Darren's POV
"I think we are lacking now!", I said as we gathered at the oval.
"Yes bubs, Jeyah is not around, she is now traveling to South Korea with her brother", Clarisse responded as he combed her hair with her hand.
"Oh no!", Eduard mumbled.
I was just silent because I don't want to be obvious to my groupmates. But deep inside my heart, I'm a little sad because she is not with us right now.
"So, shall we go now?', I asked.
Everyone answered in chorus. So we get inside the car and as soon as we're settled in, we left the school campus heading our way to our favorite hangout place. I feel so empty while driving. I missed her already, but it's better to set aside these feelings because it's not gonna work out. She is still in love with Ryle and I don't want to be her second choice.
We reached at the Ninyo Food Cuisine and as usual, we're at the table intended for us. We ordered food and wine then as soon as our order is served, we began partaking in it. Sam as the clown of our group, threw again plenty of jokes and we could not help but laugh out loud.
"Bubs, it seems you're not really happy. Do you miss Jeyah?", Clarisse asked when she noticed I was silent for a while.
"We know, you have feelings for her. But why don't you tell her? If you are just worried of the group policy, then it's okay with us. What matters the most, is your feelings, right?", Angela spoke while looking at our groupmates, asking for moral support.
"Angela is right bubs. It's okay with us. Just be true to yourself and tell Jeyah about your feelings", Eduard tapped my shoulder.
"It's impossible bubs. Jeyah doesn't love me because she is still in love with Ryle", I responded with a sullen voice.
"Who is Ryle?", everyone asked in chorus.
"Jeyah's first love who looks exactly like Darren. But--bubs, Ryle is already dead!", Clarisse said while sipping a glass of ladies' drink.
"Yeah. Anyway, let's forget about it bubs. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine", I responded and chugged down a glass of wine.
"But I think it's not only the reason why you wanted to set aside your feelings for her", Angela butted in.
My groupmates looked at me, and I know they wanted to know the truth. After all, they are all my friends so I think it's about time to tell them.
I cleared my throat before I spoke.
"Dad called me one time, reminding me that I am not allowed to enter a relationship with any other women except Bridgette. There's no other woman whom he likes for me. And you know my father right? I don't want to go back to France. I wanted to stay here until I graduate. I want to be here with you guys", I voiced out.
"Oh, your father is impossible bubs! And you would just allow him to interfere with your personal life?", Eduard spoke.
"For now, yes! Until I graduate. After that, I will do everything I want. So for now, I need to set aside my feelings for Jeyah."
"But you should tell her the real reasons bubs. You know Jeyah, loves you", Clarisse said.
"She loves me? How---how--could", I stuttered. I furrowed my brows in confusion.
"Did she tell you about it bubs?", I asked, wanting to make sure I heard it right.
"Actually, no! But it's obvious, right? Have you remembered the last time when we were attending Valentine's Party? She cried when she saw you and Bridgette kissing each other", Clarisse started explaining.
"Yeah. But she said she is still in love with Ryle and he is the only man she loves until now. So whatever her feelings for me, that's only because I look like her first love", I gruffed.
"But you love her bubs, don't you? Just be honest. We are your friends and we will always support you, no matter what", Eduard spoke.
"That's true bubs!", everyone agreed.
"Yes. But I am also interested with 'Jewel', remember her bubs?", I'm talking to Angela
this time because she was with me during those times I joined 'Jewel's live streaming.
"Yup. but you mean, you're still interested of her bubs? She's not anymore streaming right? So I thought you already forget her.
I was silent for a while. How could I be interested about the woman I haven't known and met personally? I took a long deep sigh, then gulped down another glass of wine.
"Better to forget about it bubs", I said while thinking of another possible topic of discussion.
"Uhm, bubs, I remember, you'll be celebrating your birthday two days from now. So what's your plan? ", Angela smiled as she snapped her fingers.
"Yeah...yeah!!! Do you think we forget it?", Sam exclaimed.
"I don't have any idea bubs. It slipped off my mind," I responded, because I really can't think of anything to do on that day.
My time with my friends was over, so we had to go our separate ways. As usual, I enjoyed their company, but I think it's more worthwhile when Jeyah was around. I missed her so much but I know I hurt her. I just wished she would be here on my birthday.
"Bubs, are you okay?" Angela asked when we got inside the car. She's the one who's riding with me, and others were inside Andrew and Eduard's car.
"Are you thinking of her?" she asked again.
"Bubs, just be true to yourself. If you're just worried that Jeyah doesn't feel anything for you because she's still in love with her first love, then why don't you try? Tell her you love her, okay?", Angela said intently.
"Well, at least you've tried rather than doing nothing at all," she added.
I just nodded and smiled at her. She's right anyway, but still confused on what to do. It's not that I am afraid to confess what I feel to Jeyah but I'm just worried what Bridgette would possibly do to her when she finds out.