Chapter 37: Chapter 37

JAYDEN

The kiss lasted for a while and I pulled away as we tried to catch our breath. It was like two kids yearning for candies. I had never thought I had had the chance of being this close to Bella. I had never thought of having the taste of her lips. Her lips were pink and succulent I could nibble on them without getting tired. It tasted like strawberry mixed with chocolate. "That should be the taste of her lips mixed with her lip gloss" I had thought. I had to smile at the thought of that. I placed my hands around her waist and she froze. "Be my girlfriend, Bell"

She pulled away from me and I groaned slightly. She batted her lashes. Though it was getting so dark, I could read the expression on her face. She looked so surprised and I could tell why. This was the least she must have expected on her birthday. "Jay...". She stopped talking and then brushed her hair backward. I could see the confused expression on her face. "Jay... I...". She groaned and brushed her hair again but this time a bit aggressive.

I knew I had put her in a confused state. It won't be easy for her to give a yes, considering my response to her the last. Also considering how I had been acting towards her these last few months, it will be difficult to believe I love her. What about the denial, when Mira talked about loving her?. That can make her doubt the love I claim to have for her. Or how does someone who doesn't love someone some hours ago, suddenly claim to love in less than four hours?. I would have doubted too if I were to be in her shoes. Different thoughts like; Is he been serious?. Is he trying to play pranks on me?. No, he won't kiss me if it's a prank?. Did he mean every word he said about loving me?; would have been ruminating my mind. I suspected those were the same thought going on, in her mind. I couldn't blame her. I can't blame myself either. The love developed when I saw Jake come to visit her. Or maybe I did not want to admit I love her but had to when Jake showed up. I felt insecure for the first time in a long time. I had a feeling Bella might want to go back to him. The way she looked at him showed she hasn't stopped loving him. She had never looked at me that way.

"You never noticed, Jay," my subconscious said

Maybe I did not notice as my subconscious mind said but I still could tell I was going to lose her soon. If not to Jake but someone else. Not like we are together yet but I just wanted her to be close to me. I wasn't sure if my feelings for her is strong enough to keep her as my girlfriend. But I just wanted to assure her that I do love her so she won't have a change of mind and go back to him. I mean Jake. I folded my hands. "So what are you saying about it?. The proposal?"

She sighed. "I..."

I knew it was going to be difficult for her to say yes at that moment. She seems tense and I needed to assure her everything is fine. Even if she decides to reject which I never wanted, it won't stop me from being her friend. It won't stop me from loving her. "You don't have to say anything yet, Bell. I know it's surprising to hear me say I love you. I know it's happened so fast you got short of the next word to say. You can take your time. I am not in a hurry"

She nodded. "Are you sure?"

I nodded. "Take your time my lady"

She giggled but suddenly stopped. "What's the time?"

I checked my wristwatch. "9:15 pm"

She batted her lashes. "Time does fly"

I nodded. "It sure does"

She smiled. "Can we go now?. I've got classes tomorrow"

"Sure but first..."I smiled. She furrowed her brows and I chuckled. "Just one more thing"

"What's that?"

I pulled off my neck chain. "This is a gift from my dad. I'm giving it to you as a sign of the love I have for you". I stretched it to her but she rejected it.

"I-i can't take it. It's a gift from your dad. It belongs to you. You..."

"You belong to me, Bell. What's mine belongs to you. And what's yours is mine right?"

She widened her eyes in surprise. "Jay..."

"Just take it, ok?"

She sighed. "Sure". I placed it on her neck and she smiled. "It's beautiful"

I smiled. "It's sure is"

"Can we go now?"

I nodded. "As you wish my lady"

**

I dropped Bella off and headed back home, not after kissing her goodbye. Her friend had called to tell Bella they won't be sleeping in the staffs' quarter. So I had to drive her to the hotel they were at. I kept whistling and smiling as I drove through the already quiet road. It was late and most people had retired to their homes, making the road a bit too quiet and scary to pass through but the thought in my mind made me not bother. I finally got back to school. The security personnel flashed his light on my face. "Jay?. Where are you coming from this late?"

"I dropped someone off outside the school"

He nodded. "You should go in. It's late"

I waved to him and finally drove past the gate. Ethan was waiting at the parking lot when I drove in. I chuckled. He must have been worried about his friend. Typical Ethan. I parked the car and stepped out. "Hey, buddy"

He frowned. "He doesn't even care"

I rolled my eyes. "Of course I do. I got caught up with personal stuff"

He scoffed. "Personal stuff?. You say personal stuff. Like kissing miss Bella and.."

I widened my eyes. "How did you know I kissed her?"

"News flies, remember?"

I rolled my eyes. "Did Dia tell you?"

"You don't have to accuse her ok?. Though she was the one who told me. But that's because I called her to ask after you"

I rolled my eyes. "Typical Dia and Ethan," I thought. "And..."

"She told me you went on a date with miss Bella. That's..."

"I didn't go on a date with her. We..."

"Are you now keeping secrets from me?"

I groaned. "No. I did not"

"Whatever. Just lock the car. You're telling me everything. Without leaving anything out"

I rolled my eyes. There is no way I am telling Ethan anything. "Like, you can," my subconscious mind said

I groaned. Even if I want to, Ethan won't let me. He's the male version of Diana. Those two will make sure they frustrate you until you spill out every word out of your mouth. I pretended to yawn. "I feel so sleepy right now"

"You look so tired"

I nodded and yawn again making it so real this time. "Y-your right"

He sighed. "You can sleep dear'. I smiled. It seems I got Ethan this time. "But after you tell me everything. If you don't tell me, you ain't sleeping"

I groaned. "Ethan...."

"If you don't tell me. You won't sleep"

"You know that's so unfair"

He smiled. "I know it is. But I don't care"

I frowned. "I won't say anything"

"Then you won't sleep"

I groaned. "Whatever"

"The earlier you start talking the better"