3 Revelation

Leaving the balcony, the group immediately surrounded Ankin, asking her questions. "Nothing new happened." Ankin glanced toward Jay before looking back at the group. "I was thinking of going home. I know it's still early, but I wish to relax." Ankin hated crowds, but had joined in because Josh had somehow forced her in.

"Sure, we don't mind. We were anyway making plan to spend some time with our families." Josh grinned innocently at which Jay narrowed his eyes suspiciously, hidden from Ankin.

"Let's go. I'll deal with them later." Jay rested his hand on her back and escorted her away as she smiled at him. "I assume you haven't had dinner yet?" Jay continued

Ankin shook her head. "I was thinking of cooking something, but it's late to make anything right now, so shall we eat in a restaurant?" She glanced down at her clothes. "That is, after I change."

Pulling his car out if the lot, Jay spoke up with a glance at her clothes. "Yeah, your dress is too formal...Or we can get a take out, we'll buy extra so that you wouldn't need to bother with tomorrow's lunch."

"Sure. Don't need to bother with cooking as soon as I'll wake up."

"That's a surprise because whenever I ask what you are doing, your answer is that you are in the kitchen."

"That's because the kitchen has a fridge, which keeps my chocolates chilled." She made a mock pout and looked out the window, making him laugh softly.

After purchasing dinner and heading over to Ankin's flat, she excused herself in order to change her clothes. A moment of browsing through her dresses, a cute one piece caught her attention. It was of a tea length, puffy sleeves, circle neck, white dress with small pink and red flowers.

Removing her clasped hair, she let her wavy strands fall and combed them, allowing them stay natural. She wiped off the make-up from her face and replaced the pumps on her feet to barefoot.

From the bedroom she first headed to the kitchen to grab some plates and other necessities. The dining area of the living room was empty, and Ankin thought he must have gone to the guest room to freshen up.

The guest room was open to both her best friends when they wished to spend night, and Jay had left his extra clothes, dropping by straight from work when his projects would be difficult to handle, and going from her flat.

While she arranged the table with food, Jay walked over and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer to lean her back against his chest. "Hey there big guy." Ankin's voice was cheerful as she rested her hands on his arms. Frowning, she turned around to see that he had removed his suit jacket and his tie, unbuttoning two of his shirt's top buttons and folding his sleeves up. "What's wrong? Couldn't you find your casual clothes?" Ankin walked past him toward the guest room, but before she could go far, Jay held her hand and spun her closer toward him, hugging her close and leaning his forehead against hers.

"Advantage of you not wearing make up, I can clearly see your blush." His fingers stroked the warm cheek.

"Hey now, the food will get cold."

He leaned slightly closer to her lips, closely watching her expression. She didn't pull away, however, hesitation was visible in her eyes. "Let's eat."

* * *

Once the dinner was over, and the next day's preparation was made, Ankin climbed in her double bed, and getting on her knees, wrapped her arms around his neck and threw her weight on him, hugging from behind. "You even brought your laptop up to work on during this small moment. Are you even a human?"

"I think you are friends with a robot."

"Now that you mentioned it, I am not so sure myself." He laughed softly in her response.

"You know, I feel relaxed in your presence, dear. That's why I thought I'd get some work out of the way while you finished your final chores." He turned his head slightly to place a kiss on her cheek. "You have cleaned the flat quickly, and didn't leave any signs about your one month absence."

Ankin shrugged. "I had all day until Josh called, I don't like leaving things on the way. Besides which, I knew that I'd get busy and wouldn't have time to clean up if I'd start the university. It wasn't that messy anyway." After a small hesitation, Ankin spoke up again as he continued typing across the keys. "Honey?" Although his focus was fully on his work, he still responded to her. "I had called mom yesterday to tell her that everything is good on my side...and also...I told her about my ex-fiancé."

Jay closed his laptop and kept it aside and settled her in her blankets. Adjusting himself, he rested his back against the headboard and gently stroked her hair. "Did he contact?"

"No, nothing from their side. Although mom did say that his father had come across my father, but just ignored him."

"You'll be free from 2 – 4 pm. Will you be coming home, or got some plans?"

"No plans. Just lunch, relax a bit, then will be leaving for my 4 pm class. Why did you ask?"

"I'll be coming over at 2. And don't bother with your car. I'll drop you off for your 4 pm, and then pick you up at 6 pm." His hand continued to stroke her hair, making her sleepy.

"What if Alex does something to my parents. He knows that I am a celebrity and that I can easily finance his life here. In addition get a job for him. So he'll definitely do something of a threat."

"Don't worry. He won't do anything, your family is safe." His comforting voice made her believe his words. Perhaps Alex might not be able to do anything at all.

As his hands continued to stroke her hair, her mind dazed off from her thoughts and her eyes became heavier. Bidding him a good night, she dozed off in a deep sleep.

A few hours later, Ankin noted from the time in her phone, Jay's presence was not to be felt in her room. The place where he laid was cold, with his laptop missing. Although a bit sad at his absence, she smiled softly that he respected her privacy, fully aware that he'd be using the guest room.

***

"Morning, personal chef." The scent of freshly brewed coffee drew her to the kitchen. "It's nice to have a chef around the house, especially if they are your personal ones."

"Morning. I made French toasts for you." He held a tray that had a plate with french toasts and two cups of coffee.

While having breakfast, Jay talked about his silly group of friends. As soon as they'd finished, he spoke up. "I know that you just came back, and right now you need your friends more than anyone in this world, but...a project came up. And I won't be coming to pick you up today."

"It's fine, I understand. don't worry much about me." Ankin tried to smile, but knew she couldn't lie to get best friend.

"I'll try to return as soon as I can, and will try to come online whenever possible."

"What time will you be leaving?"

"After I see you off to university. My car will be here, they'll come to pick me up." She nodded in understanding. It wasn't the first time he was leaving, but, as he had mentioned, she wanted to spend more time with him.

After clearing the dishes and washing them, Ankin hugged him and headed to Alice's place. "Aren't you supposed to cheer up seeing a perfect girl than making a long face?"

"Shouldn't you be greeting first than complimenting yourself?" Ankin rolled her eyes as her best friend got comfortable in the passenger seat.

"So, why the long face?"

"Nothing much. don't want to face the people in university today." Ankin drive off to Alice's work place.

"Don't you always have that?"

"And you should know it by now." Ankin made a mock pout. Alice's house and work place came in between to her en route from Ankin's flat to university, therefore Ankin would sometimes do pick and drop if their timings matched.

After her arrival, the students eyes followed her everywhere. Whether she went to the washroom, or the library. "Hey superstar. Whose bed did you warm up?" The teacher was a few minutes late, and the bustling class became silent to Gene's words.

"I am sorry?" Ankin closed the novel that she was reading and glanced at three boys standing in front of her. They were popular, only for getting into trouble and being suspended, but not serious enough problems to be expelled. The pants would be low, ears pierced and the smell of ciggerrete smoke emitting from their clothes.

"Apparently sticking your nose into the book has made you deaf." The whole class laughed, but her silence angered him. Throwing the newspaper on the table, he pointed at the article. "I hope you aren't blind enough to read on your own."

In the article was mentioned that Ankin was the mysterious author who lived a double life, and had slept with men to make her way to the top as the best seller. The anonymous information provider made Ankin realize that it was non other than her ex fiance who wanted to take revenge on her.

The heart beat rate increased and palms started to sweat as she tried to come up with a response. Lying was extremely difficult for her, and this wasn't the moment to tell the truth either. "I think the Miss goody-two shoes has gone mute forever now."

A substitute teacher walked in and tried to control the whole class causing havoc. For the rest of the day, she heard whispers of gossiping about her. The girls whom she would hang out with started putting distance from her. Getting a two hour break, she headed home and tried to call Jay, fully aware that he won't be able to pick up, but she gave him endless calls as tears streamed her face. Alice wasn't allowed to spare a glance in her phone, therefore Ankin tried not to bother her.

Her mind raced with thoughts about whether she should attend the rest of the classesor skip them. Attending would mean she'd hear more gossip, and staying at home meant she agreed to the article.

Whenever Ankin would be in distress, Jay always whispered to her in his most calming voice 'Take it easy, dear.' The rest of the classes would be difficult, but she was determined to focus on her studies and respond to them in her interview on the weekend.