*Jaco's POV*
"What's she like…" Chloe looks at me, "your girlfriend?" She asks. I glanced at her eyes, and they were― sad. I looked away and frowned.
I couldn't stand myself looking at those sad eyes without asking her why. I don't want to ruin this night, so I chose to look away from those sad eyes from hers. Why? Is it about Demi? Does this mean that she still loves me? For a second, I was hesitant to answer.
"Erm…" I got tense, and I feel like I was hesitating to answer. Chloe looked at me, patiently waiting for me to speak. I exhaled heavily. "Her name is Demi Alegre. She works as an accountant manager at San Juan Central Bank. She's hardworking and loves kids," I paused and glanced at her before I continued. "I'm thankful for her because she was understanding and patient towards my feelings since I was starting to move on from you. We both understand each other's needs and priorities as an individual and a couple," I chuckle, remembering our first few months in a relationship with Demi. "Demi loves me very much, and I also feel the same way about her. I love Demi."
"That's― good to hear you found someone who understands, patient, and loves you very m-much," Chloe's voice cracked, and she quickly cleared her throat to cover up. "I'm happy that you're happy, Jaco,"
"I'm planning to propose to Demi soon. I think I can see myself spending the rest of my life with her," I chuckled. "But I still have to buy the ring and plan how to do it," I shrugged.
What the hell, Jaco! Why would you tell her? Are you even sure you can see yourself with Demi for the rest of your life? Is this your way of poking Chloe's feelings towards you so she'll confess to you? First, you lied to Sydney and now to Chloe? You're digging your own grave, Jaco!
"O-oh, that's great!" Chloe smiled, but it didn't seem real. "I-I― congrats in advance! You guys are perfect for each other," She said in a breathy voice.
Chloe slightly tilts her head and gazes at me. "I'm happy for you, Jaco," She placed her hand on my shoulder, and I suddenly felt butterflies in my stomach. I rest my hands on top of hers. "Thanks, Chloe. It means a lot to me, coming from you," We both smiled, and She pulled her hands away from my shoulders. I suddenly miss her touch. She averted her gaze towards the street lights.
Why it sounded so― sad like it was a goodbye. The way she said it― it feels like she was hurt. I shook my head. Maybe I'm just overthinking and wish she still feels the same way about me. Chloe broke things off between us. She gave us up, and I'm pretty sure she moved on already.
Buzz buzz
I heard Chloe's phone rang.
"I have to take this call," She stood up and walked a few meters away from me, where I couldn't hear a thing.
It's not my thing to eavesdrop on someone's conversation, but I couldn't help getting curious about who she's talking to on the phone. I tried not to, but I guess jealousy was over my head at the moment.
I saw her hang up the phone, and I suddenly got the urge to ask her, "Who was that? Your boyfriend?" I asked curiously. Please say no, I'm not sure how and what I would feel if you said it's your boyfriend.
"No, it's… Eve," Chloe said softly. "She wants me to go home,"
"Why? Is there a problem?" I ask worriedly. I stood up near where she's standing.
"I-I really don't know. She was staying for the night in my place and told me to come home," Chloe explained.
"Alright, we can go now. It seems like Eve needs you," I said understandingly.
"Thanks for tonight, Jaco. It was nice catching up with you," She smiled, turned around in a hurry. I want to hug her, but I don't know what's my excuse. I sighed, think, Jaco. Think!
"Chloe, wait up!" I called and ran towards her.
Chloe paused and turned around as she waited for me.
"Yes?"
"Can we be friends for the old-times sake?" I arch my brows, "Friends? Why all so sudden?"
"We both already moved on from our relationship, right? And I don't see why we can't be friends," I caressed my hair shyly. Am I making any sense right now? Ugh, I just needed to hug her, and I don't know why.
She sighs, "Sure,"
"Great!"
I wrapped my arms around Chloe and hugged her tightly. I don't want to sound like a pervert, but it feels so good hugging her right now. It feels nostalgic.
"Thank you for agreeing to be my friend, Chloe," I said. "Alright, but why are you hugging me, Jaco?" She taps my shoulders.
"Oh, I really wanted to hug you awhile ago, and I just came up to a perfectly excused to hug you," I said, and Chloe chuckled.
Chloe tried to break away from the hug, but I didn't budge. Instead, I kept her still. "Let's stay like this for a moment, please?" I pleaded.
I don't want to end it too soon. I want to stay like this for a while, even just for tonight.
She sighs, "Fine," We both stayed like that for a moment.
I break the hug even if I don't want to, but I have to. I might do something I regret later if I don't pull away now.
"I-I really have to go, Jaco," Chloe's voice sounded urgent, and I nodded.
We both walk our way to the parking lot. I insisted I walk with her towards her car. I wait for her to turn on the engine and watch her car leaving the parking lot.
"I still love you, Chlo."
No dull moments with these folks!
------
Chloe's POV [EDITING…]
"It's been so long since we broke up, but why does it still hurt like shit? Why, Eve?" Tears drop in my cheeks. "I came back here in Cebu for work, but when I saw him in San Juan... it seems like my feelings for Jaco resurfaced too. My love for him was always there, waiting to come out, and it did. Do you know what hurts the most? I came back, but I found out he loves someone else. Jaco moved on.
I bawl my heart out.
"What do you expect, Chlo? You broke things off with him. You gave up when he was willing to fight for you, even if it was so damn hard. For once, Chloe, be truthful to yourself and admit what you really felt towards Jaco."
I glanced at Evelyn, and I can't help but think about what she said. Eve's right.
"Fuck! Fuck!" I sob.
"You're right, Eve. I― still love him…" I moved my head up and stared at the ceiling. "Very much― I still love Jaco very much, Eve." My lips trembled, and my voice cracked as I admitted my feelings.
"Did you tell Jaco your feelings?"
I shook my head. "Why, it was your chance?"
"I couldn't tell him, Eve. I couldn't― because he's happy with her. I don't want to be selfish."
"Chloe, even before, you always put Jaco's feelings and best interest first before yours. You have to tell him what you feel. It's not you're asking him to get back together with you or something." I eyed Evelyn, and she glanced at me. "No, no, no. You want to get back with Jaco?" Evelyn's voice sounded in disbelief.
*Flashback*
I was in front of the door at my Dad's office. My heart racing and my palms are sweating as I knock towards his door.
"Come in,"
"What do you want, Chloe?"
Dad is sitting at his table, reading some papers. "Dad, are you busy? Can I have a minute with you?" My voice trembles. I was really nervous talking to my Dad right now.
He eyed me and put aside the papers he was reading. "What is it?"
"Um, Erm...I―" I breathe heavily. "Dad, please don't get angry about what I'm gonna tell you," Dad raised his brows, looking at me warily.
"What is it?"
"Erm... Dad,"
My heart is racing like I could hear my heart thumping loudly. Calm down, Chloe. Take a deep breath and count one to ten. You can do it! I closed my eyes―
"Ihaveaboyfriend"
"Huh?"
Oh shit. I'm so dead.
"I have a boyfriend, Dad." I look him in the eye.
"Boyfriend? WHO?!!" Dad's voice hinted that he wasn't happy with what I just told him.
Chloe, you're so dead. RUN!!!!
"Umm...He-his name is Jaco Russ Davis," I fucking stuttered. Fuck! I thought I was brave but sure as hell I'm not! I AM FREAKING' SCARED TO MY DAD RIGHT NOW.
"Where does the guy live?"
Should I tell him or not? Fuck! My palms are sweating crazily, and both my hands went cold.
"S-San Ju-Juan, Dad."
"You're too young to be in a relationship― to have a boyfriend,"
"Dad, I'm at my legal age now. I can have a boyfriend,"
OH MY GOD! CHLOE, WHY CAN'T YOU SHUT YOUR FUCKING MOUTH!! YOU'RE PISSING YOUR DAD MORE!
"And who the hell told you, you can have a boyfriend just because you're on your legal age now?"
Dad's eyes are sending daggers towards me. I'm already feeling that this conversation won't end well.
I remained silent, not too pissed at my Dad more.
"Break it off,"
I froze.
I looked at him while my tears were threatening to fall. "Finish your studies," Dad continued reading his papers like nothing happened.
Say something, Chloe. Tell him that you'll do good with your studies even if you have a boyfriend. Go!
I clench my hand into a fist― exhaled heavily.
I made my way towards the door and didn't utter a single word.
I was in my room crying when my phone was buzzing non-stop. I looked at the screen, and I saw the caller ID flashed on my screen and immediately answered it.
"Love?"
"Jaco," My voice quivered as I said his name.
"How was it?"
"I told Dad," The two of us got silent.
I know Jaco feels nervous about what my Dad says and;
I also feel nervous to inform him that he was right. It was too soon to tell my Dad that I'm in a relationship.
He exhaled heavily. "What did he say?"
I bit my lip to stop myself from sobbing and wipe my tears.
"He wants me to break things off."
----
Two weeks after I had dinner with Jaco and crying myself like an idiot in front of Evelyn, I buried myself in my work that I don't have time to mend my broken heart. Thank god! Jaco didn't message me after that night.
Weeks ago, the employees finished their training, and we're now looking for potential clients for an event. The team is preparing four upcoming events. Two events will be in two weeks while the other two will be next month.
"Since we have two upcoming events two weeks from now, I'll be dividing you guys into two groups. Group 1 is for a thanksgiving party, and Group 2 is for launching a new product. Once you know what group you belong to, go to Emily and ask to-do list for your assigned events. On Monday, which is, by the way, three days from now, we'll be having a meeting on your progress for your assigned events. Any questions?"
Kim raised her hand. I nod, signaling her to speak.
"Miss Chloe, will you be on the day of the event?"
"Good question, Kim." I smiled. "Yes. Emily and I will be at the two events, so you don't have to worry about it," Ada raised her hand.
"Ms. Chloe, have you decided which staff will be in groups 1 and 2?"
"Done. Since there are eight of you, I'll have four people in each of the groups. Group 1 will be Ada, Steve, Jay, and Rem; Group 2 will be Kim, Queenie, Victor, and Alice."
"Miss Chloe, what about the task we did if ever we are from another group and previously I have the task from thanksgiving party event?" Rem asks.
"Thank you, Rem, for bringing it up," I started. "Well, you have to turn over all the task you did to the project manager that I assigned for each team, and they'll be the ones to organized and distribute it from their team onwards,"
After our meeting, I went back to my office. I opened my laptop, checked, and read my emails when I received a FaceTime call from Maki.
"Hey, gorgeous!" I wink at her.
"Chloooooo!"
"How are you gorgeous?"
"I'm good…but I feel lonely cause you're not here," She frowns. "I miss you, Chloe!"
"I miss you too, Maki,"
"How are you?" She asks.
I sigh. "Busy," I roll my eyes. "I have two upcoming events to prepare, though,"
"Don't be silly! I'm not talking about your work― I'm talking about your ex," She smirks. I roll my eyes. I messaged her two weeks ago that Jaco invited me over dinner, and I promised her to tell her every detail of what happened at the dinner with Jaco.
"I'm fine, he's fine...I think? We're both fine," I said monotonously.
"Uh-huh, I don't believe you. Now spill it, young lady," She arched her brows.
Buzz buzz
Thank god! Whoever called me at this moment saved me from talking about my heartache, and I'm not feeling like talking about it right now.
"Maki, can I call you back? I have an incoming call,"
"Are you serious?! Wait a minute. Is this your way of saying you're not telling me what happened with your dinner two weeks ago?" She eyed skeptically.
"Sure, whatever. Call you later, bye!"
I hung up the call. I noticed that Evelyn was calling me. I quickly answered.
"Hey, Eve,"
"Chlo?" I can hear her voice slightly quiver.
"What's up, Eve?" She got silent for a moment on the other line.
"Eve?"
Evelyn suddenly sobbed on the other line. I got worried about why she's crying.
"Shh...hey, hey Eve? I want you to calm down, alright?" She continued sobbing and didn't utter a word to me. It's making me worried even more.
"Where are you, Eve? Are you in your office? I'll come by and get you," I heard her sniff on the other line.
"I-I'm outside yo-your apartment, Chloe,"
"I'll text you the code of my door, so you can get inside and wait for me. I'll be there before you know it,"
I end the call and text the code.
"Ms. Chloe, you were looking for me?"
"Yes, Emily. I'll be working at home and clear my schedule for the rest of the day. Reschedule all the meetings I have later this afternoon to next week, alright?"
After I told Emily some instructions for work, I left the office and ordered takeouts at Harbour City Dimsum House before I went to my apartment.
"Hey, Eve!"
I called her name, but no one answered. I place the takeout in the pantry.
Buzz buzz
I heard the sound of a phone vibrating. When I looked around, it was Evelyn's phone at the dining table. I was about to reach the phone when the phone stopped buzzing.
David Pepito
missed calls (10)
I arch my brows, staring at the screen. Eve's boyfriend? Why Evelyn's not picking up David's call? Did they fight? I brushed off what I was thinking and decided to give Evelyn's phone. I exhaled heavily, and I made my way towards my bedroom.
I opened the door and was not surprised to see Evelyn inside my bedroom. Well, she wasn't in the living room and dining, so I was expected her to be here. But what surprised me is that she was lying down on my bin bag chair while cuddling a bottle of wine.
What the hell happened?
I took a seat beside her and wrapped my arms around her. Evelyn was quiet for a while as she embraced me, and I heard her sobbing in my arms, which led me to tighten my embrace at her.
"Shh… shh," I caressed her back until she calms down.
"Say something, Eve. What happened?" I said softly. Evelyn pulls away from the hug. "David's has been calling you on your phone," Evelyn starts crying again. I held both her hands. "Hey, hey...look at me," I wipe her tears. "Tell me. I'll listen,"
"He cheated on me,"