Jenny slowly walks to work, head down and her headphones on. All she felt was numb. Like she was dead inside. Emotionless. That's how she's been feeling ever since she woke up. She didn't want to. She wanted to stay in her brother's comforting arms as he hugged her tight last night. He kept whispering that everything will be alright. Jasper quietly sat beside them. Both of them knew. They probably would have been there when she read those messages. How she wished she could go back in time and stop herself from reading it. She remembered when she saw a YouTube shorts video where there were a group of guys saying ‘IGNORANCE IS BLISS’. She couldn't agree more.
This made her wonder if dad knew. What if he actually knew? The amount of pain he would be going through...but Jenny was sure he didn't know. Otherwise he would've confronted mom. She sighs. She could feel a headache coming up. She sighs again.
She reaches the shop to see Jacob already there. He was listening to some music and happily humming along with it while arranging the shop. He had a cute smile on his face. How happy he looked. Jenny felt envious of him. Wish she could be happy like that. Wish she could switch places with him….
“Good morning Jenny! Won't you come in?” Jacob smirks at her. Jenny feels her face heat up. She got caught staring at him. She walks in, embarrassed.
“Good morning Jacob.” She immediately runs to the lounge and keeps her bag on the couch and wears her apron.
“Someone here looks like they need coffee..”Jacob tells as he walks in and goes to the kitchen.
“Who does?”
“You of course!” Jacob replies as he heats up some water. He then adds the coffee powder and some sugar and mixes it. He then waits for it to boil. He then pours it into two mugs. The aroma of coffee fills the lounge.
“Why me?”
Jacob turns to look at her. He hands her a mug. She takes it.
“Have you looked at yourself in the mirror today Jenny? You look like a mess! You look like you haven't slept all night! And your eyes, they're puffy! Is everything alright?” He asks, worried.
Jenny stops sipping her coffee. She looks at him. He points to the mirror on the wall next to the back door. She looks at her reflection. She was a mess. Her eyes were really puffy and she looked sleep deprived. She didn't know what to reply. She couldn't think of anything. She just sipped her coffee.
Jacob suddenly pulls her towards the couch. He places his mug on the coffee table. He then sits and pulls her down beside him, gently. He takes the mug off her hands and places it on the coffee table. He then smiles at her as he pats his lap.
Jenny looks at him.
“What?”
“Lie down! I'll massage your eyes for a while. It'll take the puffiness away. Ava used to do it for me. Come.” He pats his lap again.
Jenny looks at him. His smile was so big and sweet. He was so excited to massage her eyes. She nods as she lies down, her head on his lap. She looks up at him.
“Close your eyes. And relax.” She did so.
She felt gentle fingers massage her eyes. It didn't hurt. She smiled as she felt calm and better. She sighs in relief.
“Ahh this is so good!”
“You want me to stop?”
“No! Go on please!”
“Okay!” he laughs as he gently massages her eyes again.
Jenny feels herself relax. She smiles as his hands start massaging her forehead. She groans.
“Ahhhh thank you...how did you know?”
“I guessed you would need it. I'm right.”
Jenny smiles. She feels bliss. It felt so good. Jacob knew how to massage. It was so great.
“Okay! I'm done!” Jacob takes his hands off and Jenny sits up. She looks back at him and smiles dreamily.
“Thank you so much! It was amazing!”
Jacob smiles.
“You're welcome!”
“How did you learn this?! You have to teach me!”
“Ava used to do this for me. And she taught me. I'll teach you someday.”
Jenny nods. She then looks at her reflection in the mirror. She looked so much better. It was good she could forget her problems as long as she was here. She looks at her coffee mug. The coffee turned cold.
“Let me heat it.” Jacob takes both their mugs and keeps it in the microwave.
“You know, you have a unique way of making black coffee...and it tastes so good!”
“Thank you! This is a family tradition. It's been going on for ages!” He smiles, but that smile was fake. Unlike his beautiful, natural ones. Jenny could tell. She was a master in it. She didn't want to ask him though. She can't do that. They're just friends. Maybe she'll ask later.
“Here” He hands her her now heated mug and looks at the time.
8:55
“Ahh we have five minutes before our day starts! Let's finish this quickly!” Jenny exclaims as she sips her coffee, fast.
“No no! Don't drink too fast! You'll burn your tongue, silly! Let's take our time.” Jacob pats her head and laughs, Jenny joining along with him.
From the other end of the lounge, Jasper and Jeffrey smile as they look at both of them having fun. At Least, Jenny could be happy here.
____________
It was evening and Jenny already left home. Jacob slowly finishes sweeping the floor and throws the dust in the trash bin outside. He then turns off the lights, locks the front door and goes to the lounge. He finds it clean. He smiles. After Jenny has been here, she manages to keep this place clean.
He checks the cabinets in the mini kitchen. It's empty. He makes a mental note to fill it up with snacks and things they'd need. He'll have to ask Ava for cash. He nods as he closes the cabinets and takes off his apron. He hangs it on the hanger and takes his bag. He takes his earphones out and connects them to his phone as he turns off the lights. He then puts them in his ear and walks out. He locks the back door.
He checks if the door is locked again and then starts walking to Ava's house. Ava's house wasn't far from the shop. He just had to walk for five minutes. Soon, he reached Ava's cozy house. It was a one floor house. There was a pretty little garden outside and in it grew flowers and a few vegetables. He didn't have to knock. He opens the front door and walks inside.
The house had a living room, a kitchen, a bedroom and a bathroom. It was perfect for a person or a young couple. The walls were a bright green and there were pictures of Ava. Of her childhood and the places she travelled. Ava had an amazing life. She lived her best.
“Ahh Jacob! Right in time for dinner! Come wash your hands! I've prepared chicken!”
“Ava, I told you not to prepare dinner for me! What if I didn't come? Huh?” He says as he washes his hands in the kitchen. He then smiles as he sits at the dining table. It was a table for three people but only Ava and he had dinner together. Mostly Ava.
“I knew you'd come today.” She says as she sets his plate in front of him and takes her seat beside him.
“Yeah.. I need cash...I need to stock up on snacks and food.”
“I'll give you. Let me know again before you leave.”
“Okay!” he moans in delight as he eats the chicken. Ava was an amazing cook.
“How's work? How was Jenny?”
“She's good! I don't have any problems with her. But she wonders why you don't come to the store nowadays. Why don't you come, Ava? It's been four days! You haven't stayed away from work like this.” Jacob asks worriedly.
“Don't you worry my boy. I'll come soon. Just a little tired. That's it.”
“Okay!” Jacob eats, the chicken distracting him from the look on Ava's face. She couldn't tell him. Not yet. But he has to know. Soon.
**********
What do you think is going to happen next?