THIRTY-NINTH TRIP

"When did we last meet? I missed you,” He greeted me when I entered the bar where Rafaella’s birthday mini-celebration was.

I just stared at him and tapped him on the shoulder then fell down and sat down.

“Just last week, Jax. Don’t be OA,” I laughed in response to him and just looked at him beside me.

I rolled my eyes all around. Rafa rented this VIP room for us because she prefers the view here on the second floor. Aside from its blue light, its aura is also light. There were several sofas surrounding the middle where we sat and in front of us, there was a band playing. They just play slowly.

“How are you? I heard there will be a movie adaptation of the last book you wrote,” Jaxon started the topic between us while we were waiting for them.

I think we arrived early because they are still not there. It's like we're both stupid here. Fortunately, there are only a few guests in this room because it is a VIP.

I smiled at him and look at the band in front of us. They are now playing some songs I didn’t even know but I feel like I’m keeping up with the theme.

"Yeah, and thanks to you," I told him shyly.

I simply looked at him. I noticed he was also looking seriously at the band playing. I could clearly see the perfect shape of his nose because he was facing to the front. His aura and appearance are different now. Screaming its matured aura which made him even more handsome. His haircut fits quite long at the top and is messy. The last time I saw his playfulness was five years ago. It's been so long.

After staring at him for a minute, he suddenly tilted his head to face me. He genuinely smiled at me and rested his arm on the back of my chair.

“You earned it and you deserved it, Rae. The reason why you’re my favorite author,” he said softly to me.

Before I could react, someone tapped me on the shoulder and the next thing I heard was their noise. I just turned my gaze to the sofa in front of us as Rafa, Sebastian, Yerim, and Lucas sat there one after the other. I almost change because of their looks.

“Finally! Nice to see you again, Rae! We missed you!” Yerim shouted and rushed to hug me.

“It's good that you went home. When are you still in Manila?” Rafa greeted me and gave me a kiss on my cheek. I even noticed its grin at Jaxon.

"Just yesterday. I needed to finish my last task first before Mr. De Silva let go of me,” I replied sideways to her and turned to Sebastian.

"I miss your coffee," I greeted him and he just laughed.

"It's still there, waiting for you," he said meaningfully to me then laughed. I just stared at him and turned next to Yerim.

"The boyfriend?" I asked her as I smiled.

“Yes! This is Lucas, I know you already know him and finally, you met each other,” Yerim happily said to me as she introduced her boyfriend to me.

“And Jaxon, huh? Did you go home together?” Rafa asked me so I immediately shook.

One by one, the wine and food came to our table so we started.

“I was first. I want to spend more time with them but she sent me home first,” Jaxon uttered which made me look at him.

I furrowed my forehead towards him.

“I told you, you don’t need to follow me wherever I go. You even beat the bodyguard because of what you do, eh, ”I told him and sipped on my drink.

His lips formed into a line and shake his head while smiling mischievously.

“As if you don’t know my reason why,” he added and looks at me.

“My god! You two look so good together. I’m a fan,” Yerim uttered while staring at us.

I was just shaken because of that.

Five years ago, the Royal Publishing Company offered me to be their exclusive author which I hired. As I also wanted to stay away because of what had happened, I also accepted their offer to be Editor in Chief at their New York branch. Until now I was assigned there and I only asked for 1 week of vacation because of this occasion, including my rest.

Jaxon has really helped me a lot. He went to New York with me. A month passed before he followed me there. At first, he said he also moved destination, but if I also knew he just followed me. He was also behind my promotion as Editor in Chief because it turns out that his dad was the chairman at that time. If I had only known earlier, I would not have accepted.

Fortunately, he agreed to go home first because since he moved to New York, he also came home this month. I think this one is crazy.

"Happy Birthday!" We shouted as Rafa blew out the candle.

The night was getting darker like the alcohol in my body. I already feel dizzy, but I know I can still manage. If then I had no control when I was drunk, now it is different. Everything changes. Everything needs to change.

"More blessings to come and long life!" Rafa shouted, I think she was drunk because her voice was getting louder.

When we all finished clapping, the light in that room dimmed again. I also noticed the return of that old band to their place in front and then did a mic test.

When I looked up at my friends, I just smiled when I saw Sebastian kiss Rafa on the lips and whispered something else. I was about to look in front of me again when I felt Jaxon's hand on my head, he was caressing and playing with my hair again which is his favorite thing to do.

"I'll go home with you," I heard him whisper to me.

I looked at him. "Don't you have a house?" I laughed and told him.

He just smiled at me and continued what he was doing to my hair. I kept feeling drowsy because of what he was doing.

"I want to see her. I haven't seen her in a week. I badly missed her... and you,” he said in a raspy voice.