LOVER MONSTER!
86. Inception.

Demian lay on the sofa, eyes glued to the coin that was sandwiched between his thumb and forefinger. The coin is another mystery that is now clogging Demian's mind, finding no answer because Jessica - the figure who holds the mystery - just gave him a flick of a hand and the answer 'I'm sleepy, sleepy, I'll give you an explanation next time'.

How could Demian wait for an explanation at a later time? How could Demian smile and answer 'OK!' when his head was filled with questions?

Demian just didn't expect, how could a girl as good as Jessica, a sweet girl with super logical thinking that-have an alcoholic history? What happened to Jessica until she became an alcoholic? Shit, Jessica said and the word addict who was together in one sentence was already very strange in her head. How about reality?

Tilting her reclining position, Demian then looked towards Jessica who was already sleeping soundly inside the roll of her blanket.

"*Stopping that coin problem, I want to talk about us, Demian. I understand your situation. I understand your position but.., the situation has become complicated now.---.

I can't just accept you, welcome you with open arms and love. I can't because I.., I'm in a relationship with Jake*." Jessica said before she ended their conversation.

"Do you like Jake?"

"I need to talk to Jake" Jessica said, making Demian bite her lower lip, feeling a little dislike for the answer. "I need to think.., I need to re-sort my head. More precisely, I need to make a mature decision before doing anything. Especially when it comes to how I feel about you."

"I understand." Demian replied. He forced a smile to bloom on his face.

The situation is better, Demian thought. Better than a fight. Better than being away from Jessica and not being able to say anything to her.

Returning to Demian's current situation, when he was still on the sofa, at two in the morning, and could not sleep at all. A message appeared on Demian's HP screen, creating a flicker of light that attracted his eyes. Demian reached for the rectangular object and let out a tired sigh as he found out who sent him the message.

That man is Oscar Brown.

[Good work in exposing yourself, Demian. I salute.]

The sarcastic message clearly meant to make fun of him. However, despite knowing he had been ridiculed by Oscar, for some reason Demian did not feel regret. Demian was relieved, actually. She felt better after pouring her heart out to Jessica. Demian was happy at the fact that Jessica didn't hate him.

[Laugh all you want, motherfucker!]

Demian replies to the message before putting his phone back on the table. After the light from her phone disappears and leaves her in the dark, Demian escorts her to a dream world. He fell asleep in hopes of spending more time with Jessica tomorrow.

*

Demian woke up the next day after hearing the noise of noisy steps and the sound of plastic screeching with other plastics. Because Demian is the type of person who is easily awakened and sensitive to sound, his consciousness immediately gathered perfectly after he heard more clearly the sound of sandals galloping on the floor.

Opening his eyes slowly and letting his vision adapt to the morning light, Demian then got up from his lying position. He leaned against the sofa while relaxing the fatigue on his head.

"Good morning," said a voice, his masculine intonation made Demian raise up next to an eyebrow right then and there.

Did he not hear wrong? She's still in Jessica's room, right? Demian remembers she slept in Jessica's room last night.

"If you're awake, you better fix your appearance and help us down there!!!" The voice became clearer. Demian-albeit still sleepy heavily-gained to the source of the voice. To Elliot Winchester who now carries a stack of gift boxes and stacks them near the sofa.

Elliot looked at Demian like a pest, "Event destroyer!" he said cynically before leaving Demian and slamming the door behind him.

Demian-rather than angry-just sniffed his shoulders. He grimaces lethargic.

"Where did Jessica go at this hour?" It's still half seven, for Christ's sake!

Losing interest in going back to sleep, Demian forced himself to stand up from the sofa and go to the bathroom. Demian cleaned himself up for some time before coming out with a fresher feeling.

After bathing, Demian only realized that the items Elliot brought were birthday gifts that Jessica received. The gifts piled on the legs of the sofa, crowded with cheerful colors.

Seeing the gift, Demian remembered his own card.

Demian's preparing a present for Jessica's birthday, to be honest. However, as overnight the situation became very serious and intense, Demian forgot his cards and focused more on talking alone.

"Happy birthday to you..." Demian hummed a little as he sauntered towards his flannel shirt lying on the shoulder of the sofa. She sings the birthday song while checking her flannel pouch which holds a gift box for Jessica.

Dents and mums.

Demian's gift box is dented and musty. Maybe he sat on it last night, pinned it down. No, maybe because he had made the flannel shirt cushion, he had unwittingly crushed the card.

"Ugh, how now?" How could Demian possibly buy a new package, right? The time is urgent enough now.

Hearing the sound of footsteps again near the door, Demian hurriedly stacked his gifts there. Mix with other gifts.

"Huh, you're awake..." Jessica came in with a cup of coffee in hand. That's the coffee Ethan made.

"You were supposed to wake me up" Demian said. He put his flannel shirt back on the couch and sauntered over to Jessica. The delicious aroma of coffee that emanated from the small cup made Demian thirsty.

He took a glass from Jessica's hand and took a sip of it.

"Thank you" Demian said later. He smiled faintly as he looked at Jessica who was about to protest.

"Your fault brought your coffee here" Demian said, making Jessica unhappy.

"I brought my coffee because I couldn't relax downstairs."

"What are they doing? Elliot just came by and he looks really busy."

Jessica then sauntered casually toward the sofa, glancing her eyes at the gifts piled up there. "They're at work cleaning up the rest of the party last night."

"I should help then, considering I've been your party destroyer."

Jessica looked at Demian with her forehead raised slanted. "Someone is self-conscious."

"I'm only responsible" Demian said. His smile was painted cheerfully.

"If you feel very responsible, please help Ethan and Elliot now. They're very busy, pity."

"What about you?"

"I'll open my gifts first. Gotta thank some people and apologize for leaving without saying goodbye last night..."

"Well..." Demian immediately felt guilty when Jessica brought up her actions last night. He has created a commotion with his sudden arrival, Demian will not be surprised if Elliot wants to fry it in a giant frying pan.

"Your friends will hate me even more" Demian said.

"I don't know about hate but they obviously don't like you."

"Very helpful, Jesse. You're so happy, are you, with my situation now?"

"You must feel the risk of your actions that have dared to deceive me. You didn't know I had cool friends, did you?"

"Well, at least I have Ethan..." Yeah, well, at least Ethan wouldn't hate him. Demian believed that the man would not be cruel to her.

"I'm telling you, Demy.., Ethan is just sweet to everyone. If you don't want to be let down, you better not expect him to defend you all the time."

Jessica then laughed as Demian sneered at her words.

"Alright, alright. Whatever. They're free to antagonize me, which is important you don't."

"Did I say I've forgiven you?"

"You'll forgive me. I mean, it's impossible not to forgive a cool guy like me, right?"

When Demian begins to narcissize, Jessica's intention to tease the man is fleeting. He gives Demian a bored look that implies expulsion. "Come down there and help Dania" Jessica ordered.

And just before Demian breezed toward Jessica's closed door, the named Dania came in with a pretty loud bang.

"Jesse.." call out to Dania from the outside, her voice implying fatigue. "Is Demian awake?"

"Yes..," Demian answered, this time opening the door for Dania. Friend Jessica who was wearing a white tanktop and thick gloves was standing in front of the door, eyes glaring towards Demian with full judgement.

"Your brother is coming" said Dania.

"Brother?"

"Your brother, who else?"

"Well..." Hearing Dania's words, Jessica and Demian instantly exchanged glances. Erthian Bellamy has arrived at Elixir.

"He's waiting for you downstairs, it seems urgent."

"Mm, okay. I'm coming."

Understanding that he was already unable to escape anymore, Demian let out a faint sigh. He threw his gaze at Jessica before saying goodbye from there.

"I'll see you back" Demian said, and Jessica returned her gaze with a smile of concern.

Oh, how Jessica hopes Demian will be okay. He was so anxious about Erthian who had become a terror in their relationship.

"See you." whispered Jessica, her heart pounding.

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