Chapter 22: Remy Knows How to Be Smooth About It

Midnight stared at the leaving Ryder, his gaze gentle with a hint of sadness. His eyes dropped to his right hand and as a frown appeared on his lips, he rolled up the sleeve only to reveal the bandaged wrist. A sigh from the soul breathed through his lips.

Right then his friend, who had been waiting for him in the car outside the bookstore walked over. He had seen all that happened with Midnight and Ryder, following them with a huge grin on his face like a creepy stalker observing his favorite couple being lovey-dovey. When he saw Ryder leaving and Midnight staring at his bandaged wrist, the grin on his face vanished with no trace as he frowned.

As soon as Midnight was within reach, his hand grabbed Midnight's wrist gently and pushed it down. "Don't look at it."

"It's bandaged anyway." Midnight blinked his eyes. He turned around to walk to the parked car by the side of the road.

"Does it still hurt?”

"A bit…”

The two of them got in the car and as his friend started the engine, Midnight leaned against the seat, his eyes focused on the ceiling of the car. "I'm tired." His voice was almost a whisper as if he all this energy had drained out.

“Don't worry. I will drive you home right away. Do you want ice-cream? I'm going to buy you ice-cream. It will make you feel better. Didn't you two make up already? Cheer up."

Midnight listened to his friend chattering, spitting words out rapidly and he felt even more tired. "I… I can't go on like this anymore. I don't want this to continue."

"Then tell her who you are." The solution is pretty easy, why can't this guy figure it out on his own?

Midnight rolled his eyes and smacked the back of his friend's head. "Can you be a bit more sensitive, please? Tell her what? That I'm a fucking mess? Who would want some broken thing like me?”

This time it was his friend's turn to get aggressive and smacked the back of Midnight's head as if trying to hit some brains in it. "Alaa, shut the fuck up already. There's nothing wrong with you. I think those books have gotten into your head. I will talk with Natalie about it."

Hearing the woman's name, Midnight immediately froze and subconsciously shivered. "If you dare say her anything, I will unfriend you."

"Did you two fight? When did this happen? I have been with you this whole time."

"We didn't exactly fight. Yesterday she caught me lying on the roof and flipped, going from gracious elegant Natalie to a goblin. She almost fainted so I had to go down, but then she wouldn't leave my room, trying to feed me sleeping pills and chamomile tea."

"Did you take the pills?”

"Nah. I pulled an Uno reverse card at her."

Midnight's friend chuckled even though he was slightly disappointed. This dude hasn't slept for weeks, only napped for half an hour at most. Maybe Natalie's attempt wasn't that much of a bad idea. He should give it a try.

As this friend of Midnight was scheming against a certain someone, back in the bookstore Ryder was shocked silly at the sight in front of her. Kim was tied against a chair with a rope that God knows where it came from, only her head peeping out from behind the counter. Jasmine was hiding behind a life-size cardboard cutout of a woman who apparently had written a cooking book, using the cardboard like a shield, while Remy was trying to coax her into putting down the cardboard. And as if this wasn't enough, Kim was shouting at the old owner of the bookstore to untie her and kick out the two lunatics, but the old woman was losing money on her online poker game and was yelling at the computer, not paying attention to Kim at all.

I left for like… ten minutes… how the hell did this… Ryder sighed and shook her head, resigning herself to her fate. The problem was that… how was she supposed to stop this chaos? Was she supposed to yell… or grab one of the lunatics by the ear… or just join the mess? But if she joined… Whose side, should she take?

Another sigh escaped from her lips. Ryder decided to try reasoning with the only one who seemed to own more than half a brain cell in this place. And that was, of course, Remy.

"Rem." Ryder called him, her voice not low, not loud, but the young man heard him and turned his head to Ryder. His fluffy black hair moving almost animatedly.

"Yeah?” His voice was calm as if the chaos surrounding him had nothing to do with him. What the hell happened with this guy? He didn't use to behave like this before. Was it because his love for Jasmine? Fucking hell!

Sounding like a mother scolding her children Ryder asked him. "What is going on?”

Hearing that question, for some reason Remy's eyes twinkled like the eyes of a child seeing candies as he cheerfully replied. "Jasmine and I are dating now."

Ryder froze for half a second to that response, thinking to herself, "This guy is good in this stuff" however judging by the look of Jasmine… this didn't seem to be the case.

Sure enough, Jasmine started to protest. "Who said we're dating? You unfilial son."

Remy frowned. "Call me 'son' one more time and I will make sure you blush every time you listen to the word 'daddy'."

No need to wait until then. Let alone Jasmine, even Ryder blushed upon hearing such words, unable to process the fact that they came out of Remy's mouth. Holy macaroni, where did this guy learn to talk like this? Did he watch some movies or what?

(past! He didn't watch movies he just read a lot of books written by shameless writers)

Just as Ryder was wondering about this, her thoughts unconsciously slithered towards Midnight without changing the theme. Before she could stop herself, it was already too late and the previous slightly pink cheeks turned a nice shade of red of a baboon's red ass.

Jasmine wasn't any better either. What Remy said shocked her silly and she forgot how to speak. Her heartbeat echoed in her ears that felt hot due to the rush of blood that was boiling like hot lava. Stammering, she hid her face behind the cardboard cutout and refused to look at Remy. How could she look at him after hearing THAT! Such cute reaction pleased the latter as he grinned in satisfaction. But this satisfaction was short lived as a loud yell cut through the weird atmosphere created in the bookstore like a knife.

"If someone doesn't untie me right now, I will be fucking kill everybody." Kim yelled, wriggling on the chair in a poor attempt of escaping. Needless to say, it was pointless, yet that didn't seem to stop her.

Ryder rolled her eyes. "How are you going to kill us? You're tied like a salami."

Kim almost lost it, but before she could have the chance, the old woman from the staff room slammed the keyboard cursing. "To hell with this slow internet!”

No matter what, the situation in the bookstore seemed to remain in chaos for a little longer. One was yelling to unknown people in a screen with an old cracking voice, one had fully immersed herself into the role of a hostage, while the unofficial couple was bickering like an old married duo, making Ryder feel like an outsider.

"Fuck this shit I'm out." Ryder grabbed her stuff and walked out of the bookstore, without anyone noticing her leaving.

"Be good and let go of the cardboard." Remy took a few steps forward, closing the distance between him and Jasmine.

"Why are you being like this? Luwawu." Jasmine wailed like a kid who had gotten their toy snatched from their hands. "I want cute and adorable Remy back."

Remy's eyes softened. "I can be that…”

Jasmine's eyes twinkled immediately upon hearing that. "Really?”

Remy nodded with a gentle smile on his lips. But maybe because Jasmine was temporarily distracted by that dashing smile that made her heart beat faster, she missed the playful gaze in Remy's dark eyes. "MH. Too bad that only my girlfriend can see that side of me."

Jasmine, =□=

Girlfriend? To hell with your girlfriend, I saw you first! Jasmine roared in her heart. Then it suddenly hit her. Throwing a death glare to Remy she talked through gritted teeth. "You don't have a girlfriend."

Remy shrugged, enjoying himself way too much. "The spot is empty. Do you want it?”

"CAN YOU STOP FLIRTING IN FRONT OF ME! IT'S DISGUSTING. UNTIE ME RIGHT NOW!” Kim growled like a wounded animal. At this point the old lady had finished the poker game online and was in a bad mood as she walked out of the staff room. Seeing Kim tied up against a chair she raised a brow, looked her up and down and then as if she had seen nothing at all, the old lady walked out of the bookstore.

"That's it! I quit. I fucking quit!” Poor Kim wanted to mourn her unfortunate self. As if her crush being indifferent towards her, having to deal with a lunatic that was after the said crush, being knocked down on the floor, being sat on, getting tied against a chair wasn't enough… she also needed to go to the bathroom. Like… right now.

At first Kim was able to ignore the call of the Nature due to her anger. But the more time passed the less could she ignore it. All her hopes of her employer coming to her rescue crushed like broken glass under her feet and the need to pee grew stronger. If five minutes ago she was ashamed to say it, now she didn't give a shit and started roaring.

The "romantic" atmosphere was once more interrupted by Kim's shouting, this time it was her yelling "I'M GOING TO PISS IN MY PANTS". With such background noise, Remy lost all desire to ask Jasmine be his girlfriend and hurried to untie Kim so she would shut up.

The moment the rope fell on the ground, Kim ran to the bathroom as if her life depended on it. Like the sneaky little chipmunk, she was, Jasmine took advantage of Remy dealing with Kim and rushed outside the bookstore. She thought she was smooth about it. She was wrong. Not having taken even three feet outside of the bookstore, Jasmine's arm was seized and this time there was no life-size cardboard cutout by her side to be used as a shield. When Remy pulled her, her small body slammed against Remy's chest as his arms wrapped around her.

For some reason, Jasmine hiccupped and to justify herself she blamed it all on Remy.

"Where are you going?”

Jasmine didn't reply. She pushed herself away from his arms, using so much strength, Remy had no chance holding onto her. In the end, his cute chipmunk was still stronger than him. He sighed in his heart. I have to get stronger or else when the day she will beat my ass comes, I will get disfigured. What are we going to tell our kids then?

Jasmine was unaware of the future plans in Remy's head. She walked away as fast as she could, doing that awkward half-running half-walking thing. She had no desire to walk and give that rouge another chance to get hold of her. But Jasmine also didn't want to run because she was afraid that it would hurt her cute son's… hem hem… I mean, my cute Rem Rem's self-esteem.

In her heart, Jasmine was extremely confused. Her feelings were entangled like Anna's bed hair from Frozen. Simply put, this thug couldn't come to terms with the fact that some random guy, or better say someone she cherished, liked her… in that way… It's not like Jasmine was disgusted of the idea of Remy liking her. The problem was with the fact that she had never seen anyone in that way. She never thought of anyone in a romantic way, let alone look at Remy that way. With that confession of his, it was like a door was kicked open abruptly and Jasmine was enlightened, but couldn't mentally and emotionally handle it. She had yet to adjust to such sudden changes.

That was when Remy first confessed. Jasmine even thought of helping her cute Rem Rem find another girl to like, because he surely didn't like her. He just thought he liked Jasmine because she was the first one to talk to him. If more girls came to understand how amazing and adorable and precious her Rem Rem was, they would for sure want to be his girlfriends. But the more she thought about this, the sourer Jasmine felt in her heart. The less she could handle such idea.

What another girl! They're not worthy of my Rem Rem.

This led to even more confused thoughts and feelings. By now she already kind of knew that maybe… most likely… she liked Remy… romantically. A bit? But the mule headed Jasmine was in self-denial. Hence the struggle.

"Jazz." Remy called at her with a soft smile hanging on his lips. His hands were deep in the pockets of his jacket as he leisurely followed after Jasmine. After all he had longer legs. That wasn't too much of a problem. "Where are you going?”

"Home." Jasmine spat the word, but immediately regretted it and chewed on her lip.

"Why? Let's hang out a little longer. I promise I won't flirt."

"No."

"You will get bored at home. Let's go to the cinema. What is there to do at home?”

"Eat dinner."

"Oh." Remy pondered about it for a second, then as he came to a decision, he sped up his steps. Once he was by Jasmine's side, he threw an arm around her shoulders, beaming. "That's great. I'm hungry too. I will come with you. This way I can meet your parents."

A sudden sense of crises overwhelmed Jasmine. Her body came into a halt and no words of refusal nor approval could come out of her mouth.

He… he… he wants to come at my house? My! House? But my ma and dad are there… Eddie and Fred are there! I…

As she was still struggling to find a way of how to get out of this situation, Remy was already walking in her house's direction, pulling her along with a grin plastered on his face.

"Re-Remy… I don't think that's a good idea." What if her brothers beat him? What if her father took out his old boxing gloves from the closet? No, no, no. She couldn't let that happen. How was Jasmine supposed to bear seeing her Rem Rem getting beat up? He will for sure be disfigured. After all her brothers and father weren't easy to please. They will see how Remy can't even throw a punch and bully him.

I DIDN'T BEAT UP COLLEGE BOYS ONLY FOR MY FAMILY TO BULLY MY PRECIOUS REM!

"Bullshit. It's the best idea." Remy refused to back out.

"My brothers will bully you." Jasmine struggled, trying to pull Remy to the opposite direction of her house, but God knows where he found the strength to oppose her. Maybe it was due to the fact that Jasmine was feeling so anxious, her legs and hands were shaking. "Let's not go, okay? Abash! Don't be such a mule. If they ruin your face, I'm going to break your fingers."

"You won't do that."

"I will."

Remy suddenly turned around and pulled Jasmine closer. Their faces were one breath away, their noses almost touching. The hearts in their chest drummed like an anxious knock on a door, demanding to be opened.

"You can't bear hurting me." The corner of Remy's lips tugged upwards. "Be good. Everything will be alright." His hand touched the messy curly hair on top of her head, stroking it gently.

"But you…”

Remy withdrew his face away from Jasmine and looked at her with the smirk still present on his lips. The eyelids halfway closed, a bewitching smirk occupying his lips, his hands deep in his pockets… such posture made Remy look arrogant and full of self-confidence. For a moment Jasmine forgot how to breathe.

"Why are you so worried? Isn't it just a friend hanging out at your house? Or have you already accepted me in your heart?”

And just like that, the brutal truth crashed on Jasmine's head, making her brain short-circuit.

What the fuck…

She… she actually didn't think… she… Why the heck is he right! Ha?

Seeing the look in her eyes, Remy knew he was right. His Chipmunk was angered to death by the truth, wanting to throw a fit. The sight of Jasmine being like this warmed his heart for some reason and he couldn't help himself from wrapping his arms around her, pulling that petite body of hers closer to his. His nose buried in Jasmine's neck as he took a deep breath of her scent.

"Don't worry. I will never hurt you. I will take good care of you and make you very happy."

His words were spoken with such a soft and gentle tone, it made Jasmine's heart tremble with feelings. A sweet warm feeling filled that trembling heart and without realizing it, she was nodding her head.

And that nod was the Sacred Nod of Approval of which Jasmine had no idea she had given (she had yet to find out), but it sent Remy to the sky. His warm hands cupped Jasmine's blushing face and kissed the corner of her lips twice on each side. But it seemed that it wasn't enough. He couldn't stop himself almost as if he had been waiting for this chance for a long time. Remy showered Jasmine with kisses all over her face, the only thing left untouched were the lips. Poor guy was scared that if he went for it, it would be too rushed from his side and maybe he would scare Jasmine away.

After getting his fill of kisses, his face was flushed red, his heart beating faster than ever. Remy backed off and took a deep breath to calm himself down, his eyes on Jasmine who had no idea what was she supposed to do with herself. Her hand touched her face where Remy's lips had landed, which was pretty much everywhere. Getting attacked in such manner, Jasmine forgot her anxiety and even the fact that they were headed towards her house.

"Let's go." Remy grabbed her hand, fingers entangling.

But Jasmine was still out of it. Her fast heartbeat was too distracting and the feelings that made her body tingling made the blood in her body boil, her heart feel sweet. No matter how much she wanted to lie to herself, the feeling she had when Remy kissed her wasn't what a friend feels towards another friend, let alone someone for their "adapted son".

By the time Jasmine's mind came back online, the two of them were in front of her house. At that moment all the thoughts occupying her head and all the feelings that made her blush and filled her tummy with butterflies, all scattered as only one word took over her brain.

"Fuck."