The Third Wheel

The Third Wheel - Part 9

She was in trouble. Big time. She couldn't believe that she got a total stranger involved with her selfishness. Ok, he's not really a total stranger, since he's friends with Robert and Samantha, but... She took a glance at the person who was driving the BMW convertible. Jordan was just pulling up at Crimson Hill, a hill that overlooks the town. Both people sat there, at the front seat, drinking in the scenery in front of them. The town had turn into a beautiful town of lights, and the tall buildings like the Orchard Condominium was lit up with modern lightings, making the town even beautiful than it usually was. The sunset was reflected on the sea, making the blue sheen into a beautiful orange-blue. Sophie took a deep breath and turned towards Jordan.

"I'm sorry"

Jordan sat there, his expression unreadable. Sophie fidgeted in her seat. Didn't he heard what I just said?. She tried again, this time, louder, "I'm so-" Jordan stretched in his seat. Sophie stopped talking, confused. Jordan looked at her, his face lit up with a smile. "Don't you think this place is beautiful? Look at the sea, too! Aren't you glad that we live by the sea?" he said, admiring the sunset. When he didn't get any answer, he slowly turned towards Sophie. Sophie's face was baffled, her jaw opened slightly. Sophie saw him giving her a sad smile. "Even if I ask, you wouldn't explain it to me, would you?" he said, his tone low.

Sophie looked down at her lap, and began to clench her hands into fists. She was unsure of what to do. Suddenly, her hand was enveloped by a large hand. Sophie sat there, unable to move. Jordan's hand was warm against her cold skin. She heard him say, "It's alright. You don't need to say anything. I just want you to know, though, that I'm pretty sure that Scott's not in the picture in your locket". Sophie looked up, and saw that Jordan had the kindest face she had ever seen. She was tempted to tell him everything, to cry there and let him hold her hand for the whole night, but she pulled her hand away from him, and turned to her original position; gazing at the scenery in front of them. 

"How much do you know?" she croaked, not daring to look at him. "Not much. All I know is that, Phillip Bradford, the CEO of Bradford Enterprise and our famous Mathematics teacher, John Harper are your brothers" he said nonchalantly, clearly unaware of Sophie stiffening at every word he said. "I've gotta tell you, your mother's gorgeous, just like you" he said, smiling at her. Sophie kept quiet, unsure of what to say. "The birdie that told you about how I like chocolate milk aside from apple juice, was the same birdie that told you about the locket?" she asked, her voice lowering by each and every word. "Yup" Jordan answered briefly. Sophie looked at him, and gave him the saddest smile, "It was Robert, wasn't it?" she said. Jordan nodded and gave her an apologetic smile. 

"Don't worry. That's all I know" he said, giving her a reassuring smile. Sophie let out a thin smile. "Why didn't you ask any further, then?" she said, curious of his answer. Jordan shrugged, and sat back in his seat. "Well, I felt that it was not right for me to ask such personal questions about a person, especially if it's the girl that you want to pursue. What was it that you said? My feelings won't be sincere if I didn't use my own efforts" he said, giving her a lopsided smile. Sophie looked at him once again, and raised her eyebrows. "Okay, maybe one of the reasons was that Robert refused to talk any further, but honest! I want you to open your heart to me and tell me about yourself without any force" he said, raising his hands in surrender.

Sophie chuckled, and sat back in her seat. "So you were serious in grabbing my heart?" she asked in a teasing tone. "Honestly? I thought I would give up when you tried to push me away, but that incident in the infirmary just made me want to grab your heart more. Corny, I know, but hey, give me a break here, alright?" he said, his tone serious. "What about your fangirls? Or your ex-girlfriends?" she asked, trying to tease him further. Jordan, unused to Sophie's mischievous personality, was taken aback by her words. "Wha-? Well, I'll just make it clear that I have no interest in flirting with them. And about my ex-girlfriends, well, they were the one who wanted to break up, so what's the big deal?" he replied. Sophie shook her head, her face showing disapproval. "You don't know how the woman's mind works, Jordan Watson. You may be a playboy, but you have zero understanding about the woman's mind" she said, her face cool.

"Oh yeah?" Jordan straightened up from his seat, and leaned towards Sophie. "What is it that I don't know that  you know?" he asked, staring into her sapphire blue eyes. Sophie stared back, and they just sat there, staring at each other, as if continuing what they had done in the diner. Sophie was about to say something when suddenly, a ringtone of 'Chocolate Disco' by Perfume was heard. A groan escaped from Jordan, and he gave Sophie an apologetic look. Sophie heard him mumble 'What is wrong with the timing tonight?' and he answered his white Blackberry Curve. Sophie looked away, trying to be polite to not eavesdrop his conversation. Her efforts were a waste, though for she heard the caller's voice when he answered.

"Jo! Why were you late in answering the phone?!" a shrill voice said.

"Kimmy, relax. I'm with someone right now" Sophie heard Jordan answer, his voice tight.

"I don't care! I want you to listen to me, like right now! Can you believe it? Samuel said that there was nothing between the two of them, yet he had her notebook! Sure, they have the same Mathematics class together, but can't he borrow it from someone else? Like a guy, maybe??" Kimberley said on the other line. Sophie actually stiffen when she heard her say 'Mathematics class' with Samuel. She did not need to guess who is the girl that Kimberley was talking about when Jordan put his hand on her shoulder.

"Kimmy, cool down. You can talk to me all you want. Tomorrow" he said with a soothing voice.

"What?! Jo!! Jordan Alexander Watson! Don't you dare hang up on me! Don't you dare!" 

"Bye, Kimmy. Tell your mum I said 'hi'" Jordan said, ignoring Kimberley's words and hung up on her. As if it wasn't enough, he switched off his phone.

Jordan looked at Sophie, who rewarded him a smile. "I think it's already late. Can you send me home now?" she said, with a cool voice. Sophie thought she saw Jordan's face dropped with disappointment, but it was replaced with a care free smile. "Sure". He drove towards Orchard Condominium, the journey a quiet one. When they arrived in front of the said condominium, Sophie turned towards Jordan. "Thank you, for everything that you have done tonight" she said. She was about two steps away from the car, when she heard Jordan saying behind her, "How am I really going to open your heart?". Sophie paused, then hesitantly looked back. "You already did, but I still have my doubts, can I say that?" she replied, giving him a small smile. She saw him thinking, and he said, "Will you try to open up to me, if I 'protect' you in the catching game during the  Golden Event?". Sophie gave him a mysterious smile, and replied, "We'll see". 

She walked towards the entrance when she heard the BMW drive away. She let out a small smile as she recalled their 'date' earlier. She was about to click the elevator button when someone clicked it for her. When she took a glance at the 'someone' she felt that her knees went weak. Her heartbeat rate was faster than normal, but she kept a cool and composed face. She clutched at the locket hanging on her neck and when the elevator has reached the main floor, she entered the elevator with that 'someone'. She closed her eyes, cursing herself as the elevator bring the both of them towards her floor.

TO BE CONTINUED