Kismet

Part 16- Coincidence

Melissa had no choice left other than running with the hope of his presence. Clasping tight to her luggage, managing to run faster- it was all oblivious for her. The crowd has fled away already which seemed to be essential. All she wanted to whisper was a thank you and end her duty. "Please, be there..." She came to a halt in the middle of the serene street.

No sign of him or anyone. She turned around, her locks flowing parallel; averting her eyes every corner and yet; finally caught a glimpse of a Black Cadillac XTS. "Wha...?"  Unexpected the expected, Justin was right behind her saying: "I knew you would come back!"

Eyes of wonder batted slowly sighing, "You... You didn't go..." He shook his head with a no. "Actually... All I wanted to tell you is..." she said.
"Tell what?" He interfered.

"Thank you... You kept your word and upheld my dignity, brought me here, protected me and for all that... The only way I could pay you back is by saying a humble thank you!"

Justin expressed his grief, seems like he was expecting something else, "Is that all you wanted to say???" And he grabbed her wrist, commanding, "C'mon, let's go." Melissa took her hand away and said, "No... You've done enough and I don't wanna bother you anymore."

He defended, "You can't possibly stay in a place like this where there are trespassing gangsters over here... Haven't you read the story 'CLAIMED'?" "It's-" She was paused after hearing a loud cry saying: "Justin!" It was Selena; she walked in a distance towards them. Melissa was ultimately flabbergasted, as if her brain underwent a Tsunami and needed to be drained again.

She had to reverse her every praising word back.  "How could you... You should have told me about it. We discussed about this matter several times, but you never mentioned her name. Why? Why didn't you-"                                                   "Because... It wasn't that important!" He burst out, saying it without eye contact.

"Was it less important?" She repeated. "If you've told me about it before, I wouldn't have come this far..."  "That's why-"
 "Because, I don't wanna be a reason for a person's disgrace that has already being disgraced!"     

Justin protested irritably. "What's with the honor all the time...? Nothing happened-" She cut it out. "I thought you are a man who keeps his words, but I was wrong... Because you're just an imbecile, a fraud," she exaggerated, "and I don't wanna be in the middle of a rumor between you two! Honor maybe simple for you, but for me it is happiness and freedom."

Justin was speechless, surely he should have told her about it; albeit it was not supposed to be a white lie after all. It was too late for him to speak more because Selena has already approached them, stretching her long arms to hug him. "You are in... New York?"

Melissa backed up, about to leave, but Selena spoke up. "Who is she?" Without a stutter Justin answered, "A friend." "Aww... Hello cutester!" She said as she hugged her warmly. Melissa too hugged her since she is a fan of her. Justin glared at their closeness, seeing Melissa's gleeful reaction.

"She didn't react that way towards me for the first time..." he thought.

"I- I must leave now!" Melissa said.

Selena protested, "Leave now? No way... I reckon you gotta join Justin's Birthday party today!" She invited her warmly, flashing her amiable character and how good-hearted she really is.

 "Party?" Justin asked back.

"Yeah... I organized it since you wasn't there at your birthday... I thought of giving you a surprise!" Selena said.

 "Pardon me... But-"

Selena interrupted her and responded her, "come with me!" And she dragged her towards her car. "See you at New York Palace... Sharply at 6 pm!"

She cried out louder as she headed away holding Melissa closer.

Literally, Melissa thought that she and Justin are in a relationship, yet they were not now. She is just one of his closest friends, but she still loves him as before. Since Justin has no idea what love really is, he does not care at all.