CHAPTER 14: DRUNKEN CONFESSION

CHAPTER 14: DRUNKEN CONFESSION
Just a few moments had passed when a car stopped in front of me. I already knew who it was.

Jake.

The door opened, and Jake stepped out of the car. He was wearing a black, neatly ironed but loosely fitted polo and gray pants just like his usual casual style.

He walked toward me, one hand tucked into his pocket and the other holding a jacket.

He stopped right in front of me. Then, without a word, he crouched down to meet my eyes.

“Don’t do this again,” he said with his low voice. A bittersweet smile tugged at his lips as he draped the jacket over my shoulders. And just like that, he lifted me, carrying me in a bridal position.

I clung to him instinctively and I buried my face into his chest. I could feel his warmth and his heartbeat.

The moment we got inside the house, he carried me straight to my room.

“Here,” he said softly, gently laying me down on the bed.

He knelt in front of me and brushed off the dirt from my feet before slipping a pair of socks on them.

“You could’ve let me,” I murmured while watching him.

He looked up, meeting my eyes. “But I didn’t.” Then continue.

“But you can,” I insisted, almost in a whisper.

“And I still didn’t,” he replied without hesitation.

After putting on the socks, he took the jacket off me, turned his back, and stood there coldly and calmly.

“Instead of saying thank you, for real… you just questioned what I did,” he said with his unreadable tone. “You could’ve just been at least thankful that I still care.”

Then he walked out.

I was wrong. He didn’t care. He never really did. Maybe it was just me, misinterpreting every little thing he did.

“Who am I for him to care? For anyone to care?” I whispered to myself.

I lay there in silence and let my back pressed against the soft mattress.

A quiet chuckle escaped my lips before I pushed myself up and stood.

I didn’t even know why I still cared about him. Why I still worried if he was okay… why I still cared about his feelings when, clearly, they didn’t.

I saw him in the kitchen. He was brewing coffee.

He turned slightly, and that’s when he noticed me standing there. He froze and his eyes met mine for a split second before we both looked away. 

I walked over and sat down at the table.

A few moments later, he placed a mug in front of me.

The coffee was hot.

“You forgot,” I said with a small, forced smile. “I don’t drink hot coffee.”

He didn’t look at me. “You told me that once. I can’t memorize everything right away.” His tone was flatly quiet. “You could’ve stood there and changed it yourself instead of complaining. I still made an effort.”

He reached out to take the cup back, but I held onto it.

“I-I’ll just… drink it anyway,” I said softly, giving him another forced smile.

He didn’t return it. He just turned around again, avoiding my eyes.

"Are you.....avoiding me?" I asked. He didn't answer.

“You can sleep after that. I’ll head to my room. I still have things to prepare for our lesson tomorrow,” he said, and without another word, he left. Just like that… he left me in the kitchen.

I pressed a hand to my chest, trying to ease the weight that had started to build again. But this time… it felt different. The pain didn’t come with tears. It was quiet, deeper, heavier.

I left the coffee untouched. I let the jacket fall to the floor. Then I slowly walked up the stairs to my room.

I locked the door behind me and crawled into bed, hoping sleep would come easily.

It didn’t.

I tossed and turned, restless. My mind wouldn’t shut up. So I got up, thinking maybe some fresh air would help.

That’s when I saw Jake by the front door.

He was facing outside while holding a bottle in his hand. His once-ironed polo was now crumpled, his hair a mess from running his fingers through it too many times. He looked tired. Drained. Sober.

I don’t know what made me walk toward him.

I was about to tap his back when he spoke.
“I know you’re there.”

I paused, then quietly sat beside him.

“I told you to go to sleep,” he said, taking another shot.

I noticed the four bottles by his side.
“You already drank four?!” I blurted.

“Why do you care?” he muttered.

“Jake, why wouldn’t—” I stopped.

He was right. Why did I care? Why do I still?

“Right,” I said, swallowing hard.

“I… sorry,” he mumbled while his eyes were glued to the floor.

“Sorry for what?” I asked, even though I knew what he meant. 

“I told you I wanted to make this work… but I’m still an idiot. I’m still confused. I don’t even know if I want to keep this or let it go. But every time I pull away, every time I try to stay distant… I miss your warmth. I want to hold you. But I just… I don’t know. I’m a mess.”

He shook his head in confusion.

“I’ll help you,” I said without even thinking twice. “I’ll still be here. I’ll stay by your side.”

That made him look at me. His eyes searched mine.

“Reina…” he whispered.

“Let’s just make this work,” I said gently, reaching up to touch his cheek. “I want this. I agreed to this… remember?”

There was guilt in my voice. I knew it. Because deep down, I couldn’t forget that he already had a fiancée.

I knew it was wrong. But I stayed anyway.

He didn’t say anything. He just leaned in, slowly, his eyes fluttering shut as he kissed me.

It was soft and still. His lips didn’t move, but the gentleness of it… felt unreal.