WARNING- This chapter contains some adult themes and may be unsuitable for some readers.
All I could remember was the stars twinkling around us and his red face.
But here I am, laying next to the lion. JUST. WHAT. HAPPENED?!!!
The TV was on, showing what had happened that night.
Karen.... I wish you were there to stop me... Because...
I did something crazy.
-8 hours ago- Jayden
Dad slided the photo on the desk towards me.
"Is that really her?" I asked in shock.
"Yep, THE one and only," Dad said.
"I can't believe- Are you sure?!" I raised my voice.
"I know I was born before you, but I'm not that old to the point I would forget, Jayden. And because I've lived life and experienced many experiences before you, you should acknowledge me being your wise father already," Dad pouted," I'll be taking my leave to meet with them now if there's nothing else you need to talk about."
"Wait, Dad!" Jayden shouted," Do I really have to-"
"Yes, you have to! A man must never go back on his word. And if you're going to be a man of your own house someday, then start with this! Your very first contract! As. A. MAN!," he said as he stomped away.
Sometimes, Dad acts like a kid. Kinda hard to take him seriously because of that... I try to respect him though... because I'm his son.
I followed Dad out of the room and down the stairs.
"What's up Jay! Long time no see!" said a young man with a blue blazing mask matching my red mask.
"Hey Gabe. How's your Grandma?" I asked.
Gabe mumbled while stuffing his face," Well, you know her. Old, but still kicking. She got into chess lately. Like. Super-pro chess. Says she can't find any suitable player other than you."
"Yeah?" I laughed.
Gabe glared," Uh. Yeah! Ever since you taught her, she would always come bugging me to play. Do you know how long she'd be willing to play? With ME who is NOT a pro, just a little bit of a rookie. FIVE HOURS, FIVE. I tried to escape every chance I could when she's gardening, but man she's sharp. She could hear me from a mile away if I were to just TOUCH the door knob."
I laughed," She just wants to spend time with her grandson. Nothing but some grand-grand time."
"Uh huh sure, I'll grand-grand YOUR time for ditching me all these years. You better serve it up 'cause I got all kinds of demands," he laughs evilly.
I sighed," Yeah, yeah, a promise is a promise. Let's hang when you're free-"
"Jay! Come show your guests around!" said Mom.
"Sounds like you gotta go. See ya 'round in a bit?" Gabe asked.
"Yeah, for sure," I said.
I wonder who it is this time.
A family of six-
"Hellian! Sarah!" Mom stretched out her arms.
No eight?
"Oh Marie! So this is the man I heard so much about!" Mom continued.
I mean ten?
"Sorry Mom, Ashton took the second left. We got lost a bit," said a young lady in spring green. Huh??? Such a big family...
"Lionhead?!" she shouted.
That voice. It can't be....
"Cottoncandycane.." she mumbled.
Okay, it can.
"Hahaha lionhead? So you remember Jay?" Mom asked.
"Oh, no it's just, we met at school and I noticed his hair..." she said turning head to the floor.
Uh huh. Sure you don't mean, assaulting?
"Come this way, I'll show you guys around," I said.
She hesitated and looked up at me. Why the heck is she acting like I'm gonna chew her up? It's not like I'll- Or maybe I will. I'll remind her of her debt.
I raised my thumb to my bottom lip and slided across. Hah. Look at her face now.
"So, what're your names?" I asked, leading them to the lower hallway entrance.
"Julia Liana Rosarie." she said.
"I'm Layla Anna Rosarie!" the one with the giant bow in her hair blurted.
"Helius Leo Rosarie," said the one with the owl mask.
"Julian Felis Rosarie!" said the one with a Transformers mask.
I sighed," Just your first names was enough. You didn't have to report to me."
Then I felt a tug at my side.
"I'm Alice," said a little girl with pigtails," What's yours?"
"Jayden," I replied.
The three kids gather and whisper behind Alice and Julia.
"Hey mister, I mean Jay?" said Layla.
"Just call me Jayden," I said.
"Um okay, Jayden. Have we met before?" Layla asked.
"Nope, we haven't," I said.
"Aw really?" Julian said confused.
"Really. Now come on in," I said as we finally got in.
"So.. you're an artist?" Julia asked.
"Yup. Some of my works are here," I said," The theme is 'Midnight Galaxy'."
"WOW! Mind if I take some pictures?" she asked.
"I mean, we have reporters for that, but sure, go ahead," I said.
"Woah! 'The Goddess's tears'! Was this inspired by the legend of Azora's Comet?!" she asked.
"Yeah, have you read the Regia series?" I asked.
"Oh my gosh, I didn't just read them, I'm watching the anime adaptation too! You have no idea how hard it is to find someone who I can share about this! Karen doesn't even know them!"
"Karen?" I say nervously.
She calmed down, "Oh, haha she's my bestfriend. So what did you think of when Shuuya-"
We wandered around the giant gallery for about a few hours talking about Regia.
Julia's eyes were still glowing.
"You really like taking pictures," I said.
"You just have exceptional talent," Julia said while snapping thousands of pictures," They deserve more of the spotlight..." I heard her say.
"Thanks..." I said as I looked for the triplets.
"I'm pretty surprised you kids aren't bored out of your mind." I told them.
"Bored? Art is an art! And all art should be appreciated because someone worked really hard on them!" they said in unison.
"Wow, you guy's triplets or something?" I said.
"Yeah!" they shouted.
"It was a joke. But wow, never met triplets before. I guess the saying, 'like peas in a pod', isn't just some sort of poetic thing." I said," Well, we can head to the ball room and eat if you guys are ready."
"Yes! Food!" Layla's eyes sparkled.
We separated in the ballroom to answer our hunger.
I spot a familiar blue flamed masked man dancing with a black haired beauty in a burgundy evening dress. At the end of the song, he spoke to her a bit and walked up to me.
"Woah, Gabe, didn't know you had the skills. You were always a nervous wreck around girls," I acted shocked.
He elbowed my side, " Knock it off, it's Alina. She just came back from abroad around the same time as you did."
"What??? That's Alina???" I was shocked," Alina was always an introvert."
"Yeah I know right? She got engaged right after her college graduation. Oh Arron..." Gabe faked some sniffles.
"Ah come on, he's probably moved on already. I should go comfort his sorry butt," I said walking away.
"Wait wait," he pulled my sleeve and I stopped my tracks," Arron's the one!"
"Eh. Arron? No way. Seriously?!" I asked.
"Seriously!" Gabe laughed.
"Wow, who knew he had it in him. But then how come I never heard of any of this?" I asked.
"Uh, hullo? You've been gone forever. Hardly kept in touch with everyone? Remember?" he said faking tears," You're that one son who never calls home or let's his parents know what's happening."
"That's 'cause you're not my mom and dad," I said as he continued his sniffles," I said I was sorry Gabe. Let's go watch that one movie you wanted to see." I sighed.
"Really? You mean it? Alright! No backsies bruh!" he said.
I heard a familiar voice," You said just one dance! It's over now, let go!"
I saw a guy drag her outside.
"Hold on Gabe, I gotta go," I told him.
"Huh? To where?" he asked looking in the same direction as me," Always gotta go save a damsel in stress. This is why you'll get yourself killed one day, Jay."
"Yup and nup! My parents will kill me if anything happens to her," I said as I left.
They walked into the empty shadows of the moonlight. His hands creeped under her dress.
I pulled her towards me, walking away and said," Sorry but, she promised to dance with me next. Gotta respect a lady's choice."
"Hey! Where the heck are you going stealing my girl?!" he yelled out, following us.
Her hand was trembling," Jayden where are we-"
I lead her into the crowd and placed my hand on her waist.
Her face burned red," Jayden!"
"Shh.. Just dance with me until they leave," I whispered into her ear.
"Woooh! Go Jayden, go!" I saw Mom yelling above us.
Wahhhhh.... This is embarrassing... I haven't danced with a girl in such a long time. Plus Mom's watching. One misstep and she'll have me work 'til my body drops.
Eventually the song ended.
"Thanks... you saved me back there.." she mumbled.
"No problem, just make sure to remember to pay me back in full. Y'know for my-," I pointed at my lips and laughed.
"Gah! You wish!" and she stomped away to a table where Alice was, quenching her rage with a pink tinted glass of strawberries.
She was frantically looking around the room.
What's she up to? I walked towards her and overheard her mumbling to herself," I wonder where Mom and Dad went. They've been gone with that lady for the longest time."
"Wanna go look for them?" I said.
"GAHHH SHABALABA! WHY'RE YOU HERE!" she shouted.
"'Cause it's my house?" I laughed.
I couldn't see her face because of her mask, but I could see her eyes were piercing daggers at me and her ears were turning red. I noticed a familiar ruby glass in her hand.
"What's that?" I asked.
"Strawberry lemonade," she mumbled.
I took a gulp," Hmm.. it's pretty good."
"Lia..." Alice's teared up.
"Mmmm! Aughhh, fine!" she let out a breath," Can you.. can you help me? Alice wants to see my parents. This is your house so..."
Alice looked as though she were about to cry.
"I dont really know where they are, but Mom was watching us from upstairs, so they might still be around there," I said.
I greeted guests as we wandered through the house.
"Hmm... You were pretty cute as a kid. Too bad you turned out like.. this," she sighed looking at the family pictures hung on the walls.
"Pftt, like you're any better. What kind of girl beats up a guy she just met?" I said.
"Lia, you beat him up? That's not nice. You should make up with him and be friends," said Alice, surprising Julia.
I smiled," Yeah, what're you gonna do to make it up to me? Especially for my li-" I swore I saw fire light up in her eyes.
She held up a fist," Huh, I WONDER."
"Lia?" Alice said then Julia sighed and lowered her fist.
I stuck my tongue out a bit and her eyes blazed as we left into the breezy outside hallway.
"So how is she?" Mom asked.
Ack! For some reason Julia pulled me back by my collar. We were hiding behind the corner that turned to the balcony where Mom and Dad and her parents were.
"She's been struggling since she found out... Leah says she's finally accepted it, though. And Sarah, she won't say it, but she's also been contemplating," said the Sailormoon lady.
"Huh? What're they talking about?" Julia whispered.
Sailormoon lady continued," They just want everyone to be happy. Marie says she's overjoyed about the opportunity for them to meet."
Their conversation was a little hard to hear as they spoke softer. Julia went silent and walked out and Alice ran to hug her mom.
"Alice! How'd you find me?" said the Sailormoon lady. Alice pointed at me.
"Jayden helped you? Oh thank you sweetie, you can go back to the party. Us adults are just talking about the old times," she said.
I bowed, " I'll be going then."
"Honey? Make sure Julia doesn't get lost alright?" Mom said.
"Eh, you saw her?" Mrs, Rosarie asked.
"I swore I did? Honey please stay with her. I think I saw her at the tables with the Roy's," Mom said.
"Roy's?! You don't think she- Yeah, no, she probably did," Sailormoon called out to me," We'll be counting on you Jayden!"
You're kidding me, so that wasn't juice earlier? Better find her before she falls off the balcony or something. Her mask clicked onto the floor.
There she is!
She was sitting in one of the balcony sofa chairs with her knees tucked to her chest.
I called out to her," There you are! Why'd you up and leave like that? The same thing that happened earlier could happen again, so just stay with me...?"
"What do I do..." she mumbled and sighed.
"Do about what?" I asked, lowering my head to her.
"Let's do it then!" she punched my face as she threw her arms up in the air.
"Ugh... you're dangerous, woman!" I yelled, rubbing my chin.
"Nooo~ Let's do it I saidddd!" she whined.
"Do what," I glared.
"Do it~ What you said... Let's stay together so the same thing won't happen again... Let's stay together... There's nothing wrong with it... Plus I need to pay in full because you saved me and because I stole your first kiss!" She yelled out and stumbled, falling on top of me.
I could feel her body pressed against mine.
"F-first kiss? Wha- What are you talking about?!" My face burned up as her soft hand ran up my neck to my face until she pinched my cheeks.
"Huwwy up and tell meh wha you wan!" I said pulling her hand away.
Her eyes were glossy and watering," I said I was sorry, but you won't accept it...
You stole mine, too... so shouldn't that be fair?"
"Eh? I did..?"
She sniffled, " Yeah! Meanie... But even if you're mean... I know you'll save me when I'm in trouble... and you're really cool 'cause you like Regia too... and you like comets and stars like me... so.. I think it'll be okay if it's with you.."
"W-what'll be okay????" I asked, confused.
"Hey Jayden?" she looked at me with her teary eyes and smiled.
Damn it... Why does she look so cute right now?
Why's my heart beating so fast?!
I could also feel her heart beating against mine. I thought this only happened in movies or books, but I could hear her heart beating through the music playing downstairs.
"Let's stay together by eachother's side. From today on. Just you and Me. And I promise I won't ever leave your side. So Jayden?"
I could feel magic tingling through our skin like warm gentle jolts of electricity.
"Yes?"
"Jayden, will you marry me?" she asked with a sweet smile.
I was so stupidly captivated in the moment, I swore magic pulled me closer and closer.
"Yes."
I could feel the electricity flowing through my body from her lips.
I woke up that morning with her by my side.
Whole Shi-!
I didn't. Nuh uh. No way.
She rustled next to me and her eyes fluttered open.
Shit.
I remembered what had happened last night.
"Jayden, will you marry me?"
"Yes."
A thousands lights flashed before us and Mom and Dad were crying. Julia rested her head on my shoulder and snuggled into my chest.
What is this???!
"I'm so proud of you son!" I heard Dad yell.
"My little boy all grown up." I heard Mom, holding back tears.
"H-henry hold on!" Sailormoon said to Tuxedo Mask lying in her arms as she dragged him further into the halls. Dad followed them.
"Congratulations Jayden Sunrise!" I heard the reporters say as they snapped pictures.
"Thank you everyone! Now if you'll excuse me, my fiancee and I will head out to rest," I said.
"Yes of course! Welcome back Jayden!" the reporters yelled out and left.
"Honey, stamp this," Mom brought out papers and my legal stamp," S T A M P!"she whispered with a dark face.
"'Kay," I winced.
"The Remions said they'll stay the night so don't worry about it!" she winked," So make sure she's always with you~ A man always takes responsibility!"
Mom... do you really love me? Because that dark smile says "I'll kill you if you mess this up".
"Worry about what Mom?" I smiled nervously.
Dad came back. "Be a man, son!" Dad cried and gave me a thumbs up," A man always keeps his word," he said with a stern face pointing to Tuxedo mask with his chin.
Not you too Dad... I got it. Take care of her or they'll kill me...
I held her in my arms and headed to my room.
"Ah! She's being carried like a princess!" I heard the crowd outside squeal. They could see us from the outside halls. I swore I heard Mom's voice, too.
"Agh... this is a mess."
If I take her to a guest room, Mom and Dad will kill me about taking responsibility.
I laid her in my bed, pulling the covers on her, and turned out the lights.
I slept on the sofa in my room, but woke up from the overwhelming icy air.
Ah... it's cold.
Cold..? It's dark.
"Honey, go back to sleep. Stay home okay? I'll be right back," she said.
"Okay, Mom," I said.
"Be good and don't leave the house," Mom said locking the door behind her.
Wait that wasn't Mom... That was-
Why am I crying?
Oh, that's right..
I was waiting for Mom for so long, but she never came.
It was raining heavily outside. I stayed up for hours.
The door rang. I flung the door open.
"Mom! Where were you-"
The man's eyes swallowed me into darkness. My lungs choked from fear, trying to escape the cold night. I was stuck in that dark corner.
"Jayden?" I heard a voice.
"Julia?!" I sat up, gasping for air.
"You promised.." she sniffled.
I watched her hair slip down from her shoulder. She was in her tanktop.
I panicked covering half my face," Wha- your dress?!"
Her eyes were filled with daimonds streaming down her cheeks," You promised that we should be together always... So when I opened my eyes, you were gone..."
She took my hand and I just obediently followed her. " Did you have a bad dream..?" she asked.
"Yeah.." I replied.
My body was cold and exhausted from the adrenline pumping in my vains.
"Bed," she pointed and I laid down.
This girl.. just how can she be this cute?
"Now stay," she said with a serious face and laid next to me," Will you?"
Kyaaa so cute. I just nodded. I can't believe I "kyaaa"ed...
"Good, now no more bad dreams," she smiled and closed her eyes.
I was getting sleepy so I closed my eyes, too.
"Jayden?" she sniffled.
I panicked and opened my eyes," Yes?"
I swear, the way she looked at me... It was freezing cold but her gaze was like magic. She placed her warm hands to my cheek, pulling me in. Her lips melted my heart. I could feel the electricity returning.
I might be screwed in the morning... but I'm not alone anymore.