Her and Her Unofficial Love Affairs

CHAPTER 37

In my world, I barely meet eligible men. There were the stable ones but were already older than me, there were of my age but still unstable in their careers. There were of my age but were snobbish to me, there were the friendly ones but were younger than me. Of course, there were of my age, stable, and friendly ones but were already taken - taken in a relationship and in marriage. In contrast to popular belief, never was I picky. There were just no options to choice from. Where on earth were all these boys?!!!

I woke up the next day feeling doleful. After hearing Lance's marriage separation last night, my best friend and I stalked him on social media as we left Mrs. Gonzaga's wake. James was teasing us for prying but we ignored him. I should've heeded him because our stalking did not do me any good. I only realized now that it only triggered my insecurities.

There Lance was, still looking good from heartbreak to heartbreak with another gorgeous girl in his profile picture. Why it isn't still me in his profile picture? What must be wrong with me when he just left me hanging seven years ago? Oh, why do I still bother thinking about him when he never thought of me? Off he went from girl to girl and a damsel-in-distress-me was still wishing to be his girl. What is the matter with me?!

"Hey, Anj! I wanna introduce you to someone for a date," a text message suddenly displayed on my smartphone.

Without any interest, I grabbed my phone to see who that nosy texter was. I was still not accustomed to people acting cupids to my love life, much more offer unsolicited advises to my single-dom. Upon seeing my phone, I was greatly surprised because it was my best friend's ex-boyfriend's wife. Just why was she so friendly to us despite ruining her wedding day from way, way back?

"Oh, hi. I'm afraid I've never been to a date and I don't know how to behave if ever I'm with a man," I typed and sent without thinking.

"So this will be exciting for your first time!" she replied.

"I'm a bit busy nowadays," I hastily texted to cut her off.

"Come on, take a break sometimes. I'll create a group chat for us three," she replied.

"Hi, Mark Carlo, meet Angelie. Angelie, meet Mark Carlo," my messenger popped that message out.

Oh, my! It was Mark Carlo she was referring to!

"Hello, Anj! Got a good night rest?" Mark Carlo replied.

"Hi! We already know each other," was all I could think of to chat.

"Alright, I'll leave you two now. Have fun! Goodbye!" my best friend's ex-boyfriend's wife left the group chat.

"So, how was your sleep?" Mark Carlo tried to open up a conversation.

"It was good," I replied.

"Have you not haunted by Mrs. Gonzaga in your dream?" he kidded.

And from that one joke, the others followed. Mark Carlo Gualberto was such a natural. He sparked great conversations with me which made me hooked chatting with him. He was hilarious with a great sense of humor. I couldn't believe that someone had taken notice of me after a very long time. Well, after that boy Tom per say. Much more it was our high school heartthrob! Before, they never saw me. I was invisible to their eyes. Oh, I was beyond flattered!

"Let's see each other for a date this time!" Mark Carlo typed on the wee hour of the evening when we had our all-night chatting.

"I'm afraid I can't," I replied. With him I knew it will be something different.

"Let's just hang around here in my place and watch movies," he enticed.

"I'm afraid of you," I frankly replied. My heart was thumping so loud of his invitation. He was quick I couldn't resist. He was engaging I became weak. He had some air of a bad boy which I liked most about him for taking advantage of me.