THE HANDSOME DOLL

CHAPTER XXXIII

The countryside best place for me is the sea shore.

Its getting winter and anybody who walks here will freeze if he's not wearing the proper outfit and shoes but I still push myself to walk bare feet with the waves splashing on me.

Mr. Jonathan says I should be back right after sunset because there's no light at this place and I'll find it hard to find my way back.

I am here in a peaceful face of the world, watching the sun sets, wearing a light white dress Donovan bought for me and all I can think about is how much I want the boss to appreciate this scene with me.

Damn it!

I push the thought out of my mind and head home afterwards.

Mr. Jayden welcome me home when I get back. He's sitting on the couch working on his laptop, probably analyzing some sales. Mr. Jonathan came out with tea sets afterwards and he pour each of us an amount.

"Jasmine tea?" I ask.

He chuckle. "Yeah. I made it myself, from the jasmines on the garden."

"Wow!"

Silence.

When Mr. Jayden folded his laptop and clears his throat then I brace myself because I know he'll start the questions. "Bliss calls me earlier, I inform him you're here."

"Uggh! Why'd you do that, I'm still enjoying punishing him."

"If you hear him you'll know he's been punished already. He sounds as if he's about to go insane."

I let out a chuckle.

"Its been two weeks Blythe.."

"I know."

"And your next semester will start after this week."

"I know.."

Mr. Jonathan join the conversation too. "How long are you going to stay here, sweetheart?"

"As long as I feel like it."

"Does your lover knew you're here?... I'm sure he doesn't." says Mr. Jayden. "You cannot ran away from him forever, you know.. Bliss said--"

"I don't want to see him... not yet."

He exhales. "I understand how you feel. You don't want to see him. It hurts. Seeing him will remind you of everything bad. You're not his parents best choice... But what about him? Did you ever tried putting yourself on his shoes?"

I was about to defend myself but I can think of no appropriate words. He's right. I'm selfish. A terrible selfish.

----

Despite Mr. Jayden's nagging, I stay with them, doing nothing but my research papers, which I have no interest in bringing back to the council review. I spend the days cooking every now and then, the late afternoon on the beach and the nights rolling over my bed.

He bought me a new phone and as soon as I switch it on, Bliss's recorded message play for about an hour. Man, I'm starting to believe we've switch bodies. He should be wearing a maternity dress and stay at home instead.

Mr. Jayden laugh at my complains. "He's just awfully worried. Its not like you to act like this."

"Geez, he calls and nags. Man its making me old."

The following day, Mr. Jonathan assigns me for the groceries. And when I said its groceries I mean its a half day grocery and I'll be expected to come home like I should have brought the whole store with me.

"Why me?" I complain.

"Because, little lady, you're the only one around here without chores."

"But I'm sleeping."

"Complain more and I'll have Donovan drive you back to your town."

"Not until I beat him hard!"

In the end I drag myself to the store and buy everything he listed on the four feet long paper and just as I thought I came home with five large grocery boxes.

Mr. Jonathan's waiting for me at the gate and handed the taxi driver my fare and tip.

"When did you all become food savages?"

He let out a dry laugh. "Its a whole month food allowances."

I hang my coat before stepping out of my shoes and saw Mr. Jayden wide smile as soon as I came in.

"What?" I ask.

"What's what? I mean, will you go to the sea shore today?"

"Nope. I'm too tired I'll head upstairs."

"You can't!" he called out. "You need to go watch sunset today."

I shrugged. "Why?"

"The news said the sunset will be beautiful later."

"Its always beautiful." I said and starts heading upstairs.

"No. It will be phenomenal, a once in a lifetime chance to see it longer."

Well, that caught my attention. "Really? The news said the sunset will be longer today? Did you confirm the reliability of that?"

"Certainly."

"All right then." I said. "I'll just take a bath."

-----

I arrive at the sea shore an hour before sunset, walking bare feet again.

Mr. Jayden's right. The sunset will be longer today because there are some tourist laying blankets at the far end of the shore. Spectators, I guess.

Why did they even bother bringing blankets.. I don't mind sitting on the sand.

I wish he's here, I thought. I pull my knees closer to my chest as the cold wind blew my hair behind. The cold out here is nothing compare to the cold I had deep inside.

"Its beautiful isn't it.." someone said from behind. "The white sand, the blue green beach.."

I didn't turn around thinking he's just some tourist trying to make friends.

"Yeah.." I said.

"Do you feel cold? News says it will snow next week."

I shake my head. News my ass. "Nah."

I hear his footsteps from behind coming closer to me.

"I feel cold."

That's a nice move, I thought. I stood up and brush the sand off my shorts and when I lift my eyes to the person behind me, I feel like floating in the air.