Way Back Into Love

Chapter 30

"He what?!"

"It happened over the summer."

"WHAT?!"

"We decided not to tell you first because we thought that it'd hurt you. I'm sorry."

It all happened so fast, I slapped Carmen as hard as I could. I saw Jason make an attempt to stop me but Carmen held his hand and said, "No. I deserve this."

Now thankfully, there were no people around that time. It was only us and the guy wearing headphones and the girl on the counter wearing headphones. So nobody gives a shit about what we're doing or saying.

I was dumbfounded. I've been with Jason all this time and he didn't even say that he's married to Carmen?! The same guy I loved, and the same guy I kissed?! What was he thinking all this time when we shared those intimate moments? Was he thinking about Carmen instead of me?

There were so many questions in my head but none of them I was able to ask. I was silent for  quite a long time.

"Jane. This is all my fault. Please let me explain."  I looked at him in the eye.

And for a moment everything flashed back to me. His cool boy attitude. His kiss. All the moments we were together. His eyes and the way it shines when he smiles. I once saw myself in his eyes. Now, I think it's Carmen who he sees now. It's heartbreaking. My best friend, among a billion girls. I told myself not to cry.

"It was after graduation. In highschool. My parents saw Carmen's parents in a mall somewhere. They were best friends since high school but they got too caught up with their jobs that they stopped getting together anymore. When they saw them, of course they grabbed a drink and they, yeah, they talked for hours and then they came to a subject called 'our children' and that's when they made the decision."

Carmen cut in, "My parents told me that I will marry Jason a week later. I was against the idea but then.." She looked at Jason, the way I used to look at him before.

"But then, we need to pretend that we were in love. Because, well, our parents had a debt to pay to each other. My mom owes Carmen's mom and Carmen's dad owes my dad something, they wouldn't tell us what. At first it was a joke. I was still with you and our relationship was going great. The long distance became a distraction for me to stop acting as Carmen's boyfriend--"

"Wait." I said. "Your parents knew that you already have a girlfriend, right? They knew it was me, right?"

"Yes," Jason said. "I talked to them about it. I told them that I already have a girlfriend but they just wouldn't change their mind. They want Carmen. They want marriage. That's why I didn't tell you. I knew it would hurt you. But I now knew it was wrong. I thought it would be less painful as time pass by."

"Belle saw us one day when we were having dinner with Jason's family. Belle started to bug us then. She keeps on threatening Jason that she'll tell you if he doesn't tell her why he and I were together. Considering the fact that we were not that close in high school. So we told her to shut her up but for some reason she kept her mouth shut. So that's why it's just me, Belle, and Jason who knew about this. But then Chris and Louis saw us together in the wrong place at the wrong time. Since they already knew, we decided that we should tell you too," Carmen says.

"Since that incident happened, I became closer to Carmen and, there's no easy way to say this but, I fell in love with her. And trust me, I do not compare her to you. I never will. It was different with you and it was also different with her. But her love was the love that I was looking for. I'm not saying that I don't love you. I do, I always do. But not that way, not anymore. I'm sorry." Jason said, his head down.

I listened and I was a bit thankful that we haven't had sex yet. I am glad that it was Chris.

I looked at him. He was looking at me with worry in his eyes. Even when his brows are furrowed, he's still as handsome as ever.

I looked back at Jason. It's clear to me now. I love Chris. I always have.

"Are you mad? Jane, I'm really sorry. If you want to slap me, punch me or kick me or whatever - please, I will be more than willing to have you do it." Jason says.

It was tempting but I didn't.

Then I finally found my voice, "No, Jason. I'm not mad at either of you. I was... I was just shocked, that's all. You could've told me before. I could handle it. Besides there's a certain someone who caught my attention. And at least I could have gone to your wedding. Wait, how long have you been married?"

Carmen was the one who answered, "A year and a half."

"Hang on. So you're not mad? At all?" Jason asks, I shook my head.
"Really?"

"Yes."

"So are we cool about this? Are we okay?" It was now Carmen who asked.

"Yes, Carmen."

"So, friends?" Jason held out his hand. There was nothing to go back to anyway, so I shook his hand and said, "Friends," with a smile.

"So there's a special someone huh," says Louis.

I turned to him, "Yeah, about that."

"Who is he? Is he hot?" Asks Jason.

I looked at Belle and she was looking at me. She knows who it is.

Then I looked at Chris. He's avoiding my eyes.

"A little." I replied.

"Is he gorgeous?" Asks Carmen.

"Totally."

"Is he here?" Asks Belle.

Chris then looked around the room.

Jason and Carmen exchanged a look. "Is it Chris?"

Chris looked at me, waiting for an answer.

Chris POV

She looks like she doesn't know what to answer but at the same time her mind is composed, collected. God, I missed her so much. If I could just kiss her right now, I'd do it without hesitation.

These past months were hard for me too, you know. I've been finding myself and now I'm sure.

I love her.

Jane's POV

All this time, I have waited for this moment to arrive. To tell Chris what I really feel. To be able to love him without hurting anyone. It's clear to me now. And it all starts when I told him the word.

"Yes."