LOVER MONSTER!
21. Absurd.
Fortunately, after busying herself all day at Elixir, Jessica returned to her room and found Demian was no longer there. The man had left for some time, leaving his flannel shirt dirty on the sofa.
Jessica picked up the shirt and put it in a dirty basket. Jessica couldn't see the dirty stuff settling in her room, this didn't mean she cared about Demian or anything. Seriously! Jessica just. Jessica was only concerned about the man who was living a mess.
"Annoxious," Jessica murmured meant to herself. Jessica, again, could not stop sympathizing.
"I hope he never comes back."
*
Jessica's hopes were granted for at least 2 weeks. Demian never appears in his room again and in Elixir. Angela-the woman who is now in a close relationship with Demian did not get any visits from Demian.
Jessica was relieved and for a while, thought that her prayers had wiped Demian out of her life. Jessica initially felt worried, but as time went on and the busyness piled up, Demian's existence stuck in Jessica's mind.
The situation returned to its original state, as if Demian had never been present in Jessica's life. If it wasn't for Demian's flannel shirt still hanging on Jessica's bedroom wall, being the only reminder and proof that Demian had been in Jessica's room-, Jessica would probably have forgotten Demian completely.
Demian anyway, on the other hand...
Under Oscar's orders, Demian was forced to travel to Carson City for several weeks. A big task regarding business in Bronze requires a person like Demian to step in. Demian is one of Oscar's confidants.
Demian initially wanted to refuse, but given Oscar's help to her so far, Demian inevitably left.
"Did you love Vegas so much that getting out of here hurt you?" Oscar teased him at the time.
Demian cursed in annoyance.
No, he had no special bond to that sinful city. Demian just...,
"I just found a new toy" Demian said that day. "It would be disappointing if I left it for a long time."
"Toy, huh?" Oscar read Demian's point with a flick of wonder. "Is this the angel woman who's been with you since the beginning in Vegas?"
"Angela?" Demian frowned back.
"I know you're taking an interest in him."
"Angela is different" Demian said. Thinking that Angela was being played by him alone made Demian unhappy. Angela is not a girl worth playing with. He was a very important person to Demian. The only person Demian loves.
"Huh..., so isn't he?"
Oscar raised his eyebrows. "I was curious.., I didn't expect you to have many acquaintances in this city that you could make toys."
"Don't think about my personal business" Demian said. "It doesn't matter at all."
"If it doesn't matter, you can't be in a dilemma to leave." Oscar knew exactly what to say to upset Demian, and he was a success. Demian turned towards him while clicking his tongue.
"Do you want me to go or not?"
"Alright, don't get angry.."" a light laugh bloomed on Oscar's face. "Please do your job well, Demian. I'm counting on you."
"..."
"And for a while, let me keep your toys from getting damaged."
"Huh?"
Oscar smirked. That sling only means one. He knows. He clearly understood who was hindering Demian's move.
"I'll kill you if you touch him" Demian warned out in seriousness.
Oscar leaned on his stool while crossing his arms. "Don't be so bad, I have no intention of fighting over toys with my friends."
"Hn, focus on that judge of yours. I'll beat you again when I get back."
*
After Demian's departure, another figure began appearing in Jessica's life two weeks later. That man is Jake Allendale. Although he does not appear blatantly on Elixir, Jake contacts Jessica through his cell phone.
Jake Allendale still hasn't given up on Jessica's pleas for help. Jessica-after being persuaded in such a way by Jake who looks apprehensive, is forced to obey the man's will.
They meet at a five-star restaurant which, from its appearance, serves expensive food that could make Jessica poor overnight.
"Is this not excessive?" It was Jessica's complaint when Jake pulled a bench for her.
"I'm sorry, don't you like this place? I don't know many places to eat. Ta-but take it easy, the chef at this restaurant is my friend, he serves delicious food, believe me."
No, it's not about the food. Jessica is worried about her budget. This place is so blinding to the eye and draining of funds.
"Jake.., ummm, to be honest," Jessica moved and held back the tip of the white suit that Jake was wearing. He pulled the man over to lean over his face and began to whisper, "Maybe you don't know this because we've only met a few times, but...rich?"
"Huh?"
"I don't think I can afford food here. I mean, I can.., but I don't want to waste my money there." Jessica still has difficulties in taking care of Elixir, she is not yet at the stage of being able to shop and eat as she pleases without seeing the price.
"D-aaaah? So you're worried about that?" Jake blushed. "Jessica, I'm sorry before, I didn't mean to offend you or anything. It's just that, since I've been troubling you to meet here, I'll bear the entire cost."
"Uwaaah, is this the power of the rich?" Jessica stunned. This was the first time he had heard those words in the real world. Is Jake Allendale the lead guy who jumped out of the novel? Why is he so cool?
"I'm sorry" Jake said. "Because of my situation, I've been troubling you."
"Stop apologizing. You didn't do anything wrong, anyway. I, too, if I don't want to see you, definitely won't come. I'm here of my own accord."
"Even so, I still feel guilty."
Jessica breathed a tired breath. "Have you been okay lately?"
Jake Allendale, although not as bad as the first time Jessica saw it, still keeps a subtle look. A pair of hazel irises lost their light. A million mysteries were hidden behind his grim look. Mysteries that he would only spill over to Jessica, little by little.
"I'm good, I guess. Thinking that today I'm going to meet you makes me feel quite relieved."
"Ah, I'm glad to hear it." Jessica responded to what she was.
Although the reason for her encounter with Jake is so that he can accommodate all the complaints of the man, Jessica does not simply attack Jake with a million questions. He waited there, hoping that the man would open his heart without feeling compelled.
For Jake to feel comfortable, he has to be there like a friend.
'I hope she meets the therapist instead of seeing me, ' Jessica thinks the same thing, over and over again. To go to every time.
Opening up isn't easy for Jake at all. So, instead of meeting Jessica and telling her straight about her problem, Jake sits across the table in nervousness that takes back his courage. Jake-in front of Jessica, at a loss for words.
"Because you said the chef at this restaurant was your friend, would you recommend me a good menu?" Jessica started the conversation with a light theme.
"Uh.., of course," Jake read the menu book in front of him. While she is immersed in the menu list listed there, weighing the food that is suitable for Jessica, Jessica on the other hand scans Jake with pity.
"If I may know, what's your job, Jake?"
"Real estate, that kind of thing."
"Ah.., that's impressive." Jessica mangosteen. After Jake makes an order for and hands the menu book over to the waiter, Jessica again worries about what to discuss. Jake is not a talkative Demian at will, Jake rather than Demian, is a fairly quiet man.
Oho! Also true!
"Jake...?"
"Hmm?"
"Do you and Demian... umm, know each other?"
"Demian Bellamy is a guy who is familiar with Angela," Jake's answer confuses Jessica.
"???"
"I don't know him very well" Jake continued. "I just knew she and Angela had been close for a long time. When I got close to Angela, Demian was the one who opposed our closeness. I think he really likes Angela."
"Hmmm..," That wasn't an answer Jessica didn't know about. Demian was - more than anyone, always putting Angela in first place. Jessica still remembered how depressed the man was whenever Angela's name was revealed.
"You yourself..., how do you know Demian?"
"Huh?" Jessica's flabbergasted turn. "I...?"
"It looks like Demian has special concerns for you. I thought you guys were together, but considering Angela's situation, I realized Demian was still putting her heart on Angela."
Jessica laughed spontaneously. "Well, no, no. We're not together or anything. Thats impossible. Where possible!" Jessica then shook her hands. "We only know each other through Elixir."
Jake's hard to believe.
Demian, in Jake's eyes, is very hostile when he finds out Jake is close to Jessica. As if she was jealous. Is he really jealous?
"Talking to you, I realized that I didn't choose the wrong person to help me."
"Huh, why all of a sudden?"
"Jessica" said Jake. "To be honest, I need help forgetting Angela. Therefore, I hope you can become a medium capable of making me forget about it."
'Wait, wait...., media? Whahuh? do I remember the scenario wasn't like this? Why the change?'
"I thought you just wanted to talk..." Jessica spoke like a whisper.
"Yes, and talking to you really helps me. You made me realize a lot of things today, so, I hope we'll see each other in the future."
Realized what? "Uh, I'm not sure I'm in the right position to help you forget about Angela. Besides, what am I doing?"
Aye!
This situation is very confusing. Jessica didn't realize anything she was doing today until she could be said to be helping Jake. Especially making the man aware. They only talked about the food menu before, for God's sake!
"You just need to be yourself, I guess."
"Yes?"
"You have a nice personality, Jessica. I wish you and I could be friends." Jake smiled sincerely for the first time.
*