Chapter's song: Stand by you by KHS Cover

Mark was really nice, he talked me through it the whole time. He drew a stencil to transfer it to my skin. He wanted to make sure that I wanted it. The transfer was just the habanero's outline, but as soon as he finished, I knew it was perfect. Even though he wanted me to take a moment to think it through, I beamed at him.

"I love it."

Mark's eyes were assessing. "Are you completely and utterly sure?"

I couldn't keep the smile out of my face, "yes."

He crossed his arms, "do you want Bryan to see it?" His tone was loud, and we both heard the shuffling of feet on the other room.

"No." I blushed profoundly. Not yet.

Mark's bushy brows furrowed. "I thought you two..." he trailed, gesturing with his hand between me and the door.

My cheeks warmed even more. I shook my head, "no, we're not. He's my boss."

He raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?" A knowing look played in his face. I frowned at that. Shaking his head, he grinned as he rubbed his hands together, "Let's get started, then."

I swallowed hard. "Okay."

He washed his hands and put on gloves. Then, he took out all his equipment and I tried not to look much at his side, where he was putting the needles out. However, I peeked once or twice and my eyes widened each time.

He made me lay down on my side, so he could have perfect access to the place I wanted the tattoo in. He cleaned the area, and the little thing that looked like a pistol started to make a noise. "This might sting a little," Mark looked up at me for a moment, before glancing down. I didn't nod or say anything. I was bracing myself for the imminent pain from the needle.

Surprisingly, it didn't hurt that bad. My skin did feel tender and soar as he finished the outline, but it was manageable. The ink had smeared and it looked like a complete mess, yet he explained that it was normal. He cleaned the area and you could see the perfect outline of my pepper. I smiled excited.

"Now, this might be a little bit painful," he added as he took out the colored ink. He was using red, orange and yellow.

It did hurt, though. Nothing unbearable, but it was uncomfortable. I had to hold my breath when he started and I winced at the feeling of the needles. Okay. I might be a crying baby when it comes to pain, but still...

When he finished, he told me to let it rest for a few minutes as he went to get an ointment for later. He also told me that he would need to put a sort of plastic cover so the tattoo wouldn't touch my jeans.

While I was alone, I blinked the few tears that had pooled in my eyes from the pain. A soft knock played from the door. "How are you?" Bryan's deep voice resounded in the small room. I sniffed while he added, "can I come in?"

My left hand was gripped my jeans. I'd simply pulled it down on the side where Mark had drawn the tattoo. I knew it wasn't such a big deal, but I felt self-conscious. No sane girl would want her boss/teacher/crush to see their hip.

"I'm not sure." I said looking at the tattoo, feeling my cheeks warm.

His laugh sounded through the doorframe. "You're not naked, Jess! And you did tell me I would get to see the tattoo!"

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, okay. Point taken."

A bright smile played on his lips as he peeked in. "Can I see it then?"

His eyes looked darker as they ran through my face to my hips. My heartrate spiked to the roof. I felt like I couldn't breathe as he took a step closer to better examine the tattoo. I was probably blushing like crazy too. He stared at my hip for a long moment and I tried not to squirm under his gaze.

"It's really nice," he finally said as he glanced at me. I nodded, willing my stupid blush to tone down. His lips tugged up. "It suits you."

"Thanks," I licked my lips and averted my eyes.

Forceful steps echoed through the hallway. "I did a great job, didn't I?" Mark came into the room. Thank God. I didn't know how much I would have lasted without instantly combusting. The whole room felt as hot as if it were on fire.

"Yes, you did." Bryan said as I gazed at Mark.

Mark beamed at me. "Okay. You need to put this on for a few days," he gave me a small jar with some sort of ointment, "because the skin will feel dryer than usual. You need to wash it and keep it moisturized at all times." I nodded. Bryan reached out for the small jar and I gave it to him.

Mark slapped Bryan on the back, "I guess this is it, then." He raised a palm. "Oh, no wait. I need to put on the sticky plastic on." He walked to the side table, where all his needles where, and took a large tube of sticky plastic. Grabbing a pair of scissors from the drawer, he cut a large patch and placed it carefully over my tattoo. His voice was soft as he smiled at me, "It wasn't that painful, was it?"

Gripping my jeans, I stood up before pulling them carefully over the plastic patch and buttoned them. "I'm not good with pain," I said embarrassed, since Bryan was still in the room watching us.

Mark turned to Bryan. "She might need a stiff drink, mate."

Bryan's lips pursed. "Thank you for everything, Mark. I'll call you in the morning, all right?" He slapped him friendly on the arm.

"Sure. Take care, Jessica." Mark smiled at me.

"Thank you." I grinned back at him before Bryan shook his hand and we were on our way back to the red jeep.

Bryan held the door for me. "Do you want to sit on the back?" he asked somewhat concerned at the fact that my tattoo would crease while sitting.

"Do you think that's necessary?"

He shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "Not really, only if it hurts." Carefully, I slid on the passenger seat trying not to bend much, I did wince. "We could get you some painkillers, if it hurts too much." He murmured before closing the car's door.

He hopped in his seat and I shook my head. "No. It's okay. Don't worry."

"Okay," he nodded before starting the car. I fished out my cellphone from my backpack to check for messages. I had nothing. My lips curved up. I was certain that Seth was trying not to message me.

"I went to visit my mother," Bryan said suddenly as we crossed a green light.

My eyes cut to him. "That's good, isn't it?" My heart warmed at the fact that he followed to my advice.

His gaze was focused on the road as he shrugged. "She doesn't remember me."

My brows furrowed. "She does. Deep down. She has to." I believed it. No mother would forget their own child. She did remember him.

He was silent as he drove me home. I couldn't imagine what it would be like to had a childhood like he had, and then deal with his mother's Alzheimer. In a way, I understood why he didn't seem to trust people, or why he'd rather be alone...but that didn't mean that he was happy.

And why do we live for if not for finding happiness?

We reached my street and Bryan parked the car in front of my house. "I think you were really brave to go see her." I shifted on my seat to look at him. "And I do believe that she remembers you, Bryan."

He turned to me. His eyes were stormy as a faint smile played on his lips. "I think you're quite the optimistic girl."

Pursing my lips, I shook my head. "And I think that as much as it pains you, you do know she remembers you, and that's why you went to see her." His gaze was intense as I added, "And you're a great human being for doing so. Because you care. Despite everything." His frown creased before he looked down, swallowing hard. I wanted to reach out for him, to grab his hand or to pass my arms around him; but he was my boss, I couldn't forget that.

The air inside the car felt thick, charged with emotions. Taking a deep breath, I gripped tight my backpack. "Thank you for everything Bryan."

"Hey!" I snapped my head back at him, remembering something. "You haven't shown me your tattoo yet!"

His lips curved up before he stepped out of his car. "You're right", he walked around the car. "A deal is a deal," he murmured before his hands went to his shirt and he started to unbutton it.

My eyes widened and I looked to the sides completely panicking. He's taking his shirt off! He's taking his damn shirt off!

Bryan's smirk was evident as he finished unbuttoning. He took his shirt off but he still had a white underwear t-shirt underneath. My mouth went dry as he pulled it out of his jeans and took it off too.

He was quite athletic. No in that all-muscles, six -packs kind of body, but he did work out. His muscles were well defined and I couldn't but gape at him. My cheeks blushed furiously as I heard him chuckle. I looked up, biting my bottom lip.

That boyish smile appeared on his lips before he turned around. I took a sharp intake of breath. Oh my God. The lines of every muscle on his back was well defined and two crisscrossed Chef knives were painted across. It was a beautiful tattoo.

My hand was trembling as I took a step closer and trailed the outline in one of the knives. His whole back tensed as I touched him and I pulled away my hand as if it was on fire. I couldn't find my voice. I cleared my throat and crossed my arms, trying not to touch him again. "Sorry," I murmured embarrassed as I looked to the side.

I heard him shift and I didn't look up until he finished moving. "It's okay," his tone was husky. I glanced up and he was all dressed up. He hadn't buttoned his shirt and he was running a hand through his hair, but his eyes seemed fiery.

He never looked more handsome than right at that exact moment.

"Thank you," my tone was high-pitched. I cringed.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Jessica," my name rolled out of his mouth and my stomach clenched. Damn. Get yourself together, Jess.

"Good night," I said before grabbing my backpack and walking to my house. My heart was racing as I unlocked my door and I turnaround when I heard his car's engine roar to life.

I closed the front door of my house behind me and I leaned on it, trying to calm my heart's incessant thumping. "Hey," Seth's muffled voice sounded from the living room. Probably from eating something.

Rolling my eyes, I followed his voice. The TV was on, he was watching a zombie show. I plopped on the couch at the same time one of the main characters was disembodying a zombie girl. The show was too gruesome, there was blood and different body parts everywhere. Frowning, I turned to look at my brother who had a large bag of popcorn in his hands.

"Where's Juno?" I reached out to grab some popcorn too.

Seth's eyes were glued to the TV. "Out." He scrunched his nose before turning to look at me. "Was Bryan stripping out in the middle of the street?"

I started to choke with the mouthful of popcorn I'd just put in my mouth. Seth slapped me on the back. My whole face was red completely mortified.

Seth passed me his coke, which I would normally decline, but I was still coughing like crazy, so I took a large sip. My brother eyed me quizzically. He shook his head and raised a palm when I had finally stopped coughing. "Don't. I don't think I want to know," he muttered, sounding grossed out at the thought of Bryan and me.

I suppressed a smile as I leaned on the couch and crossed my arms. Wait until he hears of my new habanero tattoo.

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