Back to You

Chapter Three

~JESSIE~

Six months ago, I was at the same airport with my head and heart full of happiness and hope. I thought back then that I had done the right thing and that it was time that I go after what I want -- that this time, I needed to be a little selfish first. Against the wishes of my parents and the advices of some of the close people who knew my reason, I still went ahead.

Now, six months later I was back, more uncertain than ever. If Matthew wasn't with me right now, I probably would have gone crazy and find myself sulking in a hotel room. Among the others at home in Australia, he was the only person who insisted on following me in the Philippines. He got himself a condo unit, asked his boss for a temporary transfer and has checked up on me every now and then. Yeah, I probably wouldn't make it if it wasn't for him.

I knew very well he had been in the same situation as I was. Ironically, I caused his broken heart. But we stayed friends after that. I thought I would lose him but he stayed. We actually became closer even more.

I felt him nudge me on the side. We had finished putting all our lugagges, mostly mine, in his truck. He had asked his driver, who worked for him in his house in Adelaide, to bring his Range Rover to the airport. "So, to your house?" he asked.

I thought about it for a moment. I definitely didn't want to go and wake my parents up in the wee hours of the morning. I left my apartment and the keys to it under my brother's care and I knew he would immediately call our parents to announce my arrival. So, no. I couldn't go home yet.

"Maybe, I'll check-in in a hotel? I'll just leave my luggages in the room while I let the night slip away at the hotel bar."

Matt gave me a look as if to say that I was being ridiculous, like he always does whenever he thinks I'm up to no good. But maybe this time, I was.

"Well, then, I'm coming with you." he finally said.

Apparently, we forgot that it was Labour Day in Australia so most of the hotels were booked for the weekend holiday. We finally found one in Victoria and thankfully, the hotel had the right amount of crowd that I could take. At the hotel bar, a musical show was playing on stage and we stayed at a booth far from it but closer to the bar man.

I was already on my third margarita when Matthew nudged me again. "I think that's three too many," he carefully put down my glass.

"Matty, it's just margarita."

"Yes and it still has alcohol. You should be resting now." he said in a fatherly way and I couldn't help but scoff at his gesture.

"I'm the one who needs healing here, alright? I can manage, I promise." I said reassuringly, trying to laugh off his efforts.