Chapter 12: Acceptance and Denial
Jenn's POV
After hearing Andres, I just turned my face towards him. I could see he was blushing a little, but I ignored that.
"What do you want from me now, Andres?" I asked in a serious tone.
"I want to spend some time with you. At least one day. If you don't like it, don't meet me ever again," he replied softly.
"Okay, I'll think about it. I'll let you know tomorrow. But for now, you can leave," I ordered him angrily.
He agreed and was about to leave when we heard Jas screaming from the balcony. I knew this was going to be awkward.
"Jennnyyyy! What are you doing there? Come up! I want coffee! And who's that guy with you?" she shouted.
Luckily, she didn't recognize him. I sighed in relief.
"Oh, is that Andres?" she shouted again.
I couldn't help but fake a laugh.
"Yes, it's him," I replied.
"Oh! Then bring him up as well! He should taste the coffee too!" she yelled again from the balcony.
There's no doubt I love my Jas, but this time I really wanted to kick her stupid ass.
"Can I really come with you?" Andres asked with a cute face.
"Haha, yes, you can," I replied with a terribly fake smile.
I pressed the elevator button, and we went back to our apartment where Jas was already waiting. She immediately grabbed Andres's hand— as if he was her childhood friend and offered him a seat on the sofa.
"I'll make the coffee," I said, heading to the kitchen.
I made the coffee and returned to the living area. They were both sitting on the sofa and there wasn't much space left for me, so I sat on the floor, leaning my back against the table.
Andres looked quite nervous and wasn't talking much, but Jas was making sure he felt comfortable, as if he were a guest and we were the hosts. I don't know why, but something about him felt very familiar. Although he was from a completely different country, with different religion, beliefs, and traditions, I still felt a connection with him—something I could feel from the heart.
This connection wasn't even there with Ayeran, who had been my childhood crush.
I brushed the thought away.
"So, would you take us to some good places since you're the local?" Jas asked him.
"Yes, I'd love to," he replied with a big smile.
I was almost about to hit Jas when suddenly her phone started ringing.
"Oh, it's mom," she said, and went to her room.
I knew she'd be gone for at least an hour. Jas and her mom gossiped like best friends. Now I was alone with this handsome guy.
"You can stay for dinner too, now that you're already here," I said, looking at him.
"Really? Can I do that?" he asked.
I could see the happiness in his eyes.
"Yes, you can," I replied with a laugh. "You can sit here. I'll go back to the kitchen and cook for you guys," I said, heading to the kitchen.
But he followed me.
"I'll help you," he said.
"I'm going to make something very different that you've probably never eaten," I said sarcastically.
"That's okay. But I still want to help. I can't just sit there and watch you do everything all by yourself," he replied.
"Peel onions for me then. That's the only thing I hate," I told him while washing the vegetables.
He agreed and started peeling onions. I could see he was struggling, but I ignored it. I knew he was a rich guy—but let him do some work since he's here, I thought, smirking evilly in my mind.
"Onions peeled, ma'am," he said with a bright smile, as if he had conquered a great battle.
"Good job," I replied, laughing.
I got back to cooking and didn't realize he was still behind me, staring at me. I suddenly turned around and caught him.
"Do you want to say something?" I asked while putting rice on the cooker.
"Yes," he replied.
"Go ahead," I said, standing opposite him.
"I like you," he said.
"Wait, what?"
"I like you, Jannat. A lot."
My heartbeat quickened, and I didn't know how to respond.