Dayne
I did not know how much I've missed Deena until I heard her voice from behind the door. I got so excited and happy that I just had to rush out of the room to see her and give her a big hug. We jumped up and down like kids, while holding on to each other. Our shrill cries of excitement and laughter filled the house after weeks of it missing her.
I was still hugging her when she suddenly stood still and asked in a whisper, "Who's Mr. Handsome right there?," nodding her head in Brian's direction. I turned and saw that Brian was standing in the doorway of my bedroom looking like Mr. Handsome indeed despite his rumpled shirt and dishevelled hair.
Sensing Deena's curiosity about his presence in the apartment, Brian strode the short distance between us, extended his right hand to Deena and without batting an eyelash introduced himself, "Hi! I'm Brian, Dayne's boyfriend. Glad to finally meet you." His sheepish grin and brief sideways glance at me told me he was challenging me to pose my objection on his bomb dropping.
Deena's jaw dropped to the floor and her eyes widened to almost the size of saucers in surprise and disbelief. "Excuse me, did you just say you're Dayne's boyfriend? This Dayne? Her?," she asked as she made sure to repeatedly nod her head in my direction while she continued to unconsciously shake Brian's hand.
"Hey!" I poked her on the arm while Brian snorted.
"Last time I checked, yes, I am. And I'm pretty sure this Dayne is the very same girlfriend I was kissing just moments ago," was Brian's smug retort as he smirked my way, teasing me and I felt all flustered and greatly embarrassed, which earned a loud gasp and a giggle from Deena.
"OMG, Dayne girl! You're fast. Who would've thought?"
I groaned in frustration and embarrassment, as I buried my beet red face in my hands. But then Brian pulled me to him as he chuckled, "Come here, you shy girl," and locked me in his warm and comforting embrace and kissed my head. And just like that, all is well again in the world.
As it turns out, Deena and Chris' vacation had to be cut short due to an urgent matter that Chris needed to take care of being the CEO of the company which has been with their family for generations now. So, instead of coming back on Sunday as originally planned, they had to book an earlier flight, which explains why they are now back home.
Brian stayed through dinner, as I insisted that he did because I wanted to make sure he eats well and that his fever won't be back to bother him any more.
The conversation around dinner flowed naturally, and we laughed as Deena animatedly shared funny experiences during their trip. It warmed my heart to see my bestfriend and my boyfriend - it still feels unreal to call Brian that - bond and blend really well.
Deena wished us good night as she went to bed early clamoring about feeling tired from her trip. And although I really missed her, I was also happy to still have some time with Brian before we finally part for the day.
Brian and I stayed snuggled for a while in the living room couch and watched television, not really focusing on whatever was on but just content to be together, as we were still reluctant to say good night, as usual.
We have decided to postpone going home and meeting my family and agreed to carefully plan it instead after I have already informed them about us being together.
With Deena arriving home earlier than expected, I also can't seem to leave her on her own over the long weekend with Chris being certainly busy with the company.
Eventually, I let Brian go home, but only after some very looong and satisfying good night kiss-ing. And, after he called me upon arriving home to say good night again, only did I let myself drift off to sleepsville.
"Someone had a good night last night," greeted a beaming Deena, as I made my way into the kitchen for some coffee.
"Good morning to you, too. Yep, can't complain, I guess," I also smiled in reply to her teasing, as I remembered how Brian made me feel last night.
"He seems a good guy, Dayne girl. I'm truly happy for you," she smiled wistfully at me and placed her hand on mine that was resting on the table as I sat across from her.
"He's been nothing but good to me Dee. He makes me so happy," was my truthful reply.
"How did you get together? You've never mentioned seeing him before. Jeez, you never even dated before." She observed wryly.
I told Deena all about how everything started with Brian and I, and how from pretending to date, everything became real for us in such a short period of time. She gushed and giggled as I finished, telling me our love story was one for the books. And I couldn't agree more.
The days that followed were everything I have ever daydreamed about, well, even better because they were real "now" scenes in my true to life love story. Wink wink.
Brian was an amazingly attentive, caring and ever so thoughtful boyfriend, and we became so engrossed with each other until Monday night came and we had to talk about how we were going to act around the office, considering the "non-fraternization" policy incorporated in our contracts.
"We'll just need to act like we used to, around each other. It's not like we didn't eat together before, right?" Brian tried to tell me in a nonchalant way. He shrugged as he added, "We'll just tell everyone we're close friends, and hope they'll take it as it is."
"Yeah but we need to be careful. We can't be seen holding hands or touching as it could give us away," I added still worried this could not work. "I know it will be hard to see you in the office and not be touching you."
"Hey, look at me," he took my chin with his pointer finger to lift my head and as he intently gazed into my eyes said, "Everything's going to be fine. We can do this, baby, okay?"
The sincere and confident way by which he assured me made me nod and smile at him. His confidence rubbing on to me.
Then, as if on autopilot, he kissed me tenderly at first which turned into something more demanding and needy until we were both panting and gasping for air.
-----------
Sure enough, we went to the office as we used to do, which was together, and spent lunch and coffee breaks in the same way as we did in the past.
Not a soul in the office knew of the true nature of our relationship, even when all I wanted to do was shout about it at the top of my lungs, because not only was I proud of what Brian and I have, but I also wanted all the girls in the office to know so they'll cross out his name already from their list of prospects.
Yes, I am a cavewoman like that. Hey, I just want to protect my own.
Things were going well for us as we hoped them to be, until one not so fine Monday morning, we were all summoned by the senior partners of the firm for an informal gathering in front of their office.
"Good morning everybody!" Greeted Atty. Severino, a senior partner. "I called you here today to introduce to you our newest associate counsel, who is very close and dear to me, having no other choice as she is my only daughter," laughter erupted as he playfully cleared his throat, "Atty. Precious Sophia Severino."
I stiffened upon hearing her name. Precious. Could it be? Then I looked up to see this beautiful lady with her perfect smile, who looked so elegant and classy in her blood red wrap-around dress and equally red stilleto shoes. Her shoulder length hair was so straight and silky. She looked perfect.
I was so lost in my own thoughts of dread, fear and uncertainty that I didn't even hear a word she said as she made a short speech in front of all of us. I can hear occasional laughs and clapping but was not really aware why as everything turned blurry for me.
Then a thought came to me and I searched for Brian in the crowd. He was looking at her with obvious admiration and was smiling like he was immensely enjoying himself. I looked away feeling like I was intruding into a private moment. Oh no, it can't be. I was mentally shaking my head.
This is Precious?! Is this... Is this the girl he was supposed to be practicing for with me? I gasped as I felt an ache in my chest.
I took one last look at the gaping and grinning Brian and then at the perfect lady before us with a heavy lump in my chest, thankful that I was situated in a somewhat secluded spot in the room, where I can leave unnoticed, and that's what I did. I had to get out of here.
I made a quiet escape to the restroom where I felt like I belonged at this moment with the shitty way I am feeling right now. I was on the verge of crying, over what, I'm not even sure.
But I feel a heaviness in my heart that I can't seem to shake off especially when I remember the look of open admiration in Brian's eyes for that lady, whose name I can't even mention right now.
What am I doing? I'm not even sure if she is that girl.
But what if she is? What fighting chance do I have against that classy, beautiful and rich girl, no, woman, and a lawyer, at that? I am just an assistant.
Well, if I'm being honest, there's only one answer to that, and that's - None.