Eleven Years

CHAPTER 9

SADIE

THE whole living room was filled with so much silence. My eyes were stick to this incredible woman who had been crying since the day she knew her husband died.

Daniel passed away exactly four in the morning. His cancer killed him. It was terrible to watched my aunt Molly punching the couch in the hospital. She couldn't do more … she couldn't do even better. I watched her grieved without a single voice just a pain in her heart, eating her alive. I never liked Daniel nor loved him but I treated her as a human being. He was passionate but in a way that I didn't imagined. He was hardworking but his thoughts were focused to his fortune rather than giving smiles to his wife.

I remembered that day when Daniel handed me a book of Napoleon Hill, for the last time that was my last interaction with him.

My phone bleeped. It was Jared. I turned it off and ignored it. I wanted my thoughts to be with my aunt. I promised myself not to attached so much with her but I had realized...she saved me when nobody wanted to catch me. In honor of the real mother whom I never met in person ... this was for her too.

*
The funeral went a little sadder than I thought. There was only me, my aunt and the priest. How bad, how forlorn.  I'd never attended a funeral before but this was just so different, not a usual funeral as what I'd seen on movies. There were no people like the whole chapel was empty.

I pressed my hands together and composed myself. My aunt refused to speak her eulogy for her husband. Maybe she was afraid or maybe she was just ashamed that nobody came. I never looked at Daniel for the last time, I just couldn't. When the priest closed the coffin, I heard my aunt's grief. It was disturbing and filled with roaring words.

The flowers were in the hall, not too much but fair enough. I told my aunt that I couldn't go to the cemetery, and she understood me. I wondered who will hug her once she saw her husband six feet beneath the ground. The wind was blowing right to my face and the last thing I knew was I left standing in the chapel … alone.

"Goodbye Daniel", I uttered.

*

There were so much taxis but I refused. I walked for thirty minutes with my sneakers and black little dress. The weather was quite gloomy and somehow that explained Daniel's farewell. I thought about my aunt. What would happen to her now? Was it me and her for life now? She was left with nothing. No kids, no fortune, no kiss and not even the house as it was sold to somebody else long before my aunt knew that it happened.

As I turned right to our street, there was a familiar car that parked in the front lawn of the house. What was going on?

I took a number of steps before I reached our front lawn. I studied the car for a second. The inside of it was empty, so, he wasn't there. Where did he go?

A man was standing in our porch with his hands in his pocket and a classy-shades covered his eyes that made him looked like an actor. It was him, Jared.

I went straight to him and stood right next to his masculine body. "Hey Jared, what're you doing here?"

He took off his shades then folded them and placed it in the v-line of his white shirt. I heard him sighed. "You haven't reply for me in two days now, where the hell you've been?"

There was a strong and serious tone in his voice. It wasn't pleasant for me at all. He just examined me and wondered something. He was old enough to realize one reality, that was the thing I guessed.
"My aunt's husband died and it's his funeral today", I explained.

He had no any emotion, what would I even expect though. He didn't know the man too well but I told him before that Daniel was an aggressive one. He cleared his throat and grabbed my hands. It was quick. Warm palms, I badly needed them for now.

"You don't mind me holding your hands?", I heard him asked and I shook my head from left to right.

"The moment I kissed you was the moment I couldn't get you out of my damn mind Sadie. That's why I'm here, looking for you and here you are"

I wanted to express the same thought.  Even though my life was chaotic, the face of him was lingered to my mind too after that kiss. Should I say...my first two kisses.

I let go of our holding hands and I opened the door. I welcomed him and he sat in the couch. The table was filled with different plates and saucers, it was all messy. I hung my bag in the nail that touched the wood. I looked for tea but there was none, I searched for coffee but there was nothing left. What should I do?

"I can't offer you a tea nor a coffee. We haven't gone to the grocery shop for weeks now. I'm sorry"

He stood up and walked through the whole living room. "It's okay Sadie".

"I'll change first, you can grab any books you want. If you bother to read something"

I headed to my room and locked it. Holy, he was here. Inside of this house. Damn. I quickly changed my clothes to a simple shirt and pajamas. I faced my appearance in the mirror, I looked quite stressed. Minutes later, I went back to the living room and saw Jared touching some of the books in the shelves.

"I will take a rest. I will see you tomorrow Jared. Thank you for coming"

He determined not to destroy his good aura as he heard me saying a goodbye point. Truthfully, I was tired. Frankly, I was afraid that he might kiss me again.
"If you have time you can go back to my apartment. You can come perhaps tonight. Are you going to take a nap now?"

I said yes and he nodded. I followed him back right to the front lawn where the birds were chirping and it seemed just so cool. He put his shades back on and leaned a little to his car.

"I will see you next time. Take a good rest"
"You too, Jared", I said and we both smiled. Just a genuine smile that I had seen from him.

Before I turned myself to the front porch, there were his hands holding mine, his palms were quite shaking. "Wish me luck Sadie"
I was confused. "For what?"

He made a short curve on his lips and tried to balance our holding hands moments.
"I'll have a special meeting. Been waiting for this for years and - "

"I wish you a very good luck", I concluded.

Before he let go of his hands, he kissed my forehead and whispered, "now I'm feeling better Sadie".

*

Few days passed. The cafe was filled with athletes and managers. They loved the atmosphere and the ambiance. It was so fun serving them. I got back to my life again, well, things changed though. Aunt Molly was dead-quiet after her husband died. She didn't go out nor shopping in the downtown. I saw that her good vision towards life was demolished by Daniel. I became the breadwinner in the house and I bought food together with some groceries. My aunt Molly was my only family. I had nothing or no one else anymore. The only thing I worried tremendously was the ownership of the house and I knew that this would be bad for me and my aunt.

Miss Morgan knew about my situation and even added my salary. I couldn't ask for any other boss, she was so understanding and keen about people who were going through something.
The dusk came and the bustling city was filled with so much noises and music. We closed the cafe in an early time because Miss Morgan had to visit someone far away from the city. I wondered who would it be, maybe it was just her relative or a close friend.  I tried to stop thinking about it but I just couldn't. The way Miss Morgan bid her goodbye to me seemed like she was a little uncomfortable. She also had roses in her hands. Maybe that someone was really important to her.

The sun was finally gone and the dark had come. I was walking down the street and got a text from my aunt. I stopped walking and read it.

Aunt Molly: "Good news. One of my mates is here. We are drinking some wine. You don't have to worry about me Sadie. Take care at work"

I beamed with her text. That made me feel sane too. Now that she was able to connect in people, I knew that she would go back to her life rightfully. I had to admit that...I attached myself with my aunt but I wasn't loving her like how I loved my mom and dad. But that didn't matter anymore.

As I started to walk again, my heart suddenly blasted a little.

"Hey"

Damn.

He put his arms on my shoulder and kissed my cheek. That was so fast and I left stunned. What was just happened?

"Jared", I called his name. He was still in uniform, a pretty good suit. I bet this man was not tired because I could sense his energy reflecting towards my skin. "You scared me"

He fixed his hair and told me that he wanted a dinner with me. I couldn't say no but I couldn't say yes easily. I had to think about it.

"Come on just a dinner", he begged.

I knew my aunt would be fine. Maybe this wouldn't go wrong though. "I'm hungry. So where are we going to have dinner Jared?"



I found myself in a fancy restaurant again. This man had so much money. The restaurant was near to his apartment as he glanced outside once in a while. We enjoyed the dinner … I couldn't thank him enough.

"I'll treat you next time", I said.

He burped for the first the first time in front me which made him chuckled. "You don't have to Sadie"

"Well, I want to. I can't afford a restaurant like this though, so, would you mind eating in a cheap place soon?"

The rain fell so hard out of the blue. I could see the people outside running and chasing. Some had an umbrella, some hadn't. The restaurant became a little colder.
"Wherever it would be, Sadie. I think I'll be fine with it", he answered.

I arranged my bag and placed my phone securely inside. The rain would be terrible, I knew it. "I think I have to go now"

Jared stood up and took his coat then gave it to me. "The rain is getting bad.  I will drive you home"

"You don't have to - "

"I insist", he said quickly.

I went a little comfortable until his phone rang. He excused himself and placed his phone on his right ear. The phone call lasted for few minutes, he seemed upset. My knees started shaking every time I could see that extreme expression on his face.

He came back and took a deep breath. "Something happened at work. It's an urgent and my laptop is in my apartment. I promise I'll drive you home after this"
I nodded and we went outside. His car parked far away from the restaurant. We ran swiftly for like twenty seconds and we absolutely got wet. He started driving and for just three minutes, we finally arrived.


Room 2003

He handed me the towel as I entered his apartment's living room. I could still picture in my mind the first time I came here. That day was remarkable.

"I'll make a hot tea for us", Jared uttered and headed to the kitchen quickly.

I sat on the couch and stretched my legs. My jeans and shirt were wet. The cold temperature in his apartment added another problem to my body. I wanted to pee, badly wanted to pee. I turned to the kitchen and I saw him waiting for the kettle to boil. "Your apartment is so huge and I couldn't find the rest room"

He laughed silently, "it's near the dining area".
"Thanks", I said.

The rest room in his apartment was the cleanest rest room I had ever seen and been in my whole life. Everything was pure and aesthetic. I studied the floor … they were artistically beautiful.

As I came back to the living room, the tea was already there. I poured the tea to the cup and took a sip on it. That tasted warm. I didn't saw Jared though maybe he was busy.


"It's done"
His voice came out in the back. I turned around and noticed that he was topless. Oh, my goodness. It was raining outside and he was being like this. How am I supposed to calm?

He slowly sat next beside me. "I can drive you home now". I could feel his breath. Strong and romantic.

I awkwardly smiled at him but he noticed my legs. "Your jeans' wet Sadie"
"Yeah but I'll change them later when I get to the house", I explained.

He stood up and bent over to faced me. I kept looking down, I couldn't handle his gaze. That turquoise eyes kept hypnotizing me. His appeal kept attracting me and to this point I felt hopeless.

"It's cold. Wear your shirt Jared", I told him, still I wasn't making  an eye contact with him.

"Look at me". I could hear his breath.

I faced him. There was no other way why I kept avoiding his stare. His abs were the first thing I saw. A body like him was such a goal and a dream for many men in this world. This man is phenomenal.

"Are you a virgin?"

His question made me stop, it made me struck and it made me nervous. I couldn't answer him, this would be the most personal question he ever asked at me.

I took a deep breath and tried to act normal. Would I ever feel normal about it?
"Yes", I muttered.

"You know what Sadie. I'm a man and a man like me needs something. Would you like to give it to me?"

I was out of this world. I couldn't hear Jared. I could only hear my heartbeat.

"What?"

"Would you like to have sex with me?"

I swallowed my saliva and my eyes danced. What did he say? Sex?

There was nothing more complicated than my head kept placing my heart in a serious matter. This would be an issue for me. I couldn't answer him. Not even a word. I couldn't. My knees were trembling.

"I don't know Jared", I answered
"You could say no or yes but you said you don't know?"

"I really don't know Jared"

"Would you like me to be your first Sadie?"

The wildest energy was alive in my blood. I wanted him all over me. His body and kiss and everything. I wanted to kiss him all over again right now, right here, right in this moment. I would never care of this would gone wrong or I was being rush but I knew this would be the time. I wanted to give my youth to him....to Jared Boston.

"Yeah", I whispered but loud enough for him to realize my word.

He then moved his face slowly close to mine. We were looking to each other's eyes. I could see the wildest dreams living in there, passionate and bolder. His lips were getting closer and closer and closer to mine but all of a sudden .... he stopped.





"I have my respect on you. I prepared some clothes in the guest room, you can take a bath and change there. After that, I'll take you home"


He left me there with a gasp. I touched my face and pressed my lips.


God, this man isn’t just phenomenal, he is unexplainable.