I OPENED the laptop Nicholas had bought me. I plan to greet Dad tonight. Due to time differences, it's only five o'clock in the afternoon there while here it's already ten o'clock in the evening.
"Hi, Andrew how are you?"
"We're fine, sister." He turned to his back and adjusted the laptop so I could get a better view of the kitchen at his back. Dad Gorio and Auntie Melva were there to wave at me.
"How's Dad? Is he taking his medicine on time?"
"Yes sister, he has full of energy as always because Rexon brings him fruits every day."
My lips parted, I couldn't speak right away.
"You, isn't there something you're not telling us?"
Sweat seemed to accumulate on my forehead because of the kind of look he gave me.
"Tss... It's just your imagination. All right, I'm early for the rehearsal tomorrow."
"Gosh, just in case, Kuya Rex told us that you're back together! I knew it!"
I scratched my forehead because of what he said. Damn! What will Dad tell me by chance?
"Oh, hey there, Rex!"
I sat up straight as his face peeked at the screen. I immediately covered my face in embarrassment.
Gosh! I don’t even have lipstick at all or even a hair comb! Nor was what I was wearing appropriate when we met today. I was wearing only a white shirt and pajamas.
"Hi, Sweetheart!" I heard his baritone voice as he spoke.
I peeked to see that he was now in front of Andrew's laptop.
"Shit! Ah... wait for a second!"
I hurried to the dresser and combed my hair, I also quickly applied lipstick and powdered before I pulled out the robe that hung on the closet door.
I took a deep breath first before I faced the laptop again.
"Hi, how are you?" he asks softly.
I was momentarily stunned by his sexy appearance. Damn, I missed him. His tantalizing eyes and the piercing under his left brows and lips. Oh? Lord. It was as if I wanted to penetrate the screen to give it a tight hug.
I avoid communicating with him because I get more homesick when I talk to him.
"You were avoiding my calls for a day," he said while staring at me.
"Hmm, because overseas calls are too expensive, it might cost money." Oh, damn Cherry, wrong answer! I closed my eyes for a moment when I noticed that his eyebrow was raised.
"You know I can afford that. I'll call you every minute."
Both cheeks turn red, my chest is beating differently now. I feel like the robe I'm wearing isn't enough because his eyes seem to penetrate there.
He is now resting his back against the sofa. The laptop is on the table so I can almost see the entirety of him from here. He is not wearing his leather jacket today, but wearing office attire.
"Are you from the office?"
"Yeah, mommy and daddy are going to visit this month, so my older brother is taking care of some business with me."
My chest tightened at what I heard. By the way, his parents. I haven't met them yet, I can only see the picture.
"Oh, good! Well, I hope I'm there so I can meet your parents," I said lowly.
"I want you to meet my parents."
My jaw dropped. Our flight to New York immediately came to my mind.
"Ah, of course... I was definitely in the Philippines at that time."
"I missed you," he said after a few moments.
I felt my two cheeks heat up even more at what he said. I could not answer immediately. Until now, I still can't believe we're back and now we're in a long-distance relationship status.
"Can I go there, so I could spend the nights with you?" he pouted his lips and twinkle his eyes at me.
My lips parted in a wide smile because of what he said. He's so cute when he begged. If I could just say yes, I would have done it but my schedule is hectic.
"It's only more than two weeks," I say under my lips.
"I can't wait another more weeks, babe." He bends his head to bring the face close to the laptop monitor.
I held my breath as I stared at him. Gosh! Why he is so damn handsome? Its thick eyebrows and earrings at the bottom always bring something to my tickle.
"It's only been a few days. Uhm. I'm excited to meet your parents!" I change the subject.
I swallowed hard as he looked at me darkly. It was as if someone had noticed something strange about what I had said.
"I saw you in the news. Your fashion show in Paris."
My lips parted before smiling slightly.
"And you're flying to New York for Victoria's Secret fashion show this coming month, isn't true?"
I was stunned to hear. The news about our trip to New York has reached him. I don’t now know how to explain it.
"Ah, I already asked for a one-week vacation." My voice was shaking. My chest also throbbed as I caught his warm stares.
He remains silent. He seems to be calculating what to say.
"Don't worry after maybe then, we'll be back in the Philippines," I added.
He finally moved away from the screen and went back to leaning back on the sofa. The heaviness of his stare remains still. I knew he didn’t like what I said.
"I'm sorry, Rex. I just don't want to miss the opportunity." There was a pleading in my voice. I was also very bitten on the lip because of the tears that wanted to well up in my eyes.
"It's your choice. Where you're happy I'm there." He applied two palms to his leg and attempted to stand up.
"Are you leaving?"
He glanced at his wristwatch before looking back at me.
"We're my gig tonight at Pete's and Hands. There's a celebration there for the 5th anniversary of Peter's Restobar."
My lips parted. Then Hannah was not far from there as well. Of course, Cher! That Restobar is theirs.
Gradually annoyance and jealousy formed in my chest. Annoyed because I wasn't there to watch him and jealous of the possible approach of the two of them.
"I hope I'm here to give you support!" I took courage when I mentioned that to him.
He lick his lower lips and shook his head after. He no longer commented on what I said.
"I'll get going. Get some rest."
All I could do was nod. I also never had a chance to speak yet because he quickly disappeared from the screen.
I also couldn’t sleep because of the amount I was thinking. Some suspicions also entered my mind so I tried to get up and take a look at social media.
I bit my lower lip. I want to beat myself up for the long-stalk I’m going to do on Rexon’s account. If only I had accepted his marriage offer right away, I wouldn't have had to do it.
"Damn, Cherry!" I quickly shut down the laptop. What is going through your mind? Don't you trust him?
If he cheats, he cheats. You can do nothing there. Even though he had already proven that Hannah had nothing to do with them, why was there still a shiver here in my chest?
I went back to lying down and closed my eyes tightly. I will just force myself to sleep even if my spirit is wide awake.
I want to regret my decision to leave. And I hate the fact that I am here, following my dreams, while my heart is empty and shameful.
And I got to the point of asking myself. What is heavier? What am I to choose?
My dream or Love?