You Belong With Me

CHAPTER 1 Five Years of longing

CHRIS POV

It's been five years... But every year since then, whenever this day comes, I'm still having nightmares of that day.

Waking up afterwards and trying to go on with my life is still hard. I feel like the pain makes it hard to breathe and I feel sore all over. But still, I drag my body to the shower to freshen up.

After taking a quick shower, I called my secretary to bring me some tulips. Then I wore what I loved to wear in the past – some jeans, shirt, hoodie and basketball shoes. I feel like 'she' won't recognize me if I wear anything I often wear going to my office these days.

"Sir, the flowers were in your car. These are the urgent papers you need to sign. I already moved the meeting with C Group tomorrow morning so you'll be free for today," my secretary, Edison informed me.

"Thanks Ed, just make sure no one will disturb me for the whole day today," after signing the document he handed me, I proceeded onto my car and drove to my destination. 'She' would definitely like these flowers. Pink tulips means happiness and I hope she will always be happy... wherever she is.

When I arrived at the mausoleum, I was shocked to see someone earlier than me arrive here. Actually, it has been years since I have seen anyone go, which makes me wonder who that person is.

I unhurriedly approached 'her' resting place. And the closer I got to that person, the more I felt some familiarity. However, I couldn't delude myself. Even though that person's silhouette somehow resembles her.

It could be because I was almost next to her that she felt my presence but just as I was about to put the flowers beside the grave, that person abruptly faced me. And I can't help but frown when I heard her call my name ...

"Chris..." there was melancholy in the woman's voice. After placing the flowers on Apple's grave, I turned to her and I'm a bit surprised that I can't seem to recognize her. The woman was devastatingly beautiful. It was a face that you could say that may topple a country. Her figure, although thoroughly covered in her trench coat, seems good. But the thing is, I can't remember who she is so I'm not sure how she can recognize me.

"Hi, do I know you?" I asked, scrutinizing her expression. She seems nervous seeing me?

"Ah, I think not yet. But I know you a bit, Chris Buenaventura from Apple's stories way back in college. I'm... Parisse Alcantara. Apple was... a good friend way back and since I recently arrived in the country, I figured, I should go greet her and pay my respect to the family," she answered back and I noticed she was a bit teary. They must have been close for her to come even though it's been five years.

"I see, you must have been close. We... kind of drifted apart during our later high school years and went to different colleges. Must be the reason why I didn't get to know you when she was still with us," I finally relaxed and arranged the flowers on the graves of the Monteverde family. I smiled a bit and offered my hand to her. "Nice meeting you, Parisse..."

She stared at my hand as if hesitating to accept it. But then, she finally decided to hold and shake my hand. Which for some reason made my heart beat faster. I couldn't point out why but she really feels familiar. As if I have known her for a long time... But no matter how much I think about it, I can't seem to remember where I could have seen her. With a face like hers, it'll be hard not to notice her or forget meeting her. Since Apple died, this is the first time I paid attention to a woman.

"Likewise, Chris..." she is looking at me with sadness in her eyes I can't fathom. Does she know my relation to Apple? "Apple has a lot of stories about you and your family back then that I felt like I've known you for a long time. It's a shame that we can't talk about things now. She was my best friend, you know?"