Chapter 2

Crystal's POV

My eyes were fixed on my phone screen as I scrolled through Jordan's page. I had already watched a few of his recent interviews and it was just a reminder as to why I admire him so much.

He wasn't just good looking but also intelligent. Jordan was so good with words.

Every time people interviewed him, he somehow came up with new business ideas and honestly, I could learn a lot from him.

"Crystal!!!" Nina suddenly shouted and jumped. My phone slipped out of my hand. I tried to catch it but was not successful.

"What the hell girl? The house is almost on fire!" Nina grunted angrily and my eyes almost popped out of their sockets.

Nina rushed past me and turned off the gas cooker. The pancakes in the pan had already turned to brick.

"I'm so sorry, Nina. I was absent minded," I apologized as I followed her into the living room.

Nina crossed her legs. Her forehead creased into a frown. "Let me guess, you were watching that damn Jordan again," she sneered and I shook my head immediately.

She scoffed. "Go on. Keep lying. What inspirational book were you reading then or what job were you applying for?"

I swallowed the lump in my throat and shifted uncomfortably. "I already applied for ten jobs and they all said they would all get back to me. Although, I plan to go to the restaurant down the street later in the day."

"It's been three years since you first saw him. At first I understood that you admired him for his intelligence but now you're crushing too hard on him." She ruffled her hair and sighed.

"Listen to me Crystal, that man is somewhere and he doesn't know that a certain stranger has feelings for him. God damnit, that man is married!" She hissed.

I lowered my head and fiddled with my hands. Everything was about timing. When I first saw and fell for him, he was single. By the time he got married, it became too late to discard the feelings.

If only I was in the same league as him or even older, maybe I would have had a chance. Yet I couldn't say it out loud.

I had long accepted that nothing could work besides, Jordan was a good man. He was in a happy marriage and he would never leave his wife for a nobody like me.

"I get it, Nina. My feelings are invalid and I could never have him. It may come off as if I want to destroy his marriage by applying for a job but that's not my intention. I honestly wish to learn from him and also for the money." I responded with a low voice.

Nina stood up and held my hands. "I'm sorry Nina for sounding harsh. I just don't want you to get hurt. You're already dealing with a lot and I don't want any man to add to your pain."

I nodded with my head still lowered. I may not voice it out often but I'm ashamed. It shouldn't be so hard to get rid of those feelings but it was becoming impossible.

I checked it up online and people said that maybe he's my first love. It confused me because how was it possible? Jordan and I had never had direct contact. We've never even spoken to each other before. So how?

"What do I do, Nina?" I asked with a cracked voice. Should I just give up the hope and probability of working there?

My phone buzzed. I looked at the screen and it was an unknown caller. I wasn't sure but considering that it might be one of those places that I had applied to work, I answered the call and placed the phone against my ears.

"Hello," I said but regretted my initial decision almost immediately.

"You've been avoiding calls, Crystal" my father's harsh tone rang through my ears. I squeezed my eyes shut and gripped Nina's hand tighter.

"Hi, dad," I greeted.

"Dad? You still remember that you have a father. Well, I'm sure that friend of yours has been filling your head with rebellion but I advise that you don't even think about it." He declared.

"I'm in the middle of an interview, dad. Can I call you back later?" I demanded with a low voice.

"Interview?" He repeated like he was tasting the word in his mouth. "Fine, make sure you do well in the interview and get the job. There are so many bills to pay," he ordered.

I parted my lips to suck in more air as my lungs had contracted painfully. I nodded as if he could see me. "Yes, sir."

Without waiting to hear his response, I ended the call and my hand fell to my side.

Nina pulled me closer and I rested my head on her shoulder. Carefully, she patted my back.

I've been trying so hard to stay alive but it was becoming difficult, especially with the pressure from them.

Not once have they called to check up on me. To know how I was doing. The one thing that they failed to do, Nina has been doing for years but somehow she was still the bad friend. The rebellious child that I shouldn't be associated with.

If I didn't find a way to give them the money, they wouldn't get off my back easily. My chest tightened and my breathing became shallow.

My phone buzzed again but I didn't bother to check who it was. I pulled back and sat on the brown sofa. I hugged the pillow to my chest.

Nina picked up the phone and stretched it out to me. "You might want to find out who the person is," she urged but I was not interested.

All I wanted was a moment of peace and I would do anything to get it.

No pressure.

No heartache.

No accusation.

Slowly, I closed my eyes and let myself start spacing out. Unfortunately, I couldn't even do that as Nina screamed out my name suddenly. "Crystal!!!"

My heartbeat quickened as I glared at her. "What now?"

Her lips parted and she looked at me but I couldn't figure out what she saw on my ph

one. Mixed feelings flashed through her eyes.

My heart skipped.

What happened again?