Chapter 2 02

For a long time as the old man left, Mila and Jayceon just stood, staring at the empty direction he had taken.

Probably, they had both been silent because they were communicating only in their minds. Had so many words, but couldn't spit them out.

"That man is so unthinkable" Mila finally said something, brushing her fingers across her forehead.

She's expected Jayceon to respond; instead, he simply turned around and started walking into the shade.

Oh-oh.

"Hey; Jayceon!" She called, but he wouldn't stop. And she ran after him.

Ryan was in the shade, pretentiously staring at his book. He didn't want his parents to know he had seen that embarrassing moment. He knew when his father walked pass the shade and went into the house, and his mother followed almost immediately.

"Jayceon, come on! You need to calm down..."

"How can I possibly calm down, Mila?" He stopped walking as he whirled around to face her, taking the napkin down from his shoulder.

"Just tell me, Mila; how can I possibly keep calm?"

Mila's lips had gone shut as she just stared at him. She could see the hurt in his eyes; sweats had already formed up behind his eyelids.

"The kitchen is empty, our son was kicked out of school, we've almost sold every thing we own, paying off debts! I can't even give you a treat, and now, we're being threatened of the only place we call a home. So, just tell me, Mila; how can I keep calm??"

He couldn't look her in the eyes due to the guilt and chagrin in his. He yelled, pains echoing in it 'cause he was slowly losing a grip of the man he was.

Mila's heart twitched in her chest as she lowered her gaze to the floor. Her subconsciousness told her to encourage him, but at that moment, the words were dwindling from her head.

"I know you don't wanna say it, but you deserve better, Mila" he continued, the pains making his voice crack a little.

"You shouldn't be here; you shouldn't be with me. I can't give you anything. You're so.... young and beautiful, charming. You don't deserve this life with me".

"Come on, Jayceon. Will you just stop it already?" She bat her eye lids and looked at him, finally summoning up some courage.

"I'm here not because you forced me, but because I want to. I love you, Jayceon, and our son and I'm not ready to let go of this family. For six years, we've been together, and we've always survived. One way or the other, we've always survived, Jayceon".

The boldness intensified and she moved closer to him, placing her hand on his cheek.

"I don't love because of money; I love because it's what I want. Life isn't over yet, Jayceon. We still have a long way to go. I mean, I'm just twenty-six and you're twenty-nine....' She paused and scoffed.

"We're still pretty much young and have enough time to get all the wealth we need. So, just stop this self-crucifixion and let's make things work, okay?"

Jayceon's countenance had grown calm.

"Okay?" Mila cooed again and went closer for a kiss.

Tho, Jayceon didn't reciprocate, but he felt relaxed and welcomed the kiss. And by the time she pulled away, he was looking much better.

"So...' She sighed, inserting her both hands into her back pockets.

"You'll be taking the TV for sale, right?"

"Yeah... I'm about leaving" Jayceon muttered.

"Hopefully, I sell it a good price, I'll be able to pay Marcus off".

Oh, Marcus. He was one of their creditors and had threatened to come with the Corp later that evening if his money wasn't paid.

"Alright, I understand. By the way.... I might be going to see my mum today or tomorrow". Mila said.

"Your mum?"

"Y...Yeah. Wanted to see if she could be of help and lend us some money".

"You still call that a mum?" Jayceon scoffed.

"That woman has never liked you from birth, Mila....."

"I know; I know" she cut him off with an eye roll, not wanting to discuss that topic.

"But we're running out of options, Jayceon; and I just need to give it a try".

Jayceon sighed and walked over to the Tv. He picked his T-shirt from beside it and wearing it, looked more manly. Hm. Even in his penury, he was still so much handsome - Mila thought.

"I'll be leaving now with the Tv" he said to her as he picked it up.

"That looks quite heavy, Jayceon. Are you sure you can...."

"Yeah, don't worry; it's fine" he cut in and placed it on his shoulder.

Mila followed him out of the house, admiring his strength.

"Bye, daddy" Ryan waved at him when he got out to the shade.

"Bye, son. Will be back real soon" Jayceon beamed back.

Mila stood there at the shade and watched as Jayceon left, walking down the lane.

And she kept staring until he took a turn and couldn't be seen anymore.

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