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One Year later...

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"If you will turn into an ordinary human being, what will you do with your life?"

She asked Adam who was sitting beside her on the floor of his room.

"Hmmm, am going to be a businessman, I want to own lots of businesses and properties around the country. I want to create jobs for people so that they can have decent jobs which they can be proud of," he said.

"Nice," she smiled at him adoringly.

"And you?"

"I want to be a Policewoman," she smiled broadly.

"Lol, you will be a hell of a Policewoman someday-Jess," he commented.

"Nah, actually. I want to be a Captain, a Captain of my own destiny. I want to be free. Free to do anything I wanted in my life. Free to roam the world," she said meaningfully.

"When am gone you should do that...I mean if my brother would not object and will set you free, but I think he won't let you go, once he sees you in person. Am sure you two will have a great marriage together," he said with a blank stare. In spite of everything he said, he was dying inside, he's feeling jealous that his brother will get to spend his life with the girl he loves.

She gazed into his hooded eyes...

Then she lay her head on his shoulder.

"If a miracle happens and the curse will fail and you will continue living after I turn 20 years old, what will you do?"

"I will marry you," he quickly said.

Jessy smiled sweetly at him.

"Then...how many children do you want?"

"I want two kids, a boy, and a girl," he replied.

"Two only? I can give you twelve children," she giggled.

Adam chuckled. "Huh? You want that many?"

"Why not?" she challenged him.

He looked at her, smirking. "Shall we start tonight? We will make our first baby...?"

"Promise me first, you won't die. That you won't leave me alone and our baby?"

Adam sighed. "If only I could, I would."

Deep inside, he wishes so bad that the curse will not happen in three years time. If only there's a chance he will not die, he will be a happy man. If the prophecy will ultimately happen, he can't leave Jessy with a child either, his parents will go ballistic with anger and disappointment and his brother will curse him for eternity because he betrayed him. So it's kind of complicated...

The atmosphere around them suddenly became depressing.

He stood up and pulled her to him.

"Let's swim in the lake-Jess. We haven't swim in the lake for the last two weeks. I already miss swimming!"

"Okay..." she said.

They exited his room and went downstairs for a much- needed swim in the lake.

>>

Saturday Evening...

Part of their scheduled adventure...they were currently strolling in the busy downtown part of the city.

The bar and restaurants were alive with their usual entertainment and services. The majority of the stores were still open and people are just milling around either shopping in the mall, perusing products on stores display, eating in the restaurants and just sipping coffee in a cafe shop.

Jessy brought a gay-colored dusk musk for Adam to cover his mouth. Then she also made him wear a baseball cap to cover his eyes. With his black hoodie sweatshirt, the rest of his arms were covered, he also wears black gloves for his hands. At first, she thought it won't work, but after he already donned everything, she found out that it's pretty much possible for Adam to walk in the city and mingle with the city dwellers, with that kind of attire.

So, it's their first try tonight...

Jessy noticed that people don't even give Adam a glance. They were busy with their own world...and that's a good thing for her.

She feels very happy and relieved.

Adam also doesn't give a damn, he already knows what to do just in case something goes wrong, he can just freeze everyone within one hundred meters distance if the need arises and teleported themselves back home in the blink of an eye.

Anything that can make Jessy happy, he is willing to do anything for her.

Jessy kept her smile plastered on her face, she's clearly having a good time just strolling the city with Adam by her side.

They keep walking...until they reach a darkened alley where some garbage was being dumped in the sidewalk. On their way, they passed an old man with tattered clothes, who looks like a beggar rummaging food in the garbage can.

Adam and Jessy looked at each other.

Jess's heart automatically goes out to the old man's pathetic flight. She was greatly saddened by his miserable condition.

The old man stopped rummaging the garbage...empty handed...he walked slowly, limping towards his meager bundle of belongings in the corner. He sat on the ground, head down, rubbing his stomach out of hunger.

His pitiful state tugged both at Adam and Jess' heart.

"W-we don't have money to buy food for him," she said with sadness.

Adam nodded. They really wanted to help the old man so that he can eat something...

Adam had an idea. He pulled Jessy with her back in the busy street, he told her to stay outside near the jewelry store, he will be back in a while. Then he disappeared from her sight.

A few minutes later...he was back with a loaf of sliced bread, two apples, and two bottled water.

"W-where did you get that?" her eyes widened.

"I stole it from a wealthy neighborhoods house nearby. When I went into their kitchen there were lots of foods in the fridge. I think they won't die if I stole some foods to give to that old man," he said.

They walked back to the alleyway where the old beggar was sitting, still holding his empty stomach, eyes closed as if dozing.

Adam and Jessy stood in front of him. He did not even bother to look at them

"Grandpa, we have foods for you. Please take it and enjoy your meal," she said.

The beggar opened his eyelids and his eyes alight with joy upon seeing the foods they offered him. He gladly took the foods from them and quickly sunk his teeth on the apple.

"Thank you so much, kids. Am so hungry and I prayed for foods earlier ...and here I am now enjoying the miracle you had given me. May you are blessed with a happy life together, forever and ever," he said smiling at them.

"Enjoy your dinner, Grandpa, we're taking our leave," said Adam.

They left the old man alone to finish his meal.

They resumed their strolling in the busy street of the town.

Adam somehow liked the feeling of being able to walk in the street side by side with humans. He felt like he truly belongs in their midst...to live among them must be challenging and refreshing.

A moment later...

Jessy finally got tired with all the walking and she requested Adam to take her home.

They teleported back in the mansion, they landed inside Jess' room.

After kissing Jess' lips and say goodnight to her, he opened the door to go out, to his surprise, Nana Aida was sitting on the chair outside Jess' room.

Waiting for them...

"Nana?" he exclaimed.

"Where have you been guys? You're sneaking around without my knowledge and permission? Since when?" asked Nana Aida. Her voice contains a hint of anger and weariness combined.

Jessy was shocked to see Nana Aida outside her door.

They have been caught!

"Adam come with me downstairs! And you~young lady... stay here in your room." Nana Aida turn around, followed by Adam.

In the living room, Adam was silent while Nana Aida scolded him.

"Adam, you are the oldest and more mature than Jessy, why you are doing this? You know it's dangerous to venture outside!"

He cleared his throat, his eyes downcast. "Nana, I just want to make Jessy happy. I just want to enjoy our remaining time together. I will die soon, just let me enjoy the remaining years of my life with my girlfriend," he pleaded with a broken voice.

Nana Aida inhaled sharply. She doesn't like them going out often during the night. It's not acceptable for her.

"Don't worry Nana, I always have a solid and back up plan every time we go out. I make sure we are safe from harm and danger. Besides we don't go out every night," he added.

Nana Aida looked at Adam's face intently. She just realized that he's no longer a kid. He's already a grown up 18 years old young man. Even if she won't allow them to go out at night, she can't watch them 24/7.

She sighed again.

"If that is the case then, just make sure you are both safe and don't do it often, okay? Please don't make me worry about you guys. I don't know what to do if something bad will happen to both of you," she said in an agitated voice.

The creased of worries were already appearing on the older woman's forehead.

"Trust me, Nana, I will be extra careful when we're outside. What is the use of my power if I can't protect both myself and Jess. Please stop worrying about us."

"Okay, fine. Just make sure nothing bad will happened to both of you every time you go out," she finally let go of her worries.

"Thank you, Nana," he smiled at her warmly, relief flooded his eyes.

The older woman headed to her room to retire for the evening.

Adam quickly went upstairs to Jess' room.

He found her sitting on her bed, face full of worry.

"Is she angry?" asked Jessy.

'She's okay now. Next time if we go out, we will just have to inform her. That will lessen her worry," he said.

Jessy sighed with relief. The worst thing she's expecting that they can no longer go out whenever they wish.

"Let's go to sleep. Goodnight-Jess," he kissed her forehead and exited her room.

>>

On the eve of Jess' 17th birthday, they asked Nana's permission to go outside.

Although the older woman hesitated at first, she finally gave them her permission as long they will be back within five hours.

The lovers went back to their own little-hidden paradise...The Beach...

They were currently sitting under the coconut tree, their eyes facing the calm sea. The moon above is big, bright and beautiful, creating a breathtaking display of enchanting glow around the beach.

"How I wish we can visit here every night," she said, admiring the serene atmosphere around them.

"No we can't do that, Nana Aida will not allow us. But every time we're here we will just savor the opportunity and enjoy the beach as much as we can," he replied.

There's something magical about the beach during the night, all living things were already sleeping except for some owls howling from afar...the tiny waves gentle crashing on the shore creates mesmerizing music to the soul.

Adam pulled Jessy closer to his body, seeking her heavenly warmth.

"Happy Happy 17th birthday, Jess!" he said.

She smiled at him with tenderness.

Adam enveloped his girlfriend in his arms.

Three more years on her side...

He is lucky he still has three more years to enjoy her attention, love, and affection.