Chapter 88

These People

”So you mean, you got back together without telling us?” Zoey asked me with her famous bitch face look.

The three of us were left here after the ‘caught’ incident. Elijah greeted them and they were casual with each other. Well, Lulu is casual. Zoey’s a bit aloof and rugged in treating him.

I gulped. Because I didn’t know the right answer. Half of it is true and half is not.

”See? You can’t answer.” she crossed her arms and rolled her eyes at me.

Lulu is quick to butt in. “Let’s hear her first, Zoey.”

”What’s to hear if she had nothing to say?”

I understand Zoey. I’m used to this kind of attitude of hers.

“You’re right,” I started. I even heard Zoey say ‘See’ again. “I wasn’t able to tell you guys because things happened so fast. But no, we d-don’t get back together.” The last few words are almost inaudible. I bowed my head feeling ashamed.

“What?” Zoey’s tone spats bitterness. I look at her and plump my lips.

Lulu opened her mouth a few times until she finally found the right words to say. “Y-you mean, you guys are not yet back together even after what we saw earlier?”

I bit my lip and nodded.

”Oh Gosh! You’re learning to do flings now?” Zoey’s eyes are big as OO. “And not to mention, hooking up with your ex.”

”U-uhm, it’s not really that…” I couldn’t continue.

”Then what more?” said Zoey.

”Maybe for him you’re automatically back together?” Lulu innocently voiced out her conspiracy.

Zoey rolled her eyes. “No way. Mr. Evans might be just playing cards with you.”

”Right.” Lulu whispered.

I bowed my head and played with my fingers. “You think it would be good to ask him first?”

”No!” Our heads turned to Zoey as soon as she shouted. “There’s no way you would ask him about some labels. Girls don’t do that, Alia. Play with him as well until he’s the one who’s getting tired of it.” she smirked.

”Huh? No. I don’t want to play tricks anymore. And besides, like what I’ve mentioned a while ago. We cleared some things out and by the way I see it we seem to be starting a new so…”

”So you're really gonna ask him about your label?” Zoey asked with her bitchy tone.

I sighed, nothing more to say.

”There’s nothing wrong with considering communication in a relationship, Zoey. At least, if she is able to ask it and get some answers, she would still be able to throw her ass out from whatever relationship they have.” Lulu explained gently.

I second the motion.

She sulked for seconds and we’re all just silent. After a long period of silence, she spoke.

”Well, are you happy?” she couldn’t even look at me.

My eyes had a hint of joy when I heard her ask that. I know it already when she’s acting like this. I smiled and nodded.

“I am, Zoey. I’m happy because I thought I will never be able to have that kind of love again. I’m happy because after all that had happened, he still came back and didn’t change.” I said.

She bit her lips and tears welled up in her eyes. She glared at me and before her eyes could even fall she hugged me tight. I chuckled by the way she hugged me. My eyes started to heat up.

”That’s all I want to hear. I’m not mad at you. I just don’t want you going through another pain. I know he treated you well before and you’re the one to blame. But still, you don’t deserve to be played, Alia. I would kill every man who would do you dirty, I swear!” she cried.

I laughed. Tears of joy fell on my cheeks. I felt Lulu join our embrace and it became a crying session all of a sudden.

”Thank you guys. Thank you for staying with me through thick and thin. My life wouldn’t be whole without the two of you.” I said whole-heartedly.

And we cried and celebrated our friendship the whole night.

Days passed by so fast. The day before our vacation to Long Beach came. Last day before my leave.

Ms. Madrigal has been out since lunch time. She has no schedule so for sure, I’ll be the one to close the clinic today.

I spent my whole time fixing things so that the woman who will take after my position will know what to do. I filed five days of leave. It’s a long vacation so I don’t want to leave Ms. Madrigal.

Aciel:

Steak is good but your lips taste heaven.

I bit my lip to stop my smile. This man be really flirting with me. I replied to him with the same energy.

Me:

Somebody said to me that hell tastes better?

I laughed after sending. My eyes lifted up when the door opened. My smile disappeared and my heart stopped a bit. For a while I felt scared, but after seconds of staring at him, I was able to calm myself down.

“Alia,” he called me.

”Angelo,” I called him back. “Do you have any appointments or…” I tried to sound casual. But I couldn’t control the anxiety I’m feeling.

”No. I’m actually here for you.” he voices out.

I blinked my eyes. ‘Me? What now?’ I wanted to say, but no words escaped in my mouth.

”I just want to talk to you. If you may allow.” he said.

I couldn’t answer him right away.

”Even just for a couple of minutes. Even if you don’t say any words. The only thing I ask is for you to hear me.”

I stared at him for so long. I realized, people came by in your life for a purpose. They might have left you some scar but for sure all of them had contributed something in your life even just for little things.

After hearing him out, a bit of baggage seems to go away slowly.

“You helped me a lot, honestly. And I’m forever grateful to you. I’m not asking for your forgiveness, I deserve to be hated after all that I did to you. But at least, I’ve come to say these things to you. After keeping it for so long.” he ended his words.

I breathed and spoke for the first time. “I forgave you for a long time now. But that doesn’t mean I forget. I haven't judged you since then, Angelo. My last words to you can prove that. All I hoped was for you to forgive things and move forward. And now that I heard what I’ve been wanting to hear from you. I can finally say that my one and only desire for you happened.”

He smiled like an angel, just like what he is. An angel once became a traitor as well. But no matter what happens, they’re still the same. The windows of God’s greatness.

”Where are we going?” I asked Aciel while we were in the car.

I didn’t tell him about what happened in the clinic a while ago. Not that I intentionally want to hide things from him. I just think that some things are better left unsaid because that’s the place where they should be.

Aciel didn’t answer me. He just continued driving and kissed the back of my palm. When we arrived at the place, my lips parted. I had this hunch already as soon as I saw the place.

“W-why,” I uttered under my breath.

He smiled at me. When the car stopped, he opened the door for me and guided the way. And after some time, I saw the names.

The two tomb-stones beside each other. Wallace Evans and Davinia Evans

I wasn’t able to speak. I was just stunned staring at their names.

”I wanted you to meet my parents first before we leave tomorrow.” he said. I turned my head to him.

s

He fixed my hair and caressed my cheeks after. “I wasn’t able to do this before because I’m too cowardly to open the past. I’m too cowardly to accept the things that have happened because I believe that the past should be forgotten in order to move forward. I realized that I’ve been living in a wrong way that’s why I just live in vain. Past doesn’t need to be forgotten. We just learn to live by it. That’s what will make us stronger. That’s how we will learn and not just go forward, but to live a life we wouldn’t expect.

”Aciel,” I called him. My tears are welling up in my eyes.

”Here in front of my parents; the past that I’m so afraid to go back to, I promised to cherish this life with you.” he smiled before he kissed me.