The Game of Love

8

"I come bearing chicken."

Jade said as she entered into the kitchen. Luis stood in front of the counter, dipping slices of bread into the egg mixture.

He smiled at her and Jade couldn't help the guilt that she felt within her.

She liked Luis, her grandmother had liked him and the plan had always been to soften her mother to the idea of him in the near future. Not to start showing interest in someone else.

"How was lunch with your mother?"

Jade began to mix the batter for the chicken breasts.

"Oh it was something else."

"What do you mean?"

She dipped the chicken into the batter as her lips parted.

"It was a you times two but even worse. Adrian ended up being there and mom didn't hold back on telling him that he wasn't worthy of me."

She quoted her mother's words.

"Adrian..."

"You know, the barber who ordered the local cuisine."

Silence followed as Jade looked up to ensure that the man was still there.

"What was that barber doing at Luna's?"

"His name is Adrian."

Jade retorted with an eye roll.

"And he said he was supposed to meet his mom."

She shrugged. She didn't think much of it and she believed Adrian.

"So what did he do when your mom told him he wasn't worthy?"

A smile came across Jade's lips.

"He told us to enjoy our meals and left. He didn't even flinch at her words, I guess that's why I went after him."

Her eyes widened. She wasn't supposed to say the last part.

Luis stopped dipping the bread in the egg mixture, his eyes fixed on her.

"You went after him?"

Jade gulped.

"You met him when? On Monday, it's Thursday. It's been three days and you ran after him?"

A chuckle escaped Luis' lips.

"You've known me all of High School. We planned Kiel's together, you didn't even introduce me to your mom but when she walked in on us kissing and fired me, what did you do?"

She remained silent. Guilt eating away at her.

"You stayed behind with her."

His voice rose and Jade knew she needed to fix things before Rachel arrived.

"I was begging her for you to come back. I was fighting for us."

"It doesn't feel like it Jade."

He spat, his words like a slap to her face.

"When have you ever disobeyed your mother for me but for him..."

She shook her head.

"That's not fair. You're still here because I fought for you."

"No. I'm here because you agreed to end whatever we had. You really think I care about this job Jade?"

Her eyes filled.

Why did she add in that last part.

"You said you'd find away around your mother. To give it some time and we'd start over as a couple. But it's been years and honestly Jade, I'm tired of waiting for someone who's clearly fighting for someone else."