Chapter 3

JAYDEN FROWNED as he watched Lucky as she walked from her work, the Pre-School, to her apartment. He's been protecting her and following her for two days now.

He felt nervous for the woman who seems to be talking to everyone who approached her.

Doesn't she notice that the men approaching her who are asking directions are really just wants to talk to her?

Can't she see that those men just wanted to take advantage of her niceness? That those men are ogling her?

His jaw clenched.

She's too trusting! She went inside his apartment when she barely knew him for fucks sake! She even brought him food and talk to him as if they knew each other for a quite a long time.

She's too nice!

His grip on the steering wheel tighten as he saw a man approached her and it looks like he was asking her for money.

He sighed when he saw that she took her purse from her bag and give the guy some money.

He shook his head.

In the past few days of him watching and protecting her from afar, he can say that this woman, is the most kindest person he have ever met.

Fuck!

And those fucking people are taking advantage of her!

She's too kind for this fuck up world! She should be protected and sheltered at all times!

He stopped clenching his jaw when he saw the guy grabbed Lucky's purse

"Fuck!"

He quickly step out his car and took big steps to get closed to the guy and punched him in the chest causing him to pull back and fall to the ground.

He snatched the purse that he was holding and then looked at the man darkly. "The next time you do that, I will kill you.

The guy quickly got up and started running in fear.

He, on the other hand, looked at Lucky who was her hand on her chest.

He walked over to her and handed her purse. "Be careful will you?" He said,not hiding the irritation he was feeling." What if that wasn't the only thing that man did to you? What if he hurt you? What will you do?"

She looked at and winced still she has her hand in her chest. "S--sorry."

Worry creased his forehead. "You don't look so good."

She stood up straight but it seemed to be that she was suffering pain on her chest. "I-I thought h-he needed help."

There seemed to be felt some sudden pity in his chest when he saw her hands were trembling.

She's scared.

He held her trembling hand. "I'm here, he's gone. It's okay."

She nodded and took deep breath. "He looks like h--he needs some help, so I helped and he just g--grab my purse…"

He sighed. "You're too trusting."

She looked at him. "I was just trying to help."

"Be careful who you help, Ms. Hart not all people, can be trustworthy."

He was surprised when she grabbed his hand and squeezed it tightly as if she was gaining strength from holding his hand while her face was slightly wrinkled.

"You're pale." He noticed.

She shook her head and smiled at him. "J-just scared. I-I'll go home now."

She released his hand and began to walk. She had not gone far when she suddenly fell to her feet.

He almost flew the space between him and Lucky, just to caught her body in time before her body fell on the concrete.

Thank God she's not unconscious.

"I'M TAKING you to the hospital."

"I-I'm okay." She whispered softly to Jayden as she was forcing herself to stand.

Lucky gasped a little when Jayden encircled his arms around her waist to assist her.

"Are you okay now?"

His face was very close to hers and she did not know why there was a strange tremor in her chest tightening due to the fear and shock she was experiencing.

She nodded then grabbed both of his shoulders to balance herself because their bodies were almost touching.

"I'm okay." She smiled. "I'll live."

Jayden stared at her. She knew she was pale now.

"Come on, I'll take you home." He said.

She bit her lower lip while still holding onto Jayden's shoulders. Even though she wanted to distance their bodies because of how strange she felt, she could not do it because she was still weak.

"My legs are still weak." She tried to stand on her own but failed. "You go on ahead, I'll follow you."

"Is it okay if---" He seems to be hesitant about what to say next."---I carry you?"

"I can walk." She insisted. Her heartbeat might have accelerated when the two of them got closer and maybe she could not breathe properly anymore. "I can do it."

"I know you can, but not right now." He carefully bent down and carried her, then he looked at her. "Is this okay? Am I making you uncomfortable?"

She shook her head. "It's okay. Thank you."

He just nodded and then started walking towards the apartment. And because her neck was numb, she leaned her head on his shoulder.

"You okay?" He asked while walking.

"Yeah…I think I can walk now." She said so that Jayden can stop carrying her now.

"I don't think so." He said.

"But I can--"

"Lucky be nice and let me carry you."

She pouted. "I am."

"Be nice to me. I'm carrying you."

"Okay."

He did not speak until they reached the front door of her apartment.

He finally put her down on her feet and helped her to stand properly.

"See?" She smiled at Jayden. "I told you I can do it on my own."

"I know."

"Then why did you still insisted to carry me?"

"I just want to. Shut up."

She shook her head then inserted the key into the keyhole then twist the door of her apartment open.

"Thanks again." She said when she get inside.

Jayden remained standing outside the door. "Next time, don't just help anyone. And never take your wallet out on the street. And stop talking to strangers, will you? Not all strangers are like me okay?"

She nodded even though she knew that he had no right to preach her, but she knew that the sermons that he were telling her are for her own good as well.

"Okay." She said.

"Good. Go on. Lock your door."

She nodded and smiled. "Thank you again."

He nodded and went to his own apartment.

Smiling, she closed the door and locked it then caressed her chest where her heart was.

She can still feel some lingering pain but she'll live.

She took the medicine out of the bag and drank it before entering the room. She took off her clothes and changed into more comfortable ones.

Cotton short and spaghetti strap.

"Ms. Hart?"

She was startled to hear Jayden's voice on the balcony.

She immediately went out on the terrace and stared at the man sitting on the railing while holding the glass jar she had given him.

"You need something?"

Jayden looked at her, then his eyes dropped to her breast.

He blinked before looking away. "You're not wearing a bra."

She looked down at her chest and shrugged. "It's not big, so I don't have much to hide."

He looked at her flatly. "You do realize I'm a male."

She nodded. "Yes. And my Grandmother said that males likes big boobies and mine is not really that so big so…yeah…"

He shook his head and face palmed. "Small or big, it's still a breast. I still like it---" He violently shook his head. "I mean, men still want it."

She looked at her chest again. "You can't see anything to mine, like what I said it's small."

He handed the glass jar to her. "Give me some." Changing the topic.

She smiled. "You like gummy bears now?"

"Nope."

"But you finished it." She pointed out.

He gave her a deadpan look. "You may or may forgotten, that you ate it all last night."

She winced.

'Oh right I did, didn't I?'

"Okay, I'll refill it."

She entered the room but instead of putting gummy bears in the glass jar that Jayden returned, she took the large glass jar on her study table and took it to the balcony.

"Are you planning to make me diabetic?" He asked when he saw the large glass jar she was carrying full of gummy bears and gummy worms.

"It's not that sweet." She said to her defense.

"It is to me."

She frowned. "Then no gummy bears to you."

He reached out and then snatched the glass jar from her."This is mine."

She rolled her eyes at him.

He sat on the railing again then opened the jar then ate a gummy bear "I hate sweets."

"Then why eat gummy bear?"

He took one and then brought it closer to her mouth."Because someone says that gummy bears can keeps the negativity away."

He smiled at what he said before accepting the gummy bear he's offering her. "Are you believing me now?"

"No."

Her smile fell. "Why are you so negative."

A cold smile crept to his lips. "Trust me, if what happened to me, happens to you, you'll be negative as well."

That got her curious. "What happened to you?"

"None of your business."

Instead of feeling bad about what he said, she smiled. "I know, I was just asking. It's okay if you don't answer me. Just don't be hostile towards me, I mean no harm."

He looked at her then sighed. "I snapped. I'm sorry."

"That's okay." Her smile remains. "All people has a story to tell but not all people has the guts to tell their story. Afraid that they might be judged."

"Do you--" Jayden looked at her in the eyes. "--have a story to tell and do you have the guts to tell your story."

"My story?" She smiled at Blake. "There is nothing interesting in my story. Half of my life, I lived in the Hospital. I was homed-schooled because I was too weak to go to School. I don't have a happy childhood." The smile on her lips remains. "I fought to live."

"What do you mean."

"I'm a cancer survivor."

Jayden looked at her in awe. "You are?"

She nodded. "I was ten when I was diagnosed with bone cancer. It hasn't spread yet but it is still painful. But I never asked God to just take me away even when it hurts. I asked him to let me live and experience what life can offer me. He heard my prayer. I got better. But when I was seventeen, it came back again. But God has my back so I live. But five years after that," She tapped her heart, "This one started to give up on me…but not me, I won't give up my life just because I keep getting sick. No. My heart will be okay. I'm strong. I'm not named Lucky for nothing."

"A survivor." Jayden whispered.

She smiled brightly at him. "So don't be negative okay? Enjoy every second of the day. Look at me, my heart is giving up on me but I'm still fighting because I don't want to die. I want to live. For as long as I can. For my Grand-mommy and Grand-daddy.

Jayden averted his eyes. He looks ashamed over something when he looked at her again, he's smiling. "You're right. You're stronger than you look."

She laughed. "I told you I am."

He stared at her. "You're too kind, and too nice but not too sweet."

She pouted. "I can be sweet. For your information, I'm sweet to my Grandparents."

He's still staring at her intently. "Are you also sweet to your boyfriend?"

She shook her head. "NBSB."

His eyebrow shot upwards. "But you're pretty."

She shrugged. "Actually you are the first man I have ever seen half-naked in person up close."

His lips parted. "Oh. So that's why you can't keep your hands to yourself."

She can't help but blushed. "Don't blame me. Blame your tattoos. They're pretty."

Her lips parted and she was startled when he suddenly took off the clothes he was wearing.

"Holy Mother of God…" She said softly while looking at his muscular body. "Get dressed!" She closed her eyes. "You're making my eyes sinful. I will tell Grand-mommy about this."

Jayden chuckled. "Don't close your eyes. Keep looking and if you want to see more, just tell me."

She slowly opened her eyes and then stared at his v-line on his abdomen.

Good God! This man is so hot. Does he even know how gorgeous and hot he is?

She seemed to want to shrink. Her looks are okay, but she is not really pretty, pretty. She's a normal looking woman. But why does she belittle herself?

This is what God has given to her. She should flaunt it and be proud of it.

"Get dressed." She told Jayden, not looking at his body even though she wanted to stare more."I'm getting out of breath because of you."

He laughed and it's the first time she heard and saw him laugh.

"If you want to see a naked man's body up close and personal, come to me."He said teasing her."I'll gladly take my clothes off for you."

She rolled at her eyes at him. "Liar. You really didn't want to be touched the other day. You even took a step back."

Jayden chuckled while looking at her. "Why do you have to be so adorable?"

"I'm adorable because I am pretty."

"Well beauty fades but GMRC remains."

She frowned. "GMRC? Like Good Manners and Right Conduct?"

"Yeah."

She thought about it for a second and then she smiled broadly. "Hey! I have good manners and right conduct. That's me." She's grinning ear to ear.

"Yes." He stared at her. "It's you."

She did not know why she was happy. But she had to calm himself. Too much happiness can affect her heart.

"Good night."She said suddenly.

He furrowed his eyebrows. "It's still early."

"It's getting cold. I might get sick."

He nodded."Okay. Good night. Sweet dreams."

Sweet dreams. She secretly smiled bitterly. There's no sweet in her dreams. Only nightmares plague in her sleep.

"You too." She said before entering her room at closed the sliding door in the balcony.

When she lay down on the bed, she felt regret. She still wants to talk to Jayden. She likes talking to Jayden. He makes her smile and happy. But too much happiness is not advisable.

Too much happiness is bad for my health.