Jada's recall of the past was interrupted when she heard someone knocking. She paid no attention to whoever it was, regardless of how long they were there, until they left on their own.
Looking around the room, she started gathering her things. When she's done, she took her phone and booked herself a ticket to California, where her parents are.
'It's the only place I can be in peace so I'd rather be there in the meantime than be at my condo where he has easy access, or better yet, I'll stay there for good. The farther I am from Lyken, the better.'
She checked her watch and it was only fifteen past midnight. She decided to sleep while waiting for a chance to leave.
However, as soon as her back touched the bed, someone's knocking again. This time it's way louder than the first ones.
"Jada, please open the door. Let's talk," it was Lyken.
His words were slurred and his voice was hoarse. Jada can easily tell that he's drunk. But just like what she did to Honey and their other friends earlier, she ignored him.
"Jada please, I can't bear losing you. Please Ja, I beg you, please open the door. Let's fix this," he continued.
She turned a deaf ear to his pleas. Jada can't face him right now and she doesn't know when she can. Maybe never and that would be better.
What happened tonight hit her so bad. She knew the incident happened years ago. It's been years since they broke up and she thought she had already forgotten about it.
But then it was different when she saw them right in front of her. The pain was unbearable. It felt like she was being ripped to pieces.
Lyken keeps calling her from outside the room. He continued with his pleas, sobbing and sniffing in between but his heart was unwavering.
Jada didn't even feel pity for him. He might be hurting too, that is if everything he said to her in the past few days were sincere, but still, she chose to ignore him.
After a while, she heard Kobe talking, "Dude, let's leave her alone for now. Let her cool down first."
Lyken refused several times but she knew they already left when it quieted down outside. When she was sure no one could see her, she proceeded with her plan to leave.
Jada left Huesca at one in the morning. She traveled for almost two hours to reach the airport. Luckily, she'll make it to her 5 AM flight to Los Angeles.
She looked for a place to eat as she was planning to sleep during the flight. While eating she turned on her phone and a few messages came in.
However, none of the messages were looking for her. That means her friends didn't know yet that she already left and is now bound to the other side of the world.
A few more minutes later, her flight number's being called for boarding. She postponed calling her parents to let them know she's coming.
It took her a day and about 8 more hours to reach her destination. She arrived at three in the afternoon so she rented a car that will take her to Palm Springs.
Two hours more and she finally arrived at her parents' house. Both of them were surprised, obviously not expecting her arrival.
To avoid interrogation, she told them that she came back from a show in Europe. Then she went to Huesca with her friends, and now she's home to celebrate her birthday with them.
The trio talked a bit more before her parents decided to go back to sleep. According to them, they just got back from Nevada too.
Jada went to her room and plopped on the bed. She forced herself to sleep but it seems like she already had enough on the plane.
She decided to just empty her suitcase to pass time then she turned on her laptop and her Messenger started ringing. She forgot to log it out.
It was Honey calling and since she's already on the other side of the planet, there's no reason not to answer the call. 'They won't be able to teleport here,' she thought to herself.
"Hon…"
"My God Jadanela, finally!" her tone was a bit exaggerated but she was obviously worried. "Did you know we almost turned the island upside down trying to find you? We were all worried, especially Lyken!" she narrated.
"I'm sorry!" was all she could say.
"We wouldn't even know you left if Kobe didn't threaten the receptionist! What were you thinking?" she added.
"Sorry, sis. I just felt the need to leave."
"You need to leave? Is that why you didn't tell anyone, even me? Your best friend?" She's mad, she knows and she understands. "When we came back to Manila, we couldn't find you. The guard told us he hasn't seen you yet since we left for Huesca. Where are you then?"
Jada let out a heavy sigh before answering, "I'm in Cali right now."
"What?"
"Where is she?" someone asked from the background but Honey didn't respond.
It took her a while to speak. Honey only did after Jada heard a door close. She went inside Jada's room to talk to her privately.
"Were you that badly hit?" she finally asked.
She nodded though Honey couldn't see her. "I need some time alone and away. Sorry if you guys are getting involved in this," she told her as she tried to hold back her tears.
Jada's tired of crying. But at that moment, all she wanted to do was to cry nonstop so Honey wouldn't ask her anything. She knows that the questions she has for her, are the types of questions she wouldn't want to answer.
"I'm really sorry. I know it's unfair for the rest of you. You shouldn't be involved in my drama. I'll understand if you'd want to scold me nonstop," she chuckled to lighten up the mood. She even forced herself to sound as cheerful as possible so her friend won't worry much.
Honey sighed, "Silly! I understand, don't worry. And I know you're dead tired so I'll let go of you for now. I'll just explain it to them but promise me you'll take care of yourself there," and what she said made Jada smile.
"Promise!"
"And Ja, let yourself heal."
Honey's words called her tears. They started showing up one by one until Jada couldn't stop them anymore. She knows it's hard, but Honey was right, she needs to do just that.
"I'll do my best Hon. I'll try hard," then they ended the call.
She stayed on the bed until she fell asleep. She knows not how long she has slept, all she knows was that she did while crying.
After a month in California, she decided to pursue modeling. But this time, she only takes local and small time gigs.
She gets to talk to Honey at least twice or thrice a week so she's still updated about their happenings. According to her, Lyken filed for an indefinite leave and Kobe allowed him.
Honey also said that Lyken became a workaholic after she left. So when he asked for a leave to go on a vacation in Hong Kong, Kobe didn't refuse.
Meanwhile, Bambi and Ada are busy with their gigs. Both Robin and Steve are busy with their businesses as well.
At times, Kristoff and Daniel, who is now Natalie's boyfriend, would ask about her too. And finally, she and Kobe decided to tie the knot.
She's not pregnant but they both agreed to settle down. According to Honey, Kobe and Lyken's company is now stabler.
They're planning to get married next year. They decided to do it in September so Jada has no choice but to come back because she's the Maid of Honor.
She still has more than a year to prepare for her return. But before that, she has to make sure that all is well with herself.
Jada has to make doubly sure that there's no anger left deep inside her. That she's more than ready to face Lyken again and be willing to listen if he wants to explain.