Yellow Flags
Before Dinner (2nd place)

🌻Winona

There was a worried tone in that heavy voice. And I can't answer every question from Jacob. Not because I don't trust Jacob. Merely, thinking about what had happened between me and Echoes, made me feel humiliated.

Because at first, I was devastated by all the sweet seduction of the man. Eventually the echoes started to get aggressive. I feel uncomfortable with that touch. Many times I dodged, but Gema always had a way of approaching me.

I gently rubbed my face with my palms that were already soaked in cold sweat.

If I don't leave tonight, will Gema come back to harass me? But the real question is, why does Echoes still bother me? I'm sure there are a lot of beautiful women who want to approach him. Many of them are ready to become his mistress!

Why is he still trying to get close to me?

If Jacob's whereabouts can't keep Echoes away, I don't know what other way I can stop that guy from coming to see me!

“If the Pest still bothers you, fix it up the jerk!”

I turned to the side, looking at Jacob with wide eyes. “Why can there be such a cake? Girls who are also beautiful and attractive must be a lot near him. Especially seeing his work..”.

“Udah bored him,” interrupted Jacob. “Cowok jerk model he likes to change girls. And you don't want to be with him. That hurts his ego. Because in her mind, all girls would want to be with her.”

It's true what Jacob said. Arrogant Echoes mindset, thinking that with money everything he can get. In fact, the world is not so easily bought with money. Even though it is true, money makes life more comfortable. Happiness is not just because there is money.

My forehead frowned, when I remembered something. Sepia obviously doesn't like me. But he agreed with this dinner plan. What does he want from this meeting? Why doesn't he want to meet me in person?

The entrance of the hotel is in sight.

“Sepia knows that her husband is a jerk. But he can't leave an echo!”

Jacob's words made me quickly turn to the right side. “Sepia again pregnant Jac..”

Jacob shook his head quickly. “Not that,” the corner of his eye glanced at me. “He knew from the beginning of the marriage that Echoes didn't like him! But still he forced his luck.”

My breath was tight to hear Jacob's words. “You know what that story is? You just assume!”

“I'm not just an assumption. You know for yourself who he's applying for! You're in sanakan?”

My body felt stiff hearing the words coming out of Jacob's mouth. Damn, what he said was true!

“How did the wedding finally take place? What after that, the Pest did not chase you? How cool is the response? Did you go to their wedding?”

I'm bowed. Recalling that moment in my head. “Sepia still talking well with me. He said that if I came, it made him ashamed because when the proposal, Echoes even grabbed my hand.” Raising my face, I turned my head briefly towards the man beside me. “So I have no problem, Sepia did not invite me.” From the corner of my eye, I could see Jacob rubbing his face. “But at least, Echoes continue that wedding plan.”

“Gema does not connect you or him.”.

Jacob laughed softly, “emang their destiny like that.” The car is perfectly parked. From the corner of my eye, I saw Jacob turning away. Next to her hand was stretched out, pulling my hand over her lap. “Now the important thing, Gema knows that I've come back with you.”

Sensing that touch, my breath was slightly choked. Even though my heart doesn't lie fast. The rhythm hits slowly. And strangely it makes me feel comfortable.

I shook my head slowly. A smile of responsibility was on the corner of my lips. “Although in fact we do not reciprocate,”, I said while pulling hands from Jacob's grasp. I no longer look him in the eye. My face turned straight outwards. “Before that,” I opened the seat belt, “I want to say thank you for taking the time to nolongin me,” I said without looking at the other person. “I hope after this, my presence does not interfere with your life anymore.”

The night air is cold on the skin. I rubbed my upper wrist slowly, trying to give a sensation of warmth. Raising my face, I looked up at the clear night sky. Star with a convex moon.

We walk in silence. After my last sentence, Jacob said nothing. His face looked a little tense. His eyes only glanced at me occasionally.

Going to a party always makes me feel anxious. Plus a few eyes that were directed towards me. Even though beside me was an amazingly handsome man, it did not deter the spy from stealing glances.

Well, the one looking at me wasn't just a man. Women too. Maybe judging my match with the guy I'm holding.

Actually, I don't blame them. Jacob looks elegant in an expensive suit. While me?

Ah, nevermind. If I had to compare prices, mine would be at the lowest number.

The most important thing now is how to make tonight's meeting the last thing to expel the Echoes from my life. And I have to make sure that the chance of Echoes approaching me is gone with Jacob by my side.

I exhaled a sharp breath. For some reason, the idea that Jacob was pretending to be my lover made me feel lousy and miserable. Because after this, I was determined to avoid him.

And now, it's too late to regret my decision to come tonight. If Gema is really afraid of competing with Jacob, then this plan I hope will succeed to keep the interest of Gema approaching me.

Jacob's charm is different. He's not just handsome. But the charisma he has adds its own charm. His extroverted nature, makes Jacob has a carefree personality and many friends.

No wonder someone knows him here. One of them, the man who was smiling widely while stepping lightly towards us.

“Jac! What’s up bro!” Both shakes a panco. That smile turned a little seductive as it glanced at me. “Well, back and forth no one turned the cake.”

I felt my cheeks go red. My heart was also quick. Jacob glanced briefly at me. A small smile spread across his lips.

Wait for….

I don't know this guy. I never met him either. If I had, I would have remembered it. It's hard to forget this sweet guy in front of me. Also, how can he say that I'm back with Jacob? How did she know I was dating her?

I did not have time to raise my voice to ask, the figure walking behind the man made me clench my lips again.

Those eyes look psycho.