As the storm outside the car stops, an internal storm inside James' mind started.
As the sun slowly peaks its way out of the previously dark clouds and as the pavement that has been flooded is slowly being drained and comes back to normal- what happened between James and Belinda is now slowly sinking in James’ mind.
James loves Angel, that is for sure, but what happened is also a question to him. The moment they both shared, it is not something that is forced, it is something pleasurable, maybe too pleasurable to create a question in his mind.
James buried his face in the stirring wheel as if doing so would help answer the void in his mind. He is unaware that Belinda is already awake but is pretending to be sleeping because she is also not sure about what to say or how to react to the moments they spent.
Belinda felt terrible inside. She knows that James has special feelings towards Angel, she is quick-witted enough to realize it on their first encounter. Belinda felt as if she did something wrong, judging by James is burying his head on the stirring wheel right at this moment.
Belinda decided to be the bigger person, pretending to have just woken up from the back seat. She greeted James as if nothing happened and told him to not think much about what happened because it is just …
A one-night stand.
It is usual.
It is common.
People do it, it doesn't mean a thing.
Lies that Belinda said, of course for her it means a thing, better yet it means everything.
This was her first.
And though she didn’t physically bleed, her heart is.
Her heart is turning into shreds as she says
” don’t think about it, it is not like it’s your first time?” Trying to sound as sarcastic as she could in the current state of her mind.
James was silent all this time, it may be because he did not know what to say or it might have been his personal choice because as they say silence is golden. But when Belinda casually went out of the car saying that she has to go her way, James can’t stay still.
James rushed out of the car from the driver’s seat as Belinda exists the vehicle from the back seat. He grabbed her arms tries to stop her but when she did James was lost for words and was only able to say one thing.
“Food?”
“Food?” Belinda’s confusion is evidently painted on her face, she can’t understand how this man, as gorgeous as he is with the light of the sun behind his head, can think of food at this very moment.
“Ye… yes. Let’s go eat first.” Even James finds his words weird and out of context, but this is all he got because for some reason his mind went blank when Belinda’s face turned towards him. James’ mind malfunctioned when Belinda’s face glowed with the light of the sun that even when she crossed her eyebrows in response to his question seems to be a work of art.
James did not wait for Belinda to respond as he saw a decent restaurant insight. He pulled Belinda to the place while all this time holding his hand, it was a nice thing to see because they really look good with each other- their chemistry is undeniable.
Belinda would usually not let anyone hold her hand, anyone who dared would face her fist or a flying kick. None of that happened, Belinda somehow liked this feeling, James' hand feels warm, strong, and dependable at the same time.
James ordered soup and a cup of coffee for the both of them, and though they are sitting awkwardly in front of each other Belinda still enjoys it that she purposely eat slower than her usual just to cherish the moment.
Because after this bliss, she might not be able to see him again.
“Are… Are you okay?” James finally breaks the ice.
“Okay? What do you mean?” Belinda plays innocent.
“I mean, what happened last night…” James looks at Belinda’s eyes, struggling to find the next word to say. James is not doing a great job in hiding his confused emotions and Belinda can read through it easily, she hopes she can’t but she could.
“Don’t worry about it.” Tone straight, face looking down- something is clearly not adding up and James can see through it.
“Thank you for the food,”
Are the last words that Belinda said, halfway on her meal and leaving the place. James is too stunned to speak but thankfully his reflexes are fast.
James run towards Belinda pushed her inside the car and speed towards somewhere. For some reason, Belinda did not even try to resist and just asked where are they going but James just focused on driving not even looking at her, and said with her most serious tone and face,
“Just stay quiet, we need to sort this out. You took away my first night and you need to do something about it. “
It took a moment for Belinda to understand what he meant but when she finally did she struggled to hide the smile on her face. Belinda looked away from the rearview mirror and buried her face into the backseat window.
Those words are like comfort to her that at least even she is clearly the first one on his heart she is her first.
James stopped driving in front of a rest house in a mansion that is clearly only for the rich. The backyard and front yard are wide and the neighbors are relatively far from each other though you can see them with their houses almost as high as skyscrapers.
“What are we doing here?” Belinda asked
“This is the safest and most comfortable place for us to talk,” James said in a serious tone as he guides Belinda inside the place.
“Has Angel been here?” Belinda can’t help but ask this because at the back of her mind she can’t help but feel inferior towards Angel.
“You are the first to be here except me and my family”
Those words are comforting and they did paint a bigger smile on Belinda’s face.
James and Belinda are now sitting on an Italian couch in the middle of a wide expensive-looking mid-century modern living room. James served her tea which is clearly a habit that he can’t go out with even in this type of situation.
“It’s chamomile to help both of us relax and think about things,” James said in a serious yet calming tone.
Belinda has just done sipping her first taste of the tea when James broke her heart.
“ I love Angel. I think you know about this. I do not know what happened to me last night but one thing is for sure, I know where my heart lies,”