Valentine 1

It was Valentine.

After the day's work, Jake came to pick Sophia at her office. "How was your day?" Jake asked pecking her. "It was awesome, yours?" Sophia responded. "Good," Jake replied. Sophia sat in the car. She wasn't happy but she did well to hide it. Jake hasn't wished her happy valentine and when she did in the morning, he had just said okay. Jake saw Sophia's gloomy face from his sideview. "What is wrong with you?" Jake asked. "Nothing. Just a little bit tired from work," Sophia said with a forced smile. "Okay. You have to rest well. Okay?" Jake patted her arm. Sophia nodded.

Instead of driving Sophia home, Jake took a different turn. "You didn't tell me you are going to stop at somewhere first," Sophia said. "We are," Jake said adding nothing more. "Okay," Sophia said. She didn't want to talk too much because she was angry at Jake. She wouldn't have been this angry but his response when she wished him happy Valentine pissed her off so much that she almost transferred her aggression on poor Miranda. She made a mental note to apologise to her the following day.

Jake pulled up in front of Jessie's salon. Sophia alighted without waiting for Jake to tell her so or for him to behave like a gentleman by opening the door for her. She walked into the salon. Jake knew something was wrong with Sophia. He knew the something wrong with her was he. He didn't wish her happy Valentine. He smiled and went in after her. When he got in, Sophia had already gone to Jessie's office. He strode to the office too.

"Why is my sweet Sophia sulking?" Jessie asked hugging Sophia. "It's Jake," Sophia said. "That punk! What did he do this time around?" Jessie questioned "He didn't wish me happy Valentine. I then wished him and he replied me with an okay. An okay," Sophia said frowning. Jessie chuckled. If glares could rip someone off, Jessie will be skinless. "Don't get me wrong. It's just that you are angry at his response, right?" Jessie said. "Yes, I am. He should have even tried to reply with his lame lines," Sophia said. Jessie laughed. No matter how beautiful and well structured the lines Jake use on Sophia, she will never admit it is beautiful. It will always be lame to her. "Don't worry. He will make it up. I trust him," Jessie said. "He should keep his make up to himself. Once we leave here, I'm going home. I will happily scream happy Valentine to Spongebob and he will laugh at me happily. That way I will have a happy valentine," Sophia said.

Jake who has been eavesdropping on their conversation couldn't hold his laughter. He entered the office laughing. "Why is he laughing?" Sophia frowned. Jake walked towards Sophia and held her hand up a little high. "I can be your Spongebob. I will be a Squarepants too. That way, I will be the Spongebob Squarepants laughing happily so you can have a happy Valentine," Jake said. "You have been eavesdropping?" Sophia folded her arms. "Yes, my Lady," Jake bowed. Sophia hissed and made to leave but Jake held her back. "I'm sorry for my response in the morning. I have something for you," Jake said. Sophia didn't want to stay. She wanted to go home but her curiosity has something else for her. "What?" she blurted. "The only way to know is by allowing Jessie take over beautifying you," Jake smiled and kissed the edge of her lips.

******

Katherine couldn't cry. She just stared at Mr Olsen. It's almost an hour since they closed but he insisted that she stay. "Sir," Katherine called again for the hundredth time. Mr Olsen raised an eyebrow at her. She just nodded and said nothing. She let out a breathe and sat on the couch. She was already dozing off when Mr Olsen called her. She stood hastily. "You can go," Mr Olsen said. She grabbed her bag and left instantly. She was afraid he might change his mind again so it is safe to be far away already before his mind changes.

Katherine flagged down a cab which took her home. She was almost home when she called Sophia. "You're home already?" Katherine asked. "No. Some Jake said he wants to take me somewhere," Sophia said. Sophia eyed Jake when she said that. Jake and Jessie chuckled. Katherine giggled too. "What did Jake do you that his name has to change to some Jake?" Katherine asked. "I will tell you when I get back. Enjoy yourself at home with Spongebob," Sophia said. "I'm her Spongebob for tonight," Jake said into the phone. Sophia pushed him away from her and glared at him. Jake mouthed an 'I love you' and smiled. His smile was contagious. Though Sophia wanted to frown but ended up smiling.

'When did I fall in love with this idiot?' Sophia wondered.

"Alright Sophy. Enjoy," Katherine said. "I will," Sophia replied. " My regards to Jessie and some Jake," Katherine laughed. "Ok. I will send your regards," Sophia responded. The call was ended.

******

Soon, Sophia was done being beautified. "Your beauty never cease to amaze me," Jessie complimented. "Thanks babe," Sophia smiled at her. She stood up from the chair and turned around for Jake. "You are looking so pretty and beautiful I'm afraid the moon will come down to take you from me," Jake complimented. "Lame lines again," Sophia said but her cheeks betrayed her as they turned red. "Even your big loud mouth is not able to convince your face, ketchup," Jake said.

Jake drove through the city till he finally stopped at a penthouse. The penthouse has a florescent light beautifying it. The entrance was in an arc shape with two guards at the door. A 'happy Valentine' card kept moving up and down at the entrance. The card also has a heart-shaped light blinking at regular intervals. Rose petals were poured on the floor from the outside to the door. Sophia stared with a smile on her face.

"My Lady," Jake opened the door for her. He stretched his hand forward. Sophia took it with a smile on her face. "Do you like what you see?" Jake asked. "Like is an understatement. I love what I am seeing," Sophia said. Jake had a proud smile on his face. "I'm glad you do," Jake said as they both walked hand in hand to the penthouse.

Suddenly, Jake stopped and looked up. Sophia looked up wondering what was up. "I told you the moon will come down for you. Look at it following you as your light," Jake said. Sophia's cheeks turned redder. "I don't want my cheeks burning from turning too rubicund," Sophia said. "Don't worry, princess, I will kiss off the reds," Jake smiled. Sophia couldn't stop blushing with each step they took towards the door.

When they got to the door, the guards stopped them. "Miss, are you Snow White? Because I can only see myself on cloud nine full of whites?" one of the guards said and gave her rose flower. Sophia looked at Jake and smiled. "Miss must be Cinderella because I have her right feet shoe," the other said and then brought out a beautiful shoe. Sophia was awed. She held Jake happily. "What use is a right feet shoe without its left feet and a beautiful petal necklace to compliment it," Jake said and bent down to change Sophia's shoe. After changing the shoe, he wore her the necklace.

When they got in, Sophia almost destroyed her makeup with tears.