Chapter Thirteen
Alexey's last words echoed in her mind for the thousandth time, causing her head to throb once again. Her lack of sufficient rest was emphasized by the purplish shadows under her eyes, though faint underneath the skin tone concealer.
It was a self-study period for their first class; exactly what Faye dreaded. She wanted to escape from her haunting thoughts through academics. She hoped that by diverting her attention, she would be able to momentarily get away from the painful knowledge. Luck hadn't smiled at her. Seeing her totally oblivious classmates, her internal battle worsened.
Her tired eyes swept past their classroom, looking at everyone with keen perceptiveness. Who among them? If only she pried for more information, if only Alexey disclosed to her the true contents of their mission, she would at least feel less stressed. She didn't know the target's identity.
Was it bubbly Cathy? She was always so upbeat and nice. If it was her, how should Faye react?
Maybe Daniel? Daniel the joker, Jared's closest male friend? He who was constantly jibing about Faye and Jared's true relationship? What if it was him?
Or the ever-responsible Patricia? She was always stern, but she never forgot the welfare of her fellow classmates, be it a friend or a bitch. She was a nice girl. She didn't deserve a death sentence.
Her eyes moved towards Gherylle. She spoke so rarely one would probably think she's mute, but deep inside she's the gentlest and kindest person Faye met. It couldn't be her, right?
How about Jess? Ted and Fred? Ahmed and the others? They shared tons of happy memories as a class, although fleeting and plain. For Faye, they were valuable moments.
Everyone deserved to live.
If a single face was to be taken out from this picture, the magic would be completely lost... aside from the poker-faced guy who sat at the back. A guy who failed to become part of the class. A guy who forcefully isolated himself.
Hanade was lost in his own world, feigning to be busy with a book. His eyes were wary but dead. Faye, for the first time, saw the loneliness that lies deep within him. Those midnight black eyes she thought hostile and detached... actually were hardened by the life he led.
Assassin…
Her realization jolted her.
Why didn't she saw this sooner? There was longing in his face. He wanted to make friends. He wanted to live like a normal person, just like Faye. He wanted a life of his own, but was chained by his dark past.
Faye remembered his actions back then. He had saved her twice, both the clinic and the park incidents. He had shown her his humane side. Hadn't she known that there was kindness in him, all along? She have undoubtedly felt it, but rejected it due to her prejudice...
He didn’t want to be an assassin.
"Hel-lo? Selena to earth, do you read me?" Jess spoke in an irritated manner. Her short red curls bounced on her plush cheeks. Faye's attention abruptly turned back to reality.
"What?" she stammered. Her thoughts were a mess.
"Told you, she's off to la-la-la land again," Cathy grinned mischievously. Everyone laughed, even Jared, making Faye flush deep red.
"I'm not," she lied, fumbling over her words. "It -it's just that I am-"
"We're used to it," Jared remarked, still grinning. "No need for excuses."
Faye couldn't help but pout. "So, what was I missing?"
"Nothing much," Jared replied. "We're just talking about Jenica Harris."
"Jenica who?"
"O-M-G," Cathy said each letter distinctively, her hands on the air like a madman. "Selena, what planet are you from? Don't you watch TV? Don’t you check your FB? Twitter?"
"Not lately," she admitted sheepishly. Stares of disbelief shot from all directions.
"It's like all over the news now." Cathy started her sermon. "She is the fanatic who roused the media by pretending to be Faye Summers. Jesus, she claimed she's the real thing. She caused mayhem among the other fans. When her fraud was discovered, she was beaten by the mob. Right now, she faced the anger of people and a civil case on court."
Faye couldn't think of anything to say.
Cathy continued. "And Faye's manager, I think her name is Leitch, was also sued. But that's a different matter. It was the talent company who filed a case against her."
"It's wrong," Jared frowned. "It's not her fault Faye disappeared."
"Who knows?" Jess shrugged. "Maybe it was planned."
"Other stars are trying to use this opportunity to rise higher." Cathy rolled her eyes, her unfounded anger flaring up. "Can you believe that Kirche claims she's the top now? She acts like some bubblegum pop princess when she's actually a bitch."
Faye remained mostly silent, although she sometimes replied and make snide comments of her own.
Well, she had her wish granted. Her thoughts were lifted from her conversation with Alexey. It was replaced by the regret of her decision.
*****
"You look pale," Jared whispered when their teacher faced the board.
"I’m albino," she sighed, although both of them knew she was not.
Jared sighed. "Don't blame yourself. That was the work of Fate."
"And I started the wheel."
"Selena..."
"Thanks Jared. I appreciate the thought, but this is really my fault. Sophia was dragged by my selfishness. The management filed a case against her. Her! God, she knows nothing!"
He knew it was no use arguing, so he let her be. He knew she would continue to blame herself. All of a sudden, an errant notion brightened his face. He glimpsed at her and felt it was exactly what she needed.
*****
"Hanade! Wait!"
He ceased his quick steps upon hearing his name. Class had ended, and he was in a hurry to leave school. Faye, on the other hand, asked Jared to wait for her in the parking lot just to chase after him. He turned towards Faye with resignation.
"That bastard told you." It was no question, just a statement. He sounded sure. He must've known Alexey for a long time.
"Yes, and I-"
"Will not act." Hanade said it with an air of finality. His eyes were angry. She knew that talking had no effect on him, but she needed to try.
"Tell me who is it," she pleaded. "I want to help."
"No."
"Please."
"Keep yourself away from this," he said in a monotone, "if not, I have no choice but to have you oblige."
"How will you do that?" she challenged. Hanade's ominous smirk chilled her.
"Easy." His next words made her throat tightened. "You have a secret, Selena Andrews. Or rather Faye Summers."
*****
How did he know?
With her secret exposed, Faye had a weird blank expression on her face when she came to her best friend.
"Still alive?" Jared joked, trying to make his voice jovial and plucky.
"Barely," she replied. "I'm so tired."
"You sure do." He kicked his motorcycle to life and hurried out of the campus. He went a little faster than usual, heading towards the opposite direction of their condominium. He passed through the tall buildings, leaving behind the industrial and residential area. It has been half an hour.
"Where are you taking me?" Only then did Faye realize they were going elsewhere.
"I'm not telling you," he replied, a grin almost visible through his voice. When they reached the edge of what seemed to be a forest, Jared stopped, removing his helmet. Faye did the same and put her glasses back, an action that was nearly automatic nowadays.
"What? You want to hike? It's almost night." Despite her weariness, she was sarcastic. "We could do that in spring break, Jumbo."
Jared paused mid-step. How long has it been since she called her that? Jumbo was a stupid nickname he earned as a result of fighting with her over the size of his ego. Somehow, the name sounded nostalgic.
"I told you stop calling me Jumbo," he protested. "It's embarrassing."
She found his expression amusing. Feeling childish all of a sudden, she continued. "Why? Jumbo sounds fine."
Jared held her hand and yanked her towards the forest. "Enough with your nonsense. I want to show you something."
"What is it, Jumbo? An oversized panda?"
"An UFO, silly," he laughed, playing along.
"So you've finally met your family, you alien?"
"Nope," he said with a popping sound. "They're yours."
"Corny."
"Look who's talking."
After a while, she mumbled. “Hey, have you seen my favorite coffee mug?”
Jared abruptly paused causing Faye to slam on his broad muscled back. "Ouch!"
He had a guilty look on his face. “Uh, we’re here,” he said, not answering.
Jared motioned her to remain quiet. She did what he told. Carefully, he pulled her into a small clearing. Faye's jaw dropped in awe.
It was the most magical place.
Under the orange-indigo twilight sky, the water of the lake shimmered hypnotically. The cold breeze blew gently, carrying the sweet fragrance of wild jasmines and tulips. In the middle of the lake, hundreds of small amber lights sparkled, dancing and blinking in a silent symphony.
Fireflies.
Sunset.
The beauty of the place was beyond words. It was breathtaking.
"Surprise," Jared murmured in her ear, his breath hot on her skin. Tears escaped her eyes as she watched the wonderful scene.
"I found this place that time when I was looking for you." His voice was velvety. "You look pretty down these days, so I thought this would cheer you up. It seemed that I'm not mistaken."
All this time, he was worried about her? Faye couldn't contain her emotions. "Jared..."
He instinctively wiped her tears away, pulling her into a warm embrace. She sobbed against his chest, while he soothed her with his soft caresses. Being with him felt so right.
The cauldron of negative emotions raging inside her quieted.
Peaceful. She felt peaceful for the first time in what seemed like eons.
Faye's worries felt weightless that moment. She knew wasn't alone. Jared was with her. He was with her from the start. He was her strength. She should be able to handle things well, so that Jared wouldn't be troubled.
As long as he was with her, she could deal with her problems.
"Thank you, Jared."
She looked up, completely caught by the pull of his achingly beautiful blue eyes. Always calm, always thoughtful, always looking only at her...
Her glasses fell on the ground as their lips met. A kiss that was sweet, gentle and brimming with feelings... and then she whispered the words that would seal her fate.
"I love you."