Chapter 90: I do
With that, they placed their orders. Jeff unsurprisingly, went for a full meal since he was never the one to settle for just coffee in the morning.
Jessica, on the other hand, ordered a simple cup of coffee and a single piece of bread.
He glanced at his plate, then at her. As he raised a brow in why only that.
"Is that all you want to eat?" he asked.
Jessica just let out a soft laugh, stirring her coffee slowly. Her eyes lingered on her meal.
"I’m not really a big eater in the morning. Plus, if I eat too much, I feel sleepy the whole day. And well..." she glanced at the bread, then at him.
"I’m trying not to gain weight," she added casually, like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Jeff just scooped up a spoonful of rice with egg, which is his usual favorite.
"You girls really pay attention to stuff like that, huh," he said.
Even though it was in a restaurant, and even if the taste was dull and bland, he didn’t know why he was still eating the egg when there were so many choices.
Every morning and night, it was always egg and egg, as if he had grown used to it.
"Speak for yourself. Don’t you men like girls with a good figure?" she said, eyeing him as she stopped stirring her coffee.
He stopped chewing as soon as he heard what she said. He almost choked but managed to swallow it hard just in time.
Seeing that he was choking, she was about to get up to find a cup of water, but he stopped her, indicating that he was fine.
As she sat down, her face was filled with worry, but when she saw that he was truly okay, she couldn’t help but laugh.
A small tear slipped from her eye from laughing too hard. Looking at the scene in front of him, he couldn’t help but smile.
As she stopped laughing, her smile was still there as she spoke again.
"Why did you panic? I was just asking casually. Just from your reaction, I’m right then, aren’t I?" she said to him.
Both of her elbows rested on the table, supporting her upper arms. Her hands were raised, with both palms gently cupping her chin.
Her fingers were relaxed, curving naturally as if she were holding her cheeks in a soft pose.
Her head tilted slightly, resting on her hands, giving her an affectionate and dreamy look. It was like she was savoring every second of the moment.
(Author’s note: I’m loving her more and more. Forget about the Harem, I’m removing that shit)
The scene was so heavenly, and her expression could be the very definition of an angel, filled with innocence and beauty.
It was not something that stirred desire but rather a feeling of peace and wholesomeness.
Jeff, who had been staring at her for a few seconds, coughed a few times to calm his heart.
"Haha, what are you talking about? It depends on the person, of course," he said with a forced laugh, trying to play it cool.
Seeing him act like that, Jessica couldn’t help but smile even wider. She rested her right arm on the table, letting her posture relax.
Her left hand then gently cupped her cheek, fingers brushing against her skin as she tilted her head slightly.
A few strands of hair slipped loose, falling softly across her face, partly veiling her face yet somehow, that only made her look even more pretty. freёnovelkiss.com
"So, it depends on the person, but tell me, what kind of girl do you prefer then?" she asked again.
Jeff felt a pressure settle on his chest, not because of the question itself, but because of the way she asked it.
If he told the truth, he might be condemned as someone who judges too harshly. Being honest is a good thing, but sometimes, too much honesty can get you in trouble.
Not only that, but the way she leaned in, resting her cheek in her hand with that gentle and playful smile, accompanied by the sunlight hitting her just right.
The way her eyes locked onto his, not with intensity but with softness, as if she was trying to see straight through him.
He coughed again, not because of the food this time, but because of his nerves.
"I mean... well..." he scratched his neck.
He’s eyes darting to the window, the table, the plate just anywhere but her face.
"It’s not like I, uh... judge or anything... It’s more about... personality... and..." He trailed off, not knowing what to say anymore.
Jessica tilted her head ever so slightly, not understanding what he meant. Her face showed a clear look of confusion.
Seeing her expression, he groaned under his breath and gave up, as he sink back into his seat.
"Alright, fine," he muttered.
"I do find women with good figures more attractive, okay!"
Jessica blinked, as she then smiled triumphantly, eyes twinkling as she looked at him.
"See, why are you struggling to say that. It’s very normal to have your own preference," she said sitting straight with a shrug.
"But I want to ask," she said as she placed a finger on her lips.
"Ahh, yes?" he responded.
She looked at him with a smile, "Then do you find me attractive?" she asked, her gaze fixed on him.
Her face revealed nothing, just a calm smile with no clear motive, but inside she was screaming.
She didn’t know why she said that, but in her mind, another scene began to replay. It was back in the classroom again.
...
"Oh yeah, Jessie, I also have another suggestion," Melaine said.
As she suddenly hugged her from behind while Jessica was still seated.
Her chin rested lightly on Jessica’s shoulder, the soft brush of it sending a ticklish shiver down her spine.
"Be bold," Melaine whispered directly into her ear.
"Be... bold?" Jessica repeated slowly, her voice trembling as her face turned a deep shade of red.
"Melaine, what are you talking about? I’m not going to seduce him!" she snapped back, flustered beyond belief.
"Aiyaaa," Melaine exclaimed dramatically.
As Jessica flung her arms in protest, causing her to fall back slightly though not with enough force to hurt her.
She laughed it off and slid effortlessly into the seat that was already closed at each other, her grin as mischievous as ever.
"If you’re going to repay him, then make sure he knows you’re worth remembering," she said, tapping her nose with a playful wink.
"You say that like I’m trying to make him mine or something." Jessica rolled her eyes.
"Well, aren’t you?" Melaine replied, her voice was full of teasing.
Jessica scoffed, half annoyed, half flustered, "Tch. We’re not like that."
"Sure, you’re not," Melaine replied with a knowing look.
"But let’s be honest do you want to stay not like that?"
Jessica didn’t answer as she quietly listened to her words. Seeing her deep in thought, Melaine struck while iron was hot.
"Look Jessica, I’m not telling you to say something wild like, ’Take me now, my prince charming,’ alright?" she said with a laugh, throwing her hands up like absolute cinema.
"I’m saying, something soft, with just a hint of teasing. Like a little nudge."
She tapped Jessica’s nose again, smiling as she felt its gentle softness.
"Make it something casual. Examples are, ’Am I beautiful?’ or ’Do you think I’m cute?’ or maybe..." Melaine gave her a wicked smile, then leaned in and whispered in her ear.
"Would you date someone like me?"
Jessica’s eyes widened slightly, her cheeks flaring with color.
"That’s too much—"
"No, no, no. You’re thinking too deep," Melaine cut her off.
"You say it with a smile, like you’re half-joking. That way, if he panics, you can just laugh it off like it was a joke. But if he says yes, then girl, boom!" she said, flinging her arms out as if mimicking an explosion.
"You scored without even confessing," she added with a victorious smile.
"With that he’ll be lying in bed at 2 a.m., confused and replaying what you said over and over," she finished, clearly satisfied with her strategy.
Jessica blinked, trying to process the idea, Melaine leaned back feeling proud about her knowledge about this.
"Also, let me remind you something, even if you love this prince charming so much. Don’t ever give yourself so easily got it!" she said, lacing her fingers behind her head.
"I will not," Jessica said with puffed cheeks, her voice low.
"Well, that’s good since it is important to stay clearheaded. That is because boys don’t fall for you just because you throw yourself at them," Melaine replied.
"If you suddenly give everything, it only shows that you’re lacking. And when they’re done playing, they can just push you aside and go look for someone new," she added.
Hearing this Jessica couldn’t help but slap the student desk hard.
"He is not like that," Jessica said, defending him.
Catherine and Melaine, seeing her reaction, burst into laughter, covering their mouths with their hands as they let out a teasing hmm.
Realizing what she had just done, Jessica clenched her fist that she used to slap the desk, her face practically steaming with embarrassment.
Even if something were to happen, she could see that he seemed like an upright person.
Thinking about it made her feel speechless at how deeply she had fallen.
But if it were truly going to happen, she knew she would have to stop herself. After all, she was still too young.
Jessica then crossed her arms and looked away, "Tch. You’ve read too many romance novels."
"And you don’t read enough," Melaine said with a laugh, winking at her.
But deep inside, Jessica remembered the words. They etched themselves into her mind, nudging her to try being a little bolder, even if it wasn’t like her at all.
Jeff, who had been silently mesmerized by her the entire time, suddenly spoke without even knowing why.
"I do."
...
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