LOVER MONSTER!
118. Before the Sun is Sunset.

Saying she was stunned wasn't enough to describe Jessica's feelings right now. More than awe, he felt the beauty of the blue sea in front of him as if it had completely consumed all his attention. Paused the pounding of his heart, time.

The world is like moving slowly in Jessica's eye lens, clearer and more perfect. All that beauty has struck him. Jessica never thought going to the beach would give her two years of relief and happiness.

Jessica did not expect that coming to the beach that had only been able to see from the balcony of her room, would end up providing warmth all over her body.

Perfect.

"Is this your first time to the beach?" Demian asked as she wrapped her jacket over Jessica's shoulder.

"You don't have to give me your jacket, I'm warm enough..." Jessica panned Demian's body and realized that right now, the man was wearing a white shirt loosely framing his body. Thin shirt anyway. He could freeze to death if he went to the beach in those thin clothes.

"Replace your jacket" Jessica said. As she was about to remove Demian's jacket from her shoulder, Demian held her wrist and decided to embrace Jessica from behind, her chin anchored on Jessica's shoulder. "I'll be warm like this" he said.

"You're just torturing yourself."

Demian chuckles. "It doesn't hurt if I'm happy, does it?"

"Whatever." Jessica rolled her eyes, lazily arguing over Demian who was too spoiled. Jessica-rather than debating Demian-chose throws her gaze back at the tyrannical sea that unfolds like a sapphire jewel before her.

"It's not my first time to go to the beach" Jessica said later. "But it's my first time to go to the beach and enjoy the view."

"The last time you went to the beach, what did you do?"

"I.., um, I sell lemonade."

"Huh?"

"I worked a lot when I was 22. Despite acquiring Elixir's legacy from Charlotte, I didn't want to take care of the cafe straight away. It took me a few years.., I let Elixir and went through various kinds of work.., it was a bleak time." Those were the times when Jessica had a huge dependence on alcohol.

"Are you selling bikinis?"

"What kind of question is that?"

"Just curious..." Demian chuckles.

"You have a dirty imagination, Demian." Jessica elbowed Demian, a powerful enough elbow to make Demian retreat and let go of the crib from her back.

Throwing a cynical look at Demian, Jessica passed by from before the man. He began to step into the wet sand. His feet were immersed in that sand which was strangely, quite warm. Jessica thought she would get a cold streak of water sweeping her feet, but the warm sand made her not so cold.

"I remind you that you still have a fever, my princess..." Demian approached and re-embraced Jessica's shoulders. Make himself a support in case Jessica loses balance.

Demian's trousers rolled up to his knees as he joined and retraced on the wet sand. He stepped next to Jessica and looked at how his lover's expression was blushing cheerfully.

"Tomorrow..., if you're better, would you like to rent a ferry to Capri?"

If Jessica could be as happy as she was now, Demian would not mind taking Jessica along the Tyrrrhenian sea that lay before them now. Demian was willing to do anything as long as her Jessica could smile happily.

"I think it's an interesting offer" Jessica answered not as she agreed, but neither did she refuse. "I'll think about it again."

"Hmm, okay." Demian smelled a smile. "For now, I will accompany you to have fun here."

"Huuft, I want to swim." Jessica stepped one step closer to the beach. His feet were deeper. "Demian, can you swim?"

"Imust not." Demian's answer was like a mockery. "I grew up here. In the city that as long as your eyes look, there is only sea water."

"Oh..," Jessica's smile was cloudy. "yes too. I forgot that you're a native of this town." Jessica then continued with a calm expression. "It must be very difficult to leave where you were born. Especially if you grew up in this town."

Since Demian grew up here, Jessica thought, leaving the city and living on another continent with a much different lifestyle must be difficult for Demian.

Come to think of it more deeply too, it was only fitting that Demian chose his family.

Does it make sense to leave a family you've grown up with for decades, just for the sake of a woman he's only met for a few months?

"I must have been so narcissistic that I thought you would vote for me." Jessica said weakly. Underestimating himself low.

"Jessica, though,"

"It's okay, Demian." Jessica prevented Demian from correcting her, or whatever she was trying to say. Jessica doesn't want to fight now. "You don't have to say anything."

"..."

"This place is beautiful. So beautiful. I'm so grateful that you brought me here. To Sorrento, look around at a place I never thought I would visit

This city is so charming, I'm honest. If someday I have enough money, maybe."

"You don't have to think about that kind of thing, do you? You can stay here with me, Jesse."

"Still stubborn," complained Jessica. However, unlike her showing anger, she was simply expressing fatigue. "I'm a little cold, let's go back upstairs."

Following Jessica's request, Demian embraces Jessica towards the long chair facing the beach. She helps Jessica sit there as if she is a decrepit woman who has lost her strength and energy. Being treated like an easily broken item made Jessica irritated. "I can sit by myself" Jessica said.

"I'm just feverish, not gonna die."

"I know," Demian pinched Jessica's cheek. "But pain still hurts. I don't want you to underestimate your illness. It's a fever or flu!"

"Bawels."

"Who told you who's the bring-up?" Demian clutches Jessica again, stealing the girl's warmth for herself. "I can't live without you, Jesse. So don't ever get sick or think about leaving me alone."

"Did you steal those words from the novel?"

Demian nodded. "I learned a thing or two from your Alecto."

"So you did read it?"

"Lumayan. By reading the novel, I came to understand what your man's taste was like."

"Oh, oh.., what's it like?"

"Handsome."

"Well, that's for sure, right? Then?"

"High and muscular.., fortunately I, I have a tall and muscular body as well."

"Why are you getting yourself involved?"

Demian chuckles. "So, I don't want to lose to that fictional bastard."

"Haaa, jealousy."

"Yups, you like jealous men too, right? A little possessive and coercive too? Luckily again, I'm very possessive of the woman I love."

Jessica mustache endured a smile. Demian's words are adorable. Demian is thoroughly adorable. Jessica desperately wanted to pinch the man's cheek and shower him with a kiss.

"Now, what else?"

"You like a great guy in bed?"

"That doesn't exist!" One flick then landed on Demian's forehead. Just now that he thought the man was adorable, lightning-fast, Demian instead annoyed him with his dirty jokes.

"i'm serious. From what I've read, Alecto is notorious for being savage in bed. Although, when the author described it, he wasn't as aggressive as I expected."

"I wonder if the rumors about him match reality." Demian took his argument seriously. "I think I'm better than him in bed."

"Why are you talking about this?" Jessica's cold body becomes hot when she - without being able to control her mind - remembers Demian's skill when they are in contact. No, is it right to say that as a skill? Demian is just a guy with too much energy, he's a sadist!

"Looking at your expression, you're reviewing me in your mind, hmm?" Demian's voice implied temptation. "So, what's my rating?"

"Why are you being such a bitch?"

Demian clenched her arms around Jessica's waist. He was like a spoiled koala baby. "I'm not gonna let you change the subject! Now! Say it!"

"What do you want?"

"My rating..."

"Tsk!" Is it natural to give a man a rating regarding his ability and endurance in sex? Jessica felt that it was a bit unethical.

"Demy..."

"Jess..."

"Ugh, okay!" Jessica moved her face away from Demian's cheeks that were sticking out of her jaw. The man was good at softening his defenses. Clever in playing him.

"Seven..," Jessica replied at last. Like whispers. His face grew redder after giving Demian the rating that the man wanted. Although actually in Jessica's eyes the man was 11/10. Jessica accidentally gave the man a 7 so he was upset.

"Seven?" demian's voice was cheerful. "So I'm that good in your eyes, huh?"

"Eh?"

"I just asked you to give me a 1/5 rating. I didn't expect you to give me a rating of 7. It exceeded my expectations."

"Ah, uh.., wait. I'm talking about scale one through-"

"I love you, Jessica." Demian cut Jessica's speech with her spoiled mutter. He showered Jessica's cheeks with a warm kiss. Until the end, Jessica was unable to do anything but let the man indulge her and hold her.

"I hope you'll stay by my side forever."

"I hope," murmured Jessica. As she rests her body on Demian's chest, a pair of emerald Jessica notices a yacht on the dock. While paying attention to the yacht as well, Jessica again remembered her main destination to this beach with Demian.

Jessica - despite loving the man who holds her tightly at this time - still chooses to leave Demian. For Jessica, she was just like Demian. He and Demian both could not make the choice that would end up making both of them happy.

Like Demian who did not want to leave her family, Jessica was also unwilling to abandon her morality. He didn't want to be part of a family that ran a black business.

Jessica knows such illegal businesses have created problems elsewhere, hurt others and have taken a heavy toll. Therefore, Jessica - even if she does not contribute well in the world - does not want to be part of making this earth worse with them.

"I'm kind of hungry" Jessica murmured at last. "Did Lisa prepare the provisions I asked for earlier?"

"He's already prepared it." Demian said as he hinted at something to the two bodyguards standing far behind them. There were only two bodyguards following them to the beach, and to be honest, it made Jessica feel relieved.

Jessica hopes her plan goes perfectly.

"Did you mind eating it? I think it's a little cold." Demian said as he put the lunch box he brought from Rhoden manor. "If you want, we can just stop by the restaurant after this."

"I'm not fussy about food, cold or hot. As long as it's not stale. Anyway, poor chef in Rhoden has prepared this meal for me. I don't want to waste food."

"Wisely..."

"I'm kind of sad when you think of reasonableness as wise. You can't get used to throwing food away, Demian."

"Alright, Miss. Jessica. I will obey your word. Anything else?"

"Never eat late."

"mm?"

"Don't forget to rest too. You're like a panda with those eye bags and that black circumference. Just because you have a job now, doesn't mean you can drain your energy completely."

"Well, I'll sleep on time tonight."

"Ah, one more..." Jessica lifted her face. He who just finished opening his lunch box took out one sushi roll from there. "Here.., open your mouth."

"I thought you were hungry."

"Don't baffle. I wonder if the food is poisonous or not."

"What the fuck is with that assumption? No one in Rhoden manor would dare to poison you or hurt you."

"You said that, but..., did you know I've only been eating fruit for the past week?"

"..."

Jessica brought back her old memories, and it took Demian by surprise.

If it wasn't for Gianna, Jessica would probably have starved to death there. Gianna makes Jessica again believe in food in Rhoden manor.

"Demian, like I said, I can't trust anyone in your family. Not after what happened. I can't compromise on them either."

"Jessica, though,"

"Anyway, get back to the sushi.., open your mouth!"

According to Jessica's words, Demian also let a roll of sushi land in his mouth. He chewed on the sushi slowly while watching Jessica with a hint of concern. She didn't know Jessica hated her family.

Demian thought Jessica had been able to rest comfortably there. Jessica is leaner than usual. It was painful for Demian when she found that Jessica who loved food so much was afraid of what she loved the most. Demian felt very guilty for making Jessica experience that bad.

"Demians..."

"Hmm?"

"Are you okay? The food's not poisonous, is it?"

"No, Jesse." Demian smiled faintly. "If the food is poisonous, I'll..."

"You're going to be sleepy now" Jessica replied with a hint of pity. He rubbed Demian's cheeks full of tenderness. "I'm sorry I left like this. I hope you're happy with the choice you made."

"Jesse?" Demian's gaze became foggy. He did not understand why his eyelids were so heavy. He should be fine. No, wait..., that food...., is it really poisonous?

"I don't want to be an option in your life, Demian." Jessica grabbed the jacket Demian had put on her shoulder, and put it over Demian's chest. "If you love me, you will follow me. Just like that. But.., if you can't, it doesn't matter."

"Jesse..., what are you doing?"

"I'm going home."

"Huh..."

"Good sleep, Demian." Jessica put a light kiss on Demian's eyelids which slowly closed.

"At the end of it..," Jessica let out a tired sigh. "I hope you don't hate me."

...*...