EPISODE HUNDRED AND THIRTEEN
THEME: Adriel
STARBUCKS COFFEE SHOP, CHICAGO.
Turning the coffee pack around, Jaylen looked like nothing around him interests him. For weeks, he has been trying to live his life the way he used to before his trip to the Fortress but it wasn’t working. Half of his day was always filled with the thoughts of his home and Lorelei.
Rosalyn and her sweet self have tried all she can to ensure his day goes on without a glitch. Jaylen ending up in Starbucks for a coffee was an idea of hers and what she was trying to achieve with it surpasses him.
Jaylen’s thoughts wandered as his lips touched the cup lid. There was a need for him to leave the past behind and then forge ahead with his life. His grandmother Gabriella has been trying to reach him but he had an idea of what she might intend to discuss with him and had decided to not pick her calls. Knowing how much he falls under her soothing words, Jaylen refused to be cajoled back into returning to Moon Stone Fortress.
“Jaylen Damien?” A lady like voice called out his name.
Jaylen raised his head up from the coffee cup and he was surprised to see an old friend. They had been classmates back in college. “Adriel?” He arched his brows.
“Yes…it’s me. I knew I recognized that face!” She giggled.
Jaylen stood up and they both of them hugged each other tightly. They had been quite good friends in college.
“You look really nice, Adriel.” He commended
“You don’t look bad yourself. I only get to see your handsome face on magazines.” She teased.
Jaylen grinned widely. “That’s so sweet of you, Adriel. So tell me how have you been?” He felt more relaxed now just by having someone familiar to talk to.
“I am doing fine.” Adriel replied.
Rosalyn either planned it out with Adriel or she foresaw what would happen if he stepped out of his cage. He watched her as she talked. Adriel was one of the most beautiful ladies Jaylen had ever come across. She was pretty with her curly brown hair, pointed nose and right cheek dimple that always show whenever she talks or smiles. Every guy in the department admired her so much and he had a crush on her at some point. He had no idea if it was just him but his crush had lasted till the very day he graduated from college.
Jaylen never had the guts to approach her mainly cause back then, she was dating one of the most popular guys on campus who was quite notorious for getting down on whoever crosses his path. Not intending to get into a brawl with anyone, Jaylen had cautioned himself to keep his feelings at bay. But it all seem to come rushing back now that she was right in front of him.
“How is Brandon? How did things go with him?” Jaylen asked.
Adriel let out her beautiful bright smile. “One question at a time champ. You seem really eager.”
Jaylen laughed out. “Is it bad to want to catch up with you, Adriel? Maybe I never got to mention it but you had me reeling till the very end of college.” He confessed.
“Now I am blushing.” She giggled.
“You should and you haven’t changed much, Adriel but you look more beautiful. Honestly, I can’t seem to take my eyes off you.” Jaylen paused as he tilted his head sideways. “Oops! I hope Brandon isn’t near you. I still can’t really indulge in a one on one fist fight with anybody.”
Adriel giggled. “Now for the record, Brandon and I broke up long before graduation.”
“That sounds like good news.” Jaylen joked, causing the two of them to burst into laughter again.
“I hear you have been flying around places. I am really proud of how far you have come, Jaylen Damien. And it is a good thing to see you.” She praised him.
“Thanks for the compliment.” Jaylen mused.
The both of them shared memories of their days in college and how wild things were. Jaylen was laughing all through as Adriel was the one with the most memories. After ordering another cup of coffee and exchanging contacts, they both parted ways after the long hours of talks.
“That smile looks planted.” Rosalyn commented when he entered into the office.
Jaylen rolled his eyes at her. “Rosa, you can say whatever you want. But guess what?” He said eagerly.
“What?” She asked.
Jaylen took his seat. “I said to make a guess.”
Rosalyn rested her head on both of her palms. “I suck at it so let me on it.”
“I met Adriel today.” He grinned widely.
Rosalyn gave an affirmative glance. She is very aware of who Adriel is. When they had first met and they decide to take a break off work, Jaylen had decided to go down memory lane of his college days and he ended up ranting on and on about Adriel.
“How did that happen?”
Jaylen squinted his eyes at her. “You really don’t know?”
“Know what?” Rosalyn arched her brows in confusion.
“Never mind. I am just having a feeling that you set this up.” He replied.
Rosalyn chuckled hard as she raised her hands up in surrender. “I know nothing about it. I just wanted you to go out there and take some fresh air aside the one blowing you everyday here at the office.”
“Very well then, I should thank you for that.” He winked.
“You are always welcome. I should guess that your meeting with Adriel today brought you out of a mood.”
“Definitely!” He huffed.
“I am glad.” Rosalyn said, causing Jaylen to laugh deeply after what seems like a long time. She watched him keenly. “I am really glad you are eventually coming out of your shell.”
Jaylen sniffed as he rubbed at his nose. “What can I say? I don’t know yet.” His phone rang showing Gabriella as the caller.
“Shouldn’t you answer that?” Rosalyn urged.
“There is no need to answer her calls. She definitely intends to ask me for a request that will surely be too much for me to give. They always never seem to get it.” He huffed.
“Don’t forget she is your grandmother, Jaylen. Gabriella must be missing you badly and must be worried about your wellbeing. Don’t sound so bitter. It’s nobody’s fault.”
Jayden inhaled sharply. “It’s not mine either. I just want sometime to myself without them necessarily getting into my space.”
“I understand you clearly.” Rosalyn said as she winked at him. “Now that Adriel is here, maybe something different is about to start.”
He almost threw a pen at her. “Shut up!”
Rosalyn tried to dodge the pen that wasn’t even aimed at her. She giggled loud at the realization of it. “You should be grateful for me.”
Jaylen did a mock bow. “I am very grateful ma’am.”
“You are welcome son.” She tried mimicking Gabriella’s tone.
“Not funny!” Jaylen gritted with a tight smile on his face.