IT'S BEEN almost a week since Rexon called me for work. I've also been fermenting here at home for a week.
I want to apply for another job but I can't. After all, Rexon didn't give me a regular job.
I haven't talked to Calixto since that night happened at the Bar. I also don't receive any calls or texts from him.
Even with my heartache, I just ignored it. Maybe he is not the right man for me and maybe It should be someone else that I have not met yet.
I want to forget Calixto. I want to bury my feelings for him, no matter how sick and hard it is.
What I'm worried about is our expenses and medications of my father. I need to find a real new job soon.
"Dad, I'm here!" I said cheerfully after buying some groceries for the whole week.
But my feet stood still when I saw Calix talking to my father in our living room.
"Cherry, your boss Calixto is here!" Dad gave me a big smile.
"Ah, I'll just take these to the kitchen first." I immediately said to my father and didn't bother to take a glance at him.
I was momentarily stunned for a moment. I heard a soft step entering the kitchen. I knew it was Calixto so I kept pulling the cans out of the plastic and ignored him.
He leaned over me and would have attempted to pick up some can goods when I stopped him.
"No, I can do this." I stepped away and opened the cabinet over my head.
"Cherry," he softly said.
I slightly bit my lower lip and turned around to continue arranging the cans in a cabinet.
"Look, I'm sorry. Everything happened so fast, I don't want to hurt you." I felt one of his hands on my arm.
"Please, let's talk," he repeats.
I gathered some air before facing him. I leaned my back at the sink and raised my head to looked at him in the eyes.
"Why aren't you go to work?" He asked.
I could feel his hand caressing my bare skin. He is now an inch away from me so I bowed.
"Please, back to work." His voice seemed to be pleading with me.
I shook my head one after another. "I'm sorry I can't do that anymore," I weakly said.
"Father Gorio said, you don't have a job today. Why don't you just come back to me?"
To me? I wanted to laugh at what he said. I was never part of his life. Yes, he treated me special. I guess I'm the only one who can go out and enter his office and make jokes about everything even during work hours.
He treated me special, favoring me with light and easy work. I thought I had a place in his heart so he treated me differently than usual, but I'm wrong. But I turned out to be a bit misunderstood.
"I already have a job with Rexon." I tried to be casual with my answer.
"That bastard?!" He didn't like my answer.
"Yes! That bastard!" I spat out.
I would rather work with someone like Rexon than him who did nothing but hurt me.
"You know he's not good for you. He'll just hurt you," he said in a sharp breath.
I couldn’t help but laugh at him. I could see his mouth curving at what I had done.
"Really? Coming from you? Who broke me first?" I said with full of sarcasm.
"Damn! I don't mean it and I am started to hate it!" He rubbed both hands on his face as if he had a lot to say.
"Please, get back to work." His eyes glazed over at me again as he grabbed my two hands.
I bit my lip to shirk my feelings. I decided not to speak because if I did that I might just be carried away by what he was saying.
But he grabbed my two cheeks. "I've missed you," he whispered huskily.
I tightened my grip on the sink to steal some strength.
This is all I wanted, right? To tell me he misses me and he needs me. But I guess it's too late. I'm already numb in pain.
"I can't... I'm sorry." I forced his hands away from me which he did immediately.
"I can't push myself on someone who doesn't like. I'll just keep hurting myself If I agree to go back to your restaurant," I said that my eyes were kept from clouding and let out a heavy breath.
"Thanks for all your help. I'll never forget you being a part of my life." I point to my chest.
His eyes have full of sadness and regrets. But I haven't ignored that yet. For what? To believe I have a place in his heart? I'd already decided to move on and forget everything about him.
****
That night I can't think about Claixto. I have ended all my connections with him. It's better to break my own heart leaving rather than having a person who could break my heart every day.
I tossed over the bed and hugged my pillow tight when my cellphone rang on the side table.
I immediately picked it up and quickly see who's texting.
"Hi, Cherry! It's me, Devon. How are you?"
I bit my lower lip before type a reply.
"I'm okay Devon."
I still wanted to add something to my message but I stopped.
"Good, are you free tomorrow morning? Can I invite you out for a lunch?" He texted back.
I took a deep sigh before I started typing.
"Maybe some other time?" And I sent it again without hesitation.
It's been a few minutes since I sent my text to him but he has no reply.
I think I offended him with my answer. But it's better to tell him that I am not ready to take this friendship seriously than to give him hope and a false impression about this.
I started lying down again to get ready for bed when my cellphone rang again.
I pulled it out and glanced at the caller. I was quickly thrown back on my feet when Rexon's name was registered there.
I don't know why but my heart was pounding like a bomb. I tremblingly cleared my throat before I slid my finger to answer.
"Ah, hello?" I said in my calm voice.
"Cherry..." I swallowed because of the caress of his voice on the other line.
"Y-yes?" I blankly said.
"Meet me at Pete's and Han's Restaurant," he said in a cold tone voice.
"Wait, as in now?!" I can’t help but raise my voice over the phone. I started panicking and quickly stood up on the bed.
"Yes? What's the problem?" His voice now sounds irritated.
"But what time is it?!"
"Do I have to tell you what time it is?!" He started to raise his voice at the phone.
I pursed my lips and held my forehead.
"I'll wait for you, within twenty minutes you should be here. That's an order, not a request. Is it clear?!" he said.
I seem to have lost strength in what he said. I utter some words but that wasn't clear before I hung up.
"Shit!" I said out loud to stand up quickly. What the hell is with him? He's not even given a ring for almost a week and then all of a sudden he calls and orders me to come to the place I barely know? This man is unbelievable!
After all, I had no choice so I quickly changed my clothes. What I just took from the closet and put on, well I just took a bath so my hair is still a bit wet.
I first glanced at Dad who was sleeping soundly in the other room before leaving the house. I just left a small note in case he woke up.
I glanced at my wristwatch only to find that ten minutes had passed quickly. It's already past 11 pm so I still have to take a taxi to take me to that restaurant.
I rushed inside where the people were crowded. The lights were also off and the music was too loud. I didn’t know where I was going, I didn't know where Rexon are.
Fortunately, I found an empty chair to sit on for a while. I carefully looked around before I thought of taking my cellphone out of the bag.
I quickly dialed Rexon's number but I couldn't reach him. I tried a few more times but no one answered.
"What is your order ma'am?" A waiter approached me.
"Ah, just water..." I answered sparingly, in fact, I didn't have any money so it's okay for me to have water.
He immediately complied so I turned to the cellphone again to call him again and he finally answered it.
"Rex!" I almost shouted at him on the other line because of the noise.
"Hey, are you yelling at me?!" he responds.
"Where are you? I've been here earlier but I can't see you!" I ignored what he said I continued to yell at him on the other line.
"Then find me," That was his answer to me.
My lips parted at what he said. Is he for real? I shake one after another.
"Are you out of your mind?" I angrily said.
But it didn't speak anymore and straight the call turned off. I tightened my grip on my cellphone.
"Damn!"