I Wanna Be Yours

Chapter 1

All this time I've loved you and never seen your face
All this time I've missed you and searched this human race
~ Lamb - Gorecki

The first thing that Leah sees when she gets to the airport waiting area is a huge poster that says 'WELCOME TO AMERICA LEAH!'

Simon's grinning face pops out above the poster and she goes running to him. She nearly topples him over in her excitement but Simon manages to keep his balance. He hugs her tightly and spins her around.

"Leah..." He sighs.

She closes her eyes and buries her face in his shoulder, breathing him in.

"I'm so glad you're here, Leah," Simon said as they pulled away.

"Ako rin," she grinned.

He picked up a large teddy bear and a bouquet of roses that Leah didn't even notice was sitting on the floor beside him. "For you."

"Thank you," she said, accepting the gifts.

Simon took her large four wheel suitcase. "Come on, you must be hungry. Let's get something to eat and then you can go home and rest."

"Grabe, Labs, hindi talaga ako makapaniwala na nandito na ako so San Francisco!" Leah couldn't wipe the grin off her face even if she wanted to. She was just so happy.

"Well, believe it. Gusto na sana kitang ipasyal kaso gabi na. But don't worry, I took the day off tomorrow kaya buong araw tayo mamamasyal."

"Talaga?" Leah practically skipped as they made their way through the airport and to the parking garage. "Gusto kong makita ang Golden Gate Bridge, ang Fisherman's Wharf, at sumakay sa cable car at..."

"Yes, yes," Simon laughed. "Gagawin natin lahat 'yan. Don't worry, we have a lot of time. You're here for six months! And most likely more."

"Sana nga." Leah smiled. "At Simon, bago ang lahat...hanapin natin puntod ni Nanang, ha?"

He nodded. "Of course. Ah, may sasabihin nga pala ako sa 'yo, Labs. Medyo nagkaproblema sa apartment mo."

"Ha? Bakit?"

Simon rubbed his forehead in frustration. "They double booked with a new employee that's just relocated to San Francisco. He's a full time, regular employee so they gave him priority. Believe me, I've already exchanged words with HR."

"Paano 'yan?" Leah asked worriedly. "Saan ako titira?"

"Don't worry. You'll have an apartment in two days, at most three days. I'll make sure of it. In the meantime...pwede ka naman tumigil sa akin muna. I mean...may spare bedroom ako."

Leah stopped at the elevator banks and looked up at him. "Simon."

He smiled and nodded in resignation. "I thought so. Kinuha na kita ng hotel room downtown. It's on the company so please, abuse the minibar."

Leah chuckled and followed him into the elevator. "Salmat, Simon."

~

"Pick up...pick up..." Clark muttered. The phone kept ringing and then went to voicemail. He slammed his fist down on his desk in frustration.

He flopped down onto his chair, dropping the phone onto the desk with a clatter. It was his tenth call to Angela in an hour. She wasn't picking up and he hasn't seen her since their last conversation three days ago.

Clark picked up the small box in front of him. Angela had apparently sent his gift back. He opened it to see what Jane had picked out this time. It was a silver necklace with an open heart pendant and tiny diamonds encrusted in it. He snapped the box closed.