Chapter 55

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Your votes really made my heart smile so this chapter is written especially for you.


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CHAPTER 55: Stuck in the Friend-zone

(Zoe's POV)

I woke up with someone gently stroking my cheeks. Slowly, I opened my eyes and I was welcomed by a gorgeous man smiling right through my face with all teeth that could blind you when you look longer.

"Good morning, babe."

I sat up. "Looks like you really had a good morning."

He shrugged and said, "I really did. That was the best sleep I've ever had for a long time."

I just gave him a warm smile. Well, we just ended up cuddling last night – catching up for the times we've been apart. And it felt so right to be in his arms, it felt home. I looked at him and I noticed that he has an apron on his left hand.

"Well, I was preparing breakfast for like 5 minutes ago." He said, as if on cue. I nodded. We headed to the dining area after that. Gentleman as he is he pulled a chair for me and I sat down. He put some eggs and bacon on my plate and some fried rice. He also made a coffee for me. And we started eating, or more like I did. He was just looking at me with all smiles, staring at me tenderly.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing." He shook his head. "I'm just so happy that you're here now." He said. Reaching my hand, he uttered, "Thank you." And he kissed the back of it. I gave him a smile. What can I do? I'm in love with this man. I'm madly and crazily in love that even if I get hurt a million times, I'd still keep coming back to him. It's bad. Yes, I know. It could destroy me. But that's how love it is. Loving someone is like giving him the opportunity to ruin you yet still hoping that he wouldn't.

Later that day, we've decided to just stay in the house. Sinabi nga niya sa akin na baka daw gusto kong lumabas but I refused. I just wanted to rest for a moment kase bukas papasok na ako sa trabaho at siya din. I was actually worried about him and their company. Ivan told me that he was absent for like 2 weeks at marami din siyang iniwan na trabaho. But he assured me that he can handle it kaya napanatag narin ako.

I'm all done fixing myself. It's time to get back to work. I kinda miss the shop tho. I haven't been there for a month. I was taking a last glance on the mirror when I noticed Tristan having some trouble with his tie.

"Let me do that." I offered as I started to fix his tie.

He stared at me and said out of nowhere. "You are really going to be perfect wife. Let's get married, babe."

I let out a soft laugh. "Just because I can fix your ties doesn't mean I will be a perfect wife."

"You will always be perfect to me." He snaked his arms around my waist. "You're the only one who could fix not just my ties but also my life. You're the only one I want to spend my whole life with."

"I didn't know alcohol could make someone so cheezy."

He chuckled and then sighed. "I'm serious Ella."

"Are you proposing to me?"

"Is that a no?" he asked, his face slowly faded.

I shook my head and held his face. "I'm saying yes but not now."

"Why?"

"I still have something to fix."

"But you're all done with my ties."

Right there, I laughed. "Silly, that's not it." It's Kuya Sky. I am planning to tell him that I've decided to mend our relationship. I know he'll be disappointed with my decision and I'm preparing myself for that. Bahala na.

"Then what is it?" he asked. We both heard the doorbell rang. "Are you expecting someone?"

I shook my head. "Baka naman si Ivan lang. Let me check it."

I was about to go but he held my waist tighter. "Tinatakasan mo ako e." I grinned and tiptoed. "It's a secret." I kissed him and went to open the door.

I was astounded upon seeing him in front of me. "Hi." He said, smiling boyishly.

"Clive, anong–" hindi ko na natapos ang sasabihin ko dahil biglang nagsalita si Tristan. "Babe, sino yan?"

Clive's smile automatically vanished from his face. "What's the meaning of this Z? Are you two an item again?"

"Yes." Tristan answered immediately, draping an arm on my shoulders possessively.

"Wow. Just wow." That's all he said before turning his back on us.

"Clive, wait!" I was about to follow him but Tristan was quick to grab my arm. "Tristan kakausapin ko lang siya."

"Para saan pa? I guess it's already clear to him that you're mine."

"Let me just talk to him." I begged.

"No." he said sternly.

"Tristan, please. I need to talk to him. I need to explain."

"Explain? Why? Ella, dapat na ba akong kabahan? Bakit kailangan mo pang magpaliwanag sa kanya? Ano ba siya sa'yo?"

"He's a friend, Tristan. And you just have trust me for whatever reason. I really need to talk to him." I said and he loosed his grip. Immediately, I ran to the elevator. Agad akong bumaba sa ground floor at buti nalang ay naabutan ko pa siya na kinukuha ang susi niya sa valet attendant. Akmang sasakay na siya sa sasakyan niya pero nahawakan ko ang kamay niya.

"Clive..."

"Don't even try to feed me with bullshits Zoe because I'm not buying that!" he shouted. People are starting to avert their attention to us. "Magpapauto ka na naman sa kanya?"

"Clive, I love him."

"Screw that fvcking love Zoe! Sinisira ka na niyang pagmamahal na yan!"

"Ano naman sa'yo kung masira man ako? Hindi naman ikaw ang masasaktan kung–"

"Goddamn it Zoe! Mahal kita! Masakit para sa aking na makita kang nasasaktan dahil mahal kita! Masakit para sa akin na makita na nagpapakatanga ka na naman sa kanya dahil mahal kita!"

"I'm sorry." I whispered. Tears started to stream down my face. That's all I could say.

"Nakakagago Zoe. Nakakagago ang sorry mo. Tangina! What am I really to you Zoe? A shoulder to cry on? A human handkerchief?"

"Clive hindi. You're my friend. You're my bestfriend."

"I know and I didn't realize it would sting a lot more until you say it right through my face."

Long silence enveloped us.

"Clive..." I trailed off "Please don't tell kuya about this. Hayaan mo na ako nalang ang magsabi."

"So that's the reason why you chased me?" he asked in disbelief. "You're unbelievable Zoe."

I kept silent. He took a deep breath and sighed. "Okay. I'm not telling him. But don't thank me for this because you know either way, your brother will be enraged with your decisions. I still wish you luck. After all, I'm still in love with you and I want you to be happy." He said as he left me with guilt and woe.

He Suddenly Came BackTahanan ng mga kuwento. Tumuklas ngayon