Chapter 76

My feet were propped up on the bed's end seat.

I just realized I haven't gotten any sleep since last night. I guess I unconsciously drank a drum of coffee because I didn't feel drowsy at all. I'm not really sure why I've remained awake and active until now.

After going home from the mall, I'm now currently here in Jaxson's room. He had been silent while we were driving home. I kept asking him questions and assuring him that we will go back there and see if we can treat the child next time because he looked so disappointed.

Jaxson was sitting on the sofa near the bedside table with tons of documents and a laptop in front of him, as I rested on his bed and watched him.

"It's far too late, and you're still at it. You've just gotten home from work, yet you're still working nonstop instead of resting. You are so dedicated," I commented.

But Jaxson didn't even bother to look at me as he sipped his coffee and kept his eyes fixed on the papers.

I was a bit disappointed, so I just decided to slump down on the bed and looked up at the ceiling as I let out a weak sigh.

I don't know why, but not having a job to put my energy and work into makes me feel a little dull. I'm not saying that I don't like this, that I can rest whenever I want to and do whatever I want. But, I kind of miss doing work. Have I turned into a workaholic? If I haven't met Jaxson by this time, I'm definitely slinging drinks at a nightclub.

My lips curled into O as I let out a loud yawn after a few minutes of staring at the ceiling like a dumbhead. I'm starting to feel sleepy and knackered.

My eyes wandered to the side table, where I had placed the paper bag containing the laptop that Jaxson had bought for me. I chose to stand to look at it and try.

I gently picked up the laptop's paper bag because it was even more expensive than in my whole life and I can't afford to drop it.

I swear, after hearing how much this costs, I barely coughed up. That's why even though I can't afford fancy dinners, I still tried to treat Jaxson to dinner so I could make it up to him.

I instantly opened my social media account after slowly and carefully opening the laptop. To keep up with what's going on at the university through our group conversations while I'm away. My notification sounded as Finn's face popped up when I was scrolling through my account.

"He sent me a friend request?" I murmured as I read the screen. "Oh my word, he's so cute," I said as I checked his profile photo and some of his pictures more closely.

Jaxson's eyes were raised to me with an arched brow, which grabbed my attention.

I waited for him to say something, but all he did was look directly at me for a few seconds before returning his attention to what he was doing.

[Hi! Cat!]

“Catt?” I recited after reading Finn's message, giggling.

He quickly messaged me after I accepted his request. And he called me Catt, which was more pretty funny.

Finn is a social butterfly.

As I typed my message to him, I mumbled, "Hello... Hee... Hee..."

[Why is your profile picture like that? You should have taken more photos yourself.]

[Btw. Do you have something to do tomorrow?]

[I have something to tell and show you.]

Finn sent three messages at once.

How dare this guy talk about my profile photo? It's a beautiful sunset.

Also, I do have some plans tomorrow. I mean, a lot. Since I still have to go with Jaxson in his company and meet with the wedding coordinator. And also, I will drop by our university.

"I don't know... If I... Will be free... Tomorrow..." I pressed the send button after adding some emoji.

[That's too unfortunate. But if you find some time, make sure to message me in this account. I have some new information I can tell you about Lance.]

I was stunned for a moment after I read Lance's name on the screen from Finn's message to me. My eyes moved slightly up to Jaxson to glance at him before returning my gaze back to the laptop.

"Okay... I will try to... find some time..."

I also have something to ask Finn about. I don't think that Jaxson normally acts like how he did whenever he meets with kids. I just feel like there's something more to it.

As I continued scrolling, suddenly, messages to my account popped up one after another. My lips parted as creases formed on my forehead. Even my notifications and friend requests suddenly flooded in.

"What's going on..?" I murmured to myself.

As soon as I saw Lauren's name, it was the first message on my inbox that I opened.

[Is this real? Are you guys being serious? You are gonna marry that guy from the nightclub?]

My head tilted slightly as I grimaced.

When I noticed that he sent me a link, I didn't miss a second and immediately opened it.

I was exposed to so many photos of Jaxson and me holding hands while walking in the mall. It also includes a photo of the two of us inside the shop where he bought me a laptop. This picture was taken the moment my eyes widened as I heard how much the price of the laptop he bought for me was, as well as Jaxson's laughter at my reaction. Following the sequence is when I receive it from him with a big smile because this is the time when I am saying thank you to him and being shy.

If I'm the only one who will be asked, I would say that the story behind these is fun. But, I'm afraid that people will misunderstand these photos.

***

"What the heck...?" I muttered under my breath.

What kind of obscenity are they doing?

I'm sure they know the exact place to do this thing. At this point, Jaxson should know that these two are doing these things on purpose just to hinder him from his plan to advance.

Maybe if Jaxson chooses to get drunk today I won't take care of him and instead I'll be angry with him.

Even if it hurts, he's being a fool if he gets hurt by what they're doing. It is obvious that they are just doing that for the show.

I closed my eyes in disgust as the two pleasured each other even deeper.

I gently tugged on Jaxson's hand to somehow get his attention. After all, this is also the reason why I came here to work with him.

I didn't know what was going on around me as well as how Jaxson was reacting because I kept my eyes closed.

I just felt Jaxson continue walking so my eyes opened. I tried to find his eyes to look at it but I couldn't make out Jaxson's face very well.

When we finally got into the car which was also parked outside, for a moment I glanced at the car where Daniella and Lance were.

"Seriously, is there nothing else they can do?" I wondered aloud at the same time as I nodded before shifting my gaze to Jaxson. "Are you okay?" I asked him calmly.

Even though Jaxson's little fragility is annoying, I still can't help but worry about him.

"Let's go and head to the restaurant, I feel like I'm dying from hunger." He uttered with a soft laugh.

My head tilted slightly because of the surprise of what he did.

I don't know if this guy is just pretending because it's amazing that he's still smiling after seeing his ex fiance make out with his step brother.

I expected him to send me home and get drunk alone.

"The meeting ended so late," Jaxson said again. "I wish I could still drive there and arrive alive. Are you dying of hunger too?” He said in a jolly tone.

"Are you really okay, Jax?" I ask again.

He just blew a moment of air from his nose. "I'm fine. So, what do you like to eat tonight? Do you have a diet or something that you'd like to follow?"

My mouth fell open because I still couldn't comprehend Jaxson's action.

“Well… I don't follow any diet. I eat whatever is in front of me.” I sparingly answered him that even though little by little I seemed to be able to keep up with the vibe he was giving off.

Maybe, Jaxson are really trying this time. Maybe this is just his coping mechanism in order to forget his past with his fiancee. Should this really be the time when I can fulfill Finn's request? To help Jaxson forget her and help him back on his feet again.

"How about let's go for dinner steak or a seven main course?"

"What kind of food are you talking about?" I answered his question while both of us were smiling at each other while the car started moving while Jaxson's eyes were in the road. "Also, I don't want to eat that steak anymore. I can't handle being embarrassed again for the nth time."

Jaxson answered what I said with a laugh. Maybe this man remembered what happened to me the first night of our dinner. Whereas I want that to be buried in oblivion.

"How about, I will decide on our dinner tonight?" I suggested to him as I looked directly at Jaxson's face.

He slightly turned to me to give me a brief look.

"Why?" he asked. "What would you like for dinner?"

I laughed softly before breaking his gaze and shifting my gaze to the road. "Just follow me when we get there. I'll take care of it. Trust me, you'll love it. Besides being delicious, it's also cheap!” I exclaimed because of excitement.

When Jaxson is in his right mind he is fun to be around. I hope he is like this every day.

"Alright," he muttered. "I'll put my life in your hands then."

I didn't look at him anymore and instead just laughed weakly and stared at the road again where I watched the people going back to their homes and others maybe just going to work.

I couldn't help but remember from their tired faces that I was like this recently. Wake up early to go to school, come home in the afternoon to take care of mom for a while, then go back to the club and my other side line jobs.

It is true that our lives in this world are not equal. But all we need is to fight, work hard, and hope for better days to come.

And now, I do feel like better and happy days are really coming for me. It's not just tiredness, it's not just suffering, otherwise there will be joy.

My eyes slowly moved to Jaxson who was now still focused on the road we were passing.

A bit of fun that I don't know how long it will last.