Chapter 26
The Exiled Ice Princess
Why did she text me all of a sudden? It must be important.
Oh well, I’m still happy to meet with her.
Turning on the engine, I checked myself on the rear view mirror and smiled sweetly at myself. It’s pretty.
I giggled while the narcissistic thoughts keep on growing inside my head. I inhaled a good amount of
oxygen and steadied myself. I steered the wheel masterfully out from the parking area with Jessica’s
artistic sunglasses covering my eyes adding up to my fashionista aura.
A good 15 minutes later, I saw her, I removed the sunglasses, to see her with the natural lighting,
and placed it hanging down on my shirt. She’s sitting on the far corner of the coffee shop, scrolling
and typing busily on her phone. Typical Jessica, I immediately thought.
“Hi.” only the greeting came out. I sighed to myself. I sat on the chair opposite her and leaned my
arms on the table. She smiled at me as recognition filled her and put down her phone.
“Hi, Yul. Thanks for coming. I hope I’m not in any way bothering you.” she pouted. Gosh, how is it
possible for her to be as cute like that? And she called me Yul? Ahhh I bit my lip, forcefully
masking the surfacing giggle.
“No, Sica. Of course not. I’m glad that you beeped me. I’m free anyway. So... What’s up?”
Jessica’s expression suddenly changed from being apologetic to being icy yet cute and
sweet expression; her everyday look. She knows I can’t resist her when she’s being like
this, how smart of her.
“Yul, I want to ask something. Please be honest, okay?” I nodded and smiled reassuringly
at her. Of course, I’m an honest person anyway. I mentally praised myself.
In return, Jessica then changed to a serious look: the signature Commander Jessica look.
I’m scared. What have I done?
I sat consciously on my seat and prepared myself for the incoming always-successful
interrogation of Jessica.
Her question caught me offguard.
“Yuri, do you like me?”
I choked. What did she just say? It must be an imagination. Due to nervousness maybe?
I blinked at her, once, twice, then trice. I must listen carefully now.
“Hehe. What did you just say? Sorry I’m a bit slow these past few days.”
“Do you like me?” she said it again. Bluntly, of course. She’s Jessica.
Hoooh! I then inhaled and sat upright; more rigid and stiff. She really asked that.
I can’t believe it. Why would she ask me that?
“oh..uhm.. If I may ask first, why would you ask that?” my head is in turmoil right now.
I fisted my hands together and calmed my inner self.
Everything is fine. It’s just a friendly inquiry.
I repeatedly chanted this to myself. My heart beat even got wilder.
Damn! I’m not ready for this.
Jessica curiously stared at me. Few seconds later, her eyes went huge, as if she discovered
something huge. My heart beat louder and louder for every second that passed.
“You do like me.” she declared. I fanned myself, suddenly out of air.
I can’t believe I’m sweating right now! Did they turn off the air conditioner? Why now?
What’s wrong with them?
“Huh? Jessica. What are you saying? I can’t seem to follow. Who likes who?” I scratched my
head, hoping to be enlightened by her.
“YOU like ME.” she repeated herself, adding more emphasis and hand gestures on the process.
Sweat dropped one by one. My heart is beating wildly in its rigid cage. My brain seemed to malfunction.
Oxygen seemed depleted, and so I’m mentally gasping for air.
And like what every fool in this world would do in this type of situation, I ran.
But when I reached the outside of the coffee shop, still gasping for air, I unconsciously stopped and
turned to see a shocked and a teary Jessica.
My heart stilled for a minute. Its loud thumping seemed to silence down.
I looked straight at her eyes through the glass wall. Mists were clouding on her eyes, making it
looked glassy and fragile. I don’t know for sure what it meant, but my eyes mirrored what her eyes
looked like and my lips stretched painfully into a smile.
Through the pain of my now crushing heart, still looking into her eyes, I nodded my head.
Surrendering my self to her, I answered her question.
Jessica’s tears were now tracing a line down to her face.
I raised my right palm, waved her goodbye, turned on my heels, and walked straight to my car.
As I placed myself onto the driver’s seat, holding the steering wheel forcefully,
my tears started to fall down.
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