Chapter 76: The Life She Used to Have

Jack slowly came to. He could feel his head resting on something. And he was hugging something.. too thin to be a pillow. But it’s warm and comfortable. He leaned in a little but apparently whatever he was lying on wasn’t as stable as he thought.

He felt the “pillow” jerk, causing him to open his eyes in shock, just in time to see Nelly’s head nodding forward before she brought her body back to where she was.

He blinked. So, the “pillow” he was lying on.. his eyes widened in shock. He entangled his arms from hers and scooted to the side to put some distance between them. Just as the source that was rooting her to the bench was gone, she started tilting to the opposite direction.

Jack reached forward in a panic, catching her before she planted herself headfirst on the floor. ‘That should wake her up,’ he thought. But she remained unmoving. ‘No?’

Slowly, he pulled her upright but her sleeping figure slumped on his body.

He gulped. ‘Is this alright?’ Her arms snaked around his body and fastened like an unyielding belt, face resting on his chest.

His heartbeat sped up, beating so loudly against his ribcage, he wondered if she could hear it. The place felt warm. It should be cold today.

He was wondering if he should gently untangle her from him and let her lie on the bench when she fell into a deeper sleep. Her muscles relaxed, causing her grip on him to loosen. Just as he was taking in a breath, she started sliding down. The realization made the air he was taking stuck mid-breath.

And she landed right on.. He took in a sharp breath. ‘It’s alright. Everything’s going to be okay, as long as..’ his little pep talk was interrupted when she moved. ‘Mmm..’ a soft moan escaped her in her sleep, face creating friction against him.

‘Not now, buddy,’ he tried to control it but sheer willpower itself lost to the natural reaction of the physical body. Nelly mumbled something in her sleep.

Jack stayed perfectly still, taking in shallow breaths as she slept.

Stacy was taking a stroll on the Reaper’s grounds. She’s alone but she’s got used to the stares the men were giving her. It kind of didn’t bother her anymore.

Chad left during dinner. Some men came in and said something about an urgent matter. She didn’t ask, just observing as he disappeared in a rush.

After dinner, Will left for the bar. Apparently, he owned a bar within the territory. Stacy was amused by the fact and made sure to promise him that she’d visit after she’s all recovered. His expression was off but she couldn’t pinpoint what it was and decided to let it go. She would eventually remember everything anyway.

She smiled as she felt the night breeze on her skin. Life here didn’t feel as suffocating as it used to be. She’s up and about, exploring the grounds and places she was curious about and watched as the people she was analyzing watched her with the same guarded interest. In a way, it’s fun.

She rounded the corner and came to the front of the clubhouse. Men were sitting in circles, playing cards and drinking. And there were men stationed in designated places, those she used to see from the window of her room. Same spots but different men. She wondered how regular they rotate.

The stares weren’t as much as when she first stood at the window, or when she came out of the room that morning. Most already got used to having her around while some still stared like she’s some zoo exhibit.

Guess that’s her life then. ‘Has things always been like this?’ She couldn’t help but think. ‘Was I happy with this life? Were there times when I doubt if I’m willing to settle at this? Sure, I might have some special relationship with Chad. Might have,’ she sighed in self-doubt. ‘But he’s almost never around. Is this only bothering me because I have no memory of him when I wake? Would I feel much secure if I’ve already known him for some time that I thought I might’ve known all about him?’

The term ‘all about him’ brought up some memories, those she had after waking up. Blushing involuntarily, she decided to shake it off by trying to blend into the crowd.

She walked up to a circle and the men went silent the moment she approached. She gave them an eye-wide look but every single person looked at her as if she’s an alien from Mars. ‘Maybe I am,’ she scoffed internally at the ridiculousness of the situation. “I’m just passing by,” she said with no response. “Continue with what you do, don’t mind me,” with that, she drifted off.

“What’s wrong with these people?” Her eyes narrowed in question as she mumbled.

She then decided to walk as quietly as she could as she approached another group of men drinking and playing cards at the other end of the compound. They were slightly louder than the previous group. Seemed like an expressive bunch.

With the cover of the night, she sneaked up behind one of the men. “C’mon! What kind of shitty luck..” one man sighed as he threw his cards on the ground. His companion beside him took a puff on his cigarette, looking as chill as a cucumber. He patted his shoulder, as if trying to console him.

She watched as they continued the game, cursing and laughing. It must have been at least three rounds when it’s the turn of the man in front of her hiding place to show his cards. He appeared very much troubled, clicking his tongue as his hand hovered on the cards. The others were urging him. With a deep breath, he grabbed a card, ready to pull it out.

“I won’t do that if I were you,” Stacy voiced out, causing the men to jump. A man grabbed her in his reflex, twisting her body to face the floor. At that moment, her reflex caused her to twist in an angle and reverse tackle the man, pushing him to the ground. Everyone was staring with different degrees of shock by then.

“Relax. I mean no harm,” she said as she released the man. Then, as if nothing happened, she turned to the man she was talking to before the whole self-defense showdown happened. “Go for the Ace.”