Jessie opened her eyes and rolled on her bed for some time before she sat up and checked the time.

 “It's still early,” she sighed as her thoughts drifted to Michael.  “I have a crush on him,” she admitted. “I know nothing can ever happen between us. It's just a silly crush, and I'm sure it will fade away soon. And, besides, he’ll meet his soulmate soon, and I'm certain Michael does not feel the same way about me.”  She closed her eyes and fantasized about the things she would have loved to have with Michael.

Jessie opened her eyes an hour later. She fell asleep when fantasizing about Michael. She tried to stand up but winced in pain. Her neck was a little stiff from the way she positioned it while sleeping. It took a few minutes before the pain subsided, and she stood up from her bed before she went to the bathroom. 

She stripped off her clothes and stared at her reflection. Her fingers trailed around her body.

“I’ve put on some weight ever since I came here,” she mumbled. “This place is good. However, I know I can't continue to stay here always. When I find my sister, we will have to leave this place. And leave Michael too,” she said in a whisper. “Gosh, I hope this stupid crush I have on him fades away soon.”  She sighed as she averted her eyes from the mirror.

She turned on the shower and sighed in contentment when the water touched her skin. 

“This is what I need right now to keep my mind from drifting off to Michael,” she muttered as she enjoyed her bath.

After she was done with her shower, she put on her clothes and made her way downstairs.

 “Good morning,” Jessie said to Elena right after the former entered the kitchen.

“Good morning,” Elena said as she turned to face her. She observed Jessie for a while. “You seem to be in a good mood,” she added.  

 Jessie nodded her head with a smile playing on her lips. 

 “Do you want to share what put you in this good mood?” Elena raised her brows while placing the knife down that she previously held, giving Jessie her full attention. 

“Nope,” Jessie said with a smile.

“Okay, then, but I will be here when you are ready to talk,” Elena said. 

“I will keep that in mind.” 

Both Jessie and Elena talked about random things and laughed about them together as they cooked breakfast. 

 When they finished getting breakfast ready, they served the meals. The entire family settled down at the dining table. Jessie kept stealing glances at Michael as she ate her food. She simply couldn't take her eyes off him. She shook her head as she tried her best to concentrate on her meal instead of staring at the good-looking man sitting opposite her.

After breakfast, Jessie took the dishes to the kitchen.

“Hey, Jessie,” Ariel said. 

“Hi,” Jessie said back with a smile. 

“You do not have to do the dishes. I will wash them,” Ariel said. 

“Don't worry; I can do them,” Jessie said.

“No. You helped prepare breakfast. So, I should do the dishes,” Ariel argued. 

“Fine; we will do the dishes together,” Jessie said. 

 “Okay,” Ariel happily agreed.

They commenced washing the dishes quietly; however, all of a sudden, Ariel burst into laughter, making Jessie look at her 

 “So sorry,” Ariel said, still laughing.

“Why are you laughing?” Jessie asked. 

“Grey said something funny to me,” Ariel replied with a big grin.

 “What?” Jessie looked around the kitchen for Grey, but she couldn’t spot him.  

“Grey isn't here,” Ariel said. “Grey and I share a mind link, so we can always talk to each other,” Ariel explained.

“It's from the bond you both share, right?” Jessie asked.

“Yes,” Ariel replied. 

“Nice,” Jessie said with a smile. “Do all Angles share a mind link with their soulmates?” 

“No. I have an extraordinary bond with Grey.”

“Oh, Michael mentioned it to me,” Jessie said. 

“Okay. Don't worry; you will get used to Grey and me using our mind link to talk. It took time for our family to get used to it.” Ariel smiled at Jessie.

Jessie smiled as they continued washing the dishes. ‘I will be out of here soon. There is no need to get used to your mind link,’ she said to herself.  

They left the kitchen together after they were done. Jessie watched as Ariel went to sit down next to Grey, who did not waste any time before wrapping his arms around her.  Jessie smiled at them and glanced at Michael but was surprised to see him looking at her.  She smiled gently at him before she turned and hurried to her room. 

She lay on her mattress with a smile. “This stupid crush has taken over my senses,” she murmured.

                        ****

Michael was still sitting in the living room with the rest of his family. A smile tugged his lips as he remembered Jessie staring at him a few seconds ago.  

 “It felt nice,” he said in a whisper.

 “What felt nice?” Raguel asked.

"Angels’ hearing is superb,” Michael said with a smile 

“Yep,” Raguel agreed. “So, what felt nice?” he asked again.

‘Jessie staring at me,’ Michael thought. “The meal was nice,” he ended up saying.  

Raguel nodded his head in agreement. “So, what's up?”  

“That question should be directed at you,” Michael said.

 “What? Why?” Raguel asked. 

 “You know why,” Michael pointed out. 

 “No, I don't. Tell me.”

 “You and Elena,” Michael stated with a smile.

"What about us?” 

 “Are you guys planning to have another baby?” 

 Raguel laughed softly. “Really? We have talked about this before. We are not having another baby.”

“Yeah, whatever,” Michael muttered.

“Raguel, please come upstairs,” Michael heard Elena call. 

“I have to go now,” Raguel said as he stood up.

Michael nodded his head and watched Raguel leave. He sighed as he turned his attention to the television. Minutes later, he felt eyes on him. He looked up to see Anna watching him. 

 ‘Why is she staring so intensely? ‘ he thought.

He averted his eyes from her and turned back to look at the TV.  He soon felt the couch press down. He looked at his side to see Anna seated next to him. 

 “Hey,” Anna chirped.

 “Hi,” Michael replied. 

He waited for Anna to say what she wanted to. However, she kept quiet and was looking at him. 

“Do you want anything?” Michael asked. 

"It's already happening,” Anna blurted out.

 “What?” Michael stared at her with a confused frown on his face.  

“Do you remember what I said to you before?” Anna asked. “It's already happening,” she said with a smile. “Just accept it, Michael.” 

 Anna stood up from the couch and left with a smile on her face.  

 Michael was left behind with his eyes broadened. “I remember what she said to me,” he whispered.  

*****(flashback) ****

Michael was sitting outside after having a discussion with Ariel about her soulmate. Ariel had told him he was soon going to find his soulmate, which changed his entire countenance. He had rushed outside to calm his nerves. Michael could still hear Ariel's words ringing in his mind when he heard the front door open. He turned to see Anna watching him.

“I know what you are going through,” Anna stated softly. 

“What?” Michael's face had confusion written over it. 

 “It's just a matter of time, Michael,” Anna continued.  “It will get better.” Anna walked to the front and turned to him with a smile on her lips. “It will get better,” she reassured him again before she entered the house. 

*****(End of flashback)*****

“Anna said it would get better.  And now she is saying it's already happening. Is she, by any chance, talking about Jessie? Is Jessie the one?” Michael rested his back on the couch with a deep frown on his face.