The drive towards the seaside restaurant was quick. When I was about to get out of the car, Jeremy was already in front of me extending a helping hand.
"Here, let me help you." Jeremy said with a smiling face.
"T-Thanks." I took his offered hand. I was still not used with my other foot bandage and was wobbly and so Jeremy held my waist to support me.
"Here." Jeremy gave me one of the two crutches and I gave him a puzzled look.
"Shouldn't I use two crutches?" I asked.
"Well you are still not used to it. So let me help you from this side while you use the other crutches in the other." Jeremy explained.
I looked at him confused but did what he suggested. He lends me a hand on one side while I use my crutches on the side where my foot was sprained. Surely I was able to walk better.
"Welcome to our restaurant Mr. Copper, Ms. Berkin." A waiter greeted us by the entrance. We have been regulars in this restaurant and the staff and owner here knew us quite well. And also with our families known throughout the city, many businesses knew us being the future heirs of our respective fathers. "A table for two, sir? Would you like to request for a wheel chair for the miss?"
"Yes, please." Jeremy replied. "And please give us the table with a good view." He smiled.
"Certainly sir." The waiter nodded and called for another waiter to get a wheel chair.
Not long the wheel chair arrived and Jeremy helped me sit down.
"If you are ready, then please follow me." The waiter said. Jeremy pushed the wheel chair where I seated comfortably and followed the waiter.
Not long we reached the table near the big glass window overlooking the seaside view. Jeremy helped me on my seat and he took his just across me.
"I will be back to take your orders." The waiter smiled and walked away.
"I haven't been for quite a long time." I smiled happily.
Back in Paris, I wasn't able to go and roam in other places because of my studies. I was starting a new college course and I can't take a vacation or slack off.
"I missed going to the beach." I said unconsciously.
"We can go to the beach before the semester starts." Jeremy said with a smile. "I think your sprain would have been healed by then. Let's invite our friends."
"That's a nice idea." I replied. "My parents also told me to tour Shiki around. It would be good to take him to the beach as well." I said.
Jeremy's smiled turned into a frown after I mentioned Shiki. 'Is he jealous of me being close to Shiki? I had never been close to any guy in my past life except for him. Maybe he is jealous because I had other guy friends other than him?' I thought.
"Do you not really like Shiki?" I asked with a worried tone. "Well he might be rather cold and aloof but he is a nice and kind person. He has taken care of me when I was in Paris."
"The two of you were together in Paris?" Jeremy asked in surprise.
'Oh shoot. Why did I mention Shiki and Paris?' I thought to myself.
"W-Well he lived there and being a far relative, it is just appropriate for father to ask him to look after me." I made up an excuse.
But Jeremy's frown became deeper and his face became dark. 'Did I say something wrong?' I wondered.
I have known Jeremy since we were kids and I haven't seen him this angry. Even when I did awful things to Angelika in my past life, he only showed me a disappointed look.
"What's wrong Jeremy?" I asked worriedly.
"Ana…" Jeremy held my hand that was resting on the table and squeezed it gently. "When you were away the past year, I have been thinking. And your absence had waked a feeling I never knew I had inside of me." Jeremy said.
"What do you mean Jeremy?" I asked looking at him in wonder. I really had no idea what he was saying.
"Ana, I…" Jeremy trailed off when there was interference.
"Excuse me, are you ready to order?" The waiter came back in that instance.
Jeremy looked up and sighed in defeat. "Ana, you order first." He said.
And so the both of us ordered dishes and ate like the usual while having small chats.
**
After eating lunch, Jeremy decided to let me sit down by the beach side. The sun was about to set and the sand has already cooled down. Jeremy took his jacket and laid it on the sand for me to sit on.
"Thank you." I expressed my gratitude. Jeremy sat down beside me.
The sound of the waves from the beach gave me calmed me. I was playing with a stick and drawing on the sand.
"I have missed days like this." Jeremy said breaking my reverie. "We have been with each other since we were kids. I have loved you as my little sister."
"I know." I replied to him and broke our eye contact. I have come into terms of Jeremy's true feelings for me and I am not as hurt as I was before.
'Good job me.' I told myself. But it was still awkward being along with Jeremy like this.
"Ana, when we were separated the past year that was the first time in our lives we have lived far away from each other since we were kids. I felt that something is missing in my life and your position in irreplaceable." Jeremy said while looking at me gently.
"I understand Jeremy." I said. "I also came to terms with myself. I can continue to be your little sister you know." I said with a smile.
Jeremy frowned with my words and shook his head. "No, you don't understand." He said and held my hand close to his heart. "When you were away I knew that you are the one I want to be with the most. What I felt for Angelika was a spur of the moment feelings. But the thing between us… I think I cannot live without."
Jeremy's gesture dumbfounded me. "What are you trying to say?" I asked. I have an inkling of hope inside my heart but I don't want to be disappointed in the end.
My heart was thumping rapidly. I am not sure if it was because of nervousness or anticipation.
"Ana, I have come to terms with what I am truly feeling for you." Jeremy looked straight into my eyes. "I am in love with you."
My eyes went wide with surprise. In my past life, I have been yearning to hear this from him. And now in my second life, I have stopped hoping for it but it was here now. I heard the words I longed for from Jeremy's mouth.
edited by: nalyn