Invisible

Chapter 10

The following day, Darren has excused himself from going into my house since he and his mother has to drive his little sister to a small clinic to check her up. The poor kid got a little problem to deal with the hot weather, her breathing got affected.

So I woke up late, since Darren wasn't around to bang on my room's door for an early hour. I got up from bed and went to the bathroom to freshen up. I picked up some clothes from my now-organized closet and slipped them on, before putting my hair into a ponytail.

The house we're staying at was too big for just the three of us, including the backyard. The place was too big, you can compare it to a hacienda or as whatever they call it. And being in a place this huge, being alone is definitely a disadvantage.

My feet dragged me into the backdoor by the kitchen, but even before I could fully get out, my hand snatched an apple from the fruit bowl on the counter.

As I got out, the wind softly kissed my face and the intense heat of Philippine sun was there again. It was a good thing that I chose to wear a razor top and jeans shorts for the day, coz it's really hot in here. No wonder why little Lyn got a problem with the weather and her breathing. She was really used to the cool winds and fine weather in Canada.

My eyes searched for the flower farm that Darren once told me. I miss our backyard in Canada, where Stargazer Lilies were fully blossomed and were giving out their fresh scents in the lingering air. I used to take care of those flowers. But now that I'm here, I'm counting on Parry to take care of them for the matter of three months.

When I finally spotted the flowers, my feet immediately worked and dragged me to the place. But then I noticed that I wasn't alone. There was this guy in front of the flowers, watering them. He looked up to me, his small eyes nearly matched Darren's, and his hair was curly and looks some sort of a light brown.

"Oh, hello," he said as he continued to water the flowers. "I didn't notice you sooner."

I nodded in understanding, "No worries, I was just walking around." I told him. "You... work in here?"

He chuckled. His chuckle was masculine and melodious. "Sort of," he answered. He moved to the other flowers, which I believe were the Sampaguita, their scent were captivating. "But I work for free, since I don't really need the money."

"You know, people who work for free are definitely rare." I chuckled lightly. "Why'd you choose to work without the pay?"

"I just loved being surrounded by flora." He shrugged. "Well, it sounds pretty gay, but I love the flowers." He shared. "I love it whenever I see flowers bloom beautifully."

"That's not gay!" I defended him, "You know, my boy best friend also loves flowers. We both do. But we love it more when there are butterflies around." I shared the similarity of me and Darren made me smile in the process without me minding it.

"You talk about your best friend like he's some sort of someone special." He commented, moving on to the other flowers, baby Roses.

My cheeks flushed. I have always been told that whenever I speak of Darren, it's either I sound cliché or I make it sound like he's someone very special in my life. "He is,"

He chuckled. "You can't tell it to him, can you?"

"Tell him what?"

"It's obvious that you have something more for your best friend." He said. "And it's obvious that you're way terrified to tell him about your feelings. You're simply scared."

"How did you know?"

He smiled at me, his small eyes getting smaller too that it reminded me of Darren whenever he smiles or laughs. That guy totally gets cuter when he's happy. "The way you talk about him, the way you think about your similarities," he rose up his two fingers as he noted his answers about my simple question. "And the way you smile, just by talking and thinking about him. It's all in your body language, miss."

"Please, don't call me miss," I told him with a chuckle. "I'm not a fan of formality,"

"If that is what you wish then," he said with a smile as he showered the flowers with his hose.

"By the way, I've heard that you were Ate Madelle's niece, right?" he suddenly spoke up after being engulfed in a short, comfortable silence. I nodded at his question. "I also heard that you were joining the contest a couple of weeks from now?"

I nodded. "I must say, you have great ears." I teased.

He laughed lightly. "I second that."

"Why'd you asked?" I asked him.

He sighed. I don't know if it was for relief, exasperation, or both or neither. "I was signed up in that contest too." He shared, looking at me with a smile. His eyes were definitely pretty. He was cute too. If I wasn't really just into Darren, I could've liked this guy.

My eyes widened as my features suddenly grew into a smile. "I don't know if I should find it awkward that I am talking to one of my rivals in the contest, or if I should be happy about it." I laughed. "Anyway, I bid the two of us a Good Luck for the contest."

"Thank you," he said simply, "And... likewise,"

The next couple of minutes were like blur, I and the guy continued to talk and we were just lost in our conversation. There was something about this guy that draws me into him, but not in a romantic way. He was something, okay? There was something special in him that I don't know to whom it match. But by the time I figure it out, I might tell it to him.

"Um," I thought about breaking the temporary silence and talk to him again. "Do you have... any ideas about bars or clubs in here? Are there any?"

He smiled. "Well my uncle owns one," he shared, putting down the hose and switching the faucet off. "You don't seem to be a girl who's interested in bars. You look like a subtle little lady to me."

"I'm not subtle!" I told him. "I even drink." I shared as I shifted on the seat I was on. "Anyway, I was asking because I was thinking about getting some gigs. Back in Canada, I used to sing once a week in different bars of clubs near our place for income."

He looked like he was thinking. "I would ask my uncle about that one." He said. "Maybe ask him to put you into a regular singer in our bar, coz that would be awesome."

"Agree," the sound of being a regular singer in a bar seemed to hypnotize me.

"Nicole!" I heard my TitaMadelle's voice from the insides of the kitchen. Wow, she finally arrived. "Come on in, I cooked you some food for lunch and I also bought you some ice cream and chocolate marshmallows!"

"I have to go." I told the guy. But before I go, I noticed that we were talking for a matter of a good hour, and I haven't even asked him his name. "Can we like... uh... be friends or something?" I asked him. "I'm Nicole, by the way."

He took my hand and shook it lightly. "Of course," he said. "A friend could be helpful for me." he smiled. Once again, he looked like a cute guy when he smiles. I could just fall in love with him if I wasn't into Darren. But then, I was into Darren. "I'm JuanKarlos. But you could just call me JK."

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For early warning, JK would not be an interference! lol

Vomment. (eek, it sounds more like vomit. Anyway, that is Vote and Comment's shipname. Ha, I'm a dork.)