"Why, Joel?" she straddled on his lap and kissed his glabella. She didn't like the frown between his eyes. "Why? Why did you go that far for a girl you f*cked at the pub one night?""A girl I f*cked?" he let out a snort.He didn't like that phrase. For him, she never was just a girl he f*cked. Maybe for her, he was just a guy she f*cked?Whatever! It is understandable if she thought that way if she didn't remember what happened.He didn't think that sleeping with her that night was very romantic. He didn't consider that as an accomplishment of some sort. Even if she lied about her age, she still was very drunk. She didn't even remember it. He felt guilty about it and he still thinks that he should have avoided it even though she was the one who instigated it.But he treasured that memory at the same time.What made a great impression on him are the words she spoke and the intelligent person she is.He is glad to know that she doesn't hold any resentment towards him for that night and
After seeing her making scared and angry expressions at him, at times he'd feel like her expressions now might be a mirage or a dream.Like he was in a coma where he dreams joyful dreams that she fell for him.But no, that is not possible since he learned about some other things that hacked his heart too.And he could see... he could feel her warming up in his embrace. He knew she was not someone who could act.Has she started to fall for me?Jacques trembled a bit sensing the warmth from his fingers on her ears. She leaned closer and his warm breath intertwined with her breath making her feel a little giddy. Her heart pounded.Trusting him almost unconditionally, not minding his advances, wanting to touch and kiss him, wanting to see him happy, getting happy for him, feeling sad for him, feeling peaceful around him...What is this feeling?Is it love, really? Am I in love?With him?THIS SOON?She gently placed her lips on his lips. They were soft and warm. She kissed his upper lip a
Jacques knew that everything would be different had she known."But I am glad I got to know them all now. If not, we would still be distant," she pressed her lips. "I wouldn't have gathered my courage to talk to you openly and you never would have known why I was scared of you in the first place.""Yeah," he held the back of her head and placed a kiss on her forehead.She is right. That day, she got drunk and spoke a lot to him. After that night, she was a bit open with him and communicated her thoughts, making him investigate and find out a lot of truths.And now, they are closer than ever. It made his heart warm."Your legs hurt, right?" Jacques got down from his lap. She's been sitting on his leg for a long time."No, wait-" he tried to stop her but Jacques saw his face twisting in pain as he tried to move."Come on, stretch yourself," she held his hand and helped him up. She didn't fail to notice the disappointment in his face."We can come here again, okay?" she said and cleaned
"But I am glad I got to know them all now. If not, we would still be distant," she pressed her lips. "I wouldn't have gathered my courage to talk to you openly and you never would have known why I was scared of you in the first place.""Yeah," he held the back of her head and placed a kiss on her forehead.She is right. That day, she got drunk and spoke a lot to him. After that night, she was a bit open with him and communicated her thoughts, making him investigate and find out a lot of truths.And now, they are closer than ever. It made his heart warm."Your legs hurt, right?" Jacques got down from his lap. She's been sitting on his leg for a long time."No, wait-" he tried to stop her but Jacques saw his face twisting in pain as he tried to move."Come on, stretch yourself," she held his hand and helped him up. She didn't fail to notice the disappointment in his face."We can come here again, okay?" she said and cleaned up the place."Sure," his voice couldn't hide his delight. "I h
Jeremy was stunned. He didn't think she could shout this loudly. His ears hurt."Yes, Ma'am," he let her go, seeing her angry face.Earl got spooked by her shout and ran out."Thank you!" Jacques got up and walked to the bathroom.Although she thanked him, Jeremy detected no gratefulness from her voice and his heart sank.What happened suddenly? She was fine last night! Is she mad that I sneaked into her room? Did she leave the door open accidentally? What have I done!He wondered if he should leave her alone and leave. But he didn't want to leave. He waited for her to come out of the bathroom.Jacques took a quick shower and changed her clothes. Her entire body hurt and she stumbled out of the bathroom to have a painkiller.When she stepped out, she was startled to see Jeremy standing in the middle of the room. Only then she remembered shouting at him. He looked stunned but she didn't care and left him behind."Joel... My sweet, Joel..." with a pout she walked to him and hugged him a
"Oww..." Emma covered her face with her hand unable to bear the bright light. "Close 'em!" she shouted."Hmm..." Harold sat beside her and checked her face, fixing her hair that was all over her face. "The bruise on your face got healed. What about the bruise to your ego? I heard that the lumberjack didn't call you?"He then wiped his hand on the sheets. "Eww! Your hair... you really need a shower, sis!" He looked at the nasty sheet with disgust, "And a new sheet.""Get lost!" Emma gritted her teeth and turned to show her back to Harold. "If he hears that you visited me, he won't come for me. Just leave," she waved her hand. "It's not like I like to stay in this stink. It is necessary.""Necessary?" Harold chuckled. "Why?""He hasn't sent my Thanksgiving pocket money yet. And I call him every day, but he doesn't answer. If I-""My pitiful sis," Harold petted her hair. "He doesn't have time to think about you anymore. He is going all around town, on dates with that woman. I heard a lot
Jeremy's little guy down there got excited on its own as her voice was so seductive. And her breath..."Shut up," he hissed and Jacques looked at him."Why?" she asked. She could see from his expression that he's feeling uncomfortable somewhere.And judging by their position, she could understand where he is uncomfortable. In a way, she felt sorry for him. He must have blue balls by now."Okay," she tried to get back.She was not in the mood to help him in any way for now and so she decided to keep her distance. She was told that it would be hurtful for men if they stay like this for long. She wanted to spare him the pain."Do you not like to stay closer to me?" he asked and Jacques was stunned for a moment."It's not that... I just...""Are you angry because I asked you to shut up?" he asked and Jacques took a deep breath."No, I am not angry at you. Aren't you feeling uncomfortable down there? I thought it would help if I stayed away." Jacques decided to be open."Not really..." he
"Jerry, has Emma changed a lot?" Bobby's face filled with hurt and Jeremy let out a sigh.Others might feel scared to talk to Jeremy about Emma, but Bobby had the right to speak to Jeremy about anything."I don't know, Bobby. Has she? You tell me... That day, her face was filled with extreme rage and pure hate as she tried to attack Jacques. For what?" Jeremy rubbed his forehead.That image of Emma is imprinted in his heart. He never thought that Emma could make that expression never."Chippy?" Bobby raised his eyebrows. "What's the deal between them? Did Chippy tell you anything?"Jeremy shook his head."I don't know... But maybe I was wrong to stop anyone from complaining about Emma, Bobby," Jeremy pressed his lips."What did you find out?" Bobby could see Jeremy was holding a great burden and asked.When Jeremy asked him to have an eye on Emma he didn't ask any questions but he followed through. And what he found was a bit disturbing.Jeremy told Bobby about the lies regarding Hank
Jeremy tried to regain his balance after he was pushed and he saw the little figure falling on the floor. He balanced himself and saw the little figure kneeling as the tiger was in an attack stance.Oh, No!Jacques was not willing to die."No, Khan!" She shouted and crossed her forearms to cover her face. She shut her eyestightly as if that would have her.Her voice was loud and clear and that was followed by Wyatt's authoritative command."Khan, stay."Just a second after Jacques felt something warm and soft hugging her and she opened her eyes to see little Benny hugging her.She felt a strong pull from behind her and a lot of shouts. Thankfully she didn't hear any weapon going off.She saw the distance between the tiger and her increasing and the big cat getting pulled back by Wyatt.She didn't know how it happened but the tiger looked calmer now."You okay, Jacques?" That familiar voice was shaking in terror and the next she felt was everything around her blackening as she was surr
Jacques's heart pounded looking at the sharp eyes of Wyatt. The tiger was staring right at her and licked its lips.Jacques felt a shiver passing through her spine.Fear of death...She used to foolishly think for some time that death would end it all and death is a sweet release from worldly troubles.But now, facing the big threat in front of her, she realized that she wanted to live more than she thought she did.She gulped seeing Wyatt taking a puff with an odd smirk looking at her. She was terrified.But she stared right back at Wyatt. She remembered Jeremy's words that even Shaun's boss cannot hurt her.I am Joel's woman. I cannot show myself to be weak when he is near me!She felt a big hand enveloping hers. That familiar big hand was rough and warm.Yeah, I am in the safest place on earth.I am by Joel's side!"Come to the point, Wyatt. Don't waste my time," Jeremy said, placing her hand on his lap.It was like he is assuring her that he is by her side and no one can touch her
Jacques couldn't take her eyes off the little boy with pretty green eyes. Those eyes reminded her of Gerard and the baby she lost.She fixed the long unkempt hair of the boy by running her fingers through them. The boy had a pleasing smile. He was shy at first but then started to play with her hair.She got some snacks for the boy from the others and he was happily chomping on them while talking non-stop.Should I just bring him with me?Jacques wondered. His father left him out in the cold. He wouldn't mind if someone else raises his son, right?But... She was told that Wyatt came running here as soon as he heard the news that his son is with Jeremy. News from Wyatt's town is that he was searching every nook and corner of his town for his son.Ugh!Jeremy, sitting at a distance from her, watched her without blinking. She was casually wiping the boy's snot, wiping his face, and was holding him the whole time.And the smile on her face...He could see a different kind of smile on her f
And that's when she saw some movement behind the tiger. She thought she saw a piece of clothing sometime before, but she dismissed it.But now, that piece of clothing has moved.Is that a child?All of a sudden, she could move. She saw Jeremy pointing the weapon at the tiger and there were some tens of the volunteers pointing their weapons."Don't shoot!!!" Jacques waved her hand and walked towards the tiger.She wasn't thinking about anything but that child. They might shoot at the tiger but the child is bound to get hurt.Jeremy was stunned.Is she really walking towards the tiger? Is she trying to protect the tiger? She was scared of the huskies and now she is walking towards a....Is she stupid?He signaled others not to shoot but his weapon was trained on the tiger."Reckless idiot!" he mumbled, seeing the tiger crouching a bit as if it was going to lunge.Second, he felt his heart slipping to the pit of his stomach. He heard a ringing noise in his ear and his eyes darkened.The t
Jacques was surprised to see the number of pickup trucks lined up in the road. Noticing Jeremy's car, they all gave way to him. She oddly felt proud, although she knew this respect was for Jeremy.He's the King, alright?She didn't think that many would volunteer for this when today is Black Friday and was impressed.Rather than shopping for Christmas, they preferred to help every kid have a Christmas tree in their home?"That's a lot of volunteers," Jacques said."Yeah, every year the number of volunteers is increasing and the number of trees needed is decreasing," Jeremy said, waving his hand to Charlie parking his truck."So more people are buying fake Christmas trees these days?" Jacques said with a chuckle."Ha... That's a very genius observation, Chippy! "Jeremy turned to look at her with a teasing smile."Chippy? Not you too, Brutus," she hit him in the arm.Actually, she understood what that meant. It just means the prospects of the households in this area is getting better an
Jacques stayed silent as she didn't know what to say."I had terrible morning sickness and it was a time when I had a promising career ahead. I was just twenty-nine and I thought it was not the right time for the baby. So I..." Dr. Kruger took a deep breath."It's rare... complications after abortion... but...I became an Attending Physician... When I decided it is time for me to become a mother...It... five miscarriages, going through all the fertility treatments available, clinical depression, and a suicide attempt later, I quit my job and my husband brought me here. John... he was my pillar of support..." Dr. Kruger wiped her eyes."No one here knows this... Not even Jeremy..."Jacques got up and squatted beside Dr. Kruger and held her hand. She could feel the pain in the doctor's heart."I got better here. My husband, bless his soul, he's the one good thing I did right in my life. He did a lot for me, lost a lot for me, but he never even thought of losing me... And Jeremy... When w
Sometime later, Scarlett's family joined them in the backyard and they all played games and chatted merrily. Except for Scarlett and Jacques, everyone else got drunk.Jacques helped Scarlett in taking care of the leftovers and cleaning the kitchen. Then Scarlett decided to stay in her parents' home and Scarlett's brother helped bring Bobby there.Both Jeremy and Bobby were too drunk to drive. Jacques decided to drive Jeremy home but Dr. Kruger asked her to stay the night here since it had gotten late already."I can drive..." Jeremy said with a slur."Go to bed," Dr. Kruger patted his back."Yes, mom," Jeremy hugged her. "I love you, mom. So much.""Me too, Jerry. I love you," Dr. Kruger said with a chuckle and patted his back."Jeryl...Jerly...Jacques..." he started giggling as he slurred.He walked towards Jacques holding out his hands, "My wife, my love... here... let me..." he puckered his lips and tried to kiss her.Maybe he was seeing double, he couldn't quite catch her lips and
Jacques once accidentally got in contact with acid when she was in school. It was just a drop and the acid wasn't very concentrated and even then it gave her a first-degree burn.If this acid is for hurting her, it should be a concentrated acid.How much will it hurt if Jeremy pours it on Stella? Won't her bones melt?A shiver ran down Jacques's spine.Wait...It could've been me!That acid... it might have landed on my face!Viper... Viper is the guy who wants me dead and this woman for her own benefit made a deal with him!Without saying anything, Jacques turned to walk inside.Stella's sobs intensified and she knelt on the floor knowing her fate."Please... Linny... please... help me... I wasn't thinking..."Jacques almost stopped hearing that pitiful cry, but then she walked without stopping.It could have been me.Scarlett hugged baby Cia in her bosom as they walked at a larger pace towards Bobby's house. Soon after, they heard the sound of glass shattering on the floor, followed
"Stella!"Hearing Jacques walking closer, Jimmy stepped aside.Jacques's stepmother walked in with a bright smile replacing the scowl she had till then, as soon as she heard Jacques."What brings you here?" Jacques put on a bright smile to match her stepmother's."Oh, dear," Stella wrapped her arms around Jacques for a hug and Jacques put up with it.She saw Scarlett behind Stella and she pulled out her phone to record after passing the baby to Bobby. Jacques nodded with a smile.They predicted the next one to come for her under the nudge of Emma would be her stepmother.Jacques hasn't paid a cent for them for more than two months and they have never lived without her money and it would be hard for them to survive.They do not know how to spend thriftily and not to mention all the debts they are under.After talking to Gina, Jacques never cared for them. Although her stepmother would be too proud to talk to her, Emma would have found a way to make her come to her. And recently Charlie