8

"Good Morning." Jaime greeted with a warm smile as he joined Paula inside the kitchen.

As usual, he greeted her with a kiss on her cheek but today, she felt really awkward about it considering what had happened between them just last night.

Seeing how naturally he acted, she could guess he really didn't know anything that had happened between them and she was thankful for it. How would she have been able to handle the awkwardness?

"Good morning. Hope you slept well?" She asked returning his smile even though it was a bit forced.

Since he didn't know about it, there was no need being awkward about it right? So she began to relax. She just had to act like nothing happened.

"Hell yea, I did. You know, I was really scared when I woke up and didn't see you beside me. I thought something bad happened but when I checked the time, it was already 9 am. I can't believe I slept for that long." He said with a sigh.

"You needed it. You can just go freshen up. I'll heat up your breakfast and call you down here. It's cold already." She said with her back to him and began to set the microwave.

"Are you okay?" He asked walking closer to touch her forehead so he could feel her temperature, but she unconsciously stepped back and gave him an apologetic look when he frowned in confusion.

"What's wrong? Did I do something wrong?" He asked as he looked at her face intently. He couldn't think about anything he had done to make her withdraw from him like this?

He could tell she was withdrawing. It was obvious because she was always chatty around him. Although he knew he shouldn't expect her to be the same especially after finding out that she was being stalked, but he couldn't help the feeling that something was actually wrong with her aside from that.

Seeing how worried he looked, she sighed before turning off the microwave and went to sit in one of the kitchen chairs.

"I'm sorry. You did nothing wrong Jaime." She said with her forehead resting in her hand.

It wasn't his fault. what happened last night was totally normal. She reminded herself. There was no need being hung on it.

''Then, does it have to do with you being stalked? You shouldn't let it bother you too much. I'll think about something and make sure I find whoever is behind it. Okay?" He asked and sat down beside her to take her small hands in his large hands.

She looked at his concerned face and smiled. What would she have done without him?

"But I'm really curious about something." He said searching her eyes to watch her reaction when he asked,

"Tell me the truth. I won't get mad."

"What truth?" She asked uncomfortably.

Did he really know about what happened between them last night?

She shifted uncomfortably in her sit as she waited for him to answer.

"Are you still into any illegal stuffs?" He asked in a whisper.

She really would have sighed out in relief but she kept a straight face and shook her head.

"No Jaime. I already stopped. For the past 7 years I really haven't done anything against the law. I have been living honestly as a teacher." She explained.

"I'm just trying to wonder who it was that is probably stalking you. But you don't have to worry too much about it okay? I'm here for you." He said with a small smile and when she returned it, he pulled her into a gentle hug.

"I just want you to be fine." He said before patting her back gently.

"I was thinking about something..."

"What is it?" He asked pulling away from the hug to look at her face.

"If I am being stalked, I guess the person may probably have an access into this house. And I don't know ..." She began to move her head around.

"What if there is a bug somewhere? Or a camera?" She whispered in fear.

"You want us to search the house?"

"I want us to move out. Let's just go somewhere else for now. Probably to Linda's or—"

"Are you going to tell Linda that you are being followed?" He asked making her sigh in resignation.

"What about an hotel?" She asked eagerly.

"The neighbours and everyone, what are they going to think? You know you are a teacher and I care about your reputation." He said gently squeezing her hand in his.

"I'll call over some professionals to come check the house for bugs and hidden cameras. Besides, if whoever that is means his stalking business, he would also know wherever we are moving to." He explained.

"I'm so sorry I'm putting you through all of this." She cried.

This was really scary.

"It's okay. If I don't do it, who will mum?" He smiled once again, making her smile back.

"I've told you to stop calling me that." She said before she playfully slapped his arm.

He cackled alongside her as he said.. "I told you I can't stop now."

"Well, whatever! Don't just call me that in the presence of others okay?"

"Let's hope so Mama." He said and kissed her cheek before leaving for his room.