CHAPTER 4

It was quite early in the morning and Jeanne just woke.

He found that Aaron's bomber was still in her arms.

Ah, silly me! Jeanne laughed at herself for looking so crazy over some guy that she just met. 

She then quickly arranged her steps to the kitchen.

“Ah, morning baby, You're up early!” Greeted Ma cheerfully in the kitchen.

Jeanne just smiled and went directly to hug her Ma who was busy cooking and gave her a warm kiss on the cheek.

“Hmmm, smells delicious! What's for breakfast?” asked Jeanne.

“Just french toast. Come, let's eat. All done,” said Ma while rushing to the table with the hot pan.

They had a filling breakfast before heading to their small garden in the backyard. Ma just sat on the swing, enjoying the breeze while Jeanne was busy harvesting the leftover vegetables that they had from the previous gardening. 

“Why did you suddenly decide to come back? I'm doing just fine, you see. I'm not dying,” said Ma while laughing.

Jeanne looked at Ma lovingly, how could she be so happy at this moment? 

Jeanne then stood up from harvesting the vegetables and sat on the swing beside Ma.

“I got fired,” said Jeanne bitterly.

Ma was so shocked at the news because she knew how her daughter performed at her work. Jeanne just smiled bitterly and tried to accept it as it is, even though it was hard.

“But, why? Didn't you ask Andy and Sara for help? You know, there are not many job opportunities here,” said Ma, concernedly. She knew how much Jeanne loved her jobs and she did not want her daughter to lose what she loved most. 

“You know, misunderstandings at the office. And, things are much different now between me and both of them,” replied Jeanne bitterly, again.

Ma asked Jeanne seriously about what happened. Jeanne sighed at first, before starting the story.

“I don't really know what happened between them. But, that one night, I was late coming home late from work. As soon as I arrived, I felt weird because I saw a man's shoes on the doorstep. And, and I really recognize the shoes,” Jeanne stopped, trying to catch her breath. Her chest was waving up and down, her eyes started to become pools of water as she flashed back. Ma realized Jeanne's situation, patted her on Jeanne's back gently to give her moral support.

“But I was in denial. I thought hard to myself that why would he be here when I wasn't around? I walked to the living room and I saw everything was a mess in the living room and there was a dress, panty, bra and a man's suit on the floor. I started to feel that something was not right. I looked at Sara's room but it was dark and the door was closed. I went to my room, and....” Jeanne stopped again, and this time she cried so hard.

“I saw Andy and Sara, On my bed! Naked!” Said Jeanne sadly, while sobbing.

Ma was super shocked after hearing Jeanne's story. Little did she think Sara, Jeanne's best friend, and Andy, Jeanne's boyfriend, would tear her daughter apart like this.

“Oh my baby, oh my poor baby!” Said Ma while pulling Jeanne into her arms. Jeanne was still sobbing hard, she still cannot move on. The sadness was too deep.

“Hush, hush…” Ma consoled Jeanne.

They stayed in that position for quite a long time and after some time, Jeanne seemed so much better. Ma felt relieved.

“Hm.. so now? You got a new job yet?” asked Ma, trying to change the sad atmosphere.

Jeanne wiped her last tears while smiling.

“Ah.. about that one. Actually, Aaron did offer me a job. His PA position. I'm kinda not sure about it,” said Jeanne honestly. Actually, she would love to stay in the graphic designing career but...

“Hm, I think it's okay enough. And your future boss seems decent as well,” said Ma, approving the job while joking about Aaron since her daughter is now single.

They both laughed at Ma's quirky joke.

Jeanne then thought for a moment. Maybe, she should try to search for open positions for graphic design first before proceeding with Aaron's offer. Isn't it?

“Well, honey. I'll leave it to you because it is your life, you pave the way. Whatever you decide, know that your mother will always have your back,” said Ma while standing up, giving a light kiss at Jeanne's forehead and going inside. She believed that Jeanne might need some time alone. 

Jeanne thought that she should consider her options. But, her mind felt so miserable. She then decided to continue harvesting the vegetables and cleaning her room first. Only then, she will do something about the job.

After finished harvesting, Jeanne went to her room and started going through her things. Her room is quite small hence she always needs to sort out her things. 

Going through her things, she found an old picture in a photo frame. A photo with three of them; Jeanne, Sara and Andy together. The picture was taken after Andy confessed her love to Jeanne at college and they officially became a couple. Sara was in the picture, seemed to be genuinely rooting for their happiness.

‘Together, forevermore. XO - Sara, October 4’ 

Her mind directly flashed back to the moment where they took the photo.

“Would you be my other half?” Jeanne was so shocked when Andy went down on his knees at Cork's, the busiest cafe at the college.

“Oh my! Oh my! Oh my!” Sara exclaimed excitedly.

Andy seemed shy but he tried his best to surprise Jeanne. Jeanne was still speechless.

“Ah, come on Jeanne! Do it!” Continued Sara excitedly. 

“Would you?” Asked Andy again, with his red face due to shyness.

“I do..” replied Jeanne, also shyly.

Andy then put the ring on Jeanne and got up

“Yeahhhhhh!! Kiss her! Kiss her! Kiss her!” Shouted Sara while asking the other customers to chant ‘kiss her’ with her.

Andy and Jeanne cannot hide their happiness as they have had feelings for each other since forever and only at that moment that they can finally be true to themselves. 

They surrendered to the chant and had their first, long and sweet kiss at Cork's.

The crowd was clapping and shouting happily, celebrating their relationship. 

During that moment, they made a promise to themselves that despite the new relationship that budded among them, they will always support and love each other. Together, forevermore. 

And little did anyone know, someone's heart was broken into pieces right that night.

Chirp, chirp

The loud sound of the birds at the window brought Jeanne back to reality. Jeanne's eyes then caught writing on the picture.

The writings at the side of the picture made Jeanne smile bitterly. It was during their final year at the college. Now everything pretty much changed as hell.

Did not want to keep chained up by the past, Jeanne decided to put all the stuff related to Sara and Andy in a big box and throw it away. 

After some time, she finally finished cleaning up her room and now it is looking way better. After a final touch of making her bed and sweeping the floor, she then opened her laptop, to see if there is any job relating to graphic designing around the area. 

Click, click, click

She tried to browse here and there but it was to no avail. The job opportunities around here are very limited.

Jeanne released a huge sigh of stress. She laid down lazily on the bed.

This is not getting me anywhere, she said in her head.

She then reached for her purse. Inside, she pulled out a business card. 

Aaron's business card.

Maybe, this is it.