Hi readers! Thank you for your kind reviews on the previous chapter, and of course thank you for reading if you're just a silent reader :) It's a fast update, and hopefully there will be more of these to come. Hope you enjoy this chapter, and don't forget to tell me what you thought - your input makes all the difference!
P.S - I own nothing, except the plot :)
With her stomach twisting, Jeanette put down her sandwich and glanced nervously at the clock. Not long to go. She had everything ready – she was washed, dressed, and now anxiously waiting for the clock to indicate to her that it was time to go. Last time she checked, Simon was upstairs working on his paperwork, so she had the freedom to leave. All she had done this morning was worry, almost to the point that she would end up too sick to meet him. But, a certain instinct inside told her that this was necessary. If she could do this quickly, then there was less time for her to fret about it. Oscar was part of the past now, and that was where he needed to belong. The sooner this was done, the better.
The minute hand of the clock lurched forward five minutes and suddenly Jeanette realised that it was time. Hastily grabbing her jacket, she rushed out of the kitchen and made her way to the front door, only to be interrupted by her counterpart's voice.
"Jeanette? Where are you going?" He was standing at the top of the stairs, concern etched onto his face. The chipette did look a little flustered.
"O-oh, I was just... Going to do a little shopping. I-I doubt I'll buy anything, but it's always good to have a little look around, right?" She toyed with the buttons on her jacket, hoping he'd buy into her excuse.
"You need some company, o-or-"
"It's fine, Simon. Besides, don't you have paperwork to be doing?"
"I guess," he deflated. "Well, see you when you get back." He smiled, not realising that his fiancée had wished for him to not give in so easily. Instead, he surrendered to his work, again.
"B-bye!" Jeanette smiled back, albeit nervously, and whilst Simon headed back to the study, she left the household, and got into her car.
She was about to meet Oscar. In secret.
Standing proudly – almost smugly – in the afternoon sunshine, was the coffee shop Jeanette had suggested that the pair meet. Through the windows she could see people sitting with mugs of coffee, an air of professionalism circling them, as though they didn't have time to chat as they typed away on their laptops. The awning provided shelter for people entering and exited, and as Jeanette stepped out of her car, she felt the butterflies fluttering in her stomach. Part of her already wanted to run away and forget this whole ordeal, but her feet continued to carry her to the glass door with the "open" sign displayed on it. Adjusting her glasses, and fixing her blouse, she took a deep breath and walked in.
The smell was the first thing to hit her. Strong blends of coffee swirling in the air as a low murmur of chatter filled the store. Two baristas hurriedly prepared drinks and handed them over to impatient customers, their reward a couple of notes shoved into their hands. Uncertain, the chipette glanced around the place, seeking the sight of her former flame. And then she saw him.
What appeared to be a smirk passed off as a smile was what he wore, and he gestured with his free hand – the other on his coffee – for her to join him at the small table in the furthest corner. Typical, Jeanette thought. Trying her best to hide the flush forming on her face – and her moral conscience screaming that this was a bad idea – she approached the table and pulled out the chair opposite Oscar.
"Well hello Jen! I thought you were never coming. Take a seat." He watched intensely as Jeanette uneasily lowered herself onto the chair.
"I should probably go fetch a-"
"I already ordered it. Your favourite – cafe mocha. I know how much you used to love it. You always did love chocolate." He took a sip of his espresso and licked his lips lightly afterwards. "They'll bring it over shortly."
"Oh, thank you..." She removed her jacket and fiddled with the sleeves of her blouse, refusing to meet his gaze. Momentarily, a barista appeared with Jeanette's order and placed it in front of her. Obligated, and reached out and took a lengthy sip of the beverage, quite enjoying the familiar taste, but making sure not to make it obvious.
"So, how've you been? Looking forward to the conference tomorrow?" His voice pierced the fragile silence, making Jeanette look up and finally look at him. That same old face... nothing about him had changed, really.
"I-I... I've been fine." She muttered weakly, and stared at her drink as though it were the most interesting thing in the world.
"I see you're ah, engaged." He pointed to her left hand, which sported the engagement ring. Of course he'd notice that. Biting her cheek, the chipette stumbled over a response.
"I... I don't see why that's important. And, your point is?"
"Chill out! I was only asking," he laughed, and ran a hand through his neatly combed hair. "Nice to see that you... moved on. So, who's the lucky fellow?"
He eagerly anticipated her reply, although he already had an idea as to who it may be.
"What would it matter to you?" She tried to glare, but she failed. "It's Simon."
"Ah... I sort of guessed." He sighed wistfully and took another sip, thinking through his next reply. "I mean, don't get me wrong Jen, he's a great guy and all, but I guess I couldn't compete with him, because the next thing I knew – after the wedding, that is - both you and him were gone."
A pang of guilt struck Jeanette, and forced her into silence. She didn't know what to say. What was there to say? Why did she even come here?
"Jen? You're the one who said we should talk about this. If we can't do that, then why are we here, huh?" He reclined into his seat, eyes still fixed on the embarrassed chipette.
"W-what do you want me to say?" Jeanette whispered, a little frustrated with this game. "This should have been forgotten about a long time ago, Oscar."
"Can you blame me? You left without giving me a reason." He whispered back, his tone a little louder.
"What reason can I possibly give you?" In truth, she was a little afraid to merely tell him she didn't love him anymore. Silence met the pair, and both glanced away, positive of what the answer was.
"You just... You just ran off," Oscar murmured, a sad glint in his eyes. "I thought for sure that we were going to be together forever. When I saw you at the altar in your dress, oh, I thought that this was it. The moment we would begin the rest of our lives together. But, I guess I was wrong, huh?"
"Oscar..."
"I tried to catch up with you, but my family held me back to try comfort me. All I wanted was you though. I realised what a fool I was when I saw all your belongings gone from the house. I know I wasn't around much, but damn I shouldn't have let him-"
"W-W..." Jeanette sighed, placing both hands flat on the table. "Oscar, we need to resolve this."
"For your benefit or for mine?"
"Both of us. It's clear that you need to move on, just like I have. It's unfair if we keep going like this, you being all bitter about it and me trying to pretend you don't exist. I realise that what I did was hasty, but I'll never be sorry for what I did. I love Simon, and I realise now that when he arrived in Sydney, he was actually the catalyst." The chipette was met with a confused stare. "He kick-started something I could never have imagined. I... I thought I loved you, but I guess I was wrong. He only helped me realise that I didn't, and in fact, I loved him."
Oscar rested his head in his hands, groaning.
"I'm sorry if this hurts, Oscar. It's what we both needed to hear. Nothing is ever going to change the fact that I don't have feelings for you anymore. It's over. It's been over for two years now."
After a long moment's silence, the Australian finally lifted his head and plastered a weary smile upon his face. "You're right, Jen. I guess I wanted an explanation, and I got it. What do you say we stay friends?"
The purple-clad chipette bit her lip, a little unsure. It wouldn't exactly be right, considering that once he went back home that would be the end of Oscar...
"You're going to need a friend for tomorrow, aren't you?" He looked reassuringly into her eyes, a foreign spark igniting in his pools of blue.
"I... I guess."
"Great! Then I can show you around tomorrow. It'll be fun, I promise." He winked, and flashed that charming look that Jeanette knew all too well. They were just friends this time though. "Hey, remember that time back in high school when you were the new kid and I offered to show you around?"
Both laughed, fondly recalling the time they got lost in the large building, and ended up at the Principal's office for missing half of their classes.
"I was absolutely mortified!" Jeanette giggled, a blush crawling onto her cheeks. "It was my first day and already I was in trouble!"
"Yeah, but it didn't take them long to figure out that you were the smartest kid in school, apart from me obviously!"
"Oh, ha-ha." She sarcastically remarked. No matter what happened now, she couldn't help the smile on her face as she recalled her younger years with Oscar.
"Or what about the day we went to that carnival? I bet you'll never go on another rollercoaster for as long as you live."
"I couldn't help it! I had a really bad stomach that day. I really should've said no when you asked."
"But you didn't. You always said yes, Jen. Remember our senior prom?"
"...Yeah," the chipette mumbled, not wishing to reminisce any longer. Another silence met the pair, as they finished their coffees. "S-so... uh, where will you be heading after this?"
"Probably head back to the hotel, and watch some T.V," he replied, adjusting his glasses. "There's not really much for me to do here except for this conference tomorrow."
"Oh," Jeanette remarked, feeling a little sorry for the man sitting opposite her. "Well, if you'd like, I can show around town? There's plenty sights to see."
"Are you sure? I don't want to be a bother." Oscar's face lit up at the prospect of spending the day around town with Jeanette. The chipette thought of her fiancé. He was probably sitting in that study anyway. It would be good to get out of the house, she supposed.
"Sure," she said, standing up. "We'll make a day of it."
Ohhh... things are getting better and more exciting for sure! Please remember to tell me what you thought by leaving a review as they really do encourage me - like I always say - and I like to know what my readers are thinking of the story. Keep your eyes peeled for the next chapter and until then, thanks for your support!
Peace, love, and COOKIES! ~ MissSteph22 :)