â the ugly truth
When ice blue eyes met wild green ones, John knew he was in trouble. Big trouble. He hadn't told Jannet a single detail.
He didn't feel like talking to her anymore.
Jannet. Jannet. May, June, July, it doesn't matter anymore. He didn't care.
She was in her police uniform. Slim, curves in the perfect places, light brown skin, black hair. She was in her attack position. She had a habit of doing that whenever she was angry, frustrated. John wouldn't be surprised if she was thinking of hundred ways to kill him.
Light honey eyes caught John's attention. Metilda rushed Louis inside, her short brown locks bouncing on her shoulders.
Jannet stopped in-front of John.
"What were you doing?"
"It's not what it looks like."
She grinded her jaw. "Not what it looks like. You were about to kiss her."
"There's a park down south street, let's talk there."
"Why not here? And why did your wife walk away like I'm some disease."
"Please, Jannet. No drama, please."
"Oh, okay fine." She snapped her fingers. "Plus we both know who the drama queen is."
She was talking about Metilda. John didn't contradict her, knowing that she was right.
ââââ
[six months ago]
John was feeling absolutely blissful. He was getting promoted to a higher official position. It meant he no longer would have to rely on chief's order to run an investigation. He could request for a search warrant using his own name and he would get an entire department of detectives and policemen under his control.
Another reason for his happiness was Metilda. Yes, he never thought he would use happiness and Metilda in the same sentence but she had accepted Jannet's truth without a word. She just stared at him when he told her that he wanted to divorce her because he had fallen in love with a police officer.
John released a deep, content sigh. The police department was holding a small reception for him. He was on cloud nine that day. A group of officers, chief Bentel were congratulating John. It was the proudest moment of John's life.
Jannet had her arm wrapped around John. She was beaming at him as the officer's congratulated him.
In walked, Metilda. The numbness from yesterday had faded away. There was a range of expressions on her face, from sadness at John's betrayal, from anger at another woman holding her husband's arm.
She wore the sultriest black dress in her closet and the darkest blood red pumps. Her thighs were exposed and so was her midriff. John felt boggled at her attire. His Metilda never dressed sexy, never.
The entire party of men was staring at Metilda. She walked as a fierce lioness, her eyebrows draw in a tight line. John could feel Jannet's arm loosen around his arm.
"You?" Metilda pointed at Jannet. "Keep your hands off my husband,"
John's eyes widened. Hell, no. Metilda was here to humiliate him. She was finally going to retaliate.  "Mel, come on. Don't create a scene."
"Don't call me Mel. How dare you! How dare you cheat on me? Just because I didn't pay attention to you for a week, you found yourself another women. You!" She jabbed her finger in his chest. "You! Narcissistic, arrogant, egoistic, attention hungry jerk."
"Metilda. Not today!"
"John," Jannet gripped his hand. John closed his eyes. No-one can save him from Metilda's wrath now. "Do you want me to talk to her?"
"Who the hell are you? I'm talking to my husband." Metilda barked.
"Your soon to be ex-husband," Jannet quietly added.
"Oh, where were you when he was struggling? Now that he has the cash, you chase him down? You filthy gold digger!"
"Metilda!" John screamed. "You've crossed your line. We're done. Why can't you understand that I'm tired of you? I want you out of my lif-"
Metilda's palm collided with his face. "John Hamington! I am not a piece of clothing that you can throw out of your life."
John was too stunned and embarrassed to say a thing.
"Congratulations, Mr. Detective."
As she walked away, one of the junior police officers stopped her. "Can I have your number?"
She glared at him. "Go to hell."
John made sure to note his name so he could fire him later.
ââââ
"A twelve kiss deal? Why the heck did you agree to it?" Jannet wrapped her hand around his arm. Few parents were watching over their children from the benches. Jannet and John too sat on one such bench except they were staring off into a distance as the sun settled over the horizon, scattered with a few trimmed shrubs.
"She's clearly trying to win you back."
"I wouldn't be so sure." John wanted to place some distance between their bodies. Jannet's entire left leg was pressed against his right leg. Somehow it felt wrong.
"What do you mean?"
"Think about it, Jannet. It's been six months and now she's suddenly agreeing to take Louis's custody."
"You think she wants your son to think that you're one happy family. What's the point of that? I mean, your son will eventually find out the truth."
"Jannet, Louis is five years old. I don't think any five year old boy needs to know that his parents hate each other's guts."
Ice blue eyes gazed into John's eyes. Jannet wanted to kiss John right now but he wasn't holding her gaze. "Something has changed," She whispered. "John, I know you like mysteries. This exactly what she wanted. She became a mystery that you would want to solve."
"I'm just curious. Jannet. And you're overthinking this."
Jannet shook her head, laughing causally-even though her heart was sinking in her chest, how long will she able to keep his heart?
Then she brought her lips together. "I thought you were sick or something. John, I got so worried. You're so serious about work, I didn't think there would be a day when the great detective misses work because he overslept. What were you doing anyways?"
Watching Metilda sleep and trying hard not to fall in love with her innocent charm.
But of course he wasn't going to say that. "Watching a football match."
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Note:Â I'll make it up in the next chapter. Eight kisses left. Seriously though guys, John is not going to leave Jannet so soon. There is a reason he got with her in the first place. I know John is clearly head over heels for Metilda but the bad memories are really holding him back.
I'll say roughly five chapters left. It could be less than that.
So I'm going through a hard time right now. Who isn't? I guess the world has become so ruthless these days. I just wanted to throw out a piece of advice, don't do something that you're future self will hate you for and no matter what, don't lose yourself.
Lots of love and hope,
Tallara.