Emerald's best friend Jason

Chapter 3

Emerald quickly kept her stuff and placed it in her locker. She needs to hurry or else she will be late for her shift. She could not afford to lose her part time job as she needs it so much because if she will only rely on her allowance from her scholarship that will never be enough.

Yes, Emerald did avail a scholarship successfully. It was not difficult since she was in the top 1 during her senior years and her grades are qualified. As a matter of fact, it was the university who approached her and offered her a scholarship. But she needs to work part time for her daily needs for the fare and snacks as well as the little projects from one of her minor subjects. 

She took up a business course since it is the most affordable and also she was aware that it's easier to get a job once she completed a business degree. She can apply to banks or any establishments such as malls, constructions companies or even retaurants.

"Hey Emerald. Wait up!" Jason called her out.

Emerald groaned in annoyance when she heard her classmate's voice. He isJason and he has always been very dependent on her. They took up the same course and they are good friends. But sometimes Emerald gets irritated with him because it seems that he's taking advantage of their friendship from the fact that he always asks her to take care of his projects and assignments.

"What now Jason? I need to go, I will be late for work." She continued walking fast while looking back at Jason. 

"Stop for a while. Listen to me first." he said and held her fist.

"Jason, if my boss will fire me it's going to be your fault. I'm going to kill you!" Emerald said as she stopped and faced him.

Her good friend just laughed and shook his head as he spoke.

"You don't need to go to that energy draining and stressful work of yours." he said

"Beggars can't be choosers you know. Even if it's energy draining I need it to get by." she rebutted

"Well this beggar can now choose in favor of the prince in front of her." he proudly said as he spread his arms.

"Jason, this is no time for jokes. Can we just clown around tomorrow? I really have to go.” she said after she rolled her eyes at him.

“Okay all right, kidding aside. My parents want to meet you and they want to give you a part time job offer. Believe me it is far better than your job in the bar." he said

"Are you serious?" Emerald asked.

"Yes, Emerald I always joke around but I will never bluff on stuff like this. I know your situation and my parents are grateful to you for helping me out since we became friends." Jason explained.

Emerald's face suddenly brightened up upon hearing Jason's good news. She never meets Jason's parents and she has no idea about his family but Emerald is sure enough that they are well off. 

Jason doesn't take his studies seriously and Emerald always scolded him for that. She always told him to be grateful that he can go to school without worrying about anything since his parents can afford to send him to school. 

She always told him that he should return the favor by studying hard and taking his studies seriously. Jason would just laugh and dishevel her hair by his hands which makes Emerald really angry. 

"Jason, I don't know what to say. But am I qualified for that job? I mean what job is it?" she asked curiously.

"Of course you are qualified, you are highly recommended by me. I believe in you so you should believe in yourself." he just simply said and winked at her.

"Yeah right. C'mon Jason." Emerald said impatiently.

"I'm starting to feel offended, you know you sound like you don't believe me. It's like I can't be trusted with my words." her friend became dramatic again.

"Fine, I trust you and I believe you okay." Emerald said.

"Cool, so you may now submit your resignation letter to that club. My parents will meet you over dinner this weekend. I will fetch you okay?"

"Okay." Emerald said before waving goodbye to Jason.

Emerald then made her way to the nightclub where she works part time as a waitress. She can finally breathe since she's done being harassed by drunk customers in the bar. It is going to be different for her and it is to her advantage of course.

She never expected that Jason told his parents about her and they will pay back her help to their son by helping her land a part time job. Emerald and Jason have known each other for several months now and she never heard of Jason's family. He said they are always busy and always out in the country for business trips. While Jason on the other hand already went over to their house several times and met her mother as well. Emilia trusts Jason to be her friend and she said that Jason is a good kid.

He is her only friend in the university since no one wants to be friends with her. The boys look at her with desire while girls look at her with disgust but Jason is different. Moreover, she is just a poor girl and she does not belong in their high class society.

Everyone even questioned why a low class kid such as her was able to enter the high paying university such as Clayton University.  She was even bullied during her first days in the university and Jason stood up for her. That is how their friendship started.

Jason might be naughty and lazy in his studies but he is indeed a good guy. He never treats her oddly and he never looks at her with lust like most guys do. That is why Emerald likes his company and she feels comfortable and of course safe around him. 

Emerald is a beauty but Jason seems not affected, maybe she is simply not his type. Sometimes Emerald thought that maybe Jason is gay and just shy to come out. Aside from that, maybe his parents might not accept him which is why he did not admit his true identity to anyone. 

 If her speculations is right a lot of girls and gays will be upset. Jason is a really attractive guy. He is handsome, tall and has a gorgeous muscular body. He has a great sense of humor and fun to be with. He has lots of admirers in the university and he is also part of the football varsity team. The only flaw that he has is that he is not that smart but maybe because he is lazy if he will study hard it will be different.

He has lots of friends but he is always seen with Emerald and some even thought that they are in a relationship. All the girls in the university hate Emerald more because of that and the boys in the university envies Jason. 

The two of them look good together but their relationship is simply just a platonic friendship. They even have fans and they want the two of them to end up in each other's arms which makes Emerald nauseated. 

"Are you sure about this, Emerald?" her manager in the bar could not believe it when Emerald handed to her manager the resignation letter. 

"Yes Miss Lara. I need to focus on my studies and working at night is a conflict." she replied.

"But I thought you needed extra cash to continue your studies. Has your situation changed?" her manager asked. 

"Yes, Miss a friend offered me a part time job in his parent's company. He said it's not that stressful. Thus, the pay is higher." 

"Oh I understand. It will help you a lot indeed since the salary is higher." 

"Thank you Miss. I better get going."

"Okay Emerald take care and good luck." 

Emerald just nodded and waved goodbye to her manager. She then went to her co-workers and said farewell to them.

"What? Is this really true, you're going to resign?" Said Christel, one of the waitresses. 

"Yes Chris, I had another job offer and it has a higher salary. You know I badly need it." 

"We will miss you Eme." Said John, the bartender for that night.

"Bye guys. I will miss you all too."

She will definitely miss them. Her coworkers treated her well and helped her when she was just still on her adjusting period in the bar but at the same time she feels happy that she doesn't need to deal with rude drunkards.

………

Friday Night

"Emerald, are you done? Jason is here." Emilia said as she knocked on her daughter's bedroom door.

"Coming Mom." 

Emerald quickly grabbed her purse and went outside her room. She then saw Jason in the living room sitting on their couch like he owns the house. Jason feels at home whenever he comes over it is normal since her mother treats Jason like her own son. 

After being friends with him for several months they became close and they treated Jason like family. He immediately got her mother's trust and Jason got along with her mother in a heartbeat.

"Finally after 100 years." He said, trying to annoy her again. 

"100 years? You just got here."

"Never mind. The dress looks good on you." 

"Thanks."

"Kids, you better go now. Emerald bring this with you and give it to Jason's parents." Emilia handed Emerald a food container. 

"Thank you Auntie. My parents will probably love this, especially my mom, she's a foodie." Jason said.

"Don't mention it, son. It's my way of saying thank you to your parents for the opportunity they gave to my daughter." Emilia said sincerely.

"Mom, we need to go, bye. I won't be long." 

"Bye, honey. Good luck." Emilia said as she kissed her daughter goodbye.

"Bye Auntie. Don't worry I will bring Emerald home after dinner." Jason said.

"Bye, son and thank you." 

Emerald and Jason then walk towards Jason's car and her good friend opens the door for her. Her mother is watching them with a wide smile on her face. She likes the way Jason takes care of her daughter.

"Wow gentleman." Emerald said in a sarcastic way.

"Of course." Jason said proudly ignoring Emerald's sarcasm. 

She shook her head and entered the car after waving goodbye to her mother. Jason then sat on the driver's seat and started the engine. Emerald never rides Jason's car, it is her first time so she had no idea how this man drives.

Her heart almost jumped out from her chest when the car had its full speed. Jason drives as fast as the fast and furious movie and Emerald is as well very furious. She almost hit her face in the car's dashboard but luckily she had her seatbelts on.

"Damn you Jason are you out of your mind?" She screamed. 

But Jason laughed as if it's very funny. She knows he is trying to annoy her again. He really does enjoy seeing her angry face every time.

"You should see your face. Emerald, you're such a chicken." He said while laughing.

His speed is now moderate but Emerald can still feel so much fear. Sweat bullets on her forehead and her hands are shaking a bit. 

"I'm really going to kill you after this." She said,

As they head into Jason's house until they arrive Jason laughs the whole time and Emerald has a long face. She sometimes punches his arm but it only makes him laugh more.

"Emerald, we're here. Welcome to our humble home." Jason said as he opened the car door for her.

"Wow. Jason, are you sure you're not pranking me again?"

Her long frowned face became a face of amusement with her lips opened forming an O and large eyes. She was staring at a huge mansion. Suddenly a butler came to them and bowed his head.

"Good evening young master, good evening milady." 

"Uh, just call me Emerald Sir." Emerald felt awkward.

"Is Mom and Dad here Uncle Robert?" Jason asked.

"They are on their way. Leo just picked them up I'm the airport." The butler named Robert answered.

"Just great. They said 7pm and it's already 6:55 if they will not arrive at 7:00 Emerald and I will eat. We will not wait for them. We are starving."

"Don't drag me into this, it's only you who have anaconda pets in your tummy. I will wait for your parents before I eat." Emerald protested. 

The butler laughed when he heard them. He seemed amused with Emerald and at the same time he did not expect there to be someone who would disobey their young master.

"Emerald, can you cooperate with me just once." 

"Cooperate your face. We are not done yet, our truce will end after this dinner so you should get yourself ready for war." She warned. 

This makes the butler laugh even more. 

"Young master if I may ask who this beautiful and wonderful lady with you is. She is simply amazing." He asked. 

"Oh where are my manners? Your master has no manners indeed. I'm Emerald, nice to meet you Sir." Emerald said as she offered a handshake to the butler.

"Oh I see. You are Lady Emerald. Don't call me Sir I am just a butler but you can call me Uncle Robert." He said as he accepted Emerald's handshake.

Emerald and Jason are now sitting in the huge living room. Shiny white tiles of floors and walls which Emerald can see her reflection could pass as a mirror with white paint for the ceilings. The white tiles and paint makes the inside look even brighter, chandeliers made of gold and there is a grand staircase with handles made of gold as well. 

There are paintings on the wall and a family portrait of Jason's family. Emerald came closer to have a clearer look and there she saw three people smiling happily. A woman in her early forties is sitting on a luxurious chair made of gold and red while two men are standing wearing tuxes on each side of her. 

She noticed that Jason got his good looks from his father and also his muscular built but he did get his blue eyes and blonde hair from his mother. Her mother is beautiful but Jason's face is like a carbon copy of his dad's.

Emerald suddenly felt jealous seeing that family portrait of Jason and his parents. He has a complete family and they are wealthy. Her friend is indeed very lucky. Emerald always envy happy families, even the poor ones. It doesn't matter if they're rich or poor, all she ever wanted was a complete happy family.

She doesn't even know his father's name. She asked her mother once when she was five years old but her mother did not answer. Instead she hugged her tight and cried so hard on her shoulder. Emerald hates to see her mother crying so she stopped asking after that.

But deep inside she wants to know who he is. Not to make a reunion and hug him while introducing herself but to avenge her mother's struggles and sorrow. Her jaw clenched and fist tightly closed.

Emerald woke up from her reverie when she heard a sound of a car approach the gate. Jason then stood up and opened the front door. Then came inside the couple in the portrait but they were with a young man about her age. 

"Hey there. You must be Emerald." the lady approached her and she was even more beautiful in person. 

"Yes Ma'am nice to meet you." Emerald said. 

She offered her a handshake but she did not accept it instead she hugged her and smiled genuinely.

"Cut the Ma'am. It should be Auntie Rachel and this is your Uncle Jack. By the way, this young man is Tyler. Jason's childhood friend, he just came back and actually he decided to pursue college here." 

"Nice to meet you Uncle Jack." Emerald said.

"I'm so happy to finally meet you Emerald. Thank you for leading Jason the right path." 

"My pleasure Uncle. Nice to meet you Tyler." 

Emerald then lends her hand to Tyler for a handshake but when Tyler was about to accept it Jason then hit his hand and took Emerald's hand. Everyone was in great shock at Jason's reaction.

It was Tyler who recovered first and then he laughed.

"Relax bro, it's just a handshake. You are such a possessive boyfriend. You are not even happy to see me. It's been a while you didn't miss me?" 

But Jason did not say anything. Emerald notices that Jason's mood is on great bad vibes. It is her first time to see Jason behave that way. He was always playful, joking around and smiling naughtily. But now, Jason is serious and throws a deadly stare at his friend, Tyler.

It's like Jason was possessed or something because the way he acts is not the Jason that Emerald knew. She can feel the tension and it feels really awkward.

"Well that's enough boys. Let's eat. I'm sure you all are hungry." Jack said and led everyone to the dining room.

On their way to the dining area Jason then grabbed Emerald's hand and covered her as if shielding her from Tyler. She noticed his deadly stares towards Tyler while the latter just smirked and shook his head.

Then he turned his gaze to Emerald, their eyes met but Emerald looked away. She must admit Tyler is good looking but she knows better. She knew that kind of gaze, it shows admiration and desire. That is the kind of look she always gets from men, they all seem to want to take her to bed. That's what makes Jason different because he never looked at her that way. 

However, Jason is acting strange. He is so used to this kind of situation having a man look at Emerald with desire but he doesn't care. With Tyler it's different because he knows his friend and Emerald is in danger. 

His brother instincts told him to protect Emerald at all costs. Seeing her crying is that last thing he wants and much worse she might end up just the same with her mother. 

=Sarsi=