Chapter 57 Ice cream Eyes
JESSICA
TWO DAYS EARLIER
"Thank you," Michael said to the ice cream salesperson in his pink bus who just handed him two ice cream cups.
My insides danced happily as Michael turned to me with the ice cream.
"Here you go," he said, extending the cup to me.
"Thank you," I said, taking it from him as the delight feeling twirled within me.
The beautiful sight of strawberry and vanilla flavour.
I love ice cream. But I hardly remember to buy it for myself. If I am not very occupied, I am trying to prevent my little brother from taking it because of his stomach.
"You are welcome," Michael said, making me look at him.
He is staring at something ahead.
"Let's sit over there," he pointed at the outdoor table set a few steps away, and had a few people seated.
He looked at me.
I nodded. "Sure."
We walked towards the spot and took a space.
I sat on a seat and he sat right opposite me.
I looked around me, taking in the environment. It's beautiful especially for the evening. It has light bulb decorations around, beautifying both the place and the evening. I can see couples seated at other table sets and having a good time.
"You like the place, don't you?" Michael took my attention.
He is staring at me while taking in a tiny portion of his ice cream into his mouth.
I nodded and smiled.
"It is lovely," I said, taking my ice cream.
"It is one of my fav spots," he said as the ice cream tasted massaged my taste buds.
Priceless taste.
This just made my day.
"I could show you other spots too if you would let me," he said.
"I would love that," I said.
He smiled.
I smiled too but lowered my gaze as I ate my ice cream.
My greediness would kick in soon. I want more cups.
Which is a terrible idea for my system.
You know better, Jessica.
"You know, I made a very good reservation for us for last night," he said, making me look at him.
"I planned a perfect date for us but you had to cancel."
Guilty filled me as I stared at him.
"I was sad after you did."
"I am sorry. I didn't mean to make you sad." I said, hoping he understood.
"Were you really telling the truth about your family stuff like you said?"
I nodded. "Yes, yes. I wasn't lying. If I didn't join my family, my dad would be mad at me. He um...." I paused, lowering my gaze as my dad's behavior towards me made my heart ache.
"No wonder your dad hates you so much"
I shook my head.
"What's wrong?" Michael asked.
I looked at him.
I shook my head. "Nothing. It was really a family emergency. I had to go."
"It's okay. I am glad you showed up on my floor and agreed to join me here," he said, smiling.
I smiled as well.
"You have the prettiest smile, Jessica."
My cheeks heated up, making me lower my gaze.
I sensed him reaching for my hand and he took it. I looked at our hands as he massaged my knuckle with his thumb.
I looked at him.
"Has anyone ever told you how beautiful you are?"
I smiled. "My mom."
He chuckled and nodded. "Of course. But really, has any man told you how beautiful you are, Jessica?"
My smile fell as those harsh words sang in my head.
"You make me sick, Jessica. You make my skin crawl."
My heart tightened as I lowered my gaze.
"Well, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen."
I looked at him.
He is staring at me.
"And I haven't stopped thinking about you since the first time we met."
His face was instantly replaced with Uncle Xavier's.
I froze.
He smiled at me. "You could make a man smile just with your race."
I gripped my bag on my lap as my heart raced.
"I really like you, Jessica. I know it is too early and all but I will be the happiest if you agree to be my girlfriend." Uncle Xavier said.
Wha.....
I shut my eyes and opened them.
I saw Michael.
Oh, God. Did I just.....
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"Huh?"
"Is something wrong?"
I shook my head. "No. I am fine."
"Are you sure?"
I nodded. "Mm hmm."
"Okay. So um, what do you say? Will you be my girlfriend?" he asked.
My heart pounded as I stared at him. I can't believe I just saw Uncle Xavier right here, saying these things to me.
What is going on?
"Jessica," Michael took my attention.
"Huh?"
He furrowed his brows again. "Are you sure you are okay?"
"I uh.....I need to use the restroom please." I stuttered.
"Oh...um" he looked around. "Let's go to any restaurant nearby."
I nodded and we both got on our feet and walked away without our ice cream.
I am going to regret that later.
IN THE RESTROOM
"You are a filthy thing. And now I see why your father hates you so much."
"Place the age gap and my relationship with your dad aside, I will rather kiss female frogs than kiss you."
"You make me sick, Jessica. You make my skin crawl"
A tear rolled down my face as I stared at myself in the mirror. Sniffling, I reached for a tissue and grabbed some amount, and wiped my face.
I can't believe I saw his face while Michael was talking.
What is going on, Jessica?
Why?
He hates you, remember?
He said all those awful things to you for Christ's sake.
You need to forget him. He wasn't the one who kissed you.
He is not even your blood.
You need to forget that he exists. You really need to.
I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath, letting it out, and I opened my eyes.
My mom's words replayed in my head.
"You are special, Jessica. You are a princess, a nurse, and a pretty girl."
I nodded.
"You are special, Jessica. And just because others don't see it that way doesn't mean you are not. You are special. Wellness Oasis and the world need you. And you have a very good-looking man waiting for you outside."
I smiled slightly.
I tossed the tissue in the trash can, grabbed my bag, and headed out.
I got outside the restaurant and I realized it I'd already dark.
I saw Michael leaning his back against the wall, his two hands in his pockets and one foot on the wall.
His eyes moved to me
I moved the strand of my hair behind my ear, staring at him as he moved closer to me.
"Hey," he said.
"Hey," I said, staring up at him as he towered over me.
"Are you okay now?"
I nodded. "Mm hmn."
"Do you want me to take you home?"
Home? I would like more ice cream. And my mom said and I quote, 'since it is Michael, the handsome doctor, you can have fun as much as you like, sweetie.'
"I mean....it is dark already," he said.
I shook my head. "We can hang out some more."
His face lit up a bit.
"Really?
I nodded. "Yes."
"That's awesome. Where do you want us to go next?" he asked.
"More ice....."
"Oh I know a place." he retorted. "Come on," he said, taking my hand and leading the way.
Oh well. Ice cream can come later.
A TWO HOURS LATER........
I took in a tiny portion of my cotton candy as we walked along the peaceful street. We just finished touring a fun fair.
Michael is a game lover.
I, on the other hand, know nothing about games. I watched him play and he won two prizes. A teddy and a bracelet.
He gave them to me.
That melted my heart. The teddy is pink, one of my favorite colors, and has a silver bracelet.
He fixed it on my hand himself.
He is sweet.
And he really loves games. You should have seen him play. He reminds me of David, Dad, and Uncle Brad. Those three are core game lovers.
Mom and I love watching them play. Especially David.
He looks adorable whenever his tiny self joins them.
"Tonight was fun," Michael said, making him look at him with a smile.
"Yes, it was."
"We should try it some other time."
I nodded. "Sure."
"Maybe try the things you love," he said.
I smiled. "That will be great."
He smiled as we walked.
I ate my candy.
"You haven't given me an answer yet," he said.
My heart picked up.
I looked at him.
He is looking at me.
"Am I going to get it today?" he asked.
I didn't respond but lowered my gaze.
"No right?"
I looked at him.
He is staring at me.
"Can I think about it first?" I asked.
He stared at me for some seconds and nodded.
"Sure. Take all the time you need."
"Thank you,"
"Please don't keep me waiting for so long," he said.
I shook my head. "I won't."
He smiled. "Cool."
I smiled slightly but something caught my attention ahead of us.
I saw a couple seated on a garden bench, kissing passionately.
I gulped as that night Uncle Xavier kissed replayed in my head.
I lowered my gaze instantly, staring at my candy to distract myself as we walked past the time.
I sensed Michael staring at me.
I looked at him.
He smiled.
I smiled as well.
AN HOUR LATER......
AT THE SAMUELS' HOUSE.......
"I had a great time," I said, staring at Michael.
He smiled slightly, staring at me in that sweet way.
"Me too," he said.
We are both in his car parked in front of our gate. It is almost ten and only our lord knows when I will get enough sleep and prepare for tomorrow's shift.
"We are doing this again, right?" he asked.
I nodded. "Yeah"
"That's good," he said, still staring at me that way.
He is so good-looking. And I love his blue eyes.
They are pretty.
They fell on my lips.
I bite my lips, earning eyes on mine.
He began leaning in slowly.
My heart picked up, pounding violently.
Oh, God.
He reached for for neck.
I felt uneasy as he kept leaning in, aiming for my lips.