3.1 Fools in Love: Blind Date

They always say that love is blind and yet, Gabrielle believes that lovers are blinded by love. She never knew that love could also be complicated. She always thought that once you fell in love, everything will be all fluff, and happiness would fill your heart. Well, apparently, not for her.

"Sandy, I told you, I am done dating. How many guys have you set me up with?" she complained to her best friend as she hurriedly wash her face to get ready for the day. She and Sandy have been friends since they were born.

Sandy was like a sister to her and they did everything together. They have never had any major arguments ever since but now that she had been setting her up to random guys, either her cousins or her brother's friends, Gabby could not stop thinking that perhaps this could be their very first argument ever.

"Come on, Gabby. Just one time, please. I promise, if this does not work out then I won't bother you again. Please... Please..." Sandy pleaded with her puppy eyes.

Gabrielle rolled her eyes. No matter what she does she could never say no to her best friend.

Sighing, she said, "Fine. But only this one time, okay."

Sandy clapped her hands in excitement.

"Thanks, Gabby!" and she hugged her. "I promise you. You won't regret this."

"Yeah, yeah," and Gabby pulled her slightly away from her. "But you better set me up with someone great or I'll never talk to you again."

Sandy frowned and placed her hand on her hip.

"And when did I set you up with ugly guys, huh?"

"I am not talking about looks. Yes, they're all good-looking, but, Sandy, these guys only want one thing from me, sex."

"Well, not all. I mean, remember Jake. He is so perfect for you-"

"And yet the most arrogant man I have ever met. No. I do not believe that some guy would be perfect for me because there is no such thing."

"That's the problem, Gabby. All the guys I set you up with, you either say they are players-"

"Which most of them are-"

"Or they're too perfect."

"Well, aren't they? What if they find out I snort when I laugh? Or if I prefer to dress up in leggings and that I don't like make-up? All these men, only go for looks on women. They look at beautiful faces and big breasts."

"Not all..."

"Yeah, right. Go ask your brother then. I'm sure he'll say the same."

Sandy just giggled.

"What? Why are you giggling?"

"Well, I think you better get ready. You don't want to be late for your date."

"You set me up already? Like now?"

Sandy nodded.

"Oh, you!" and she slapped her best friend's arm.

That was that.

She nervously stood in front of her whole body mirror as she checked herself out. She opted for a simple orange dress that hugged her waist and sits right on top of her knees which were covered with skin-toned leggings. Gold studs on her ears and a necklace donned her neck while a white cashmere cardigan was on top of her dress. She slipped her feet into her cowboy boots and placed a leather jacket on top of her outfit.

She shook her head. She didn't know why she even bothered to dress up when this date would flank at the end of the day.

Ever since the day she got rejected by the one man she ever loved, it had never been the same. She had always thought that men were all the same. That all of them would only hurt her in the end.

Her love for him had only been one-sided. He would never look at her the way he looked at other women.

She was young at that time. So young compared to the girlfriends he had. They were voluptuous, sophisticated, and career women. Mature women. Compared to them, she didn't have anything to offer. She was just a brainy teenager who loves to read and write sappy novels on her free time.

She vowed herself that she would never love him anymore yet, as years passed, everything she did was all because of him. Because despite it all, she told herself that once she saw him again, she would prove to him that she was all worth it.

That now she was better than all the other women he had.

All through the years, she studied and worked hard. She even took part-time jobs so she wouldn't ask for money from her parents. Although her parents made sure she had everything, she still wanted to earn her living. Something she was proud of.

She was not born poor. Her family was considered to be middle class. Her father was a chef in a restaurant while her mother was an artist curator. Both could send her to one of the great schools in the States but Gabby never wanted to be a burden to her parents. She knew they would work hard to pay off her college tuition fee so she decided to apply for a scholarship, and graduated with honors from a very prestigious university.

Now she was known as one of the top online novelists in the country and had millions of fans. Though her identity was hidden from fans, she still felt proud that she had accomplished something. Something she could brag about to JC, Sandy's older brother.

Gabrielle glanced at her watch and took note of the time, and frowned. Ten minutes had passed and her date wasn't there. She took a sip of wine from her glass. Annoyed, she gathered her coat and purse and was about to leave when a familiar voice called her.

"Gabby..." it called from behind her.

Her heart started beating faster, suddenly realizing who it was. Then, slowly, she turned towards it and found the man standing behind her.

Her heart wanted to burst with joy upon seeing him again. Her love. Joseph Christopher Erikson.

A whirlwind of emotions came upon her that she didn't know if she should be happy or angry at him. She missed him terribly and yet...

Her smile faded the moment she realized what had just happened. Her best friend Sandy had set her up with her older brother. Her brother! Why?

"Gabby..." he called again and took two steps before Gabby walked past him without saying another word.

"Gabby, wait!" and he held her arm. "Please... I just came back. Can we at least talk?"

She narrowed her eyes at him and scoffed.

"What, you want me to welcome you back? Welcome back then, JC!" and she pulled her arm away from him.

She walked briskly out of the restaurant. She could feel her cheeks getting hotter as tears formed in her eyes. She thought she could handle seeing him, show him how stupid he was for rejecting her.

But she can't. The pain from the past came back to her in a blast and she couldn't face him. She knew in her heart, he was still the one but she couldn't let him see that.

She started to dial her phone when a hand pulled her arm and before she could protest, he had enveloped her in a warm embrace.

"I'm sorry, Gabby. Please... Let's talk," he whispered in her ear as he hugged her tightly. "I missed you so much."

The tears she had been controlling since a while ago, started to flow from her eyes. Her heart knew it still beats for him and no matter how much she wanted to deny it, it still yearned for him.

She wrapped her arms around him and sobbed on his chest. The pain she had kept for so long slowly was being released. She knew even if she wanted to get angry with him, the words he uttered were enough for her to melt the ice she placed in her heart.

"I-I miss you, too..." she confessed in between sobs, and JC tightened his hug around her.

"I was so stupid before... I didn't realize how important you are to me until I came to Paris. I wished every single day that you were there with me..."

Gabrielle looked up to meet his gaze, tears trickled down her cheeks. He smiled and cupped her face in his hands.

"All those years I've been thinking about you, Gabby..." and he wiped her tears with his thumbs. "I know you're mad at me for leaving you with a broken heart but I wanted you to know, I was angry at myself for leaving you... I should have told you when you confessed to me that I love you, too..."

Her tears continued to fall but not of pain but joy upon hearing those words that she had longed to hear from him. But then...

"Why just now, JC? Did you realize how much I almost died when you rejected me? Why now?" she questioned as her eyes continued to search his eyes for answers.

"I was with Rebecca that time and I was afraid if I pursue you and leave Rebecca, I don't know if I will ever reach my dreams. But now that we're separated, I'm ready to start over with you."

Gabrielle knitted her eyebrows, suddenly realizing how she was being fooled again.

"No, this... This is not what I wanted..." and she let him go. She was about to walk away when he pulled her back to him.

"Gabby, please... I need you.."

"No. If you're really in love with me, you should have left Rebecca a long time ago. But, no, you stayed with her for five years and now, what? Because you knew I love you, you'll settle for me?"

"Gabby, I love you..."

"Yes. But not as much as you love yourself. You're selfish, JC!" and she pushed him hard.

"Gabby, please. Come back," he called after her as she walked away from him.

How can she be so blind? He could never let her be the first choice. She would always be second or third or... An option when his relationships end up the way he wanted them to be. She was such a fool to love him that much.

But now, it was clear. He never loved her the way she loved him. He will never be.

"Gabby!" he called once again but this time she was gone.