ด้วยรักตลอดไป (With Love, Forever)

Jackson

Jeff coming to my house on a weekly basis for lessons with Xinxin became a blessing alongside being a routine.

She became better at playing the piano and had developed an ear for pitch and rhythm. She started to pick up the notes faster and also became more confident. Xinxin also started forgoing her screen time on Sundays as she often made Jeff stay with her to play or read books to her or do crafts.

I was extremely touched and grateful for it gave my helper a respite and also allowed me to focus on my work, but I worried privately if it was too much on Jeff. Soon, it came for payment, and I transferred him once he had gone home so he could not nag at me. I deliberately transferred about thrice the amount then we had initially agreed on.

Xinxin was napping, and I was having my lunch when there was a knock at the front door. My helper told me to continue eating while she went to answer the door. She came back a minute later with Jeff in tow.

"Hey! What are you doing here? Did you forget anything? Is everything ok?"

I could see that Jeff looked pissed. I was confused as I stood up. He came towards me, pushing an envelope of money towards me.

"What...what's this?"

"Why don't you tell me? How much did we agree on? I didn't even want you to pay because my mom and you are such good friends, but you insisted, so I charged a nominal fee. But I got thrice the amount!"

I gulped. I didn't realize my gesture would backfire on me. I looked at Jeff, praying silently that he would hear me out.

"I.. you just spend so much time with Xinxin despite not needing to. I felt bad and wanted to just pay you a little more for your time, too."

"I don't spend time with Xinxin because I have to or needed to like you, put it. But I do it because I want to. But you... you paying me for it makes it seem like a job. I don't see teaching her on my own time as a job. I really like spending time with her.. but argh! You make me so angry!"

Jeff stormed off after that! I was stunned. I looked at my helper, who just tsked and told me to make things right.

"How do I do it?"

"Have you not pacified anyone in a long time? Stop making me ashamed and sounding so clueless. You are still young. You sound like an old brat. Even older than me!

"Auntie!" I nagged. She laughed at me.

"Go see him. Say sorry, repeat, and reiterate you will never do that again and just bring him out for a meal. He loves Xinxin with all of his heart. Why do you cheapen his efforts with money?"

"I didn't... mean to make it sound like that. I am just grateful for his efforts. I just wanted to say thank you."

"You can do so by bringing him out."

"That sounds very date-ish."

"Is it? That was not my intention unless you have that on mind."

"Auntie! Stop teasing me!!"

She laughed and told me to go make things right with him before it became worse. I nodded, choosing to abandon my food and ran off, asking her to keep an eye on Xinxin, and I would be back soon. She shouted after me to finish my lunch first but I had long disappeared.

I called Ms Luo and told her what had happened. She clicked her tongue disapprovingly, saying I had definitely landed myself in hot water with Jeff. She told me he should be at home, gaming, or preparing for work on Monday. She told me to head on and even gave me the pin code for the door so he would not hear me and I could go in myself to surprise him.

Knowing him, she did say he may not even let me enter the house. I sighed as I made my way to their house. I let myself in, aware it was my first time in their place. It was a nice comfy 3 bedroom apartment, and I could hear Jeff gaming away in one of the rooms or speaking to someone.

I started to make my way towards that room when I heard his voice. He must be speaking to his mom as he was complaining to her about me. I walked up to his door, and he was oblivious. He was whining about what an idiot I was, and if I wanted to really appreciate his efforts, I could have just brought him out for a meal.

"I agree. Which is why I'm here to make up for it."

Oh my God. The shock on his face and the scream he let out when he realized I was in his house and at his room door. It was priceless. His mom must have realized I had arrived and had hung up. I grinned as I walked into his room.

Jeff stood up, moving back in shock, whining on why I was there.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cheapen your efforts or time spent with Xinxin with money. I just honestly was grateful and wanted to express it. You have no idea. She's a wonderful child. I love her to death. But having that additional two hours to do my own things has been so good, and it became a weekly affair. But it also meant 2 hours of your time being used up, and I was just.."

Jeff sighed as he said softly, "You don't give yourself enough credit. It's ok to take time for yourself. I do it because I really love spending time with her, and it also means you get time to yourself. So when I saw the money.. I got angry. Don't do that again, please."

I nodded fervently, happy to be back in his good books again. "But we can do a meal together right?"

"Yes we can. We can bring Xinxin too."

I nodded, not saying anything but I was hoping to bring him out alone. Not like an excursion with my daughter!

Shit. What my helper said was true. Why was I nurturing date-ish ideas in my head! Ugh.

I looked at Jeff who just cocked his head, confused as to why I was so quiet. I just shook it, saying I was thinking of dates and times and he said we could always plan later. I nodded.

I said I would head home now and text him later. He asked me if I eaten already and I confessed that I had abandoned my lunch midway to come make peace with him.

He tsked and told me to stay back if I could and that he would prepare me something to eat. I wanted it but also knew 'Xinxin would wake up soon and holler murder if she didn't see me.

I told him I had to get back before she woke up and he nodded. I started to make my leave and turned back to him.

"Sorry I can't stay for lunch. Xinxin..."

"Comes first. It's ok. I would do that too."

Jeff smiled as he sent me off. As I walked off, it hit me that my heart was just thudding louder. And he was definitely the cause of it.