"Allen? Where the hell are you?" I keep looking for my friend. It's his birthday today and of course, as a friend, I was invited.
I saw him by the pool, talking to a pretty girl. I approached them and put my hand on my friend's shoulder. I looked at the girl he was talking to, who was also looking at me.
"Sorry! I'm taken!" The girl said all of sudden. I just smirked with a sound and drank the wine I was holding. What did she think, she's my type? Tss! Never!
"Who is he, Allen? He's handsome but I'm taken." Allen laughed.
"He's my friend, Luke! He's from France but he lives here now." Allen introduces me to this girl.
"Oh! I see."
Allen looked at me and put his arm around my shoulder. "She's my friend, bro. Anne is her name! She has a lot of beautiful girl friends." He smirks at me. "Do you want one?"
I just shook my head and took his arm away "Thanks, but I don't need that." I was about to leave them there but the girl stopped me.
I looked at her and with her hand holding my arm, she quickly removed it. She smiled at me. "You know, I have a friend who is so pretty but she's so stubborn and I think, you are the solution to her stubbornness."
I laughed softly. "I don't care."
I left there and just went home. My life had been quiet for about a week, but I did not expect that when the end of the week came, I would see the girl referred to by the girl whose name was Anne.
We've met at the bar and I thought to ignore her because other than I don't know her, she really looks so stubborn. But to my great annoyance, I spoke up.
I sighed when I looked at her. "First of all, I'm not rejecting you, okay? Second, you're not my girlfriend, so stop acting like you are."
I stood up. "And, I'm sorry too, I don't talk to strangers. And I don't want to talk to people like you," I took a glance at the table and smirked before I left her alone.
I was so annoyed at her but I can't help to think about her. I feel guilty for what I told her because she looks embarrassed. I can't stop thinking about her this past few days until I met her again at the market. And I was annoyed at her again when he didn't give me back my necklace... And she smells good!
I'm outside the University with my friends. "Yeah! See you, then." I just smirked at Clayton and went to the nearby store and bought a soft drink.
Then, I met her again near our University. Why did she always here? But I'm glad that she helped me out of the trouble even it was late. She helped me. I took her with me to my condo and let her treat my bruises and wounds. I also let her stay for a moment here and eat snacks with me. But I didn't expect her to call me 'babe' causing me to blushed.
She also fell asleep here while we were watching Netflix and I tried to wake her up but she was in deep sleep. I took her to my room and I let her sleep there. I stared at her face until I looked down at her lips. I swallowed.
"Why I can't stop thinking about you since that day?" I asked even though I knew she was asleep.
From the day we met at the bar, I really couldn't help but think of her. There is something really strange about her that's why I feel like this. This is the first time I have felt this way. I'm happy. That's how I feel every time I'm with her.
Until one day, she came here to my condo without telling me, and I was taking a bath and I was just topless when I opened the door. It was obvious from her gaze that I surprised her too much. She was about to leave when I stopped her.
"Stay! Please stay," I told her.
That day, she told me that she wanted to stay in my condo for a week. At first, I didn't agree but she was too insistent so I just agreed. Besides, I also want her to always be in my sight. I don't know. I just wanted it.
In the seven days, she stayed here, I'll admit I was very happy even though we had a small fight because I yelled at her, which I didn't mean to. I saw my sister at the gym that day.
And then, we also went to the Amusement Park after our class, and she rode a lot of rides there even though she had ridden it a few times. I’m so happy to see her happy, I wouldn’t like it if I saw her cry in pain because of me, I couldn’t forgive myself when that happened.
"Ne touche pas ma fille"(Don't touch my girl) I said.
Clayton chuckled. "Votre fille? Pourquoi?" (Your girl? Why?)
"Qui, ma fille! Et elle est à moi, alors reculez!" (Yes, my girl! And she's mine, so back off!)
"Est-elle ta petite amie? Pour de vrai?" (Is she your girlfriend? For real?)
"Qui!" (Yes!)
"Okay! Okay! Chill!"
Until the day comes when I want to let her know how I feel. I always took her and picked her at school, I always called her, I always texted her through social media. And then, she suddenly got sick, so I ditch my class so I could take care of her. I went into their condo with a mask and take care of her.
I'm wearing a mask because I have a small wound on my lips because I got beaten yesterday by my fan's boyfriends. I didn’t expect her to still see what I was hiding.
"Why don't you just avoid it?"
"I always avoid them." I stared at her for a moment "You know, there is an only solution to my problem."
She raised an eyebrow at me. And she looked at me, directly into my eyes.
"And what's that?" She asked bravely.
The side of my lips rose. "Be my girlfriend. That's easy!"
I mean it! I like her but I can't say it directly, because I'm always nervous every time I look at her pretty and happy face.
Then One day, I went to SBC, I want a drink with my friends but I came here first. Then, my forehead furrowed and my vision darkened because of what I could see. I approached them and I suddenly punched my cousin, blue, for kissing my girl.
"NO. ONE. IS. ALLOWED. TO. TOUCH. HOLD. AND. KISS. MY. GIRL." I said with every hard punch on his face.
"L-luke," Blaire whispered. I looked at her for a moment before stood up and walked away.
He chased me to the parking lot but I ignored her. But I couldn't, especially when I saw her fall.
"What are you doing? Ha?" Her eyes widened when I suddenly ran towards her.
"I j-just want to e-explain," She whispered when I knelt and held her ankle. I carried her like a bride and walked towards my car. I put her in the shot gun before turning into the driver seat.
"L-luke? Let me explain, please."
I just looked at her before starting the engine but she stopped me. She gave me an apologetic look. She also pouted. Aish! Maybe I'm fragile.
"Talk!" I said.
"Luke... I'm sorry... I-I didn't mean to, I mean... I mean that." She closed her eyes. "I just was... was... d-drunk. Please? Don't be mad! I know... It's like... uhm... just... what... I'm sorry."
I held her hand and she looked up at me.
"I'm not mad. Besides, I'm not your boyfriend. You're not mine. And about what I did, that's wrong. I was just carried away. Sorry. Please get out." I said calmly because I didn’t want to shout at her.
"No! Please! Listen to me, Luke. Please?" She wiped her tears using the back of her hand. She held my hand but I just looked away.
I said before, I don't want to see her cry, now she's crying in front of me. And, I also didn't expect that at those times she would say she likes me too. I don't know what to say, I don't know how I'm going to feel. I'm a man but I can't help but be emotional.
"I'm so scared to fall again. But, if it's you then I'll try." I looked at her with confused eyes. We were in their condo and lying on a bed right now.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"I will give you the rights right now. From now on, I am your girlfriend," She whispered and gave me a soft kiss.
I smiled broadly because of too much happiness I feel. I never thought she would be my girlfriend after all we've been through. She did everything better in my life.
A month before Christmas, Blaire asked me what I planned for this coming Christmas. I told her that I would be in France for Christmas but in the new year, I will be here, with her. Mommy and I talked about this earlier, she forced me to spend Christmas there and they also said they would introduce me to someone. I don't feel good about it but I just agreed because daddy said so.
"Lola, I promise to you, I will always take good care of your grandchild, I will always cherish her, I will always protect her as much as I can, and I will always choose her with whatever choices. I promise you that lola . " I said in front of her grandma's grave.
We are in the cemetery now and Blaire wants to introduce me to the person she loves the most before I fly to France. Her grandmother! I saw her crying so I asked her what the problem is but she said it was just tears of joy.
When the day came, I actually feel so sad but I decided not to show it to her. I don't want her to be sad and worried about me while I'm gone. I will miss the love of my life!
"Don't you ever take it off from you, no matter what happens? Okay?" She also gave me a bracelet that will remind me of her.
When the plane lands in France, I saw people coming after me. Dad's people! When I got home, I saw that they were eating right away, so I sat down next to my sister.
"Dad? Why do you want me to spend Christmas here?" I asked immediately.
He glared at me. "Do you want a real answer?" I nodded bravely. "I'll prepare your engagement party, son. You're getting engaged!"
I paused for a moment and processed what he said. No way! I have a girlfriend and that's Blaire, and I really love her.
"I disagree, dad!" I boldly say.
"What did you say?" Anger was obvious in his voice but I tried to reassure myself.
"I'm not getting married. I have a girlfriend and I love her."
He laughed in disgust. "Is that so? Why? Can that love help me grow my business? What will your love for her do?" He laughed again "You can't refuse what I want to happen, you know that! Besides, you won't have a hard time living with the woman you're going to marry because she likes you. Honestly, you're so lucky that a beautiful and very rich woman likes you."
"Dad–"
"When I say you're getting married, you're getting married. Or maybe, you want your sister to suffer, because you don't want to get married?" I looked at her and she just looking down.
"Alright! I'll do it!"
I'm a man and I shouldn't cry but it hurts me so much. He blackmailed me with my sister. I went to my sister's room and saw her crying.
"I'm sorry. I didn't tell him about Blaire but you told him, that you shouldn't do."
"It's fine! As long as, I obeyed everything he wanted."
Ever since we were kids, we obeyed everything daddy wanted, we didn’t disobey a single command of his because he is our dad. I know that he loves us, and he just does it all for us but this is too much.
The day has come when he will introduce me to the woman I will marry. And her name is Margareth!
Margareth... who I didn't expect would be the cause of Blaire and me breaking up. It hurt me so much when she broke up with me. I love her so much but she doesn't believe me. I love her very much but I hurt her too much even though I don't want to hurt her. Honestly, I never forgot her birthday. The truth is, I had a surprise for her but I didn't make it that day because Margareth put sleeping pills in the water I drank and took me to my condo. Nothing happened to us and I'm sure of it!
I did everything, I agreed to be punished by her dad because I deserve it. And then, Blaire helped me out of the trouble again. That night, I was so hurt by what she said, as if my heart was being taken away and I was out of breath.
"Luke! Luke! Luke!" I heard Clayton shout as he entered my condo.
"What? Why are you shouting?"
"I have a bad news! Darcy... Darcy stabbed Blaire in the back. But don't panic–"
"What? What the fuck!" I hurried out but Clayton stopped me. I glared at him.
"Where are you going? Are you going to take her? And what will happen? Luke, you both already broke up and she was stabbed because of you! Who do you think her family will blame?"
I calmed myself but I just cried on the side. "I understand you want to go to her but all they know is you're already in France."
"What do you want me to do? I really wanted to see her. I want to know how she is. I want to know why Darrcy stabbed her. I want to be her side again, but... I can't."
I went to their University for the last time and I saw her, she's with her male friend. That was our last meeting because I had already flown to France and focused on things.
11 years passed and I thought of going back to the Philippines. Margareth and I didn't get married because daddy found out that they were just going to take away everything daddy had worked so hard for. Darcy also apologized to me then, when she recovered.
I didn't expect that when I went with darcy to the wedding shop I would see her. I have seen the woman I have long wanted to see. I wanted to smile that day but I stopped myself. I'm a man and I don't need to be excited.
I couldn’t read her reaction on her face, she just looked at the baby I was holding and at me. I want to talk and explain but I didn't get a chance to do it. She already left.
"Yah! Why are you calling me?" I asked one of her friends. Pat.
 
["We just need your help. I'm with Eliza and Blaire."] She answered. She sounds drunk.
We can get me back from my swivel chair. I was doing my work when she called me and I thought, she has a piece of bad news again.
"Why? What happen? Is there something wrong?"
["We're drunk and no one will drive us. We can't drive, you know!"] I immediately turned off the call and then hurried to her next place.
And blaire is really drunk. She was blabbering on even though it didn't matter. Pat gave me the way to Blaire's house, so when I drove them home, I immediately took her to her house. I did not leave immediately, I took care of her first and watched her for almost an hour while she slept.
"Luke? Is that you?" I heard the lady call me. And then, I realized that she's Blaire's mom.
"Oh! Hi, ma'am. It's nice to meet you again."
She chuckled. "Oh! Sit here, come with us. Maybe blaire is coming too."
I nodded and sat "Hi, sir!" I greeted with Blaire's daddy. He just nodded but he smiled at me.
We always meet and I know she doesn't like it. Especially, when she saw me at their family dinner. I couldn't stop myself from praising her that day. She was so beautiful! But it was really the opposite for her. She doesn't like to see me here. I really missed her.
"All right! You agreed."
"We know, that you still love blaire and this is your chance."
"Besides, blaire is really the owner of that rest house. You agreed, and we'll take care of it."
And one day, Anne and her friends came to see me, they wanted me to be the engineer at their rest house in Tagaytay and I agreed. So that day, Blaire visited the rest house, the shock on her face was obvious but I tried not to talk to her because that's what she wanted.
But when she was about to leave, blue came in. They hugged each other as if they were so close. I admit I felt jealous at that time. So I talked to blue inside, so they wouldn't hear what we were talking about.
"How do you feel? Are you jealous?" Blue asked immediately.
I smirked. "I told you before to stay away from her. You're not really listening!"
"Why should I listen to you? What is he to you?"
"She's mine! Remember this, you'll never have a chance with her. You're just nothing!" He suddenly grabbed my collar and glared at me.
"You don't know anything! I kissed her before and I was with her during the times when you were away, the time that you cheated on her."
And then, we ended up punching each other. We always have a fight when the situation is like this. That's why we have bruises when we come out.
And when Darcy and Allen's wedding day came. I couldn't help but get excited, because as far as she knew, Darcy was going to marry me but it was really Allen.
"Are you sure? You won't tell her?" Darcy asked.
I nodded. "Yes! I want to surprise her and see her reaction." I answered.
"What if he just doesn't care? And really, you have no hope of ever getting back together? What will you do, then?" Allen asked this time.
I shook my head and my heart suddenly aches. "I don't know. We'll see."
And what I was waiting for came, she was shocked but she tried not to show it, I know that because I know her.
But I didn’t expect that I would have a chance to talk to her and explain everything that had happened to us before. Until now, I really don't want to see her crying, that's why I hugged her. I also took her to my place and let her rest there.
When I laid her down on my bed, I stared at her, caressed her whole face, kissed her on the forehead, nose, and lips. I really miss her.
"This time, I will do everything to make you mine again. And when that happens, I will never let us be separated again."
And we talked and met one after another. It feels so good because finally, the person I love is mine again. I get excited when she makes me cute, especially the day something happened to us in the little house.
And this time, I will never let her go again.
"Where, then?"
I put my finger under my chin. "In the Maldives. Let her have a sense of peace there. I want her to be happy and be my wife."
"Is that so?" I nodded. "Then, we are ready to help you. I'm excited!"
"We should prepare everything right away... What if... Propose on underwater? What do you think?"
"I think, that's a good idea!" I agreed with Roxie's suggestion.
"Just tell us your plan and we will do it well."
I explained to them my plan and we prepared everything we should prepare for my proposal. She had no idea what I was going to do. I just laugh every time she complains about her work. And today is the day I will ask for marriage to her. I couldn't help but get emotional when she agreed to my proposal.
She hugged her family and friends. And in just a blink of an eye, she was now in front of me, and wearing a long and beautiful white gown while looking into my teary eyes.
"You can kiss the bride!" The father said so, I kissed her with full love and happiness.
"You are my husband, now." She said with tears of joy.
I slowly nodded, and smiled at her, and then hugged her. "And I can't wait to see you naked in bed later," I whispered.
Her eyes widened. "Yah! We're at church, you're so shy."
I just laughed. "We should hurry, then." I smirked at her and she just rolled her eyes at me. I like teasing her because she always like that.
"Congratulations, son!" My parents hugged me.
"Thanks, mom. Thanks, dad." I smiled. They also hugged my wife.
Blaire's dad approaches me and tap my shoulder and then smiled at me. "This time, don't hurt her. Unless you really want to die." He laughed. "Just kidding, son."
"Thanks, dad. I promise that I won't hurt her again. I will always make her happy." He winked at me and smiled.
And in the blink of an eye for the second time, our surroundings changed. We are in the garden now with our daughter, playing with her toys quietly while blaire and I just watch her. I can't stop thinking that we were really destined to each other.
"Daddy! Daddy!" My daughter ran towards us so I sat her on my lap.
"Yes, darling?" I asked.
"Daddy, when am I going to school? I used to go like them." She pointed to the students passing in front of our house.
"Honey, don't worry. Mommy will send you to school soon. Just wait. Is that okay?" My wife told her.
Our daughter smiled genuinely and nodded at the same time. "Yes po!" I took her down and we let her play again.
"Wife?" She looked at me and raised her brow. I smiled at her and kissed her on the top of her head. "I love you!"
She smiled at me, too, and leaned her head on my shoulder. "I always know that. I love you too, Luke."
I will not ask for more. It was enough for me to be with my mother. My wife and our daughter were the best things that ever happened to me. I was so lucky because they came into my life.
I don't have to visit paradise as I have her here. I don't want to see any dreams as she's my reality. She is my favorite everything. They... They are my everything!
-End-