Chapter 5 – No More XOXO

(Jessamine’s POV)

Swaying my head and humming Jason Chen’s Best Friend song, I walked toward the dining table. I was all smiling, dancing to the imaginary beat of the song as I stepped toward the refrigerator to get water.

“I’ve never seen you this happy, Jessamine,” Deborah’s eyes were on the food box. “Do you even know the lyrics of the song?”

I grinned, shaking my head. “It’s the song in the taxi this morning, and the melody just keeps popping into my mind.” I shrugged my shoulders.

Deborah knew I loved listening to music, but I was never into shredding the words of the song, knowing its meaning.  For me, as long as the melody was sweet and agreeable to my ears, I would keep listening to it.

“And I don’t know how it ends, girl... But I fell in love with my Best Friend,” Deborah grinned as she sang the lyrics to me, emphasizing the last words to me. “Are you?” She chuckled.

I blinked, slowly pulling out the chair. “Dangerous song, then.” I curled my lips, propping my elbows on the table and cupping my face. “I can’t stop humming. I’m in heaven, Deb. My heart is jumping with joy... It’s like this reunion made me complete.” I leaned my head to the side, studying her face. “Your pet is happy, but what’s with that face?” I pressed my lips in a straight line, blinking adorably at her, trying to be cute.

She heaved a sigh, trying to hide her concern, but she failed. “I’m just worried about you, Jessamine. You’re a tough person, but when it comes to a man -”

“Deborah,” I grabbed her hand. “Aiden is not any man. He’s my best friend, and I am... his only family.” I sighed, furrowing my forehead, and pursed my lips briefly. “Believe me. Nothing will happen between us. I’d rather get struck by lightning than take advantage of him.”

My housemate rolled her eyes and smirked. “So, I am right, huh? You find him attractive.”

I wanted to deny it, but my cheeks betrayed me, blushing as I thought of Aiden when I opened the door earlier. Then, I remembered my erotic dream, treacherously revealing the lust glittering in my eyes.

“Whew,” I breathed slowly, fanning my face with my hand to cool me down.

“Oh, God!” Deborah laughed playfully. “I know that face, Jessamine. I think I should not worry about you. I should worry about Aiden instead. Poor man! I hope you’re not planning to roll and pretend to fall on the pull-out bed later tonight?”       

“Hey! I’m not like that,” I muttered, sticking out my lower lip in a giant pout. “Deb, I love Aiden, but not the way you think. My hormones are probably adjusting, you know. They surged unbelievably when I saw how...” I swallowed hard, sighing as I recalled my reaction when I saw him. “delicious he looked the first time I saw him in person, but the moment my heart, mind, and body recognized him, everything calmed down.”

“Ah!” Deborah nodded, but her lips were pursed, indicating she disagreed with me. “That’s why you’re so red.”

I tapped my cheeks lightly. “I’m... I’m not blushing. I’m just... you know, stating a fact.”

“You’re in love with Aiden,” she said, leaning forward. “You’re in love with your best friend,” she whispered and emphasized the last words she said.

“You’re nuts!” I chuckled, rolling my eyes and standing up. “You’re just hungry, Deb. I’ll call Aiden,” I muttered, walking, no... almost running toward my bedroom to escape from her, and opened the door, thinking he was still in the bathroom.

I knew it was not only me but Aiden was startled as well. My mouth dropped open in a gape, and as if Aiden mirrored my reaction, he stared open-mouthed at me. My heart beat slowly until it came to a complete halt as my eyes swept the god inside my bedroom, eyeing him from head to... well, my eyes stopped between his thighs. Why is this divine being standing before my open closet, dripping wet?

I swallowed hard, envious of the water touching and rolling on his skin. Suddenly, I was so hungry that I licked my lips as my eyes fixed on his manhood. It was...

“Jessamine! Don’t you know how to knock?” Aiden growled, turning around.

He must have forgotten that I could still see his reflection on my mirror wall. I bit my lower lip, suppressing a laugh as I thought for a moment that I had won the lottery. Heat crept to my cheeks as I imagined his long and heavy manhood, ready and excited to enter my core. I tilted my head, thinking of a better word to describe it because I could not think of anything else except it was remarkably impressive and glorious that any woman would keep begging for.

“Jessamine! Are you trying to murder me in your mind?” My best friend snarled as he glanced over his shoulder.

I blinked and composed myself. “Who told you to go out of the bathroom in your birthday suit?”

“There’s no towel inside. Even your towel’s not there, so I came out to find one,” he explained, facing the open closet again.

“Cute cheeks,” I murmured, my eyes on his bottom.

Pretending my legs were not wobbling, and my heart was not pounding erratically, I walked toward the dresser, knelt on the floor to open the drawer at the bottom, and took a blue-colored bath towel. Without looking, I extended my arm and handed him the towel, not expecting that Aiden was standing behind me.

“Aw!” he growled in pain.

My eyes widened, worried that I had hurt his magnificent member. I turned around and found Aiden sitting on the floor, holding the towel between his legs, hiding his shaft.

“Are you sure you’re really okay with letting me stay here?” he asked annoyingly, hissing as he sat on the floor.

“I’m sorry,” I chuckled nervously. “You... Umm...” I swallowed hard and then heaved a deep sigh. “I wasn’t expecting you to stand so close to me,” I muttered, crawling on all fours, hoping to sit beside him. “Did I hurt you that much?”

Aiden shook his head. “I’m sorry. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have startled you and should have been mindful that we share one bedroom. I’m not hurt... not that much,” he assured me, smiling as he tried to cover his hips with the towel I gave him.

 He rose to his feet and offered his hand to help me get up. I grabbed his hand and smiled, hoping my cheeks did not betray me.

“Remember what I told you before I left?” He asked.

I nodded. “Don’t grow up,” I almost choked as I said it.

“Why did you grow up, Jessamine?” he asked in a husky voice, sliding his arms around my waist and pulling me closer to him. “Do you know what’s on my mind now?”

I raised my head, meeting his eyes. “You want to kiss me?” I joked, forcing a smile.

“No. I’m thinking of leaving after lunch to look for a hotel,” he answered.

I sneered. “You should have just said yes to my question, so I would know if you’re still a lousy kiss -”

My body jerked, startled by the thousand volts of electricity surging through my body when Aiden pressed his lips to mine. It was only a peck, but enough to silence me and wish for more, but he already eased back, releasing me.

“I’m still a lousy kisser, Jessamine,” he smirked bitterly.

“Are you really leaving?” My heart was crushed, suddenly felt sad at the possibility of him leaving me.

  

“Do you want me to leave?” He asked, brushing the loose strand of my hair that had fallen on my face and tucking them behind my ears.

I shook my head, my lips pouting, afraid that I had taken advantage of our situation and scared him of my naughtiness.

“Let’s be clear then. While I stay here, no kissing, no hugging, and...” he muttered without breaking his gaze at me.

“Focus on our goal and make a million in a year,” I added, agreeing with him.

“Wrong, Jess. You are my best friend... my sister, and my only family. I don’t want to be reckless and lose you in the end, okay?” He clarified, but his eyes were on my lips.

He tilted his head when I looked down, trying to fight my tears, unsure why his words pierced my heart when I knew very well that it was the truth.

“Jess, talk to me.” His voice was pleading as he lifted his hand, thinking of caressing my face, but he clenched his fist and put his hand to his side.

“I was only teasing you a while ago, Aiden. I’m not losing you as well. You’re the only man I trust aside from my father.” I forced a smile to show him I was okay... more than okay. “Get dressed. Our food is ready.”

I turned my back on him, still fighting the tears, unsure why my heart was disappointed, but I could not lose Aiden. I would rather die with heartache than admit to him that I wished there was more to our friendship. Aiden deserved someone better... and I was sure I was not that person.