Jessy stayed in her room the whole day. Nanny Aida brought her breakfast, lunch, and dinner in her room. She told her that she suffered from recurring headaches and feeling sick. Nana brought her some medicines and instructed her that she needs to take them one at a time to get well. She's allowed a bed rest.

The truth was... she can't see Adam without breaking down in tears in his presence.

She took pity on his doomed fate. Not only he has this hideous appearance, but he also has to die early for her. It's the worst fate anyone could have. It's the cruelest aspect of the prophecy, one must sacrifice his life for others to live, and she hated it very much. She can accept and face everything as long as Adam will continue to live.

But she can't even negotiate with anyone for his sake!

She sighed.

She went back to her laptop and scrolled at her movie list. She finished watching Beauty And The Beast yesterday, now it's Hunchback Of Notre Dame on her playlist. She pressed the play button. She can relate well to those types of movies because she and Adam shared the same fate. Theirs is a tragedy waiting to happen...

She paused the movie in the middle part and went inside the bathroom to take a shower.

She pretended she was sick and now she felt like she was going to be sick. She let the warm water ran down through her skin. After showering, she emerged from the bathroom wearing only her bathrobe.

She almost screams when she saw someone sitting on her chair in front of her laptop.

It's just Adam!

She tried to calm her nerves. "Adam, please knock on the door before you enter next time, okay? You give me a scare!" she complained pouting.

"Am sorry, Jess...I did knock earlier but nobody answer. I'm worried about you, so I entered through your window," he winked at her.

She sighed, so much for hiding! She went back inside the bathroom and changed into her pajamas.

When she emerged from the bathroom door, Adam was still sitting and watching The Hunchback of Notre Dame on her laptop.

"I think, I look better than Quasimodo right?" There's a hint of amusement in his voice.

She didn't answer, instead, she walks slowly to where he seated. Then she starts messing up with his shoulder-length messy hair with her fingers. She massaged his scalp, up and down in a gentle manner.

Adam closed his eyes, loving the way her hands works magic on his scalp, he groaned in pleasure. Every time her fingers came in contact with his ears, it produces a sweet tingling sensation, spreading throughout his body. The combination of her womanly scent and her sensuous massage, lit his body on fire. He groaned again. What's with Jess? That every time she's near him, he wanted to touch and devour her completely? She's very addicting!

"Stop now, Jess!" He can't bear anymore the sweet torture. He snatched her hands and kissed them both with his lips.

Surprised, her brows furrowed. "I thought you like my scalp massage," she asked him sweetly.

"I like it very much, please don't get me wrong. But if you don't stop right now, we might find ourselves naked under your bedsheets before the night is over," he grinned, teasing her, amused by the way she blushed shyly and she back away from him.

"Oh," she smiled a little...blushing.

She went to her bed, creating a distance between them.

"By the way, why are you here?" she asked him.

"Nana said, you were sick so I came here to check on you. I'm worried about you. Please don't be so disheartened about the future, okay?"

She's starting to look sad and it makes him want to comfort her.

"Come here, Jess. Let's talk...," his voice husky, laced with intoxicating tenderness.

She rose to her feet and quickly sauntered towards him, like a moth drawn to a flame.

When he opened his arms, she enters willingly into his loving fold, then he imprisoned her in his tight embrace. She closes her eyes inhaling his manly scent. Why is it that every time she luxuriated in his embrace she always feels contented and happy, she feels secure and protected.

"What are you thinking, Jess?" he took a glimpse at her closed eyes.

"Am thinking of us," she replied softly. "I don't want to lose you..."

"Neither do I..." He ran his palms up and down on her back in a loving manner, trying to reassure her that everything will be all right in the end.

"Can we find a solution, another option? I just want us to live forever...together," she added in a thick voice heavy with emotion.

"We will try to find a way, Jess." He reassures her. "I want you to know that no matter if I'm dead or alive, I will always find a way to protect you. In this lifetime, you are the only girl I ever love."

They both froze with his sudden declaration of love.

Adam admitted to himself...way back he used to hate her, but that 'hate' gradually turns into love and grows stronger with each passing day.

"Y-you love me?" she asked, surprised.

"Why? Does a beast like me has no right to fall in love with a beauty like you?" He was nuzzling her hair, feeling lightheaded.

Jessy smiled, his confession of love, so sweet it made her heart flutter. She feels like a million butterflies were trying to burst open from the confinements of her heart.

She remained speechless for a few seconds...

Then she feels his breath coming down to her lips, she felt alarmed.

She quickly untangles from his loving embrace and pushed him gently towards the door. "Time for my sleep, Adam," she blurted out. She dared not look into his eyes, afraid she will see hurt and disappointment.

"Jess..."

"Thank you for the lovely night, Adam. Sweet dreams...goodnight," she closed the door gently.

Adam was left outside the door scratching his head. Asking himself if they were officially a couple now or not yet?

Well...duh! There's still tomorrow then. He began walking towards his room on the far corner of the hallway, frowning.

~~~0~~~

Jessy was tossing on her bed, she had difficulty sleeping.

She admitted to herself that she's starting to develop strong romantic feelings for Adam. She enjoyed his lingering touches, his occasional hugs, stolen kisses, and all the tenderness he showered her with. It feels so good spending time with him.

Just that she hesitated to officially enter a relationship with him because she will surely suffer much in terms of emotional trauma if the prophecy will start unfolding. She will be left alone with all their memories, good and bad, tortured alone for eternity.

She wonder if he's worth it?

But she's also aware of what Adam's heart wants...

How can she deny him this one chance of happiness to love and be loved by the girl of his dreams?

When she asked her heart if he's worth it? It answered yes...

If what she feels for Adam right now is 'true love' then she might as well show it to him while he's still alive. Make his life happy and give him all the love he needs. Her complete acceptance of his love can make his remaining life on earth a pleasant and meaningful one. She will make sure his remaining days will be full of love and worth living.

"I love you...Adam," she whispered the words into the darkness of her room, it echoed back into her heart and she feels gloriously elated.

So this is what the magic of love was all about. You will feel euphoric...intoxicated and excited.

The moment she accepted his love and acknowledged her true feelings for him, she felt amazingly good.

She starts feeling sleepy, a few minutes later, she finally fell asleep with a radiant smile plastered on her lips.