The Man of My Dreams (Fitzmael 2) - SOON TO BE PUBLISHED

01: The other Fitzmael

IT WAS LUNCH time when I asked my best friends to come with me. "Let's eat lunch!"

Elisha glanced at me after perfecting her winged eyeliner. "Where naman?" She stood up and tapped her twin, Erazius, on the arm.

Napangisi ako at hinawakan si Elisha sa braso. I whispered, "Gusto kong pumunta sa cafeteria ng Med Tech."

"What?!" she asked in surprise. "Ang layo! Last year, we went to the Engineering cafeteria, and now, ibang department na naman?"

I just shook my head and laughed. "I'm planning to visit every department!"

She rolled her eyes. "Fine, then!" Then we continued walking. I knew she couldn't resist me.

"I thought you were looking for a boyfriend the last time we went to Axi's. You said a guy took you home. Wasn't that a false alarm?" Erazius said, hands in his pockets.

"That was last week! I didn't even know his full name. He never reached out, and he didn't ask for my number, so I think that's it. At least now I'm not confused anymore..." I took a deep breath as we walked.

Marcus and I— we're the same. We keep lying to ourselves.

"And why would I wait for him? There are plenty of fish in the sea. He even said I'd be a good match with his brother. Can you imagine that? Nireto niya agad ako sa iba? Kaya alam kong hanggang doon lang 'yon," I added.

They both laughed. "Oh, you're not his type?" Elisha asked.

"Duh!" I rolled my eyes.

LUCKILY, THE CAFETERIA wasn't too crowded. Since the twins had to eat here, I offered to take their orders and pay. As I headed to the cashier, chills ran down my spine. Someone whispered in my ear, "Why are you here?" I turned around, my eyes widening as I recognized him—the guy from the club. I was disappointed to see him instead of Marcus.

"None of your business?" I said, turning away from him as it was my turn to order. After I finished, I shot him a glare before heading back to our table with Elisha.

As soon as I sat down, I started eating. I was sipping my apple juice when a random question popped into my mind. "Zius, don't you have a girlfriend?"

He quickly shook his head. "I'm already stressed with you and Elisha. I'm not looking to add another one."

Elisha and I exchanged glances and chuckled. We had been friends since senior high school. With my parents in Canada, I felt alone until I met them. Zius took care of me when I was drunk, and his future girlfriend would be lucky—he really knows how to look after others.

"Let's finish our food," Elisha uttered.

I WAS ABOUT to take a bite of my food when I noticed that annoying guy walking in our direction. "Can I talk to you?" he asked casually.

I rolled my eyes and sighed, "What do you want? Don't you have any manners? Can't you see I'm eating?" I hissed.

"Okay... I'll wait until you're done," he replied. "Can I sit here?"

Erazius spoke up. "No. Can't you see she's uncomfortable?" He turned his gaze to me. "How do you know this guy?"

"He's the annoying jerk I met at Axi's. I don't know him."

The twins were shocked, and I noticed Zius clenching his fist.

"I'm sorry about that night," the guy said. "I won't do it again. Just give me a chance to prove myself to you."

"I'll only forgive you if you stay away from me."

"I can't do that."

"You don't get to decide that. This is my life, and I don't want you in it."