In Love With Ms. Manoban

Part 23

Lisa

At night, Jeremiah asked me what was wrong as I shifted uncomfortably in bed. I ignored the question and told him to get back to sleep. He was persistent but I stood my ground.

I've been feeling a little insecure about myself these past few days and Jeremiah has been trying to make me feel better even though I just can't help it. And right now I don't want to burden him with anymore of my problems.

He is so kind to me that he helps me whenever he can. I don't want him to start getting tired of me with all my problems.

It is now the sixth day of our vacation but Jeremiah still won't give it a rest.

"Lili, will you tell me now?" He asked as he followed me around the room. I've been trying to get away from him to stop myself but he is making it harder for me.

"There is nothing to tell." I objected.

"Yes there is." Jeremiah continued to follow me. I glanced at him, then to the bathroom door before running to the bathroom and locking the door.

"Lalisa! Come out from there!" Jeremiah shouted from outside the door.

"No! I won't," I shouted back.

"You can't stay in there forever." Silence. 

"Yes, I can." I said after a while.

"Fine, then go ahead and starve."

"Okay, Beast."

"Wow, you really got that reference?"

"Duh. Who wouldn't?" I rolled my eyes even though he couldn't see me.

"Anyways, Belle. I was thinking maybe we should get some of those lovely, chocolatey brownies that you've been craving for, and maybe some ice cream to eat with them. But since you will be staying in there then I'll just have to get it for myself." My mouth watered.

"You won't do that." I awkwardly laughed as my stomach grumbled.

"Oh really?" He mocked. "We will see then." I felt hopeless as my mouth continued to water.

 'What should I do?' 

"You're probably thinking right now 'What should I do?', but there is only one way out."

"Okay! Fine. I give up." I surrendered. "But only if you order them first. You're not gonna fool me."

"I already did. So no need to worry." Jeremiah responded.

"Okay. I'm coming out now." I took a deep breath as I held the door knob, preparing myself for all possible outcomes. I opened the door and sulkily walked out. And there he was, on my bed, with a proud smile on his face, most likely enjoying my defeat. Jeremiah tapped the space beside him and I took my seat there.

"So, what is it, Lili?" He went back to being soft as he tucked a lock of hair behind my ear then caressed my hair after.

"Okay. Here goes nothing." I paused before continuing, "For a few weeks now, my body has been acting up." He stared at me confusedly. I continued, "Do you remember that day you first came to my house and I was telling you why we can't be together?" Jeremiah nodded at my question. "Good. And remember when I told you about my needs?" I hesitantly asked. His cheeks turned a shade of red and he nodded his head again as his hand stopped its movements, before falling to his lap.

"Why didn't you want tell me about this before?" Jeremiah asked as the new information sunk in.

"Because I didn't want to be a burden to you and make you feel pressured. And I know we can't do it because of your belief, so I did not want to make you uncomfortable," I explained to him.

"I mean, yeah, but you still should have told me earlier. We're supposed to be in this together, aren't we?"

"Yes, we are. But-"

"No buts Lisa." Jeremiah said seriously. "You need to tell me these things. Maybe I don't know exactly what to do at the moment but I want to know what's going on with you. That's the only way I can help you out."

"That's the thing. I have to do things on my own sometimes, instead of always depending on you," I criticized myself. "I don't want you to always have to help me out."

"I want to." He moved closer to me. "Don't try to keep these things away from me. I want to be involved in your life, do you understand?"

"Yes. I won't do it anymore." I agreed to what he wanted.

"Good girl." That somehow made me blush. " Now talk to me. Tell me what's happening."

I sighed as I turned on the bed to fold my legs. Jeremiah came behind me and embraced me from there in order to support my back. I leaned back into him and he placed his head on my shoulder to look at me.

"So, the thing is that sometimes it's so strong like a punch in the face, but only thing is that it's not in my face. And at other times, I don't even want to think about it, like when I'm feeling not so pretty."

"Well, is there something that I usually do that triggers it?" He asked me.

"Yeah."

"Then tell me what it is. Maybe I could stop doing it." Jeremiah tried to be involved.

"No I don't think so." He looked at me in curiosity. "It usually happens when you're being gentle with me, like when you comfort me, when you give me that loving gaze, and when you cuddle me."

"Oh."

"And, of course, I don't want you to stop doing that. I like it when you do it." I gave him a shy smile.

"And I like doing it to," Jeremiah replied.

"Jeremiah?" I called his name after thinking for a moment.

"Hmm?" He hummed.

"I love you," I told him with a blush I'm sure was running across my face and along my neck.

"Oh, Lili. I love you, too, so so much." He smiled at me at me with complete excitement.

"I'm sorry for not telling you earlier. I just thought I should wait."

"That doesn't matter, Lili. I knew you loved me even before you said it. But it still feels nice hearing it though. I'm so happy right now I just want to... I don't even know but I want to release my excitement. Maybe I should go run on the beach."

"You are so silly, Jeremiah. But i like it though." I chuckled while staring at him. "I guess I'll have to tell you more often then."

"Good good good. Yes, you should." He laid me down on the bed along with himself. I turned on my right side and we faced each other. "Now, what did I hear you say about you not feeling pretty? Cause last time I checked, you are the most beautiful person I've seen in my entire life."

"Don't say things like that if you can't bear the consequences." I gave him a fair warning.

"Sorry, Lili," he apologised. "But I'm just speaking the truth though."

"Shut up before I kick you out of my bed."

"Yes, Ma'am."

"And get me my brownies." I pushed his shoulders away from me.

"I'll go get it myself now, my Queen." He quickly ran out of the room after doing a bow.