel chuckled.

Jeslyn peeked with one eye, her tone serious. "You look really handsome tonight, you know that?"

Leonel gave a crooked smile and brushed a strand of hair from her face. "If I kiss you now, you might not remember it tomorrow."

Jeslyn pouted. "That’s your excuse? I’ll remember, I promise."

Leonel glanced at her slightly parted lips, leaned in… slowly… about to—

THUD!

Jeslyn lost her balance and nearly fell. Reflexively, Leonel caught her, and they both laughed.

"You’re like an ice cream scoop falling off the cone," Leonel quipped.

Jeslyn puckered her lips. "So you’re not going to kiss me?"

Leonel stared at her for a few silent seconds, then leaned in and pressed his lips gently to hers—long, warm, and soft.

"Was that enough?" he asked when their eyes met.

"No!" Jeslyn wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him again—rougher, demanding, full of hunger—until one of her heels slipped from her hand.

Leonel couldn’t let her take full control. He kissed her back, his tongue dancing with hers, drawing a soft moan from her lips.

When he finally pulled back, Jeslyn looked at him with dreamy eyes.

"That felt good," she whispered.

"You’re not going to slap me for that, are you?" Leonel teased.

"It felt good… I don’t want it to stop," Jeslyn murmured as she touched his jaw, tracing his lips with her fingers.

"Don’t ever kiss another woman," she added, taking Leonel by surprise.

He swallowed, feeling a strange shiver run through him. Jeslyn’s vulnerable but sincere eyes stole his words.

"You’re drunk, Jessy," he said softly, even though every part of him wanted to believe her.

Jeslyn gave a faint smile, her eyes half-lidded, fingers still playing on his skin. "Maybe… but that doesn’t mean I don’t know what I feel."

Leonel closed his eyes briefly, trying to calm the storm inside him. "You’ll regret it if I take this too seriously."

Jeslyn shook her head slowly. "If I regret it… I’ll deal with it. But tonight… don’t leave."

Leonel met her gaze again—deeper now, more intense. He caressed her cheek, resting his forehead on hers.

"If I kiss you again tonight… you better be ready. Because I’m not the kind of man who can pretend like nothing happened afterward."

Jeslyn didn’t reply. She simply closed her eyes, answering with silence—subtle, but meaningful.

This time, Leonel didn’t hold back. His lips brushed against hers softly, unhurried, as if trying to remember every feeling from that kiss.

When they finally parted, Jeslyn whispered, “That was amazing…”

Leonel chuckled. "You better remember this tomorrow morning. Because if you don’t… I’ll keep repeating it until you do."

***