Queen Bitch & The Bad Boy

30*A Beautiful Discovery

We sit on one of the beach swings outside, me tucked into his chest as his arms wrap around me, while we watch the sunset. Jay plays with my hair as I tuck my legs into my chest and rest my head on his chest, my jacket taken off and over my arms to keep me warm.

The whole morning and afternoon we play with the kids or help them out around the building or we'd talk with the teens and hang with Moxie's friends. At lunch, we helped give the food out, Jay entertained the younger girls as they watch him in fascination. I remember one of them calling him a King and complimented him so much that I have no doubt that his ego has gotten bigger.

***
FLASHBACK
***

A small girl skipped over to Jay as he sat on one of the beaches on the field, sipping on his cup of coffee. He grinned at her as I walked closer to see and hear what's going on. I leaned against a pillar and watched the two, a faint smile on my face at the sight of Jay bonding with the kids here.

"You look like a King." Hazel gushed, one of the youngest of girls. Hazel was only 5 with big blue eyes and red hair that instantly drew Jay in. She caught his heart and I had no doubt that it's because she has the same bubbly personality and aura as his sister, Autumn. He grinned and pat his lap so she climbed onto the bench and sat on his lap, playing with his watch as he placed the coffee on the table.

"Why am I King?"

"Because you have this smile and look in your eye when you look at Miss Paris. Mama told me once that it means that you really like someone." She explained with a giggle, her cheeks starting to colour with red. "And Paris is our Queen around here so that makes you a King."

"Oh?" He raised his eyes in amusement, his smile never leaving his face as Hazel nodded her head enthusiastically. 

"Yep, Mama told me once that if you have stars in your eyes when looking at someone else that means you really like them."

As if Jay could sense me, he looked up and smirked, making me blush as I smiled back, trying to fight down the heat that was crawling up my neck.

"Then I must really like Paris."

"Do you?" Hazel asked, looking at Jay with admiration. Jay looked down at Hazel, his eyes softened and sweet, as he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Yes, Hazel. I really do."

***
NOW
***

I can still feel my heart flutter as I remember that flashback. I feel a soft kiss on the top of my head so I look up to find Jay with a smile on his face, his alluring green eyes glittering like diamonds.

"Yes?"

"So, tell me, how has this place become?" He asks, curiously. "How does everyone know you so well?"

I sigh and move a little to get comfortable before beginning the story. "I was 14. Dad had taken me to Rio for a business job. While we were there, he decided to let me go sightseeing. So I did. It was amazing and thrilling. Then I got lost. I suddenly ended up in of of the rural areas and that's when I saw the worst side of Brazil. I found Pedro starving as he went around, asking for food or water even if was a little. He was only 4."

I remember seeing Pedro so thin like a stick and shivered with sadness. "He was starving so I took him to a restaurant where he ate till his heart content. After that, I started to hang around with the kids there while dad was at his meetings. That's where I met Moxie."

Jay frowned. "Moxie is an orphan, I thought she worked here?"

"Yep, she was only 15." I continue, playing with the hems of my top. "She looks exactly how she looked 3 years ago. Moxie then told me everything that happens down here that's when I realised something had to be done. I told my dad I wanted to build a children home for orphans. And he did. By the time I turned 15, a home was built. This massive building here.

Kids age from 3 to 19 stayed here. Those who were 18 or 19 stayed until they find their feet and get their own home. Moxie's been here since she was 16, she's 19 now. She's moving out on her 20th birthday, she doesn't know that though."

He furrows his eyes confused as I grin mischievously. "What do you mean?"

"I got her a apartment near the beach, one she's been dreaming about. I'm giving it to her on her 20th." I giggle while Jay rolls his eyes with a smile.

"Anyways," I carry on after I compose myself. "Moxie met Lilly at the home because Lilly volunteered to help out, she wanted to get away from the pressure at home. So they've been friends since. Back to Pedro, after the building was built, I went to visit everyone and when I entered, I find this boy hugging onto my leg, hiding behind me. He was shy and didn't know anyone there.

I helped him get comfortable. After a while, he was alright and everyone adored him. He was mine, my best friend. I've known him since. I made sure my dad get the best of best to help here. Kids and teens learn English, that's why some are fluent, some already know a little. They're taught to read and write, they're taught to have a successful life, they finally have a family."

"And everyone knows Paris as the Queen." We look over to see Moxie leaning against the doorframe of the French double doors, a cigarette playing between her fingers. "Everyone knows her when they first come here. She saved us all."

"You did a good job," Jay whispers as Moxie walks away from us, not before sending me a playful wink and smirk. "I'm so proud of you. God, you're amazing."

I laugh joyfully, my heart seeming lighter than usual. "Thank you."

"Seriously though," Jay says in all seriousness. "You are honestly the most amazing person I've ever met. I'm so proud to call you mine."

Jay smiles at me, it's one of my favourite and rare smiles he gives. It's the one that reaches his eyes and shows his two dimples as his eyes glimmer with content and adoration. I lean forward and close my eyes, my heart racing with feelings that I can't describe. The outside is quiet, the sound of the busy city stops and I can only hear his rhythmic breathing as our lips join.

He kisses me and I smile into this kiss. Something is different between us. Like he knows who I am a little bit more on a deeper level. The world shifted a little and suddenly, I know I'm in love with Jay Stone. I really am. He runs his fingers through my hair and pulls me closer to him as if I'm going to disappear. The sounds of the waves can be heard from here, the world feels more calmer, I feel more safe. Everything is happier.

I'm in love with Jay and there's nothing I can do about it.

••••
Edited | 14.5.17
Three edits in one day, yay me! Let's see if I can make it four.

LMB