Episode 43: JEALOUSY

Red waves 'hi' to Gabby, after finishing his dues and catching up with his friend-Humility. Gabby only smiles at him and bows slightly to greet him.

GABBY: You done now?

RED: Yep. You?

GABBY: Animating is frustrating. My eyes hurt and I feel like I'm going blind soon.

RED: Try wearing glasses that would protect you from UV rays.

GABBY: I don't get paid that high to buy such a thing.

RED: Fine. Let's go to the mall again today.

GABBY: Eh? You're quite spendy, eh?

RED: Oh please, I get jewels everyday. You don't have to refuse my help. Since you need it.

GABBY: I feel like you're more of a sugar daddy than a guardian.

RED: Ew.

GABBY: Yep. Ew.

RED: But you need to have them.

GABBY: Sure. Sure. Buy me anything you want.

RED: Is it wrong to worry sometimes?

GABBY: Nope. But sometimes I feel a bit useless. I mean there's nothing I could have done for you.

RED: Don't say that. You owe me nothing.

GABBY: And you owe me nothing too...

*silence*

GABBY: I understand that you wanted to protect me...but, I just feel helpless whenever you're babying me. I can do this alone, okay? Maybe after 3 or 4 months I'll be able to have those glasses.

RED: Right. Sorry. But I still want to go to the mall.

GABBY: Why?

RED: I'm buying a phone so you can contact me always.

GABBY: (•□•) Eh?W-why? You barely even leave me alone.

RED: One day your friends will be asking me photos of us together. Don't you think I should get one? Also we can pretend to call each other even at work.

GABBY: You're kinda right. Okay! I'll approve to that!

RED: Yep. But first you need to eat.

GABBY: Okie. To the resto we go!

RED: No! You're supposed to save, remember?

GABBY: But...

RED: Don't worry, I'll cook for you.

GABBY: Ehhhh, you're babying me again!

RED: No, I'm saving you from food poisoning. Your cooking isn't the best after all.

GABBY: (ଡ--ଡ) Ouchi. Okay...

...

Humility feels frustration, he still wasn't able to write something to justify his love to Carrie. Why did he loved her?

So many crumpled papers scattered about and he was beginning to lose it.

Perhaps Tara realized his growing stress so she asked him if he was alright. Which the gray haired reaper only nodded.

TARA: What the heck is that supposed to be anyways?

HUMILITY: Something that Red asked for.

TARA: Yeah, but what is it?

HUMILITY: Eh...it's kinda embarrassing.

TARA: Oh. But I won't tell anyone. Promise!

HUMILITY: Eh...it's a reason.

TARA: For?

HUMILITY: For my love to Carrie. Moments that would justify why I like her.

TARA: Maybe that's why you're having difficulty.

HUMILITY: Why?

TARA: Love has no reason.

HUMILITY: Really?

TARA: Yes. You see, there's a certain drive or reason why you feel drawn to a person. But the moment you feel like you truly cared for them, you won't care about what drove you to be with that person. True love isn't about reasons. For example you liked her because she's beautiful. What if she turns ugly? Would you still love her?

HUMILITY: Of course!

TARA: That is what love is, Humility. The reason you fell in love with her is simply because you chose to. You care about her because you just do. Love is not a feeling.

HUMILITY: I see...sorry for being naive when it comes to this. But I surely appreciate your help.

TARA: Anytime. And oh...do you know what to do, now?

HUMILITY: I need to explain this to Red. Perhaps even apologize to Carrie for being small minded. I must admit, I would never ever love another one for eternity other than her. But I...despite that had always avoided her love because of my past... This time I'll treat her better.

TARA: That's sweet! Oh how I miss my Joseph.

HUMILITY: Aww. I'm sorry for reminding you.

...

Red looks at his phone, quite admiring their first photos together.

She was so pretty, he thought.

Suddenly he almost dropped his phone when Gabby opened the room of her door.

GABBY: Hey, I can still hear your giggles and it's creepy. Are you stalking pretty girls on facebook?

RED: Maybe?

GABBY: Ew. Then can you please get excited quietly?

RED: Yeah, sure. Sleep well.

GABBY: Ugh. Whatever.

RED: Are you jealous?

GABBY: Ew, no. Just...ugh whatever goodnight!

RED: Pffffhahahhaha! Okay.

Gabby slams the door quite aggresively. Red didn't mind. He likes teasing her. He actually likes her like that. Face all red and eyes so intense. It makes her look so strong.

Well...Red actually likes strong girls. Like her mom.

Her mom isn't always as soft as one could say. Raising a lot of kids, she really needs to be strict.

That's what Red misses.

He sighed and turned off his phone.

...

When morning came, Gabby has to work again. She might feel a bit different though. As if she's still affected by his teasings last night. She would ignore him and would frown when he's too near. Which for Red, started to get annoying.

RED: Pst, hey.

GABBY: Don't talk to me.

RED: Huh? Hey...

GABBY: What?!

RED: Hey chill. Why are you mad first thing in the morning?

Gabby's fiercesome expression softens. Then she pouts and looks away from him.

Red felt a hot boiling feeling ascend his body.

He never felt that way before.

He tried to reach her hand but she was too quick to avoid it.

GABBY: Don't bother me. Bye.

RED: Gabby, wait!

GABBY: I said bye!

And just like that, he was left behind, without being given a valid reason of her drastic change in behavior. Okay...maybe he prefers her sweet side better. Her aura is too dominating for even him to handle.

RED: What in the world did she eat to act this sassy? Girls are just the weirdest. Their moods switch like light bulbs.

...

As Humility was talking, Red seemed to be uninterested and distracted by something. His friend grew mildly annoyed, because he wasn't paying much attention to him like before. He watched a bit, then he noticed how Red's eyes were furrowed into a frown.

HUMILITY: What's the matter?

RED: Nothing.

He knew he was lying. And he hates it when he does.

HUMILITY: You're a bad liar.

Red broke his frown and looks at him, a little concerned. Humility's sweet voice changed into a deeper tone. He knew he should take him seriously if he does that. Red forced a smile.

RED: I...I just...it's Gabby.

Humility acted surprised.

HUMILITY: Hm? Why? You two seemed to get along finely the last time we met.

RED: Well...she changed... I don't know. She became irritable.

HUMILITY: Eh? She, on her period?

RED: Huh? I thought she had her bleeding days over the last three days.

HUMILITY: OH? Well...maybe you did her something wrong.

RED: My guess is that she's jealous, but won't admit.

HUMILITY: How bold of you.

RED: Hey! Not really...I was just messing around with her and she's red in anger.

HUMILITY: Girls are sensitive. Cherish them like flowers.

RED: But I don't even like flowers.

HUMILITY: But you like her.

His friend grew silent and scarlet. He looks the other way. Which is for Humility, something Red does when he can't deny something, and won't admit it at the same time. He chuckles at his friend. Who then glares at him.

HUMILITY: What? I think It's pretty cute. You're not afraid of ghouls and demons, but you're afraid that she might hate you. I can't believe it. You're defeated by a mortal girl.

RED: Ha-ha. Very funny. Now...just tell me what I should do.

HUMILITY: Tell her you're sorry. Then treat her somewhere nice. Somewhere...elegant... So she knows you're sincere.

RED: That sounds like a human date.

HUMILITY: Do you want her to hate you?

RED: Actually I know a place.

HUMILITY: Good. Just don't forget your daily due, okay? The Empress is strict as ever.

RED: Sure. Uh wait...

HUMILITY: Hm?

RED: Am I attractive?

Humility's almost always bright face suddenly turned blank in confusion.

HUMILITY: Red...please, ask someone else.

RED: What? So I'm ugly?

Humility's face suddenly become hot in embarrassment.

RED: Um, hello?

Humility tried to brush it off and act cool as usual.

HUMILITY: Yeah. You are. Anyways, I gotta go!

Red was left confused.

Was that question too much?

He looks at some people passing by, but imagining himself asking them sounds too mortifying. He can't ask Gabby too. She might hit him out of nowhere.

Wait...why did he want to know anyways?

Why did he become self conscious and insecure all of a sudden? He doesn't care much back then. Why now? Is she really that of a big deal to him? Well obviously...she is now.

...

Gabby was annoyed. She really really is.

But she just don't want to admit it yet. That she's quite jelly.

Because after all...they were just pretend. She doesn't really hold his heart. Maybe he thinks of her as a dear friend only.

But she hates it.

At first it felt like an honor to be one of the most powerful entities' friend but...She grew to hate it as time passed by.

Friend?

She hates herself for growing feelings for the odd eyed boy.

But who wouldn't?

Brown skin. Beautiful cat like eyes. Which by the way, are RED and BLUE! He looks like a different person each time one of his eyes are closed. He looks like a dreamy angel, a good boy with his blue eye. Then a badass hottie, when he only has his red eye open. Then his lips. Ugh! Why does it have to be like that!

She slaps herself half heartedly to stop her from thinking nasty thoughts.

GABBY: I ain't a thot. I ain't a thot. No way I'd ever imagine myself...with him.

...

GABBY: Garg! He's so freaking Hot!

Red heard her from the other room, and couldn't help but frown a bit. Who is she talking to, anyways?

Now he have qualms about taking her out for some...fun.

RED: Hey, Gabby! Keep it down will ya?! Just who are you talking to, anyways?

GABBY: None of your business!

RED: Fine. Whatever. Just keep it down, okay?

She didn't reply.

Red suspects it's a payback. And so he had no choice but to drop his cards and figure out a way to tame her.

RED: Can...can we talk?

No response.

RED: Please?

Again, no response.

RED: Please, pretty please?

He then backed a bit, hearing the door click open.

...

Gabby looked at him in great annoyance, but he knew deep down she wasn't really THAT mad. Hopefully... Even so, she looks like she is indeed easily irritated.

Red sighed because her stern face and silence indicates that he needed to lead their conversation. Or else he'd probably look like an idiot. Or maybe he does now, and she just won't say it.

RED: Look, I don't know why you're acting weird but hey, I just wanted to make it up to you.

Gabby thought for a bit, before setting her eyebrows into a relaxed state. Then she felt childish for having been ignoring him for a while now. She felt embarrassed even more after realizing he's apologising for nothing.

She looks down, as if to say that she's sorry too.

GABBY: Okay... What do you have in mind?

Her words made Red happier. He then puts his right hand on his pocket, then fishes out a small paper out of it.

He reads familiar restaurants, to which Gabby would agree to. She looks kinda surprised that Red was that serious on making her happy. She feels flattered. A mower of souls, scared to make her mad?

How cute...

Steak House Pound Akihabara becomes the final choice. Food there is clearly a pride of Tokyo. Beef fillet, sirloin steak, being their best to-orders, it was a good enough choice for Gabby. Plus, the interior design is pretty modern, yet elegant too.

White, red and black have a cool pleasing mix that would surely make her feel happy to capture a photo or two.

Red likes it personally. But he never really mind which she chooses so long as she's happy.

[Kaikan, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo]

4 pm.

Gabby feels a couple of eyes watch her as she stroll the streets to enter the restaurant. Was her red dress too much? Should she have worn something simpler?

Then she realized that they would quickly switch their attention to Red. Who was legit more rich looking than any other guy they see walking. He seems unaffected though, probably because she's there and wanted to act cool. She becomes slightly jealous that he's getting so much attention. Especially when random girls would compliment her and he'd compliment THEM back. She don't know why she feel mad, or why she should but she feels baddd.

She don't want him to reply.

She wanted to say to him that he needs to ignore them all but she can't. After all, what's her position to do so? Was she being attached to her position as a pretend girl friend?

She don't want to be bad.

She really don't have any intention ruining their night.

But moments like this make her feel insecure and boiling in anger.

Was she not good enough to stand by his side? Is his face that eye catching? Is his sex appeal that endearing? What do they think of her? Does she look bland?

RED: You...okay?

She forced a smile then looks at him reassuringly.

GABBY: Yes. Now let's go.

He knew she was feeling a bit...jelly. He don't want to be rude but she looks cute. Not that he wanted her to feel that way but it makes him a bit proud that somehow she cares. He squeezed her hand to tell her It's okay, and that he doesn't care anyways, to which the red haired girl only blushed to. Then...he remembered his duty, and the truth behind their friendship, and he quickly let go of her hand. Which shocks Gabby. Does he hate her suddenly?

She feels saddened after he abruptly leaves her hand cold again, and feeling panicky, she sat alone on their table first, which put a shock on Red's face.

He feels a little concerned because she was supposed to be happy, but somehow he made things worst.

He orders a few meals and happily went back to Gabby.

Gabby looks at him, her big green eyes filled with questions. He bits his lip and looks away. Afraid to answer them.

He knew he likes her. But...He also knew she does too. It would have been easier if one of them doesn't. It's hard to love each other in their case.

And Gabby seems to have been drowned by her fantasies of anime romance dosage, that she have those hope lit in her eyes that tells him, 'hey, we could work out,' which is of course, not the case. He steals a glance at her, she looks so upset he felt his stomach twitch. He felt so guilty for making a pretty woman like her, sad.

He was about to speak until Gabby initiates.

GABBY: Why don't you eat?

He smiles at her. But she didn't do the same.

She only resumes eating.

He then grabs his plate and places a few cut beef.

RED: Sorry.

His voice was soft and low.

Gabby couldn't help but feel a bit...ashamed.

GABBY: Hey, sorry too if I'm rude.

Red looks at her, his eyes thankful in every way. He then reaches his hand to pat her hair.

They were truly longer than before.

Which had amazed him. It reminds him of how long they had been in accompany of each other.

RED: I can manage.

Gabby giggles, then letting go of her fears she said finally...

GABBY: I'm just jealous.

Red knew she was but to admit it...was on a whole new level.

He felt like falling to his chair anytime soon.

RED: You...what?

GABBY: I said I'm jealous.