"Hey, why aren't you replying?"
"Hello?"
"Please reply..."
"Can you come or not?"
Jack glanced at Miss Elma's persistent messages, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.
Her desperate tone intrigued him, fueling his curiosity about the hidden secrets she seemed to associate with the Golden Garden.
He reached for his phone, opening the web browser to search for information regarding the enigmatic establishment.
Jack delved into various search results, browsing through articles, forums, and even the official website of the garden itself.
After spending a considerable amount of time searching, he couldn't find any relevant information about Miss Elma's connection to the Golden Garden.
He even checked the director's list in hopes of finding a clue, but his efforts yielded no fruitful results. Frustration mingled with his curiosity as he questioned why Miss Elma's involvement seemed to have no public trace.
Letting out a sigh, Jack closed his browser, realizing that he couldn't rely solely on online sources to satisfy his curiosity.
"Looks like I need to rely on the Ero Meter for now," Jack thought, his mind filled with intrigue as he contemplated the mysterious connection between Miss Elma and the Golden Garden.
His eyes wandered to Cassie, peacefully asleep, and a soft smile of affection graced his face.
Drawing nearer, he gently pressed a kiss to her cheeks, relishing the warmth and tenderness of the moment.
Afterwards, Jack leisurely changed his clothes, taking his time to select an outfit.
Glancing at the clock, he realized it was already eight in the evening, but he felt no rush.
Opening his messaging app, he pondered Elma's messages before crafting a response.
"I will meet you at college tomorrow," he typed, his words carrying a sense of thoughtfulness and consideration.
With a deliberate pause, he finally hit the send button, knowing that taking his time to reply allowed him to approach the situation with a composed mindset.
In just few seconds, the familiar notification sound broke the tranquility, indicating Elma's response had arrived. "Ok, please come tomorrow," her message appeared on the screen.
Jack's lips curled into a gentle smile, appreciating her swift acceptance and the understanding that things would unfold as he meant to.
With a relaxed demeanor, Jack then dialed Sophie's number, savoring the connection they shared.
Her voice greeted him warmly from the other end, and a sense of comfort washed over him.
"Hey, how is she?" Jack's voice carried a genuine concern for Meadow's well-being.
"She's fine, your mom is taking care of us," Sophie reassured him, her voice brimming with affection and gratitude.
Allowing himself a moment of lightheartedness, Jack's tone took on a playful quality as he asked, "Are you free tonight?"
Curiosity piqued, Sophie replied, "Why?"
He sensed Sophie's smile on the other end of the line, her voice filled with a touch of bashful joy.
With a soft exhale, Jack confessed, "I want to see you."
Sophie's breath hitched, and she toyed with her hair, her voice filled with warm affection as she replied, "Yes, I am free."
"Okay then, get ready. We are going on a date."
The excitement in Sophie's voice soared as she exclaimed, "Really?!"
Chuckling softly, Jack savored the joyous moment, appreciating the anticipation that danced between them.
With a serene smile, he ended the call.
In no time, Jack's sleek red Tesla glided through the city streets, effortlessly maneuvering through the traffic.
In just half an hour, he arrived in front of a charming shop, the designated meeting place for his date with Sophie.
He called her here to make sure his mom or Meadow didn't find out about their outing just yet.
As he parked the car, Jack's gaze swept across the bustling street lined with various shops and establishments.
But his attention quickly honed in on a figure that stood out amidst the crowd.
There she was, standing gracefully, adorned in a black crop top and a pleated skirt that accentuated her youthful charm.
Clutching a small handbag in her hand, she exuded an air of anticipation, her eyes darting around in search of Jack.
A gentle breeze rustled through her short hair, causing delicate strands to dance in the air.
Jack couldn't help but feel captivated by her presence, his heart swelling with affection as he admired her from afar.
Her eyes, filled with longing and eagerness, scanned the surroundings, eagerly anticipating the sight of him.
A surge of excitement coursed through Jack's veins as he stepped out of his car, his gaze fixed on Sophie.
With each stride, he closed the distance between them, a smile spreading across his face as he approached her.
He moved with stealth, careful not to attract her attention.
Shadows embraced him as he silently closed the distance behind her, his footsteps light and graceful.
Avoiding her gaze, he maintained an air of secrecy, his intentions hidden from her eyes.
"Where is he?" she wondered aloud, her eyes flickering to the elegant wristwatch adorning her wrist.
The time seemed to tick away with an impatient urgency, adding to her growing curiosity. Her brows furrowed, revealing a hint of perplexity and anticipation.
Suddenly, her body responded instinctively, reacting like a cat attuned to an unseen motion.
A tap on her shoulder jolted her senses, causing her to spin around swiftly, her eyes wide with a mixture of surprise and relief.
And there he stood, Jack, a welcome sight in the midst of her apprehension.
A sigh of relief escaped her lips, carried by a rush of emotions.
The tension that had gripped her dissipated as she recognized his familiar face. "What took you so long?" she asked, her voice laced with both annoyance and a subtle blush, revealing the underlying fondness she held for him.
Time had seemed to stretch in his absence, amplifying her longing.
Her eyes involuntarily roamed over his figure, taking in his appearance. Clad in a black jacket and jeans, he exuded an undeniable magnetism that stirred something within her.
A blush warmed her cheeks as her gaze lingered, captivated by his presence.
In that moment, the sight of him clad in such attire triggered an irresistible attraction, coloring her cheeks with a telltale flush.
Jack, ever perceptive, caught her gaze and couldn't help but respond with a mischievous smile.
"What are you looking at?" he asked, his voice tinged with playful curiosity.
His eyes sparkled with a knowing glint, relishing in the effect he had on her, the power of his allure.
Embarrassed by her own vulnerability, she averted her gaze, a mix of bashfulness and admiration settling within her. "Nothing," she murmured, her voice barely audible, the weight of her emotions evident in her downcast eyes.
Jack's smile widened, charmed by her bashful response.
Without hesitation, he pulled her closer, enveloping her in his embrace.
His hands found her waist with ease, holding her with a tender grip that spoke of familiarity and affection.
As she came within the sphere of his presence, his gentle perfume wafted into her senses, enveloping her in a comforting embrace of its own.
The subtle fragrance danced through the air, carrying with it a sense of warmth and familiarity that washed over her.
A smile, filled with joy and contentment, blossomed on her face, a reflection of the happiness that resided in her heart as she found solace in his arms.
"Where are we gonna go for the date?" she asked bashfully, a hint of nervousness lacing her words.
As she moved away from his embrace, a mixture of excitement and anticipation danced in her eyes.
She looked around at the bustling street, scanning the surroundings with a thoughtful expression.
The world seemed to fade away as he focused on their moment together.
She couldn't help but smile when he realized that, amidst the busy crowd, they were virtually unnoticed, their connection shielded from prying eyes.
"Somewhere good..." Jack whispered in her ear, his warm breath tickling her skin, sending delightful shivers down her spine.
He planted a gentle kiss on her cheek, a gesture that ignited a spark of happiness within her.
It was a silent promise, a reassurance that the date would be special, filled with memorable moments.
Her heart skipped a beat, its rhythm quickening as a smile illuminated her face.
The tenderness of his affection had a profound effect on her, melting away any remaining worries or doubts.
In that fleeting moment, everything felt right, and her joy radiated like a beacon.
Locking her gaze with his, she braced herself for his response, seeking validation and reassurance.
Taking a deep breath that moved from her chest, she posed a question that carried a deeper meaning. "How do I look?" Her voice trembled slightly, revealing her vulnerability, and her desire to be seen and appreciated.
Jack couldn't help but chuckle, his eyes twinkling with amusement and adoration.
Holding her hand in his, he admired her from head to toe, his gaze filled with appreciation. "Sexy," he commented, his voice laced with a mixture of playfulness and genuine admiration.
His words carried a sense of appreciation for her beauty, but it was the way he looked at her, the way his eyes sparkled, that truly conveyed the depth of his attraction.
Her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue, a blend of delight and bashfulness coloring her features.
"Let's go." He gently pulled her towards his red Tesla.
When Sophie saw the brand-new car sitting in front, her eyes widened in surprise.
"You brought this?" She looked at him in confusion.
"Do you like it?"
Sophie looked at the car again and gulped her saliva.
"You are so amazing." a compliment left her mouth.
"I know I am amazing," Jack said with a prideful expression.