Leap OF Fate

Serene's phone vibrated on the bedside table. With eyes closed, she reached for it only to feel Justin's hand closing on the phone. He looked at the screen and knit his brows. "My mom's calling you, Kitty," he said sleepily, and handed her her cellphone, then buried his face in her neck.

"Hello?" she asked in her sleep. The voice of Elaina jolted her awake. She asked her to accompany her to go shopping. It was her idol asking her to go out! Who needs to think twice about that? Of course, she agreed to her invitation and got up from the bed, earning a dissatisfied grunt from Justin. He tightened his hold on her waist and pulled her back into his embrace. "What's that about," he mumbled on her neck.

"Your mom asked me to go shopping with her," she responded, tracing the line of his nose.

"Hmmm... stay a little longer please," he pleaded like a little boy asking for candy. She agreed and continued to let him use her as his pillow. She lied beside him and let him sleep a little longer, threading her fingers through his long dark mane.

Serene smiled. Closing her eyes, she felt his heartbeat against her side. His rhythmic breathing tells her he's deep in his sleep. These quiet and intimate moments with him filled her heart with happiness.

They lie there for a good half hour, Serene enjoying the view of his chiseled profile and the feel of his skin against hers. He stirred beside her and nuzzled on her neck. Then he pushed her underneath him and rained kisses on her face, giving extra attention to her mouth. "Morning, Kitty," he said before he kissed her lips once more. "Did Mom ask you to accompany her today, or was that a dream?" He propped himself on his elbows to better look at her.

"Yes, she called earlier. You're not dreaming," she smiled at him, admiring his handsome face.

"Alright."

He got up from the bed after confirming that he was not dreaming. Just like he did in the previous mornings, he went to the bathroom to take a quick shower while Serene tidied up their bed then combed her hair. She just finished choosing his outfit when he got out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his chest. Serene automatically approached him and helped him dry his hair.

Of course, he could do all these on his own, but he enjoyed the moments she pampered him. His day felt different if she did not attend to him, just like when she would visit her parents in Coast City by herself. He would look for her presence everywhere and when he could not find her, sadness gnaw his heart.

It was just close to three months since they lived together, but she had already grown into him. He could not imagine not having her in his life.

When he finished putting on his clothes, she helped him tie his tie. The proximity between them was tempting. Her long lashes were like tiny fans above her cheeks. Sometimes her forehead formed creases as she concentrated on her knot. Her natural scent intoxicated him. If only his first conference call was not so important, he would have ripped her clothes off and have her for breakfast.

But he had a meeting with a potentially large client, and he could no longer delay or reschedule it. Before they got down for breakfast, he reached for his wallet and picked up a card from it.

"Kitty, take this card. Buy whatever you like," he said, handing her a black credit card.

Serene took the card but stared at it for a long time. "Is this necessary? I mean I have my card."

The idea of spending his money did not appeal to her after all, she had her own money from her salaries and savings.

"Take it, Kitty. It's yours."

She reluctantly accepted the card and tucked it in her purse.

They had their breakfast together but took separate cars to go outside. Justin drove his Maybach while she had Justin's mom's black Audi waiting for her.

"Good morning, Prof. V," she greeted as soon as she got in.

Elaina waved her hand and smiled at her. "Stop calling me Prof., you're no longer my student. Call me 'Mom'." Serene swallowed hard, hearing what Elaina had just said.

Did that mean she approved of her for Justin? Her chest swelled at the thought. Justin's family's acceptance of her and their relationship mattered to her because she knew how much importance Justin places on his family. Serene's lips curved to a smile, and said, "Mom." It felt surreal that she's now calling her greatest idol 'mom'. How lucky could she get!

Elaina smiled at her and gently patted her hand from her address.

"Serene, please be patient with Justin," she said, her tender eyes looked at her. "To the outside world, he's a man who has everything - a family, a career, a love." She smiled at her at the mention of the word love making Serene's face burn. "Despite that, Justin's fiercely possessive and jealous because he's insecure. As a child, Justin had been the stronger one in terms of health and abilities.

Although as parents, we try to treat them as fairly as we could; he felt we cared for Chester more than him. That's why he fiercely held on to anyone or anything that made him feel more cherished. Be it their carer's attention or a pet, for as long as they gave him time, attention, or affection, he would be possessive of them and eventually his jealousy and insecurity would surface.

Sometimes his jealousy and insecurity would get the better of his reason. And his instinct would be to protect himself, and so he does or says something hurtful.

Please do not give up on him when such a time comes. This is the first time I saw my son love as deeply as he loves you. And the deeper that love is, the more intense his insecurity will be."

Elaina looked at Serene with a mother's gentle, pleading eyes. She had told her so much, Serene just kept silent as she pondered on her words.

She's spot on in describing her son. Serene bit her lips as she thought of the past events where Justin felt jealous. At those times, she just needed to coax and assure him and he'd be back to normal. Fear crept in her heart thinking about what Elaina said ".... the deeper that love is, the intense his insecurity will be." She wondered how she could ease Justin's insecurity. What more does she need to do to build his trust of her and of their relationship?0000