Chapter 29: Background (Jea)

Alex’ POV

“I’m not going back there but you should. Also, once you’re back tell my mom to stop forcing me to.” I managed to say to her with utmost indignation that I could muster.

I’m tired of this cycle. Tired of being tailed like some prepubescent individual on the loose. Like a ticking time bomb on the verge of self-destruction which is far from the truth. Tired of being held on a leash for so long.

“Quite the greetings, huh. Well, hello too Alex.” The girl across replied, unfazed.

I didn’t say anything. I just held my gaze steady. One thing I’m good at is lasting on a staring contest. Being a charmer took practice and confidence to the point where I could totally eliminate self-consciousness and not care if I’m caught staring or looking at someone for too long, deliberately.

It lasted a couple of minutes before Jea shifted in her seat, masking it like she’s fixing her pleated skirt under the table but I know too well how queasy she gets when I do that.

She cleared her throat before speaking.

“Just hear me out, okay? I’m not here to drag you back there. I couldn’t even do that in this size even if I wanted to. Though, I’m not gonna lie, it’s what your mom wants me to do and I agreed to at least talk you out of it but you know how she gets. If she wants to get things done, things get done whether people like or not –

- I get it okay. We’re both under the same circumstances and I know you have it harder given our long history. I know it’s wrong and unfair for both of us to be set up like this, but please, I just want you to be okay Alex. So, I’m going to ask you, is this what you want?”

She held my hand that is lying flat on the table as she concluded her speech.

We’ve known each other since we were kids or even way before that, if babies even recognize and remember same-aged individuals. Our parents are ‘close friends’ - that’s how they consider business partners in their own dictionary. Two leading companies in their own fields, Song Holdings, Inc. and Yoon Construction and Shipping Group, finally deciding to ultimately merge.

Both our parents are business people and they wouldn’t risk their own companies being taken over by the other. This is where I and Jea have become instrumental to them, ensuring that the merging wouldn’t be taken advantage by either parties but will be equally managed. Same sex marriage is legal in some countries anyway; they could easily get with it.

It was the last straw for me.

Being engaged without our knowledge when we thought we were just joining our parents’ usual soiree was the last manipulation I could take from my parents, most especially from my mother who orchestrated the event. My hatred piled up till I couldn’t take it anymore to live in that house.

I left.

The memories flood back but as fast as it came, it was immediately stopped when I felt a light squeeze from Jea’s hand.

“I’m sorry.” I started.

“What for?”

“My leaving would have put more pressure on you from both our parents.”

“If you’re going to be sorry, at least do it for the right reason. I’m not really much affected by them, I got used to it, I guess. But without you, I was lonely. You know I didn’t have many friends I could rely on and I really hate guys.”

Her pout made me remember the times when we were kids. When I’d always find her bored after being left outside offices for meetings. I just had to let her join me in our explorations in the building and we would hide that sometimes our parents couldn’t find us so they had to fake an emergency alarm to force people out because we were too absorbed with our own world to respond to their announcements. She is so cute back then and she looks matured now but still has those fluffy cheeks.

“I’m sorry. I guess this is what I know best and what’s best for me.” I smiled bitterly as I also remembered how I had left Bree.

“I don’t know what’s really best for you but I know running away is not it. It may be relieving right now but it doesn’t solve anything and it will definitely come.”

“Really? Or is it that you just want to marry me?” I teased.

“Shut up. Even...if I-I wanted to, and our parents wanted it too, I wouldn’t force myself to you just because of that. Hmp.” Her blushing cheeks totally contradict the prideful image she’s forcing to picture out.

Such a tsundere.

“I’m really trying to be a better person and I know how you feel but I- ”

“It’s enough that you acknowledge it. I’m not forcing you to like me back even if that’s everything that I am. Likeable. And for the record, you are still my fiancée so to your first request, NO, I will not go back. Go tell your mom what you want to tell her. I’ll stay with you.” She cut off then nonchalantly sips on her coffee.

“You’re acting so entitled but I’m not your fiancée or girlfriend at least. So you can stop from tailing me now as what my mom told you to.”

“Well then…if I’m not your fiancée, who is? Do you have someone…?”

My mind drifted to Mitchelle. Where could she be right now? Probably with the girls. She was puzzled when we left. I might need to explain by behavior to her awhile back, I was rude.

“So there is some- ” Jea started drawing in conclusions from my inability to answer immediately.

“NO! None. Non-existent.” I protested.

“O-kay. Then if you are really against this engagement or soon to be marriage, you have to find that someone and introduce her, that’ll definitely break off the engagement. Until then I’m your fiancée so you cannot just flirt around like you always do and leave them girls crying. Ugh, so greasy but cannot commit.” She made a face of being disgusted at her ironic description of me.

“I don’t need babysitting.” I reiterated with more conviction this time.

“I’m not your baby sitter. I told you I’m your fiancée till you have an actual one. Consider it a favor.”

“I’m not thinking about marriage yet. How is that a favor?” I complained yet again. She can be really bossy and persistent if she wants to be.

“Cause I’m your inside woman. I didn’t mean in a sexual way. Like I could give you information about…oh! Someone is going back from abroad.” She beamed out of nowhere. She gives me her million-dollar smile.

“Who?”

“Your sister. Yves.”

My brows shoot up from what I’ve heard.

“Next week. For her birthday, soon.” She said, stating the obvious. She whispered the last part as she might have felt bad for reminding me of a birthday I wouldn’t be able to attend, especially that of my sister’s. Yves might just stay for a few days and travel back. She has been studying abroad.

“Yeah...” I dragged. “…could you like just pass my gift to her then?” The fact that I couldn’t come back because I’m the one who ran away and is refusing to go back is saddening enough but I couldn’t allow myself not to send a gift to my beloved sister.

“Only if you beg.”

“In your dreams.”

“Oh, trust me, you will.”

“I don’t. I’m a top.”

“Eww. Just shut up.”

I missed this kind of banter with her. Truth is, she never took advantage of her position in imposing her feelings towards me. That in itself is how I know she’s genuine and sincere even if she comes like bossy, snob and petty to others. She’d be a perfect girlfriend if only I feel the same towards her.

Unfortunate for the both of us because I also happen to love someone else. Someone who happens to be straight and is probably on a long distance relationship with her boyfriend.

“Okay, I agree.” I stated.

“To what exactly?” Jea look up at me. Her two black orbs excitedly waiting.

“I’ll let you follow me around, since you’re new in school BUT no exposing of unnecessary details about me or my family. In exchange, I want you to give me updates from the house. I wanted to talk to my sister but I know how we can be spied on in the house. You could arrange for us to meet. I miss her so much already.” I admitted.

Jea being here reminded me so much of my sister. And yes, what I feel for this Jea is more of a sisterly love rather than romantic. Someone to cherish and protect.

“Exactly what I was proposing.” She smugly replied.

“Then we have ourselves a deal.”

“Whatever you say.” I dismissed, concluding our talk as we silently sip on our drinks now.

P.S. That's a long chapter. Give this lots of love and might as well drop a review, hun. Ciao! I'll update tomorrow when I'll see an interaction.