Tough & Classy

Chapter 53

Chapter 53: "Something was and wasn't there between us. Something went on and went away."

When Chester and I went our separate ways, I embraced the situation as it was. I didn't question his reason because I believed that falling out of love was a natural occurrence that could affect any couple, and unfortunately, it occurred between us.

However, after watching the video, I wasn't so sure of his reason anymore. 

Suddenly, I had a glimmer of hope. Perchance, he still has feelings for me. Maybe, I could still win him back. Maybe...

Now I know what they mean when they say that you can never be friends with someone you've been in love with for a very long time. Love has a habit of coming back. 

I inhaled deeply, stood in front of his doorbell camera's display screen, and hit the button. It wasn't long until someone opened the gate. But I was caught off guard as I turned and saw Stella. 

All of a sudden, my resolve to make things right between Chester and me gradually faded. Seeing Stella made me question my intention. Could I possibly be selfish and fight for Chester knowing there is Stella in his life? 

I know it isn't right. But what about my feelings for Chester? Could I possibly move on and forget about him without giving it a shot?

Chester... 

I cleared my throat. "Is Chester home?" I asked, forgoing pleasantries. 

The guilt I felt earlier diminished when she remained quiet and even gave me a once-over. If she as much as insults me, I won't back down. 

What she did next, though, absolutely caught me off; she abruptly leaned closer to me, peered into my eyes, and said, "You won't disappoint me, will you?"

I moved back, blinking. "I'm sorry?"

"Took you so long. But you're forgiven," she responded sassily. 

My brows snapped together. "What?"

"I think you're just right on time." The corner of her mouth quirked up. "He's inside. Good luck."

I stared after her in confusion as she walked by me and into her car. What was that?

"Ayos lang ba sa'yo kung ikaw muna ang bahala sa mga on-going projects natin dito? Next month, I'm flying to the US to personally handle our new project."

JL looked surprised. "Ayos lang. Pero bakit biglaan yata? I thought we had agreed to send Thomas?"

"It's a big project. I just want to make sure that there won't be any problems," I responded with my attention on the materials I'd been studying. 

"Thomas has proven himself multiple times. Surely, we can trust him on this one, can't we?" he said, sitting on my table. 

"I know."

"Kababalik mo lang, bro." He cleared his throat. "Why are you running away again?"

"I'm not running away," I stated emphatically, knowing full well what he meant.

"Akala ko ba ilalaban mo? Bakit parang sumusuko ka na?"

Claire is the most beautiful and yet, painful chapter in my life. The same one that, no matter how many thorns I get, I find impossible to let go. 

Despite knowing that I wasn't supposed to, I stayed and offered friendship. The most f*cked-up thing anyone with a logical mind could ever do. 

Each time she would go out on a date, I would bleed. And yet, I had to pretend like everything was fine because, as a friend, I was supposed to be happy for her.