LOVER MONSTER!
38. Escapees.

"How are you today?"

As usual, when Jessica greeted Jake Allendale who was eating a cup of coffee on the road, Jake greeted her with a polite greeting. Jake placed his cup of coffee on a low wooden table in front of him while he stood up and pulled out a chair for Jessica to sit on.

Jessica feels like a princess.

"Thank you" said Jessica. "I'm fine today, you also seem to be in a good mood."

Jake smiled, "I'm glad you've invited me to meet today. Usually, among us, the one who initiates the meeting or just talks is me. So, I sometimes feel burdened with my requests."

"You're overthinking. I'm not burdened at all. There, I feel good about being able to run away from my job once in a while."

Although Jessica's words meant to make Jake feel relaxed, Jake in his heart still felt that there was a barrier separating him from Jessica. They might be able to be categorized as friends, but in Jake's eyes, Jessica still looked at him like a stranger.

It was as if he was just a guest who came into Jessica's life and wouldn't stay for long.

Jake is comfortable with Jessica.

The girl did not look at her wealth like an idol. Nor does he put envy there and consider Jake an enemy of mankind. Jessica - than most of the people Jake has met, belongs to the handful of people who leave a special and precious impression on his life.

Maybe because Jessica treated him like a human being. Something good that colleagues, acquaintances and loved ones difficult to do. Something Angela herself, the woman she loved so much, was incapable of doing.

"I've had this thought lately" Jessica who was in front of Jake spoke again. "Did you stop by our cafe just to date Angela?"

"E-DHH?" Jake's flabbergasted. What happened to Jessica's sudden question?

"Finally, ever since you and Angela dated, you never went back to our cafe again. Then you split up, you never came back either. Is it because the taste of coffee in Elixir doesn't leave any impression on you?"

No, Jake's problem isn't coffee.

"I'm not a regular coffee drinker, actually." Jake scratched his nape with a guilty feeling. He was caught red-handed.

"So you hang out at Elixir morning and evening just to get close to Angela?"

"That's how, I guess." Jake's voice went low weak.

Jessica stirred up the coffee she ordered, and after that, she pointed at Jake with a spoon in her hand. "I'm disappointed in you, Jake Allendale."

"Well..."

"When there are many special menus in our cafe, there are heavy and light foods that might fit your taste." Jessica then nagged.

"Is it because of love that you turn a blind eye to the beauty and joy that surrounds you? Uh, my heart aches at the thought of the many miles of coffee you drank from our cafe and you end up wasted."

Jake pursed his lips, puzzled to have to respond to Jessica's complaint. This was the first time he had listened to Jessica blabbering dejectedly in front of him. Jake had never imagined Jessica would complain to him, because all this time the girl had always maintained her composure.

"A wise man once asked me," Jessica continued. "To fall in love, you can't be blind. But would you really fall if you weren't blind?"

"And your answer?" Jake listened carefully.

"My answer, I better not fall in love. I don't want to be blind, I don't want to fall for anyone. It was all for nothing, Jake. Vain. No one is more loyal to you than food, trust me."

That.., that...,

"Fair enough" said Jake. "So, does that mean you're just putting your heart on food?"

"Yups, one hundred percent. Therefore, Elixir is like my own son. There's nothing more important in my life than Elixir." Jessica is so flowery.

"I'm glad you've shared your special story with me." Jake said while noticing Jessica's slowly bored expression change.

The girl may have a thing or two on her mind. However, instead of spilling his heart, he spilled a story that had absolutely nothing to do with his grievances.

Maybe this is why Jessica asked him to meet. The girl, just as she seemed, also carried a burden of thoughts that were hard for her to express.

"As a fellow businessman, I understand your concern for Elixir." Jake continued to talk. "I'm sorry I just stopped by your cafe with a veiled intention. In the future, I will come there with the intention of tasting your special coffee. How's it?"

Jessica smiled at Jake's words. "I'll be waiting for you."

*

Meeting Jake and having a small talk is why Jessica left Elixir today.

Jessica felt her head would explode if she locked herself in a cafe. Jessica needs to get out of there, let go of the fatigue that's like pulling her head. Jessica needs a friend who will not put excessive care or anxiety on her.

Jake is the right guy for that. Jake is not Jessica's special friend, and the man won't meet her every day and worry about her condition again and again.

Just today, they met just for today. After that, maybe for a week, or two weeks? Maybe, just when Jessica feels free, then Jessica will meet with Jake again. They are busy, you know.

[Where are you?]

A message appeared on Jessica's phone, coming from Demian.

Jessica ignores the message and refocuses on her activities and Jake now. By the way, they were in a park, playing chess while enjoying a plate of almonds and honey tea.

The time now showed at four in the afternoon, and their game had already lasted half an hour.

Unlike their first energy-intensive meeting, Jake and Jessica's meeting today is filled with light, comfortable activities.

Surprisingly, Jake feels no difference at all in his current meeting and past meeting. Jake's still having so much fun with Jessica.

Even though they just sit back at the sidewalk cafe, stop by the bookstore and review books that are fun and good, taste ice cream, swing in the park, and now..., play chess.

There's nothing special about the activity, but Jake feels a sense of tranquility. As if he was rediscovering his footing, he became normal with Jessica.

"You're pretty good at chess" Jessica grimaced as her queen was pushed back by Jake's pawns.

"Should I give up?"

"Gagging when you know you can win, do you underestimate me?" Jessica looked up at Jake. "I'd be happier if you meant it. At least, I won't celebrate a victory that isn't for me."

"You're being very wise." Jake chuckles. "Is it because you're friends with a wise man who asked you about romance? Concerning ah..., about being blind and falling in love?"

"I'm learning to be wise to justify my mistakes."

"Eh?"

Jessica laughed then. He looked at Jake with a witty frown. "Handering. I was just kidding. I will not seek justification for the wrongs I have made."

"Jessica, though,"

"Hmm? Want to play again?"

"I guess." Jake re-arranges his chess pawns as before.

"Jessica," call Jake again.

"Yes?"

Jake wants to ask Jessica something, a question that hangs on the tip of her tongue. However, when he opened his mouth, all the questions were dissolved and replaced with : "You want to have a drink after this?"

"No, not at all." Jake's smile was thin. He cried to himself who had difficulty expressing the grievances that filled his chest. All his sadness, and all the new phenomena that wrestled in his chest.

"Where may I be deterred, you're the best drinking buddy."

Jessica just beards. "I hope you don't say that in front of my friends, they don't like that fact."

"Mm, isn't that natural?"

This city is Las Vegas, duh. This is the city of sinners. It's not a foreign situation when a girl like Jessica has a habit of getting drunk. Jessica is also an adult girl who can take responsibility for herself. A friend should only be able to confine his friend with a mild warning, not a condemnation.

"In some cases, it's natural."

Jessica did not give any clarity. However, he also did not react if what his friends did was a mistake. Instead, Jessica's reaction was like saying that her friends were in the right place.

[Jessica?]

[Are you going with Jake Allendale?]

[My phone call!]

[Jess.].

A series of messages reappeared. Lazy to feel disturbed, Jessica then turned off her phone. He leaned back on the bench and let out a breath of air.

Demian already has Angela, she shouldn't have contacted Jessica. Jessica felt a headache when she was again caught up in the same question. What does Demian want, actually?

Did their actions that night not make her feel guilty to Angela?

If he loves a woman, it is his duty to remain loyal to that one woman alone, right? Why did he share his attention with Jessica.

'I have received enough insulting accusations from Angela, I don't want to experience the same situation again regarding your existence, Demian!'

*

In the evening, at a bar serving a live band, Jessica and Jake sit side by side sipping a glass of cocktails. They were far enough away from the stage to avoid the music pounding on their ears. Just then, Jake whispered in Jessica's ear.

"Are you bothered by the crowd?" ask Jake.

Jessica nodded lightly. "No problem" he replied rather loudly. "I want to see the singer too" Jessica joked.

"Oh, are you interested?"

Up ahead, under the light of the shady lights, a singer from the band hummed melodiously. However, even though the male singer has a voice that makes you fall asleep, Jessica instead misfocused on his handsome face in the style of rockstar.

"It's impossible to turn your eyes away from a handsome man" Jessica said. He spoke while chuckling faintly.

Jake who was next to Jessica so bit his lips when he saw Jessica's smile. He pulled his stool closer to Jessica and whispered once more in the girl's ear.

"Does that mean you can't turn your eyes away from me?"

"Yes?"

"I guess..., I'm pretty good-looking too, right?"

Jessica laughs. He is shocked at Jake's joke that appears out of nowhere.

Jessica means, she thinks Jake is a calm guy who won't pull out a narcissistic joke. Such a joke was only suitable for Demian because Demian was an arrogant person. Jake on the other hand, the joke makes him even adorable.

"Do you want me to praise you too, handsome man? Uwuu.., cute."

Jessica patted Jake's delicate chocolate mane. He treated the man as if his age was far away. Jake is 10 years younger than him. Jake felt his temptation end in vain.

Didn't Jessica look at him as a man?

While Jessica is back enjoying the live band ahead there, Jake is propping up his chin at the table while looking at Jessica. He wondered, how could he ignore the existence of Jessica all this time? 

Does love really blind her until she turns a blind eye to Jessica's white presence that radiates soothing warmth and hospitality?

"Thank you for enjoying the music from our band, we'll be performing again next week, make sure you guys come and watch us at the venue-"

While the singer was retreating in front of her, Jessica turned her body to face Jake, whom she had forgotten for a moment.

Just then, when he almost hit Jake's forehead that was too close behind him, another hand pulled Jessica's forehead backwards. The attraction also created a shock to Jessica. He gasped and almost fell off his stool. 

Jessica widens her eyes, she loses her balance.

The shadow of his head smashed into the marble floor from the height of the bench he was sitting on chime with the sound of an ambulance that just popped into his mind. Frightened him.

His head could break.

He's probably gonna have a concussion.

How is the hospital paid?

Shit..., shit, shit! It's not cool at all.

Somebody, please....

Somebody's...

Eh

The shock combined in the panic paused when two hands clasped his shoulders, holding him back with enough force to support him, but not hurt him.

Jessica nodded in confusion.

Someone came and helped him? Angels, huh?

Jake is in front of Jessica, trying to reach Jessica who almost fell in front of her eyes.

"Are you okay?" Jake was panicking.

Jessica was about to answer Jake's anxiety and at the same time wanted to look behind him. Jessica wanted to thank whoever it was that had saved her from the overwhelmingly expensive hospital fees.

"I'm good, I'm..."

Jessica, in a split second that felt like a long time, lost her voice as the helper's hand moved to her waist. Seize him. He made all his muscles and brain freeze.

He had not yet turned his head, a voice greeted his earlobe.

"Are you content to have fun?" The whisper came with a hot breath that blew at his nape. Sweeps skin.

That voice belonged to Demian Bellamy.

*