In your Arms

Chapter Sixty Five

Alexander woke up to the sound of his cellphone ringing. He reached for it on top of his bedside table not even trying to open his eyes. His eyelids were heavy, and waking up like this early and all too sudden made his head hurt. He pressed the answer key of his cellphone and gruffly answered the call.

"Who is this?" He rasped.

"Xander!" Uno's voice boomed in his ear. He flinched and had to pull his phone away from his ear. He was about to throw a livid response but then his friend continued talking.

"Why aren't you answering my calls? I've been calling you like thirty times! Thirty! Alexander Tan! It's a world record just so you know! I've never even done this to Patty!" Uno's voice is seething.

Alexander's eyebrows creased. "What the hell is your problem man?!" He grumbled. "It's too early!"

"Hah!" Uno scoffed. "It's almost noon just so you know!"

That's when Alexander opened his eyes and looked at his alarm clock. His friend was right. It was almost noon.

"Jesus Christ." He hastily got up on his bed and felt woozy because he got up too suddenly. Alexander grunted irascibly and grabbed the hairs on his head.

Last night he stayed up late thinking about Amity. Simon didn't went home and he doesn't have anyone to at least talk to. Somehow he missed the presence of his brother. It's during times like these that he needed him. He doesn't want to bother Uno because it was already late, and of course he also has Patty to think of. So as Simon. He has Mia too. And it only made him feel more alone. He tried watching a movie but did not even understand the story. He tried drinking three bottles of beer but it also didn't help make him sleep. For the past few nights he'd been like this. Her face was all over inside his head. Anywhere he looks he sees her.

"Xander?" Uno's voice brought him back to senses. "You still there?"

"Uh, yes.. I am." He rubs the back of his neck.

"Are you.. okay?" Uno asked sounding concerned.

Alexander's eyebrows wrinkled. "Of course I am. Why wouldn't I?" He pretended to laugh. The line went silent for awhile. "Hello? Uno?" He heard some whispering at the background. He raised his eyebrows. "Are you with someone?"

"Uh.. N-No." Uno stammered. "Hey. You sure you're okay?"

"What the hell has gotten into you, man? I said I'm fine." He asked austerely.

He heard Uno gave out a sigh of relief on the other line. "Okay. Don't do anything stupid. I'm coming over."

"What?!" Alexander exclaimed. "Why?"

"See you in a few." Uno told him. He was about to answer back but then the line went dead. Alexander's mouth went agape out of confusion.

"What the hell was that?" He murmured. He heard his stomach growl and decided to finally leave his bed and went towards the kitchen to make himself something to eat. As soon as he started making his food thoughts of Amity entered his head. He remembered the times when she was still there. Both of them cooking, both of them eating. They talked about a lot of things. He would always listen to her blabber and he would just stare at her, awed by her comeliness and wit. Now she's gone, and all that's left for him is the painful longing in his chest every time he remembers those beautiful memories.

He had been thinking about Uno's words the last time. He must do something. He doesn't want to have anymore regrets and wrong decisions. And he can say to himself that at least he had tried.

An hour later Uno arrived in the condo carrying bottles of beer and a newspaper in hand. He saw his friend wearing a stern look on his face once he opened the door for him.

"Wow. That was fast." Alexander smirked. His attention went towards the stuff his friend is carrying. "Beers?" His eyebrows furrowed. "What ever's the occasion?"

"Let's talk inside." Uno made his way towards the living room making Alexander stupefied. He followed his friend.

"Uno, you're acting strange." He told his friend. He sat on the couch opposite Uno's. His friend stared at him for a few seconds like he was assessing him. "What is wrong with you, man?" He asked a bit perturbed. "You're confusing me."

Uno bit his lip. "So you haven't found out?"

Alexander looks at him in confusion. "About what?"

"Patty was right." Uno voiced out.

"Patty?" Alexander asked. "What does she have to do with this?"

"She told me to come here. She told me that maybe you needed someone to talk to. She was worried about you, Xander." Uno told him seriously.

Alexander gave out a tumultuous laugh. "What is going on with you two? And wow, that's new. Your girlfriend is concerned about me? Does this mean she likes me now?" He joked.

Uno looked at him closely. "Xander.."

Alexander took a bottle of beer and opened it. He took a swig. "I don't know what the hell are you talking about but I am fine." He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "And thanks for the beer." He winked at his friend. "Cheers." He took another swig.

Uno let out a deep sigh. "Here." He reached out his hand holding the newspaper towards Alexander. "Take this. You gotta read this."

Alexander laughed. "You know I don't read newspapers, man--"

"Xander, just.." Uno cut him off. "Just take it and read it." Alexander noticed the uneasiness in his friend's voice and somehow it made him feel a little nervous. When he took the newspaper from Uno's hand his friend looked away.

He swallowed hard and unfold the newspaper on his lap. As soon as he took sight of the front page everything went still.

He saw her face. She was smiling that usual bright smile she always had. It made him smile too, not until he had read what's written on the headlines.

"DAUGHTER OF BUSINESS TYCOON HENRY BARCELONA FINALLY ENGAGED"

The words hammered in his chest as he read it. It was then that he took notice of a man standing beside Amity. The picture was taken while they were walking on a street. She was smiling and he was looking at her, like he just told her something that made her smile. Seeing the picture made him feel like his heart is being stabbed numerous times. He gripped the newspaper hard. All of a sudden he felt like the world around him had collapsed and he was left alone. Right then and there, he felt he just died.

"Xander.." Uno's voice rattled his thoughts.

He looks at him with bitterness in his eyes but he pretends to laugh. "Well, what can I say? She finally found her prince." He shrugged as if he doesn't care, but deep inside of him, he was being ripped into shreds. It was painful. He was hurting.

"Xander, you don't need to make a pretense. I know you--"

"Stop it, Uno." Alexander shook his head. "Let's just drink." He told his friend and tried to smile. "Shall we?"

A/N:

Hello. Sorry to keep you guys waiting and also for the slow updates. I am working and been very busy with work. Thank you though, for patiently waiting and for keeping up with me. I will try to make another update soon. Would love to hear insights from you guys too. :) Thanks again and 'til the next update. ;)

You can also check out my other works if you'd like. ;) -Katie