Jennifer banged her fists on the table, leaning in to speak in a highly menacing voice, "Dad, you know I hate liars and you lied to me." "I'm sorry.." Me. Williams spoke. "A sorry wouldn't solve this mess you created. You forbade me from seeing my friend then planned on hurting him. God was there to save the day, otherwise you would have ruined everything in your anger." Jennifer was angry beyond the level she knew existed. Her own dad was trying to hurt Adrian.
"My punishment still stands. The only thing that had changed is that I realized I should have been a little more polite to you." Mr. Williams' voice was firm as ever. "Then, I don't trust you. That's it. Period." Jennifer got up from the table and stormed into her room. She wanted to meet Adrian ask him if her father was correct. But couldn't.
That night was a really long night for her. She twisted and turned in her bed, trying to find a comfortable position to lay in but when your mind is not at rest, body cannot find peace. She was trying to come up with a leverage on her father. Something she could trade for her freedom to meet Adrian. Nothing came to her mind. She had been such a good daughter until today that leverage wasn't needed. She could get anything she wanted with a 'Mommy… Daddy…. Please."
Next thing Jennifer understood was the alarm that rang on her bedside table. She was late. Her classes began at 9:30 and it was already 9:00. She heard her parents bickering outside her room. "No. I'm not going to wake her up. She has been through enough already." Her mother huffed. "She can't miss school because I forbade her from seeing that boy." Jennifer's father's voice was assertive.
"That boy had a name, Adrian." Jennifer shouted even before she stepped down from her bed. "You woke her up." Jennifer's mother sounded irritated. She came near Jennifer and pecked her forehead. "Mom, what time is it?" Jennifer rubbed her forehead that was throbbing badly. "9:10"
Shit.
Jennifer got up from her bed and started changing as soon as she could. He caught her father leaning at her room's door frame and smiling softly looking at her all rushed and worried. "Bye mom. I love you." Jennifer deliberately ignored her father. It should hurt, as he hurt her. Jennifer ran to catch her bus but unfortunately, she missed it.
Jennifer hailed a taxi, in hopes of still being able to get to school in time. They were making a U-turn when another car suddenly hit the right side of her car. The impact made her stay in shock for a moment. "You've got to be kidding me." She looked for her phone in her bag to call her parents just to find out that she left it at home for being such a rush.
~~~
"Hello?" Adrian answered his phone as he placed his notebook on the table, getting ready for the first class. "Hello? Boss?" A sweet voice says from the other line. Adrian passed his phone from one ear to another straightening his chest. "This is him."
"Ms. Jennifer Williams just got into a car accident-" Adrian cut the call as soon as he heard this and rushed out of the classroom heading to the police station. "Handle the teachers for me. Please." he told James while sprinting towards the door. "Why?" This question had a different meaning. James asked it not because why he would do it but why was he going alone. When in a mafia, you can't help but question security. "Jennifer got into an accident." He spilled the words, half panting.
Adrian was hoping it wasn't serious although he couldn't help but think about the endless possibilities of car crashes. Jennifer was sitting on a chair, swinging her legs waiting for her parents to arrive. She looked at her left and saw the taxi driver answering some questions. To her right, she could see two females reporting something.
It was busy in there. Jennifer never really liked Police departments because of the atmosphere they held. She had only been there once, but she didn't want to come back again. She sighed happily, glad it wasn't too serious. "Jennifer!" A familiar figure storms into the department running towards her in a panicked state.
Jennifer gripped her heart tightly when she noticed it was Adrian. Why was he here? They weren't supposed to be seen together. Her parents could come here any moment. Jennifer looked at him confused and gets up as he grabs her arms. "Are you okay?" he asks, checking every part of her body. Jennifer giggled when he turned her around inspecting her further.
"I'm fine but the taxi…."
"Jennifer, that's the least thing you should be worrying right now." He raised his voice. "But it's-" Jennifer tried to say something. "You know, I can but that stupid driver a whole fleet of cars tomorrow but I can never replace you or get a new you." This was a rare moment, when Adrian expressed his true feelings, the way her told her he loved her in his unique way.
"We are not supposed to meet. You know? My dad could come here any time." Jennifer whispered into his ear. "I don't care about that. Whenever you need me, I'll always be there. No matter who told you to stay away from me." Adrian's eyes held the most powerful beauty, worry, and fear. They were shiny and they piercing through Jennifer making her feel exactly how he was feeling, like he had transmitted his heart into her.
Loved.
It was then and there, Jennifer realized that Adrian wasn't just a friend anymore. She had been in love with Adrian, long before she even realized. She had fallen for him. This realization was euphoric as well as dreadful. Her father would never accept her relationship with Adrian. He already hated him too much and if he was right, Adrian was hiding something really big from her that he was a mafia boss. Jennifer understood everything in a single moment. Why was she jealous of that girl Adrian was in love with…. Why did she feel so angered when Debbie tried to claim Adrian as her's… why she had been rude to Mr. Rains the day she went to his home…. All because she was in love with Adrian.
The last piece of puzzle was fixed and Jennifer could see the whole picture together. Her insecurities, her anger, her jealousy, the reason she no more cried for Winston was because Winston was replaced by Adrian. She no more loved him..