Chapter 2: His head against my chest
Kira's mom, Mrs Harry, couldn't stop smiling at Jack. I was keen enough to notice the change in dressing style. Unlike other days, today she wore a summer dress with a really low neck. Her entire cleavage was out in the open. And she kept rubbing her molds against Jack at any chance she could grab while making light conversation.
She at one point invited him for a drink, but Jack declined respectfully saying he never drinks.
A white lie.
Of course, I have seen him drink.
"You've done a wonderful job raising Annie," Mrs Harry complimented Jack over the soft cluttering of forks on platters.
Both Kira, whose baby had just been put to sleep, and Jack eyed me.
"She's a good kid." That was all Jack said.
"Also grown into such a beautiful young woman. It must be hard keeping up with her nowadays, ey?" Mrs Harry asked, adding a chuckle at the end to lessen the curious tone.
It felt damn awkward with them discussing about me when I was sitting my ass right next to Jack. From under the table, Kira quickly stomped on my foot lightly.
Our eyes met and she put up the side of her palm on her cheek to shield her mom's vision. Then mouthed at me, "She's hitting on him!"
Subconsciously, I let a giggle escape my lips. Which had the other two gaze at me with brows raised.
"I am so sorry."
Mrs Harry just smiled, while Jack brought a hand under the table and pinched my right thigh.
I gave out the biggest grin, hiding the zap of pain from his pinch. Yeah, I was spoiled, but not when it came to manners. Jack was always there to deliver agonizing pinches and take away my phone if need be.
"It's not that difficult. We've established a few basic rules."
"Oh really? Mind sharing? Parent to parent?"
Jack chuckled while retreating his hand from my lap. "Just the normal 'no boys in the house' kinda rules."
"Oh! Glad that it works for you."
Her tone! She was implying that Kira didn't live up to her expectations after becoming pregnant at seventeen. Mrs Harry had her pull out of school till the baby was a bit older. She said that...she wouldn't take on someone else's baggage.
I felt sorry for Kira. She was always the kind and soft girl in class. Her mistake was letting the notorious Ethan trick her into sex. Poor Kira had no idea about emergency pills.
Of course, Ethan denied being the dad, but after seeing little Brian, the resemblance is uncanny. I'd give him a piece of my mind when schools reopened.
"If I may ask, why is the most sought-after man in the neighborhood still living alone?"
My eyes bulged while lifting in the woman's direction. What a bold one she was. Didn't give a single fuck that she was married, or that her daughter was seated right next to her. The audacity, argh!
The questions were getting on Jack's nerves, but I saw the way he maintained a cool composure and a monotone while answering them.
"I do not live alone. I have Annie and Frodo."
Frodo was my dog, which Jack pampered as his own. Took him out for walks, and to the vet, and did all sorts of doggy things to let him live a comfortable life.
I'd forever be grateful to this man.
I mean, he had a bunch of options. He could have married and had his kids. But he opted to keep me. To raise me. And it wasn't out of any sexual desire, the man had never laid a finger on me other than the disciplinary pinches.
"But she's....um..."
"Young? Not a woman?" There was a little snap in that tone for sure. Go Papa Bear.
Mrs Harry immediately realized her fault and tried to brush off the topic. She let a nervous chuckle clear the air. "Dogs are cute and faithful."
Having had enough, Jack put down his knife and fork. "It's getting late now. We should be on our way."
"But you live a few-"
"We need to hit the grocery store for some supplies!" Jack argued getting up.
All I could do was act along and follow his lead, lest I receive more pinches or as I called them...jabs.
***. ***.
"Don't mind her. She's just like all these gossip mongers in the neighborhood." I consoled as we made our way into our house.
A silent jack threw the car keys on the wooden table behind the door before making his way into the lounge.
He plonked himself on one of the gray sofas, still quiet as a cemetery at midnight. At least there are bats and owls at the graveyard.
"Come here!"
"Huh?"
His fierce blue eyes caged mine. He patted the space next to him, then pulled off the hairband. It quickly registered in my mind what he wanted...a head massage.
I jumped out of my boots and rushed to kneel on the sofa.
"Tell me honestly..." He started.
"Mh?"
"Do you think there's a chance for me to...to find love again?"
These open talks weren't anything new. We confided in each other, if I had a crush on someone, Jack would guide me on how to be responsible. When he was stressed about anything, he'd tell me his worries and I was usually able to solve at least half of them. Bless my brain.
"Anyone can find love. At any time, age, and place. It's all a matter of who's destined to love you properly."
Jack gave out a long sigh before letting his head rest against my chest. He must have been lost in thoughts to realize that he was now lying on my breasts.
"Why have you stopped?"
"Oh-I...nothing." I slipped my fingers back into his hair and went on massaging his scalp.
I tried to control it I swear.
But having him this close, lying on my chest just made some old feelings resurface. My heart slowly picked up a fast pace as at one point pressed my breasts firmly against his head.
"Your heart is racing."
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