Forever in July

CHAPTER 2: L.A

Victoria's Point of View 

Nasa loob na kami ng kotse ni Kendric. Our flight lasted about 13 hours long. 
Nakakapagod ang byahe. 

I was avoiding opening my phone, I might find some updates on Echo's wedding. 
I looked at Kendric, he was busy on his phone talking to someone, by the look on his face, it was a serious matter so I didn't bother to speak to him. 

Tumingin na lang ako sa bintana and mesmerize with the view. We will stay in Los Angeles for about 2 years due to our contract as a model for a famous clothing brand. They say that if they like our performance they will renew our contract and give more benefits. 

"Tor" Lumingon ako kay Kendric, he smiled at me and handed me a pink small box. I looked at him confused by what he was doing 

"Ano 'yan?" I asked him, he opened the box and it showed me a pretty gold necklace with a butterfly pendant 

"I've been wanting to give this to you," He said and insisted on putting the necklace on my neck 

"What for?" Lumapit ako sa kanya for him to easily put the necklace 

"It's a just-because gift," He said and I touched the pendant of the necklace and smiled after he put it on.  "Smile for me" He opened his phone and flashed a camera to my face, I shyly smiled at him as he captured me wearing the necklace. 

"Thank you so much, Kendric. This necklace is so pretty" I said and hugged him 
He was shocked by my moves but then he hugged me back 

"I like it," I said as I let go of our hug 

"I'm so glad you like it," He said and smiled ear to ear 

Tinitignan ko lang ang necklace na binigay niya sa akin. I smiled bitterly, I remembered how I begged Echo to be a boyfriend, and even on the bare minimum for 7 years but then Kendric just made it happen without me asking for it.  

Ewan ko kung deserve ko ang nangyayari sa akin ngayon, I appreciate Kendric but I am not still okay with Echo. 

I looked at Kendric who was busy texting someone. He insisted on being my rebound but then he gained his feelings for me and started to pursue me for a year and still. This guy showed me what I deserved but still questioned if I deserved this treatment, after those years of being mistreated. 

Kung tatanongin ko sarili ko kung bakit nag stay ako ng gano'n katagal kahit ang mas naramdaman ko ay sakit, maybe because I love him that much to stay.

Some special events in my life became a trauma to me because of him. My birthday was one of them. I am still not okay with talking about this but thinking about what happened on that day, hindi ko kaya. Hindi ko pa kaya. 

Echo knows how I hate my birthday and he gave me more reasons to hate it. 

I feel a tear fall on my cheeks, I immediately wipe it and face the window so that Kendric won't notice. 

This day should be the start of my moving-on era. I eased my mind and took a deep breath 

"We're here." The driver said and I looked at Kendric

"Are you ready?" He asked me and I nodded. 
He got out of the car and immediately opened the door for me, I thanked him and got out too. 

His place was massive. I was roaming the place. 
This was a front-yard view

"You have a fountain here?!" I looked at Kendric, and he was laughing at me "Hey! It's so big, it looked like a swimming pool." I said as I go near it 

"My mom loves it." He said and go by me. "Do you like it?" He asked me 

"Really? You're asking me if I like this fountain?! Of course!" I said and took a picture of it. It is really not an ordinary fountain. 

"That's real gold" sabi ni Kendric and I looked at him shocked 

This gold fountain that is the size of a swimming pool was made of real gold

"Tell me, Kendric nag bebenta kayo ng drugs 'no?" I asked him and he burst out laughing  "What? I was just asking." 

"Silly, we are just lucky to have a successful businesses." He said and took my hand "Come let's go inside, I will tour you."  

As we go inside his house. The first thing that I noticed was the massive front door. 

"Really? Is this a house or a mall?" He is just laughing as I question him about his place 

"Welcome Tor!" He said and I was so stunned at what am I seeing. It was all luxury. 
"This is our home. " He added 

"Our?!" He kissed my forehead and pinched my cheeks 

"You're so cute. " He again grabbed me by my hand and dragged me to the 2nd floor. " I will show you to your room. " Even his stair is so pretty, His whole house the combination of black and gold.

"This is the bedroom floor. " He said as we reach the 2nd floor. "It consists of 6 rooms, and each room has its bathroom and a walking closet." 

"Why do you have 6 rooms where your family is only 4?" I asked him confused

"We just wanted to, and this house is only mine, Tor. My family hasn't slept here. It's just me and some friends if they want to sleep over and-" He stopped as he opened a door. "This is your room" I first entered, and damn this was so pretty. A queen-sized bed, A flat-screen TV, It also has a refrigerator, a sofa, a study table, make-up table. 

I checked the bathroom and gosh it's so pretty, I have my bathtub and shower. I step inside the bathroom and I notice another door, It is the walk-in closet, Kendric was talking about. 

"This is so beautiful." I complimented the room "Thank you" I looked at Kendric, and it seemed like he was a bit uneasy. I noticed that he was holding something and hiding it to his back "What's that?" I asked him, and he rushed himself to go out of the room 

"I have to go to the maids. I'll come back." He immediately got out and left me hanging on my question. 

I fix my things and set it up. It took me 3 hours to finish arranging my pieces of stuff, and I deserve a bath. 

Kinuha ko ang mga gamit ko, at pumasok na sa bathroom. I opened a drawer where the bath bomb was, and put it on the bath tub. 
As I waited for the water to fill the bathtub, I heard Kendric talking to someone, downstairs. It was a girl. 

The house was too quiet for me to hear them. 

I just wanted to peek at the stairs hoping to see who he was talking to. 
Pinatay ko ang gripo, at sinuot ang inside door slippers na binigay sa akin ni Kendric. I don't know but I feel my heart ache for what I am feeling, this familiar sense to me made me remember that I felt this when I was with Echo. I hate this feeling. 

As I was near the stairs I carefully peered down to see what was happening, all I saw was their back. The two of them were sitting on the couch. 

"You should leave" I heard Kendric 

"You can't make me. I have so many questions." The girl said

I was confused about what was happening downstairs, and who she was. Kendric should explain this to me. 

"We're done." I was shocked by what Kendric said. Is she his ex-lover?

I was about to leave and go inside the room when I heard what that girl said 

"No! You ghosted me, and then someone told me you made yourself to the Philippines." The girl is now crying. 

I was speechless, he ghosted someone and now pursuing me. 

"Don't make me look like a fool, Amanda" Kendric said. "We're just a fuck buddy!" He added 

"What?!" Napahawak ako sa bibig ko ng hindi ko mapigilan ang sarili kong mag salita, 
Kendric was shocked as he looked at me. I ran back to my room and locked it. 

"Shit. Go home, Amanda." I heard Kendric said 

Hinubad ko ang suot ko at lumublob na sa bathtub, I heard Kendric, was knocking at my door but I didn't bother to open it. 

I am forcing myself not to cry 

"Boys are shit," I said and close my eyes. 

Akala ko green flag 'yun pala pakwan. 

How will I have peace of mind now that I knew he has a fuck buddy?
Earning my trust is difficult. Now that I have a trust issue. I should not believe in him, and all his heart-melting words. 

"Leave me alone!" I shouted, as I still heard him knocking at my door. 

"I will explain myself Victoria please let me in." I heard him sob 

This guy has the butt to cry. 

I put on my bathrobe and opened my door. I saw him shocked as he saw me wearing just a bathrobe. 

"What? first time seeing a girl naked and just having a bathrobe?"I frankly said to him. 
"All you have is five minutes to explain, and after that leave me alone," I added

"But Tor, please, believe me in this. I am purely in love with you, Amanda was just my fuck buddy back then when I was here" He said, and I couldn't still accept what he is saying. 

"Gaano katagal?" I asked him 

" She was my fuck buddy for 7 months, and after that, I flew to the Philippines." He said 
I didn't say a word and wouldn't look at him. The man that is pursuing me has this kind of past. I don't know if I will be at peace when remembering this information when I am with him. 

At least he doesn't love her, it's just lust. The other side of me is thinking this but still, the feeling is not okay.  Knowing he also gave that kind of pleasure ones to the other girl who he fucked for the last 7 months. 

Wait... 

Why am I thinking this way? 

"Victoria, I'll do everything just don't ignore me." I looked at him "Please" He kneeled down on his knees 

" I know that this is a lot to process but all we just do was fuck and after that, I am kicking her out, or I am the one who is going out. No feelings attached to me. It's just after that and during my stay in the Philippines, It's you who I fell in love with. Even though you're ignoring me, and pushing me away."  He stated, and I faced him 

"Hindi kaya, kaya mo lang ako pinu pursue kasi hindi ka sanay sa babaeng hindi agad nakukuha. All your life you've experienced smoothly having it all, now that you faced me and felt the thrill of my presence maybe that's the reason, you wanted to pursue me and to be your girl." I said to him blankly "Kendric, I am just your thrill in life." I said and got inside the bathroom and locked it. 

I didn't want him to see my cry, so I removed my bathrobe and continued my bath

"You should go now, and fuck Amanda again, Don't worry I'll find an apartment and leave you here." I heard him knocking again and begging me to not leave him that he would do his best to earn me again. 

As I cry myself, I notice the necklace he gave me earlier. 

Why has this happened to me? I'm expecting a lot of green flags from Kendric, but welcome to L.A I guess. At least he deserves the thrill, and I am so lucky to not give him a chance. 

He stopped knocking and heard him close the door of my room

I laughed bitterly, He gave up that fast. 

After an hour of being in the bathtub, I took my towel and dressed myself. I will go out, alone. I don't  want anyone right now 

I am wearing a black velvet lampy lace dress slip dress, with a slit on the side. 
I put my makeup on and curl my hair. 

I deserve to party after attending my ex's wedding and knowing my so could manliligaw has a fuck buddy