LOVER MONSTER!
77. Resignedly.

"Waaaah, the air's really good, huh? Very clean, very peaceful, and very reassuring."

Early in the morning at Elixir, Dania came to greet with a sumringah face. Wearing a bright purple sunny dress, elegant blond hair, he waltzed to greet his friends who had gathered in an ordinary place. In front of the bar.

Welcoming the arrival of Dania, Jessica who was also already there, smiled somewhat astonished when she saw Dania. "What did you say? Is it possible for Vegas to have as fresh, clean and peaceful air as you say?"

After Jessica, Vegas is a noisy city. Vehicles everywhere create pollution in the air. Plus, the waste from big companies, hotels and others, becomes quite a cause for concern.

Vegas-roads overrides roads that are tourist attractions-scented like garbage bags and cat litter.

"Oh, Jesse baby..., you don't understand metaphors at all, huh?" Dania took one empty stool beside Jessica and embraced her pal tightly. "I'm talking about Elixir's atmosphere, Jesse. Did you not realize, it's been almost a week we've become very calm and serene.., the earth rotates normally."

"Oh, oh? didn't the earth rotate normally before this?"

Dania's pulling shoulders. "Not for you, at least."

"Huh?"

"Jesse baby, I don't want to bring them up, but since the situation has become more peaceful. I'm talking about Demian and Angela, Jesse."

Hearing the names of the two people being called, Jessica so gulped. Jessica knows that Angela has been fired by Dania, and Jessica doesn't mind. However, due to the dismissal as well, Demian so never appeared on Elixir.

Jessica suspects Demian is angry with her, and may curse her for daring to fire Angela. Or, it could be that she obeyed Jessica's desire to stay away from each other.

Whatever it was, he never came.

"You're right, the atmosphere is getting better." Jessica forced a smile. "I forbid you to fire Angela, Dani. But now I want to apologize to you. You're right, firing him is the best solution."

"Don't apologize, Jesse. Everyone would be concerned if he appeared with grim cries and grim faces everywhere. You're not wrong if you feel pity. Tsk.., it's my fault I brought it up. Let's discuss something else..."

"You've always regretted it lately, Dania." Ethan scoffs. "By the way, what's with that ngejreng sundress? Are you planning on dating today?"

"I couldn't have dated, Ethan. You're worried about my situation in the morning. I'm gonna marry you, you know." Dania was nagging.

"But Ethan is right, what about your suddenly beautiful, suddenly cheerful and happy appearance...?"

Dania chuckles. "Any, huh? Actually I just want to wear this dress because it's approaching autumn. I want to part ways with my summer style before she's really over."

"For some reason, you're just melancholy about unimportant things, right?"

"Whisper, Ethan!"

While her two friends were fighting, Jessica chose silence. He propped up his chin on the table while watching the glass of strawberry milkshake Ethan had made for him earlier.

Jessica - despite being confronted by the fanfare of her friends - feels a bit hollow there. Bitter spread in his mouth, eliminating appetite.

Jessica-at that time-wouldn't deny. His head was filled with only one person. One man who had not appeared before him for a week, never looked for him, and never missed him. The only Demian Bellamy.

The bastard who only loved Angela was probably busy treating her wounded lover's heart, being her back.

Demian Bellamy's...,

Sometimes, the thought of the man made Jessica feel smug. After all, how could the man be so kind to one woman and be so selfish to another? Jessica doesn't understand, seriously. The injustice that Demian gave her and Angela.

Love may make you treat others differently, more special. However, love should not make you favoritism and close your eyes on the bad and the good. How can Demian be good to only one person, to Angela, and be a demon to her?

Why can't the man respect her as he respects Angela?

Thinking about the situation made Jessica hurt.

'I'm so grateful to have gotten rid of you, Demian.' Jessica is not happy. 'Thank you for never coming, motherfucker! Thank you!'

"What do you think, Jesse?"

"..."

"Jesse?"

"..."

"Holla, Lesseeeee???"

Gasping, Jessica spontaneously blinked. He looked at Dania who was now looking at him questioningly. Worried about it without a word.

"Jesse, are you okay?"

"Huh?"

"You're suddenly dumbfounded.., is there something wrong?"

"No, there's no. What's wrong? Oh, oh, oh. I'm good, really, good."

"Then, then..." Dania was hesitant, but continued. "We're discussing celebrating your birthday next week."

"Eh, what?"

"You're not gonna miss your birthday this time, Jesse. Let's invite everyone in and have a party as lively as possible, what do you think?"

"That's great.., but..." Jessica doesn't want to trouble anyone. Especially if it's just his birthday.

Jessica doesn't feel she's special enough to make a festive event. What if no one comes? No, worse, how did it make others come? Jessica hates being a burden.

"Nothing buts this year." Dania cut Jessica's words first. "I've tolerated you for a few years, you want a little party, and I agree. I always agree, and last year we just celebrated your birthday at McDonald's. Do you think that's natural?"

"That's fun. I never eat at McDonald's."

"Jeez, Jessica..." Dania scratched her head in frustration. "Anyway, no. Can't do. This time, I will be the event organizer for your birthday party. Also, we'll have it here. By Elixir."

Locking her decision there, Jessica inevitably swallowed Dania's words with a slight objection in her chest.

"What will my birthday be?"

*

Perhaps because of her current status as Jake Allendale's lover, it was difficult for Jessica to reject the outgoing invitation that the man often offered later. As a result, even though it was only a few meters from Elixir, stop for coffee on the side of the road, play chess in the park and other small gatherings, Jessica according to him.

No problem, let's just say it's an attempt to open your heart to Jake. Jessica tried to dictate the contents of her head, but, in the end, she exhaled heavily there. He cannot deceive himself with positive and manipulative words.

He can't just turn to Jake.

"How's your job lately?" Jake begins the conversation after two stalks of Ice Cream are handed each to him and Jessica. Jessica walked casually next to him, one hand dipped in the pocket of her brown coat.

"I heard they're preparing for your birthday next week."

"Aaah, I didn't expect Dania to have told you that."

"No problem, Jessica. I'm your girlfriend, I'd be sad if I found out late."

The girlfriends words made Jessica a little horrified. "Yes, but.., I don't want to burden your mind with unimportant problems."

"Your birthday is a very special day, Jesse. I really appreciate your existence and I want you to do the same. Birthday celebrations aren't a problem or anything, they're a form of people's appreciation of you."

Jessica's smile was thin. "You're so good, Jake. Thank you." Thank you."

"I didn't say anything. Just the truth." Finished with his words, Jake then embraces Jessica's waist. "If you're grateful, what about one kiss?"

"Huh?"

"We're already dating..." Jake looked at Jessica, a faint seriousness imprinted in his eyes. "Isn't a bit of skinship a reasonableness?"

"Yeah.., ah. That..., right."

That's true, but Jessica didn't feel comfortable at all hearing the truth. He wouldn't do that, kiss Jake or anyone. Jessica didn't know why, but she felt that the act was beyond her means. It doesn't...

"Don't look so moody, I'm not forcing you, I'm." Jake releases his embrace and returns to his safe distance. He was a little disappointed, and the man's disappointment was like a needle that pierced Jessica's conscience. Hiding him with a sinful feeling.

He feels unfair with Jake.

"Come on," Jessica murmured at last. He looked Jake right in the eye, at the pair of hazel irises that were now sparkling with joy.

Jessica gathered her courage, her determination. For whatever reason, he should not be glued to the one man who hurt him. Now, in front of him, is Jake Allendale. The man who respected her, cherished her and loved her normally. Jake Allendale is a man who deserves to be with him, receiving all his kindness.

"What do you want to do?" Jake stopped walking. He faces Jessica on the sidewalk. Eyes exchanged views.

Adjusting her breath that suddenly rose and fell irregularly, Jessica also cupped Jake's face inside her smooth and comfortable palm. He will, seriously! He'll kiss Jake here and now, for his own sake. For Jake who has accompanied him to this day. For the sake of his heart that needs healing from old wounds..

Jessica will do it.., with her eyes closed and her toes trying to reach Jake's lips...

Jessica would have done it if only...

No..., no.., no.. and Bugh!

The sound of someone's running footsteps greeted Jessica's ears, but it didn't open her eyes. He only opened his eyes when suddenly, Jake who was in front of him crashed out of the stalk of his hand, out of touch.

Jessica spontaneously opened her eyes, spontaneously staring at Jake who was thrown a few meters away from her. The man was lying on the ground, elbow bleeding.

The man who had flown Jake, Demian Bellamy, stood up with a groaning expression. One kick is not enough, he thought. He needed to flatten the Allendale's face to the ground!

Not yet had Demian take a step forward toward Jake, Jessica who was stunned by Demian's arrival was immediately sensitive to his foul intentions. Jesica pulls Demian's arm and blocks his reach towards Jake. "What are you doing? Are you well, Demian? What are you thinking?"

Jessica panicked uncontrollably.

Jessica scared.

What if Demian reached out to Jake and gave the man a punch like he was hitting people in a narrow alley that night? Jessica didn't want that to happen. He doesn't want Jake killed and he doesn't want Demian to be a killer.

"Relove, Jessica. I've tolerated that bastard for too long. He needs to know the place.."

"What place? Don't talk nonsense, it's in the crowd, Demian! Don't you know how to be ashamed!"

"I am not ashamed?" Demian finally rolled her pair of dark beads towards Jessica. "You're gonna kiss a random guy on the highway, and somehow...., I'm the one who's shameless?"

"Random guy? He's my girlfriend." Jessica raised her voice. It was hard to argue with Demian when the man spoke carelessly. "What's your problem, Demian? Jake is my girlfriend, my boyfriend. I have the right to do anything with him, you..., who are you, Demian?"

Jake got up from his position and stood next to Jessica. "You know I can sue you for your actions just now, right, Demian?"

"Do it, Jake Allendale. I want to see how that lush family tree fell apart on the ground because it dared to touch mine."

"This baseless arrogance looks a lot like Angela, Demian. You're together, I think your mental disabilities are the same."

"Speaking one more time???" and thanks to Jake's words just now, Jake's got one punch back in his face.

"Did I say something wrong?" Staggered, Jake fights Demian. "Jessica is my girlfriend, Demian. You shouldn't interfere in my affairs! He's not who you are!"

"For God's sake, yeah..." Jessica retreated slowly from there. Jessica does not want to be the attention of people, Jessica does not want to be a circus spectacle that presents nonsense as the main attraction. Jessica is not!

"I'd better go home, you two finish what you want to talk about."

Realizing Jessica was about to leave, Demian immediately made a sound. "Did I let you go, Jessica?!" Demian's voice rose up full of irritation. He exclaimed with veins sticking tight in his neck and temples.

"I don't need permission from anyone, not from you!" jessica's response was firm and straightforward. However, just as it was not enough, Demian pulled his wrist, holding back his steps with a check that made his skin red.

"Let go!"

"I'm not letting you go."

"Demians? Don't childish, yeah. You're making me so angry right now!"

"Demian, let Jessica go right now!" Jake tried to interrupt. Anger flared in his eyes.

"Don't make me beat you to death here, Allendale." Demian issued his last warning. "One hundred lawyers in the world won't be able to take your life back, even if you sue me! Do you understand?"

"..."

"Demian, don't do anything stupid!" Jessica-kendati is blocked by Demian-trying to protect Jake with her body. He stood among them, a loosening sound resigned. "I'll follow you, I'm serious. I'll follow you!"

With no words and no voice, Jake and Demian face each other, testing each other's courage and earnestness. Test who is the bravest to survive.

Their cold and sharp gazes were in welcome, leaving Jessica engulfed in fear and horror. He - though his body was trembling - tried to assuage Demian's anger. Ease the tension on his face.

"Demian, please.." whispered Jessica, her eyes were a little wet there. "Don't make me hate you more."

"..."

"Demian, please?"

"Tsk!" Demian finally broke his gaze from Jake first, he turned to look at Jessica and realized how pale the girl was because of it. "Don't worry, I won't kill your girlfriend. At least not for today."

In return, Demian took Jessica away. I don't know where, but now Jessica's just gonna let go.

...****************...