DUSKWOOD: CHASE

THE FRENEMIES PART 2

PHIL

When you try your very best to fight for a chance in spite of knowing that you already lost it in the very beginning is one heck of a painful life experience. I know she loves him, but I still choose to try even though I know I will never win. Pathetic? No. I tried because I wanted to, but I chose to because I'm afraid of regret. Regretting not letting her know my feelings and not giving myself a fair fight.
I know it's going to be painful, but, you'll never know love when you never know what pain it brings. I'm ready for the pain and already accepted whatever will happen, I know he will come tonight and so, I have to give my one and best shot, because I know when he makes himself known to her the chance that I'm trying to fight for is over.
It's not the first time I've seen him.
He is always around without them noticing, but I do. We bumped in several times, mostly around nearby her house.

FLASHBACK

Thankfully she agreed to allow me to drive her home and from a distance I saw a suspicious man wearing a black hoodie and cap watching us. Purposely I pulled her near me as I took a selfie and glanced at the man only to find him glaring at me as if his eyes were shooting daggers. If looks can kill, I might be dead right away. I saw him walking away and decided to follow him. I quickly slid into the car and bid goodbye.
After driving a short distance and making sure she went inside, I pulled over and searched for that weirdo. I'm sure he went on this way but I can't find him. Later that night I decided to close the Aurora 2 hours earlier than usual and drove to her house.
I parked my car a little far from her house and turned the engine off. Gladly my windows are tinted and I watched from my car, waiting for that guy to come back.
Few hours after the guy showed up bringing some bags of food and handed it over to her.
What the fúck?!! Did she just let her door open?!
My Angel is so reckless!
What if he just went in?!
Fuck.
I quickly went off my car just in case that guy did something funny I'll beat him to death.
However, he quickly left and saw him walking fast towards the woods.
"After you!" I vocally said and ran to follow him. Just when I reached the spot where I last saw him, he is already gone. I looked around hoping to see him somewhere and spotted him. He is looking at me from a good distance, his hands on his chest. What the fúck is he? How did he manage to go over there in just a short period of time?! He leaned on the tree and crossed his arms mocking me to come closer. But that is too impossible. How can I cross this fucking cliff?!
Yes he is standing on the other side.
My fist clenched as it's impossible to catch him this time.
He then pointed at the tree near me. There is a note pinned on it.
I looked at him and he just shrugged.

That fucking weirdo is getting into my nerves. I noticed an eye symbol on its bottom corner which I definitely saw on Jessy's laptop recently.
(Jessy was uploading an image to a website when I passed by her)

Who the fúck is this annoying weirdo?

My hands reached out for the lighter on my pocket and burned the paper. He just watched and left like nothing happened.

That day I asked my sister about the photo she tried to upload recently and found out that it was the hackerman's signature icon.

So that guy is Jake.

But something seems to be off.

Since that day I always watch over my Angel from afar every night I'm able to, especially when the internet was stirred up against her and she got fired from her job.

One morning she passed by the rainbow Cafe where I was having my breakfast after my shift (protecting her from afar) my instinct took over and followed her from a distance. My phone suddenly rang and hesistantly answered it. Wrong move.
I heard loud angry voices which made me search for her.
I ran and tried to look for her when suddenly I got bumped by a guy and she is being dragged.
Jake.
He is running away with her!
He looked into my eyes and as if sending a message. A crowd is coming from the opposite side.
I get it.
Fúck.
"Hey young man! have you seen MC passed here?" A man around his thirties asked me.
"They went on that way" I replied trying to sound convincing and it worked thankfully.

When the crowd was gone I ran away and tried to look for her.

I finally saw her a couple streets away.

END OF FLASHBACK

Everyone is getting ready for the performance tonight, my staffs are busy cleaning while the musicians are checking the instruments making sure they are in tune properly. It might sound a little gay but I am feeling nervous. This will be the first time I'm going to perform in front of a crowd.
Jessy approached me with a hesitant look.
"Hey Phil" she said trying to hide her hesitation. "what's up Jessy?" I replied while trying to check the microphone. "I like to perform tonight too, if that's okay with you?" She said which made me face her.
"I'll be performing with someone in our group" Jessy added.
There is a small hint of sadness in her voice. "And who is that one?" I asked in return.
Jessy looked down. I know my sister. Whenever she can't make an eye contact, she is feeling torn.
"I really want to support you Phil" Jessy started and sigh. "You are my brother and I never seen you like this before. I feel like I'm a bad sister and is betraying you for this" Jessy's tears starting to form on her cheeks. I remained silent waiting for her explanation.
"But also, MC is my dearest friend. She's been lonely, crying and longing.. We both care for her happiness and that's why I'm doing this. She deserves to be happy after all the troubles she had been through" I lift Jessy's chin and for the first time for the longest time I can remember, I hugged my sister.
The last time I held her on my arms was when she's a baby.
"I'm sorry Phil, I should be on your side, backing you up and this makes me feel like stabbing you" Jessy's voice became cracked and my shirt is starting to get wet. My sister hasn't changed and its the reason why she hurt herself a lot looking after the people she cared for.
"Its not a big deal" I said trying to comfort my little sister. With or without her help, I know what the outcome will be. My best interest is her happiness, my priority one.
Whatever makes her happy, even its not being with me, that will be my priority.
One hour before the performance the weirdo came. When our eyes met, I motioned a sign and he followed me outside.
"I don't like you" I started.
He placed his hands on his pockets and replied non-challantly "Good. The feeling is mutual"
This guy knows how to get in my nerves.
"Why are you stalking her?" I asked.
"Why do you?" He answered back.
He knows? I turned around and we are now facing each other.
"I'm not an idiot like you" he added.
"Says the one whom I caught stalking her 24/7. You're creepy" I said. His facial expression remains the same. No hints of emotion, he is on his usual poker face. "I let you see me" he responded with confidence and crossed his arms.
Really? What's with this guy?
"If that's all, I'm going" he added and turned his back from me.
"If you ever break her heart, I'll gladly break your bones" He stopped hearing me crack my bones. "Im not planning on it" and with that he left.