Chapter 29

"Where's Jack? Why are you alone?” Asked Madam Louis who came carrying a tray containing a teapot and three cups of warm Ceylon tea, as well as a plate full of chocolate and vanilla muffins.

“Jack just came out.”

“I've told him to accompany you, but he never changed. His attitude is always cold like that."

"Is Jack only like that to strangers?"

“No, the same goes for his parents. He doesn't talk much and he doesn't like being touched by anyone, including his own father and mother."

"Is he always alone?"

“Yes, every time he comes home from school he goes straight to his bedroom. When it's time to eat he will go out, in the afternoon he often goes to the old garden behind old Mr Silvester's house."

"What is he doing there?"

"Nothing, just sitting alone on a stone chair near a dry well, looking at the evening sky. But sometimes, I often sees him looking for something there. When asked, he said it was nothing important. But I can understand, why he is like that and surely you know too." Madam Louis's face immediately turned cloudy. Deep sadness shone in her eyes.

“I'm sorry.”

“No, it's okay. There's nothing wrong with Jack's friends knowing why he is like this. The tragic event that befell our family 10 years ago was the cause of the severe trauma that he is experiencing to this day. No one knows exactly what he experienced that night and the perpetrator was his uncle.” Madam Louis started sobbing, Melisa remained silent and felt guilty because she had made Jack's grandmother tell her about a dark past that she shouldn't remember anymore.

"Madam, never mind, one day he will definitely return to normal again."

“Yes, I believes as long as there is someone who always supports him. I am old, so I don't know what must I do for him."

"What about Jack's parents?"

"Jack's father, a pilot, rarely comes home, while his mother, an archaeologist, often travels abroad. Jack rarely sees his parents. But his mother often stayed here to see how Jack was doing. But his attitude seemed as if he didn't care about anyone's presence nearby."

"I really feel sorry for Jack, it's natural that it's difficult for him to recover because he doesn't get attention and affection. Jack's parents should always be near him and encourage him."

"Yes, you are right. You're a good girl, Melisa. Do you want to be Jack's friend? Give him encouragement so he can return to the way he was before. Isn't Jack very handsome?" Madam Louis teased her.

"Ahaha...yes, that's precisely why it feels like a shame if he can't recover." She said while laughing.

"Thank you, Melisa. It feels like this house hasn't had guests for a long time."

"Why?" Melisa asked while sipping a cup of warm tea.

“No one wants to come to the house where the massacre occurred. Moreover, this incident must be broadcast to all corners of the country. Often people pass in front of the house but when invited to come in, no one wants to, everyone refuses. I understands, they are afraid of this family.”

"Why is that? It's the same as punishing an innocent person!"

“It's okay, in this world things like that usually happen. For me, the most important thing is that they don't bother Jack, that alone makes me feel happy." Madam Louis's words made Melisa feel sorry, even though the little thing that the old woman wanted didn't happen. At university not only did no one want to hang out with Jack, but many people tried to bully him cruelly.

Just today, the delinquent boys put firecrackers in Jack's locker, when the firecrackers exploded and hit Jack's hand, injuring his hand. Not to mention what happened yesterday or the previous days. She didn't want to talk about the bullying that Jack often experienced at the college, she was afraid it would make Jack Louis' grandmother even sadder.

“Madam, then excuse me, I must go home, It's almost evening."

“Sure, I will asks Jack to take you home."

"N-no need, Madam! I drive my car. It's okay, I'll just go home alone. But if I can, I'd like to say goodbye to Jack first."

“Of course, Jack is next door, in Mr Silvester's back garden. Come on, I'l take you!"

"Thank You."

Like Madam Louis said, Jack was indeed there. He sat quietly on a stone chair near the old well, watching the sun go down.

“You just come close. I wants to call Jack's uncle first."

"Thank you." Melisa stepped slowly, the wind blew and blew away the dry leaves. The color of the sky is golden orange. Her eyes continued to wander, Jack's image continued to approach her even though the young man was in front of her eyes.

"Jack?" Melisa started to speak, even though she seemed hesitant.

Jack didn't move, his eyes continued to stare at the distant sky. His black eyes were now clearer with a slight brownish tint, beautiful, so beautiful. The most beautiful eyes she had ever seen.

"Jack?" Melisa tried to call him again.

"What?" Jack started to speak even though his eyes couldn't leave the orange sky.

"What happened to you ? Are you thinking about something?" Melisa asked, she was trying to get closer to Jack, at least hoping to become his friend.

***