A/N: I would like to thank you guys again for leaving a review and for following this fiction, also the Guest Reviewers...thank you so much. The cookies of appreciation will be delivered there, just wait….;)
oOoOoOoOoOoOo CHAPTER THREE oOoOoOoOoOoOo
Pippa could feel it, the tension between her brother and her friend…it was so intense…and awkward. Her brother stood there in the doorway, eyes wide and mouth gaping. Elsa on the other hand was biting her lips (—Jesus! She's not breathing anymore!) as she sat there stiff and frozen.
She followed their gaze, eyes moving from Jack to Elsa- then Jack to Elsa-Jack to Elsa-Jack to Elsa-Jack to Elsa
"For Goodness sake! How long are you going to look at each others face?" Pippa exclaimed as she couldn't take the silence in her house anymore.
The two realizing what they did, looked anywhere but each other.
Ethan giggled as he nudged his uncle, "Uncle Jack has a crush!"
"Wha—" he was cut of when Ethan tackled him, bringing them down on the floor with Abby licking his face. Oh how Jack wanted to thank the two for hiding his now burning face.
Pippa cleared her throat, "Well… to be honest, that was really awkward."
Elsa nodded slowly, "Y-yeah."
The chestnut-haired woman pursed her lip, "Well, care to explain about your reaction. Have you guys met each already?"
Jack sat on the floor and smirked, with Ethan on his lap, "Wel—"
"He was just too mesmerized to see such a beauty like me," Elsa smirked. 'Time to get back at you Mr. Oh-so I'm Hot!'
Pippa's eyes widened at her response, "E-elsa—"
Jack scoffed, "W-wow, said the woman who again… stared at me for almos—"
"Ummm…Jack, you do realize that you are talking about yourself right?" Pippa butted in arching her brow.
Jack brought his hand on his face, attempting to cover the redness of his cheeks, "You kidding me? I'm not staring!"
"Yeah, yeah whatever bro!"
"I'm serious—"
"Uncle Jack why are you covering your face?" Ethan asked innocently.
Elsa leaned forward as she placed her elbows on her knees, "Because he's too shy to admit everything."
Ethan perked up as realization hit him, "Then that means you are lying to us, right uncle? Then you are going to ask for money, Then that makes you a boog—no, a swindyman!"
"Its swindler, honey," Pippa corrected.
"I mean a swindler! Uncle Jack, you have to tell the truth and admit everything! I love you so much, Uncle and I don't want the police to harvest—"
"It's arrest."
"I-I mean arrest you!" the little boy who was too worried about his uncle hugged his leg and sobbed.
Pippa sighed and looked accusingly at his brother, "That's what you got when you keep telling him things without explaining it thoroughly."
"Hey, I didn't tell him anything!"
"Then what about a weird man who's asking for money is called a boogeyman."
Jack scratched his head, "W-well I'm just saying that he should be careful about those people."
"Really? Well, he just accused an ice cream vendor as one of those you called a 'boogeyman'."
"Umm…Is that a good thing?" Jack looked at her sister sheepishly.
Pippa sighed and walked towards his son and picked him up, "Come on honey, it's not like that. Your uncle is not a swindler."
Ethan looked up to his mother, "Really?"
Pippa smiled, "He's just too shy…that's why he's not telling the truth."
"Hey!"
Ethan's face lit up, "The truth?"
Pippa smirked and whispered something to her son as her eyes looked playfully at Jack and Elsa. Ethan, hearing his mother's words brought his hand to his mouth as he burst into fit of giggles.
"Stop polluting my nephew's mind, Pippa!" Jack exclaimed as he grabbed the little boy from his sister.
"Geez, I'm just clearing out his mind about what is the truth and why you won't tell us the truth…that's all dear brother," Pippa winked.
Jack raised his brow at the chestnut haired woman as he sat down on the single couch, with Ethan on his lap trying to avoid the gaze of the blonde woman who's sitting not too far away from him, "And what is the 'truth' that you are talking about, dearest sister?"
"The truth that Uncle Jack likes Teacher Elsa!" Ethan said happily.
"What?!" the two shouted in unison.
Pippa laughed, "Now, don't add anything if you don't want to make this topic longer…Just let my son believe that fact."
"But that's not even a fact!"
"Oh shut up brother!"
Jack slumped on his seat and pouted, looking anywhere but her. Then something clicked on his mind, "Wait did you just say? Teacher Elsa?" he asked looking at the little boy.
"Yes, Teacher Elsa is the woman you like, she's my teacher," grinned Ethan.
Jack slowly turned his head to the blonde woman, "Y-you're h-his teacher?"
Elsa cleared her throat, "Yeah…and from what I learned you should be there at the meeting as Mrs. Bennett's replacement."
Pippa nodded her head and looked at his brother, "That's right Jack, and because of the reason that you got distracted by a woman, you weren't able to make it in time—well, not that you arrived there on the right time in the first place. Anyway, who was that woman that you got distracted to?"
Jack and Elsa tensed at her sudden question. Thinking that her brother wouldn't answer, she continued. "Let me guess, you tried to flirt with her, right? If you just behave then you wouldn't miss Elsa. Now explain yourself since I'm so embarrass now, because of my brother's idiocy…my son's teacher made her way in our house just to give me the report card when my br—."
"Pippa, It's alright," whispered Elsa.
"But you should say sorry brother."
Jack gulped and hesitantly looked at his fuming sister, "A-actually…"
Pippa raised her brow, "What?"
"Uumm…that w-woman…is…a-actual-ly…w-with…us…right…n-now," The decibel of his voice lowered as he answered, but it was enough for Pippa to hear everything and to realize everything.
She nodded her head slowly and looked at Elsa, "So…you guys didn't miss each other, for you actually met."
Elsa reddened but nodded her head.
"—and the reason why you didn't recognized him as my brother or as a normal person is because you two met in an unexpected way and I think it happened outside the classroom, and that's when my dearest brother started to flirt with you," Pippa concluded.
"Well, it's not like I flirted with her or anything…" Jack whispered.
"Y-yeah…h-he actually saved m-me from t-tripping," The blonde woman mumbled.
"Tripping? Was there a wet floor or something? Or you guys just happened to experience the cliche shoujo-manga's 'first meeting'?"
Jack scratched his head and grinned sheepishly, "W-well, if what you mean is when the heroine happened to bumped onto someone and that someone who happened to be the hero, saved her from falling by holding her hand and resulting them to looked at each other for at leas—"
"And that's what happened to us," Elsa butted in not wanting to hear the rest of his words, because she knew she would be humiliated.
'Because he's telling the truth right?'
'Shut up', she groaned to herself.
Pippa looked at them in awe, "Now I get it, because of the 'staring contest', you broke that by flirting with her?"
"Hey! It's not that I fl—"
"Whatever brother," then Pippa looked at Elsa," I'm really sorry about that El; I know how arrogant my brother can be. That's why he used that time to take advantage of your weakness by humiliating you."
"Hey! I'm sounding like a rapist here."
But Pippa ignored him, "And as an exchange for that—"
Elsa shook her head sensing trouble, "N-no i-t's okay, actually, it's not that…uumm…it's not really a big deal for me."
"No…the action of my brother is a big deal already, plus I also wanted to thank you for making here at home just to give me my son's report card. That's why as for an apology and as a token of appreciation…" Pippa smirked.
'I really got a bad feeling about this,' Elsa thought to herself.
"…my brother will treat you to lunch," Pippa looked at her brother innocently. "Right, brother?"
Jack completely red averted his gaze, "W-well…i-if that's the only w-way to make it up to h-her…t-then, w-why not?"
Elsa looked at him incredulously as faint blush occurred on her cheeks.
Pippa clapped her hands, "Then it's settled! Now go shoo! Shoo! It's already quarter to twelve, you guys must be hungry!" Pippa grabbed the still shocked girl and pushed her towards her brother.
Ethan who had been quiet for a while looked at his uncle and teacher, "Are you guys leaving already? Can I come too?"
Pippa shook her head and carried her son, "No, honey. They will be having a date?"
"IT'S NOT A DATE!" Jack shouted.
"But mom, I still haven't told Uncle Jack about the ice cream vendor being a swindler!" the little boy whined as he struggled from his mom's hold.
"Oh, hush…your Uncle will visit us later. He will be telling us a story…his wonderful story," Pippa smirked at his brother.
Jack gritted his teeth to hide his embarrassment, "Yeah, yeah…so see you later little guy," he ruffled his nephew's head before ushering Elsa to outside.
When the door finally shut behind them, the two adults let out a sigh and stand there awkwardly.
Jack decided to break the silence as he cleared his throat, "S-so umm…"
"…"
"…"
"…"
Elsa sighed, "T-this is r-really…a-awkward."
Jack scratched his head, "Y-yeah."
"I-I'm just going to go home," Elsa started to walk when someone held her elbow.
"W-wait! I…really wanted to apologize earlier, and I think treating you would be the way to make it up to you. So can we have a lunch together?" He bit his lip as he asked her.
Elsa looked at the man and felt his sincerity, then she laughed.
"W-why are you laughing? I-im ser-rious here!"
Elsa shook her head, "I just realized the turn-off events. You shouldn't be apologizing you know? In fact, I should be the one saying my gratitude towards you. It's just I got embarrass and overreacted…but honestly, it's not a big deal. It's not that you flirted anyway, you just winked and all. Nothing serious."
Jack looked at her, "Really?"
"Yes."
"You're not mad?"
Elsa smiled, the look he had right now was similar to a child begging for forgiveness, "Why would I be mad?"
"So, were cool?"
"Yup!"
Jack breathed out loudly as if a hundred weight was lifted off him. He straightened his posture and gave her a friendly smile, "Hello there young lady, how are you? I'm Jack Frost by the way," He stretched out his hand towards her, which she gladly took," Elsa Winters, it's nice to meet you too," they shook hands as they smiled at each other, both happy that the tension between them was finally gone.
Jack pulled back his hand, "So, where do you want to eat?"
Elsa shrugged, "I don't know. You decide."
The silvery-white haired man smiled, "Glad you said that, I just know a place somewhere. Well, the problem is…I'm using my motorcycle when I got here and I know you will be uncomfortable riding it," he said as he gestured to her red pencil skirt. "-so can we use your car if it's alright with you?"
Elsa smiled, "Of course.
"And I will be the one driving it?" Jack outstretched his palm.
Elsa knowing what he meant, dug her keys on her bag and dropped it on his palm, "Drive safely Mr. Frost."
"You can count on me Teacher Elsa."
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They ended up going to a restaurant near Little Children's Teaching and Learning School (the school where Elsa works at). After ordering their meals they decided to know each other more by playing '20 Question'
"So…"Jack leaned on the table, "Your last name is Winters, right?"
"Yup, okay my turn!"
"Wait! It wasn't even a question!"
"Then what is it?"
"More on a confirmation!"
Elsa rolled her eyes, "Fine…go on."
"Are you by any chance related to Agdar Winters? You know…the head of the Winters Corporation."
Elsa sighed mentally; she knew that he would eventually ask her about it anyway, "Yes."
Jack's eyes widened, "Really? Then you must be rich?"
"Y-you could say that," she mumbled.
"Are you the oldest child?"
Elsa knitted her brows, "You're asking too much questions. My turn now."
"Pffft—Fine."
"So…what's you're profession?"
Jack looked at her blankly, "Geez, you're like a teacher asking your student the 'what do you want to be when you grow up!'," he said using a high pitch tone.
"Mind you Mr. Frost. I am a teacher, besides what's wrong about asking your profession?"
"Fine," then he grinned arrogantly, "I'm a professional photographer…and all of my captions are eminent, you didn't know but there might be portraits that you have already seen that was captured by me."
"Really?"
"Yeah…have you ever seen the portrait of 'The Ice Castle of Arendelle' that was recently hung on the Burgess Photo Gallery?" he asked excitedly.
Elsa nodded, "Yes, w-wait –you mean…"
Jack beamed at her, "That's right! It was captured by yours truly, Mademoiselle."
The blonde woman stared at him in awe, "That's amazing."
He smirked at her, "I finally got to amuse you."
"Okay, you're awesome…I admit it, It's not like people can easily take a picture of that castle, right? There are obstacles that you have to pass through: You need to brace yourself for the cold weather and from what I researched, there's this large creature called Marshmallow—"
"-sigh…you didn't know how awful and scary he is. He is like a large beast covered in snow with ice fangs, he is really protective over the ice castle, that the moment I stepped in front of it…that marshmallow fella suddenly appeared and carry me like a sack of rice and threw me. Gawd! How much bruises I got from him." Jack cringed at the memory.
"But you must be strong that you were able to have a good shot of the castle," Elsa praised him.
"Well…actually I and that fella became friends."
"Really?"
"Yeah…well—"Jack stopped for a while as a waiter came by their table to place their meal. They thanked them and continued their conversation while they began to eat. "There's this one time when I landed on an ice stairs—courtesy of the Marshmallow guy— I felt something on my hand, so I dug and then what I found is a gold tiara. I didn't know what gotten in to me for wearing the tiara as I went back to Marshmallow, maybe to tease him? Then when I reached him again I closed my eyes as I prepared for another flight, but I got surprise when it kneeled in front of me."
Elsa was silent for a while as she listened to him, "Maybe that crown was from its creator or something?"
Jack nodded, "That's what I thought too. Anyway, ever since then we became friends, that he also let me inside the castle."
"That's really cool."
He smiled, "Yes…it was really an unforgettable experience. After that I decided to take a break for awhile from heavy adventures, so I planned to apply as a photographer on the 'Burgess Digital Photo Studio'."
"You really love photography, huh?"
"Yup. Now's my turn."
"Okay, okay."
"Why is it that you choose to become a teacher instead of working in your own company? Aren't you one of the heiresses of the WC? Who will be taking over it once your dad cannot handle the company anymore?"
"Whoah! Whoah! Too much questions."
Jack just grinned at her.
"You're really curious about that, huh?"
Jack leaned closer as he gazed at her, making sure that their eyes would meet, "Not just that… I want to know everything about you."
Elsa could feel her cheeks burning, 'Calm down Elsa, he just wanted to know you more…what's wrong about that?' she cleared her throat, "Well, being a teacher has been my dream ever since then and my father really respects that, but I know that my father cannot handle the company forever, and I also don't want my sister to be involve in something she didn't want to—because her life revolves around designing. So as his eldest daughter… I promised him when the right time has come, I will quit being a teacher and take over the company as his successor."
"But aren't you feeling a bit forced?"
Elsa shook her head slowly, "Not really, I also love working at our company, in fact…I've already attended few meetings in there with my father and done some paperworks…you know for me to be familiarized about business world. It's just I love teaching more than being a C.E.O, that's why I will miss being with those students of mine once I took over the WC," she smiled sadly. She waited for him to say anything as she started to play with her pasta, but then seconds had passed and still no reaction from him. She dropped her fork gently and ever-so slowly looked up at him. She almost gasped when she saw him staring at her intently with a sincere smile on his face. "W-what a-are y-you s-staring at?" she stammered.
"Am I staring?"
"Yes you are," she whispered. Gawd, she didn't want to face him right now, because everytime their eyes would lock she would be having this burning sensation on her body…and she was scared of that.
To her alarm, the man in front of her leaned closer to the point where she could feel the tip of his nose almost touching hers, "Really?" she could feel his breath fanned her face as he asked with his husky voice.
Then suddenly Jack chuckled and leaned back, that's when she realized that she was holding her breath, "Sorry Elsa, I couldn't help myself to stop staring at you." He admitted.
"W-why?"
Jack held up his index finger, "One, you are so selfless, that you are willing to give up your dream to help your father."
"I told you I also love worki—"
"Shhhhh," then Jack held his middle finger next to his index, "Second, I'm amazed about how you show your love towards your family."
Elsa bit her lip shyly, "What is so amazing about that? Of course every one of us loves our own family."
"I know…it's just yours is too influential? I don't know what adjective to use," he chuckled.
She let out a small smile and placed her arms on the table, "So what's the third one?"
Jack leaned on his hands which were resting on the table, "You sure you wanted to know the third one?" he gave her a teasing smile.
"Well, yeah…as long as it's something out of sincerity, then I guess…I would want it to know," She grinned at him, but deep inside… 'Elsa, calm down...it's not like he's going to confess his love for you, you just met each other so that will be impossible, plus! You're not a teenager anymore so you can handle something similar to a love confession…so keep calm.'
Jack bit the corner of his lip and moved his head sideward as he continued to gaze at her, "Well…the third one is…I simply cannot take my eyes off you."
"Wha—"Elsa could feel the heat rushed up to her cheeks as she covered it with her hands. She averted her gaze from him and whispered accusingly, "Y-you're m-making me fl-lustered here!"
Jack chuckled, "Well you asked for it... Just telling you the truth."
Elsa cleared her throat, "I-I really d-don't know how to respond to t-that…all I know i-is that w-we should go." She grabbed her bag and stood up.
Jack did the same, "Okay then," he said smirking as he grabbed his wallet and left some money for their bill before following her outside.
When they reached her car, he outstretched his hand to her asking for her key, which she gave almost hastily. He just laughed at her teasingly and opened the passenger's door for her, before he went to the other side and sat on the driver's seat.
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The drive to Bennett's residence was silent but not awkward, they just sat there with Elsa looking at her window, face still flushing and Jack facing the driveway, grin still plastered on his face. Jack glanced at Elsa and asked, "Can I turn on the radio?"
When he saw her nod, he pressed the button and instantly a very familiar music filled the car. Right…very familiar.
Pardon the way that I stare
There's nothing else to compare
As soon as he heard those lyrics, he pursed his lips preventing his grin to become wider.
The sight of you makes me weak
There are no words left to speak
He bobbed his head with the music obviously enjoying the moment and its effect on the woman beside him.
So if you feel like I feel
Please let me know that it's real
Remembering that the next part would surely tease Elsa, Jack decided to sing along. Unknown to him with his husky voice filling the air, Elsa started to have Goosebumps on her arms.
You're just too good to be true
Can't take my eyes off of you
Sure enough as he sang those words while glancing at her, he noticed how her already flushed face reddened even more.
"Jack, stop teasing me," the blonde woman whined.
Jack chuckled, "Alright, alright…I'll stop," truth to be told, he stopped singing and just hummed, as he drove the car still with a smile on his face.
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Jack turned off the engine as they reached her sister's house. He looked at his other side and was surprised to see Elsa looking back at him.
'Don't be assuming man; she's just waiting for you to leave her car!'
"R-right." he stopped the urge to smack himself. "S-so—"
"I'm glad that I've got to spend some of my time with you," Elsa smiled at him.
He smirked at her, "Trust me, the feeling is mutual."
They stayed like that for awhile just staring at each other— but they didn't mind.
"U-umm…it's my turn to ask you a question, right?" Jack said.
Elsa remembering their game, gave him a 'go on' look.
"Can I borrow your phone?"
Elsa blinked at him in confusion, "Is that your question?"
"Yup."
"Ughhh…yes?" then she dug her phone from her bag and gave it to him. She watched him punched on her phone until something rang on Jack's side and that made him grinned like he just won a lottery.
She confirmed her guess when Jack fished out his own phone, and looked at it for awhile, before giving her back her own phone. She looked at it and sure enough, his number was added on her contact list.
"Hey Elsa."
She looked at him as soon as she heard him call…then—
Shutter
She didn't know what happened so she just sat there dumbfounded as he bid her goodbye.
Realization struck her as soon as he left her car.
He just took a picture of her!
She just sighed giving up the idea of erasing her picture. So she transferred on the driver's seat and looked on the window, she saw Jack waved at her with his trademark smirk before entering the front door.
She shook her head dismissing the thoughts of him until her phone vibrated. She got a message…from Jack. It was just a simple message yet the way it affected her made her want to smack herself.
To: Elsa
'I hope to see you again, Princess
I still have more turns in our game, so do you. ;)'
-Jack
She shook her head again…trying to erase him from her thoughts. She opened her bag and dropped her phone, until she noticed something inside it. Something that remind her about the reality; that she seemed to forget as she spent her time with Jack. Something that made her wanted to regret the events earlier but she couldn't bring herself to. Something that made her agitation vanished and replaced with guilt.
Because…
There inside her bag laid her engagement ring.
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"So…care to share us what happened?"
Jack looked up from his phone to his sister and gave her a bear-hug as he grinned, "Em-bear I love you so much!" he squealed.
Pippa looked at her brother weirdly, "Are you okay?"
Jack continued to grin like an idiot as he pulled back from his sister, "Of course!"
Ethan launched at his uncle who carried him, "Uncle Jack, Mom said that you have a wonderful story to tell us!" he exclaimed excitedly.
Jack looked at his nephew and giggled, "Nah…" he sang as he put Ethan down who whined in return.
Jack just slumped on the couch, "Can I stay for a bit?" He asked his sister; well more like to himself because he didn't even heard his sister's response.
He laid there on the sofa hand on his mouth to hide his reddening cheeks and wide grin, mind too preoccupied. Gawd, he was too sure about something, not because he just felt it…but he knew it.
They would surely meet each other again.
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A/N; phew! I finally finished the chapter 3! I hope you guys will love it. I'm sorry if the fluffs are boring. (I didn't even know if you can call that fluff).
SOOOOO…. Guys I'm begging you…Please read and review for me to know your reactions. Thank you! :)
Again, constructive criticisms are very much welcome.
-sigh- It's already 4 in the morning! I missed my bed now! I gotta go!
See you on the next chappie!
-PrimaVera