Joan paled at the sight of Christopher kissing another woman, but just as she thought she would be faced with shame, coming up to see Christopher, Cole came to her rescue.
Putting an arm around her shoulders, he said, “Joan, my room is right here! Where are you going?”
Christopher turned to find Cole and Joan, heading for the room next to his. He grimaced at the sight of them and said, “Cole? What are you doing here?”
“Ah, Christopher, I'm taking Joan to my room,” said Cole. He pushed Joan against his chest, knowing she was hurt by what she saw. He gave her time to compose herself.
Joan took deep breaths while hearing the beating of Cole’s heart. She looked up to him, blinking several times, not missing to appreciate his fine jaw-lines and how his adam's apple moved as he spoke.
It took seconds before she realized what Cole was implying, but it was better than being found out that she came for Christopher. She cleared her throat and wrapped one arm around his waist before turning to Christopher.
“Oh, Christopher, you are here,” Joan said before quickly smiling back at Cole. “This is your room? Not that one?”
Impressed by her ability to adapt, Cole smirked and replied, “Yes, beautiful. This is my room.”
Frowning, Christopher asked, “I did not know… you reserved a room here tonight, Cole.” He let go of the singer he was earlier holding, putting both his hands inside the pockets of his pants, his eyes moving from his best friend and his next-door neighbor.
“It was a last-minute thing, just right after Joan was feeling lightheaded. She said… she needed to take a quick rest.” Cole shrugged and added, “The things we do for friends, right? And of course, I will be using it… right after the party.”
Cole further tightened his hold on Joan while maintaining his handsome grin.
“Wait, Cole Adams, right? The swimmer-model!” The singer extended her hand to Cole, flashing her white teeth with a big smile, and she said, “Hi, I'm Shantal Lin.”
Cole quickly shook the hand of the singer and acknowledged, “Of course, I know you. I have seen you a few times whenever I visit the TV network.”
“Oh, how nice? Wonder why you never approached me,” said Shantal.
Seeing Christopher squint at him, Cole laughed and replied, “Good question! I.” He turned to Joan and said, “I prefer blondes.”
Joan covered her face with her hand, just so she could roll her eyes. It was true, though. Most of the girls Cole dated were blondes.
She was a blonde, but surprisingly, he never made a move on her. Perhaps it was because Joan was different, or maybe because they have known each other for long… or perhaps it was because… she had always liked Christopher and Cole knew this too well.
Joan did not care. For as long as she was safe, away from this playboy. Cole can date all the blondes, as long as she was not part of his many conquests.
“But the party is starting and, in fact, I am headed there right now.” Christopher panned his eyes on the two and said, “Let’s go.”
“Yeah, I suppose we should, but I want to use the restroom first,” said Joan. “You can go ahead, Chris.”
Pointing at the door of Cole’s supposed room, she said, “I’ll use Cole’s bathroom… Just for a minute.”
“Go ahead, man! We’ll catch up!” Said Cole, brushing away his best friend.
Cole pulled Joan by his side, pretending to open the door. He could only wish no one was inside the room, or else they were done for.
When he saw Christopher look back at them, he waved his hand and said, “Go now, birthday boy! Everyone is waiting for you.”
Fortunately, Christopher left, believing their act. He turned away, shifting to the elevators.
Joan let out a heavy sigh. She quickly pushed Cole’s hand; one that rested on her waist. Only then did she walk to the opposite wall. She covered her face with her hands and began to cry.
“Joan,” said Cole.”Joan.”
Seeing her eyes water, he offered, “Do you want to go to the rooftop instead and talk about it? Have a drink or two?”
As she wiped away her tears, she nodded. She was no longer interested in joining the party. How could she? The man of her dreams was once again with another woman. Not her. It was another woman.
For the first time since she knew Cole, she allowed his company. He was not exactly her first choice for a companion, but he was better than no one. Moreover, he knew her best, or at least, her affection for Christopher.
After quickly calling her parents and telling them she was feeling unwell, she came with Cole to the rooftop's bar and restaurant to have a drink.
Joan wasn’t much of a drinker, but she did not care for that night. She just wanted to forget the pain she was feeling.
She had adored Christopher far too long. She could not understand what was wrong with her and why he never looked her way. She just needed to let it all out.
As they made their way to the furthest table, girls from all sides eyed Cole. Joan could feel the jealous gazes of the surrounding women. How she wished she could tell them, she wasn't in competition at all.
They settled on the table and Joan had at least one martini, just to kick off her courage.
“You haven’t eaten, have you?” Cole asked before deciding on ordering food.
Right after the waiter took more of their orders, Cole studied her. With just one drink, her face was already red.
“What’s wrong with me?” Joan asked, as her eyes watered once more. “Am I ugly? Am I not desirable?”
Of course, Joan had suitors now and then, but she only wanted Christopher.
Christopher had had relationships in the past and Joan was certain, to two or three of those that were entangled with him, she was a better choice. She slammed her hand on the table and said, “Why not me?”
“A singer who was practically flirting with you right in front of him! Seriously?” Her voice raised even higher while her nose turned redder than before.
Focusing her gaze on Cole, she asked, “Tell me, Cole! You are his best friend! Tell me, why? Why not me? What’s wrong with me? All these years, why does he choose to be with someone else?”
“Joan, there is nothing wrong with you… You are a beautiful woman. It’s just that… you are too good of a person to date,” answered Cole.
From the rooftop of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Joan and Cole sat in front of a round table, drinking and passing time. Joan practically objected to Cole's conclusion, throwing questions left and right. “What kind of excuse is that? Too good?” Joan challenged, raising her voice at Cole. She turned to look for the waiter, asking for more alcohol.
On a bright and sunny late morning, someone was still sleeping off the pang in her chest from inside her room.Curled under the sheets, Joan tried her best to think not of the sight of one Shantal Lin being kissed by Christopher.From her bedside table, her phone had been ringing nonstop, buzzing while left on vibrate mode. She had clients today. She knew, but she was not in the mood.Last night, she told her assistant to cancel all her appointments. She gave no valid excuse."Urrgghhh!" She got up in anger. Joan grabbed her phone and answered, "What is it, Gina? I told you to cancel my appointments today!""Miss Joan, I'm very sorry, but a rising singer came in the shot today asking if you can her official stylist! It would be a good chance for you to shine!" Suggested her assistant, Gina. "Not that... you are not shinning. You are already... somewhat famous."After finishing college, Joan had pursued her great
"Joan, are you feeling better?" Joan Belle heard Christopher's voice on the other line.Right after Shantal left, she called him immediately. She had to. She had six missed calls from him last night, and it was not like Christopher to call him so many times.Heck! He rarely called her."Yes, I'm fine now. Thank you for your concern," she said. "I'm sorry, I missed your party. I just - I just wanted to rest it out. Cole brought me home instead. I did not stay in his hotel room."'I could not stand the sight of you being with another woman. I just could not,' she spoke only in her mind while holding the phone up to her ears."I see. That's a relief," Christopher softly said. "I mean, that you are better."Her brows furrowed at his words, but just went on to ask, "Chris, you are dating Shantal Lin?"There was an odd silence on the other line before he said, "Yes. Yes, I am. In fact, I am meeting her today. Would you like to join us
Joan Belle's heart was racing. Again and again, she pursed her lips while sometimes taking deep breaths."This is it, Joan. No turning back," she muttered to herself, seeing the buildings past her line of sight.Following Lina's advice, Joan rushed to the Hale Industries office, wanting to finally let out all her feelings to Christopher.Lina was right. She repeatedly reminded herself.She had loved Christopher for so long, but she never really told him. Even if she was being obvious, she could at least confess to him and get an answer.Yes or No! That was all she had to find out.It was Lina's driver who brought her to Hale Industries and the second she arrived; she asked to speak to their new CEO.Being a family friend of the Hales has its advantages. Joan was immediately directed to the CEO's office.Christopher's assistant was not there, but one other secretary recognized Joan
"Coming to you live at Park Central Los Angeles, this is ANN Afternoon with Carie, and today, we have a special guest!" Announced the show's host, Carie Umber.The forty-year-old host pushed her hair back, giving a sly smile in front of the crowd. "Guess who it is?"Screams could be heard from the audience. They came for the special episode of the famous afternoon talk show."Ahhh! I love you, Cole!""Cole Adams!""Cole Adams!""Cole is the best!""Cole is so fucking sexy!""Calm down, girls! Calm down! Geez!" The host called the ladies' attention while grinning widely at the crowd. "I'll have him first before you do!""Ahhhh!""No! No, Carie! He is mine!"Clearly, the screams from the surrounding ladies outroared the teasing of Carie Umber. She could not help but chuckle at their reactions.It was challenging to tame the surrounding excitement, but with the help of the production c
"Come on, answer me! Cole! Where the heck are you?!" Joan was wailing from inside the taxi while holding up her phone. They had been going around in circles, without any specific direction.She had been texting and calling Cole for the past ten minutes, but to no avail."Miss? Where are we headed?" The driver asked, looking at her from the rearview mirror."Please, can you go around the block again? I'm still waiting for my friend to reply," she told with her eyes watering and her lips trembling."Are you okay, miss?" The driver asked, worried for her state.Joan had been weeping the second she got in the car. Her earlier plan to confess to Christopher was a total fail. Worst, she heard him doing it with Shantal Lin!"I'm fine. Thank you. Please, just - just go around the block a few more times. I'll pay for every minute that I use up, anyway," she pleaded.A minute later, she finally received a rep
"What did you just do?" Monica Wells, Cole's manager, asked. "You practically hinted that you have a woman on the side, carrying her like a princess! Couldn't you just have waited until the crowd had dispersed?"Cole massaged the bridge of his nose before shaking his head. He said, "I couldn't. She looked so sad and in despair - ""I get that, but you might ruin your career because of this and all for what?" Monica let out a heavy sigh and said, "Anyway, we'll stick to the story of your friend being in need of help. You just need to be consistent with the interviews, okay?"Cole nodded before running his hand against his hair."I'll have your car brought around the back of the tent for your convenience. Take her home and deal with whatever is her issue," said Monica before taking a leave.The two were in a serious conversation behind the show's temporary set. A tent was set up, meant as a changing area, and it was there where Cole hid J
"So what is this appointment you are going to?" Joan asked after hopping on to Cole's car."Meeting with the California Yacht Club president. They are planning to re-market the club and Monica wants me to be the next model for their upcoming ads," said Cole while turning on the ignition of his Jaguar."It's going to be a party that we will attend to so, get ready to flaunt your assets," he said with his usual killer grin.It was no wonder he had a stylist work on her attire. Joan was wearing new shoes, on top of her new dress, and had put on light makeup for his appointment. He was also dressed up for the part.Seeing the reluctancy on her face, Cole asked, "What? No backing out now. I just spent thousands of dollars on you today."She rolled her eyes and said, "Fine. I don't want to go home, anyway."For a second, she took a peek inside her purse and saw that her phone's battery had died. She sighed, thinking it was