Fascinating (A Duskwood Fanfiction)

Chapter 2

Jake finally stepped inside (YN)'s house, he looked around and noticed some details; it's not much for someone who lives alone but he found her house to be cozy and welcoming, it's like for the first time he stepped into the lightest part of his own dark den. What he also noticed the most is (YN)'s house is very secured, the front doors are properly locked and the windows are down making sure no one person from outside can peek inside the house. He knew from that point, (YN) was prepared for his visitation and made him as her guest.

"It's late but you can still have dinner." (YN) spoke from the dining area. She's preparing some good stuff out from the microwave and placing it on the table along with other plates and utensils. "Please, be my guest." She added.

Jake, who had nothing to contradict (YN)'s hospitality, proceeded to sit on the chair and smelled the appetizing supper in front of him. Yes, he is hungry. He can now finally eat real food after taking so many energy bars along with his way to hide, lucky if he had a cup of coffee.

"I knew it." He saw (YN) smiled teasingly as he cheerfully took a bite. He blushed and felt embarrassed for himself. "Feel like home. I'll just get upstairs." She added and left the dining area, he then continued finishing his supper and accepted (YN)'s hospitality. He just can't turn her down. After all he is her guest, he must act nicely.

Soon, (YN) came from upstairs only to find Jake just finished cleaning the dishes he used in the sink. The dining table is clean once more and the plates and utensils are all organized. (YN) didn't expect him to do that because he's a guest, she felt a little awkward knowing it's done.

"I should have done that, you know? You're my visitor." She protested.

"You said to feel like home." he said but (YN) can't take his mockery. "Sorry, I'm just..." he's trying to reason out, he's just uncomfortable to let (YN) wash his own plates.

"Please, you don't have to be shy with me. After all, you are no different from me." Jake might be still a stranger for (YN), but she treats him like as if they already knew each other very well. Maybe she just cared about him like a friend or possibly something else but she said those words to Jake the same way she speaks with her closest people. "And by the way, the guest room is ready, the first door in the right." She added with a smile.

"(YN), why are you doing this?" Jake suddenly said, making (YN) stop and look at him for a while.

She stared at him once again, differently from her behavior in the woods, more like a sympathetic gaze. She steps closer to Jake and parts some of his hair that blocks his eyes. Those eyes, his pale and almost skinny face, and his cool black hair that needs a little trim; aside from seeing those intriguing yet captivating features, she can't help but notice he's really worn-out probably because of what is happening.

"You look tired." (YN) just answered with the same disappointed voice.

Jake, who is as well looking back at her, sensed the truth he kept avoiding from the moment they almost confessed something in their conversation in texts. There's no way (YN) might've developed feelings for him, he knew this is not right and it's not even a perfect time to show some kind of affection. He needs to prevent this as much as possible or else the danger in their path may get more serious, he cannot risk it if (YN) gets involved with him and to his real identity. She's better away from his life and to his world.

Jake then moves his head away from (YN)'s hand and he looks in a different direction, avoiding her gaze. That brings awkward silence between them. (YN) realized again her actions towards him and took a few steps backwards to make a distance and killed the awkward silence that filled the room.

"We can talk about Hannah's file tomorrow morning. Please, take some rest." She said in the same slightly stern voice and started dimming the lights in her kitchen area and in the living room.

Jake didn't say anything because he might just be upset (YN), he suddenly felt bad about his actions to her. He just went upstairs and entered the first room in the right as (YN) told him. He noticed that the room is merely a guest room but it looks like a man's bedroom, the smell of perfume used by a man has almost filled the place and there are few men's products in the table of the room. Jake started to doubt what he's looking at right now and to the owner of this house.

"I thought she's just living alone?" he whispered.

Just a moment, (YN) entered the room, she just came from downstairs with some pile of folded clothes .

"This is actually my brother's room but I turned it into a guest room since he rarely visits me and apologies to his perfume." She informed Jake as she put some fresh clothes in the closet. "And don't worry when I say rarely, it means once a month, he just left last Sunday because of his job."

As (YN) told him that information, he felt a relief for knowing it. She even showed a picture of her brother and her in a frame that is placed on a table to give proof on what she said. Suddenly, they heard a cat that exited under the bed; (YN) called its name and grabbed it.

"This is Sir Lancelot; he's the one who really owns this room." She chuckled and kissed the furry black cat she's carrying.

"I thought you have a dog." Jake recalled.

"What? How do you know about that? " she asked, astounded.

"I remember from your chat with Jessica." (YN) realized he is the hacker who reads her conversation with her Duskwood friends and that makes her roll her eyes to Jake which made him smile a bit.

"Well, what else can I say?"

"I'm sorry about that." He apologized right away.

"I understand. Anyway, my dog is staying at my cousin's vet clinic right now. He's a senior dog and needs some medications." she told him and continued talking about her dog which (YN) happily mentioned.

Jake becomes aware that he and (YN) just exchanged small talks once again but this time it's different, they are talking right now personally and he's able to distinguish her emotions in this conversation.

"Therefore, you actually don't live alone. You have tiny companions." Jake smiled at her.

"Oh, yes." She chuckled as she saw him smiling with their small chat.

Seeing (YN) happy and laughing sends Jake a hint of blush, he doesn't understand why he just felt his heart beat as fast while he looked towards her with joyous and fascinating visage. He moves his head again away from (YN) so she can't see if he's actually blushing and turns his attention into other parts of the room. But (YN) spoke again and he turned again to face her.

"And anyway, I shouldn't be bothering you right now. I'll let you take a rest now. Good night." She beamed a smile to Jake once more and left the room.

"Yeah, you too." He said out of loss in words and he then closes the door.

(YN) hurriedly enter her own room and shut her door. She is really happy, words can't explain her feelings from the moment she learned Jake will visit her and now they talk to each other face to face. She doesn't want to end this night without talking to him about everything, she would like to share some of their conversation and know some little things to him if possible. But she knows she can't have any of these right now, not in this situation and it only depends on Jake.

If I could only keep him here, I would do it but I can't. (YN) thought. I don't want to feel pity for him, he doesn't deserve it, there's no reason for me to feel that way. I know in reality he's a good person doing the right things and he just can't be living like this. It's true, we are doing dangerous things from this moment, especially for him, this is too risky. But I cannot lose him, I just can't for I have grown feelings for him even though I am not supposed to do... both of us cannot agree to have a profound connection--- I don't want to assume but I know he trusts me with something. I don't know how long I should keep this feeling! This is tarnation! Why am I falling for him?

(YN) trying to hold back her tears but she gave up, her thoughts kept flowing along with it. The thoughts her mind creates keeps her awake, the thoughts that are as well the facts.