With Love

Chapter I

Elizabeth Prada

It was just another normal day, I wake with a start, my alarm clock did not even disturb me of my sleep. I make a run for the bathroom. I find Nathan, my older brother, reaching for the doorknob of the bathroom.
"Move over! I'm late." I shove him aside, he loses balance momentarily but recovers to push me aside as well.
"What the fuck Lizzie! Its Saturday." My body relaxes and he gives me another push which sends me falling on the floor.
The bathroom door opens and Evanna emerges from the inside looking like a cosmetic freak.
"What are you two doing?" She asks, twirling a finger on her curls.
I stand up, dizzy from the fall. My body aching everywhere.
"Lizzie's having the weekend craze again. " Nathan laughs and enters the bathroom.
Evanna looks at me and smiles.
"I can't believe we are twenty-three now." She gives me a hug and says happy birthday. "Pick us up later."
I went to my room, I deserve a day off. It's my birthday.

*****

Something was vibrating on my belly. I was lying face down on the bed, the sheets a tangled mess around my body. I reached my phone. Gale's face flashed on call.
"Hello." My voice sounded droopy.
"Come meet us by the sign, it's Saturday remember? " The other line sounds like the Complex, I feel lazy already.
"I'm tired."
"It's your party! Besides we already made reservations." Her voice raises a note higher. "Get your lazy ass off the bed and pick us up already!" She cuts off the call.
I wasted no time to prepare, I took a shower, puts on underwear and a silk sapphire donilyn tank dress which flows my body well thanks to its straight cut and ends by the knee and Riza's gift: Tory Burch flats. She bought us a pair for her daughter as well. She and Dad are in Paris. A little bit of makeup. My lips extra glossy for the occasion.
As I make my way to the garage, I noticed the house was really empty. It feels weird.
"What took you so long! " Gale exclaimed as I park the car on the side to let them get in. Great! Evanna brought her boyfriend. The douche!
The car started filling up, I do a head count. All six of us are present. Ever since College it was rare we get together. As in everyone.
"Where to now?" I asked turning to them.
They start to sing "Happy Birthday" and Evanna reaches to me and kisses my cheek.
"To Valkyrie!" She shouted and everybody cheers. "Happy Birthday Elizabeth!"
I rush us into traffic while they sing anything that comes on the radio. The next one caught their attention.
"Remember College?" Alex pops her head in the front. "We used to live the dream."
Katy Perry's voice filled the car as silence zoomed in.
"Look at us! Turning into grannies." Tippy joked and everyone tries to get her humor.
We arrived the next full hour, I follow them as I give the valet boy the keys to my SUV. They all looked like kids in an arcade. It's been so long since we enjoyed the company of one another. I missed this. Truly. Growing up means letting go of certain things you never wanna stop when you were a child. Gale used to play volleyball, she would tell us that it was the only thing that keeps her fit. Now I look at her and she is bigger now. Alex used to have perfect hair, long and straight and healthy. Now she cuts it short, she says it always get in the way. She's a nurse for like two years and since then I never saw her let her hair loose. It was always up and not a strand astray from her tie.
"Stop brooding!" Gale puts her arms around me and pulls me inside.

I was on my fifth cosmopolitan, while they are drinking beer. Yuck! We never drink anything other than hard liquor. I cannot stop noticing these changes. Back in the days we would dance the night away, I guess everyone was too exhausted even to stand up. We talk through the pulsing beat of the music. It was so loud, I used to take comfort in such things. Now its just not right. I turn my head at my back, the bar is filled with men looking at our table. I instantly whip my head back.
Men.
What's with them and breasts. Its like we never notice that they're looking, which we do. We all do→is that Michael from college? I swear it was him.
Too late, Evanna saw me and whispers something to Dave. He looks past me and walks towards the bar.
"Evanna you better not set me up again with a douche." I narrowed my eyes at her, she just returns an innocent smile at me.
"That's Michael Gaviña, is it not?" Gale pointed at the man wearing a fitted shirt whose sleeves are rolled up and slacks who was animately talking to Dave.
Michael Gaviña, I remeber him. He is one of Nate's friend. He is this boy-next-door-who-can't-do-nothing-wrong, he is very popular, because, okay. He owns a hotel, Or he was a model back then. Now that I think about it, he wasn't that bad. I had a crush on him when I was in highschool. He just got this thing that makes you swoon. He is very private about his life, especially with relationships. No one else know what I know about him. I'm not fooled by his good looks and gentleman-like attitude. Nate would often tell me to stay away from players. And he is a player.
He shuffles his hair and crosses his arms over his chest. They all looked curious as I am. And then Dave was coming to the table with him.
I scowl at Evanna.
"You wouldn't!" I almost shrieked.
"Would too." She answers. Before I can object Dave swoop by her side.
"Hi Michael!" She greeted at the man behind me.
"Hello ladies." Like any other rom coms, I am ashamed to admit that his voice did weird things to me.
I turn my head and smile at him.
"Lisa." His gives me a sincere smile. His eyes flicked to my breasts. This does not help at all. The dress only accentuates the curves of my body. Asshole.
"May I?" He gestured at the couch.
"Of course." I scooch over to Gale. Making space for him in the couch.
He bents down gracefully. I am thankful that he keeps his slender fingers to himself. He was kinda touchy back then, and huggy...
"So... Michael, what have you been up to." Alex tries to catch his interest. Sadly, his eyes are still lingering at my breasts.
"Nothing really, but I'm doing pretty good." He says cool and smiles at Alex.
Liar. You own Sofitel. Bet you did not tell everyone that. You are doing good indeed.
"How about we go grab some more beer?" Gale nudges Alex to move.
"Babe can we dance?" Evanna purses her lips into Dave's neck. Daves smiles and he gets off the edge of our semi-circular couch and they move to the dancefloor. Gale and the others starts to move away.
I inwardly scowl at them. Way to go guys. I glare at them each. Gale worded nun as she head for he bar.
I am not a nun. I just don't find men interesting. I'm straight. My gosh, it's just. I don't even know. I haven't found the one that makes the vava voom thing. Why am I even having this thoughts? I'm twenty-three for crying out loud not some hormonal teenager.
"I think you are at a disadvantage." He eyes my breasts quickly before turnung his gaze at my face. He must have thought I do not see him checking me out.
Ass.
"And what is the reason that made quite an impression in you?" I cock my head to one side.
He bites his lips and eyes my breasts one more time. Could he not do that. I want to succumb into the couch, dissappear from his hungry gaze.
"How is Nathan?" He smiles sincerely at me.
At last. I try to hide my breasts. Really they are not that big. "He's fine. He is taking the BAR this october."
"Good for him then," He moves closer to me. Like really close, our shoulders are colliding. "How about you? Are you feeling good?"
God. I can smell him, all musky and lavender. Hmmm... Lavender.
"I think I am good." I try to keep a straight face but its just so hard not to smile at him.
"Yeah," He raises his brow. "Why wouldn't you be?"
Then we fall into conversations after conversations. Just regular talk between a man and a girl, yep. Normal stuff.
"That guy has his nose onto you" He stares at someone at my back. I shudder at how his blue eyes can be cold sometimes. Its almost green. Mesmerizing. Or is it just the lights?
I try to look back at my acclaimed admirer but he turns my chin back at him and kisses me. Gently. Drawing his lips across mine. No! Come back. I lean, my lips searching for his.
Oh my. I feel myself get drained in the color of his eyes. Like cystal blue ice, chilling and pure.
"Why-." I stutter. Ugh.
Someone grabs my shoulder hard and whips me backward.
"Lisa. What are you doing here?"Beckett's nostrils flares. Why is he here?
Shit.
"Its nice to see you too Beck." I wiggle his grasp from my shoulder. It is starting to hurt. I rub my hand over my right shoulder. Its like a power grip. He scowls.
"This is Michael Gav-." I point my chin at Michael who is quite enjoying seeing Beckett furious.
"I know who he is." He said in a terse growl. "Why are you with him?"
"Can't I have a good time with my girl?" Michael says casually. Not too loud to be considered a shout or too low. Just enough for us to hear through all the people buzzing around the club and the music. That horrible loud music.
Wait. Did he say? Ugh. Men. Oh you don't want to play Beckett's nerve.
"Girl?" Beckett's hands fisted at his side.
"Baby we should be going." I rest my hand on his thigh. Urging him to stop and move.
I know Beckett is about to blow. Michael looks amused and surprised at my endearment. I do not want trouble this night. Of all nights. No.
"Of course Baby." He stands and takes my hand. Looking like his smug self. I expect him to put his arm around me or something. But he did not. He just held my hand and squeezes it gently.
I really do overestimate people. We head for the doble doors in arms. He is a gentleman. I smile.