"How do you think my father was able to clear every evidence in the court when he was caught selling drugs?" Adrian said. James shrugged. "I don't know about it in detail." He said making a suspicious face. "My dad also had a group of goons in town. Although I don't know all of them and their identities, I am pretty sure they are strong." Adrian said in a matter of fact tone. "Of course! If they were able to destroy evidences for the court. They must be too vicious." James added.
"So, that is why I can't deny them. I'm afraid they would harm her to get me do their work." Adrian released the first piece of information with regret. "That explains why you are not going home but if this was true, you should keep Jennifer near you. Now more than ever. Why are you pretending to cheat on her with Debbie?" James said these lines and instantly realized. "Oh my god! Adrian don't tell me you did this because you thought if she was near you she would fall in love with you and if you had to break her heart.." James stopped when he noticed Adrian nodding.
James made a really frustrated face. "I always tell you to ask me before doing anything because I know. I know that you become impulsive when it comes to her. I know that your mind and brain and intellectual ability and whatever the hell it is called, actually goes to hell when Jennifer is involved. Yet you do this blunder! Adrian I'm so done with you." James acted like he was really angry with Adrian. "I'm sorry James, please don't leave now. I'm desperate for a solution. It is tearing me apart to hurt her. It seriously hurts too much. Please." Adrian begged him to stay.
James maintained a stone face and then burst into laughter instantly. Adrian was shocked. "Why are you laughing? I'm serious." Adrian almost knocked himself over with the force he said these lines. "I was joking. Have I ever left you? How can I leave now? My master Adrian." James joked around. Adrian acted like he was so offended. "That was like not funny. I really thought you were going to say bye bye, meet you never. Right now." Adrian said as he repositioned himself.
His right body was sore by taking all his weight. "Wait. Let me help you." James offered and helped Adrian sit in a comfortable position again before they resumed their conversation. "From what I think, you should tell Jennifer about it. It's a couple problem. None of you can solve it alone." James offered his first piece of advice and he was sure he would get rejected, just by the audacity he had when he put it forward. His precious Jennifer, bearing the weight of his problems. Never. Not even in his wildest dreams. "No." Adrian said. As expected. "I can't let Jennifer know about this. She would willingly give up everything, just to keep me out of trouble." James knew this would come so he had a comeback already.
"What if she doesn't know that your father's goons are looking for her and they come for her without you? Hmm. Would she be able to protect herself? She will not be aware and most probably, become one of their victims." James touched the nerve. He was so sure. Adrian's turn of facial expressions confirmed it. "You're right." Adrian realized. "What should I do?" Adrian went into panic. "Simple. Tell her. Talk to her and clarify that it was all fake. That you are not dating Debbie. That you are in love with her." James couldn't believe how stupid he had turned in love.
"Is it that easy?" Adrian questioned himself. "No. I won't be able to look her in the eye. Her eyes hold nothing but disappointment and hurt." Adrian shook his hands in the air. "That is the only way. Now don't waste your time. You should be talking to her rather than me." James held his hand as if giving him strength to handle it. "Should I drop you at her home?" James asked, getting up. "I feel like we should talk in the den. Her parents might be home and my home is out of question." Adrian suggested.
"Wait, let me call her." James took out his phone and called Jennifer. Jennifer picked up the call. James put the phone on speaker and said, "Jennifer.." he was instantly cut off by her wobbly voice. "Adrian has done enough damage. Take your best friend and go away. Please leave me alone James. I'm not in a mood for talking." Jennifer cut the call. "She was crying." Adrian noticed. Jennifer had done was really good job in hiding the grief in her voice but it wasn't enough to fool Adrian.
"Hmm…I know. Then what should we do?" James turned his face towards Adrian after stuffing his phone in his pocket only to see him crying silent tears. James crouched down, at his level. "It's going to be okay." He said Adrian show was acting as if his world was crashing down. "Adrian I promise. She will call you back. She loves you." James said in a wise tone. Adrian was again back to staring at a twig. A few minutes passed and as expected Jennifer called James.
"See." James said before picking up the call. "Is he sick?" Jennifer asked. "No." James replied. "Did he get into a fight?" Jennifer asked. "No." James replied. "Is he okay?" Jennifer asked her third question. "No." James answered for the third time. Jennifer was silent at the answer. Adrian was not okay. She wanted to ask about what happened but stopped herself. She didn't care about what happened to him. Right? After a few minutes she decided that acting was worthless. He was going to know about it anyways. Jennifer had been so open about her feelings towards him.
"He wants to talk to you." James said. "No. Not after what he did to me. He will not talk to me and next time you want to advocate for him, I suggest you get a degree in law because after what he did to me, I am not at all wiling to see his face, let alone talk to him." Jennifer had put her foot down. If he was toxic, he would be cut out no matter how much it hurt her. "Do you even love me anymore?" Adrian said in between their conversation. His voice was dripping of regret and grief, making Jennifer's heart ache for him.
How much she missed him? How much she wanted to hug him? Tell him that no matter what he did to her, she will be there with him. Jennifer also noticed that Adrian was crying. "Why aren't you replying?" Adrian snatched the phone from James' hand and screamed in the device. His voice broke at the end, dissolving into a puddle of whimpers and sobs. On the other side of the line, Jennifer couldn't control herself as well. When she heard him cry, her tears also made their way onto her cheeks.