Then There Was You

28

Aly's POV

Kim gave me an envelope. I opened it and saw the photos. It was Den, she's with Chen. Lately, Den started being distant to me. At first, I thought nagtatampo lang because of our wedding preparations. But then, it's been weeks that photos like this started arriving in my office, Kim being my most trusted friend, I asked him to check on this. He agreed flying to the Philippines then going back in here just to make sure. Den doesn't even know Kim, she never met Kim.

If you're thinking about Den's bodyguard, I asked them to stop following Den, she requested it. She told me that she's going to be fine and she wants to update me personally about her.

"So?" I started.

"She's really seeing Chen." Kim said.

I sighed.

"I think you should stop this, Aly."

"Why?"

"You love her since she was in High School, you even did stupid things secretly for her. I thought she'll end up with you, but turns out your fiance still loves her ex. Stop it, Aly. You don't deserve that kind of treatment." Kim said.

Yes, I love Den the first time I saw her. She was sitting at the park, looking at the other kids. I thought it was just a simple crush, but then, destiny played with us, I met her once again, she was crying that time, I saw the guards threw her out of a big house. I gave her my favorite handkerchief. Si Kim ang unang naka alam and then I told Yeye about my feelings for Den. They supported me all the way, I don't even know her name back then, not until I went to the University owned by Rachel. Buti nalang at nakilala agad siya ni Rachel, then I found out she's working at A's Coffee Shop, if I knew it back then! I would've visited the cafè every fucking day.

"I know this will hurt. But you need to stop it, habang maaga pa."

"I-I don't know, Kim. Let me talk to her first. I wanna hear her side, personally."

"God, Aly. That's really stupid of you. I thought you're a genius. Stop using your heart, use your brain this time."

"Kim, please. Let me. This will be the last. After talking to her, if she admits to it, then I'll call off the engagement and move on."

"Kung hindi siya umamin? Sino bang manloloko ang aamin, Ly?"

"If hindi siya umamin, I'll accept the engagement with Rachel." I said.

Yes, Rachel's father talked to me about marrying his daughter. I told him I'm already engage, but he said 'If ever you call off that engagement, marry my daughter.' so, yeah? I think I really need to do that, Dad also wanted to see his grandchild.

"Oh God. Sige. I won't tell this to Yeye for the meantime." Kim said.

I hug him tightly. I treated Kim and Yeye as my brothers. Kim's happily married with his long time girlfriend, Mela. Yes, they broke up then make up then repeat because they were immature, but now? I envy them.

Kim left my office. Den called me on face time. I tried to look happy in front of her. I put the photos inside the envelope again.

"What's that?" She asks.

"Ah? Photos lang sa site."

"Oh. Dapat sa website mo nalang tinignan."

I hummed, my heart really aches, like someone's crushing it then stomping on it.

"Are you okay?" She asks.

"Y-yeah."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course. How about you? How was your day?"

"Uh, tiring. As usual."

"I see. I love you." I said.

Please lie to me, tell me that you love me, Den. I'll accept it.

She stayed silent, "I love you too, Aly."

"Hey, are you sure you're okay?" She asked again.

"Y-yeah, I'm okay. I'm just tired but I'm heading home now. You should sleep."

She's on the bed now while she's still talking to me.

"I'll wait for you. Call me when you're already home." She said.

I nodded then ended our video call. I sighed before going out of my office and heading home. I still can't drive.