C7 seven

Excuse me? Me? Flirting? We just talked," I explained.

But why?! What the hell does he care?!

He chuckled, "That's why you smile so much at him, huh? Your eyes still bright as you look at him. Are you really happy, huh?" he said.

My brows furrowed. "I just greeted him," I answered seriously.

"Right, Nice to meet you, Ben. Alis na kami Happy birthday ulit!" He repeatedly said like a child and rolled his eyes.

I glared at him. "What's your problem? Why are you taking it out on me? Just because you didn't talk much to your ex doesn't mean you have to take your frustration out on me," I said irritably.

He continued driving and turned to me.

"What?" He asked, his lips pressed together in a thin line.

I chuckled. "I don't know about you! It's a good thing Ben arrived and talked to me after YOU LEFT ME ALONE," I irritably retorted.

His jaw clenched, and he stared at me for a bit. "Sorry,"

"You really love him that much, huh? To the point where he's all you see? You'd do anything just to talk to him and be with him, right? Even if he doesn't want to come back to you?" I said, avoiding eye contact.

I felt annoyed. Yes. Angel and my other friends know how much I hate being left behind. It's like I don't want to join an outing and suddenly I'm left alone.

I felt like I don't belong in this world.

His jaw clenched again. "When you love someone you want them to love you back even as dark as night," he answered, briefly turning to me. "When you love someone, no matter how hard, you do it for the person even entering the needle hole," he said and stopped. "When you love someone, you want to see them happy even if you are not the reason for the smile on their lips," He continued, looking at me and biting his lower lip.

I adjusted my sitting position because of his extensive English-speaking skills. If Sadnie were talking to this guy, she would have had a nosebleed by now.

I brought myself back to reality and fixed my gaze on the guy driving. I could see the pleading and traces of longing and sadness on his face.

"There are people who, no matter how much we like them, cannot return the love we have given," I said with a smile.

Instead of looking at him, I looked outside because the sparkling stars were distracting.

I don't know why some people, the ones we love the most, can't reciprocate that love. But at the moment, it's hard to find someone who will love you back, Just like how difficult it is to see a total solar eclipse.

The person who loves you will not love you back, as if loving you means they were passing through thorny things that are very difficult to do.

"To be loved by the person you love, It is like forming broken glass that is hard to make," he said coldly.

I smiled and nodded. "When you love someone you must be ready to be hurt, sad, to sacrifice, and wait," I said.

It's like we're going through the same thing. The only difference is, he's still stuck holding on to the love he has, while I've long escaped from this kind of situation.

"But hopefully when it hurts, there will be a calming effect as if it were raining heavily. When sad, there would be a joyous exchange as bright as the sun," He said, looking at me, biting his lower lip.

I smiled and gazed into the distance with a faraway expression. "In a love case, you must be willing to take risks; you must not wait for a replacement because true love does not wait for anything in return,"

I don't know why I'm saying these things. It's annoying how this guy is bringing out my talent. Yes, this is my talent and happiness.

He smirked. "You looked like an expert, are we both not loved by the ones we love?" He asked.

"Well, let's say I'm done with that stage," I proudly answered. His jaw clenched, and he looked directly at the road.

I glanced at the guard here in our subdivision who was busy glancing at what seemed like a record book. He even asked my companion where the way to the apartment was, so I pointed it out to him.

I was about to step out when he spoke again.

"What happened?" He asked seriously, stopping his car in front of the apartment.

I grabbed the paper bag at my feet and faced the guy who looked tired from crying.

They both looked at me, puzzled, as I walked over to them.

"Why are you crying?" I asked, facing the suitcase by her side.

She hiccuped. "Because... w-we broke up with Mark, m-my ex," Another hiccup. "I-I couldn't handle stringing him along anymore. We're friends, so I said yes to him... But now I can't do it anymore. I feel guilty because he's so kind to me. So here I am, trying to stay away from him even just a little bit, because I can't give or exceed the love he's giving," She cried and hiccuped again.

I tapped her back.

"I don't know what to say to you, but because of what you said. Maybe your decision is right because if you keep going, you might hurt him more," I said.

"C-Can I stay here for a while?" She asked shyly, her hiccups stopping.

"Of course! Actually, if you want to open up or you need someone to talk to, just tell me. I can be your rant person slash living diary," I said and smiled. "Don't hesitate. I won't judge you because who am I to judge, right?"

"I'll share in the bills here. I don't know how long I'll stay here if ever I move, just to--"

"You can stay here, and you need someone beside you. I won't let you face this alone. Even though we're not long-time friends or acquaintances, I know that you have a soft heart," I cut her off.

She smiled. "Thank you so much,"

"Go to my room for now. I have work at J Hotel tomorrow, and my shift starts at 9 am. I'll be out by 4 pm, so let's go buy some furniture for your bed," I said.

My room is quite spacious, and there's still room for another bed.

"Okay, but I have class tomorrow. Maybe I'll be done around 5 pm. Is that okay?"

I nodded. "I'll wait for you here in the apartment,"

"Okay, thank you so much,"

"You're welcome. Let's go inside the room. I need to change; I'm getting annoyed wearing these clothes," I complained.

She laughed a bit. "Where are you coming from? Angel said you have a side job?"

She even examined me as I stood up and grabbed the paper bag.

"Oh yeah, with Cyrus--"

"Cyrus? Lavilla?" She asked.

"Yeah, never mind him. Don't be nosy," I retorted.

"You're so grumpy! Just earlier

you kept saying, 'don't hesitate, don't hesitate.' Fool," she mocked as she followed me, dragging her suitcase.

"Fine, sorry. Put your stuff in my room, and use one of the empty cabinets. They're all yours to use," I explained.

I went to get changed.

"Where are you from? The way you're dressed, it looks like you came from somewhere," she asked.

I glanced at her and stood up, grabbing the paper bag.

"Ah, yeah, with Cyrus--"

"Cyrus? Lavilla?" she interrupted.

"Yeah, whatever, don't be nosy," I said, annoyed.

"You're so grumpy! Just earlier you kept saying, 'don't hesitate, don't hesitate.' Fool," she teased as she followed me, dragging her suitcase.

"Fine, sorry. Put your stuff in my room, and use one of the empty cabinets. They're all yours to use," I explained.

I went to get changed.