Past seven pm, I arrived at the address Jaxon had texted me. I couldn’t understand why he didn’t pick me up, it felt foolish. I was expecting a restaurant, but that’s not what I found; it was a garden. I’ve always wanted to experience a garden since I’ve always been close to flowers; it’s relaxing. A man in uniform approached me, like a waiter. “Good evening. Madame.” He greeted me as I approached. “Hi, uhm, I’m here for, uh Jax-Zander? Vanth?” I hesitated to ask, he hadn’t been replying to me, so I couldn’t confirm if I was at the right place. “Yes, we are waiting for you; this place was exclusively reserved for your date tonight.” My eyes widened at what he said. He gestured for me to enter, so I walked ahead with him by my side. “You mean, this place was rented for tonight?” I heard him, I was just surprised by what he said. By the looks of it, it must have been expensive to reserve this place; no doubt he was wealthy. There’s still so much I don’t know about him. “Yes, madame
“Shut up! Damn it! Are you really going to be my husband? Shut up, I’ll slap your face, stop it.” The girl with him continued to laugh, and I didn’t know what was happening. So, this girl is his cousin? Now that I’ve had a close look at her, she’s somehow familiar to me. I don’t know if she looks like someone else or if I’ve actually seen her before. “Damn it, Di! It’s me, Mar? Maricar? Seriously! The one who fought with you because I thought you had a crush on Marky! The basketball player from our campus!” That rang a bell, and I suddenly remembered and laughed. “So, you’re the one chatting with this crazy guy?” She’s the Maricar who was talking to this jerk, “I thought he had a girlfriend already, I was about to strangle him.” I joked, but I still looked at this guy in a bad way, he might be mine later. “Oh, so, are you and Baliesteros together?” I was referring to Mark, who was also a star player in basketball, just like Jaxon. Mark confessed to me years ago. We became close at
“I love you,” I exclaimed, startled as I glanced to my side, only to find Jaxon lowering his shades. He was dressed in fitted denim jeans, a white t-shirt, and a denim jacket, paired with high-cut boots. He looked ravishing, but instead of saying those words, I smacked him. “Ouch! Why’d you hit me like that?” he teased, pretending it hurt, though it didn’t. He’s just being dramatic. “You’re ten minutes late, and now you’re acting like nothing happened?” I retorted, smacking him again, and guess what? He was just laughing. What the heck? “Oh no, I’m still young! I’m still a virgin!” he exclaimed, hugging himself, which annoyed me even more. I was already in a bad mood because I was hungry, and now this guy is adding to it? “You’re crazy!” I replied, but I couldn’t help but laugh along with him. “Why were you late anyway?” I started walking, and he grabbed my hand, walking alongside me. Everyone was looking at us, I couldn’t tell if it was because he was with me or because he’s hands
I don’t know if I should explain to mom now or later, I’m panicking because they suddenly appeared in front of my apartment. “Surprise, Ely!!” I immediately looked down at Sam, he’s ten years old now, and currently in grade three. I approached him quickly and pinched his chubby cheeks, “Ouch! Ely!” he exclaimed but I continued. “Oh, aren’t you going to let us in? We’ll just stand here?” mom said, I quickly reached out and took her hand, “God bless.” “Mom, well, I need to explain first.” She might really slap me when she finds out I have a guy inside and I’m dressed like this, I’m sure of that, I know my mom, unless you’ve been nice to her and made a good impression, but they haven’t met yet. “El, later, let us in first, it’s hot outside, hurry up, our bags are heavy.” I just sighed and sidestepped, widening the door a bit more, I closed it and followed them into the living room. “Love, who’s that?” Shit! Both mom and Sam stopped walking, I was ready to slap mom. “Wow! You two know
Our day passed quickly today, and it’s already night when Mama and the others left. I suggested they stay here for the night since their place is far, but they needed to go home. Jaxon also offered to drive them, Mama agreed but only until the bus station, then they’ll head straight to our corner. We stopped by the drive-thru, I suddenly craved for burger and fries, there wasn’t much of a line so we didn’t stay long. I was starting to feel cold because I was only wearing shorts and a shirt, I just put on a cap, while Jaxon was in six-pocket pants and a white shirt, he also had a black cap, I envy him. “You know Mama, love?” I asked while eating fries, I was just looking at the road, it was already a bit dark since it was already eight in the evening. He didn’t answer so I looked at him, he was holding his chest, my eyes widened because of that. “Hey, are you okay? Does your chest hurt?” I asked worriedly, he still didn’t answer so I started crying. “Love, why?” He parked on the sid
“You what?” I think I misheard what he said. He stood up and pressed something on the remote, and the color of the glass window changed again. “Sorry, but I can’t risk the information I’m about to disclose,” I just nodded as he did that, once he made sure everything was okay, he sat beside me. “I’m scared to tell you this, once I disclose this to you, your life will also be in danger, and I don’t want anything dangerous to happen to you.” “I’ll be even more helpless if you don’t tell me, it’s difficult to navigate in the dark, Jaxon. Every day, my mind is filled with more questions, so please tell me, even just what I need to know.” He nodded in response, I heard his deep sigh. “It all started when I was twelve years old, when my Mom died from a shootout while my dad was on duty, he became so busy, he hardly had time for me, he was always quiet, as if he was thinking something deeper than usual. When I turned fourteen, that’s when I discovered the truth about my mom’s death.” He st
I thought it was just a crush, I mean, it’s not impossible to like someone, but it turns out that I found my first love. I followed her like a fool around, while doing my mission, I’m saving her without her knowing. I must be dumb to feel happiness just by seeing her smile, seeing her safe. Five years have passed, and I’m still dumb. I parked my car far from the building I’m going into. I put on my receiver and opened my tracker. It’s been ten past midnight, I’m not going to let this person touch my woman, not in my wildest dream. I made my way to the exit of the building. I made sure there wasn’t anybody when I got in. I went straight to the staff room and stole a pair of uniforms, and wore my black mask. I turned left and bowed a little when I saw a CCTV camera on the right side. “There’s one camera facing exit number three.” “Hold on,” Niana answered. I continued walking, I even bumped into a couple of crew, they just gave me a nod, seems like tonight is a busy hour for them as
“Jaxon, I need to go, I have to go to work!” We’ve been joking around here for a while now, I’m already ready and dressed, I need to go to work because I’ve been absent for two days. “Jaxon please, I’ll be late.” “Love, I can’t let you go until I find out who was following us yesterday.” I want to give in to him, but I really need to go to work, I feel sorry for my co-department who are left with the tasks that I should be doing. “Please?” I looked at him, he’s smiling, his eyes were hopeful. I smiled and kissed him. “Still a no.” I saw his face turn sad, but I just laughed and kissed him again, “Just accompany me, you have to look after me, since it’s your fault,” he stood up, so I hugged him, “You have to look after me, I know I have you.” Looks like he was not expecting that. But he managed to give me a warm smile, “Of course, I think I was born to protect you, for my whole life.” What the heck? “Cheesy!” he laughed and hugged me tighter, “Go, I’m giving you, uh,” I looked at m