CHAPTER FIVE

“I missed talking to you,” he said out of nowhere.

My heart beat fast. Even though he hurt me, every time he says he misses me, my heart gives in.

“It's your fault, you forgot about me,” I said and giggled.

“Are you jealous of Veronica Marchella?” he asked seriously.

I couldn’t answer easily. He seems very serious and I don’t know what to tell him.

I faked a laugh and tapped his shoulder, “Why? Is there a reason to be jealous?” I tried to hide the pain I am feeling in my heart.

Yes Xavier, I am jealous. I’m scared, I am hurt.

He didn’t say a thing and looked from afar.

“That’s fine. I understand,” I stand and walk a bit near the cliff to see more of the beautiful city lights.

“Wait for my boyfriend’s song!” I shouted even though I know that no one else can hear me. I just want to say that he is my boyfriend.

“The guy I am with, he’s the lead vocalist of his band Command. He’s my boyfriend!” my heart hurt while I was shouting those lines.

I felt him beside me. I looked at him and smiled, his expression was plain and serious. I avoid his stare to hide my tears. I even laugh a bit and then silence myself to calm. I again tried to look at him after calming myself and held his hand.

“If ever that you don’t have anyone or anywhere to go to, if the day comes that you were recognized by the industry, always remember that I am here okay? If all the people that came into your life seem like leaving, I am here okay? Even if you don’t need me. Even if you don’t want me here I will still be here,” I said as I caressed his face.

“Veronica,” his voice sounds very sad.

“Shh, it’s fine. Don’t worry,” I smiled at him and asked him to take me home.

The night is getting deep, I want to rest. After he brought me home, we shared dinner before he decided to leave.

We didn’t have the chance to talk about Samantha. I know he tried to but I chose to avoid the topic. I don’t know what his plan is but whatever it will be, I am not yet ready to hear any of it. I won’t let him at least not for now.

After everything I decided to go to bed.

The next day I got up early for work, I even got shocked to see Xavier waiting for me outside my apartment.

“You didn’t tell me you’ll be taking me to work. Good morning,” I greeted him and kissed him on his cheeks like usual.

“I thought you missed me, that's why I came to surprise you and get you to work,” he explained after he opened the car door for me.

“You don’t have an appointment with the recording today? You might be late if we got stuck with the traffic.”

I am happy to be with him now but it was just so hard to set aside the pain and fear that I am feeling for our relationship.

“They wouldn’t mind if I came late. It would be the first time ever. Breakfast?”

“Done. You haven’t eaten yet?” I asked.

“Already done too. I just asked you so we could drop by a restaurant if you haven’t,” he said. I just nodded and remained silent.

I needed to think. It seems like I am the only one affected by our situation, he doesn’t seem like he has a problem. Well, what should I expect? I am the only one who is insecure here. I am only scared because I am the extra.

How can I win against him? Xavier’s father may want me for him but Xavier wants Samantha for himself.

I sighed. I looked at him when I felt him hold my hand.

“What’s wrong?” he asked. I tried to act okay and give him an assuring smile.

“Nothing, just stress with some of my pending designs. It’s a lot,” I lied.

“Don’t stress yourself too much. I know you can do that for sure,” he assured me.

I just hope he could also give me that assurance with our relationship. I smiled at him again and chose to dwell on my thoughts alone.

“I’ll fetch you up later okay? Can I take you out on a date?” he said sweetly.

My face turned red, my heart beat so fast. Here I am again, giving in to him. But could I blame myself? I am so in love with him that even with a simple gesture, I gave in.

“Really?” I asked about sounds very excited that made him laugh.

“Would you let me?” he held my hand again.

I nodded at him even though he’s not looking, “Of course, I love you!”

He smiled and slightly pinched my hand he was holding. The smile on my face couldn’t hide even after I got in the office. I am too happy that anyone who talked to me just laughed at how positive I am today. I don’t care though, I am happy.

Who wouldn't be right? He’s taking me on a date.

Everything that I do that day is easy. I was too inspired to finish almost all of my pending work. I even helped Finn and Kley create an idea for our new project.

The day has been so exciting and easy that until our time to go home my team wouldn’t stop teasing me. I go straight to Xavier’s usual parking space every time he fetches me here. And when I saw his car, my smile grew bigger.

But it was as if in a snap my face turned dismay when I saw Lucas go out of the car and greeted me with a simple smile.

I even looked again at the car and hoped Xavier would come out to surprise me and reveal that this was a prank but nothing came.

Lucas is in front of me, not Xavier. My chest feels heavy and my heart hurts as I smile bitterly.

“Why did I let myself be too happy?” I faked a laugh.

I tried to smile at Lucas but I know for sure it looked fake.

What is he doing here anyway?

“Sorry to disappoint you. They have a sudden meeting between the recording team and the Media that wanted to cover and fund them for some events. He can’t call you so he talked to me and asked me to fetch you up here. I’m sorry,” he explained.

“He could have just texted me instead of bothering you,” the disappointment can be heard in my voice.

I understand the fact that it was a sudden and important matter but he could have just texted me. Is it that hard? It won’t even take 3 minutes to text me.

“You really are very disappointed to see me here, huh?” I looked at him as I heard him say that.

I suddenly felt guilty so I composed myself and shook my head.

“Sorry, that’s not what I meant. I’m not disappointed at you, I’m disappointed at my boyfriend. But what can I expect?” I tried to smile again and walked past him.

He was just staying at my back and let me lead the way. I looked at him and that made him stop.

“Can you accompany me for a while? I don’t want to go home yet,” I said slightly embarrassed.

Though I wouldn’t mind if he didn't. We’re not close in the first place so I won’t be shocked if he refused.

But I was wrong to think that because he smiled and excitedly agreed.

“Where do you want to go?” he asked.

“Anywhere. I just don’t want to go home yet,” I answered after he opened the car door for me.

“Do you want to go arcade?” he asked when he got into his seat.

“Arcade? Are you serious, Lucas? I’m 23 and not some kid,” I said a bit laughing.

He looked at me as if I said something weird, “So? I am 24 and still going to arcades. Is there any age limit there, Veronica?” he asked me laughing too.

“We’re old for that,” I reasoned out.

“Why? No one said older people can’t be happy,” he was like convincing me that there’s nothing wrong with that. I just shook my head in disbelief and laughed with him.

So we agreed to go to an arcade and spend our time playing around and have fun until we get tired and hungry. It’s almost 8:00 o’clock in the evening when we decided to leave the arcade. We won a medium size pink panther toy.

“And look at you now? A 23 year old straight face looking woman that I used to see, now smiling after having fun in an arcade where I brought her. It suits you more,” he teased me.

I pouted and looked at him with sharp eyes that made him laugh even more. We get along very well, for the first time.