5 HOME

The sun rays was piercing my eyes, made me cover them with my pillow. I grumbled still in a sleepy position.

"Wake up, dear." Ah, it was my mother's voice, "It's morning, let's have breakfast." I opened my eyelids halfway, and sure enough, the direct sunlight was scrambling to enter my eyes.

"Ugh, mom. Could you please close the curtains first? I'm about to blind." I murmured.

"If I close it, you won't open your eyes." My mother didn't want to budge.

My head was still wobbling but I tried to sit up with my eyes still closed.

"Are you sleepwalking now?" Maybe. "Don't tell me that Barra forgot to tell you he's coming home today." Home? My mouth opened like a fish trying to digest what my mother said just now.

"You don't want to pass your best friend without saying goodbye, right?"

A memory appeared again in my head. Since college he had no longer lived in this city. He hadn't visited Jazzlin in a long time. This was the first time he came, because of Jazzlin's suicide attempt.

I was silently remembering his words the first time I woke up. That's why he was so sorry that he couldn't be by my side.

"I'll wait downstairs." My mother came out of the room as my eyes opened. I rubbed my eyes and immediately headed to the bathroom.

"Good morning." I greeted everyone as I descended the stairs.

Their gaze fixed on me, "Morning, young lady." The maids returned my greeting, smiling brightly.

I went to the dining room and found my mother was smearing jam into the bread. Not seeing Barra's presence I asked, "Where's Barra?" I pulled the stool and sat down.

"He said he had some business with his company so he returned to his room." I nodded and took the bread that my mother gave me, "Thanks mom." My mother grinned then smearing jam on top of the other bread.

"Sorry, for coming late." Barra came in, his was wearing a suit.

"Is everything okay?" My mother asked.

He nodded slowly before finally sitting beside me. His scent in flashed was spreading across my nose.

Another maid brought pancakes and three glasses of milk, "Thank you." He smiled as he took the glass.

"I was wondering if you don't mind if Jazzlin comes with you?" My mother gave us her nervous smile.

Barra choked on his drink while I glared and nearly threw my bread.

I knew that she had a hidden intention to make us more than friends. Since long time ago, my mother was the one who supported us the most to always be together no matter what decision she had to took.

"What? No, please don't mind my mom." I suppressed a smile.

His response was a warm smile, "Obviously with pleasure, if Jazzlin pleased." I glared at him who was maintaining eye contact.

"What are you talking about? Of course, she pleased." My mother exclaimed.

I just kept biting my bread with the cynical gaze I showed him, "Right, dear?" I gave a quick bow in response before nodding, "Right?" My mother gave me a look when I didn't reply.

I shrugged, "Right." My mouth twisted in a sardonic smile.

"That's my girl." She pointed at me.

Later that day I prepared all the luggage to my suitcase. No need to bring a lot of clothes because I thought I would only stay two days at his mansion.

I tied my hair high and smeared some lip gloss on my pale lips. Then, I left the room, looked downstairs.

Barra was sitting, playing with his phone. His leg was crossing the other and his ankle lied on the thigh. His eyes turned at me when I approached him,

"Are you done, principessa?" He asked with a teasing tone.

He put his phone in his pants pocket and stood up. He took my hand, making my heart trembled just because his soft and warm hand.

I said goodbye to my mother. She looked so happy that I finally left, at least that what showed on her face.

She hugged me, "Let me know when you arrived." I hugged her back then pulled away, "Please take care of my daughter, I know she's stubborn and sometimes reckless. But, she's nice." She was talking like I wasn't there.

"I promise you, I'll take care and keep my eyes on her." He said as his gaze met mine.

My mother smiled heavenly, "Have a great day!" She told me as I got into the car.

"Bye, mom." I opened the window then gave her my waving hands.

The driver started driving. I felt his gaze on me, but I felt so embarrassed so I avoided eye contact and covered my face with my jacket.

I tried to close my eyes, but for the second time I felt the car slow down. For God's sake! Don't tell me this car will break down again, I thought.

My bad ideas always came up at the right times. I didn't wanna walk like yesterday I better pretended asleep.

It was true that just half way, the car had stopped. I knew it! I closed my eyes tightly, with great effort I made it look like I was really asleep.

I heard the driver's door opened but not the back door. Is Barra not moving huh? My curiosity increased. I didn't feel his movement at all. What the hell is he doing?

The door beside me opened without me realizing. The wind came in, making my jacket flung from my face. What kind of wind can be this strong?! Conspiracies started appearing in my head.

A strong hands grabbed my waist gently, slowly lifting my body in a bridal style. I felt the air hit my face. Shit. But in a moment, my jacket covered my face again. I opened my eyes and tried to peek without being caught but still I couldn't see anything. Of course! My jacket was covering my whole face.

"Boss, the jet is ready." Wait, did I hear wrong? Jet?

"Good." The person who was carrying me answered, it was Barra's voice!

He took another steps, I guess he was walking up the stairs. I'd never been on a plane before, but I heard from my friend when she got on the plane her level of fear had increased five times. And, dammit! I believed it.

He laid my body gently on a very soft mattress, but I felt cold after he was releasing his arms from me. He lifted the jacket that had been covering me, then covered my body with a blanket.

One minute to five minutes later, I heard no voice other than the sound of an engine. My curiosity killed me, I got up slowly and right beside my seat, Barra had been watching me.

Curiosity killed the cat.

I gaped.

Barra sat down with a glass of cocktail in his right hand. His body was leaning with his legs crossed, "Did you sleep well, principessa?"

My breath quickened. I ran my hand through my hair as I nodded shyly.

He didn't say he knew I was pretending to sleep but why did I feel caught? He smirked as he knew I was feeling uneasy. No doubt he did know I was faking it. He was just playing dumb!

I was actually on the Ainsleys' private jet. My memory popped up, guess everyone experienced the same fear and anxious when the plane take off. Because, it was clear that Jazzlin also felt the same fear.

Without making a noise, I jumped to sit next to him until he stunned. I held his arm tightly, shut my eyes. I heard his laugh after seeing my reaction.

He wrapped his arm around my shoulders, hugged me tightly when his right hand hold my hands. My fear vanished as his arm wrapped mine, "You're like a scared bunny."

"Oh really? I smiled even when he couldn't see it. I felt saver in his arms, "You're so soft like my pillow." I told him.

"So, now I'm your pillow too?" He laughed.

He gave me comfort, protected me, and also nurtured me even though sometimes his attitude was annoying. I didn't know what to say, but my second life really gave me a lot of changes. Meeting wonderful people was enough to making me believe even more that I was right in my way.

I just nodded. My heart felt so calm, I easily closed my eyes.

I felt his head leaning to my hair, I smiled thinly, "Thank you." I muttered.

"Anytime, principessa." He whispered.

We buckled up, got ready. I squeezed his hand, feeling the pressure shaking my anxiety which was already screaming. However, getting into the air was even more pleasant.

I peeked with one eye, "Jeez." I gripped his hand too strong until it was slightly scuffed.

He laughed, "It's nothing." He shrugged, pulled his hand from mine.

"I really am sorry. Is there a first aid kit here?" I felt guilty as hell for what I'd done.

"It's not a big deal, principessa. Just a small scratch." He gave me his genuine smile.

Oh no, I was drowning in his eyes all over again.