“Reasons, explanations, excuses.
Just how many should we give out to finally stop giving one?”
CHAPTER 15
the Perpetrator, the Victim, and the Bystander
the Perpetrator
“I THINK I can write a romance novel now.”
Gabriel stopped sipping his coffee and put down the cup covering his face. It showed a little smile. “I told you you won’t be needing my help. Anyways your newest novel is now press ready. Do you already have the publishing date?”
“I don’t know and that’s not my concern now. I already told Sandy to be in-charge since I have to focus on this. And no, I will be needing your help. I will be needing your help big time.”
The two are now at the local eatery near the publishing house. The eatery’s specialty is kare-kare which they had for lunch. They are finishing their meal with a cup of instant coffee.
“How so? I still haven’t done anything.”
“I told you. Watching you is more like learning to me.”
Gabriel stopped himself from squinting at the excited Ria in front of her. “Now what? How should I help? Let you continue to watch me?”
“That too. And tell me stories.”
“Stories of?”
“You and the woman you’re seeing.”
“Are you joking?” Gabriel squeaked, almost instantly. “You’re writing a romance novel right? We are not in love! We are far from being in love.”
“What’s preventing you, then?” Ria hurriedly opened her shoulder bag and took out a notebook and a pen. Nonchalantly she murmured, “This time I’ll be taking notes. I don’t have a great memory.”
“Sorry but you can’t. I can’t sell her like that.”
“What are you saying? I won’t write everything as it is of course!”
“No. She’s famous.”
Though her face showed a sign of disbelief, Ria still asked. “Who is she then?”
“Laisa Madrigal.”
“Who?”
“Laisa Madrigal.”
“You know how one can understand someone completely? Just look at them closely. Watching people is the best way to learn.”
Ria’s eyes went wide on the television set. Her jaw is also dropped. Gabriel on the other hand sighed while twisting his body to get a better view of the TV.
“And that’s exactly the line I heard last night that made me decide this. “Watching people is the best way to learn.” Are you perhaps kidding me?”
“I wish I was.” Gabriel watched a little more. The TV is showing a scene of Laisa (as Jane) with her officemate on the women’s restroom. “But we are childhood friends. Really.”
“And you fell for each other?” Gabriel sat properly and finished his coffee. Ria nodded, making her own conclusion. “I must be right. So are you together? Okay not. But why?”
“That guy’s right. She needs someone as confident as her.”
Ria continued watching the TV. Jane who came from the comfort room bumped at actor James Ford at the hallway. They talked about something but Ria didn’t listen to it any longer and looked at Gabriel, chucking a little. “So that was it?”
YOU ARE READING
Love, Pour on Me
RomanceA story of 3 different individuals in their late-20's and their views on love. Gabriel Alejandro is a first-year fiction novel editor. Though he is an attractive man, he is single and is only interested in fictional novels and how to pay his overdue...
