Anhedonia

Help me.

Jerry arrived at the Manoban's house with the great Hayley Kim Manoban, who won't stop from scolding him until the car parked at their garage, they sat there for almost 20 minutes while listening to Hayley, he would smile only at the woman, finding his best friend so cute upon getting worried at him.

He's like what? In his early 30, and here he is, listening to a sermon. It was quite amazing for him but at the same time, he wants to take a rest because of his hangover, he just don't want the woman to get mad even more.

"I swear to God, Jerry. If you impregnate that woman, you have to marry her by hook or by crook!" Hayley said, which made Jerry to laugh loudly, causing the older girl to shoot her venomous glare.

"What are you even talking about?" Jerry asked between his laughter. "We didn't even had s*x!"

"How can you say so? You are both drunk and—."

"And she rejected me when I tried to kiss her, she's not that kind of a woman you think she is." Jerry said to defend the girl because she was not in there to defend herself. "Look, I know that I may have made a mistake for trying to kiss her and expecting that we're going to have s*x but I'm telling you, that'll never gonna happen between us, because you know what? We are on the same both."

"Shouldn’t I be more worried? You both heartbroken, which means you don't have any reason to reject each other."

"She's Jayvee's ex."

"Exactly! Wait-what?" Hayley suddenly appeared confused upon hearing Jerry. "She's Hannah?"

"How'd you know her?" Jerry asked ludicrously.

"Well, Jayvee is an idol, of course anyone know about their past relationship, you dickhead." Hayley smacked Jerry's head lightly, she then face forward, looking straight ahead of them as she began to get silent.

"What are you thinking?" Jerry asked curiously.

"I was just thinking if you guys talked about revenge."

"No, I told you. She's not kind of a woman you think she is."

"Stop defending her, I may not know her but I know you." Hayley said, which kind of offending Jerry but he chose to laugh it off.

"If she's happy, then I will be happy for her too." Jerry seems okay now, unlike last night, but he won't let his best friend know that he's still in pain, not this time. He already let go some of the weight last night to a stranger and it somehow helped him to accept Rosie and Jayvee's relationship, not that fast, but at least he know where to put the limit.

"You'll be fine soon." Hayley said, her voice was calm and it soothes Jerry.

The sound of her words anchors him and, regardless of where he is, brings a sense of home that he misses a lot.

"I know." Jerry smiled, he leaned over to lay his head on Hayley's shoulder.

"The f**k you guys are doing?!" Liam suddenly popped out from Hayley's side which caused the two best friends inside the car got startled. "Are you two cheating on me?!" Hayley growled as she pushed the door open hardly, hitting her husband outside. "Ouch!"

"Who told you to come out?!"

"He's not allowed to?" Jerry asked confusedly after he got off.

"Well, after hitting you last night, she told me that I'm not allowed to get near you."

"Wait wait, what? It's my fault tho?"

"Yeah tell her, Tiny!" Liam said.

"Yeah, he punched me and didn't even say his sorry! How could he do something like that to your best friend?!" Jerry suddenly take Hayley's side after Liam called him name, such as tiny. The younger guy looked at him in disbelief with his eyes wide open.

"Really, Jerry?"

"Stop calling me names, then I'll defend you to your wife." Jerry hissed and turn his heels to leave the couple outside.

When he got inside the Manoban's house, Akisha jumped off of the couch and run to her favourite uncle. "Uncle Jerry!"

"How's the cutest kid doing?" Jerry greeted back with his arms spreading, meeting the kid halfway and they he kneeled down to level the kid as they engulfed each other.

"I'm fine, how are you?" Akisha asked back delightfully.

"I'm good as always, did you behave while I'm gone?"

"We are the parents, of course she'll behave." Liam said behind the two and march his way to the kitchen.

"He's still mad because you punch him." Akisha whispered, making Jerry giggle guiltily.

"I'm sorry about that, it won't happen again."

"It's alright, he's a grown up man, he can handle it." The kid said as she retracted herself from Jerry. "Do you wanna play with me?"

"Not yet, sweetheart." Hayley chimes in and take her daughter. "Uncle Jerry still need to take a rest, better not to disturb him." She added, eyeing her best friend meaningfully. "Why don't you go inside your room and take some sleep?"

"I'm fine, just needed a coffee." Jerry refused to rest as he still need to talk to Liam privately, his head still aching but he believes that something is wrong with Rosie this morning. "I have to talk to Liam."

"You don't have to say sorry, he understands everything." Hayley said but Jerry shook her head.

"I still need to ask for forgiveness." Jerry lied, he doesn't want them to ask further and he strut his way to the kitchen, almost running to avoid another conversation with Hayley.

When he got into the kitchen, he sat on the high stool in front of the marbled countertop, watching Liam's back.

"Do you prefer black or with milk?" Liam asked without looking at him.

"Black no sugar." Jerry said.

Liam didn't respond after that as he started to prepare the black coffee and gave it to Jerry, he also sat next to the latter and they both sipped on their cup.

"Sorry about last night." Liam said, which made Jerry looked at him in surprised. "I was just drunk and a bit offended for my best friend."

"No worries, I have to apologize as well for bad mouthing your best friend."

"So we good?" Liam asked hesitantly.

"Yeah, anyway I have concern and I want it to consult with you." Jerry said as he put down the cup of black coffee on the countertop and he turned his head to look at the younger guy. "I saw Jayvee and Rosie today."

"I'm not really good at words, but let me try." Liam said and he looked at the older guy as well.

"No, I don't need advices, I have my own psychiatrist. What I want to consult is the bruise on Rosie's lips. Would it be fine if you invite Rosie and ask her what happen?"

"A bruise? What do you mean?" Liam's forehead furrowed, he's phone already in his hand, ready to dial Rosie's number.

"Well, I don't want to conclude, but I think they had a fight last night and please don't get me wrong, I'm not saying this to make things up, I'm just worried."

"I understand." Liam said, his voice are low deep in his throat while waiting for Rosie to pick up her phone.

"Don't tell her that I told you." Jerry mouthed, afraid that Rosie might hear him.

"Hey good morning!" Liam greeted cheerfully, contrary to the emotion in his face. "Where are you now?" Jerry watch Liam, trying to take a hint if there's something wrong to the woman on the other line. "Oh, okay, will it be okay if you drop by here later? Yeah, I just want to discuss the details about the prenup photoshoot." Liam's face suddenly began frowning, as if whatever Rosie's saying on the line, Liam didn't like it. "Is everything okay?"

"What's going on?" Jerry asked, audible only for Liam.

"You sure?" Liam asked again, but this time, he knew that there is something wrong about her best friend. "You know what? f**k it, I want you to come over here or I'll come and get you there." Liam ended the call as fast as he could so Rosie won't have to protest.

___

Rosie stared on her phone, it's been almost 30 seconds since Liam cut the line but she's still holding it as if her best friend is on the line.

"What did he say?" Jayvee asked upon noticing the Blonde's silence.

"He want me to come over to their house."

"You can't, we still have lot of preparation to do."

"But he'll get me here if I didn't go there." Rosie tells him, not to warn the guy but to tell him that Liam is not joking if he told her that he'll get her.

"What the hell does he wants?!" Jayvee growled, clenching his fists tightly.

"Let's just drop by before we head to our next meeting."

"Fine, just make sure you're not telling anyone there who put that bruise on you or I'll do the worst."

Rosie wanted to get mad, yell at him and call the wedding off, but she's too scared to do that.

After their meeting with the wedding coordinator, their next stop is in the restaurant where they have schedule for food tasting, but since Liam wants Rosie to be at their home by afternoon, the couple decided to drop by at the Manoban's.

Jayvee pulled the car on the side of the road, he then turned to look at Rosie. "Don't you have make up with you to cover that up?" He said, refering to the small cut on the corner of Rosie's lips.

"What kind of make up would I use to this?!" Rosie sneered but still rummage inside her purse, she found nothing and decided to just add lipstick to at least cover it. "Happy?" She asked sarcastically with an eye roll.

"You better not—."

"I know! I won't tell anyone that you are an asshole!"

"b***h!" Jayvee raised his hand and was about to slap Rosie, but he paused when he remember that they are heading to Manoban's. He also remember that Jerry might be there, after all, the brunette is living with the Manoban's, even though he has the capability to buy a new house for himself. "Just do what I tell you."

Rosie didn't respond when Jayvee started to drive again, until they reached the exclusive subdivision, the guard didn't ask for their ID because they identified Rosie as one of the home owner's friend.

When they got inside the Manoban's driveway, Rosie felt her heart was about to burst outside of her chest. She's battling to herself wether she'll tell Liam about Jayvee's suddenly changed of personality or just keep it to herself.

"Rosie." Liam called his best friend as soon as the Blonde got off of the car. His eyes were at the blonde's lips and he clenched his fists when he noticed the bruise. Jerry was right, but they still need to confirm if Jayvee is raising his hand against his best friend.

"What do you want from me?" Rosie acts like she's irritated, making Jayvee smirked secretly.

"I just wanted to make sure that my best friend is fine since the wedding is coming."

"I'm fine, now tell me what do you want?"

"Why don't you come inside and let's have a talk first?" Liam said, the couple secretly glance into each other, and that didn't slipped on Liam's observant eyes.

"Sorry, but we're in a rush, we're still have food tasting to attend." Jayvee chimes in but Liam just scoffed and looked at the guy.

"I just need a couple of minutes with her, it's really important." Liam said and even if Rosie protested a bit, he still dragged the latter inside their house.

Hayley and Akisha are playing on the living room, they both got surprised to see the blonde in their house, but they didn't even had a chance to greet her as Liam dragging her upstairs, Rosie could only waved her hand at the two before they vanished inside Liam's office.

When Liam shut the door close, he let go of Rosie and held her chin, he leaned closer to take a better look at the bruise. Rosie noticed it and she immediately took step away.

"Who the f**k did that?!" Liam asked angrily.

"I did."

"You better not lie to me, Rosie." Liam warns, making the blonde sweat and nervous. "I swear to God, if Jayvee—."

"He didn't hurt me." Rosie cut him off, her face remain passive as she held Liam's gaze. "Who even told you that I have bruise?"

"It doesn't matter who told me."

"Jerry did, right? He's the only person I could think of." Rosie scoffed upon remembering what she witnessed this morning at the elevator. "Why did he have to tell you that? Why don't he just focus on her new girlfriend?!"

"He's worried."

"Worried?" Rosie laugh mockingly. "He should worry more about himself and leave me alone!"

Liam stared at his best friend with sympathy. He knew that Rosie got hurt to see Jerry with someone, but he didn't know what to say to console the girl, other than spreading his arms.

"Rosie.."

"We have to go." Rosie said instead, ignoring Liam's approach. Though, she knew she needed a hug from her best friend, but she don't want to breakdown. Everything for her was too heavy to bear, but she needs to be strong.

Yes, she badly got hurt when she saw Jerry with another woman, but what can she do? Jerry might think that they playing at him for having relationship with his cousin. But on the other hand, she didn't know that Jerry looked for her, she didn't know that Jerry asked Jayvee for help, she didn't know anything not until yesterday when Jerry and Jayvee met.

If she only knew, things would be different by now. She would still choose Jerry even if she got hurt by that person. But again, things are different right now.

"Rosie." Liam called, but this time, his voice was much soother.

"What?!" Rosie snapped out but Liam didn't even bat an eyelash and he still wait for the blonde to approach him.

"Remember when you told me that I will always be your best friend no matter what happen?" Liam said, reminding her the words she said when she received the call from her mom, the call that changes Liam's whole life.

"I am still your best friend, but I really have to go."

"You're not going anywhere until you won't tell me what's going on." Liam insist, he takes two step forward and tilt his head. "Come on, tell me."

"There's nothing to tell you about, Liam. Stop insisting that there is."

"Have I ever told you that I'm not the only one who's not good at lying?"

"Yes, a million times."

"Then I'm not going to force you anymore, just come here and give me a hug." Liam said while smiling, and he knew he won when Rosie looked at him with pain in her eyes, she bit her lower lip to prevent herself from crying but she failed miserably as her tears rolled down on her face. Liam didn't hesitate and move closer, engulfing his best friend into a tight comforting hug. "That's right, make me your shoulder to cry on."

"How could he do that to me?!" Rosie sobbed against Liam's neck. Liam thought that the blonde was refering to Jerry, for having a new girl. "I trusted him!"

"I know, I trusted him too." Liam whispered while stroking Rosie's hair and then making circles on her back. "But you have to accept—."

"Please, h-help me."

Liam's eyebrows knitted upon hearing Rosie, he pushed Rosie's shoulders to have a better look in her face. "What do you mean?"

"J-Jayvee.."

"What took you two so long? Rosie? We have to go, I already received a call from the chef."

It was Jayvee who banged the door loudly and interrupt Rosie, she didn't had the chance to continue her words when Jayvee open the door without permission, he then tried not to show any emotions other than being worried seeing his fiancé, hugging Liam so tightly, as if her life depends on it, and he already has a doubt that Rosie already tell Liam everything what he did last night.

Rosie immediately wiped her tears before she turned around to face Jayvee, forcing a fake smile. "Let's go then."

"As we should, I don't want to let them wait." Jayvee said and extend his arm.

"Wait, you were telling me something earlier about—."

"What did she tell you?" Jayvee cut off Liam, his jaw clenched tightly.

"I told him that we should change the place of our prenuptial photoshoot at Busan."

"What?" Liam asked confusedly, but he soon nod his head when he saw the meaningful look that has given at him by Rosie. "Oh okay, I will send you the details if when I'll be available."

"Thank you, gotta go!" Rosie said and she tugged Jayvee with her out of the office. When the two was gone, Jerry came out from the small room.

"I will kill that guy!" He said madly as he punched the wall next to him.

"I didn't get much evidence."

"The bruise in her lips, the way she asked for help and the way she's too afraid when she saw Jayvee! How much evidence do you need?!"

"Jerry, I know that you're worried as well as I do, but we can't jump into conclusion." Liam said calmly, but deep inside him, he believes Jerry, he's just too afraid that he might hurt Rosie if he hurt Jayvee without strong evidence.

"If you can't help Rosie, then I will!" Jerry yelled and he walks out of the office, leaving Liam in his deep thoughts. He went to his room and open his suitcase to get his licensed gun. "I will kill that guy!" He growled while shoving the gun behind him and leave the Manoban's house.

______