We are privy to Jaz's inner thoughts as we go along the chapters.
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Much Obliged,
Abby
Chapter 2
You guessed it, the ninja is pissed off.
Did he just tell me to be some sort of bodyguard to that woman?!
Ok given, he didn't phrase it that way but that's how it came across. Ugh!
She was stomping in her room. Paced back and forth. I mean, he didn't even ask. He told me like it's an order. Maybe I wasn't free. Did he think that? Nnnoooo.
With her feathers ruffled and her competitiveness at a maximum level, she had to do something. She looked at her closet and looked at it with despair. She knew her wardrobe was limited and it never bothered her before. She tossed the clothes around. Then she remembered the leather jacket vest she wore when she played honeypot for a mission.
Yes! That could work. I remember his expression when he first saw me in it. She found it in a storage bag above her closet put it on paired with her sexiest jeans and pulled down her bun. She brushed her long locks, applied her cherry chapstick and pouted her lips at the mirror. She psyched herself up. There. Get your man Jaz.
She passed by Adam's door to hear him saying "She's a very beautiful woman. There's a spark. I admit I wasn't expecting that."
Sucker-punched!
She pressed her hand to her mouth to stifle the urge to sob. She leaned on the wall for support.
She immediately felt weak, like a deflated balloon. She doesn't want to go out now. She'll beg off and say that she has cramps. She just wanted to crawl up in bed and cry her eyes out.
Unfortunately Adam comes out at the very moment and their eyes clashed. She pulled herself up and willed her body not to crumble in front of him. She didn't want to blink because tears would surely fall.
He noticed her outfit but remained tight-lipped about it. His eyes guarded. "You ready?"
No, I don't want to go out.
Not trusting herself to speak she was able to mumble "Uh huh" and gave him a slightest nod. Her lips pressed hard together trying not to say what's really on her mind.
"Let's go."
Wait! I need to get my bearings. Quick think Jaz!
"I-uh, just forgot my phone. Be there in a sec."
I need to let out this sudden pain in my heart. Otherwise, I might go boom.
So she did just that until it's time to ride the car. She sat upfront with Preach driving. Janice and Adam in the middle while Amir and McG sat out back.
The ride to the restaurant was like attending a briefing and getting the 411 on Janice Springfield. Jaz wished she thought of bringing her earphones so she can tune out their conversations. She was learning about Janice more by the minute.
Janice turned 23 today, she's a single child. Both parents are retired doctors. Her family is well off but knows about hardwork. Early on, she helped her at the free clinic for kids that her parents set up. Sometimes, she's goes to hospitals, reading to kids while they're waiting for their chemo treatments. She visits the elderly on her spare time. She and her college friends set up a soup kitchen for the homeless. Every season, she auction out pre-loved clothing, accessories, shoes and donate proceeds to a different gofundme's. So now she's spreading her wings and adding the Veterans Group to her roster.
Pretty sure Janice can be added in the list for sainthood. Yup like the next Mother Theresa!
Jaz is trying so hard to hate her but finds it more and more difficult because she's a genuinely sincere wonderful person.
Jaz made a quick glanced at rear view mirror. It's not Janice's fault that she's charismatic, energetic, helpful, kind, witty, smart, and beautiful on top of that. She's definitely more worthy of Adam or any man than me.
-OOO-
Dinner was at a little Italian restaurant near the base. It was mostly a continuation of Q&As between the guys and her. Jaz throws in a little laugh and few responses in between so hopefully they wouldn't notice her mood. Janice and Amir connected on their love for food and cooking.
Jaz can't help but let her eye roll out. She can cook too! OMFG! She's a freaking unicorn!
Desserts were served and Jaz decided that cake is the answer. She took a big slice of tiramisu and moaned, savoring the taste, closing her eyes in bliss. That bliss was only temporary. She heard Janice giggling. When she opened her eyes, she saw that Adam brushed a piece of crumble in her chin.
Jaz's shoulders slumped, her appetite gone. And just like that tiramisu is forever ruined.
Adam noticed that the time had passed and the malls may have already closed for the night. Janice said she'll just purchase something from the hotel concierge for her clothes tonight.
When the waiter presented the bill, both Adam and Janice reached for it at the same time. There's like "I'm paying – no you're not" discussion like their on a date. Cute…not!
So Adam paid the bill. Preach and Amir announced they're returning back to base. Adam turns to Jaz "How about you?"
So, you remember that I existed? "I'll just walk around for a bit then head back." Jaz replies. She briefly looks at Adam then avoided his gaze completely.
Adam's brows scrunched a bit and was about to give her the "it's not safe to go alone at night" speech when McG stepped in "Don't worry Top, I'll go with Jaz."
So that left Adam to see Janice back to her hotel safely however Janice had a different idea. "The night is still young, why don't we have drinks at hotel. I heard they have a club there" she smiled at Adam then turned to McG and Jaz "you guys can come too."
Whoopee, more torture.
Before McG can decline, a strangely high pitched "Sure" came out of Jaz's mouth.
-OOO—
With a rum and coke in her hand, her third for the night, she watched as Janice led Adam to the dancefloor. McG sipped from his Corona and followed her stare. "I didn't know you're a glutton for punishment Jaz."
"That's me, Jaz Khan, glutton for punishment at your service." She made a salute gesture to McG and chugged the rum and coke.
"Hey, take it easy. I don't want to be dragging you out of here." McG trying to get the glass.
She shoved McG's hands. "I'm totally cool. I can handle it." She signaled for the waitress and ordered another one. She went back to people watching. People - meaning Janice and Adam.
The DJ greeted the small crowd saying he will make them all sing and dance. He put in Men Without Hat's Safety Dance and true enough, people were getting up from their seats.
"What in the world is he doing?" McG gasps, laughing.
"Apparently his version of dancing." Jaz replies but her tone was sad. It should've been with me.
Adam was laughing doing like a robotic dance with his limbs that now turned into vogue-ing. Janice was laughing along trying to mimic Adam's movement.
I've never seen Adam so animated, so alive, so carefree. He's truly enjoying himself out there with her. Not me. Her. I mean why won't he. Look at her. Look at me. I don't think I even deserve to be in consideration.
Jaz's insecurities were bubbling up. She chugged her drink again and ordered another one. Two ladies approached McG and asked him to dance. He declined but the ladies were insistent. "Go, I'll be right here. Have fun McG. You don't need to babysit me. Truly, I'm fine."
"Ok if you're sure Jaz. I'll be back after this dance. Sip your drink please." She gave him a lame smile.
An obnoxious guy took the opportunity to approach Jaz. "Rum & Coke, my kind of girl. I can get you more."
"First, I'm not your kind of anything. Second, I can buy my own drinks. So, no thank you. Now, move away."
"Oooh sassy, I like the challenge." Feeling bolder, he put his hands on Jaz's thigh. Jaz slapped his hand hard and pressed on his thumb hard almost breaking it. "When a woman says no, it's a no." The guy moved away but not before calling her a nasty name.
With the douchebag gone, she finished her drink. The DJ played Billy Joel's "It's Just A Fantasy" and the crowd got even more louder replying with every "Oooh wooh" flinging their arms in the air. Machines let out smoke making the air hazy.
Yeah maybe this is just a fantasy, maybe it's not the real thing…yeah dream on Jaz! She called the waitress and ordered another "2 Rum and Coke please. Hold the coke this time." The waitress came back with two glasses. She quickly chugged them both and got some bills out of her purse and put it in the tray and thanked her.
DJ returned to the mic and said he's slowing things down and played Usher's Nice and Slow.
Nope. Na-uh. I'm not gonna look at the dancefloor to see how they're doing, how close their bodies are touching. Nope. I don't think my heart can take it. Time to bounce. She stood up and felt woozy. I'm not drunk. I just stood up fast. She walked several steps and concluded yes, she's tipsy.
Jaz left the club and found the reception to get herself a room for the night. She had her debit card with her for emergencies. This qualifies for as an emergency plus I can do my crying without any interruptions. Once she was done checking in, the receptionist gave her the keycard and her debit card. She walked slowly to the elevator and upon alighting, some dizziness resurfaced so she placed her hands by the wall for support walking sideways. She found her room and about to insert the card into the slot when arms grabbed her waist from behind.