CHAPTER 9: WHAT'S THAT SMALL RED BOX?
I just stood there, watching them. Jake and that girl. He looked like he was enjoying the moment. His laugh, the way his eyes lightened the moment he saw the girl. I shook my head quickly, trying to shake off the thoughts crawling into my brain.
But what if she’s not just his sister? Or cousin? What if she’s… the fiancée? The real one?
Great.
I went back to my study room, hoping the silence would somehow help me forget what I just saw. But of course, my brain refused to cooperate.
He still hadn’t answered my question about his fiancée, and it’s bothering me more than I care to admit. What’s worse? I already know he’s engaged, yet I still allowed myself to believe this thing between us could work.
I groaned and buried my face in my hands.
“I’m so stupid,” I muttered to myself.
I stared at my lampshade for a while before my eyes wandered to the bookshelf behind it. That’s when something caught my attention. A small red box between the books.
Wait. Is that a ring box?
I stood up to take it and when I was just about to reach for it, the door opened behind me.
“Reina, what are you doing there?” Jake asked. He shut the door and walked toward me.
“Nothing. Just… wandering around,” I said with a fake smile.
He reached out and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear.
“You shouldn’t let any hair cover your beautiful face,” he said with a soft smile.
I tried to match his gesture. I brushed the strands off his forehead too. “And you shouldn’t let any cover yours either,” I replied in a quiet voice like I was about to whisper.
He chuckled softly.
“What?” I asked, acting innocent even though I totally meant it to tease him.
“Nothing. I just realized what I said was kind of cringe now that you repeated it back to me,” he said.
“So, I’m cringe now?” I raised my brow.
“Not really,” he replied, giving me that teasing face.
I smacked him lightly on the shoulder. “Seriously?”
“Ow!” he yelped dramatically, as if I hit him with full force.
“Really? Really?” I said, hitting him again and again.
“OW!” he kept yelling while running out of the room.
“Oh come on, it didn’t even hurt that much!” I shouted, chasing after him down the hallway.
His laugh echoed through the house and so as my foot steps running to get him.
“Come and get me—if you can!” he called out, giggling like a child.
“I’m tired, Jake,” I said in a defeated tone, plopping myself down on the floor like a kid.
That's just my way to end this since I don't really have that kind of energy to go after him.
“Hey, the floor’s dirty. Stand up,” he said in his usual bossy tone.
“No,” I replied, raising my arms like a toddler asking to be carried.
He laughed then shook his head and gently picked me up and placed me on a chair.
“Silly,” he whispered, then pinched my nose.
“Hey! You have your own nose!” I exclaimed, furrowing my brows.
He just laughed again and suddenly lifted a book in the air with one hand while cornering me in with his other arm.
“Ready?” he asked, looking at me with an intense gaze.
Study again? Arghhh.
“Wait, I didn’t even notice you had a book!” I said, pointing at it.
“Well, maybe our young miss was a little too distracted,” he murmured with a smirk.
“Distracted? No. Maybe you just planned it that way so you could mess with me,” I argued.
“Oh, young miss… am I wrong? That you’re too distracted… with me?” he said, eyes gleaming with confidence.
I tried to push him away, but he caught me by the waist, easily holding me in place with just one arm.
How is he this strong?
“You’re so full of yourself,” I muttered, rolling my eyes.
“Maybe. Or maybe you’re just too jealous to admit it,” he teased, finally letting go and running his hand through his hair.
“Oh please,” I scoffed. “Jealous? Me? No way!” I said, laughing nervously.
Which, unfortunately, was kinda true.
“I can’t blame you. Must’ve been hard seeing me hug another girl,” he said with a shrug.
“Whatever. Enjoying it, were you?” I asked in a cold tone, rolling my eyes again before turning away.
I was ready to leave the kitchen but he stopped me. He grabbed my wrist and gently pinned me against the wall with his arm that's still holding that stupid book.
“Just say it,” he said in a low and husky voice.
“Say what?” I folded my arms and avoided his eyes like I was clearly annoyed.
He lifted my chin with his one finger, forcing me to meet his gaze.
“Say it. I promise I’ll give you the validation you need,” he whispered with a more serious tone.
I looked away like a stubborn.
“No. I’m not saying it.”
“Yes, you are.”
“I’m not.”
“Just admit it.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“Fine!” I snapped. “I was jealous, okay? Satisfied?”
I slapped his hand off and turned away again, but he blocked my path.
“She’s Fariesha. My sister,” he said in a calm tone. He's more sincere this time. “I would never hug any girl like that… except you.... and my sister.”
Even your fiancée?
I wanted to ask him that. But the words wouldn’t come out of my mouth.
“You don’t believe me…” he said in his defeated voice.
I swallowed hard and avoided his eyes. “Can I… can I just go to my room for a moment? I think I need some rest.”
I didn’t wait for his response. I turned away and made my way upstairs, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on me.
As soon as I closed the door behind me, I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. “What am I even doing…” I muttered, burying my face in my hands. My thoughts were spiraling around and my chest was tight. I hated feeling like this. Confused, guilty, and torn.
Then came a knock.
“Hey…” Jake’s voice came from the other side. “I know it was rude of me to joke about hugging another girl and not explain it right away. That was messed up. But I just want you to know I’d never do anything to hurt you. Ever.”
There he pause.
“I also left some food for you in the kitchen. In case… you get hungry or something,” he added, voice a little quieter now. “No pressure. Just wanted to let you know.”
I heard his footsteps start to fade down the hallway.
I waited a few seconds, long enough to be sure he was gone. Then slowly opened the door.
Only to freeze.
“What the—” I blurted out in surprise.
Jake was still there.
He hadn’t left at all. He was leaning against the wall beside my door and his arms crossed over his chest while looking down like he was deep in thought. The moment I spoke, his eyes lifted to meet mine. They were softer than I expected, like he wasn’t mad at all.