Alice's POV
As I approached their table, the man glanced at me, but I ignored him. Instead, I gently placed a hand on Theresia’s shoulder. Before she could fully turn, I cupped her face lightly and kissed her on the lips savoring those three seconds, before pressing a soft kiss on her cheek. Right in front of him.
Her eyes widened as she pulled back, momentarily stunned. She stood, giving me a glare, but I met her gaze with a soft, unbothered smile.
“You must be Alice?” the man asked.
Theresia glanced between us, as if hesitant to intervene.
“Seb, I’d like you to meet—” she started
“I am Alice, her girlfriend. Nice to meet you. And you are?” I cut in, extending my hand confidently. He shook it politely, though I could sense the tension.
“Sebastian Alonzo. Nice to meet you,” he replied.
As I pulled my hand back, I sat down right away, and Theresia took her seat beside me. My hand found its place on her thigh, my fingers brushing gently against it as I leaned into her, our shoulders pressing together in a familiar closeness.
“Excuse me!” Theresia said abruptly, pushing my hand off her leg and standing up quickly, avoiding my eyes. She hurriedly off toward the restroom. Without hesitation, I followed her, leaving him alone at the table.
As I stepped into the restroom, I found her standing by the sink, her back to me, hands gripping the edge of the counter. She didn’t turn around when I entered, but I could see the tension in her shoulders, the way she was trying to keep herself together.
I locked the door quietly, I walked up behind her, close enough that her back was almost touching mine.
"Let's talk. Let me explain." I murmured softly.
She took a shaky breath before meeting my gaze in the mirror.
“Do it now. I am listening.” her voice barely steady.
I gently placed my hands on her shoulders, turning her toward me. “Look at me, love. It’s not what you think—you misunderstood it.” I said, my voice cracking slightly. I held her gaze, desperate for her to see the sincerity in my eyes.
Her brow furrowed with doubt.
“I saw it clearly, Alice. Naghahalikan kayo. How could that just be a misunderstanding? Explain it to me—I want to hear what you have to say.”
I sighed, letting my hands slide down her arms to take her hands in mine. “He kissed me. I didn’t want it, and I didn’t feel anything for him. I pushed him away as soon as it happened, but you walked in at that exact moment.” I looked down, then raised my eyes to meet hers.
“That’s not what he told me. Deion clearly stating to me na ikaw nag initiate na humalik sa kaniya.” she replied, her gaze shifting away as she pulled her hands free.
“You’ve talked to him already?”
“Meanwhile, I’ve been going through hell para mahanap ka and just to get a chance to talk to you and explain. But him? He gets your attention so easily. From the looks of it, you believe him more than me. I guess there’s no point in me even explaining now… seems like you've already made up your mind.” I stepped back, tears blurring my vision as my heart shattered a little more.
"We didn’t speak in person. He only texted me. And I never said I don’t believe you. That’s why I’m giving you the chance to explain now, isn’t it? Imagine if you were in my shoes… wouldn’t you feel confused, too?"
We stood there, both silent, both crying. She looked somewhere off in the distance, while my eyes stayed locked on her, unable to look away.
I stepped forward, gently cupping her face, wiping away the tears that had slipped down her cheeks. My thumb traced along her cheek as I leaned in closer.
