25 - Jessica

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Jessica

Breakfast upgraded to a very satisfying brunch at Andrei's restaurant. Andrei invited us – his treat, by the way. He wanted to hang out with Miles and since Matthew and I have nothing going on at the moment, we tagged along. Miles is in the kitchen, probably folding napkins with Andrei's sous-chef. With the thought of France, I snuck in a quick text about my grandmother's party.

"Are you sure there is nothing I could do as a token of appreciation?" I placed my fork down and asked for a hundredth time now.

Matthew looked patiently as ever. "You already said 'thank you.' That was more than enough."

I did. Like a thousand times already.

"Are you sure?"

He nods. "Sure."

"No little voices of doubt in your head saying, "damn. I should've asked for that corn dog on our way over here." I know I would."

He chuckles, giving me a dimpled little smile. "I'm sure. Why would I want a corn dog?"

"Uh, for eating, maybe? Or you can just hold it the rest of the day like a trophy."

He chuckles again. "Okay. I'll be needing one later."

I narrowed my eyes playfully. "For a trophy?"

"For eating," he answers, playing along. "You should get one too. As a reward."

I arched a brow.

"For reeling your clients back in," he continues, that little dimple poking at his cheek.

I feigned a scandalous gasp. "How dare you? You get all the freakin' credit. That was all you. Never discredit yourself. Ever."

Matthew holds his hand up as if in defeat.

I turn my attention to my food. He may have had enough of me so I might as well shut up.

"So," he clears her throat, "what do you usually do to have fun?"

I lost my grip on my fork, surprised that he actually wanted to have a conversation with me. I stare at him, amused. "I can't believe you asked me that."

"Why?" He tilted his head to one side. So adorably confused.

"Well, I rarely get asked that. Mostly because people know what I do to have fun, they've seen me in every nightclub in town, and believe me I was never sober."

"People see what they see regardless of the truth. So, what do you do for fun?"

I felt my jaw hang just for a second. "That was pretty deep," I kidded.

He smiled.

I put my fork down. "Well, what I do for fun is hang out with my godchildren. And you know, my job. Oh, and I'd love to dabble with nature photography. It's turning out to be this new hobby of mine."

He nods.

"But the nightclubs and the drinking were great too. Because of, you know, the best people I've ever met. Kathie and Audrey are the best things that ever happened to me. And as if it couldn't get any better, I had my godchildren. Ethan sleep talks and says the funniest things. There's always something about a rabbit foot."

His eyes lit up as he lets out a soft chuckle. "I know, right? What is it about that rabbit foot anyway? Somehow, he keeps losing it in his sleep."

We laughed.

I just realized it was probably the only thing we have in common: our godchildren.

"How about you? What do you do for fun?" I smiled, pushing my first impression of him that clouded my judgment on day one.

He shrugged, silent. There was a tiny crease between his brows like he was in deep thought. Like 'fun' associated with him is something he can't picture.

Well, you and me, pal.

"I guess I travel?" he answers shyly.

"Come on, it wasn't even a sure answer."

He shakes his head, smiling to himself. "What can I say? I'm not really a fun person."

"I would've agreed but maybe people have different tastes for fun. Just think. You might surprise the both of us."

He thought hard.

I waited patiently.

Finally, he nodded to himself. "Camping."

"Oh."

"You sound so unsurprised." He scrunched his nose playfully. "Will it be surprising if I say we used to camp outside our house back when we were kids?"

I arched a brow. "You guys camp in your own backyard?"

He grinned. "Yeah. We campfire, make s'mores and everything. It was fun."

"It does. But it sounds a little outdated too. What do you do for fun, like, now?"

Matthew shrugged. "Sorry. That's all I remember that's fun about me."

"Oh, hush, you're just being modest," I said. "Maybe one of these days, there will be something else you'll find fun. Have you tried dating at least? No offense though."

He smiled. "Believe me, none taken."

"Okay. Well, have you? I don't mean to nag, but I think your mother will want something like that for you. I mean," I laid a hand on my chest, "I'm not even your mother but I want you to."

Matthew laughed. "You have no idea. My family's been in this matchmaking conspiracy lately."

"Well, they mean well." I pointed out.

Over his shoulder, I spotted France, Andrei's sous-chef personally serving me his specialty, which is still to be revealed after he dramatically lifts the silver cloche.

"Hi, guys. How's the food? Everything good? Great? Awesome?" France asks merrily.

"France. It was," I paused and did a chef kiss.

He giggles. "Ah, lovely. I hope you're enjoying your meal too, Matty."

"Everything's perfect. Thank you," Matthew answered politely.

"Well, it will not be perfect just yet. Not without your dessert. On the house." France winked at me and lifted the cloche with a flourish. "Crème Brûlée," he announces dramatically.

I let out a delighted gasp. "Where have you been all my life?"

"Probably creating these masterpieces," he kidded.

I dug in almost immediately.

"It's also, um, a," he pauses uncomfortably, "a conciliatory dessert, I guess?"

"Oh. Why?" I laid down my spoon.

He hesitated for a moment. "I can't go with you. I mean, to your grandmother's fabulous party. As much as I want to be there with you, I can't. My mother's flying in and, you know, I have to pick her up at the airport, arrange everything for her vacation."

"Oh, no, it's okay." My stomach twisted into a knot.

"Are you talking about your grandmother's birthday party tomorrow?" Matthew asked, again, politely.

France turns to him. "Yeah. To be clear, I'm more than willing to jump in and aggressively get in the way of Alistair Hunt's courtship attempts. And it doesn't help that her parents are practically pimping her out. Specifically to this jerk who thinks his smartest dumbass alive."

I gave him a warning look. But his eyes were on Matthew. I cleared my throat which I had to again because it didn't work the first time. When it didn't work either, my third attempt accidentally burst into a hoarse cough.

I did get his attention. But for a really brief moment. "You okay, sweetheart?"

I gave him another warning look, but he started yapping away and it was too late.

It was already spilled milk.

"Jessica, I can go with you," Matthew offers sincerely.

I gaped.

"Only if you're comfortable with it," he added.

France squealed. "Really? That would be really great. Plus, you're a more convincing eye candy than I am. You guys don't have to worry about Miles. Chandra will be covering for me and your sister is more than willing to keep him company."

I could sense a hint of conspiracy on the here and there, but I kept it to myself. I'm saving it for later.

Sucking in a deep, silent sigh, I smiled. "Okay."

Poor Matthew just adorably fell into the trap with me.

Hey, guys! Wow. It's really been a while.  To be honest, I had all my bags packed, ready to walk out, thinking I didn't really have that "genuine creativeness" in me. I guess I've had these consecutive rejections that felt like a wave washing over me. Over and over again. I wasn't doing great in the real world either. I tried not to open my wattpad notifs because I didn't want to read negative comments any more. I had enough negativity in real life. 

But one day, I accidentally clicked on a notif. And found out you've been leaving messages in my inbox and message board. And the cherry on top, some of you even dm'ed me on my Instagram account. You have no idea how much it lifted my spirits. I really thought my stories will be forgotten about by now. Thank you so much. 

I'll try to update as much as I can. I can't really set a schedule. I'll post the new chapter once I'm finish writing one. 

Again, thank you sooooo sooooo much for your kindness and support. 


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