21 - Jessica

Jessica

It makes sense.

It totally makes sense.

Especially now that I spent almost three hours trying to make sense into the love-triangle situation that Matthew Parkinson may or may not be involved in. In the whole car ride to and from the grocery store, I was multitasking: jamming with Miles and thinking really hard if my theory can be possible.

Matthew is a billionaire philanthropist.

Kierra Wayne is the female version of him. She's practically a Saint. With her bright blonde hair, light blue eyes, freckled cheeks and a beautiful smile she's definitely a package.

They have the same passion, the heart of gold – no wonder he fell in love with her!

But it seems to me that Matthew never told her about his feelings. His friendship with Jason Boyd was at stake, of course. Maybe he didn't want things to change. If that's the case – oh, my gawwddd – the guy is a martyr. I can't really say for sure. I think I'm getting way ahead of myself here.

I shake the thought out my head and focused on getting the groceries to the kitchen. Andrei was waiting in the doorsteps when we made it home and helped us out with the groceries.

"Hi, gorgeous. I didn't know you're coming." I clambered out of the car and stood smiling.

Miles hurried towards him; arms extended for a hug.

Andrei made a little 'oomph' sound when Miles collided against his leg and threw his arms around his abdomen. "Hi, sweetie. I hope you don't mind me sleeping over tonight."

"I would really love that." I grinned.

He wags his eyebrows. "I would love this too. Come on, buddy. I made some apple pie." He lifted Miles off the ground and took him inside.

"Can I have at least three slices?" I called out, before walking behind the car to help out Matthew with the groceries.

"You don't need to. I got this." Matthew smiles boyishly.

"Are you kidding me? We're doing this." I stood next to him in front of the trunk and looked down to the bags of groceries. "Wow. We bought a lotttt."

He handed me the bulk of toilet papers. "I guess this is the parenting life."

I took the toilet papers, hugging them like a giant stuffed animal. "You just told a joke." I giggled.

He raised a brow. "Hey, I can be funny."

"Yeah?" It was my turn to raise a brow.

He gave me a dimpled smile and shrugged. "I have layers."

"Which layer am I at right now?" I tilted my head to one side, ignoring the pang in my chest that comes in whenever I think about his unfortunate love life.

"Second layer." He lifted almost half of the bags, like he wanted to do the rest of the job himself.

"Good to know." I chuckled and started walking to the front steps.

"Jessica."

I stopped in my tracks. This may be the first time I heard him say my name. I turn back around. "What's up?"

I stare for a moment. "Thank you. For what you did back at the grocery store."

"It was nothing." I grinned. "I can talk about breastfeeding all the time."

He nods. "How'd you know all that stuff?"

"Well, two married best friends will do that to you." I shrugged. "You're welcome, Matthew."

***

Matthew offered to do the dishes after we had dinner. Andrei insisted he was on "dish duties" and I offered to give him a hand.

I managed to keep a straight face when he prodded why.

"You wash. I'll dry." I grinned.

Matthew and Miles went to the living room to watch animal planet. This is probably a good time to ask his brother some personal questions.

Andrei stood behind the sink, suds crawling up to his elbow. "Stop staring. I know I'm gorgeous," he murmurs.

I giggled. "I know. That's exactly why I'm staring."

"So, how's everything?" He swung a glance my way.

"We're friends now," I announced.

Andrei gave me a bored look. "You weren't before?"

"We're just acquaintances before. And that's a different thing from friendship."

He snorted. "Okay, I'll bite. And when did this friendship began?"

"Last night."

This made him arched a brow. "Was it late at night?"

I shot up my hand. "I know exactly where this is going. I refuse to take that road."

"That was a perfectly innocent question."

I pinched his side.

He flinched. "Fine. I never asked."

"Good." I took a step closer. "Hey, Andrei, um, do you know Kierra Wayne?"

"Am I living under a rock? Of course, I know her. The whole town does."

I sighed impatiently. "No. I meant, personally."

"Yeah, I do. She's friends with Matthew."

"Oh. Close friends?"

"You could say that. They've known each other since they were little kids."

I nodded slowly. "And Jason Boyd?"

"Matthew's best friend. Why'd you asked? Suddenly interested?" Andrei left the dishes and faced me.

"I am. I'm photographing Jason and Kierra's wedding." I managed to say it with nonchalance.

He lets out a delighted gasp. "Really? That's so great!"

"Uh-huh."

He turns back to washing the dishes.

"So," I cleared my throat, "what's the deal between Kierra and Matthew?"

"She's a darling. He's a darling. They simply flock together."

"Oh. I think she's quiet a catch." I smiled.

"I know, right? We thought she and Matthew will end up together someday."

"You did?" I asked, trying not to sound really interested because deep inside, I was dying to know their history.

"Yeah. But I don't think Matthew thought they can be more than friends. Besides, Jason was the one she ended up with."

"Oh." I twisted the towel in my hands. Matthew never told anyone about his feelings. Not even his siblings. And worse, not even the most important girl who needed to know.

"You okay?" Andrei handed me a plate.

I took it distractedly. We both yelped when it slipped and shattered on the floor. "Oh, shit," I murmured through gritted teeth.

I crouched down to pick the shards.

"Jess, don't."

"Ouch. Goddamn it." I groaned when I felt a sting on my middle finger. I realized one of the pieces cut me.

"I told you, "Don't."" Now you cut yourself." He clutched a hand around my wrist and pulled me up. "Let me see."

"Guys, is everything okay?" Unsurprisingly, Matthew rushed in, his brows creased with worry.

"We broke a plate. Jess cut herself." Andrei showed him my bleeding finger.

Miles bolted toward me and swathed his arms around my hips. "Aunt Jess, are you okay?"

"I'm okay. Careful not to step on the shards." I snuck and arm around him.

"Andrei, take Miles to the living room. I'll clean it up," Matthew says. It shockingly didn't sound like a request.

"Okay. Come on, buddy. Let's get you ready for bed. Uncle Matty is going to take care of Aunt Jess."

Miles hesitated.

"It's okay, Mile-sy. It's just a tiny cut."

His blue eyes broadened. "Are you sure?"

"Yep."

He nods and takes Andrei's hand. When they both left, I stepped carefully aside, avoiding anymore shards. I thought he will walk right toward the mess of shattered pieces on the floor, but he didn't. He stood in front of me, blue eyes searching for other injuries. "Can I see it?"

"It's just the tiniest bit of injury."

He took my wrist in his hand, ushering mine to him. "You should be more careful next time."

"It just slipped," I reasoned out.

Matthew examined the wound then gently walk us to the sink. "I'll just rinse off the blood, okay?"

I nodded, suddenly in daze.

He situated my finger under the tap and then turn on the water. "I gotta say I wasn't surprised you cut yourself. I saw you tripped before."

I blink, my mouth hanging open. "You saw that?"

A dimple poke on his cheek. "Yeah."

I gave him a slap on the arm which he dodged.

"Hey, hold still."

I purse my lips. "What happened to having a fresh start?"

"Okay. Let's pretend I didn't say that." He grabbed a towel and dab my finger dry. Then he pulls his wallet out of the pocket of his pants. "Pick one."

"Really?" I questioned out when he withdrew three strips of cartoon printed Band-Aids from his wallet before slipping them back to his pocket. "You bring those Band-Aids with you in your wallet all the time?"

"Yeah. What else should I carry around with me in my wallet?"

"Uh, I don't know. Cash, Credit Cards and a condom?"

He blinks. "Do you want the Band-Aid or not?"

I giggled. "Okay, okay. I want the rabbit."

"Okay, then." He tugged it out and held my wrist.

"Oh, no. Wait," I spewed when a drop of blood swelled on my finger. "It's still bleeding."

"Hold still." He leaned in, and to my surprise, lick my wound clean with his tongue.

My face burned. And there's these annoying flutters in my belly.

Oh, God.

What the hell just happened?

"You okay?"

"Mm-hmm. I think you just got infected with whatever disease I may or may not have," I click my tongue, grappling for anything else to say. "Did you know that Andrei's staying the night?"

He gently plastered the Band-Aid over the wound. "Yeah."

"Any plans tonight? You know, going out with friends?" I can still feel my face burning.

He shakes his head. "I think I'm going for a run."

"Oh. You're not going for a swim?"

His brows arched.

"Miles told me you sometimes, uh, go swimming in the pool."

His brows 'un-arched.'

Phew.

I cleared my throat. "You're going for a run with your friends?"

"No. Just me," he replies.

Poor guy. The only close friends he ever had is tying the knot. He had to keep himself at bay from the friendship because his romantic feelings toward Kierra might get in the way.

There was a tiny pinch in my chest. I totally misjudged the guy. And at the pain he must be in, I don't want him to be alone.

Alone... in the friend zone.

"Can I come?" The words were out of my mouth before I could think them through.

His blue eyes twinkled. "You run?"

"Used to," I lied.

"Okay." He smiled. And for the first time, his smile actually reached his eyes. Now suddenly the fact that I don't have a single athletic bone in my body doesn't matter anymore.

Hi, lovelies! I'm really sorry for going MIA on you guys. A looottttt has happened in the past weeks. Honestly, I don't know where to start. I got myself fully vaccinated. It's a huge relief because the number of cases in my country is skyrocketing. And especially now that I'm no longer working from home. I gotta say those precious days felt like a breather. Now that I'm back to work, I'm back into being the butt of the joke. And not in a good way. You know, back when I was younger, I thought there's that certain age where you won't have to deal with bullies anymore. I guess it was just wishful thinking because there's no such thing. I think I hoped too much.

I'm a very quiet person. I never make an impact or make a good first impression. Hell, my boss forgets my name all the time which never happens to anyone in my workplace. And try as I might, I can't be cheerful and sweet and fun.  I tend to be the first candidate for when my colleagues want a laughingstock. They laugh behind my back. And they laugh right to my face. Sometimes it feels like every single thing I do is laughable. They crack jokes that honestly, hurt me. I don't know if it's just me being hypersensitive or it's them being insensitive.

Anyways, I'm happy I still have you guys. Thank you. For not making me feel like a loser. Click that star if you enjoyed the chapter! Love you.