Sometimes, it takes a lot of effort to wait for someone with uncertainty
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11
"Oh by the way Alice, we actually asked him to ride with us. He has a reservation in the same hotel where you and Lea are staying." Clara suddenly said.
I suddenly felt the urge of pulling her hair fo stop her from saying those things but I find myself petrified and restrained from every words she's spitting.
"Well I can take a cab if you're not comfortable with that," he said in a careful tone. His eyes were just on me, not minding my two friends beside me.
Chesca and Clara remained silent while waiting for my answer. As much as they want to play a cupid role, they both know if I'd say no; they can't do anything about it.
"It's fine. You can ride with us,"
What else can I do? As if I'd let him alone ride a cab when I can offer the ride. I know for a fact that he can do things on his own but... I just find it hard to let him go.
I sighed deeply before I spoke. "Let's go then,"
I walked silently and they all followed.
Clara and Chesca were walking slowly so Ian and I could walk side by side.
"Are you sure, you're fine with that?" he asked again.
I probably looked like I agreed forcedly that's why he asked me again.
"Yes, of course." I answered and smiled at him. "By the way, how's the trip?" I said, trying to have a small conversation as we walked out of the airport.
He was just looking at my eyes with curiosity before he spoke "It was tiring but fine,"
When we got in the parking lot, where I left the car, I immediately opened the doors so the girls can put their luggages inside.
"Alice I'm hungry. Can't we eat somewhere before we go straight to the hotel?" Clara said as she tried to put the luggage inside the trunk. Ian pulled her luggage and did it himself. Good thing, Chesca and Clara only brought one luggage each.
"Yes, can we?. I'm hungry too," Chesca said while rubbing her stomach. Her chinky eyes narrowed even more as she did that.
"Ian must be hungry too," Clara whispered while eyeing Ian, putting his luggage as well in the trunk.
I bit my lip and just nodded to them.
"You can't so no, right?" she whispered and giggled.
I didn't bother to say a word and just waited for them to finish. The more I speak, the more Clara will tease me.
When they were done with the luggage, Clara and Chesca went inside the car. No one sat on the front seat. They really made sure that Ian would sit beside me.
I just shook my head because of their actions.
I was about to walk towards the driver seat when Ian suddenly grabbed my wrist, stopping me from walking. I can't help but to stare at his hand holding my wrist.
"W-what?" I can't really help but to stutter. How can I not when he suddenly did that? Not to mention that I'm really avoiding to have eye contact with him because of my puffy eyes.
"I can drive if you want," he said. How could he say that when he has a dark circle under his eyes.
"No, it's fine. You're tired from the trip," I said and showed him a small smile.
The side of his cheek bulge when he pushed it with his tongue. He just nodded.
"Let's go. The two of them must be really hungry," I said.
He let go of my wrist. I immediately turned around, avoiding his gaze while feeling my heart beating so fast.
I went inside the car, Ian followed too. He sat on the shotgun seat. After he settled down, I started the engine.
"What do you want to eat?" I asked the girls through the rear view mirror while driving out of the airport premises.
"We're fine with anything," Clara said without really looking at me.
I knew it!
My eyes narrowed at them. They are just making excuse to make Ian and I stay together.
"I know a good steakhouse," Ian suddenly said.
"Ohhh! Steak does sound good," Chesca said, looking as if she's imagining the taste of steak.
"Steak it is," I said and looked at Ian. "So where is the steakhouse?" I asked and gave him my phone.
"Let me type it out," he said and took my phone. He started typing on my phone and handed it over to me after that.
I felt as if electricity just rushed through my body when his finger touched mine. I immediately looked away and started driving, as if nothing happens.
"Girl I feel like I'll be damned the whole night," Clara said out loud.
"I made an itinerary last night," Chesca suddenly said.
"Girl, I feel like we can't survive without Chesca." We all laughed when Clara said that. Ian was just silent the whole time.
"How about you Ian? What brought you here?" Chesca suddenly asked.
Ian turned his body a bit to look at them. "I have a meeting tomorrow morning with a new investor."
"Will you be flying back immediately after your meeting?" Clara asked out of nowhere.
"I-I could uhm, s-stay for a while," he said in a very small voice, yet still deep. He cleared his throat. I'm not sure if I saw him glancing at me through my peripheral vision.
I saw Clara and Chesca silently giggling at the backseat.
We just went silent on the latter ride on our way to the steakhouse.
"Girl we do not fit here," I heard Chesca whispering to Clara when we got out of the car.
"it's like, only the two of them fits here." Clara whispered but enough for us to hear her.
They look too casual for a steakhouse.
We went inside the steakhouse. Ian was the one who talked to the receptionist.
"Girl I'm so hungry," I heard Chesca say.
We were guided by the waiter to one of their empty tables. The waiter handed us their menu.
Clara and Chesca were quick to order. I know they weren't really hungry but who wouldn't get hungry with the smell of a steak.
I ordered a rib eye with hollandaise sauce on the side. I had it medium rare done.
Ian and I were just silent the whole time we were eating. Sometimes, I'd butt in their conversation but would remain silent for the rest of the time.
It was so awkward!
After eating, we immediately drive back to the hotel.
We also waited for Ian to finish talking to the receptionist before we went inside the elevator.
When he got his card keys we all went up.
"I'll go first," Ian said when we reached the fifteenth floor. It is probably where his room is. He then looked at me. He opened his mouth as if he'd said something but then he then just smiled at me before he went out of the elevator, pulling his suitcase.
"He must have wanted to say something but we're here with them," Clara said and started laughing with Chesca.
"You two are talkative," I said with my eyes narrowed, which they just giggled at.
After three more floors and we all went out of the elevator.
"Where's Lea?" Chesca asked as soon as we went inside my room.
"I don't know. Let me check on her,"
I went out to check on Lea. I brought my phone with me. When I got out of the room, I knocked on Lea's room. There was no response and so, I decided to call her.
"Hey, I'm here outside your room. Clara and Chesca were in my room,"
She must be outside since there was noise in the background.
[I'll stay out the whole night. I'll just meet you tomorrow,]
"Are you okay?" I suddenly asked, which made her silent for a moment.
[I'm fine. I'm just meeting people around here,]
"See you tomorrow. Don't forget to eat okay,"
[Are you my boyfriend?] We both laughed when she said that.
"I'm not Cortez," I said teasing her, which made her laugh hard.
[You've got a bad lips sister,] Her laugh faded for a moment before she chuckled.
"I know right. Fine, you go ahead." I said, bidding my farewell.
I knocked on my door to go back. "Clara,"
But they weren't responding. "Hey, Clara," I kept knocking but they weren't really responding.
I dialed her phone but she wasn't picking up. I tried to call Chesca but she wasn't also answering.
Oh my gosh! Are they trying to pull a trick on me?
I dialed their number again and again but they aren't picking up. I had to stop knocking on the door, afraid of bothering the rooms next to ours.
I had to go down to the lobby to talk with the receptionist.
"Good evening Ma'am! How can I help you?" the receptionist lady told me.
"I forgot my card key inside my room. Can I ask for another key?" I said.
"Sure Ma'am. May I know your name and room number?" she said.
"I'm Alice Alcantara. My room number is 1805." I said and she started looking at the data.
"Ma'am it says here that Miss de Guzman was the one who reserved the room. I'm afraid I can't accommodate your request. Due to our hotel protocols, we cannot give spare card keys if you're not the one who reserved the room. If you want Ma'am, you can ask Miss de Guzman to request for the spare card key of your room." she said to me nicely.
How can I ask Lea when she's not here?
"She's not here right now. I'll just make a call. Thank you."
She smiled at me and let me call Lea.
[Hello,]
"Hey! Clara and Chesca were pulling a trick on me!" I ranted like a child. She started laughing. "Oh my gosh! Don't tell me you know about it?" My tone sounded betrayed.
[Yes. Actually, they just called me. I heard Ian was there too,] my eyes widened when she mentioned that.
"No way! No!" Now I know why they didn't want me to go inside the room. "I can't do that! We're not close enough to do that," I said horrifyingly.
I really sound frustrated. However, Lea was just laughing at me.
[What can I do then?]
"Can you ask the receptionist to give me a spare key?"
[Hand her phone,]
Just like what she said, I asked the receptionist to talk to Lea. A little later the receptionist handed my phone back.
[Girl, they can't give you a card key since I'm not there.]
I really groaned when she said that.
"I'm truly sorry Ma'am. We can't really give you a spare key," the receptionist said.
"I understand. Can I ask for a favor instead?" I said. She looked hesitant but she was still smiling at me.
"Sure Ma'am. As long as it won't violate our protocols then I'll assist you happily," she said.
"Can you call my room's telephone for me?"
"Of course Ma'am I can do that," Kinuha niya ang telepono at pinindot ang numero doon. "Here ma'am," she handed me over the phone.
"Thank you," I smiled at her and received the phone.
"Open the freaking door!" I almost yelled but I really tried to control myself.
[You really even found a way to contact us,] Clara sounded sleepy.
"Were you sleeping already? Open the door,"
[Stay with Ian.]
"No way! We're not close enough for me to do that and I don't have spare clothes with me,"
I can feel my tears out of frustration.
[Stay with him tonight,]
She suddenly hung up. Omygosh! No!
"Clara. Clara."
I can no longer hear anything but the beep sound that indicates that she has already dropped the call.
"Can you dial the number again?" nahihiyang sabi ko sa receptionist. She tried to dial the room's number again.
"No one's picking up Ma'am," She shyly said.
"Is that so," I just smiled and said "Alright, thank you."
After that, I went to the lobby area where I can sit for a moment.
I was biting my lower lip while trying to message Clara again. They weren't really replying.
But then Chesca called.
"Oh my gosh!!" I almost jumped out of my seat.
[Clara won't allow me to open the door for you,] she immediately said to me.
"That bitch!" I knew it. Chesca won't really pull this kind of thing to me.
[I heard that.] This time it was Clara. [Can't you use this opportunity to get close with Ian?]
She suddenly asked.
"Clara, we can get close with each other without me sleeping in his room."
[Do this once Alice.]
"Clara can you even hear yourself? You're asking me to sleep with a man I don't really know."
[That's why you're trying to get to know him!]
"I know but this is too soon,"
[Then when is not too soon?]
"Just not now,"
[Fine. Come back here,]
I dropped the call after that. I went again upstairs and Chesca opened the door for me.
As soon as I got inside the room I went straight to Clara and pulled her hair.
"Bitch! If you only knew how nervous I was," she just laughed at me not really taking me seriously.
"Why not? It's a good opportunity to get closer to him." she said while fixing her body on the bed.
"What are you saying?" I said, sounding disbelief
Chesca just laughed at both of us, not minding us bickering at each other.
After that, I went inside the bathroom and took a quick shower.
When I got out of the bathroom, they were already on the bed.
I sat on the couch while doing my night time routine.
My phone vibrated. I stopped applying moisturizer and checked my phone.
There's a message from Ian.
@RomualdezIan_: Are you asleep?
I feel like I stopped breathing for a moment. I picked it up and tried to type something.
@Alice_Al: I'm just doing my night time routine and then I'll sleep eventually. You? Why aren't you asleep?
@RomualdezIan_: I'm reviewing some documents for my meeting tomorrow.
@Alice_Al: Goodluck with that.
@RomualdezIan_: Thank you.
I didn't reply and continued my night time routine. After that, I settled on the bed and put my phone on the side table. Chesca was in the middle, already sleeping.
My phone beeped again and I checked it and it was Ian again.
@RomualdezIan_: Are you sleeping already?
@Alice_Al: I'm already in bed. Can't you sleep?
@RomualdezIan_: Yes, a bit of jet lag.
Can I call?
I immediately sat on the bed, making Chesca groaned a bit.
@Alice_Al: Now?
@RomualdezIan_: Yes, if it won't bother you.
I bit my lower lip and stood up from the bed. I typed my reply while going to the balcony.
@Alice_Al: You can call now.
I closed the door of the balcony, so I won't bother the girls sleeping inside the room.
[Hey, I'm sorry I called a little late.]
"It's okay. The girls are sleeping inside the room." I felt my own voice, trembling as I said that.
[Oh where are you?]
"Just here in the balcony,"
[I thought you're outside the hotel. I can go out to see you,] My heart felt so light when he said that. [Do you uhm-- nevermind,]
Isn't that annoying when they started to say something but then would stop in the middle of it?
"What? Do I do what?" I asked, shamelessly. I immediately regret my words and tightly shut my eyes as I leaned back on the cold railings of balcony.
[Uhm I was just wondering if you want to meet outside.] he paused a bit and continued. [Maybe we could have a coffee somewhere,]
My heart skips a beat. Is he asking me out?
"Where?" I asked using my small voice.
[Really?]
I almost chuckled hearing the sound of excitement in his voice. I nodded on my own, as if he's really seeing me.
"Yes. I'm not sleepy yet," I admitted. Also, It's just ten in the evening. It wasn't too late.
[I saw a convenience store near the hotel. Would you be fine with that?]
"Yes. I'm not really picky with coffee," natatang sabi ko.
[I'll see you in the lobby then?]
"Sure. I'll just get my hoodie,"
After the call, I immediately went inside the room. Clara was just watching me rummaging out of my suitcase, looking for my hoodie.
"Where are you going?" she asked with a sleepy voice.
"Uhm-- we'll just have a coffee,"
"With whom? With Ian?" she sat on the bed looking shocked but then she laughed. "You said you didn't want that."
I just shook my head at her and continued with what I was doing.
I was just wearing a biker's shorts underneath the hoodie.
"I'll be back." Clara just nodded while smiling mischievously.
I hid my phone, wallet, and card key inside the pocket of my hoodie. It's a bit big and can fit my stuff.
I also wore a white cup and specs before I went down. When I got in the lobby, I saw Ian waiting.
He was just wearing sweat shorts and a white jacket on top of it.
I poke his back so he would notice my presence. He turned around and immediately smiled when he saw me.
His hair was a bit wet.
"Let's go?"
I just nodded and started walking with him. We were just silent and it really felt awkward.
When we got inside the convenience store, he ordered coffee for us. He asked me if I want anything other than coffee but I said I'm fine with just coffee.
"So how was the meeting?" he suddenly asked.
I had to look at him and it was just a bit awkward doing that. He was sitting right in front of me, holding his coffee on top of the table.
I removed my cap before I spoke to him. "It turned out how planned," I said and ran my fingers on my hair. "We were expecting to have a meeting with a representative but the heir of company was the one who met us,"
He listens intently, as if he missed a word, everything won't just make sense to him.
"So how did you manage to overcome that situation?" he asked curiously and sipped on his coffee.
"It was pretty casual at first. He told us that he's friends with my brother and Lea's brother. Then, we proceeded with our presentation. Good thing we were able to deliver it perfectly." I continued. He nodded like a kid listening to me.
"I wish I'll be that confident tomorrow," he suddenly said. Oh right, he has a meeting to attend tomorrow.
"You can do it," I said, trying to cheer him up.
I've never seen him this, less confident.
"You think so?" he asked. His eyes were just straight to me. I somehow felt awkward with his stare but I tried to make myself used to it.
I nodded with a smile on my lips. He tilted his head on his right and was just staring at me. That made me feel more awkward.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" I had to look away so I won't meet his eyes.
"Why? Can't I looked at you in this way?" He said smoothly, sounding innocent.
His lips pouted for a moment until he smiled.
I bit my lower lip and was still looking away. I would secretly glance but would meet his eyes.
"Stop doing that," I said and playfully covered his eyes with my hand. He chuckled when I did and tried to peak in between my fingers. "Stop," I can't help but to also laugh.
He held my hand and tried to move my fingers away to create space so he could look at me.
"You're so cute," he suddenly said. I pulled away my hand as I suddenly felt shy around him. However, he stopped me from pulling my hand.
He was holding my ring finger to stop me from pulling my hand. I stop pulling my hand and let him hold it.
I felt my throat getting dried as he stared at my ring finger. He was playing it with his fingers and eventually, started tracing the ring on it with the tip of his finger.
The way he traced it was delicate. It was sending me mixed feelings that shivered my spine. I looked away when he suddenly tilted his head to look at me.
I had to sipped on my coffee using my other hand to avoid his gaze.
"Have you thought about it?" he suddenly asked. My brows furrowed as I felt confused. "The conversation we had in my unit,"
My breathing started to feel heavy as I tried to remember what pur conversation was.
"I'm serious about that Alice,"
I bit my lower lip again as I suddenly couldn't form a response to him. Using his other hand, he cupped my face and slowly traced my lower lip, stopping me from biting it.
"Just let me remove this for you Alice," the way he said that was full of conviction that I almost agreed on him. "I felt insecure that you're still wearing this," he suddenly said while eyeing the ring on my finger. "Just let me Alice,"
I felt guilty hearing him saying those words. It was so unfair for Ian that I'm still wearing the ring while trying to get to know him.