Favors

When Ryan came from the swing, where he left Darlene with Kenneth and Samantha, he immediately saw Jenneth on a table with some people he doesn't know. Why would he? This is not his party anyway. So he definitely does not know who those people are.

But Jenneth seems at ease with them. She looks like she's enjoying herself as she talks to those people who seems older than she is. She's even smiling, and Ryan is liking what he sees in her. It has been so long since he last saw her smile like that.

Nine long years ago, to be exact. That was when he last saw that beautiful smile on her face.

And that smile faded because of him. That smile disappeared from his sight, and it was entirely his fault. Has he been wrong with the things he chose? Probably. For not seeing that smile on her face will never be right however he sees it.

After a few minutes, Kenneth, Samantha and Darlene are back in the party. The birthday celebrant told them to get some food already, which Darlene liked very much. While getting their food, Samantha needed to greet some guests, so she left them at the buffet table.

The three of them settled at a table near the pool. Kenneth is helping Darlene eat, while Ryan found Jenneth once again, making him stare at her. She really is a sight to behold tonight. At least to him.

Although Kenneth's attention is with his daughter, he still did not fail to notice Ryan's actions. He knows that his best friend's attention has been with this woman who is talking with her colleagues.

"Why don't you just court her again?" Kenneth said to Ryan.

That made the Ryan look at his friend. "Huh?"

"Jhing," Kenneth answered. "It's too obvious."

"What is obvious?" Ryan asked.

"You can't take your eyes off of her. You miss her, don't you?" Kenneth teased.

"Miss..." Ryan said, quite irritated with his friend's insistence.

"Just be true to yourself. Also, I promised you, right? I will help you," Kenneth said.

Back there when he and Darlene went to the swing to fetch Sam, Kenneth started teasing him when he found out that he escaped to the swing when Jenneth arrived. He told him that he is willing to help him had he decided to pursue Jenneth again. Samantha even said she would join the fun and help him as well.

"What's up?" Samantha asked.

"Are you done greeting your guests?" Kenneth asked Samantha.

"Oh! Don't mention it," Samantha said exasperatedly. "I already feel tired just by hearing about it."

Kenneth chuckled.

"What were you talking about?" Samantha asked again. "Where would you help Ryan?"

"In trying to get back to Jhing," Kenneth answered.

"Oh, right! I will also help you," Samantha said to Ryan. "Count me in."

Ryan looked at his two friends, as annoyance started creeping into him. But as he looked at the two, smiling side by side while looking, teasing him, something popped inside his mind. It was so sudden, the idea so fascinating that he just kept staring at the two.

Which Kenneth misinterpreted into something else.

"See?" Kenneth said. "Just be true to yourself, Ryan. Even though you keep on saying that you've already moved on, it shows that you haven't by the way you look at her. We're here to help you. Just tell us."

"You're really gonna help me?" Ryan asked. The idea that has started to form in his head is making his whole being excited.

"Whatever it takes, Ry," Samantha said. "We will help you."

Ryan looked at Jenneth. Yes, maybe it could work. Maybe he really could do what he had just thought about. He just needs to make sure that Jenneth is also on the same page.

Well, that might be the hardest part – to make her agree to what he wants to do.

But if that's the only way for him to help his best friend have his first love back, if it's the only way to fulfill Kristine's dying wish, then maybe he can find some way to do it. Swallowing his pride is the first step. It's not an easy feat, though.

"I think we better ask Jhing how she also feels about getting back to you again," Samantha suddenly said.

"Don't!" Ryan was so consumed with that idea of his that he immediately panicked upon hearing what Samantha said.

"Relax! I can find ways to make it as discreet as possible." She even winked at him before leaving.

Ryan felt worried as he watched Samantha walk to Jenneth.

"Don't worry," Kenneth said. "Sam is smart. She knows what she's doing."

"Yeah, I know you're so amazed by her," Ryan said sarcastically.

He watched as Samantha talked to Jenneth. Then, an old man came to them and talked to them for a few seconds. He also left immediately.

Samantha and Jenneth talked at each other, then Samantha suddenly looked at him. Jenneth looked at him as well, and when their eyes met, she was the first to look away.

Then there's two men. Ryan kind of recognized them as the two Fontanilla brothers, the heirs to the CPRU ownership. He didn't like the idea of Jenneth talking to them, but he can't do anything but stare.

He saw when Jenneth put her cellphone on her ear, then walked away from the group. He kind of liked that, as that meant she will be away from those two men who look like princes from fairytales. As far as he can remember, Jenneth likes fairytale stories a lot.

Samantha came back to them shortly after Jenneth left them.

"I think I already know how Jenneth feels," she said when she's near them. "I tried to match her up with Jared, and you can see he's someone who can easily make a girl swoon, right?" Samantha looked back at the Fontanilla brothers. "But I felt like she's not interested. I think you might have a chance."

Ryan scowled.

"So, are we on?" Kenneth asked.

"I am on," Samantha said. "Just tell me what to do."

"You won't do anything!" Ryan exclaimed as he stood up.

"Where are you going?" Kenneth asked when Ryan started leaving.

"To the loo," he answered.

But the truth is, he was going to the direction where he saw Jenneth go.

♥︎♥︎♥︎

Jenneth just stared as Ryan walked towards her.

"That was the swing that Darlene was talking about."

She nodded to show she understood. She also could not talk because first, she really was shocked. Second, the moment seems odd. There was something about Ryan and the swing and the semi-lit location that gives her a feeling of longing.

She's getting a hard time brushing it off her system. It's trying to overcome her.

"Jhing, there's… there's something that I want to ask you."

She totally lost her wit to speak. How dare this guy ask her a favor? For all she knows, they're not yet completely okay. So what is this that he wants to ask her? He didn't even feel any shame.

But there is a part of her that felt excited as to what Ryan would ask her. She doesn't know why, but Jenneth can feel the anticipation as Ryan tries to weigh in the words he's going to tell her.

"But not here... not now."

Jenneth frowned.

"Tomorrow... Can I go to your house tomorrow? So that I can tell you what I really want to say."

Ryan seems very nervous. Jenneth felt more curious and interested with what he wanted to say.

"Okay…" she said.

Ryan looked relieved. She could see on this semi-lit garden that his face lit up after she said yes.

"Thank you… Uhm… So, see you tomorrow."

Jenneth just watched as Ryan turned his back to her as he started to leave. When suddenly, he turned to face her again.

"By the way… Merry Christmas, Jhing."

Jenneth wasn't able to respond; partly because this time, Ryan really left her alone; mostly because she was caught off guard. She was not really expecting that greeting. He didn't even greet her when they met earlier. And that look on his face… Why did she feel he's grateful?

Jenneth looked at the swing and sat down on it. She breathes deeply as she felt her breath was suppressed when Ryan was talking to her. She felt quite weak because of that.

Or, was it Ryan that made her feel weak?

Whatever the reason is, one thing's for sure. She will be seeing Ryan again tomorrow. He'll come visit him to her house. Just thinking about it makes her heart beat faster. She was nervous at the thought that her ex will come and visit her, but she cannot hide the fact that she felt some excitement in meeting Ryan again.