13 CHAPTER 13: START OF SOMETHING NEW

Michelle's POV

He said no man could make me feel love.

He said that no man will speed up my heartbeat as he did...

He said that my eyes will only search for him.

I held on to every word he said but he just said it to keep me tied in our memories.

Four years have passed since he deceived me and left me.

I changed myself so that if he came back, he would not be able to destroy me, he would not be able to hurt me.

I thought my heart became stone, I made sure I built walls tall enough that no one can climb them. I thought nothing could enter it again, I thought I was already numb, I thought I had forgotten the word Love but I was wrong because Xander came.

He came to disturb my peaceful life.

He came to destroy the wall that surrounded my heart.

He came to make me forget my promises to myself.

He came to remind me of the word Love...

_____

I got home but I still can't forget what happened earlier. I give my yes to be his girlfriend.

I suddenly felt ashamed of what happened. I've been pulling my hair and screaming in my pillow to at least calm this heart of mine.

FLASHBACK

"I know you've been through hell in your past relationship but I'm still thankful that it didn't work. Because I have given a chance to know you. Please, Mich, move on with me. I like you, can you like me back?" He whispered that in my ear and it makes me shiver as he hugs me from behind

I just bit my lips so hard. Everything felt different, there's something inside me that felt alive. I close my eyes and feel what it is until I realized that it's my heart that starts beating for someone else.

"Xander, I do not believe in courtship because it will cover the true you, Is it okay if I answer you right away?" I whispered but loud enough for him to hear.

There's a long pause, I heard his heartbeat. It's beating fast, so as mine. When he still did not speak, I turned to face him. He's smiling from ear to ear.

"What are you smiling at?" I waited for him to answer but he didn't.

It takes a lot of courage to ask that because I felt like my face is burning red but he still has nothing to say?

"Aish!" I shouted because he slightly pinches my cheek. But what he says made me speechless

"Being with you is worth smiling for, I know we still don't love each other but we're getting there soon. I like you". He said and flash a smile. I can't help myself but smile

"I like you too" I murmured as he leaned to kiss me.

END OF FLASHBACK

I've been trying my best to cease the smile on my face when I entered the house but damn this traitor lips! Now my parents know that there's already something going on between Xander and me. I try to sleep but every time I close my eyes, everything that happened before comes back. I'm already 21 but why do I still feel like a teenager? Maybe I'm just feeling different because it's been a while since the last time I felt this way. I never felt this kind of thing for four long years Because I focus on fun and thrill. Treating this love s a game but he was a game-changer.

My phone suddenly beeped so I immediately looked at who was texting.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Feeling Body Guard 11:47 pm

You're probably sleeping by now, Just want you to know that I already thought of our endearment. I'll tell you when I see you tomorrow. Dream of your handsome boyfriend, okay? * wink * I like you ♥.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Probably sleeping? Looks like you have no intention of putting me to sleep! Aish! I still have a problem tomorrow with how I will say this to Black. One thing is for sure though, I will sleep with a huge smile on my face.

Black's POV

Another day had passed.

Old routines keep repeating. Work, Chill with friends, home. Everything changed since I started to work. Glad that I was not disturbed by that Tejada after what happened.

Mich and I are going home together today, Don't know about this Gal, she suddenly invited me to the bar before she takes me home. I just texted Jamaine and James that we were not at the coffee shop today but at the Usual Bar, we were going to. While driving, Mich was so quiet so I initiated the talk.

"What's Up, Mich?" After hearing it. She automatically pulls over and pauses for a minute.

"Black, Do you believe that girls don't get picky when they fall in love?" I immediately frowned upon hearing her question. What do I know about what she's is asking? I've never been in love in my 21 years of existence. Yeah, I'm flirting with different guys but there are no feelings involved.

"Are you sick?" I asked her. she just stared at me.

"Tsk. It doesn't matter! Forget it!" She said and it's her turn to frown so I shook my head.

"If it doesn't matter, you would not be thinking about it. So spill" I said. Her pissed face turns into the nervous one but she still pouts and acts cute.

"Black! Do you believe that love will heal the scars from the past?" She asked.

"No," I answered quickly. Fuck love! I ain't gonna believe that crap.

"Aish! But do you believe there is a man who is not a cheater?" She asked again

"No" I straightly said

"Ughh! But ----" I cut her off. She's beating around the bush and it's no fun.

"Just hit the bull's eye!" I suggested. I know she wants to say something, I got a hint about what she's going to say.

"Black, I did not fulfill my promise not to let a man into my heart. I-m, I am already in a relationship with Xander!" I knew she's going to say something like that but it still surprises me.

I look at her and she's forcibly closed her eyes. I breathed heavily.

"Love makes you weak" I mentioned.

"I know but it also makes you stronger at the same time because there will be someone who will hold your hand whenever you fall" I was still staring at her as she spoke but she looks away.

"You don't need someone who will hold your hands because, without love, you will not fall in the first place," I stated.

"I know but if it's worth the happiness I will feel, I would gladly fall" She answered which made me laugh.

"What if the hands you are expecting to hold you just disappear? Can you still stand? or stay in the ground full of grief?" I ask her but she did not respond.

I saw her bit her lips. She's upset.

"Look Mich, I won't ask you who he is, when did it start, Is it serious or if you love each other. It's your choice, so I know you know the consequences that you might face and I have no right to question you because it's your life, it's your call. But don't forget that he might be a player but it's our game, It's your game! You're the one who will dictate. Be a smartass and don't let anyone ruin you again" After I say that, she looks at me and smile.

"You should meet him right now!" she giggled which made me shook my head. I'm happy for her. She's my best friend, All I wish is her happiness. It's enough that I am the only one fooling around. I don't want her to receive the same judgment I received from people around us. She doesn't deserve it.

We arrived outside the Bar, I immediately saw Jamaine and James waiting for us.

"Where's Roxanne? You can tell her to come over!" I said as soon as I reached James. Jamaine and James looked at each other before answering

"Doubt that! She's busy transferring her stuff to her new house." James answered

"She's moving where?" I asked curiously

"Somewhere nearer! So let's go inside!" He said and guided me.

"Yeah come on! I'll introduce you to someone" Mich said while smiling. We went straight to the second floor of the bar and there's a bunch of people, people I can say that is not so innocent looking. Or I'm just too judgmental?

"Bhie" The man greeted Mich and kissed her forehead. Their faces are new. I'm sure they are not from here because this is the first time I saw them at this bar. Except to that guy who supposedly Mich's Boyfriend. I've seen him before. I just don't remember where or when?

"Bhie, I bring some of my friends, James and Jamaine, and Here's my best friend, The great Black" She introduced us. All of them are smiling at us, a flirty smile I always saw with the eyes of those bastards who tried to score before. But then we also received glares from low-class bitches clinging with the guy's circle of friends. I just gave them a smirk.

We sat down next to them. Mich sat beside her boyfriend while we sat in front of them. Jamaine sat beside a guy, He's handsome and mysterious and I hate his aura, He smells trouble. I am sitting between Jamaine and James. We had a few shots but I was still not feeling it. Maybe that's how it is because I'm already getting used to it. Jamaine is not drinking but her brother is a Little bit tipsy. I was about to tell James to stop drinking when some low-class bitch pulled him.

"Let's dance handsome!" She did not wait for James to answer and pulled him to the dance floor. Mich, her boyfriend, and his friends also followed.

There were only six of us left. Jamaine seems to enjoy the company of the guy by her side. I was about to stand when someone sat beside me.

"Hi! I'm Kim" He said mischievously. He's the playboy type so I smiled at him.

"Black" I simply said.

"I heard your name and rumors about you a couple of times but I didn't know that you are hot as hell!" he said with a smile. as he landed his hand on my legs

"It seems you did not hear enough about me. So, piece of advice removed your hands in my lap and get out of my way!" I said sweetly.

But I mean what I said. They will find trouble if they messed with me. Kim immediately backed off so I smiled and uttered "thank you" sarcastically.

I look back at James and the girl who throws her body all over James. They are getting closer and closer and it fucking irritates the hell out of me.

"You stay here Jamaine and don't get fooled!" I told her loud enough to make the person beside her hear it before I went to the dancefloor.

"The Great Black is in the house" "Wooooooooh" Some of the crowd cheered. I just smiled at them. They are my fella from my nightlife. When I got near to James, they were already kissing. I pulled him to stop them.

"What the hell?" she asked bravely so I gave her my devilish smile

"Hey!" I call the women near us

"Yes, Black?" they answered in chorus

"I think this lady has something to say! Would you take care of her?" I asked them and they immediately got what I meant and looked at the woman.

She should thank me because I'm still nice even though I want to throw a brick right in her ugly face.

"Bitch!" She shouted at me and left immediately.

"Thanks!" I mouthed to those women who did me a favor. They smiled at me in honor.

The song changed in some slow dance. I clung to James. When he realized what I did, he grabbed my waist. We're slow dancing when he suddenly hugs me. I know he's drunk because he won't let that bitch kiss him if he's not.

"You're jealous aren't you?" He whispered in my ear with his husky voice.

"Why would I?" I whispered back as we dance a little bit closer removing the small distance between us.

"Coz you like me?" I laughed at what he said.

So the good guy becomes flirty when drunk, huh?

"You will not be considered as my friend if I don't like you" I answered shutting his hope coz I know what he meant. I don't like him romantically, yet.

"Yeah. Friends, I just hope it will stay long" After he said that he let go of the hug and went back to the distance we had earlier.

While I was looking at him. I noticed he still had lipstick stains on his lips.

I laugh and tell him about it.

"Then remove it Black!" He said and surprised me by claiming my lips. I paused for a second because I'm shocked but later on I gave in and let his lips explore mine. I'm used to it, after all, It's a normal thing to me. Nothing special aside from who's kissing right now because he's a friend.

***