Till It's Time

Chapter 28 - Beautiful Goodbye

Althea wakes up Jade, she kissed her smooth shoulders then she kissed her cheeks, she buried her face on her nape smelling the sweet scent of Jade. She opens her eyes and smiled sweetly at Althea. " I love you..." She said it in almost a whisper. Althea softly kissed her lips.
"Love I ordered food..but if you still want to sleep, its ok I'll leave it on the table..but I need to go now its almost 10pm."
Jade turned to face Althea.
"Do you really have to leave? You can sleep here.."
Jade was forcing to open her eyes.
"Miggy have class tomorrow..so I need to go home..."
Althea speaks while kissing Jade. "You're tired...just rest, i'll see you tomorrow...I love you.."

--- x
Althea remembered her promise to Cathleen, she dialled her number.
"Hey! Where are you? Erwan still with you?"
" Wow! You escaped?! Just kidding.. Yup! Still with me, you want to drop by we are having a drink here at Cafe Cubana here at greenbelt.."
" Yeah... see you, on my way now.."
" Alright...I'll see you, please drive carefully.."
" I will...thanks bye!"

Althea met the siblings at the bar. "Wow Althea you look stunning as always.."
Erwan was delighted to see Althea, He gave her a hugged and a kiss on the cheeks.
"And as always you are our good looking Erwan"
Althea smiled
" I'm so happy to see you"
Cathleen was looking at them
"Don't give me that grin Cath, I know what's going thru your mind."  Cathleen looked puzzled but smiled and offered a hug. Althea hugged her tight and kissed her on the cheeks.  The three talked almost about anything, it was entertaining, there were laughters and some serious discussions about life, relationships and choices. It was a fun night and Althea is ever thankful for having them in her life like her own family, yes even if it didn't worked for her and Cathleen. Erwan never questioned their decision but he would always wished them together. Cathleen has not changed her ways with Althea, she would hold her hands, hugs and kissed her and Althea was the same. Erwan will just shrugged his shoulder. 

It was almost 1:00AM when they call it a night. Althea voluntered to walk with Cathleen to the Hotel. Erwan did not argue, He kissed them both goodbye. Then Althea walked Cathleen to her hotel. Althea's hand are wrapped
On Cathleen's waist, while Cathleen's on her shoulder. They were quiet till they reached Cath's room.

"So..Good night and I'll see you tom.."
Cathleen's facing Althea " I'm not gonna invite you inside...you know why.. "
Her eyes were sad but she kept that smile.  Althea was just looking at Cathleen for the many times she got tounge tied again, She has no words for her. Cathleen reached for Althea's face. Althea's eyes had betrayed her once more . she let the tears fall.
"I'll be okay, I will find my own love in time...dont blame yourself, I chose to hold on.."

Cathleen was crying now. 

Althea hugged Cathleen kissing her forehead and soothing her.

"Take care of your self..I'm sorry if all I gave you is pain...I come to realized that I never deserved you.."

" No don't say that...you have made me happy...I know you've loved me.."

Althea nods and released Cathleen from her embraced.

"I think I better go now, Goodnight...I'll see you tom." Althea controlling her emotions.

"Yeah, ok you take care and drive home safe.."
Cathleen said  as she kissed Althea , She immediately get inside and  quickly locked the door.

Althea walks fast going to the elevator.
She hold her tears.
---x

Cathleen's phone ring, She checks time its 8am.
" Hello?!"
" Hi! its Jade..."
" What?!...Wow...so What are you stalker? How did you know?"
" Althea mentioned your hotel...finding your room...that one is the easiest..."
" I should know... you are Jade Tanchinco.."
" Can we talk, At the coffee shop?"
" Do we have something to talk about?
" Please??"
" Ok Jade...This is going to be the last time.."
" Yes, I appreciate it. Thank you..."
" Give me 30 minutes"
" It's Okay I can wait..."

Jade was sitted in one corner of the coffee shop . She was wearing pink haltered blouse paired with white pants. Her hair neatly pined on the side. She wears very light makeup. She saw Cathleen and waived at her. Cathleen was wearing a white sleeveless dress. Her hair pulled up and she wears nude lipstick with no makeup. Her face is clear without blemish. So she's prettier without makeup.
" Thanks for coming" Jade smiled at her, Cathleen smiled back
"So what's up?"
" Cathleen, I would just like to apologized for what happened in Singapore I should not dared you, but I also want to thanked you for challenging me..."
" Oh that's nothing...well atleast you won the other challenge..."
" Yeah...thanks to you.."
" listen, please take care of her. I know what you have gone through together, if its any other girl I will not give up but with you... I know she will be happy..."
" I dont know what to say except thank you. Cathleen this is awkward, you are important to Althea and that is one thing that I have accepted....I'd like us to be friends..."
" Jade..." Cathleen was touched by Jade's gesture.
Jade extended her hands to Cathleen, she smiled and accepted the handshake.
"I think we can work that out"
Cathleen was sincere.

After having coffee Jade said goodbye to Cathleen she knows that Althea will come anytime so she needs to be gone before she put themselves to a more awkward situation.  But her heart is still heavy. She cant help but to overthink, she's still scared of Althea's feelings with Cathleen, There is something different with their relationship.  She wants assurance that Althea loves her with all her heart. She called Batchi.

---x
Althea arrived at the Hotel early, She invited Cathleen for lunch. After lunch . They stayed in a coffee shop just talking, they tried to enjoy this moment together until its time for Cathleen to leave. They were quiet inside the car, Cathleen stared at Althea as if memorizing her face, when they come near the departure area Althea reached for Cathleen's hands and kissed it, she keeps it until when she needed to parked. Before Cathleen goes out of the car Althea hold Cathleen and kissed her lovingly on her lips Cathleen kissed back and hold Althea's face with both hands. They let go, Cathleen speak first "I will be okay..." They smiled at each other.  Althea get Cathleen's luggage and helped her settle in a pushed cart. She needs it to be quick. They hugged each other tight and gave a quick kiss "Please take care." Althea whispers to Cathleen. " You take care too....I still love you."Cathleen whispers to Althea then she let go of Althea, she give her hand a firm hold then let go of it, She turned back and walked towards the daparture area. This time Cathleen didn't looked back. Althea did not moved, She watched her walked away, She watched until Cathleen is gone...
Her tears fell and it blurred her vision.
" Good Bye Cath..."'she whispers.

---x
A/N

Hope you'll enjoy this sad chapter...but as it goes some good things must have endings..
I welcome your comments 😊