Jane left the park in a bad mood because those two didn't stop pestering her not until she had given her phone number.
She was never interested on those things really. It's not her thing.
Jane decided to go to Jake's tea house hoping that by having a cup, it would alleviate her mood.
When she reached the shop, Ben was manning the cash registry. There shop was almost full. There were only three remaining vacant seats. And a few were lining up on the counter to order.
Aside from Ben, there's another guy taking the orders.
They were really busy considering that they're in a good location and it's a Sunday with a good weather.
Friends prefer to hang out on the weekend. Especially on Sundays.
Jane could tell that they were fellow students like her. Probably from the university nearby.
Jane then looked around to check if Jake was present and yes he was. He was probably doing something at the back when she came in earlier.
Jane then slowly walked towards the queue line to wait for her turn to order her milk tea.
After the three people ahead of her were done taking their orders, Jane then scanned the place for available seats. She thought of having a take out should there be no available table inside the shop.
But since there's one, she decided to do otherwise.
"Hello friend, what can I do for you?" Jake asked without looking at her.
"Um, can I have one original flavor please? Regular size." She said and Jake immediately looked up to look at her.
Jake had become familiar with Jane's voice therefore he immediately checked on the person taking her order.
"J-Jane?" He stuttered as he was unsure if she was actually Jane because she had looked different.
Jane answered that with a smile and chuckle.
"I'm sorry. I thought you're Jane. You sounded the same." He immediately apologized as he still could not recognize her.
Then he prepared Jane's order.
"And oh, can I add macaroons, please?" She added.
"No problem!" Then Jake continued what he was doing.
"Who is this Jane?" Jane could not help but tease the young man.
"Oh! She's a schoolmate of mine. She's a kind-hearted lady. Sadly, she is being bullied at school because of the way she presented herself."
Jane could hear Jake's strong sigh as he continued.
"I really don't get how people is so blinded to not see how amazing she is as a person. Just because of her appearance, people would mistreat her and kept on calling her names that they thought would fit her when she already has a beautiful name."
Realizing that he was almost ranting, he immediately apologized to Jane who was trying to hold back her chuckle.
"It's okay. Jane will surely be glad knowing this. You seemed to care for her, young man." She said.
"Of course! She's the person I have looked up to. Sadly, I was a coward back then and didn't dare to defend her with all the bullying that she have had suffered. But now, I won't let them do it to her. Not on my watch!" He vowed.
"Ohoh! Why do you want to protect her?"
"Because..." 'She's the woman I secretly like and admire.' He really wanted to say that but decided to hold himself back.
He was still not strong to defend Jane in front of his family.
So instead, he changed it into, "...she's my friend. And she's a good person."
"Here's your order." He then handed her order on a tray. He really had no idea that he was actually talking to Jane.
Jane then took a few bills from her wallet and then gave it to him as payment. Jane then went to Ben to record the sales on the POS and to also get her change.
Jake then came back to the counter and gave Jane the change.
There were four more lining up behind her, patiently waiting for their turn.
The young lady behind her even uttered, "Flirt."
They thought that she was trying to flirt with Jake.
Seriously? They really have to get their eyes and ears checked.
Jane decided to ignore them as she faced Jake again.
"Thank you, Jake. And thank you for treating me as a friend." She said knowingly and Jake's jaw dropped as she subtly admitted that she was Jane.
Before he could even react, Jane had already left and walked towards the vacant table by the glass wall.
As he realized that, Jake immediately removed his apron then asked the other boy to man the counter and then he went out to catch up with Jane.
"Jane, wait!" He called but Jane ignored him and she settled on the vacant table.
Everyone present on the store was also looking towards them.
She then looked up to entertain Jake who was catching his breath.
"Hey! Sorry if I was not able to recognize you sooner." He sincerely apologized.
She smiled at him in response and then said, "It's fine. You did recognize my voice."
"No it's not. I'm such a bad friend."
Jake really wanted to talk to Jane in private as this was the first time they had seen again since what had happened that Monday afternoon.
"Do you mind coming with me?" He asked with a serious tone.
Jane already knew where Jake was going to take her.
Since she had not opened the lid of her milk tea, she placed back into the tray and then stood up.
"Sure."
Jake took the lead and they walked upstairs and they reached the roof deck.
He even offered Jane to carry the tray for her but Jane decided to decline.
"Now I know where did you get the inspiration of having a space on the roof top." She said while placing the tray at the bench.
"Yeah. My brother and I like hanging out in high places. We found our comfort on the roof top at school." He honestly said.
"I see." Jane said as she sat down on the bench.
Jake on the other hand didn't sit down but he leaned on the railings of the roof deck while looking at her.
Jane could feel him frowning while looking at her.
"Do I really look that unrecognizable?" She finally asked him.
"Honestly, yes. Had I not heard you speaking, I won't be able to recognize you." He sincerely said.
"I see. So which one do you prefer? This one or the old one?" She curiously asked.
"Hmm. Both." He said while readjusting himself.
"And my I know why?"
"Because your personality never depends on how you look." 'It's the goodness of your heart that makes you attractive, Jane.' He continued in his thought.
Good thing Jane was not holding him or else she would be know what he really felt.
"Right! But that's not how it goes. It's always the appearance first before looking what is really deep inside."
And that's sad.
"You looked fantastic Jane. And it is really surprising to see this sudden transformation in you. What did you do?" He could not help but ask.
"Um. Someone told me that I should learn how to give importance on myself more. And that's what I did. Do you want some?" She didn't forget to offer her macaroon to him.
"No, I'm good." He instantly replied.
Seeing that he didn't want to, Jane took a bite on it and then she sipped on her milk tea.
To make her reason more believable, she then added, "Prior to the accident, my life has been divided between school and two other part-time jobs. And now that I have more time for myself, this is the result."
"Alright! That's good."
"Yeah. Honestly, after being stuck in the hospital for three months, my skin had gotten a little lighter. It worries me that it will catch their attention so I decided to cover it up." She continued.
'Liar!' She could not help but castrate herself because of lying.
Then, Jane decided to do something that even surprised her.
"Honestly, I am not my mother's daughter. And I have a lighter skin than them. So I would always stay under the sun back then to achieve the skin color close to my Mama's." She was obviously half-telling the truth and at the same time half-lying.
She did try to stay under the sun. But to her disappointment, just like her hair, it changed back to it's original color after a day or two.
That's when she had decided to use those matte cosmetics that would last longer on her skin even if she was sweating.
When swimming or gym class came, she would excuse herself to the infirmary just to escape. She would just ask the teacher to give her a special project so she would pass the subject with a passing rate.
Putting all of that aside, Jane knew that she had to tell someone this story to make her explanation to be believable later on.
Of course, she won't tell him her reason for covering her skin color.
"And I didn't know that my desire to not look different from my siblings would make me a target of bullying."
And truth enough, when Jake heard her, he immediately sat beside her to give comfort. But Jane waved her hand to stop him.
"I'm sorry." He immediately apologized.
"It's fine. It's just that, you're my first male friend and I feel-"
"-awkward. It's okay. I understand." Jake didn't let Jane to finish what she was trying to say.
"Well, you're my first female friend, too." He sincerely added.
What he said really surprised Jane.
"Really?!"
And Jake just nodded shyly.
Given how strict the General was, that explained it.
"Um, so does this mean that you'll look like this at school from now on?" He could not help but ask.
"Maybe." She said casually.
"Well, how you look like doesn't really matter. But I guess, you have to explain this sudden change to Director Lopez."
"I don't think it would be necessary. Once I wear my eye glasses back I will still look the same. Not much have changed except for my skin color and my hair."
"Well, you have clear facial skin now, too." Jake had pointed out.
"Yeah. About that. Then I'll just let those pimples to grow back again." She said.
"Silly!" Jake could not help but chuckle.
"But I guess you're right. I better give Director a heads up so there won't be any confusion or any drama after I report next semester."
They both chuckled either way.
"I know it's already late to ask now. How have you been? We haven't seen each other since last Monday. Is this connected to what I did to your brother?" She threw many questions to him at the same time.
"Well, for the record, I would say my brother deserved what you have done to him." Jake started.
Then, he heaved a sigh as he continued, "I left our house."
Jane gasped and then uttered, "What?! Why?"
"I just simply don't like how they're trying to control me. I know it's unfilial and rude to say this but, I hate General and my old man." He honestly answered.
Something big must have happened for him to come up with that decision.
"I see. But still, they're your family whether you like it or not." She said.
"I know. But I just can't stand it anymore. So I decided to run away from home. I know that I'm capable of living an independent life. Living in a boarding school abroad and even here really taught me that." He explained.
"Is this why you are also working here in your own milk tea shop? How about Mrs. Shaw? Did she support this, too?"
"My answer to both questions is yes. Mama supported me with this. Not because she didn't want me there but because she herself knew how General treated me and Gab. Also, she knew me better than my own father."
Jake had nothing but respect and love to Mrs. Shaw. She's a good step-mother to him and Gab.
"Since classes will resume two weeks from now, I decided to lend my help rather than hiring another worker."
"I see. Well, honestly, I know you're a responsible young man. You won't jump into making a decision that you know you will regret later on. If you need help, I'll be on standby." She sincerely said.
That's what her oath as his new friend. She would never turn her back to a friend in trouble and in need.
"Hahaha. Okay! I'll definitely keep that in mind." Jake said with a smile.
Jake felt good knowing that someone was supportive with his decision to separate from his family and live independently.
He really thought that she would persuade him to go back and apologize to his father and grandfather for being stubborn.
Deep down, he was scared honestly. But as he thought of the things he could do and achieve while living an independent life, it motivated him to not surrender when hardships came.
There's no greater feeling than living an independent and free life.
After Jane was done with her tea, Jake invited him for a dinner on a small diner nearby. But Jane had other thought in mind.
"Do you have a functional kitchen inside?" She asked.
"Yes. Ben and I have been staying here for a week now." He said.
"Good. Go back inside, I'll buy some ingredients to cook for dinner tonight." She said.
Jake wanted to accompany her to the supermarket but Jane declined.
She believed that she could do it with Jane's memories.
Also, the milk tea shop was very busy and it won't be good if he'd leave them behind.
And so, Jane went to the supermarket and bought the ingredients needed for the simple dinner menu that she would prepare.
After getting everything, she then paid to the cashier and left the place.
When she arrived, Jake lead her to the kitchen and there, she cooked pork stew with bone marrow and vegetables, spring rolls and stuffed with diced carrots, potatoes, ground pork and spices in it. She also cooked rice for them and some salad.
After that, she called Jake, Ben and the other helper to have dinner.
But the two told them to eat first so someone could man on the counter.
When Jake and Jane was done, Jake went to the counter and Jane decided to volunteer to be the temporary cashier until Ben was done.
It was almost nine when she decided to bid goodbye to them.
Jake wanted to send her back to the dorm but she declined.
The two exchanged phone numbers so it would be easier to keep in touch.
When Jane left the left the milk tea shop, Jake was smiling from ear to ear. And Ben teased him when he went back inside.
As for Jane, she went home with a smile on her face, too.