CHAPTER 34. Single Status
1910 Words
"Thank you so much, Crystal! This is lovely.” Roxanne excitedly cried after receiving the plush doll from Crystal that she bought.
“You’re welcome,” she acknowledged, beaming sweetly at the little girl.
“Crystal, you took so much for the dinner,” Pearl also declared, after inspecting the bag of groceries that Jason handed her.
“You should thank my boss because he is very generous.” Crystal answered, referring to Jason. Pearl only knows that Jason is Crystal’s employer but doesn’t have any idea about the actual work she is doing with the man, since it is confidential. All she knows is Crystal is his assistant as a law agent.
“Oh, really? Are you not hiring another employee, Mr. Gonzales?” Carol teases Jason, who only scratches the back of his neck.
“Let me help you with the dinner, Pearl.” Crystal offered and also went inside the kitchen, leaving Jason and Roxanne in the living area.
“You look blooming tonight, Crystal,” Pearl commented as she peels the potatoes.
“Thank you,” Crystal replied, and smiled.
“So tell me, what’s the real score between you two, are you guys dating?” Pearl wonders.
“You know that will not happen, Pearl.” Crystal has shortly withdrawn.
“Why not? You guys look perfect together and don’t you catch how he glances at you? His eyes light up every time he looks at you, there's something!” Pearl kept on insisting.
“No, first he doesn’t have any idea about my real identity. Second, those kinds of things are not on my priority list. Last, what Gabriel did to me will never happen again,” Crystal seriously stated.
“Besides, Jason is a married man. So there will be no chance, he’s only flirting with me like an unfaithful partner.” She continued.
“What!? Seriously!?” Pearl couldn't believe the revelation, and Crystal nodded.
“Yes, just like what Gabriel did when he hid his engagement.” She sadly reminisces but quickly stops herself from being emotional again. But it made Pearl remember about the man and the visit he did a week ago.
“Crystal, what if Gabriel came back to the island and was looking out for you?” Pearl inquired.
“He’s late because I was not the Crystal before and I will never let him fool me again.” Crystal firmly countered.
“I’m sorry,” Pearl apologized and thought that not telling her about the visit is better for both of them since Gabriel is already engaged with her cousin Rachel.
“By the way, Pearl. I am planning to go back to Caro island next week, just to try my luck if maybe my parents went back there.” Crystal suddenly announced.
“Oh dear, I have an appointment with the mayor next week for my new project. Can you move the day?”
“No, it’s okay, I can go by myself.”
“What? Are you sure?”
“Yes, don’t worry. I’ve been preparing myself for this day. I just can’t rely on you all the time, you know.”
“Alright, just promise me you’ll be safe. Okay?” and Crystal nodded, smiling.
“Hi, ladies. Do you need help?” Jason offered help when he suddenly stepped inside of the kitchen.
Pearl looked in Crystal’s direction and shook her head.
“Thank you, Jason, but I think we’re good,” Pearl told the man.
Jason diverted his eyes to Crystal, who was busy chopping the onions, and noticed how she kept on wiping her eyes on her sleeves. The man steps forward and grabs the kitchen knife she’s holding.
“Let me do it.” He offered, but Crystal resisted.
“No, I’m fine,” she said.
“Please, look how badly you are tearing already,” Jason commented as he chuckled softly at her.
“Just stay away!” Crystal annoyingly said and accidentally sliced Jason's finger.”
“Oh, no. I’m sorry!” She apologized and immediately moved, pulling him to the sink to wash his wound but instead of being hurt or complaining, Jason smiled, enjoying the moment.
“Here, just clean the wound and put a bandage on it.” Pearl offered the first aid kit.
“See what you have done? I told you to stay away but you keep on insisting! Why are you always so stubborn, huh?” Crystal grumbled, wiping his hand dry and getting a bandage on the kit while the man was enjoying the scene.
“Are you making fun of me?” she added when she noticed that the man was grinning.
“You are so beautiful to make fun with,” he responded delightfully, but Crystal only looked sharply at him while Carol who is also in the kitchen chuckled softly, covering her mouth as she listened to their childish conversation.
Crystal just rolled her eyes at him and continued rolling the bandage on his finger.
After they cooked dinner, everyone gathered at the round dining table and started eating their food solemnly. Except for Pearl, as she suddenly remembered her unfaithful husband and was bothered by Jason after knowing that he’s married, yet flirting with her friend Crystal. Only if she knew about it earlier she would never let him come inside her house. After dinner, Crystal stayed a bit, seizing the chance she had to play with Roxanne.
Carol is currently watching television while Jason also stays, waiting for Crystal to drive her back. Later on, Pearl walks in his direction,
“Jason, can we talk?”
“Sure! About what?” The man responded and stood up.
“Nothing important really, I was just wondering how your wife feels about you-” But she didn’t get to finish her words when suddenly the man coughed hard. Crystal immediately moved and got him a glass of water, which he quickly received and gulped.
“I’m sorry about that.” He apologized and turned back to Pearl, who had a scowling face.
“Pearl, what wife are you talking about?” He asked, confused.
“I thought you like Crystal?” Roxanne also interrupted, but Carol quickly grabbed the girl and took her upstairs, as she understood why her sister suddenly acted that way.
“Could you please stop acting innocent? I thought you’re a good man when you help Crystal but I was wrong.”
“I am really confused about what you are talking about. I don’t have a wife.” Jason defended himself and glanced at Crystal.
“Crystal?”
“Margaux told me,” She let out,
“Margaux? Why would she say such a thing?” confusion surged inside him and heaved a deep sigh.
“Crystal, I think we should talk,” he told her.
“No.” Pearl quickly blocked herself to avoid the man reaching Crystal.
“Pearl, why are you acting like that? I swear I don’t have a wife.” he again declared along with a soft chuckle.
“Crystal, please. Why would I lie to you?” He begged for the lady.
“Uh, Pearl. I think we should go already.” Crystal whispered from behind her.
“Wait, what is happening? You said he’s married, right?” It is Pearl’s turn now to be confused.
“I’ll update you later.” Crystal quickly pulled Jason and picked up her things, feeling embarrassed for the possible fake news she told Pearl that caused her to be furious at the man’s aura.
“Crystal, why did you tell Pearl that I have a wife?” Jason asked while the lady kept on pulling him towards his car.
“It was Margaux.”
“Margaux said that I am married?” Crystal nodded, and it made the man laugh hard while settling himself inside the car, while Crystal also sat in the passenger seat beside him.
“So, that’s the reason you keep on pushing me away?” he inquired, and started the engine and steered away.
“One of the reasons, yes.”
“I can’t believe Margaux will make up things like that just to keep you,” he mumbled seriously.
“What do you mean?”
“They all believe that I am your first, and maybe they thought I’ll be taking you out of that place. That's why they came up with a lie for you not to believe me.” He explained with a wide grin.
“But why do you seem to be glad?”
“Because now that you know the truth, at least you will not ignore me again.” but Crystal frowned and looked down at her twisting fingers.
“What’s the matter?” He asked when he noticed Crystal's expression.
“Jason, whether or not married, it still has changed nothing. I still want you to stay away from me.” She honestly said. Jason stops the engine and faces Crystal.
“Why?” but instead of answering his question, Crystal opens the side of her door and steps out. Jason quickly follows.
“Crystal, wait!” he cried, following her from behind, but the lady didn’t turn back and continued her pace away from him.
“Crystal!” he grabbed her arm and turned her to face him.
“What’s wrong? Tell me? What is it that keeps you away from me? Is it about your work with me? I can dismiss it. I’m already planning about it and just have to pass the mission to another agent. Come to me and we can live together, Crystal. You don’t have to live alone anymore.” he told the lady who was already shedding tears.
“I can’t.” Crystal said between her hiccups,
“Why? Don’t tell me it is about my age? But I’m only twenty-five and not fifty-five.” he chuckles, trying to make her smile but Crystal shook her head again.
“I quit.” Suddenly Crystal let out.
“Quit? Fine, no problem, that’s what I really wanted anyway.” he grinned.
“That’s not what I meant. I wanted to quit so I can completely ignore you. Let’s just pretend that we didn’t meet and let’s stay away from each other.”
“What?”
“Jason, whatever feelings you have for me might not be real. Once you are away from me, try to analyze it again, search if I really have a room inside your heart and you’ll see that it is all fake.”
“What are you saying? I don’t understand.”
“Just do it, and so you could understand,” Crystal said and tiptoed to reach Jason's height and kiss him on the cheek before she turned and continued her steps away from the man. While she left Jason confused and broken-hearted.
- Writer
