Chapter 97: Chapter 97

JUNE

I know Edith was wishing well for me. Her advice was just simple. She wants me to leave the country, and stay away for like three years or more before I return. This way, the gossip would have dwindled. I might even change my looks and all that.

But that isn't what I'm after. After all I did to get together with him, leaving unannounced won't help him at all, it will break his heart. He might not even forgive me when I return years later.

Worse, he might have moved on from the heartbreak. What's to say that he will wait for my return? What guarantee is there in that?

That was why I decided on what to do. Sacrificing my happiness for him means I've got to let go of one thing I love to do, well, that's when you exclude my uncle.

Edith spoke of how difficult it was for him to pay my tuition, and I'm going to do something to help him out. I won't be a liability to him, not now. And freaking not ever.

I won't let him regret taking this step with me.

Having made the decision, I called Mark to tell him about it.

“Do you think Kristen will let you drop out of school? For God's sake, June, you don't need to do that. He promised to take you out—”

“No, we are going nowhere, Mark. This is our country. Kristen worked so hard to get here, I can't let his work be in vain. I'm only temporarily dropping out of school. If things get better, I will continue from where I left off.” I sat on my bed and stared hard at the only window in my room, with the phone still placed on my left ear.

He sighed, “How much do you want, June? I can help you guys out. You know I can afford—”

“You've done so much for us, Mark. I don't want to feel like I'm taking advantage of you. If you want to help, you can do that by helping me find a job. That's what I'm asking of you.”

There was a prolonged silence between us before he sighed again. “Have you told Kristen about it? Like, have you discussed it with him?”

“No, I've not,” I ran my right fingers through my hair, changing my focus to the dresser in my room.

“Then, you've got to tell him. If he—”

“Find the job for me, will you?” I interrupted, narrowing my eyes as if he could see me. “It doesn't matter what he decides, just find a good-paying job for me.”

“If that's what you want,” he finally said, sounding like he wanted to argue some more.

“Yes, that's what I want. Thanks for being a great friend!” Making kissing sounds at him, I disconnected and threw the phone on the bed.

What would I have done in this life without Mark? He has been such a great friend, helping me out without asking for anything in return. He's such a great friend.

***

I prepared dinner, making sure to call Kristen, so he would prevent Edith from coming over like she does each night. I just wish to have dinner with Kristen alone without the interruption of others.

“Something smells good,” he announced the moment he stepped into the house and locked the door behind him.

“Come over here. Don't act as if you don't know I'm making dinner,” I called out from the kitchen.

He strode in, and walked straight towards me, wrapping his arms around my waist. “Do you know the joy I felt when I perceived the aroma of your cooking?” He placed his nose on my hair and inhaled.

“Hey, bloodhound!” I playfully swatted his right arm.

He chuckled, giving me a peck on my exposed neck before he stepped back. “I'm going to have a quick bath. Wait for me.” With a peck on my cheeks and a wink at me, he left the kitchen.

My heart felt warm. Having a man who loves me as much as Kristen does, makes me feel like I'm some sort of princess. And this feeling isn't something I wish to let go of. The public be damned, I'm here to stay.

I know leaving like Edith suggested will help Kristen a ton, but I don't want to do that to him. He's going through a lot. I can't add to it by leaving him. He might go mad with grief.

I dished the food right before he appeared. I strode over to him, and wrapped my hands around his waist, sniffing like a damn dog.

There is just something about a man smelling nice after showering. It turns me on. Had it not been for the discussion I intend to have with him, I would have jumped his bones right here. Dinner be damned.

“Who's the bloodhound now?” he chuckled, gently ruffling my hair.

“Hey!” I gently pushed him away from me, scowling. “I'm not a child, you know that!”

“But you are my baby,” he winked. Chuckling, he pecked me on my right cheek, causing me to blush like a bride on her wedding night.

“I'm not a baby,” I murmured once more, but it had no heat to it.

“I know you are not. Now, come on it's time to eat, we need to feed my baby,” he smiled. Taking my hand in his, he led me to my chair. He helped me sit on it before he went over to his, still smiling. “It has been long since I last ate something you prepared, I can't wait for it.”

“Stop making it sound so sappy. Let's eat,” I scowled, trying to act as if his words didn't melt my soul.

We ate in silence, with Kristen making remarks about how good I am at cooking. He made it sound like I was a good chef when I was not.

We cleared the table, and he helped me wash the dishes before we went over to the sitting room. He chose a movie and relaxed to watch it with me, but my mind wasn't in the movie at all.

I sat next to him, silently pinching my fingers as I tried to think of how to start. He must have noticed how nervous I was because he turned, tilting his head to the side.

“Are you okay?”

I slowly nodded.

“What's wrong, June? Why do you look like something is troubling you?” He turned to face me.

“When are we leaving the country?”

“Tomorrow. I asked Edith and Mark for their help. They will be here tomorrow afternoon to help us pack, though we are only taking a few things with us.” He grinned, “I can't wait for you to freely walk around again.”

I took a deep breath and slowly released it, “What if I don't want to leave tomorrow? Like ever? What if I want to stay in this country?”

“What?!” His eyes widened. “What do you mean by that, Doll? Why do you want to stay here? It's not safe and—”

“This is our home, Kristen. We can't just run away from everything. I know you want the best for me, but what of you? What if you regret all this someday?” My voice broke, but I refused to let the tears fall, sniffing to keep them at bay.

“I won't regret it... ever.” He placed his hands on either side of my cheeks and made me look into his eyes. “You are my happiness, June. I won't ever regret doing anything to make you happy. Please— don't say that,” he sounded scared.

“I've decided on what to do, Kristen. I know paying my tuition is a bit—”

“A bit what?” he interrupted, furrowing his brows.

I took a deep, steady breath, “I want to start working, to help you.”

“You wish to do what?” He rose from the couch and turned to me, looking like he was barely keeping himself from breaking something. “What the hell do you mean by that??”

“I asked Mark to help me out. I'm starting work tomorrow. As for my education, I will continue when things quiet down,” I calmly said, knowing one of us needed to be calm before we set the house on fire.

“That's not happening!”

“It has already been decided. I just wanted to let you know. I won't sit back and watch you lose everything. I will work hard until we can be able to hire a lawyer from another state. We—”

“No, don't say that, June.” He knelt in front of me and placed his hands on either side of my cheeks, “You don't have to do this for me. I'm supposed to protect you! It's my duty to provide everything—”

“Where exactly is that written in the law?” I smiled at him. “Don't worry, you will always protect me. But for now, I need to show you how strong I am.”