"Kuya Jace!"sigaw ni Jessie at mabilis naman siya tumakbo patungo kay Jace.
"Jessie,"he said her name and smiled. This is the first time I'm seeing this side of him."You seem happy."
"Yup. I want to introduce you to my new friend,"she said and Jace put her on the ground before Jessie grabbed his arm and guided him to me.
"Who?"
"Ate Jewel," she said and pointed at me.
"Jace,"I said his name. It felt weird saying his name under my tongue with no venom on it.
"Jewel."
This is F*cking weird!
"Magkakilala po kayo?"inosenteng tanong ni Jessie.
"Yeah, we're blockmates," Jace answered coolly.
"Talaga po?"
"Hmm,"I said and smiled.
"By the way, I brought you some ice cream,"Jace said and handed her some ice cream.
"Thank you. You're the best kuya."Jessie said and hugged his knees, it felt cute since she's so small."But ate Jewel doesn't have one, kuya."I was shocked when she acknowledged me. I looked at Jace, but she was still looking at Jessie.
"I only have two, Jessie. And the other ice cream is mine."Jace said and looked at me and when our eyes met I immediately looked at Jessie.
"It's okay, Jessie. Aalis naman ako, eh."I said to her and patted her head. She looked at me and pouted. She's so cute. I want to pinch her cheeks.
"You're not leaving,"Jace said in a cold tone and when I looked at him he had that cold expression. Still the same Jace."Come on. Let's go. I'll buy you some ice cream." he said holding Jessie's hand and proceeding to go out of the ballet studio.
"I should go."They glance at me. "I bet that that the two of you have somewhere to go."Nope, I don't want to be near HIM!
"But ate! I want you to come." Jessie begged. She even hugged my knees!
"The kid is calling you, Smith." Jace teased. He knows that I won't resist the kid. F*ck him! I'm going because of Jessie, not him!
"Fine, Montezalde." He smirked.
"Ang dami ng kinain mo, ah." he chuckled and I glared at him, angrily.
"Don't judge me, Montezalde." I said and continued eating the ice cream. Gosh! this is F*cking delicious!
He gazed at me like I was ridiculous.
"You know that partner of yours is quite an a*shole. Just like you. "
"Ahh...so you already met him?"he asked and I nodded."An a*shole. Just like me?"He smirked.
"Yup, but more interesting."I said coolly.
"In a way?"
"That mask of his makes me curious of who he is."
He smirked at what I said. "Do you fancy him?"
"Curiosity and liking him are two different things."
"Ah what did I say about that curiosity of yours can cause you severe trouble."I remember what he said in 7/11. This guy sure has trust issues.
"This is different. He's my bodyguard."I argue back. A snort left his lips and turned away from me. My eyebrows raised.
He then proceeded to play with his lips using his index finger and turned his gaze back at me. "Careful. He might not catch you."
Amusement.
"I wasn't planning on falling." I hissed that earned me to listen to his chuckle. I hate that melody.
After finishing our ice creams, we head out.
"I need to buy some groceries. Want to join?"he asked.
"Yeah."
Wala din naman akong gagawin. Well the thing is I don't want to be with him, but I enjoy Jessie's presence. Si Jessie lang ang reason ko bakit sumama ako. Si Jessie lang.
We started walking and we were supposed to hold Jessie'd hands, but we somehow hold each other's hands. I looked at him and he gaze back at me.
We immediately let go and looked away. Gosh! What the F*ck just happened?!
"Come here, jessie."Jace said, awokening me from my thoughts. I sighed and we walked through the mall and go to the grocery store.
As we were picking groceries, we were helping each other out telling what best to buy and passing things to the cart. While Jessie was looking at us, innocently and cute.
"Bagay po kayo ate Jewel and kuya Jace."she said that made us stopped grabbing groceries. We looked at Jessie and met our gaze and I immediately looked away and started grabbing some canned goods.
Bagay?! Us?! No way! I won't allow it. I-its gross!
"Nice joke, Jessie."Jace laughed. I glance at him and he looks uncomfortable.
"Hindi.Seryoso po ako!"she said in a serious tone, but still cute.
"Walang kang alam dito, Jessie. We're just friends."Jace tried to reason with her. He sounds a bit begging. Wait-friends? Are we even friends? No, enemies rather! But I would avoid saying that to a child.
"But-ganyan din naman si mommy at daddy, kuya Jace! They are all lovey-dovey. The way they hold their hands and their eyes has hearts on it."I feel all the blood rushed to my cheeks as it flushed and my eyes widened.What the heck!
"Do you want Oreo, jessie?"Please, get her to shut up from her nonsense!
"Yes, please."Jessie said, excitedly.
Jace reached from her bag and grabbed some oreo and gave it to her. She happily accepted it and started eating.
"Sorry about that."Jace said, while I was picking some groceries. He was behind me and I can feel his gaze at me.
"N-no, its okay."I turned to him and gave him a smile.
"Are you sure? You seem uncomfortable, earlier and your cheeks were red."he said in a worried tone that made my heart beat faster.
"H-hindi."I stuttered and he wasn't convinced that I was okay. I sighed and said."I'm fine."he still stared at me, worriedly. F*ck!Stop staring!
"Jewel?"he asked and I immediately changed the subject.
"Maghanap ako ng cheese don sa sunod na counter."I said and he sighed.
"Okay, I'll get some oil over there."he said and pointed the oil and I nodded. After finishing groceries, we head to the counter to pay the groceries. While Jessie was getting tired from the line and slept in Jace's shoulders. I secretly smiled looking at them they look so cute. They look like father and daughter, even if Jace is a cold person, he sure knows how to take care of kids and it made me softened. Some people are not what it seems, I guess.
"Ang cute po ng anak niyo, sir and ma'am."sabi ng babae kaya napatingin kami ni Jace sa isa't isa, at mabilis kami umiwas ng tingin at tumingin sa babae. Nakatingin ito sa amin na naka ngiti at animoy kinikilig na para bang nanonood siya ng telenovela sa harapan.
"Uhh-hindi-"
"This is not our child."Jace answered, coolly.
"Oh, sorry po sir, akala ko kasi ang sweet niyo kasi tignan. Napagmalaan pa kayo ng mga tao na mag-pamilya."the cashier apologized and I was confused about her statement.
"H-ha?What do you mean 'people'?"I asked her and Jace looked at me, before looking at the cashier.
"Opo ma'am. Lahat ng tao kanina pa nakatingin sa inyo tatlo."sabi ng babae kaya napatingin ako sa paligid namin and I was shocked to see that some-I mean more people were practically staring at us.
At that time, I want to grab a shovel and dig a hole and die. This was freaking embarrasing!
After the cashier finishes checking, she told us the amount and Jace grabbed some money and gave it to her. The cashier thanked and we are now heading outside the mall. I felt people staring at me and I looked down. I always hated attention.
"Are you alright?"he asked and I looked at him and sighed.
"No, I'm not. People are staring at us like we're celebrities."I grimaced.
"Don't mind them."he said, coldly.
"We're just college students, for pete's sake!"I said a bit louder and I'm thankful no one heard that except Jace.
"Relax, don't fuss about it."he said trying to calm me down. I looked at him and scoffed.
"Ewan ko talaga sayo."I said and rolled my eyes and I heard him stifle a laugh.
"Are you sure you don't want me to help you with that?"he asked as he gazed at the groceries I was holding.
"I'm alright."
"I could carry the groceries-"
"You're already holding Jessie, besides its my way to help."I told him. "Is these your groceries?"
"No, Jessie's mom told me to buy some groceries for them."
"Wow, I didn't expect you to be kind and let people order you."He scoffed at my statement.
"I'm not always rude, Jewel."
After we got out at the mall, we head to the parking area and head to his car. When we found his car, Jace grab his keys from the pocket of his jeans and pressed the buttons. The car made a sound and Jace pressed another button and it automatically open the doors. Jace put Jessie down at the passenger's seat and strap her at the seat belt. After that, he kissed her forehead and locked the door. I softened by his action.
I head to my seat and put my seat belt on and as Jace entered the car and locked at the door. He looked at me, when I was already strap myself with the seatbelt, and he started the ignition.
Jace told me that we need to drop Jessie first, before he will take me home and I agreed. As we were heading in an unfamiliar direction, I couldn't help but admire all the mansions that I got to see. The designs of the mansions were so incredible and unique.
The car stopped and my eyes widened from how far away the mansion is, but I can still see that it was so beautiful. I wondered who Jessie's parents is. Its possible that they're both mega rich.
The guards came closer to the car and Jace rolled down the window so they can see his face. When they saw who the driver was, their eyes reflected familiarity and immediately bowed and opened the gates. Jace then put forward his shifter and we entered inside the gates. This will be a bit of a long drive since we would still pass some bushes that were formed like swans.
It felt weird seeing them bowing to Jace, its like his royalty or something. Did they have that much respect for him?Does Jace have that much authority?
I looked up the gates and saw words engraved on it. I couldn't understand the words, but I know that its French. Its a shame that I don't know how to speak French.
"Montezalde Familia Ante Omnia"
What does that mean?
"It means, 'Montezalde Family Over All'."
I glance at him by what he said. Did I speak those words out loud?
"Is that your family's motto?"I asked him, curiously. He chuckled. He did not gaze at me, just infront.
"You can say that." He sounded amused. "A hypocrite for some." My brows furrowed. Why do I feel like something is much more going on that motto than what Jace revealed? But why should I want to know. It's their family. Its not something I should know.
I gaze at his arms that are reflexed, still in his right arm, his tattoo showed. Veni. Vidi. Vici.
"How about that tattoo in your arm?"I asked him. He glanced at me, before looking at where I was staring at and there he saw his tattoo. He looked back at the road.
"Veni, Vidi, Vici."He said. "It's Latin. It means: I came, I saw, I conquered." My mouth formed an 'oh'. So, that's what it meant.
Wow. Impressive.
"Seriously? How many language do you speak?"I asked out of curiosity, with also a hint of adoration in my time, which I really hate. Why am I suddenly interested in knowing something about him?
He's still calmly composed as he spoke. "4, I think? Latin, Spanish, french, and Mandarin."I waited for him to smirk or give me something that would be so boastful that would erupt the volcano inside me..but he didn't. This is something new...and I'm not very used to it.
I smirked. "Tell me something in Spanish then." He gazed at me and smirked. He stared for a bit and looked back at the road. It was a bit of a long drive, we're still passing some trees or bushes shaped in swans while this road continues. It was actually beautiful, but I was so busy staring at Jace and waiting for him to say something...in Spanish.
"Tus ojos son majestuosos."I had to blink my eyes and process the phrase he told me. Moreover, I had to stare at him and read the side of his face which is facing me and find a loose thread that he's..lying. But there was none. Something did flash in his eyes, though. Softness. Vulnerability. And it vanish in an instant, just like a tiny iridescent bubble suddenly pop.
Your eyes are majestic.
Breathe Jewel. You had to say something!
"No sabía que le gustan tanto mis ojos, señor Montezalde."I didn't know that you like my eyes so much, Mr. Montezalde.
His eyes widen and it disappears completely as it soon appeared. A smirk form on my lips. "You're not the only one who could speak a different language." I'm so thankful to Camille for teaching me how to speak Spanish and I had to double take on what I have learned, after he gave me quite a shock of a phrase. He still didn't speak. Still looking at the road. His face is absolutely guarded, hiding something. Afraid that he might make a single emotion that would satisfy. Oh, but d*mn. His cold expression right now is already feeding me all what I need. "Cat got your tongue, Mr. Montezalde?"I teased and that made him smirk.
"I don't have to deny it. You do have beautiful eyes, mon tresour."He said, stealing a glance at me with a smirk on his lips that made something inside me jitter for unknown reasons. Just a fraction of a second in looking at those deep brown eyes that reminded me of soil that buries different treasures is making me feel different kinds of emotions. No. I should not back down.
Mon tresour. I'm not stupid it means my treasure. In french, I do believe. I wanted to scoff. I am not his!
"Careful. I might think that you're inlove with me." He chuckled and put his index finger in his bottom lips and started playing it, still wearing that annoying smirk. It made him look a bit...attractive. Oh f*ck me. Why am I suddenly like this?
My breath hitched, when he suddenly reached out. I didn't even move. I froze on my spot. I felt three fingers feathery touch my forehead that took all of my breathe away. "Take those delusional thoughts away from your pretty little head." Then, it went back to the steering wheel. I was still in quite a shock and he was certainly amuse. And I felt a molten lava escaping from the volcano. I felt angry...but also melting.
When the car parked infront of the mansion, Jace looked at Jessie at the back who is still cutely sleeping, before looking at me.
"She's still asleep."he said and then suddenly he asked."Do you..want to stay here or...you want to come with me?"
"Yeah, I want to go."I answered. I don't want to stay here and melt myself from the scorching heat of the sun that is illuminating the car.
He nodded and opened the door and took Jessie out at the backseat. I also opened the door and stepped out. I grab the groceries from the trunk and carried it inside. Some maids wanted to help but I kindly refused, but they insisted and it was a long cycle of argument to hold the groceries.
"Why are you carrying the groceries?"Jace asked and had his eyebrows furrowed. While I was distracted looking at Jace, the maids grab the groceries from my hand and bowed to each one of us and left.
"Where's Jessie?"I asked.
"She's upstairs, asleep at her room."he answered. Wow. That was fast.
"O-oh."
"Jace?"Napatingin kami sa babae na lumabas sa kusina.She looks like in her 40s, yet still look like in her 30s. She was beautiful with her blonde hair and brown siren eyes. She kinda looks like Jessie and I'm guessing this is her mother. She looks intimidating, but not in a bad way. In a good way, actually.
"Tita."Jace said and approach the lady and hugged her.
"Where's Jessie?"she asked and pulled away from the hug.
"She's asleep in her room."Jace answered.
"How was she in ballet?"She asked again and I feel kinda awkward here, since I feel like an invisible person infront of them.
"She is doing great, that's what I heard from her instructor."Jace said and slowly go back to my side. I glanced at him but he was still looking at Jessie's mom.
"That's great."she smiled brightly. Her smile reminds me of Jessie, so that where she got her smile. I wonder what Jessie got from her dad. Sadly he wasn't here."Oh, hija.I didn't notice you."she said and I was shocked when she was now acknowledging me."Is this your girlfriend, Jace?"My eyes widened from her question.
Does she expect that all girls who came here with Jace in this house will be his girlfriend?I couldn't help but think. Did Jace already bring a girl here? Oh, yes, Penelope. Since they have been together for a year, it's not impossible. However, Jace was also playing with her, so does that mean she came here or not? Maybe she did, so that it would be more believable. Why am I even thinking about this sh*ts?!
"No tita. Just a friend."Jace answered and scratch his nape.
"Akala ko pa naman nakahanap ka na nang nobya."she laughed and glanced at me."Ano pala pangalan mo, hija?"
"Jewel po."I answered and she looked at me like asking for my full name and I added."Jewelry Grace Bernard Smith po."
"Bernard and Smith."she said and nodded."Are you by any chance the daughter of Mr. Jordan Aurelius Smith and Ms. Angela Sylvia Bernard Smith?"she asked and I kinda felt awkward.
Many people knows the story about the seperation of Bernard and Smith, but they don't know the exact reason. They know that my mother and father haven't divorced yet, because my mother still carries the Smith surname. They have their suspicion, but my mother never agreed to those. She doesn't say it, even to me. My brothers might know it, but they will never reveal it to me. It's infuriating, actually.
"O-opo."but I still answered.
"How's your family, hija?"she asked sincerely, there was visible sadness and guilt from her eyes. I actually don't need those emotions from people.
"Opo. Okay na si mama sa U.S. kasama ang mga kapatid ko. I don't know about dad."
"I'm so sorry of what you have experience in this young of age, hija."she said and suddenly hugged me. I couldn't help but to hug her back. She was genuine and I can feel it.
"Okay lang po."I said and she let go from the hug and smiled while looking at my features.
"Do you want to stay with us in dinner?"she asked and touch my shoulders. I wanted to, but I don't want to worry the girls further. I didn't even tell them where I was going. Jace answered for me like he understand.
"She needs to go home, tita. I will go back here and attend dinner."Jace said and the lady nodded.
"It's a shame. Maybe next time, hija."she said and kissed my cheeks.
Jace touch my shoulders and guide me out of the mansion. Jace pressed a button and the doors of his car suddenly opened. I entered the car first and put my seatbelt on. Jace entered the car and closed the door. He gazed at me making sure I was alright and he started the car and drove off.
The gates were already opened as we head out and before we left, the guards bowed. While we were travelling, I can feel from time to time Jace looking at me. I know he wanted to ask about my family, but I couldn't answer that and I kinda feel that he knows that and respects my boundaries and I'm thankful.
"Who's Jessie's father?"I asked not wanting to stay further quiet at the car. He glance at me before gazing back at the road.
"I thought you already know by now."he said and looked back at the road. "My uncle."he answered.
"The dean?"I asked, furrowing my eyebrows and he nodded, not taking his eyes away from the road."Dalawa lang sila magkapatid?Ang dad mo at ang dean?"I asked.
"Yup."
I looked outside when the car stopped and realized that we were already at my house.
"It..."I started and he looked at me. "It was really nice spending this day with you."I said genuinely. He was startled but soon smiled.
"Me too."he said. He suddenly laugh and leaned on his chair. He then proceeded to ruffle his hair. Napatingin ako sa kanya na nagtataka. Why is he laughing? Did I miss something?"I can't believe that we last an hour without bickering of how we hated each other."He turned to me with his smile intact.
"Yeah, this is all new to me."I responded. Let out breathe a little, because I have been holding it earlier. "But I still don't like you being my bodyguard."His head rested to the side. A look of curiosity in his eyes.
"You don't like someone protecting you?"
"The idea of someone watching me."I sighed."It's tiresome that I know somebody is watching me whatever I do. It feels like I don't have privacy." His smile vanished from his lips and he sat up straight. His eyes seem like contemplating what to say.
"I didn't know that you feel that way."
I shrugged my shoulders."Well...now you know."
He pursed his lips. "Well if you want. I will not be reporting to your brothers if you get into a small trouble again."My mouth opened a bit and stared at him, wide eyed. Small? That's good. That's gotta count for something, so that my brothers wouldn't always be stressed about my well-being.
"You'll do that?"He nodded.
"How about Black?" I asked him. This thing he is trying to do for me is useless, if my other bodyguard tells my brothers.
"Then, I'll talk to him." he said so calmly.
"Thanks." I simply said and gazed away. "I better go inside."I opened the door of his car. Before I went outside, I faced him. He gazes at me with his eyebrows raised, wondering why I'm not leaving. "This is the only day I'm being nice. I'll go back to being your enemy tomorrow."
He chuckled. "I don't expect anything from this either."