♫ Lemon ♫
I wasn’t surprised when I woke up and saw Drew sleeping next to me. What happened last night is still fresh in my mind and I’m thankful that he didn’t take advantage of my situation. To be honest, it seems like I was the one who took advantage of him.
While staring at him, I was unable to stop myself from touching his face. Tracing his jawline, I smiled as I appreciate his beauty.
Busy appreciating the view, I didn’t notice that he was already up. I was even startled when he grabbed my hand and smiled. “Good morning Les!” he greeted as he opens his eyes.
“Good morning! Let’s eat…” I said sweetly. He didn’t let go of my hand right away. Instead, he pulled it closer and kissed the back of it.
"What do you want to eat?" he asked.
"I don’t have anything here…"
"Sure, let me wash up first, I’ll prepare our breakfast,” then he pushed himself off of the bed as I nodded.
I let him use the bathroom first. After several minutes, he came out and told me that he was going out to buy us breakfast.
Drew came back just as I came out of the bathroom. He said he went to the convenience store, right in front of the condo. “I’m not sure what you want but I bought corned beef, eggs, and rice. There’s coffee too,” he informed me.
I nodded and smiled. Not sure if he’s trying to score brownie points, but he got one for what he did.
I followed him to the kitchen and sat down on the stool while he prepares our breakfast. He’s so engrossed with what he’s doing that he didn’t notice I’m watching him.
He was moving at a fast pace but he was careful at the same time. at times, I can’t help but smile as I enjoy the way he takes care of me.
After a while, he placed two plates on the countertop, one right in front of me. It has fried rice, a sunny-side-up egg, and corned off. Of course, it won’t be complete without my favorite coffee brew.
I thanked him with a smile and he did the same then we started eating. I was feeling a bit awkward despite what happened last night.
“You really didn’t have a girlfriend in the States?” I asked. I wanted to stop myself from asking but I really want to confirm it too.
He slowly put down his spoon and fork before looking up and shaking his head. “As I said, I was school and home back there,” he replied then muttered, “Besides, you know who I love…”
I was frozen for a second as I wasn’t expecting he’d say that. I can only smile in response and continue eating.
“You? I heard my brother visited you several times in Paris. Is he courting you?”
I shook my head right away, “No, he just visited me. He said he got business trips in France and when it’s close to my place, he’d go and visit me,” I explained.
“Have you really moved on from me? From us? Did you really fall for Pete?” he asked in a sad voice.
I paused for a while as I wasn't prepared for his questions. I even regret for a moment that I started asking.
“I did like Pete because he’s nice, sweet, and caring. But I didn’t really fall for him. Besides, it’s impossible since he’s based in France.”
“What if he moves here? From what I've heard, he has a company here too so if ever, there’s a reason for him to move.”
“Maybe? I don’t know. I haven’t really thought of that.”
He heaved a sigh and looked at me, straight to my face, straight to my eyes, straight to my soul. "What about us Les? Don’t you love me anymore?"
“I do,” I stated frankly. “Even after all these years, yes, I still love you. I moved on from the relationship, I moved on from the idea of you being my boyfriend. But I still love you and I cant’ get rid of that feeling easily.”
"But?"
"But you've done and said things I never thought you would, which hurt me so much. I know you’re rude at times, to Kevz and the others and to those you don’t like. But I never thought you'd do the same to me. Besides, there's always trouble when we're together, and I can't help but get scared and feel scared. I can’t help but think that next time, something really bad might happen and of course, I wouldn't like that. "
"Does that mean we can't be together again? We’re hopeless? "
"To be honest, I don't know. For now, I'm just happy that we're civil with each other, we're friends. Maybe we can take it from there unless you like or fall for someone else. "
"Or you fall for someone else and say yes to him,” he smirked. "Go ahead and finish your food.” He then stood up and take his plate to the sink. “Can I use your bathroom?” he asked and when I nodded, he turned his back on me right away.
I heaved a sigh, it’s just sad that this is how we ended up. But I can’t blame myself and I can’t blame him too.
It’s just that I’m really scared. That next time he won’t just be shot or I won’t just be beaten up. That next time, one of us will die.
♫ Drew ♫
While taking a shower, everything Leslie said keeps repeating in my head. I know she's scared and everything that has happened is indeed scary.
Even I am having creeps whenever I recall the past. But can’t she face her fear at least for me? Because I can do that if it means I can be with her.
When I was in the US, I made sure that my goal upon returning is to win her back. But why does it seem like she's pushing me away? Regardless, it won't beat my resolve.
I have to win her back no matter what. I love her so much that I feel like I’ll lose all my purpose in life if I lose her for good.
When I came out of the bathroom, she was already in the bedroom looking into her closet. “I’m going home, Les. I’ll get some rest before tonight’s gig.”
I walked out of her room as soon as she nodded. When I got home, my parents are on the veranda so I walked up to them and kissed my mom.
I excused myself to go up to my room but before I can turn around to leave, my mom held my wrist, “How are things with Lemon, son?”
I sat down next to her and even dad sat up straight to listen. “It’s complicated mom. She said she's scared of us being together. She said that when we’re together, it’s like trouble's after us.”
"And?" Dad asked while eyeing me and I creased my forehead. “What’s your plan? You’ll just let her go?”
"Honestly Dad I don't know," I heaved a sigh, "I’m a little hesitant to continue pursuing her, she might not like that so I’m thinking of takings things slow.”
"How slow is that "taking things slow"? I hope it’s not turtle slow. According to David, she got tons of suitors in France. There’s even a tycoon interested in her,” dad commented.
"Dad, tycoon or not, if she likes him then I can't do anything about it. She said she still loves me. I just need to take care of that and nurture it so it won’t fade away. I need to work on that love so it will grow. And maybe eventually, we’ll go back to how we were,” and I sounded irritated.
I’m not irritated at my father but the fact that Pete’s a tycoon. If that’s the basis then I’m on the losing end. I’m just an aspiring Engineer.
My family is rich and my father’s a tycoon too, but that’s him. If it’s just me, I haven't really proven anything aside from being a notorious playboy in my teenage years.
We talked some more before I headed to my room. It’s only past eleven in the morning and I still have three hours before our meetup.
I took my phone out from my back pocket and dialed her number, “Have you eaten your lunch?”
“I’m about to,” she replied.
“Do you want me to have food delivered to your condo?”
“Ah no need, Pete's here, we're going out for lunch,” she gladly informed me.
I suddenly want to throw my phone. As my irritation heighten, I said goodbye and ended the call before plopping on my bed. “Shit! Pete’s already here?”