LOVER MONSTER!
82. Appointment

"Thank you for coming" said Ethan.

Ethan stood up to greet a man who came to meet him at a cafe located at the end of Almond Street.

It was now 5pm, now it was Elixir's hours to be very busy. Considering Jessica's birthday is held at 7pm, all preparations must be completed this afternoon. Elixir is definitely very busy this afternoon and instead of helping Dania prepare for the event, Ethan sits casually sipping a cup of coffee with Demian Bellamy at another cafe.

"Before this, maybe a while ago, to be exact." Ethan said back. "Dania asked me to talk to Jessica. She wanted me to give this input and advice and that to Jessica considering she's being so miserable."

Demian listened to Ethan in silence. His heart felt like it had been pierced by a thorn when he heard the information regarding Jessica's condition lately. Demian knows, at least, he is the one who affected Jessica's bad mood.

"I know I should have talked to him but, as you can see, I feel like talking to you is more appropriate."

"..."

"Did you know today was Jessica's birthday?"

Demian nodded. He had heard that information from the people of Adam. Demian had also prepared a small present for Jessica. Demian planned to put the gift on the balcony of Jessica's room later, without the need to see the girl at all.

"I know," Demian responded later.

Ethan's smile was thin. "What do you know about Jessica, Demian?"

"Yes?"

"I don't know when you're getting close, but.., sure things happen. You guys must talk a lot, right? I mean, I don't want to interfere. It's just, I want to know how deep and how many things I can tell you today."

"I'm..." Demian opened his mouth, but hesitated to reply. She didn't know much about Jessica and it was embarrassing for her.

Demian loves Jessica and the things she knows about the girl are only vague things.

Demian knew and understood Jessica's movements, he memorized her intonation, he felt he understood Jessica very well. It's just that, thoroughly, solid information regarding the girl never really spilled into her brain.

Demian doesn't know what Jessica likes, doesn't like. What made her angry, what made her grieve.

"I'm not in a position to talk about things that Jessica doesn't share with you" Ethan said.

Seeing Demian's reaction, Ethan already knew that Jessica had never explained anything about her situation in the past to Demian. That's concerning. No wonder why the man did things he didn't know would end up hurting Jessica.

"Demian," said Ethan. "Jessica you like now, she looks very independent, has a strong and logical mind, and is very kind."

"..."

"For some time, he was a very fragile figure. You may realize this, we as her best friends become very overprotective when it comes to Jessica, and frankly, our attitude is not without reason at all."

"What do you want to say, Ethan?" Demian felt a little astonished as soon as Ethan spoke in ambiguity.

Demian did forget to dig into Jessica's past, considering he never took a headache about the girl's background as well. However, if Ethan behaves and talks like this, something really bad might happen.

"I want to talk to you about Jessica, Demian. Because I feel like you'll understand more about what you need to do. You know, as Jessica's best friend, I want to trust you a little bit. Even though my friends have cursed your existence, I don't want to."

Ethan wants to give Demian a chance. A chance not to be a bastard.

"What do I need to do, what do I mean?"

"I want you to talk to Jessica." Ethan's confession makes Demian almost laugh. Did Ethan forget that Jessica hates him so much now?

"I know my request sounds ridiculous, but.., if you're having a heart-to-heart honest conversation with Jessica, I believe she'll give you a chance to talk to her."

Demian sighed. "If you don't know, I've been trying to do whatever it takes to have a chance to talk to her. However, Jessica seems to already hate me completely

I don't want to ruin Jessica's mood by showing up in front of her again. Besides, you know I don't have a chance to talk to him anymore, do you? I'm totally blacklisted."

"Does that mean you're giving up?"

"I don't know. Might? I'll probably give up if that's what's best for Jessica."

Ethan gave a small nod when he heard Demian's response. He looked at the dark obsidian man with concern.

If the interlocutor has given up, Ethan does not want to waste time to make the man back forward. Ethan is unwilling to be the one who forces two hearts to come together when the two have chosen to separate.

"Wait, is that all you want to say?" Demian raised an eyebrow when he saw Ethan was already getting ready to leave.

"so. I've found no reason why we need to talk anymore, Demian."

"Eh, but why?" If they're going to talk, at least talk until it's over. Demian did not want to listen to a piece of the story only to be hanged afterwards. Demian wants clarity on why Ethan invited her to this old cafe.

"Since you've given up on Jessica, I don't want to ask you to do something that will only end up as my benefit."

"But, if I don't give up, something you want will be to my advantage, too, you mean?"

"That's how."

Demian frowned, "What is that?"

Ethan stands up while fixing the black tuxedo that coats his white shirt. "I thought you'd given up?"

"Well, if that makes my relationship better with Jessica. I'd do anything."

Ethan looked at Demian while giving a faint smile. "As I said, I need you to talk to Jessica. That's all."

"That's.., what does it mean you want me. You're gonna give me a way to talk to Jessica, so you mean?"

"That's how."

"How's it?" Jessica didn't listen to him. Even if it was Ethan who gave them time to talk, Demian could not believe that Jessica would listen to him. Demian doesn't believe Jessica will forgive him.

"Demian," said Ethan, a pair of shaded irises showed seriousness. "Your answer this time will be the key to my plan today."

"Answer?" What answers?

"Do you love Jessica, Demian?"

"That..., is that something you need to ask again?"

"Yes or not?"

Demian nodded steadily. "Yes." Yeah."

"Well, then..., are you ready to admit that in public?"

"Huh?"

"I know you and Jessica haven't been together, I also know there's been no clarity between the two of you. Therefore, Demian.., if you want Jessica to listen to you, trust you, I want you to be honest with her."

"But why in public?" What if Erthian heard his confession, knew his heart?

"Because just talking to Jessica would mean nothing. He will never listen to you and trust you. If you love her, it's time you treated her well, Demian. Stop making him a secret figure you only meet whenever you like."

"..."

"Show her that you truly love her, show everyone that your feelings are not a disgrace that needs to make you shameless. If you doubt my advice, you'll miss this opportunity next time, Demian. But, if you believe me, you have your chance until tonight's party is over."

Demian can't. He can't do it. How could he possibly do that?

"I believe, actually, without me giving you this kind of long advice, you'd also know for yourself what Jessica wanted most, right?"

...You know, Jessica really wants proof and courage....

"Don't waste your time, Demian. Time goes on."

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