Chapter 17

When everything in your life is in place, you'll only hope that it will last.

I guess that's what happened to me. I was happy that I just wanted to feel this way forever. But I know it's impossible because what Zeus and I had, is just a borrowed time.

We are holding hands again walking on the boulevard of Tandag. Our pretense is still not over.

He said while we were here, we will pretend as if we were six years ago.

I smiled at his idea, but I agreed later on. There is probably nothing wrong with me riding on what he wants to do. No one knows us as well here as we did before.

So, like today, he acted as my boyfriend and I'm acting as his girlfriend too.

"Wait. I'm tired" I complained to him. We've been walking around for a while, and we haven't rested yet. "Where are we going?" I added.

I looked around. There are so many people here on the boulevard today. Some are lovers and some are family.

At the end of the boulevard is a large screen projector for movie streaming of the city. At the other end there are many stools of barbeque vendors.

"Do you want that?" I pointed to someone selling the wrapper. His face turned sour immediately and he shook quickly. I laughed at the way he looked. Sometimes he really enjoys e-bullying. He looks so cute.

"What?"

He stared at me. I smiled at him. Every time the two of us are like this I can't help but regret it.

What if we were free then, could we be like this?

So, can we also show people how much we love each other?

"Your pickle," I said, "Where else are we?"

He pulled me somewhere, he was still holding my hand. The tightness of his grip on me. As if at any moment he would lose me.

When he saw what he was looking for, he sat me down immediately. We were in the middle of the boulevard and had our own table there. This place can also be eaten every night. On its side is the vast ocean connected to the Pacific Ocean. While around the boulevard there are poles of various kinds of light colors. The air here is so fresh, we thought of taking a walk today.

He also sat across from me. While ordering what we were going to eat, he just looked at his cellphone. I was surprised to just watch him. We continued to eat as the song soared.

I wanna make you smile whenever you're sad.

Carry you around when your arthritis is bad All I wanna do is grow old with you He stood up and held out his right hand to me. I frowned. I wonder what is going on. But in the end, I let it go.

I'll get your medicine when your tummy aches Build you a fire if your furnace breaks Oh, it would be so nice growing old with you He pulled me closer to him and hugged me. As we danced in the middle of the crowd, to the accompaniment of music. Everyone there was just staring at us. There are others who are dancing as well. I laugh when I step on his foot. I don't know how to dance.

"I know, I have never done this before. So, I have recovered now. All these things that I never did to you back then, I'll make sure that I will do it now. Even now, Sofia."

I hugged him. After all, all this is not important to me. What matters to me is the fact that he's here. And he's with me.

That we were together, even for the meantime.

I miss you Kiss you Giving my coat when you are cold Need you Feed you Even let ya hold the remote control I enjoy every moment.

If only I could not finish all this, I would ask. But there are things that are not really for you. There are things to come and go.

"Why'd you do this? It's embarrassing. They're looking at us." I whispered in his ear.

He chuckled. A sexy one. I can't stop my cheek from blushing even at night.

"I like you when you're tongue-tied like that because every time you open your mouth, I can't help but kiss you. And I swear, I've been stopping myself so bad."

Stunned by what he said, I walked away from him slightly. I could see in his face if he was still joking. Because of the things he is showing me now, I am even more confused.

The music's over. I thought it was all over there, but I was shocked when he went up on stage. He was not even ashamed of the people here. After all, it would be better to make a fool of people you do not know. And that seems to be his plan now.

He was still smiling and waving at everyone. The women in the area, especially the teenagers. They are thrilling. I looked at them one by one. If you look at Zeus, it looks like it is being stripped. Who wouldn't be impressed with him? Zeus was a drop-dead gorgeous man with a well-built body and tan skin. His nose was pointed, and his lips were beautiful. And his eyes were his best asset. They were the same eyes that made me fall six years ago.

"Gosh, he's hot…"

I quickly turned to the source of the voice. I threw a sharp look at the man I saw.

"Ow! Sorry to disappoint you all, but I'm a one-woman man. And I'm loyal to her," he said before staring at me intently. "Hey baby, this is for you."

I blinked. We were in this pretend thing but why am I still carrying it. Why I want to hope that it will be true.

Going back to the corner when I first saw you Gonna camp in my sleeping back I’m not gonna move Got some words on cardboard got your picture in my hand Saying, "if you see this girl can you tell her where I am"

Zeus has a soothing voice. Its voice is beautiful as if it is rocking the hearer. I just found out now.

I realized that there were a lot of things that I did not know about Zeus.

My tears flowed as he sang. My heart feels the pleasure. I can feel so much happiness that it makes my heart ache.

How does it become possible that the thing that makes me happy was the same thing that's making me sad?

Very chaotic.

The mess of my situation with Zeus.

I'm not broke I'm just a broken-hearted man I know it makes no sense but what else can I do How can I move on if I'm still in love with you?

I sat down at the table we had occupied earlier. I have difficulty breathing because of crying. I thought, I made it clear to myself that I should end this feeling that I felt for him years ago. But I am still here.

This pretend thing just made me love him even more.

And I hated myself for that. I hated being weak. I hated myself because ever since, when it is all about him, I can't even have a single stand.

If he is the man who can't be moved. I am the woman who can't be moved too. We were in the same boat. We were on the same page. And we're both fucked up.

Because of the silence when crying a man handed me a handkerchief. I accepted it and was no longer ashamed to use it. I even looked at it as if it were mine. When I looked at whose handkerchief, I was surprised at what I saw. It was Jerry. Jerry the schoolmate who stole my first kiss.

"Looks like the tigress is in trouble," he said while looking at me ridiculously.

"Thanks for the handkerchief," I just said. I am not interested in him.

"Welcome," he said, smiling at me. I smiled back at him too. And that's when Zeus came. Because I was busy crying earlier, I didn't notice that he was done singing.

Zeus was looking at us dangerously. He grabbed my hand and pulled me closer to him.

"She's mine, so back off!" he only said before pulling me home.

I was astounded by all of his actions. But I just let it go. He's mad, I know. But I don't know why. How funny, I could get.

When we got home, he just left me in the living room. He slammed his door shut so I knocked on it again. I recognized him again, before he opened.

"Are you mad at me?" I immediately opened up to him.

"What if I'm mad, what would you do?" he asked back.

"Whatever!" gravely I said.

He smiled and shook his head.

"Go to your room now, Sofia. I need to sleep" he pushed me away. I did not listen to him.

"What do you want me to do?"

"Really, you're asking me that? You're impossible," he whispered but I still heard.

"Yes. I'm serious"

"Then kiss me.... Kiss me, Sofia," he said.

And I obliged.

I kissed Zeus Augustus Vergara.

I kissed him with passion. And when I decided to end the kiss, he grabbed the back of my head and chased my lips to kiss me again.

His kisses were intoxicating. It was a bit sweet but rough.

And I'm addicted to it.

That, I can't even say no to him.

Just like that, I'm a willing victim again.