Undercover Bad Girl

Chapter 20

Growing up in the Philippines I never really dreamed of a fairytale life because in my mind I was living it. Island life was a breeze in my five year old mind and yes, my family happened to be extremely poor, but we were together and happy. However, I think if I did dream of a fairytale future, it would be something like my reality.

Waking up next to the man of my dreams in a fancy, expensive cottage in the Hamptons, I almost had to pinch myself. I slipped out of bed while Jake snored softly and went to order breakfast. It took a while for the food to arrive but while I waited, I sat on the little private beach the cottage was on.

The sun beat down on me and I couldn't help but think back to my childhood. The before America part. I had my mom and my dad and we were happy.

I looked up to the sky and couldn't help but cheese, "Look mama. Papa! I'm living it." I told them, feeling their joy for me deep in my chest it almost made me cry.

I missed them. I missed them like hell but I was thankful because I knew they were in heaven together.

"Ave, baby, foods here."

I scrambled to my feet, a little upset that Jake was most likely awakened by the doorbell and not me. But when I entered our airy bedroom with the California king bed and saw him seated at the little table, unpacking the breakfast I ordered from some expensive little bistro, I didn't mind.

Jake was quiet as we ate, totally in his head, but that didn't stop him from moaning at how good the food was. I reached for another biscuit, "I'm gonna get so fat but I don't even care," I moaned, slathering jelly on it and then taking a huge bite.

Jake watched me, his features looking half amused.

I licked crumbs off my lips and looked back at him, "Yes?"

He actually smiled, it was small but very sincere and my heart rejoiced because I hated seeing him hurting. Blaming himself. Something he did all last night. "Ava texted me, praising me for how well I loved you." He said, picking up a piece of bacon and biting it.

I smiled, "She loved our love story."

Jake hummed, finishing the bacon, tapping the table with his other hand. "Wanna hear another story?" He asked, reaching for his coffee.

I looked at him, "Hell yeah," I said honestly.

He looked at me then quickly looked away, he licked his teeth after swallowing. "It's the story of how you saved my life."

My heart stopped, "Baby."

He smiled, looking up at me with this beautiful brightness I hadn't seen since... since that gawd awful trip over Labor Day weekend.

"Growing up with such a shitty parent situation, I quickly got used to taking care of others. Taking care of others easily shifted into getting used by others. That takes a toll on a person and so, I was basically a really depressed kid. Of course I didn't know it was depression but yeah, I was angry, anxiety ridden and depressed." He said so matter of fact that I felt like he was talking about some study he read or a new law that was passed.

But even then he'd probably have more emotion! I kept my mouth shut and face neutral though, I took another bite of my biscuit.

"I got used to living that way, hating life and not finding a point... I wouldn't say I was suicidal but I guess I was? I thought about what it would be like to not be here anymore, but then I remembered my brothers and I knew I couldn't leave them so killing myself was never an option."

Tears sprang to my eyes and my throat got tight, so much so the biscuit was like cement going down.

"Anyways, I got used to living numb. Putting on a show for people, dating whatever girl wanted me next. I was just, there and nobody seemed to notice that I was a shell so I kept going along with it." He paused, taking another sip of coffee, his eyes trained out on the beach. "And then I tripped you."

I couldn't help but laugh a little bit, "I cussed you out."

"Did you?" He asked, finally looking at me, and seeing the light and life in his eyes helped me breathe. "I honestly don't remember what was said. But I do remember that the moment I heard your voice, something sparked in me. The moment I looked at you, my heart seemed to beat for the first damn time." He said slowly, holding eye contact which only made me want to cry even more.

I dabbed at my eyes, "Oh baby."

He grinned, "Oh baby indeed. Avery, I didn't know what being alive meant until that moment. I'm pretty sure that night I played my worst game ever. But then I saw you while I was in that damn hot tub and you've been lodged in my brain since."

I was silently boo hooing because I just... I never knew any of this.

"We didn't see each other but the thought of seeing you again kept me going. Then I stepped on your foot or you stepped on mine at that pool party and I just knew I needed to know you." He continued, reaching out and grabbing my hand. He brought it to his mouth and kissed each finger and then opened my palm and kissed me there. "I made it my mission from that day to find out who Avery Mendoza was."

I sighed, relaxing into the chair, just feeling so warm.

"Baby, you saved my life." He whispered, lacing our fingers together and resting our joined hands on his thigh. He looked back out at the water. "Ever since you my life has just gone up."

"Have you felt depressed since?" I asked, just needing to know if I had been fucking clueless all these years or what.

"Here and there, but Grant suggested therapy which helped a shit ton and it meant I didn't have to bring that bad energy around you," He explained, making me frown.

"Bad energy? Baby no, you've gotta let me know-" He kissed my hand, his eyes locking with mine and making my mouth stop working.

"I should've said something earlier, you're right. But it never got as bad as it was back then, and therapy helped so don't worry. It was a small issue so I didn't need to hide it, I just didn't say anything." He tried to reason, his cheeky grin making me roll my eyes.

"Baby, what am I gonna do with you?"

"Love me, hopefully."

I stood, my legs straddling his knee, I grasped his face, "Always that." I said seriously, tracing his cheeks and nose and lips with my thumb.

He turned and kissed my right palm, his eyes fluttering shut. I pulled his head to me and held him against my belly, his arms wrapping around me.

"What do you want to do today? We've got the whole weekend and I've got a couple special outfits just for you."

He smacked my ass, "Let's get married."

I laughed, running my fingers through his hair, "Okay. But since that's already done, what else?" I asked, shuttering as he lifted my tank top and placed wet kisses on my hip.

He placed one last one before leaning back against me, "I just want to hold you." He said sounding so exhausted.

I felt for him, I really did, but I had been hoping he would've said sex. I ran my nails across his scalp and down his neck to his back. "You sure?"

"Mhm," He hummed as I started tracing shapes on his shoulders.

I smirked, "You don't wanna see the lingerie first?"

He squeezed the back of my thighs, growling as he stood. "Baby," He grunted, grabbing my face and kissing me hard, I hummed my pleasure. "I want too. Believe me," He whispered between hot and wet kisses. I was lost, so very lost in the web of pleasure he was spinning. And then he stopped. Kissed my forehead, and pulled me to his chest. "But I need to just hold you. At least for a little while."

"Well if you need to," I muttered, making him chuckle.

We packed up the breakfast and stored it in the fridge and then we hopped back in bed and my baby held me all day long.

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And that's a wrap ladies and gents. Aw 🥺

I love you guys a bunches!!! So stay tuned for some bonus content.

See yah when I see yah ❤️