Chapter 38 Bloody What?
JESSICA
His focus was glued to his phone while walking to his left.
My heart raced as that night filled my head again, making my entire being uneasy as I stared at him.
He is dressed in his elegant expensive-looking navy blue suit, walking while operating his phone.
"Oh, Jessica," Uncle Jason's familiar voice took my attention.
He smiled at me as he attempted to walk towards me.
I forced a smile as he approached.
"How are you do...."
"Jason for Pete's sake," Uncle Xavier blurted, making me look at him.
My heart raced instantly.
He is looking at Jason.
"Hey, it's Jessica." Uncle Jason said, gesturing at me.
My heart increased as I looked a Uncle Xavier.
He scoffed. "So bloody what?"
My heart clenched.
"What the...." Uncle Jason trailed off.
"Like you have no idea she works here. Let's fucking go. The chairman is waiting" he said, walking ahead.
Tears approached my eyes as I stared at him.
Uncle Jason heaved a sigh, making me look at him momentarily.
"I will see you later, Jessica." He said.
I nodded, lowering my gaze as he followed Uncle Xavier behind.
I moved my hand randomly on my desk, touching the papers as the kiss came to my head.
It feels like I kissed a different person that night.
This person is the uncle that I know.
Always harsh when it comes to me.
Doesn't he remember last night?
He barely even looked at me.
Wha....
I felt a touch on my man, making me look at the person.
It was Michael.
He is staring at me with a slight worry on his face.
God, I totally forgot he is still here.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
I stared at him for a while and nodded.
"Are you sure?" he asked.
"Yes. Um....I need to make a call right now. Can we um....can we talk later?"
"You want me to leave?" He asked, looking at me in a way that tells me I am kicking him out of my sight.
"No, no. I just.... It's my mom. I really need to speak to her."
He nodded. "It's okay. Later then."
I forced a tiny smile.
He smiled as well and walked away.
I let out a breath as I sat in my seat. I fanned my brimming eyes with my fingers as my heart ached.
I took out my phone and moved to the call logs.
I saw my mom's phone number, adding to my brimming eyes.
I have this habit of calling her or listening to her voice text whenever I feel terrible.
What am I going to tell her?
Uncle kissed me and disregarded me after?
I can't do that.
I put down my phone and closed my eyes. I covered my face with my palms, trying to calm myself.
I really need to. I am at the front desk remember.
I put down my palms and let out a sigh. I picked up my pen and grabbed a file to get busy and distract myself.
I wish a patient or visitor would show up and.....
"Excuse me, please." An unfamiliar female voice called, making me get on my feet and I saw a blonde woman dressed in a blue blouse and jean trousers.
I forced a smile.
"Hi, welcome to Wellness Oasis. How can I help you?"
HOURS LATER......
I pressed my thumb on the screen on the wall and my biometrics appeared.
"Nurse Jessica Samuels, checked out." the female AI voice said.
I withdrew my thumb from it and held the strap of my bag as I headed towards the main entrance doors of the hospital still dressed in my scrubs.
It has been hours since I saw Uncle Xavier and despite all my efforts to distract myself from him, he still clouded my mind to the fullest.
Like right now, he is still in my mind.
My phone buzzed and I took it out of my bag.
Mom is the dialer.
I smiled a bit, feeling slightly delighted.
She is literally my peace.
I took the call and placed my phone to my ear.
"Hey, Mom."
"Hey, sweetie. Closed yet?"
I nodded slightly.
"Yes. I will be home soon." I said, walking out the doors.
"Alright, honey. I made chicken sauce and pasta. One of your favorites."
I smiled as I moved the little strand of my hair behind my ear and put my hand in my front pocket.
"David can't wait to dig in but I told him we have to wait for you."
I chuckled. "Let him eat, Mom. You know how cranky he can be."
"Nah uh. He has to wait for his sister to get home first. We haven't had a family bonding dinner in a while now because of your work."
I smiled, walking closer to the road.
"And your dad is on his way too. He said he has good news for us. And oh I also want to tell you about my plans. Are you in a taxi already?"
"I am about to stop one," I said, looking to my left for an incoming taxi.
"I will be home soon," I said.
"Okay honey, see you in a few."
"Okay," I said, hanging up. I put my phone in my bag and waved my hand at an incoming taxi.
The taxi approached but a black car approached from my right and stopped in front of me.
I stared at the car. It looks really expensive.
The window lowered, revealing Michael dressed in a black shirt, and some part of his curly dark hair was covering his forehead.
"Hey," he said with a smile.
"Hi," I said, smiling at well.
"Done with your shift?"
I nodded. "I am heading home."
"Come on in. I will give you a ride," he said.
"Um....no thanks. I will just take a taxi."
He heaved a tired sigh, looked ahead, and then at me.
"Really?"
I stared at him.
"You are rejecting me again, aren't you?"
"I am not. I just....there is no need for that. Really."
"Did I do something wrong?" He asked.
I furrowed my brows.
"Why do you keep rejecting me?"
"That's not...."
"Let me give you a ride. Please," he said.
I stared at him as I thought about his request.
He is being nice to me. Rejecting him will make him feel bad.
And I feel bad too.
He raised his brows at me amusingly.
I nodded.
"Cool," he got out of the car and I took in his physique as his scent filled my nose.
He is dressed in casual attire without a lab coat. A black shirt that had three buttons left open and gray pants.
And he is tall.
Tall and good-looking.
I watched as he walked around the car and towards the passenger's seat.
I followed him as he opened the passenger's seat.
I smiled slightly at him before entering the car.
His car smells really nice.
He closed the door and walked to the driver's seat and got in.
"Buckle up," he said, fixing his seat belt.
I did the same too.
"Where is your place though?" He asked.
"Matrix estate."
"Hmm. Nice. I have heard of the place."
I smiled a bit, staring at my fingers.
"Let's go." He said, starting the car and we drove off.
A few minutes into driving was silent and I kinda liked it. I have no idea what to say to him without feeling shy.
I'd rather we remain like this till I get home.
"So Jess," he spoke up, breaking the silence.
My uneasiness picked up. I looked at him momentarily.
"I can call you that, right?" He asked.
I smiled, lowering my gaze.
"I mean everyone has a shortcut to their names. My friends call me Mike. I bet your friends call you Jess or Jessie."
"Just Jessica," I said.
"Hmm. That's still good. When you have fun friends, they tend to shorten your name to make it easier to call or for friendship's sake."
I shrugged a bit. "My only friend is my mom. She calls me Jessica."
"Oh."
I looked at him.
He nodded, moving the wheel as he drove.
"My mom is my friend too."
I smiled.
"Moms are everyone's first best friend."
"Yes. First and always." I said, staring at that road as I thought about my mom.
She makes me feel secure in this world.
I love her so much.
"Do you mind making me your second friend?" he asked.
I looked at him.
He looked between me and the road.
"I would love to be your friend," he said.
I lowered my gaze, feeling a bit good about this but on the other hand, slightly curious.
Why does he want to be my friend?
Does he like me or something?
I mean he asked me out.
"I will take your silence to be you would like to think about it first." He said.
I looked at the road with a smile.
"I am right, aren't I?"
I looked at him.
He is smiling at me.
"Yeah. I will think about it and get back to you." I said.
"Fantastic." He said and I almost chuckled.
I don't know but he has this cheerful spirit that will make you like him instantly.
He might really be a good friend.
"About today though," he said.
I froze.
"You knew those men?"
My heart picked up as Uncle Xavier came to my mind again.
I forgot about him for some minutes but now he is back.
I shifted slightly, recalling the way he held me and kissed me possessively.
"Did I say something wrong?" Michael asked, making me look at him.
"What? No. They are um...." I cleared my throat. " They are my uncles."
"Oh."
I nodded and lowered my gaze.
"Including the cranky one?"
I furrowed my brows.
"Cranky one?" I asked, looking at him.
"Yeah. The one who refused to say hi to you."
My heart clenched slightly but I nodded and lowered my gaze.
"I see. Some uncles huh? They are something."
I looked at the window as I recalled the way he walked away without acknowledging me.
He really doesn't remember what he did, does he?
He was really drunk that night.
There is a possibility he doesn't remember.
Maybe that is why he acted the way he did earlier.
But it really hurt.
He is always harsh to me.
I have no idea what I did.
Maybe it's my clumsiness.
I figured he hates that.
I fiddled with the strap of my bag as I felt disappointed in myself.
A touch on my hand caught my attention.
Michael was looking at me.
"What's wrong?"
"Hmm?"
"I have been calling you but you are not answering. It's like you zoomed out or something."
"It's nothing," I said, moving the strand of my hair behind my ear nervously as I looked at where we are currently.
I saw our house instantly.
"Are you sure?" he asked.
"Yes. Um, that's my house." I said, pointing at my place.
He moved towards our gate and stopped.
I undid the seat belt.
"Thank you for the ride."
He shrugged. "Anything for my beautiful friend."
I stared at him with a tiny smile.
He just called me beautiful.
"Yeah you haven't accepted me as your friend but I have accepted you as mine." He said, smiling.
I smiled as well.
"See you tomorrow?"
"Yes. See you." I said, getting out of the car.
I closed the door and waved at him.
He waved back before driving backwards and away.
Sighing, I walked into our compound and headed towards our building.
I noticed Dad's car parked in the parking lot.
He came back before me.
I hurried towards the entrance door so I could join them for dinner but a car horned outside the gate, stopping me in my tracks.
I looked at the gate with furrowed brows.
The car honked again.
Oh gosh, could that be Michael?