I Love You More - by Lizelle Tabaquero

CHAPTER 14 - Long Time No See

CHAPTER 14

 

In the cocktail, Vince saw Czarlize in one of the table. She’s alone drinking wine, with the other hand next to her mobile phone.

Vince checks his watch.

1:35PM

Vince approached and seat beside her, Czarlize while texting was un-aware of the situation.

Dr. Balacina: is this Katherine’s seat place?

Vince still remembers the old times.   

Czarlize seems to recognize the voice, smiled on her phone, and looked at him.

Czarlize: Oh... there you are, the pro-nuclear.

Vince smiled.

Dr. Balacina: it’s a job, Ms. Montes.

Dr. Balacina: So, how’s life going? It’s been a while.

Czarlize: Well, I am now a novel writer. I used to write novels and write in some newspapers and magazines as a freelance job sometimes.

Dr. Balacina: That’s good, novel writing ever since was your noble passion.

Czarlize: Novel is my life, while Nuclear was yours.

Vince smiled. He then followed.

Dr. Balacina: …no, she was my life, her dreams destroyed.

Czarlize was silent, she gets the message across. Vince however signaled the waiter for a glass of wine for two.

Vince spoke, he changed the topic.

Dr. Balacina: Only few knew that the most talented and successful individual are those who write prolifically.

Czarlize nodded.

The waiter is giving two glass of wine with them.

Dr. Balacina: So, you’ve made it, a world renowned writer.

Czarlize just smiled.

Dr. Balacina: By the way, do you have new release of novels?

Czarlize: Well, my newest novel was release last two months, the publisher was Dover. It earns a good review from the critics and audiences as well.

Dr. Balacina: …and what was the title of your newest novel?

Czarlize: The Life of Island Lost.

Dr. Balacina: I haven’t heard of it, sounds like an adventure.

Czarlize: No, not really, it’s more of a love story that twisted the girl’s fate in a small period of time way back college. Although it was many years past, some things cannot be changed and forgotten easily.

Vince was silent, he stares Czarlize, he seems getting an idea from her words.

He then replied.

Dr. Balacina: I guess it would be better if I read the story; do you have any copy of it?

Czarlize: I still have a spare copy at home. I can give it for you...

She then followed.

Czarlize: …and pay it for Php 2,500; I can give discount for a senior citizen.

Vince smiled.

Dr. Balacina: Well, thank you for the discount, you’re gentle...

Dr. Balacina: …Anyway, at present are you writing another novel?

Czarlize: Yeah, I am currently working with another novel, but it is still not yet finished, maybe tomorrow, I could finish everything…

Czarlize: …however, I am still thinking how the story will end, whether in tragic or happily ever after, just like the fairy tales do.

Vince didn’t speak for a while, thinking. He then suggested.

Dr. Balacina: Well, your personality makes me tell that the story should be in happy ending, tragic ending story doesn’t really suits you.

Czarlize was surprise with the recommendations.

Czarlize: yeah, I was thinking about it, well, how did you know?

She drinks the wine in her table.

Dr. Balacina: I can read people even though they don’t speak.

Vince replied, he’s smiling while drinking the wine.

Czarlize: Well, well, well… impressive …

She then followed.

Czarlize: …Now, the real doctor speaks… a clairvoyant wine drinker with a Ph.D. in Physics.

Vince almost vomits his drink upon hearing those words.

After a moment, they both laugh.