Furniture.com Part 2

Jenneth is impressed with what she is seeing. No wonder Furniture.com is popular in the region. By the looks of it, all the units are all quality and sophisticated.

A heart-shaped love seat caught her attention. Its color is purple, and the throw pillows on top are on the same color palette, but with various designs and pattern. Purple is her favorite color.

"Nice choice."

She almost jumped when she heard the man speak. It was Ryan, in his blue and white checkered polo tucked in his cream-colored pants.

"That loveseat is made of Lauan or Philippine Mahogany. It is considered the best in Asia. Very sturdy and will really last for many years. The upholstery is microfiber. As you can see, it's softer that other fabrics, so it's more comfortable. It's also more durable and allows for quick, thorough cleaning. The closely woven nature of the material also lessens the accumulation of dust and lint, making this fabric an excellent choice for users who suffer from dust allergies or sensitivities. Like you. You have asthma, right?"

She wasn't expecting him to mention that. Somehow, she felt touched that he remembered her allergies.

"Its foam is made of Uratex, and it has a five-year warranty. Aside from that, it has a great design, perfect for sitting alone, or with someone…"

She felt his awkwardness with his last words. But knowing Ryan, he pretended he didn't feel as such.

"We can change the color, and also the fabric. We have samples there if you like to check."

"It's actually perfect," Jenneth said. "You see, the color is what caught me."

"You really like that color, huh?"

She was taken aback once again with his statement. It seems that Ryan Arcilla really does not forget that easily.

She smiled. "Yeah, but… Anyway, I went here for this." She took Darlene's bangle from her bag and showed it to Ryan.

"How did you get that?" Ryan asked when he saw the bangle.

"I saw this in my bag. I guess Darlene dropped it when we talked in The Coffee Club. I was thinking of giving it to Kenneth, but I was told he already left."

"He has a meeting," Ryan said. "He just picked up some designs for his presentation."

"That's what the guard told me."

"If you want to wait for him, you might need to stay longer. He has a series of meetings outside. Probably he will be back this afternoon."

"That's why I'm hoping you can just give this to him," Jenneth said, referring to Darlene's bangle.

"So, I'm just a substitute now, huh?"

She was taken aback.

"I'm just kidding. I'll give it to him."

Ryan took the bracelet, and in the process, he touched Jenneth's palm. The latter froze as she felt his fingers touched her hand. It was as if electricity flowed from his skin to hers.

Ryan seems to feel it as well. He froze after getting the bracelet. But Ryan has ways of making diversions.

"So… you didn't come here to buy the sofa?"

Jenneth looked at the sofa she was looking at earlier.

"Come on. You can try it." Ryan sat down at the sofa. "The foam is firm but very comfortable. Sit down."

He even tapped the space beside him, and the gesture seems very inviting. But Jenneth turned it down.

"Next time, maybe. And, isn't it prohibited to sit on them?"

"It is," Ryan answered. "But if it's the owner who's asking you, wouldn't that be okay?"

Jenneth smiled. "Maybe…" She looked around. "Actually, I'm looking for a new closet."

"The closets are upstairs," Ryan said. "They are in the bedroom section. We have some new designs."

"No, it's okay," she declined. The offer looks tempting again, but knowing that it's him who will tour him around makes her feel uncomfortable. "Maybe next time. I still have to go to work."

"Oh… I assumed it's your off. You don't look like someone who goes to the patients and extract their blood."

Ryan surveyed her appearance, and Jenneth suddenly felt awkward. She suddenly felt conscious. She mentally checked her dress and wedge sandals. The soft fabric and draped neckline look perfectly on her figure. Her make up is just fine, and her naturally wavy hair flows beautifully on her shoulders.

She didn't dress up to impress him, though. That's just how she really is ever since her cousin became a model and her personal stylist… Or maybe, that started when 'he' started messing up.

"I… uh… don't do that anymore. I just stay in the laboratory now... You know…"

She felt she doesn't want to divulge more information about her to this guy. She's not sure why but she felt she should not open up that much to him as this would start a new opening on her life for him.

And she doesn't want that.

"Ah… But, I just noticed you seem to like darker colors now. I mean, it's not usually what you want… I mean, as I remember, you like vibrant colors; pastels, pink, purple…"

"My mother just died. So, I was told to not wear those kinds of colors for the meantime."

Ryan was surprised. "Your mom died?"

Jenneth nodded. "Just last month."

"Oh…" Ryan seems at a loss for words. "I-I didn't know."

"I understand." He doesn't need to know what is happening in her life since they are not together anymore.

"I'm sorry…" There's sadness in his eyes.

"It's okay." She turned to look for other sofas on display. "I'll get by, I guess."

She doesn't want him to see her getting sad. Worse, she might start crying at the memory of her mother's passing.

"I guess, I have to leave now," she said as she faced Ryan again. "Thank you and, uhm… I'll try to come back." She doesn't mean that, but it seems it's the most polite thing to say.

"Okay... Take care..." was what Ryan said.

She nodded and then turned her back on him. She was already a few steps away when he called her.

"Jhing…"

She stopped. Now, why did he call her all of a sudden? She doesn't want to admit it, but she suddenly felt excited and her heart beat faster.

"Yes?" She faced him again.

"I just want to ask you something. About Sam… Samantha de Vera."

"Huh?" She was not expecting that.

Ryan went closer to her. "You see... Have you heard anything about her? I just thought, maybe… well, you work now in TGH. So I thought maybe you heard something about her… We have no news about her as well. It seems like she has forgotten about us already." He faked a chuckle.

Jenneth suddenly felt dismayed. It's not something that she expected to hear from him. Well, admittedly, she expected him to stop her from going and somehow spend more time with him and talk and hang out…

Well maybe, the question is better than what she expected.

"No, I... also don't know anything about her."

"Is that so?"

Ryan seems to gloom on what he heard. And with that, Jenneth remembered how precious Sam de Vera is to Ryan Arcilla. They were really close and when Ryan and Sam is about to graduate, everyone witnessed how their friendship grew stronger. They became so close to the point that everyone thinks they are becoming more than friends.

That is actually one of the reasons why Jenneth idolized Samantha de Vera. She wanted to be like her in Ryan's life.

But is seems Ryan is not yet over Sam, unlike her who seem to not matter to him anymore. She suddenly felt bitchy.

"What I know is that she's based in the US. She has a boyfriend. Maybe they are getting married? Who would even like to go back here if you're already living comfortably in the US? And I also heard her boyfriend is a good guy… Maybe the next thing that we'll hear about her is that she's getting married."

Ryan looked sadder with what she said. That made Jenneth more pissed.

"Why do you look sad all of a sudden?" She really can't help but get annoyed.

"Nothing... I just thought of something."

Jenneth nodded. She must leave now before her mood becomes worse.

"I'll go now."

Ryan just nodded.

She swears she will never stop and turn around to face him if he calls her name again. Especially if he just wants to know about Samantha de Vera. As she drove her car out of the Furniture.com parking lot, Jenneth contemplated if it was right for her to go to there in the first place.

Maybe not. Maybe she should have thought of another way to give back the bangle to Darlene. Or maybe, she should have backed out when she learned that Kenneth was out. She should not have proceeded to see that guy that she wanted to avoid for the rest of her life since nine years ago. It was never the wisest idea to see Ryan again, as he started to ignite some feelings that she locked out of her heart since that day she swore she will never lose herself to him again.