The Devil's Good Girl
Chapter 66: I guess the porch is a bad idea.

Chapter 66: I guess the porch is a bad idea.

Fil’s family was wholesome. She got a responsible father who would work himself to the bone to provide for the family. A lovely mother who would tidy the home and make it a place for everyone to rest and a rebellious little brother to add peak and trough to the family dynamic.

Overall, it was heartwarming to see them interact with each other.

When Irene, Fil’s mother, heard about her daughter’s visit, she excitedly rushed out of the kitchen. Just like Simon and Elijah, she was curious about the man with her daughter. When Fil explained the reason for Jackson’s presence, Irene didn’t question it. Instead, she offered Jackson anything she could offer to him.

Over an hour later, Simon already returned from his deliveries and rested from all the tedious morning work. Elijah, on the other hand, stayed with Fil and Jackson, asking random questions out of pure curiosity.

Their day went by just like that.

There was nothing too important that needed immediate fixing. Or anything that could say they did something or achieved a feat. There wasn’t even a sense of urgency to do something, unlike when they were in the city.

It was quiet — menial; everything was moving slowly. It was almost boring, but somehow, this boring atmosphere in the countryside was relaxing.

"Dinner is almost done," Fil announced as soon as she stepped out onto the porch where Jackson was idling.

He was leaning against the railing with his arms bent over. He glanced over his shoulder, following her figure until she was standing beside him.

"Mom said to call you," she added, smiling. "You know, I don’t know if this is a coincidence, but she prepared all of my favorite foods. She said she plans to visit me tomorrow and bring me something to eat."

Jackson just stared at her quietly before he asked, "Why did you take me here?"

"Hmm?"

"I know you told me I can come if I want to," he repeated her words earlier today, straightening his back to face her. "But I wonder what made you suddenly think of taking me here. You know I wouldn’t do anything if you said you have to go here alone."

"Well." Fil shrugged. "I don’t know."

Jackson arched a brow, tilting his head to the side.

"Fine." Fil sighed. "I took you here so you meet the people who love unconditionally."

"Oh..."

"You see, my parents might not be the wealthiest, but they were rich with love. They treat our friends like their own, and even help others without conditions," she explained, looking ahead with a smile. "I just thought that if you meet them, you’ll get along very well."

"Is that really all?"

’Of course not,’ was what she wanted to answer when she looked back, but she ended up nodding. "What else can it be?"

"So, you’re saying... your parents will treat me as their own because I’m your friend?"

"Mhm!"

"Okay." Jackson nodded. "That means I can visit my parents anytime I want, right?"

"Huh?"

"You told them I was your client turned friend. And also, they treat their children’s friends as their own," he repeated everything she had told him today. "In other words, they’re like my parents now."

"..." Fil opened and closed her mouth, rendered speechless. She did say all of that out of the goodness of her heart. However, why did it sound so different when he repeated them? It was as though he had these evil plans in his mind.

"Oh, no," she blurted out, looking at him blankly. "I made a mistake, did I?"

Jackson grinned. "Don’t worry. I’m not thinking of something evil."

"But you sound like you just thought of one."

"Well, it’s not evil per se..."

"Oh, god." Fil gasped as she took that as a confession. "Mercy."

"Hahaha!" Jackson laughed out loud to the point his cheeks were blushing.

Seeing him laugh so carefree and not controlled just like normal caught her off guard. Fil’s mouth parted and her eyes slightly dilated. Her heart thudded against her chest, echoing loudly in her ears.

"So pretty," she blurted out, snapping back to her senses when she heard her voice.

"Huh?"

"Ahem!" Fil cleared her throat as she hurriedly looked away. "My mom is probably done. I’ll go help her prepare the table."

Fil turned around like a robot. Her face was all red. Her heart continued to drum in her chest. This was bad. Why would he laugh like that? Does he know how deadly it was? The butterflies in her stomach might give her an indigestion.

"Want my help?" Jackson grabbed her wrist, stopping her from going.

"No — no," she stuttered, mentally cringing as she fumbled with her words. "Just come inside in a bit. Or else, we’ll be waiting —"

This time, Fil gasped in surprise when she felt his warmth on her back. His hand slowly wrapped around her waist, hugging her from behind.

"Today is boring," he said huskily, resting his chin on her shoulder. "But it’s the type of boring I wouldn’t mind any day."

Fil lowered her head, peeking up at the door nervously.

"Don’t worry. They’re busy inside," he reassured with a chuckle. "We’ll hear footsteps if someone is coming out."

"What are you doing?" she whispered, looking over her shoulder. "They still hadn’t known about me and Vincent. All they know is that —"

Fil halted as she stared at the look plastered on his face. She sighed, resting her back on him while holding his arm.

"It’s cold out here," she murmured. "And I feel like my heart is about to burst out of my chest because I’m too nervous."

"Thank you," he whispered, making her look back at him once again. "I almost forgot how easy and simple life can be."

"Goodness." A subtle smile slowly appeared on her face, pleased at how he appreciated this life on a much more personal level, and not just because he was trying to impress her. ’It’s a little strange, but you and I are more alike than I thought we were.’

They stayed on the porch for a while, keeping her locked in his arms. Fil rested her back against his body, letting his warmth shield her from the cold night breeze.

"Now that I think about it, I guess this is one on my list," she spoke after a while, unlocking his arms from her waist to face him. "A quiet night on the porch where I could talk about just about anything."

His eyes softened as he smiled. "And I think this place is also perfect for a kiss," he commented, cupping her face as he leaned his face forward. Fil gulped, closing her eyes ever so slowly.

As their lips were inches from each other, Fil suddenly heard loud footsteps from behind her.

She panicked and, before she could even think of anything, she suddenly pushed Jackson off the railing. Jackson lost his balance, rolling over the railing and onto the grass.

"Sis, the table is ready..." Elijah trailed off as soon as he opened the door, furrowing his brows. "Sis, where’s Jack?"

"He — he —" Fil winced in distress as she nervously looked over the railing. "He’s over here."

"Huh?" Confused, Elijah marched to her side and looked over the railing. Much to his surprise, there, lying and grunting on the grass, was Jackson.

Jackson touched his head, peeking over one of his eyes. The moment he saw the two pairs of eyes gazing down at him, he sighed.

"I guess the porch is a bad idea."

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