Chapter 3

ZHARM was frowning when she got out of their house. It puts her in a bad mood every time her father is dragged into a conversation. She was already having a bad day knowing that her editor hasn’t approved her novel, yet, and now, her day has gotten worse. She sat on the pavement in front of their house, bringing her right elbow to her knee and her hand resting on her chin.

“Hey! You, ugly woman!”

She looked at the house across the street, where the direction of the familiar voice came from. And there, walking down the street was her best friend, Jared. Zharm was wondering if the universe is mad at her right now. She was having a bad day and yet, someone who annoys the hell out of her is calling her. Could her day get any worse?!

“What is it, Jared?” she answered but she sounded so uninterested. Jared closed the gate behind him before he made his way to her. Zharm’s eyebrows furrowed into a frown when she took a good look at him. He was wearing black shirt and tattered pants with splatters of paint all over him. Jared is a painter, hence, the splatter of paint. But can he at least wash up before he steps out of his house?! But knowing Jared, he wouldn’t do that. He thought that he looked cool and looked more like a painter with those splatters of paint in his clothes. Yes, his clothes were a mess but she can’t say the same thing about him.

To be honest, he looked really cool right now. His decidedly masculine face and features caught her attention. She doesn’t know why she did it but Zharm focused on looking at him as he walks towards her. He has a Filipino- Austrian heritage that shows in his features. He has a powerfully lean body, thanks to his Taekwondo lessons back then and hours spent at the gym. His eyes were a mesmerizing gray color. He had a high-bridged nose and a prominent jaw filled with little stubbles that completed his ruggedly handsome look. He grinned as he looked back at her, turning him from handsome into divine. In that moment, she couldn’t help but blush. How could he looked so good?! A part of her thought that they would look great together. The other very small part said she should get a hold of herself. Zharm shook her head.

What was she thinking?! Jared doesn’t even fall into the category of men she likes. She likes the prim-and-proper kind of men; the ‘bring home to meet my Mom’ type of guy. Jared won’t be that kind of guy.

“You already know that you’re ugly but you’re still frowning! How could an ugly face like yours exist?!” he joked as he sat beside her, draping his arm around her shoulders which Zharm, immediately shook. But as soon as his arms dropped, he put her arms around her shoulder, once again. They were so comfortable with each other that they don’t mind being so close with each other. Jared is not the type to take advantage of someone like her who’s close to him or even those girls who’s crushing on him.

Sometimes, she just wants to annoy him that’s why she tries to shake him off. But in all honesty, sitting there close to Jared made her feel a little better. He doesn’t know what it is that she’s mad about right now and he hasn’t done anything yet but his presence already comforted her.

“You look a lot worse than me!” she responded. Jared gasped.

“Are you blind?! I’m an eye candy. Look at me.” He pulled her closer to him and flashed his gorgeous face in front of her, as if presenting a strong case she knew she couldn’t fight back.

Any girl would swoon over Jared. He had his parents to thank for his damn good genes. Zharm’s heartbeat inexplicably increased when she realized how close their faces were. She can even almost taste his breath because of her their closeness. Even if she wanted to move away from him, for some reason, she can’t find the courage to do so. She was in awe looking at his gorgeous face. She even held her breath when she realized how Jared’s gray eyes were looking at her. They have been close for a very long time but the way he looked at her right now seem different that she flushed.

Before Zharm could think more of it, she shook Jared’s arms and she moved to her right, giving them a little bit of space she needed. What’s with the sudden unnerving effect that she felt? His overwhelming good looks, maybe? She valiantly attempts to calm down and now, her heart goes back to its steady rhythm.

“You’re not handsome!” she said. It sounded like she’s convincing herself to prevent her heart from skipping a beat now that Jared flashed a gorgeous smile once again. Oh My God! “Look at you! You’re gross!” She frowned when she caught a glimpse of paint stains in his shirt but Jared just laughed at her.

“Hello?! I’m in the middle of painting something, hence, the stains of paint,” he responded. “But I saw you from my window looking so gloomy, that’s why I came here. Of all the things I hate the most when I’m painting a masterpiece is seeing something ugly. You’re hurting my eyes, Zharm,” he joked. Zharm just playfully scowled at him.

“I’m not ugly! I’m pretty and I don’t need validation from anyone.” Jared just shrugged and chuckled.

“You’re pretty, all right.” This time, he said it with a smile and there’s no hint of sarcasm in his voice. He smiled at her beautifully like she really is pretty in his eyes. What’s wrong with this dude? Is he messing with her again?

“But you repeatedly said that I am ugly.” He chuckled. “Why don’t you just go back to painting and stop making fun of me?” she said.

“I don’t want to. And besides, I’m here for you as a friend. It looks like you’re sad and I don’t want to leave you alone because I love you.” If other girls, would hear those words, she’s sure that their hearts would flutter, but, not Zharm. She knew that he’s just joking, like what he always does. “Why are you sad, anyway?”

“It’s because of Julienne.”

“You, guys, talked about your father, again?” he said, knowingly. It’s not a new thing to Jared anymore because Zharm tells him everything, especially when she’s upset over her father. He had always been a shoulder to cry on. When her father left a long time ago, Jared was there for her.

“Yes. You know that I don’t want my siblings to ask for his help. We’re struggling sometimes but I’m sure, we can make this work.”

“But if you find it hard this time around, I don’t see anything wrong with asking help from your father. Maybe your sister is right. Maybe it’s also his way of making it up with you, guys. It’s his duty as your father, anyway.” She looked at him, her eyebrows raised. She thought that he’s gonna take her side but what is he saying now?

“I thought you’re on my side? Why are you agreeing with Julienne? You’re saying that it’s his obligation as our father? We all know that he did not care about that obligation when he left us. He’d turned down being our father when he turned his back on us.”

“I understand but I’m sure, Julienne has no ill intentions when she suggested that. Maybe she wants to help you and she knows you’re trying hard to make ends meet.” Zharm thought about what he said for a second. Maybe he’s right. Maybe Julienne cares about her, too.

“Fine. I’ll let her do what she wants.” She groaned in frustration as she scratched her head. “Why do we seem to struggle a lot?!”

“It’s okay. You’ll get through it.” He moved closer to her once again and draped his arm around her shoulders. It’s one of the things she likes about Jared. He knows when to comfort her and when to just listen. When she’s about to give her, he’s there, encouraging her to be strong. “Wait, I’ll just let you borrow money. I want to help you solve your problem so that you won’t feel lonely anymore. I’m not used with you being so down and all. It looks like you’re lacking vitamins in your body,” he chuckled as he dropped his arm from her shoulders.

Even if he’s always making fun of her, Zharm knew that it’s his way of making her feel better. His ways may be sometimes irritating but she’s grateful to him because without him, she couldn’t have gone through the hardships in her life.

“I don’t want to borrow money. I know you’re well-off but don’t pity me.” Jared smirked when she answered. She knew that he’s expecting her to say that because she says that every time he offers to help her. She doesn’t want to take advantage of him being nice to her. Jared staying by her side is more than enough for Zharm.

“I know you’d say that.” He chuckled.

“I’m already grateful that you’re by my side. You don’t have to give me money.” His face lit up.

“Really?!" He looked a bit surprised but he seemed really pleased about it. "I knew you like me!” When she playfully punched his arm, he burst out laughing. “You know, what? I think it’s best for you to marry me already. I’ll take care of you and your family,” he joked. Zharm knew that he was just joking and there’s nothing offensive about what he said.

“Why would I marry you?” She frowned.

“It’s because I’m the perfect guy for you,” Jared smiled, feeling so confident. Instead of answering right away, Zharm took a good look at her best friend, smiling charmingly at her and she’s gotta agree. Jared had been the best friend he could ever be to her. He may not be the most handsome and most perfect guy in the world, but, he’s perfect for her.