15

Miguel-

I'm so amazed that she forgave her. She acted like nothing happened between my sister and her brother.

We continued eating and drinking. I love how talkative she is. She told me everything that happened in her life. As well as what happened to her last relationship.

"So you're saying that you're still friends with him?"

She nodded. "Yeah.."

I'm shocked.

'"Really? After all the things he did?"

"Mhm. Blake is his brother. He's also here in new york."

"I can't believe it. I mean, it is not bad to be friends with your ex but-"

She cut me off.

"I know you're confused. But I can't say no to Blake. Yesterday was his birthday, and he asked me to come with them here."

I leaned and nodded slowly. But I can't still imagine being close to an ex.

"How did you guys meet?" I faced her.

"On my debut, my brother was his best friend."

I frowned. "Was? What do you mean?"

"Yes. They are not friends anymore because of what he did." She smiled.

"Oh, okay. And then? What happened on your debut?" I sounded so curious about their love story. I am.

"He gave me a gift, a book,"

She looked at me. She saw that I was listening attentively, and she continued.

"She courted me like a few weeks after my debut,"

My eyes widened. "That fast?!"

"Yeah. I was 18 back then, and he's 20. I guess?"

I'm still shocked! Why did she agree to be courted that fast?

"I was young. I thought it was real love. I said yes to him after seven months."

"Real love, huh?" I chuckled.

She rolled her eyes and continued.

"Few months after our anniversary, he suddenly disappeared. His parents didn't like me. They said I was too young for him,"

I can see the sadness in her eyes.

"So they sent him here in new york. They did not even allow him to call or text me before going here. So all along, I thought he left me because he wanted to, but I was wrong. He left because that's what his parents wanted."

A tear fell on her eyes. I can feel her pain. I will do anything just to make her happy.

"I kept on calling and texting him for the past five months. I'm doing that every day, hoping he will respond. But I received nothing. Until one day, I woke up and I don't feel the same anymore,"

"What do you mean you don't feel the same?" I asked.

"The excitement every time I imagine him replying." She said and sipped on her drink.

"Can you order me something else to drink, please?" She asked me. I nodded.

I called the waiter and ordered my favorite drink. I want her to taste it.

"Yesterday.." I faced her.

"He confessed something while we were having dinner,"

It looks like she will cry.

"He c-cheated.." Her voice broke. She cried.

I immediately went closer to her and caressed her back.

"I never imagined that he would do that," She said, crying still.

"Shhh. Expect the unexpected, right?" I said. She laughed.

She wiped her tears and tried the drink I ordered for her.

"How was it?"

"Good. Let's dance!" She said and pulled me on the dance floor.

She's happily dancing and feeling the music. It's like she didn't cry earlier.

I love how strong she was. If she did not tell me all that, I wouldn't know she have been through so many things. I wish I could take all her pain away. I love seeing her happy and smiling.

I looked at her. She's still dancing. She offered me her hand and asked me to dance. I refused. I just sat at the bar counter and ordered a drink.

After a few minutes, she sat beside me catching her breath.

"Oh? you're tired already?" I asked and sipped on my drink.

"Duh! Of course!? I've been dancing for 30 minutes already!" She rolled her eyes.

I laughed and checked on my watch. "One hour."

She faced me. Her eyes widened. "What!? for real?"

"Yup,"

"That's why I feel hungry!" She said and held her tummy.

I laughed. "Let's go. I'm hungry, too."

My family left, so we didn't return to the VIP room. I carefully helped Elleiana until we reached the parking lot. She's not drunk, just tipsy. She managed to enter the car without getting her head bumped on the roof.

After helping her to fix the seatbelt, I quickly drove away. I drove faster than my usual speed. I'm thinking about the time. It's almost 3 or 4 am.

I took her to Starbucks because that's closer to her hotel. After parking the car, we went out immediately because we were hungry. I just ordered my usual coffee and bread. She ordered the same and wanted to try it.

"For here or To go?" The cashier asked.

I looked at Elleina. It depends on her if she wants to eat it here or not.

"For here, please." She answered and smiled.

I just paid for the food we ordered and went to Elleiana.

"How are you feeling?" I asked and looked at her.

"I'm good-" She stopped talking when the waiter served our food.

She thanked him first before continuing to speak.

"I'm good. Just feeling a little dizzy," She answered and started eating.

"Drink that tea, so your dizziness will lessen," She nodded.

We were quiet while eating. We almost ran out of things to talk about. She was very talkative earlier. I already finished eating, so I watched her first.

She must have felt that I was looking at her so she looked at me too.

"Why?" She asked while chewing her food.

Cute.

"Nothing. You're pretty," I said and sipped on my drink.

I saw her blush. She instantly looked down to hide her smile.

We were silent again for a while until she called me.

"Miguel," I looked at her.

"Yes?"

"Thank you,"

I frowned. "For what?"

"For listening to me. My heart feels light now. Thank you for listening without judging me," She said sincerely.

"This is my first time sharing the things that happened to my life without hearing any judgments, side comments, and all. Thank you for staying by my side even though I don't know what I'm doing earlier." She chuckled.

"You're welcome, Elleiana. I'm always here to listen if you want someone to talk to,"

She smiled, and a tear fell on her eye.

"Just always remember that you don't have to settle for less. In god's perfect time, someone will show you the love and care you deserve. You don't need to beg someone to feel those things."

I held her hand when she started crying.

"I'm proud of you for being so strong. Just don't forget to take a rest. If no one would choose you, I will. Always."