Rick

Where the hell are you? My mind screamed in frustration, I have looked everywhere but there's no sign of Jen. This is all your fault, my conscience yelled maliciously, you knew she is so vulnerable, yet you couldn't keep your anger to a bay. Fuck, I punched the steering wheel out of anger.

What if she has taken a lift from a creepy stranger? A suffocating dread seems to oppress me, no I won't let anything happen to her. Spinning the steering to straighten wheels, I punch the accelerator and upshift, and check out of the window, looking for a woman who would be the death of me.

It feels I have been driving for ages, totally weary and exhausted. My heart is sinking in my chest with worries, how dare she leave without my permission. I have searched every corner of this small town, yet I couldn't find her. I have been nothing but more considerate towards her and Jen had to fuck this up. Jen, you don't know what you have done, you have ruined everything. Trust me Jen, you have to pay for it, if anything happens to you because of your stupidity, I will make sure you regret the day. Not for me, but for yourself please be safe.

I need to go out of this town in search of her, after giving a thought, I have decided to check at home once before heading to the city. It's getting dark outside, I have to be quick. While I reached my porch, I feel my heart beating rapidly as I notice the light inside the home, I rush to the home like a mad man. Once I enter the house, a delicious aroma of the food-filled my nostrils, taking a lead I headed towards the kitchen and I froze at my place dumbfoundedly. Jen is cooking in the kitchen, she is wearing black leggings and an oversize sweatshirt. Her hair is tied in a messy bun atop her head, she appears to be comfortable, and even though she is not wearing any makeup, she is more beautiful than almost anyone I've ever met.

Jen glanced up when she felt my eyes on her, to my surprise instead of welcoming me with her fixed frown and dead eyes, she looks at me with warmth.

"Where have you been?" Jen asked fixing her gaze on me, I stood there dumbly and stare at her with perplexity.

"Rick" she recalled my name and I came back to my senses.

"Are you kidding me?" it came out harshly from my mouth, Jen's body stiffen. A sudden feeling of anger flashed into my mind and must have illuminated in my eyes, for she gave me one deprecating glance.

"its you who disappeared on me," my feet remotely advanced towards her, Jen moisten her lips and nervously rubs her wrists while my eyes scrutinize her every single move. "I have searched everywhere for you, worried to sick and you are asking me where I have been"

"I was here all the time" with a low tone she replied, her eyes are fixed on her wrist, avoiding the eye contact.

"And, I am not a kid" I reached to her, I am impressed with the sudden confidence in Jen, this time she didn't back off and glued to the place. Reaching out, my fingers circled her chin, forcing her to look up at me. I could see the redness in her eyes, a bit puffy like she has been crying.

"That's the problem, you are not a kid but a grownup beautiful woman." A frown flits across her face, her eyes narrowed at me. I thought I would be mad at her when I will see her again but its the other way around. I feel relief and overjoyed watching her safe and sound.

"I can take care of myself" she replied dryly.

"Of course you can" a sarcastic smile curls on my lips, her eyes lights with fire. She removed her gaze from me, and I feel distant. Inhaling her fragrance, I twirl a strand of her hair to calm my anger.

"Don't ever do this again" Jen looks at me when she noticed a plead in my voice, I stare into her eyes, I could feel her breath on my skin, our faces are so close. Holding her face between my hands, I rub my nose over her with affection while I said "Please"

Taking a slow breath, she closed her eyes and nod her head in response. I felt euphoric when she leans her head against mine holding my jacket. I feel completed, having her in my arms. I decided not to stretch this topic as I don't want to ruin this moment.

We stayed like that for few minutes, until Jen realized our intimacy. She slowly removed herself from me and diverted her eyes to the kitchen.

"Ummmm... food is ready," she said with a tight smile before she engaged herself in platting the food on the table. I didn't know the reason behind the changes in her behavior. This is just an act of pretends or something cooking in her pretty head. Putting all the suspicious thoughts aside, I thought to live in this moment. I don't care if its just an act, what matters to me most that having a little "us" moment with Jen.

Jen

When I saw Rick on the door, I wanted to run into his arms and tell him how thankful I am for fulfilling my wish. But then, my head interject and bashed on me for my naiveness. We are talking about Rick here, he doesn't do anything without a hidden motive. Rick is the greatest manipulator, he must have planned this way before he forced me to join here. Why would he have brought me here for? The craps about staying a month with him could have been arranged at his place in town, but why here?

At the same time, my heart whispers in my head, give him a chance. At least, try to look at him for real without being judgmental. In the war of brain and heart, my brain won, I decided to keep the information about the church to myself and see if he would try to demonstrate his big heart by building a beautiful garden for my mom in the future.

"Food is great" Rick declared, strangely his comment has cheered me, but I hid quite well with a polite nod. he stares at me intently and in silence, if he is surprised with my sudden change in behavior, he has done an exceptional job by not showing it.

Give him a chance! My heart echoed in my head.

"Since when you have started fighting?" I wanted to slap myself for asking this to Rick, but the damage is done. I couldn't take my words back, actually I am curious.

Rick leaned back in his chair and smile wryly, he put his finger under his lips, a smile vanished with a serious look.

"its been forever" he shortly replies.

"I didn't know" again shocking myself I blurted.

"You don't know anything about what I had done to survive while growing" His face remained impassible but the emotions flared in the depth of his eyes.

"Then tell me" Our eyes met, I could see surprise, confusion, the mixed emotions in it.

"I guess we have plenty of time, nothing interesting to do here."

"Can I ask you why your sudden interest in me?" Finally, I was expecting him to ask this from the start.

"As you said, this is the place from where everything started, and this would be the place where everything will end. So, before it ends, I have a right to know the real Rick Adam." I meant it.

"I want to really move on this time Rick, I am tired of faking it that I am over of my past. I am exhausted continually living with the interminable pain, if we would be honest with each other, maybe we both could move on" Gathering courage, I put everything in my words. Reconnecting with mom, actually gave me hope for my future. She forgave my dad, who was nothing but cruel to her, if she could do that, then I am her daughter.

"If this is what you want, Jen, I am ready" Rick's gaze holds mine, we both stare at each other, searching for honesty and calculating the risk as well.

"When we were out of finance, on the road, had nothing to eat. Daniel and I had learned the survival skill. Because of Emily" Rick closed his eyes for a moment, I could understand how painful this is for him, Emily is the broken piece of his heart. I want to hold his hand but I restrain myself.

"Because of Emily, I was forced to attend athletic classes which actually helped me, especially when all vultures around you to eat you alive. Smuggling, dealing with drug dealers, we started at the age of 13. As I reached my twenties, this street fighter has joined the ring. I had learned to numb the pain in the ring, it actually helped me to forget all the pain and hurt. Fighting in the ring was my preparation for the big fight against David Milano" I shivered, the pain I felt this moment on the mention of my dad's name is indescribable. Suddenly, I felt the air filling my lungs and I couldn't breathe, suffocation all I could feel. Rick, quickly closed the distance between us and offered the glass of water. His face displays the concern he is feeling for me, its genuine, no pretends.

Taking a sip from the glass, I gaze at him. "I was being honest," Rick said in a low voice with a remorseful glare.

"I understand" I managed to utter those two words while avoiding his concerned eyes.

"Why do you bring me here?" I asked after taking a big pregnant pause.

"I thought it was my turn, Jen I also needed some answers" Rick didn't have to quote his question, I grip the glass tightly as sadness occurred to me.

"How about we take one step at one time?" he smartly avoids my question, and I don't think I am ready yet to answer his question, to be honest, I won't be ever ready to answer him.

"Do you even care for me?" As he heard this, a faint smile broke over his face, it was a very painful smile.

"I will pass it on you because you know the answer" And I do, the way he is looking at me says a lot, he does care for me a lot. 

Hello, lovelies!!

I have only read about the writer blocks but apparently, I am experiencing it too. What's happening I don't know,  lacking the motivation or interest. However, i am thinking to finish His Intense Love, maybe this would be my last completed work. But, never say never.

If the lockdown will continue for the entire month, I would concentrate on this book. If only my imagination helps.

Anyway, enjoy this simple chapter, no twist and turn. Finally, Jen decided to give a chance to Rick, what your take on it.

For now, goodbye, and please be safe.