Chapter 50: Downpour
JADE:
It was one of the busiest lunch times I’d ever had, but it was worth it. We were able to accomplish our survey and get some information about Marian at the same time.
“Good job, partner,” Kix said, patting my head.
I tried to evade his hand, but it still landed cleanly at the top of my hair.
“Kix,” I said softly. I knew he has always been a touchy person, even when we were just friends, but seeing how Liam reacted last time at the fire exit when Kix hugged me, I didn’t want any misunderstandings to occur.
“I know, I know… Your ‘hon’ will get mad, huh,” he said, looking a bit dissatisfied. “I’d probably feel the same way if I were in his shoes.”
I didn’t say anything after that. We went back to class in silence until it was time to leave.
Liam did not ask me anything about lunch time as we walked home. It seemed like he was in a sullen mood, so I tried breaking the awkward atmosphere between us.
“Shall we eat dinner together while doing our research paper,” I asked.
He smiled a bit and squeezed my hand. “Alright.”
A light rain began to pour outside. To save time, we decided to cook dinner in the dormitory. Liam went over to my room while I was preparing some sandwiches and soup for the night.
Our productive evening passed by smoothly. Liam and I were finally able to finish the research paper that was due this week.
“All done,” I said proudly. “Do you want some hot chocolates to celebrate?”
Liam’s eyes sparkled as they curved in time with his lips into a smile. “Sure, honey.”
His term of endearment was still something I was not used to, but since we’re going out together officially, I should gradually use it as well, right?
“Alright, honey,” I muttered back.
One thing I knew for sure about Liam was that he always wanted to drink something hot. He liked hot chocolate the best too. He always orders one whenever we eat out together.
I set the cups of hot chocolate before us. He excitedly took a sip on his mug with a satisfied grin on his face.
Ah, how long had it been since I met Liam? Perhaps it was a little over two or three years already…
I don’t really remember well how I got close to him, but since we were on the same college, we found ourselves moving into a similar circle, bumping into each other unexpectedly, developing the same set of friends.
I bit my lips, however. How well do I really know him all this time?
“Liam, what do your parents do?”
“Hmm? My parents?”
“Yeah… I never hear you talk about them.”
“They’re not really around,” he began. “My dad was someone who came and went as he pleases. He traveled a lot, and my mom was the same.”
“So you mean, you were mostly left on your own?”
“Yup. I didn’t have any siblings, so I usually spend time out with my friends… Sorry to disappoint you.”
“It’s alright. You don’t disappoint me,” I said. If anything, I felt a little sad for Liam. I didn’t have any siblings too, but I used to maintain a close relationship with my parents.
“Well… Why don’t you come home with me one of these days? I’m sure my parents would be thrilled to meet you,” I said bashfully.
I don’t know whether Liam would think of it as a good idea or not. “That is only if you like i-”
I haven’t finished my sentence yet when Liam settled his mug on the table and held my hands.
“Of course I’d love to, Jade. When are we going to meet them?”
And here I thought he’d be reluctant to agree. I wanted to laugh so hard at my earlier thoughts.
“I’ll have to tell them I have a boyfriend first,” I said quietly.
When my parents learned that Kix and I had a secret relationship in high school, they got really angry.
They had always cautioned me never to get into a relationship until well beyond college. Just like Kix’s parents, they were convinced that I had given myself up to Kix the night we got kidnapped, resulting to the nude photos and videos that circulated at school.
To be honest, I felt depressed. I was sad because they refused to believe my words. After several sessions with the psychiatrist, my parents began to see that I was telling them the truth.
However, the damage had been done. I started to resent them a bit for not believing in me. They had grown more overprotective of me over time too, so I always felt reluctant to introduce my friends back to my mom and dad…
However, I’m positive that if mom and dad could get to know Liam, they’ll like him. He was the perfect gentleman, a straight-A student, and the teacher’s pet. Only a rock would not fall for Liam’s kind nature.
“My mom and dad were against me having a boyfriend when I was young,” I said, “but for sure they’ll like you. What’s there not to like anyway?”
He brushed his thumb on my cheeks lightly. “I’ll make sure I win them over.”
“You better,” I smiled.
Liam moved his face towards me, and he used his hand to tilt my head as he gave me a light kiss on the lips.
At least I thought that it was only a light kiss... Before I knew it, we were kissing each other fiercely that I was positively out of breath.
Liam’s mouth smelled like chocolate. Kissing him felt like tasting a thrilling dessert.
We were still kissing each other when I heard a light scratch somewhere. I tried to ignore it, but the sounds were becoming louder and more incessant.
Unable to tolerate the noise any further, I turned my head to where the scratching sounds were coming from.
Out of the veranda, I saw a white, furry animal clawing at my veranda door. He was whimpering as if his very life depended on it.
It was a wet and shivering Kix in his werewolf form…
