Chapter 4

Jessica woke up early. Strange. She even woke up earlier than usual, which meant, earlier than her alarm clock. But the reason to why she woke up early, was because of the dream she had. It was her father. She remembered the incident that happened a few years back, where her father died in a car crash. It was the reason why her mother hated her in the first place. It happened a few years back but the memories were still fresh to her.

"I miss you Dad." She muttered to herself but mentally snapped herself from the sad thoughts. "It’s too early to be sad. Cheer up, Jess." And with that, she stood up and made her way to her bathroom for a nice hot shower.

-

Philip on the other hand, woke up with a terrible headache. And he blamed the alcohol for that. He stood up and went inside the bathroom, hoping a quick cold shower would take his headache away.

Half an hour later, Philip went outside the bathroom and dressed himself. Then, he remembered what he did last night and cursed to himself. He regretted what he did. It wasn’t part of his plan.

He took a deep breath and cleared his mind before walking out the room, but not before finishing to pack his things for today's flight. He and Jessica are going to Hawaii to attend Xiomara's party.

Xiomara was a good friend of his, they were roommates during college and really ended up being good friends. Xiomara was part of his friend group, along with Elijah, Colin, Chloe and Monica. And his treatment of Xiomara was like a little sister since he doesn't have any sisters. Well, he only has brothers but they were very distant from him, literally and figuratively. You know how it is with rich families, they’re also rich in issues.

He had no other friends since he’s the kind of person who doesn't trust anyone. It’s really hard to get the Philip Edwards to trust you. Part of it was that ‘the’ that people always put before his name, only attracting people with bad intentions that try to get close to him because he’s rich, handsome, and powerful.

Xiomara invited him through phone calls, pleading and blackmailing the lad to come and attend her birthday. She told him to bring his wife along since she wanted to meet her in person. She didn't have the chance to attend their wedding day since Xiomara had a very busy schedule. What do you expect a model to be?

He made his way downstairs, carrying his luggage for the trip. As he reached the living room, he saw his wife seating on the couch with her things beside her.

"Let's go." He said and walked out of the house and inside his car. The lad sat on the back seat. "Sit here, beside me." He told her since he saw Jessica was about to seat on the front seat and away from him. Jessica obliged, afraid to be yelled at by the lad beside her.

They're both seated at both ends of the car. None of them bothered to open their mouths. Throughout the whole ride, none of them spoke. Philip just sat there; eyes closed as Jessica stared at him. She wondered why the lad wanted to marry her in the first place. He was a very attractive man. He’s also really wealthy and sexy so Jess wondered why would he pick somebody who is simple and ugly like her. He seemed to be perfect. Much like the prince charming in the movies. He’s too good to be true. Jess’s mind was full of questions. The question that she really wants the answer to is, where were they going?

"What?" The lad spat. Jessica immediately darted her eyes away from the lad. She didn't notice that his eyes were open now and was now looking at her. "If you're about to say something, say it now." He said and closed his eyes again.

"Why are you so mean?" She whispered, and asked him a bit louder, "Where are we going?"

"Hawaii."

"Hawaii? Why? For what?" She asked confused. Why are they going there?

"For Xiomara's birthday." He said flatly. He seemed to lack interest talking to the brunette.

"Sho- what? Who’s that?" She asked and Philip sighed before glaring at her. ‘What's his problem now?’ Jess thought to herself.

"It’s Xiomara. You'll meet her soon, now stop talking." Jessica didn't answer and averted her eyes on the road.

She wished that this'll be over soon.

-

JESSICA

"Finally! The great Philip Edwards have arrived." A girl approached us, well Philip alone but since I was with him, I meant us. The girl had an afro kind of hair and was very slim. She's really gorgeous.

"Why the fuck are you here?" He spat at the girl. Why is he always like this to people?

"Chillax Mister sassy mouth, since we're all going to the party, we decided to take the same flight as you." She explained and I saw Philip's eyes furrow.

"We?" He asked.

"Yeah. Me, Chloe, Eli and Colin." She said and glanced at me then back to Philip. She smiled before walking towards me. "You didn't tell me you'll bring somebody with you."

She gave me a smile then held out her hand. "Hey sweetie, I'm Monica, Mon for short, what's your name?" I took her hand and smiled as well.

"I'm Jessica."

"Jessica? You mean, Jessica Hayes-Edwards?" The tan-skinned girl asked me, obviously surprised. "It’s so nice to finally meet you, Jessica."

I was about to respond when a girl and two boys approached us as well.

"And I'm Chloe." The girl with long red hair said and handed her hand as well. She's a lot taller than Monica and she's pretty as well. I shook her hand.

"I'm Elijah, Eli for short." The lad with curly hair said and handed his hand out as well.

"And I'm Colin." Another lad said, blonde hair this time, and took his hand out too. This boy had an Irish accent, I think?

"We're all Philip's friends." they said in unison. Really? I didn't know that that asshole had friends.

"I'm Jessica..."

"We know who you are, Miss Jessica Amelia Hayes-Edwards," Chloe said. Oh, she knows me? How? I was about to ask but Philip interrupted us.

"Are you done now?" He sternly said. All of them looked at each other. I wonder why? After that, we made our way inside the plane.

As we were now all seated, I heard the pilot’s voice over the speaker. "Everyone please fasten your seatbelts, we're about to take off."

I looked at my seatbelt and wonder how to put it. This was actually my first time riding a plane. I didn't know that they still have seatbelts here.

"How do y---"

I'm just surprised when somebody took it from me and easily put it on the lock. It was Philip.

"Thank you." I muttered, unsure if he heard it or not, since I could not look him in the eye.

-

Philip looked at the brunette beside him. She was sound asleep but in an uncomfortable position. He slowly moved her head and let Jessica lean on his shoulder, to make sure she's more comfortable. But Jessica unknowingly moved aside and hugged Philip instead.

He tried to remove her hand from his stomach but that made Jessica hug him tighter. Philip sighed. Jessica's head was now resting on his chest. Now Philip could say that the girl was comfortably sleeping. He unconsciously wrapped an arm around her shoulder. And just like the brunette, Philip drifted to sleep.

Somehow, he felt content, like it was the best sleep he ever had.