C20 Questions

It was late at night but the people flocked to the bar even more. I'm also tired of dancing because my skin is almost sticking to the crowd on the dance floor. I invited Macy and the others back to our table.

I'll just drink a little and then I'll go home to Macy's condo. I'll stay with her first until I find a unit for myself. Our house here in Manila was rented out so I can't go there either.

"Let's dance," said the man who had been following me on the dancefloor earlier. He saw that I had turned around and started to step away from the dancefloor. I smiled politely at him.

"I'm tired," I replied with a smile. He continued to block my way in front of me. He's tempting me but I shooked my head.

"Let's go!" I am with my friends now. The man still followed us. Macy and Barbara are now annoyed.

"Next time again," I told the man so he should stop following me.

It looks like he's been drinking a lot too so he's being kinda naughty.

Now he invites me to their table.

We were close to our table and Eliot seemed to notice the man's bothering me. Mardy and he stood up, but Kian was quick and immediately stood up and approached us.

He grabbed my arm and pulled me closer to him. I stiffened. Can't believe what he did.

"Stay away from her," he shooed the man away.

The man raised both hands and left immediately. After the man turned his back, Kian quickly let go of my arm that he was holding. He returned to the chair as if nothing had happened.

I also sat down next to Macy. I was quiet and forced myself to calm down. My heart is beating fast like I was a child.

Macy handed me a glass of wine. There was teasing in her eyes that I just shrugged on. Even though the truth was I am really affected. He is still here at our table. Isn't he going to his girlfriend? Maybe they trust each other that much, my mind answered.

I tried to keep up with their conversation even though I can't understand. From time to time Kian and my eyes met. He was the first to look away. When I am the one speaking, he was looking at me seriously nor did my eyes escape the occasional glare of his eyes across me.

I am wearing a red mini dress with a deep neckline. Maybe, he was a bit shocked by the way I dressed up now. It's because I was wrapped up in clothes before. One of my hobbies, when I was abroad, was shopping and keeping myself looking good. When we were still together I never wore sexily.

Oh, I remember that one time when I prepared a surprise dinner for him. I wore a red sexy dress but he didn't see me because I got tired of waiting for him. I sighed. I shouldn't think about the past anymore. Past is past as the saying goes.

He looks happy now. I'm happy too, somehow.

"Are you just on vacation or are you here to stay again?" he asked. I slowly looked up.

"I-I don't know yet," I replied. He just nodded. Guess how he looks at me.

"Nice to see you again," he said with a smile on his face. I opened my mouth and was momentarily stunned.

"S-Same here." That's all I said and I still stuttered.

He never spoke again but his eyes remained focused on me. Macy made a sound again as if teasing me.

"Where is your girlfriend?"

See!

Now I'm sure he has a girlfriend already.

"S-She's with her friends," he replied without even taking his eyes off me.

"I heard you're getting married," Yona interjected.

What! Kian seems to have become close with my friends. I didn't ask them about Kian and they also didn't mention that he already had a girlfriend. If I only knew, I might not have come back.

I consumed the fourth glass of wine. I'm going home after this. Macy lent me one of her keys so if she didn't plan to go home yet, I would go first.

I know it's still early but I need to rest early because I'm going to meet the owner of the shop I am planning to rent. When I put the glass on the table I looked at Macy who was grinning as she looked at Kian.

"I'm getting sleepy," I whispered at Macy.

"If you don't want to go home yet, it's okay that I'll go first," I added.

I think they are still waiting for their boyfriends. They said they will arrive late. I can't wait for them anymore. She nodded so I stood up. I looked at those with us.

"I'll be going first," I said goodbye. Kian suddenly stood up so we all looked at him.

"I'll walk you out," he said. Huh? I was confused.

"No need," I refused. What's on this man's mind? I shooked my head.

"Your girlfriend might get angry," I said as he paused suddenly. It was as if he realized that he did have a girlfriend and was with him here at the bar.

I just finished talking to the shop owner. We agreed on the price. After three days we will meet again for contract signing and payment.

Because it was too early, I decided to go around the mall nearby first. I also had nothing to do at Macy's condo because she went to work.

She will go home later to change her clothes and then will go out again to go to the bar. She would just force me to go with them again.

Kian and I will definitely meet again. I'm not bitter and avoiding Kian. But I just really don't want to have put things in my mind that might just confuse me. Especially things that can cause my heart to hurt again.

For the past years, I believe that I am already healed. But when Jewel and I met, my peace of mind was again disturbed. I decided to go home. I thought of doing business here in the Philippines.

I also want to talk to Kian, but I don't think that it is necessary for us to talk especially when I found out that he already has a girlfriend. Besides, looks like he is getting married as well.

I don't want to look desperate. I am not that kind of person. Am I happy for him? Yes. It’s really like that when you have fallen in love. That is what will make the one you love happy, you should let it be. As I did before.

After I paid for my purchases I immediately took a taxi home.

When I arrived at Macy's condo, I was shocked when I saw Kian, he was with his friends. Barbara was next to a friend of Kian and still leaning on the man's chest.

Macy, on the other hand, was wrapped up in Raul's hand. What the hell! Why does it seem I don’t know what's going on?

"G-Good evening," I greeted them.

It's been a few years and we're not kids anymore but I'm still angry with them because of what happened. But I don’t want to show them that I haven’t been able to move on.

They also greeted me. I signaled

Macy that I would just bring my belongings into my room for a moment. I really can't believe this.

I sat down next to Kian because that was the only vacant place that I should sit. I raised an eyebrow at Macy and Barbara. I'm waiting for them to tell their stories.

When I left the country, Kian's friends already flirted with them. And to this day they still are. Going strong, huh? I hope all.

I sparingly smiled at them. Kian's friends seem to have changed. They no longer look as immature as before. They also have achievements in life, what they really worked for.

They ordered food.

After eating I insisted to clean and wash the plates. Kian did not go with them. He was standing at the end of the table with his hands tucked in both pockets of his pants. He said nothing and just stared at me.

I turned around and brought the plates to the sink. I felt his presence behind me.

"Let me help you," he said. I did not speak. I showed him the rag. He will just wipe the ones I have rinsed. He agreed.

"How are you?" he asked afterward.

I cleared my throat and stared at him for a moment.

"Good. You?"

"Never been better since you left me," he answered bluntly.

I was shocked by what he said but I didn't let him notice it. I just nodded but never spoke again.

"Didn't you even regret when you left me?" he asked.

I can feel the loneliness and anger in his tone. My chest hurts. I wash the dishes quickly. I did not answer him.

"Didn't you even think twice when you decided to annul our marriage?" His follow-up question makes my eyes watery.

"If I hadn't done that, you wouldn't have found the woman really destined for you," I firmly replied.

After I rinsed the plates I turned around. He can do it alone.