LOVER MONSTER!
16. Help out?
For some reason, meeting Jake Allendale is better than meeting the normal Jake Allendale.
Although his face was quite dull and looked like a human who had not slept a year, Jake Allendale still showed his 'I am handsome' aura just by standing by the side of the highway.
Jessica approached Jake on suspicion that the man would only say a short sentence or two. However, when Jake offers her a walk down the crowded Almond Street sidewalk, Jessica is very unprepared.
"Did I take your time?" Jake's question is the invisible hammer that hit Jessica's chest. As before, Jessica gave up.
How could he have turned down Jake's offer when the man looked glum? Jessica did not want to disappoint the man who had lost interest in her life.
At least, in Jessica's eyes, Jake looks like a man ready to jump in front of a train. He was agitated, languishing and lifeless.
"You didn't take my time at all" Jessica said, half right. "If you're not comfortable stopping by my cafe, how about we have coffee at the cafe down the street?"
"Are you okay?"
Jessica pulled a shoulder. "As long as you buy, I guess? My bag's inside."
"Ah.., you don't have to think about that." Jake smiled thinly. He really resembled Ethan in terms of kindness, they exuded a white aura full of kindness. Poor guy.
Why did Angela dump him? What is less? Jessica became curious about things that were none of her business at all.
Anyway...
After walking in silence along the Almond Street sidewalk, Jessica and Jake arrive at a cafe with the Mad Cafe label on top of its door.
The cafe-as opposed to Elixir-themed urban and all-around aesthetic-, Mad Cafe looks just the way it is, simple and classic. Plain walls are white without any ornaments, wooden benches here and there, neatly arranged and neat. Most of the visitors are elderly.
"Are you okay?" After choosing a seat far enough away from the parents who were playing cards near the door, Jessica also invited Jake to talk.
It was strange when the person who asked him to speak did not speak at all.
"I'm sorry.., umm..."
"Jessica," said Jessica, introducing herself. "Jessica Cerise's. My friends used to call me Jesse."
"Can I call you Jesse?"
Jessica pulled a shoulder. "I don't mind having a new friend."
Ah.., Jessica's feelings are all or nothing, Jake talks to her with great caution. It was as if they were walking on broken glass.
"Once again, I'm sorry to bother you so early."
"You didn't bother me at all.." Jessica could have greeted Jake by his name directly, but, Jessica doesn't want to be impressed.
"After all, the one who decided to come here was me. You just gave me an offer." Jessica continued.
"..."
"..."
Silence back.
Two cups of black coffee that Jessica ordered later came along. A teenage waiter handed each of their orders.
Can't do. Jessica could not hold herself back anymore. He cannot survive only in the awkwardness created by the silence that lies between them.
All right, if Jake doesn't want to talk then...
"Ahm, that.., are you sure you're okay?" Jessica started the conversation. The sooner the better. "I mean, uhm, you didn't look good enough that night. Even now, you look pretty pale."
"I'm good, maybe? I don't know. It was like time stopped.., it felt so hard..."
Wait, what does that mean?
Jessica biting worried lips.
"What's..., hard?"
"Speak."
"Huh?"
Jake rubbed his face. "You might think this is ridiculous, but. for me now, I feel like when I talk, I'm afraid I'm going to ruin everything."
"Uh...," Where did this cloud come from? Why would Jessica's sunny morning that started with strawberry jam and white milk now be as dark as a cup of coffee in front of her right now?
"If talking feels a bit difficult now, it might be better not to talk about anything?"
"I'm sorry I confused you." Jake forced a smile. "I-umm, I came to see you to thank you for your help that night."
"Oh.., uh, that's not a problem." Jessica even felt Jake didn't need to come see her. "You shouldn't trouble yourself to see me, especially when you're still unwell."
"..."
"..."
"Jessica...?"
Jessica put her coffee cup to the table and looked up at Jake, "Yes?"
"If I..., umm, ask for your help, would you help me?"
"Eh, what is it?"
'Is he going to ask for my help to reunite him with Angela? Uwaaah, impossible, impossible. I'm not cupid!'
"I'm..." Jake stammered in his words. He stared at Jessica's pair of irises and felt a distinct nervousness there. "I'm..."
*
Jake-after expressing his wish, now comes up with a little relief. It's so different than before.
"I don't know if I'll be very helpful later, but I hope. You can call me if you change your mind, I won't mind."
"I.., I understand what you mean, but. I'm sorry to bother you again. We have met twice."
"There are no terms and conditions necessary to call for help. As long as I can help.., ummm. So, uh..."
"Help what?"
The heck?
Jessica looked.
The one who spoke just now was Demian. Wait, why is Demian at Elixir? Is it because of Angela?
"I can't find you anywhere. You're with this bastard." Demian looked at Jake one eye, apparent displeasure on his expression.
"What do you mean everywhere?" Jessica tiptoed into Demian's ears. "You didn't get into my room, did you?"
"I just got in there." Demian chimed in casually.
"Are you crazy?"
"That question is more appropriate for you, what did you do with that bastard?"
"Can you stop labeling someone as you please?"
'Even if you want to label Jake as an asshole, at least keep that label in your heart. Why say it out loud? You heartless man!'
"Can you stop whispering in my ear? Your chest holds an arm-"
Plaque!!!
A slap came close to Demian's neck. Jessica did. He did it unconsciously.
Demian speechless.
"I-I'm sorry," Jessica gulped. Shit, now it's his turn to be slapped.
"You're brave enough, Jessica Cerise."
"Your own fault." Jessica took a step back.
Demian's not gonna hit him, is he? I mean Jessica, they're in a crowded place right now. Attacking a helpless woman seemed to put Demian in jail. Ahaha. Right, Demian will definitely think long. Yeah.., right?
"Don't do something that will make you tremble in fear afterwards" Demian let out a small snort. The corner of his lips was drawn slanting forming a demonic grin.
"You-you..."
"Jake?" The main star Angela-si finally joins there.
Goddamnit!
How Jessica hoped the earth would split in two and swallow it.
'Lord, is this my punishment for using the romance of the three of them as entertainment in my spare time? Is that why I should be involved in their love story? Is this a special fanservice for me who has been observing the story of the three from afar? That's why you sent me to the vanguard of this drama-filled love battle?'
"I have to go to church this week." Jessica unintentionally voiced her head.
"I didn't know you were alim." Demian whispered back in Jessica's ear and it made Jessica shudder in horror. Since when was that man behind her?
"Jake, what are you doing here?" angela's voice sounded offensive. He might be angry.
"I..," Jake's words paused when he met Angela's eyes. Jessica noticed that and exhaled a lethargic breath.
"He came to see me" Jessica said, interrupting.
"Yes?" Angela turned her head towards Jessica, a hint of displeasure radiating in her eyes. She must not be happy for a stranger to cut her words. Even if Jessica is her boss, Jessica is in Angela's personal life, just a stranger.
"Mrs. Allendale came to see me because we had a private affair. Isn't that right, Mr?"
Jake nodded silently. His tongue turns twisted when he comes back face to face with Angela. The love that has destroyed it is incredible.
"I didn't know Miss. Cerise has a connection to Jake." Angela certainly did not believe it.
"Hmm, that makes sense." Jessica's smile expands. "We've only met twice.., the second time today, I mean."
Jessica excludes the days when she observes Jake, as it would reveal his shameful disgrace.
"May I know what it's about you two meeting?" ask Angela again. "I don't mean to be presumptuous, but.., if your meeting involves me."
"Well..." Wait, what kind of contradiction is that? Not meant to be presumptuous, but at the same time being presumptuous?
Jessica brushed her thick hair to the left side of her shoulders. Before he spoke, he set his expression into the Elixir owner mode. It's a professional fashion.
"You don't have to worry about anything, Angela. I remember you and Mr. Allendale is separated, then, whatever business we meet, you don't need to know anything."
"..."
"Also.., we never talked about you at all. Our meeting..., purely personal matter."
The lie was flowing smoothly from Jessica's lips. He really should go to church.
*