It All Started With A Payback

Fifteen: Stooping Low

"What the hell's the matter with you?" Tori was yelling at him.

He didn't answer right away, he purposefully dried the ramekin they just used before storing it in the cupboard. Only after he had calmed himself did he turn around to receive Tori's glare.

The day started pretty good when she agreed to go with him to the car dealer. Her cheeks had flamed when he told the sales agent, while looking at her, that he didn't want a coupe anymore since the space is too tight and he didn't like his movements to be hampered in anyway.

He ended up buying a BMW X5, a mid-size SUV, which was more expensive than the BMW 3 sedan that he was planning to get. He had never even considered an SUV as a replacement for his SLK, but Tori hinted that she would love to go on road trips with him and that she preferred it if they could travel more comfortably.

Hearing her comment on how flexible the seats were (the wheels on his brain immediately thought of the endless possibilities that came with having the option to collapse the second and third row seats) and how it was spacious enough even with a car seat (which he hoped meant that she was considering having his babies), sealed the deal.

They had Italian take out for a late lunch at her unit and he whipped up a coffee mousse which she devoured with so much gusto that he wished he had been born a dessert instead.

Then his friend called while he was helping Tori with the dishes. He didn't think twice before letting Tori answer his cell for him.

Jon probably didn't wait for him to say hello before the man reported that he already managed to give confusing directions to Mark on purpose.

It was Jon's idea to ask Mark to do his father and his future stepmother's portrait so he could give it as a wedding present.

Since Tori told Louie that Mark made better portraits than her, she didn't find it strange that Jon asked Mark to do his parents' portrait instead of her.

The couple were staying in the farm owned by the woman in a town in Bulacan. Jon, knowing how much he wanted to spend time with Tori, readily agreed to make sure Mark would not be anywhere near Tori the whole day.

Jon told him that when he initially spoke with Mark about the portrait, the latter said he usually asked to see his subject in the environment he or she is most comfortable in to capture the personality and spirit of the person. He would require a few short sittings after that to decide which medium, as well as background should be used. After he made a preliminary sketch and the client liked it, he could finish the portrait using a photograph. Further sessions with the subject is no longer necessary.

In short Louie most likely will only have one chance to spend an entire day with Tori while Mark was still in Manila, which at this rate Louie thought would be until eternity.

"I just want to have some time alone with you."

He said honestly, walking hesitantly towards her, she still looked really mad.

"All you have to do is ask, Louie."

"Would you have given me a day even if Mark were here?" There was hesitstion on her face, he smiled sadly. "I thought so."

"You and Jon are assholes!" She said angrily, that ticked him off.

"Maybe so, at least Jon understood where I'm coming from and what exactly should have I done, huh?" He didn't bother getting close to her anymore, he was so sure any attempt he made to hold or touch her would only piss her off.

"I am reduced to doing underhanded things just to have a chance to be with you."

"Ever since he got here he's the only one that mattered, it's bad enough you never mentioned you were living with him in New York---"

She was really angry now, "I won't be seeing him for another year after this. Of course I would spend as much time as I could with him! We live in the same apartment NOT in the same room! And why is that such a big deal! He is my bestfriend and you're my--"

"I'm your what? What exactly am I to you, Tori?" He shouted back.

He sighed in defeat and continued reasoning with her in a calmer voice, "Sometimes, when I see you together, it doesn't feel like he's your bestfriend. He could touch you, hold you, embrace you and sometimes even kiss you whenever he wants."

He stared at her, his eyes pleading for her to understand. "And I can't even do that."

Tori sneered, "Now everything is clear. This," she gestured with her hand, "This is just about me not having sex with you, isn't it?"

He was dumbfounded. What she was accusing him of was so far from the truth that all he could do was open his mouth like a trout taking the bait.

She clenched her jaw and got a fistful of her top in each hand and tugged hard. The light green plain woven crepe didn't stand a chance.

"If we have sex now will it clearly define what you are to me?" She asked, her chest rising and falling heavily. She threw the pieces of cloth wrathfully on either side of her. She stomped towards him and grabbed both of his wrists.

"Here, have a go!" She said between clenched teeth as she placed both his hands on her breasts with enough force to make his fingers sink in her flesh.

He jerked his hands back as if burned. "That's enough, Tori." He said quietly. He hated himself for his stupidity, for spilling his guts and most of all for feeling his eyes burn. He swallowed the lump in his throat.

It cut him deeply that Tori thought he was that callous. Even though he had done his best to show her that what he felt for her was real, to her he was still the jerk who dropped her like a hot potato and then lusted after her several years later.

He took his shirt off and passed it over her head. Tori just let him put his shirt on her without protesting, her outrage drained all of her energy.

"Yeah, enough is enough." She whispered, wiping her eyes with the back of her hands.

Louie felt the sting of her words in his chest, as if she stabbed him with a knife.

She turned her back on him, "It was a mistake letting you in again," she continued, twisting the knife still embedded in his chest.

She started walking away from him, from his life. He reached out and almost touched her, almost pulled her against his chest. He dropped his hands to his sides and watched her go inside her studio.

He sunk forlornly on the couch after she softly closed the door. He buried his face in his hands not knowing what to do. He loved her, but considering how things turned out, it was plain for anyone to see whom Tori really loved.

He stood, finally accepting defeat and headed for the door.