Joan paled at the sight of Christopher kissing another woman, but just as she thought she would be faced with shame, coming up to see Christopher, Cole came to her rescue.
Putting an arm around her shoulders, he said, "Joan, my room is right here! Where are you going?"
Christopher turned to find Cole and Joan, headed for the room next to his. He grimaced at the sight of them and said, "Cole? What are you doing here?"
"Ah, Christopher, I'm taking Joan to my room," said Cole. He pushed Joan against his chest, knowing she was hurt by what she saw. He gave her time to compose herself.
Joan took deep breaths while hearing the beating of Cole's heart. She looked up to him, blinking several times, not missing to appreciate his fine jaw-lines and how his adam's apple move as he spoke.
It took seconds before she realized what Cole was implying, but it was better than being found out that she came for Christopher. She cleared her throat and wrapped one arm around his waist before turning to Christopher.
"Oh, Christopher, you are here," Joan said before quickly smiling back at Cole. "This is your room? Not that one?"
Impressed by her ability to adapt, Cole smirked and said, "Yes, beautiful. This is my room."
Frowning, Christopher asked, "I did not know… you reserved a room here tonight, Cole." He let go of the singer he was earlier holding, putting both his hands inside the pockets of his pants, his eyes moving from his best friend and his next-door neighbor.
"It was a last-minute thing, just right after Joan was feeling lightheaded. She said… she needed to take a quick rest." Cole shrugged and added, "The things we do for friends, right? And of course, I will be using it… right after the party."
Cole further tightened his hold on Joan while maintaining his handsome grin.
"Wait, Cole Adams, right? The swimmer-model!" The singer extended her hand to Cole, flashing her white teeth with a big smile, and said, "Hi, I'm Shantal Lin."
Cole quickly shook the hand of the singer and said, "Of course, I know you. I have seen you a few times whenever I visit the TV network."
"Oh, how nice? Wonder why you never approached me," said Shantal.
Seeing Christopher squint at him, Cole laughed and said, "Good question! I." He turned to Joan and said, "I prefer blondes."
Joan covered her face with her hand, just so she could roll her eyes. It was true, though. Most of the girls Cole dated were blondes.
She was a blonde, but surprisingly, he never made a move on her. Perhaps it was because Joan was different, or maybe because they have known each other for long… or perhaps it was because… she had always liked Christopher and Cole knew this too well.
Joan did not care. For as long as she was safe, away from this playboy. Cole can date all the blondes, as long as she was not part of his many conquests.
"But the party is starting and in fact, I am headed there right now." Christopher panned his eyes on the two and said, "Let's go."
"Yeah, I suppose we should, but I want to use the restroom first," said Joan. "You can go ahead, Chris."
Pointing at the door of Cole's supposed room, she said, "I'll use Cole's bathroom… Just for a minute."
"Go ahead, man! We'll catch up!" Said Cole, brushing away his best friend.
Cole pulled Joan by his side, pretending to open the door. He could only wish no one was inside the room, or else they were done for.
When he saw Christopher look back to them, he waved his hand and said, "Go now, birthday boy! Everyone is waiting for you."
Fortunately, Christopher left believing them. He turned away, shifting to the elevators.
Joan let out a heavy sigh. She quickly pushed Cole's hand; one that rested on her waist. Only then did she walk to the opposite wall. She covered her face with her hands and began to cry.
"Joan," said Cole."Joan."
Seeing her eyes water, he offered, "Do you want to go to the rooftop instead and talk about it? Have a drink or two?"
As she wiped away her tears, she nodded. She was no longer interested in joining the party. How could she? The man of her dreams was once again with another woman. Not her, it was another woman.
For the first time since she knew Cole, she allowed his company. He was not exactly her first choice for a companion, but he was better than no one. Moreover, he knew her best, or at least, her affection for Christopher.
After quickly calling her parents, telling them she was feeling unwell, she came with Cole to the rooftop's bar and restaurant to have a drink.
Joan wasn't much of a drinker, but she did not care for that night. She just wanted to forget the pain she was feeling.
She had adored Christopher far too long. She could not understand what was wrong with her and why he never looked her way. She just needed to let it all out.
As they made their way to the furthest table, girls from all sides eyed Cole. Joan could feel the jealous gazes of the surrounding women. How she wished she could tell them, she wasn't in competition at all.
They settled in the table and Joan had at least one martini, just to kick off her courage.
"You haven't eaten, have you?" Cole asked before deciding on ordering food.
Right after the waiter took more of their orders, Cole studied her. With just one drink, her face was already red.
"What's wrong with me?" Joan asked as her eyes began to water once more. "Am I ugly? Am I not desirable?"
Of course, Joan had suitors now and then, but she only wanted Christopher.
Christopher had had relationships in the past and Joan was certain, to two or three of those that were entangled with him, she was a better choice. She slammed her hand on the table and said, "Why not me?"
"A singer who was practically flirting with you right in front of him! Seriously?" Her voice raised even higher while her nose turned redder than before.
Focusing her gaze at Cole, she asked, "Tell me, Cole! You are his best friend! Tell me, why? Why not me? What's wrong with me? All these years, why does he choose to be with someone else?"
"Joan, there is nothing wrong with you… You are a beautiful woman. It's just that… you are too good of a person to date," answered Cole.