My Better Half

Chapter 9- Change of Heart

Maria Third Person POV

After bidding Rachel goodbye and going back to her flat, Maria had some alone time to herself... FINALLY. After resting up a while and complaining about everything to Mr Ginger (who is a very good listener), she thought of practising her violin till she had to go to work.

After a while

"Goodbye, kitty, I'll be back after my shift, 'kay?"

Saying this, Maria left for the pizza parlour. As she walked, she had all sorts of stuff running through her head, including the incident at McDonald's and how she felt like somehow, she was really close to Jack. He was so sweet... and charming... and soft-spoken... not the bad guy she pictured him to be. But wait a sec- why did it even matter?!? Jack was just a co-worker nothing more, nothing less.

As she was thinking all this, she didn't even realise that she had already reached the pizza parlour and was now standing at the back of the shop in front of Jack.

"Umm... hi again."

She said the same exact words she had spoken to Jack for the very first time. But this time, not coldly, yet more awkward and shyly.

But it didn't take her long to notice something... the van wasn't there at its usual place. But why? Just then, their manager Sal walked out with keys in his hand.

Sal, waving at them: "Hey, kiddos! Looks like you two are on time, here catch!"

He said throwing the keys to Jack who caught it, looking as confused as Maria.

Sal: "You see, the pizza delivery van is out for repairs, so those are my motorbike keys. Jack, you know how to ride a motorcycle, right? Well, don't go over the speed limit is all I need to say, chop-chop now, we got 5 long-distance deliveries today. Maria, hop in the motorcycle behind Jack, alright? I am sure my bike has enough space for you two, off you go then."

Jack Third Person POV

Oh god, was this really happening? Yes, Jack had noticed the van wasn't in its usual spot, but he figured Sal had just parked it somewhere else. It had been a while since Jack had driven a motorcycle, he hoped he wasn't too rusty. But that wasn't his main concern. He would be spending ages with Maria behind him, holding onto him... He felt worried, but on a level, he was a little... Excited. Honestly, how pathetic could he get, heated over the idea of a little physical contact? What was he, 11?

There was no point in feeling sorry for himself, so he walked to the motorcycle and hopped on. He gestured to Maria to do the same.

Jack, with a little reassuring smile: "Well come on, I won't bite, I promise."

Maria rolled her eyes, but she hopped on behind him, slowly putting her arms around Jack's waist. He hoped her reluctance was out of shyness rather than distaste.

Jack, twisting his head back slightly: "Okay, are you ready to go?"

After seeing Maria nod, he faced the front again, turned on the engine, and they were off. It was a little bumpy at first as Jack tried to navigate the narrower streets while getting used to driving a motorcycle again, but it made Maria hold on tighter, which was a bit of a bonus.

Soon, Jack found his footing again, so to speak, and it was smooth sailing from then on. As they made their way to the first house, it was too windy to hear or speak to each other, but Jack could feel Maria's heartbeat through her chest, on his back, as well as his own heartbeat pounding in his own chest. He noticed that they were both beating in sync, and this soothed and relaxed him. Soon, their breathing also synchronised, and they almost became one. Jack could feel Maria's breath, soft on the nape of his neck, hot and tempting... He really needed to distract himself.