Note: Surprise! Thanks to lunch break, here's an update! Thank you sa mga nagtitiyaga dito. 💗
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Laura
I gave Benjie two possible dates to meet. Truth is, Ethan gave me five options but I wanted to limit it. Hindi dapat si Ethan ang magaadjust para dito, so I didn't want him blocking off dates for this. We reserved it nalang for our dates and our own plans.
Thankfully, this didn't seem to bother Ethan as much, except when the day of the meeting finally arrived.
He was quiet in the morning, at lunch until we were on our way to the coffee shop where we'd be meeting Benjie.
My ex hadn't arrived when we got there so we placed our orders and took a seat. "Ethan? Are you okay?"
"Not so much." He admitted.
"You want us to go?"
"No, no. Don't get me wrong, I trust you and want you guys to be able to talk ha? I just don't like it."
"I understand. Hindi ko patatagalin, promise."
He shook his head. "No. Don't mind me. Sort out your issues, but after nito let's leave him na sa past mo ha?"
I nodded. "I'd like that."
"Laura."
We both looked up at the newcomer. "Benjie." I made introductions. "Ethan, this is Benjie. Benj, this is my boyfriend Ethan."
They shook hands. Scouting the place, there were no other vacant seats inside, so I offered, "Let's sit outside nalang, Benjie?"
"No, dito nalang kayo," Ethan offered. "Maiinitan ka lang sa labas."
While Benjie got his coffee, I asked, "Where will you stay? Don't go far."
"Sure ka? Baka mailang ka if I'm in the area?"
Not letting go of his hand until he promised, I continued, "No, no. Dito ka lang or sasama na ako sa'yo paalis."
"Sige... sa labas nalang ako. May tables pa dun. Magbabasa muna ako."
I agreed as long as he was in my line of sight. Before he left, he gave me one of our office kisses and I instantly felt better.
"Laura? How've you been?"
I looked at Benjie and smiled. "I've been good. Wait, Benjie saglit lang ha?" I rushed to the counter and got Ethan a bottle of water. "Here. Drink up while waiting ha? Mainit masyado dito."
Sure that Ethan was taken cared of for the meantime, I turned to Benjie. "Sorry. It's too hot kasi these days. Baka ma-dehydrate si Ethan. He forgets kasi sometimes to drink enough liquids."
Benjie smiled. "Kamusta?"
"I've been good. Ikaw?"
"Okay din. Finally back up on my feet."
I was immediately contrite. "Benjie, I really am sorry for hurting you."
"I know. I understand that now."
"Why did you want to see me?"
He shrugged. "I don't know. I missed you. I realized I never stopped caring for you."
"Benjie -"
"I know. You're with someone. I just... I'm not mad. I just needed this closure. Pasensya na kung nakagulo."
