Die on my Watch

I lost everything and I thought that there's nothing left for me.

Not until I met you, I started to look at simple things and noticed that I already have enough and there's no gap in my life anymore.

Through beautiful nightmares and lovely disasters, I love you.

_________________________________

"Good thing that your neighbors are still awake when the fire occurred."Simon was relieved when the fireman warned them to be careful and allowed them to enter the mansion after the smoke had been extinguished and diffused. Even so, the authorities still gave them safety masks.

Julie and Simon just watched Jayden think deeply in the corner.

It is obvious that he is extremely frustrated right now that it can make anyone who sees him feel the same he feels.Despite having many questions in mind, Julie still chose to keep her mouth shut and wait for the day to end.

____Julie____

"I will be back again next week. It's good to know that mom is in good shape now. Just call me incase something happened there.”I smiled at Aunt Tessie and kissed her cheek before I took a taxi.

Three days have passed since the fire broke out in the part of Simon's house and he let me leave the house for a while to visit mom because after afterall it is my day off today.I also told Aunt Tessie that I might not be able to visit in the next few weeks. And if there is a problem here, they can just call me.

A few days passed and I continued to tease Jayden who returned to normal after the incident. He goes back to being ignorant and barbaric to talk to. Honestly, I'm more comfortable with that kind of behavior than the one he just stayed at one side and I can't read what he was thinking.

I decided to go from the nearby mall to buy clothes for me,Aunt Tessie and mom. I haven't been able to buy clothes for them for a few months. I used the money I had saved from the allowances Simon gave me and I first thought of buying them clothes right away.

It's been a long time since I last went shopping because of my current situation. My life only revolves around work and home. And I remembered not coming home multiple times just to finish the hefty job my boss gave me. I went to many boutiques and just like before, I was greeted by some salesladies who also became my friends because of my frequent visits here.

"Julie!"all of them ran towards me just to hug me tightly.

"You’re not coming here these last months! What happened?"one of them asked but I just smiled at them. "Long story, Wendy." I said as I watch the others immediately returned to work when a customer arrived.

Oh, god knows how much I miss this place! And the people here too!

I just got a few clothes before going to the cashier. I caught up with Wendy fixing some shoes on the side. She glanced at me and stopped what she was doing to immediately go in my direction. Wendy scanned the price tag of my purchases one by one and looked outside after putting the clothes on the paperbag.

“Is that your boyfriend outside? He’s been waiting there since you came."she asked while typing and preparing the receipt of my purchases.I was surprised by what Wendy said so I immediately looked at who it was referring to.

I saw Jayden in the distance and when he saw me looking at him, he just waved and smiled. "Ah, I don't like that guy! Just a friend of--" I stopped speaking when I realized something. I turned to Wendy with an outstretched hand to hand over the paperbag of everything I had bought.

"Wendy?" Her eyebrows rose and she waited for what I would say next.

"What are you thinking now?" she frowned and looked at me as if taking a surprise at what I said. "Do you want to tell me something?" I asked after a bitter smile on his lips before looking at Jayden who was outside.

"We can talk outside."

___________

"You've been diagnosed with brain cancer?"I couldn't stop myself and I just panicked. Wendy bent down and I knew she was holding back the tears that were about to drip from her eyes. I grabbed his trembling hands and squeezed them."What stage?"

"It can't be cured, Julie. It's too late since I've been restless and they've diagnosed it not so soon."she said in between her sobs. "I remember the day you helped me pay my medical bills until I get cured. I was very happy back then. At least I got to be with my mom even in her last breath and now, I think I’ll be seeing her soon."I turned to Jayden who was next to me and listened intently to our conversation.I tightened my grip on Wendy's hand and hugged her.

"You are a brave woman. I just want you to know that miracle can happen if you chose to believe in it."I did not say it out loud but I knew she heard it and understood it well. I am also not true with my words because I knew to myself that I doubted miracles up to this moment.

"I am very happy to know that there's someone who believes that I can win this battle."she hugged me back and I can tell that what she said was genuine.

Now, I know why she sees Jayden.

_____________

"You know what, it almost creeps me out. I thought that everyone is actually seeing--"

"Shut up."I frowned by his reaction.We are now on our way back to the mansion and there is no one around.

It looks like he doesn't want to talk about it. I saw a glint of hope in his eyes earlier so I know that he was thinking the same thing as I am when I talked with Wendy.

I stopped talking and so did Jayden until we got home.

I immediately brought the clothes I had bought to my room and wore them. I looked at my own reflection in the mirror and I was happy to remember my old life that all I knew was blabbering on. Soon, I sat on the bed first and picked up my phone that had been ringing earlier due to various notifications.

Then I noticed a message from an unknown number. I checked out the message and it came from the person I least expected.

From: Unknown number

I haven't heard of you these past few years, Julie. It’s me Paul. Can I see you tonight?

Even though I do not know the number, I know who sent it.

Of course, he will not hear of me since I cut all the contacts involving him!

I know that he got my contact number from his dad, who is a police officer. Before I could die of rage, I dropped my phone on the bed and just lay down.

He is the part of my life I want to forget.

Those moments were the brightest and somehow darkest days of my life. I don't want to bring back those memories because I know that there's no way for me to return there and I hate it when I see that I am left out. I became miserable placed in a miserable life.

It would be better to be like this and no one will feel sorry for me when they find out where I am now. I just pulled my hair and punched the pillow next to me.

"Julie, are you there?"I heard Jayden's voice and I knew he could not knock because the others around might notice it.

I got up from the bed and opened the door. His face showed the shock of seeing my messy hair. "What happened?" He asked worriedly.

"Nothing. What's the matter?" I asked here while fixing the knotted strands of my hair. Jayden cleared his throat first but averted his gaze before scratching his nape.

What's happening with Jayden? He doesn't looks fine at all.

"On the second thought, I might tell you this some other time.” he said and walked away. Hey, what was that?

I just went back to bed and closed my eyes until I didn't realize that I was slowly falling asleep.

"No one dares to look at us after what you did, Paul." I stopped my tears from falling and kept myself calm. I don't want to make a scene especially since I have a good reputation here. I do not want to tarnish the image of my family and even more I do not want to be violent just because of the foolishness this man did to me.

"I'm sorry, Julie. I didn’t mean to let you found out about Samantha and me this way, I was drunk--"

"Drunk or not, they should not see those videos if you weren't the first one to record them!" I couldn't stop shouting at him. I did get the attention of some people in here and I forgot how well I restrain myself from making a scene. They all returned to what they're doing when I shot glances at them.

"And one more thing, you are committed to me at that time! I don’t know how you kept up on fooling me all this time! I may not slap or kill you now but I promised that one day will come and you’ll find your way to hell." he looked stunned from what I said and that's when I took the chance to get out of the place and go to a place where there is no one around.

I already forgiven Paul many years from now but I can't promise that I will still trust him after that incident. We lost contact with each other when I left our home town and I knew he would never find me again.

But as I always said, my dark past keeps following me wherever I go.

I woke up and looked at the white ceiling. Another day starts and I'm still looking forward to how I will do the task that Simon has given me.

Somehow, I knew it wasn't that easy to befriend Jayden because until now I had never heard a story from him. He is like a book with blank pages. He may talk to me sometimes but that doesn't mean that he considers me as a companion.

For him to accept his life, he must think that he has a companion to talk to.

"Good morning."Simon greeted me when he saw me preparing breakfast. I immediately greeted him and went to where he was to push the wheelchair he was sitting.We also invited the housemaids to eat but as usual, Jayden did not eat with us.

I still remember the last thing he said to me.

"Did you need something to eat? I mean, no one sees you and you're somehow immortal so you don't need anything to fill up your stomach since you can't die."Jayden looked at me seriously and sighed because he thought maybe he could do nothing but tell me the answer.

"Look here, woman. I may not die of hunger but I might die if I do not taste the food you eat.And anything I eat vanishes right away but I can still feel hunger." he said quickly and my mouth just went 'oh'.

It's true, if you are in a restaurant and you are full to the brim and you can find delicacies, you can definitely not stop eating or just tasting.

I'm a little sad that even with food, Jayden can’t join us, especially since there are maids who can’t take their eyes off Simon or they all lose their jobs. Simon can’t talk to him nor reserve some space for him at the dining table. I heard that Simon left food for him at night but that seems sad.

I don’t know why I was suddenly scared. What if he suddenly disappears? I fear the possible consequences of this.

"Julie?"Simon grabbed my attention and even waved his hands in front of me.

"Yes? What are you saying again?” I asked and continued eating my meal. "Oh, I was asking you what happened when you came home? Did you finish your business there? I might feel guilty if you came here when you have still something to do back there."I know he has a guilty conscience but I can't help but smile when he pouted.

"I always have responsibilities so what's new?"I laughed and just continued eating until we were all done.

There was some food left on the table and Dolores left first to bring Simon back to his room. Simon doesn’t want to eat in his room even if he finds it hard to get up.

Another maid was about to put the untouched food in a plastic bag but I immediately stopped her. "Mind if I can have these?" she nodded and I can’t help but to smile. I put the food on a plate before placing it on the tray. I quickly lifted the tray and carried it upstairs. I could still feel the people at the kitchen followed me by their stares but I don’t care.

"Jayden."I said softly after making sure no one was around. Jayden's room is separate from ours. What people here know is that this room is not occupied and is for guests only. Simon also strictly instructed never to open the room no matter what happens.

After making sure Jayden noticed that I was standing outside the door, I opened the door and went inside.

"Hey, what are y-" he couldn't finish what he was about to say when I went straight to the table and laid down the hot food. "You came here to give me this?"he pointed at the tray. I just smiled and tapped him on the shoulder.

"You will not die on my watch, Jayden." I winked at it before sitting on the vacant chair not so far from him. He started eating but only stopped when he realized I had not left his room yet. “Why are you still...here?”he asked, looking so confused. I crossed my arms and laid my back on the chair. “I just want to see you finish the food, I’ll return the utensils after so nobody will be suspicious, right?”

I don’t know what he is thinking right now but I know it’s not his gloomy thoughts.

"Thanks, woman."finally, I see a genuine smile from him. I looked away because he may find it embarrassing if someone is intently looking at him eating his food.

"Always welcome, Jayden."I muttered and tried my best to hide my smile.