Falling For Innocence - Episode 12

Sarah:

I breathe a sigh of relief as the moment is broken by Andrew. I don't

know what would have happened but i am sure i would have regretted it.

Nothing can happen between Jake and i because first of all, we are

going to be siblings and Jake is a confirmed manwhore. I would be

better off falling for someone like Andrew. He looks like a 'one

woman' kind of man

"you got here early" i say to Andrew and he smile. He is goodlooking in

his own way.

"when i heard you were stranded, i rushed back. I ran a few redlights

just to get to you in time. Come on, lets get out of here" he says then

pull me to his side as he walk me to his car. I look behind us to see

Jake sulking.

"What were you guys doing here anyways? This is the opposite direction

to the orphanage" Andrew says when we reach his car.

"You brought a pick-up truck? How are we going to fit in there?"Jake

ask while eyeing the car disapprovingly.

"You can stay in the back" Andrew suggest and i stiffle my giggle. No

way will Jake agree to ride in there.

"You are kidding me. Jake doesn't ride in junk like this not to talk

of riding in there"Jake says clearly appalled by the idea

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. He brushes

past us and sit himself down on the only passenger seat. Andrew

chuckles then turn to me.

"does he always act like a spoilt child?" he ask.

"Yea" i fake whisper

"I heard that!" Jake yell from inside making us burst into laughter.

"Come on Sarah. We will share the driver's seat" Andrew takes my hand i

pull me to the other side of the truck. We get into the car with me in

the middle and Jake doesn't move to give us space so i am squeezed

between them.

"Comfy butterfly?" Andrew ask and i nod

"butterfly?" Jake scoff

"oh sh*t butterfly!" Jake exclaim and fly out the car. Andrew and i follow suit.

"Andrew come and help me bring the bike" Jake yell from afar and Andrew

jog to him. They both lift the bike and place it in the cargo bed.

"Thanks" Jake grunt out

"you welcome" Andrew says.

We all pile into the car but this time, Jake forces himself into our middle.

************************

Jake:

Throughout the short drive i interrupt all the conversation between

Sarah and Andrew. I am just protecting her from men. I know how their

brain works and its my duty to help her scare them off. We are almost

at the orphanage and that's when I notice some reporters standing at

the entrance.

Andrew must hav seen them too because I notice his features get

stiff. I feel sarah's stare on me but i don't turn. Andrew park the

car and we all alight.

"Jake are you involved in charity work now?"

"does this mean you have changed your playboy ways?"

"are you the founder of this foundation?"

"is this just a publicity stunt?" these questions fly at me as we get

closer. I dont answer any of them and I shield my face from the camera

as we enter into the premises. They follow us in. I see my manager

among them and he rush to me.

"Jake man. The public loves this. Playboy to saviour. Good headline

right?" he asks but i am too speechless to speak.The reporters keep

taking pictures of the orphanage and some of the children outside. One

of the reporters start questioning some of the children and that's

when Andrew loses it.

"get out!" he yell at the reporter who just shrug indignantly and walk

out. It takes about ten minutes before we successfully get all the

reporters out and as soon as they are gone, Andrew faces me

"you did this?! I know celebrities are selfish but this is the height

of it. How could you use this helpless children as a way to get more

fans or whatever? Did you even stop to think about their feelings?

Some of them do not want to be known throughout the country as an

orphanage child!"

"hey man, listen-" i go to say but he cut me off

"do you know that some of these children are abused kids hiding out

here and if their faces get out in the news their abusers may find

them?! You. Are. Despicable!" he yells the last part while poking my

chest before he storm off. All these while Sarah has been starting

behind him. I look up at her but she just shake her head at me.

"Sarah, listen-"

"stop. Just stop. I dont want to hear it" she say and storm off after Andrew too.

How did i become a villain in all these? I didn't plan this. This is

all my manager's idea. I look around and all the children are nowhere

to be found. I am all alone. I slump on the nearest chair then plant

my head in my hands. What a day!

"Jake?" a small voice call and i raise my head to see a lanky teenager

who shouldn't be older than sixteen standing timidly by the door. Her

clothes are too big for her lanky frame but she looks beautiful

anyways.

Read " Beautiful Mask " by the same author ( Ameh juliet )

. Just a bit malnourished.

"you are Jake right? "she ask and i nod.

"Oh my God. I knew it! Juliet is so gonna want me as a friend once i

tell her i got to meet you" she screech loudly and i smile at her

enthusiasm.

"who is juliet?" i ask her while gesturing for her to come closer. She

runs to my side and sit on the floor.

"Juliet is the most popular girl in school and she wouldn't let me

join her crew because she says my clothes are ugly"

"why would you want to be friends with this juliet? She sounds

arrogant" i inquire and she looks at me like am stupid.

"ofcourse i want to be her friend. She is popular. Just like you.

Everybody wants to be friends with popular people" she says

"well, not everybody" i tell her.

"you are talking about that lady awhile ago right? She looked angry

with you. You like her right?" she ask and i start coughing.

"no, i dont" i say and she raise her scattered brow at me.

"I have an idea. Sarah is going shopping for some clothes this evening

so I'll ask permission so you can join her" i say to change the topic.

This seems to work because she screech excitedly.

"Really?" she ask and i nod. "Wow. Thanks uncle Jake. You are nice so

am sure that lady will like you back soon. I need to go tell the

others" she says as she run off.