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Jacqueline's POV
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I took off my bag and left it on a couch, packed my hair up, rolled up the long sleeves of my shirt..
Pushing the urge to sit and watch the television, aside; something I haven't done in ages because for starters, Allan stays there a lot and another, I can't get comfortable around Allan.
I started work in the living room, getting stuffs in order, throwing some to the waste basket and wiping dirts off the chairs, table, TV, the fireplace, furnitures and then the floor. Everywhere looks neat on a farther view but doing the cleanings right now; I've realized just how dirty it is. You can't judge a book by its cover.
Who could believe that a grouchy neat-on-the-outside dude could live comfortably in a dusty place like this?..
I sighed and quickly dressed the other rooms too, I arranged the shelf, dust the closets, wiped greasy stains from the window and wiped the dirts, mopped the floor and dressed the bed. Doing the rest of work and dabbing beads of sweat from my forehead with the back of my palm, I moved to the kitchen and a sigh passed my lips at the messy sight. I glanced at the clock, 5:23, I started work, more aggressively this time.. Disposing stuffs here and there, keeping this and that... I took the pan from under an icebox filled with water from the melting ice, I threw the water out and kept the pan under it again. I was done with the kitchen in no time and the rest of the house.. I walked outside, going to the garden, I started work there by picking dirts, I moved to the garden hose, wiped the leaves that had soil on them.. I did the rest and finally walked out after watering the garden..
By the time I rounded up, I was out of breath and completely worn out, the time was 6:05. Doggone it! I'm late for work. I unrolled my sleeves, took my bag and dashed out of the house, the gate opened and I moved out.
I hailed a cab and while in it, I sent a text to Nik. The cab dropped me and I rush out... "Miss! My payment" he yelled and with a word of apology, I tossed it to him and rushed to work.
My boss insisted I spend more minutes, since I arrived late and I did. Getting to the next job, I passed a word of apology to my boss, earned a questioning look from Noel which I ignored and started my work share.
Again I was told to stay longer and I did.. After work, Noel walked me home, stopping a little farther from it, he told me bye and left. I walked to my house and used the stairs.. Getting to our floor, I walked to the door but it was locked.. I was about knocking when I saw a folded paper on the floor, I picked it up and unfolded it.
*I''m too stressed to open up for a night worker. I hope you have a bad night*
Ugh! Allan!
I let out a sigh and lean on the wall. I was completely worn out, I had envisioned, going to bed immediately but now I think I'll be using the cold floor tonight.. There isn't even a blanket or matress, he couldn't pity me enough to drop that. He always fancy my sufferings. I went to the stairs and sat on it, resting my head on the wall with my bag clutched in my palms, I thought about so many things.. If I keep working for Nik I guess my nights will keep getting dreadful.
I sighed and drove my thoughts to other things and gradually darkness took over me.
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Nicholas POV
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I emerged from my dad's room which was surprisingly looking very neat, it was obvious there's been a transformation, same goes to the kitchen, toilet, bathroom and then the garden. I walked back to the living room and surveyed it. Nodding satisfactorily.. Not bad for a starter. I tilt my head and on the fireplace I noticed a small pile of dusty dirt resting on it.. I moved to it and examined, it's a dust though it's little but it's still visible. Okay she must've cleaned this up hurriedly, does she even clean her house? I mean an average lady ought to ensure all stains are wiped when cleaning.. If there happens to be even a little peck of dust or some misplaced furniture then you can't call it cleaning.. Such a lazy ass, can she even be a proper housewife.
I shook my head negatively, wondering why I'm over reacting about this but doggone that, she's my worker now and I'm the boss so I have all right to correct a wrong that she does while working for me. If she really wants to pay me this way then she should at least do it in an impressive way. I won't stand dirts especially when I now have a cleaner.
And then I paused, a possible thought ringing in my head.
Did she purposely clean the rest
of the house properly and left here for me to see it? Because she knows I'll want to light up the fire and stay warm for the night. Is she trying to get my attention?
Ugh, such a drama queen.
After denying right in my face that she doesn't have a crush on me, she's using another motive to get my attention. I let out a toothy chuckle.. She'll probably deny this too tomorrow. I blew raspberry over the dirt but it didn't go and then I noticed it's a goo.. Really, she did a great job with her tantrums. She must've known that a simply stain wouldn't get my my attention or might get blown off by the wind so she melted it to a goo..
I smiled and walked away from the spot, I grabbed my phone from my jean pant pocket and went through my contacts, I called dad but it didn't go so I called his office line and I was directed to his answering machine. *Hi, I'm in a meeting at the moment and I'll really love to hear your voice. Please leave a message or call me back. Thank you*
I exit it and typed a message instead.. He'll get it after his meeting is over.
I went to my contact again.. *Debtor* I clicked call and watched it ring, without an answer, I called again but no answer.. She's ignoring it. I sent a voicemail to her, turned my phone off and went to the kitchen to make dinner.
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Jacqueline's POV
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I woke up gradually and got a snap on my neck that hurt like crazy from all the twist. I stretched it and winced lowly. I rubbed my eyes and yawned a little, both form hunger and unfulfilled sleep. Last night happened to be one of those many nights.. Mosquitoes almost had a nice feast on me but fortunately I had overalls on, but I still had to bear the chilly night. I stood up and almost lost balance when my legs turned to jelly.. I steadied myself, pulled my jacket closer to myself and moved to the house door, I tried turning the knob and it twisted, excited, I walked in and got to the living room. Not seeing Allan, I moved to our little coffee table where a little paper was placed. I picked it up and turned it open, it was a to-do-list, for me. There was some money beneath it for the groceries and I took it. I was not too deep in sleep so how come Allan passed me without my notice. I thought.
Stretching lazily I walked to my room. I took down my bag and got ready for school, having breakfast, I took the money out of my bag and head out of my room. I walked through the pavement, down the road to school and when I arrived I went straight to homeroom, the homeroom teacher arrived and after the names were being called and everything was over, I marched to class.
"Hey girl" Martha greeted and I was about responding but a yawn stopped me "Looks like someone didn't have a good night rest. Tell me what did you do with your night?" She asked with a cocky smile and I gave her a you're-impossible look.
"C'mon Jackie, I'm your best friend and we're supposed to tell each other everything.. I know you went to Nick's house yesterday and I also know they're things that must've happened--
"Things like what?" I asked, giving her a roll of my eyes.
"Don't act all hypocritical on me Jackie. A guy and girl stay over three hours together at night and you're saying nothing happened?"
"I didn't say nothing happened--
"Whoa, so something did happen? C'mon spill"
"Well, for starters I went there to work. I worked and then I left" I said, turning an initial super curious Martha to a hopeless one.
"That's it?" She asked and I nodded.
"Wait, what were you expecting? That I slept with him" I asked.
"No, I mean not actually but you know some sorta closeness and those stuffs"
"For the record Martha, I'm not that kind of girl and besides Nik and I practically disgust each other. There's no chemistry that can possibly take place between us" I said, taking out my phone from my jean pant pocket.
"So nothing. Like nothing at all happened all through the night?"
"Oh yeah.. I thought of Jason all through"
Martha dramatically shook her head.
"Then why does your face looks like you spent your night making out?" She asked and I gave her a sarcastic smile.
"Nothing like that happened. Your curiosity is probably making you exaggerate"
I turned my phone on and the first thing that popped up was an unchecked voicemail and then my power bar.. There's only fifteen percent left. I went to the voicemail and checked the sender.. Nicholas. I typed the pin to listen and Martha was all over me. I gave her a
*can-i-get-some-privacy* look. She gave me a placating smile and moved a bit, still very close.
I went back to listening to the voicemail.. "Not an impressive job" the simple, yet annoying voicemail message said and I took the phone down from my ear. Stupid jackass. Can you ever please that grouch! All my hardwork wasn't impressive.
"That dude must be into you" Martha says and I gave her an annoyed frown.
She gestured surrender, her both hands raised up. "No hard feelings but what do you expect me to think. You just saw each other last night and he's sending you a voicemail, what do we call that?"
"Please Martha, I already told you there's nothing like that.. Stop making stupid pictures in your head of things that can never happen" I frowned and she shrugged and looked away.
So pushy!
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Nicholas POV
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"Get away from me!"
I jerked up from sleep, hard pants passing through my lips. I grabbed my phone.. 2:00am. I waved my hair back, noticing my vein bulging out and the hotness in my body.. I grabbed my syringe, already injected I poked it to my wrist vein and breathed out fastly. I unloosed the first three buttons of my super packed jacket, dabbed my sweat and stood up.. I walked into the bathroom and ran a bath, getting really cold, I pulled into a long thick sweat pant and shirt before going to make myself some coffee from the coffee maker, adding a spoonful of whipped cream.
I wore on my head warmer and moved out of the room, I grabbed a stool and moved it close to the fireplace. I lit the fire on the dry wood and relaxed at the warmness.
This is one confusing effect that comes with my health problem, I get extraordinarily hot or cold. I have no normal temperature, well I do but they come rarely.. When I get hot, I get too sweaty and when I am cold, I feel like an ice. The normal only comes when I don't sleep or have any nightmare to go on throughout the day.
I sipped my coffee and watched the wood burn, first turning into dark coal then to ashes. I stayed that way until it stopped burning. I stood up and got ready for school.. ate cereals for breakfast before driving to school.
I parked my car in the parking lot, got down and grabbed my backpack then moved into the school building. It was still early and I was among the first set of people to get to school at that time; I mostly am. I went to homeroom after staying in class for a while and hearing the bell signal. I signed in name and walked to class and my seat... I sighted a paper on my desk, turning my gaze around at the student in the class and meeting no suspicious gaze, I unfolded it..
'Monster!' The message read and my palm curled to a fist, I looked over at Jason's sear, his gaze was on me. His elbow rested on his desk and his palm held his chin, as he smirked at me. I gritted my teeth and stood up, ready to mash so many of my fist on his face. I held myself and inhaled slowly.. He's probably looking for my attention and trying to get me into trouble and he's so not getting that from me, not now nor today.
I sat and tore the paper, my gaze still on him. I threw it to the floor, returned his smirk in a rather mocking way and turned my attention to something else.
...
During recess I came out of the class, the basketball team were having a duel and to me it isn't fun, it never is because firstly I'm not a fan of this school's sport even though I belong to the cricket.
Dad had to push me to join one cos it was part of the registration process.. You have to at least know or learn how to play one or two sports and here in Amity high, a sports god always seem to be an eye catcher for most female students and fortunately I'm not the type interested in ladies or attention.
I took two steps toward the hallway rail to just look at whatever's happening anywhere and after a third, I sight her.. The goof, looking through the class window and tilting her head to look at something or someone; me?
I frowned, amused. Does she truly have a crush on me?
Well too bad, there's no love word in my dictionary.. There was but it got torn and shattered the day the woman that birthed me turned her back on me and gave my identity to her step son.