《Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow》


 1銆乀he Beginning

    ¡°Ahhhhhhh!¡± I was at the door of the University cafeteria when a ball hit my left shoulder and pushed me toward the wall beside me. I was shocked and fainted. The next thing I knew when I woke up, I was already at the infirmary of the University.


    ¡°You are awake.¡± I was startled by her voice, and it was the University nurse who was looking at me worriedly staring at her face. ¡°Good thing that you are awake now. I have called your father about what happened and I guess he¡¯ll being now any minute¡±.


    ¡°What happened¡±? I asked her, because I was really shocked and didn¡¯t know what happened after I fainted. Someone answered my question and it came from the foot of my bed. They were three good looking guys that were staring at me.


    ¡°You were hit by my ball and it missed the receiver who was just beside you. I¡¯m sorry that I miss calcte the target of the ball but it was definitely not for you. I just hope you forgave us for the damages we have caused. It was really an ident. By the way, I am Leonell Marcel, and these are my friends and teammates Jeff and Bryan, and I am the captain of the team¡±.


    I was so tongue tied because they were all good looking, especially their captain ball. My body was aching because of some bruises on my arms and right forehead.


    ¡°Can I get your name so I can properly address my apology? You can just call me Leon, that¡¯s what my team mate called me.¡± He stated.


    ¡°I am Melissa Valencia, you can call me Mel or Lisa,¡± though I am notfortable with their stares. I still extended my hand for a handshake and the three of them did the same. We talked a little and asked what course I¡¯m in and they did the same. Until my father arrived at the infirmary and they extended some more apologies to my father for what happened.


    ¡°Sir, we were sorry for what happened. It was really an ident. If there was a need for her to be hospitalized, we are going topensate for the expenses¡±.


    ¡°There is no need for that, I can see that she is alright, just some bruises. That was not all serious wounds, though¡±. My father is a straight forward man and he took me home after the nurse gave me some medicine and pain killers if pain arises as she said.


    **Melissa¡¯s POV**


    My family was not that poor, though we¡¯re not that rich. My father works in thergest Electricalpany as Supervisor and that made us a little better off than the middle ss. My mother is a in housewife, but when my parents separated, my mother opened up a mini grocery store at our ce to pass the time of boredom  staying at home. My father encourages this move by my mother. My parents separated when I was ten years old. I am the only child of my parents. They separated because of my mother¡¯s emotional issues which they don¡¯t exin to me. My father loved my mother so much, and he told me that it is better to separate that there is love and respect for each other, rather than hate and disgust remain. My mother still received her monthly budget from my father even though she already put up her small store. She was not and never will be neglected by my father because he still loved my mother, though they need to be separated to lessen their tension of being together. I have a stepsister from my father¡¯s previous marriage. My father¡¯s previous wife died of cancer. My step sister is not their biological daughter and not even legally adopted as what my father told me.


    My father lived in their ancestral house in the city where I stayed most of the time. I live with my mother¡¯s house in the suburban area, and due to scarcity of transportation at the ce, I was obliged to stay at my father¡¯s house if I would bete going home.  My step sister also lived with my father in that house together with her live-in-partner. I was afraid of my brother-inw because every time he looked at me, there was lust in it. As if he was eye raping me. I was careful in dressing up when I am in this ancestral house because I don¡¯t want to be misunderstood.


    My father brought me here to recuperate, but I was not at ease of the environment and I can¡¯t stay long here. So, I requested my father to take me home to my mother.


    ¡°Father, can you take me home to my mother?¡± I told him.


    ¡°Why are you notfortable here?¡± He asked me.Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.


    ¡°It is not that, I just wanted to have fresh air and a quiet environment. Within the city is quite noisy. For me to recover fast, I need some quiet ce, Please Father¡±. I pleaded with him.


    ¡°Ok, let¡¯s have some dinner first before I¡¯ll send you off to your mother¡±. It was a quiet dinner and after that he sent me home.


    ¡°What happened to you?¡¯ My mother was surprised to see my bruises after I got home, so I told her everything. After that, I went to my room and rested. I left my mother and father downstairs not knowing what they talked about. After I guess a little less than an hour, my father knocked on my room to check if I was already asleep. He kissed me on my forehead and he went back to the city.

 2銆丮issing her

    **Leon¡¯s POV**


    After two days after the incident, I haven¡¯t seen Lisa. I wanted to call her Lisa not Mel, because Lisa is more feminine than Mel. She is beautiful. She has an almond shaped eye, pouty lips, a cute little nose, an oval face and a light brown skin. She¡¯s a female version of her father. I guess his father has a Spanish feature which is prominent from his looks, and he is still looking handsome with his age. I was practicing with my team but I couldn¡¯t concentrate on what I did, because I was thinking about Lisa. ¡°When can I meet her again¡±?


    ¡°What? Are you talking now to yourself, Huh Leon?¡± Jeff asked me. Maybe I was thinking out loud.


    ¡°No, I was thinking about the girl Lisa that we identally hit by the ball¡±.


    ¡°Yeah, she¡¯s kinda cute¡±. Jeff answered.


    I was apprehended by his answer as if I felt something twisting on my stomach. Some kind of jealousy?


    ¡°I haven¡¯t seen her yet in school. I haven¡¯t gone to her department to ask them about Lisa if she has gone to school. I was also going to the infirmary to gather some more information about her if there is any.¡± I told my friend Jeff.


    ¡°That was a great idea, if you were really into getting more information about her, then go. So that you can concentrate more on our game.¡± My friend Bryan insisted.


    After our practice I directly went to the infirmary to inquire about some information about Lisa if there were any.


    ¡°Oh, why are you here young man?¡± The nurse asked me.


    ¡°I just wanted to know if thedy we identally hit by the ball came back for a consultation or anything like that?¡± I was scratching the back of my head while answering her.


    ¡°Oh, I know why you are here. You just wanted to know some information about her don¡¯t you, young man?¡±


    Though I was ashamed, I just nodded my head. And she gave me a piece of paper with all the information I needed to know about her.


    I just know that she is currently enrolled as 2st year of the Electronics Engineering course, though she doesn¡¯t specify what year she was in when she told us her course. And what an intelligent girl she is because she is University schr. I myself am in my 3nd year in Mechanical Engineering, but with a sports schrship. I went straight to her department if she already reported to her sses. Unfortunately, she hasn¡¯t gone to school yet. I left her department desperate to see her.


    I went back to my team to hang out. But someone asked me where I was going.


    ¡°Where did you go bro? We were looking for you. Is something wrong?¡±


    ¡°No, I just check on something.¡± I told them.


    ¡°Oh, cut the crap Leon. Was that the girl two days ago? You are obviously smitten by that girl. What was her name?¡± How did they know?


    ¡°No, I was checking on my car.¡± I know it was a lie but I cannot tell them the truth. My teammates started creating a teasing sound. I told them to stop and I don¡¯t want this thing to happen when they see me with Lisa. I don¡¯t want Lisa to feel ufortable when I meet her with my team.


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to hide it from us. We saw how you looked at her. Don¡¯t deny it bro.¡± They told me.


    ¡°Ok, ok. Just don¡¯t tease me when we see her. I don¡¯t want her to be ufortable with us. Is that clear?¡± I told my team. Yet I can¡¯t deny what I feel for her. It felt different when you like someone, not that some girls just came along with your way and flirted with me. It really disgusted me, but Lisa is different. I felt something different about her.


    ¡°Yes captain¡±. They all answered in unison.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.

 3銆丗lowers & foods

    **Lisa¡¯s POV**


    I came to school after two days of nursing my bruises and the pain it created. It has been two days since the incident and I need to keep my lessons updated. I need to ask my ssmates for the lessons I¡¯ve missed for thest two days. Good thing that all of my ssmates were not selfish to lend their notes to me to copy.


    ¡°Yesterday, someone was looking for you. I guess he is the captain of our varsity team¡±. Suddenly one of my ssmates told me.


    ¡°Oh?¡± I was really surprised by the news. But I have no Idea of what to think. I just shrugged it off. Later that day while I was taking my break at the quadrangle, a man approached and gave me flowers and food. I was so startled. I just looked at the man in front of me surprised. He was giving me the items in his hands.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I don¡¯t order flowers nor food.¡± I told him, but he just smiled.


    ¡°I know, but this was from my captain. He wants you to have it as an apology for what we have caused you from thest incident.¡± He exined


    ¡°So, it was from your captain? Why can¡¯t hee personally instead of you giving that to me? Doesn¡¯t he have a face, or is he ashamed?¡± I questioned him.


    ¡°I would definitely tell him that ma¡¯am. But please ept these flowers and food so that I won¡¯t be punished for not giving these to you.¡± He pleaded to me.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry but I won¡¯t ept that unless he personally gave that to me if he really wanted to apologize.¡± I insist.


    ¡°Ok then, I will let him know that you rejected the flowers and food unless he personally gave it to you.¡± He stated.


    ¡°Yes, tell him that¡±. I told him.


    Later that day, I attended my ss schedule when someone intentionally blocked my way. I bump into his chest due to height differences. When I looked at who was blocking my way, I saw Leon who was staring down at me. I looked at his brown eyes and smiled at me.


    ¡°Can I talk to you for a while¡±? He asked me.


    ¡°Yes of course. What is it¡±? I answered him.


    ¡°You have rejected the flowers and food I sent for you. Why is that?¡± He asked me.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    ¡°I was notfortable taking flowers and food from strangers. Besides, it was cowardice for someone to let other people send their apology.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry but I was afraid that you wouldn¡¯t ept my apology.¡± He shyly said.


    ¡°Haven¡¯t you apologized already before at the infirmary? Why the need to give flowers and food.¡± I questioned.


    ¡°Yes, it was and I am very thankful that you are kind enough to forgive us for leaving you some bruises on your beautiful face and arms.¡±


    ¡°It is ok now. It is already healed. So is there any other thing you have to say?¡± I asked him.


    ¡°Can¡­can I invite you for a break at the cafeteria¡±?


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I have to attend my next ss. Maybe some other time.¡± I answered him, though I nearly said yes.


    ¡°Ok, some other time if you are free then. Thank you for talking to me. By the way, can I get your number and ss schedule if you don¡¯t mind¡±. He added.


    ¡°Why?¡± I was confused.


    ¡°I¡­I ju¡­. just want to know if you are free if I call you¡±. He stuttered.


    ¡°Hmmm, ok.¡± I gave him my number and my ss schedule, though I am alreadyte for my next ss.


    I saw that he was ecstatic getting my number and my schedule and his smile is so bright. As if he wants to jump for joy. Even his friends who were with him were all happy for their captain¡¯s luck.


    Just as I was about to proceed to my next ss, he gripped my wrist to stop me from going.


    ¡°Can I apany you to your next ss?¡± He asked.


    I was too shocked to answer him, so I just stared at him questioning his action. He just rubbed his nape as if he was shy about what he asked. His teammates were just looking at us, observing and listening to our conversations. Though, it is my first time that somebody will be escorting me to my next ss, I agreed to his request. Then again, I saw a big smile on his face and he gave instructions to his team mates that he would meet them at the quadrangle.


    I and Leon proceeded to my next ss and all the students in the room looked at us. I was blushing and could not look at any one of my ssmates in the face. I directly sat on my seat and he was still standing on the door looking at me. He just left the room when my professor arrived. I don¡¯t know what he was up to, but for sure it was no good at all. Though I was dreaming of something romantic. What a foolish thought I have. I just hope I won¡¯t get hurt with this crazy feeling.

 4銆丗irst Touch

    **Lisa¡¯s POV**


    It was a long and tiring day for me because I need to keep up on updating my lessons. I don¡¯t want to lose my schrship, not a chance. I need it to keep up my good grades for my future, like having a good job after graduation. Regardless if my father could totally support my schooling, I need to show him that he can be proud of me and I am not a brat daughter that would take advantage of thefortable life he gave me.


    My n was to extend my stay in the school library to make some notes of the fast days I was absent. But I was too tired to proceed and nned it for another day.


    My ss ended at exactly 11:30 am and I was about to exit the room, I already saw him beside the corridor waiting for me. I don¡¯t know why I feel this tingling sensation whenever I see him. As if my stomach began to cramp. I guess I was hungry or feeling something  different.


    ¡°Can we have our lunch together since this is your break time?¡± He asked me while walking towards me smiling.


    ¡°Ok¡±. That¡¯s all I could say since he already knew my schedules. How could I say no to the most popr yer of the campus when all girls are craving for his attention. Can I consider myself lucky?


    We proceeded to the cafeteria and all his teammates were already upying a long table. They cleared a chair for me beside him and introduced all the people seated on the table. They were all friendly but snatching nces at me and Leon. They don¡¯t tease us. It was a good and nice conversation with his team mates. He gave me his full attention while we ate and it makes me feel special. After lunch, I still had two more sses before I went home. He escorted me again to my next ss. And before I entered my ssroom, he gripped my arm and stared into my eyes. I just looked at him and watched what he would do next.


    ¡°I can¡¯t take you home today. We have a practiceter, if that is ok with you. Can you go home by yourself?¡± I was surprised that he was asking my permission that he can¡¯t take me home? As if I am not used to going home alone. I¡¯m not even asking him to take me home and he is not even obligated to do so. He is not even my boyfriend, yet. I Looked at him with a sad face.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    ¡°It¡¯s ok. There¡¯s no need to worry. I can get home by myself.¡±


    ¡°But I wanted to take you home so I know where you live.¡± He said with regret.


    ¡°Maybe some other time when you are free, ok?¡± I told him. Then he came closer. I felt a shiver to my spine because I thought he was going to kiss me then he whispered something to my ear.


    ¡°Just be careful, ok? Yeah, maybe next time.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I will.¡± But his hand was still on my arm and he stroked my arm up and down. I felt cold and trembling. I got a strange feeling about what he was doing to me. I just can¡¯t imagine what it was like to be kissed. Then he released me but was still staring at me. I felt his sadness but he has a duty to this school and team mates. Suddenly, he held up my chin and stared at my lips while he stoked my lips with his thumb. The more I blush and tremble and cold while he was stroking my lips. This is my first touch from someone special¡­ Is he special to me?


    I never thought this simple touch could bring my body to tremble and cold. My goodness it was so intense. I was staring at him too, while he was rubbing my lips with his thumb. I was imagining how it was like to be kissed by him. I was back to my senses then, he let go of my chin and smiled sweetly at me. I just looked at him. I just couldn¡¯t react, then he slowly walked back and left.


    I can¡¯t understand what had just transpired. But it keeps on ying in my mind what had just happened. What was he doing to me? I keep asking that repeatedly in my mind and thinking of passing by where they practice, but I don¡¯t want him to think otherwise. I decided to go straight home after my sses were over. I was getting a ride home and still imagining that romantic encounter with him.


    Now, there are a lot of things that are ying on my mind. Does he have a feeling for me or was he just ying on my feelings? I am more confused now than ever, he was a famous man in the school. Not only did he have good looks, but also popr. I knew a lot of women in our school have been craving his attention to be his girlfriend. How can I pair with them? Why am I bing important to his life? I need to be careful with my feelings or I will get hurt. I don¡¯t want that to happen to all my first experiences. I felt what it was to be touched. If he would be my first kiss, I don¡¯t want to get hurt at all. That would be devastating to me. I have promised to myself that I would not get into this rtionship until I graduated from college. I also promised that to my father and I don¡¯t want him to have doubts about me and lose his trust. I just need to focus on my studies first. I just hope I can keep up with what I say. I just hope I can control what I feel for him.

 5銆乀he Confrontation

    **Lisa¡¯s POV**


    Today all my scheduled sses were in the afternoon until evening. I never saw or heard from Leon this whole day. I don¡¯t know if I was happy that nobody bothers me or I just missed him. I am confused about my feelings now. I was asking myself why he didn¡¯t call me since he took my number and obviously knew my schedules too. I am now wondering if  he was just ying with my feelings. Maybe he was just flirting with me since he was used to flirting with some girls in school. I need to concentrate more on my studies rather than thinking about him, that could be disastrous to my grades and studies and also my heart. I don¡¯t want to get hurt this early.


    So now I will being homete and probably I will be staying at my father¡¯s house. It cringed me to be staying at that house because of my half sister¡¯s live-in-partner, but as long as my father is there, I feelfortable. I know that every time I stayed there, it felt like something was boring a hole to my body. It really scares me. My brother-inw never talked or had a conversation at all, but it really scares me. I felt something or someone was watching my every move. I knew he was a pervert, since he has never married my half-sister. It was said that he had been married before and has not been annulled. Basically, he is still a married man. Does my father know about this or he just doesn¡¯t mind? I don¡¯t know what was my brother-inw¡¯s real intention on getting to my half-sister. I¡¯m sure it was not good at all. Before I fell asleep, I was thinking about the fear I have for my brother-inw and how he can do bad things to my half-sister, to me and my father as well. Having a mysterious personality at home is something that bothers me and I don¡¯t have the gut or courage to tell that to my father. After thinking so much, I fell asleep peacefully then.


    My scheduled sses this morning were early and I have my first ss at 8:30 am because of lectures andboratories. It would end before lunch time. I was hoping that I could see Leon or his team mates. But neither of them were present on campus. I was ashamed to ask the sports department about their whereabouts. But instead, I keep myself busy with my studies. I went to the library and there I heard their team had gone out to a certain gymnasium to practice. I was wondering why he didn¡¯t call to inform me. What was I thinking? I¡¯m not even his girlfriend to demand something from him, much less to inform me of his whereabouts.


    I was done for the day and was heading home to my mother¡¯s house when I saw the school bus pulled out on the campus parking lot. I saw his team mates alighting from the bus. I have been craning my neck to see if he was with his team. To my surprise, he was with his team but he also had a woman on his side holding around his arm.


    I don¡¯t know if I will cry or run to him and p him on the face. I was totally devastated. It really hurts to expect something that is not yet sure. I just ran outside not to be seen by the arriving varsity teams. I never noticed that my tears were falling down my cheeks. I was really hurt.


    Next morning, since my schedule was all in the afternoon and evening. I didn¡¯t go to school to avoid meeting him. I just texted my ssmate that I won¡¯t be going to school because I don¡¯t feel good. And asked him if I could lend his notes for today¡¯s lesson. He agreed and felt better then.


    Suddenly my phone rang and it was an unknown number. I don¡¯t usually answer numbers that were not on my phone lists. I let it ring until it stops. Then my phone chimed from a text message.


    ¡°Where are you? Why don¡¯t youe to school? Are you ok?¡± Those were the questions that appeared on my screen. I didn¡¯t assume that it was him who texted me. I didn¡¯t answer the text messages. The next text message gave the identity of the owner of the number.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I was not able to text or call you because our team manager confiscated our cell phone from us to concentrate on our game.¡± I was furious at his text message. To concentrate on your game or concentrate on your girlfriend? I am really angry at him for lying. I was crying and sobbing in my room. I could not make it even louder because my mother could hear me. I did not answer his text messages. He is destroying me and my dream because I felt something for him. I could not stay this way. I need to avoid him so I won¡¯t be hurt deeper. Then, a call came ringing to my cell phone. I didn¡¯t answer either. A text message came after his call.


    ¡°Are you ok? Where are you? Can Ie? What¡¯s your address?¡± None of his text messages were answered. I refuse to. I was really hurt. Knowing he was ying with my feelings was more than enough to hate him. Now I don¡¯t know how to have peace of mind at school knowing he already has my schedules. I just needed to avoid him, that¡¯s all I can do for now.


    I have an early ss for today. I entered my ss without any disruption. I need to focus on my lessons for today and not expect someone waiting for me outside. It was easier said than done.


    To say the least, he was already waiting outside my ssroom when I came out. I tried to pass in a different direction but he ran after me. He gripped my arm to stop me from running from him. His eyes were questioning why I was running from him. I looked at him with anger.


    ¡°Why are you running?¡± He sadly asked me.Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want your girlfriend to misunderstand us. So, get your hands off me.¡± I told him with anger.


    ¡°Whose girlfriend? I don¡¯t have a girlfriend. I am still courting the girl I want to be my girlfriend, and it is you.¡± He teasingly told me.


    I am more than angry for assuming something that was all lies.


    ¡°I saw you the other day when you arrived from your practice and the girl you came down with the bus had been embracing around your arms. Who can that be if not your girlfriend? And please Leon, stop seeing me. I don¡¯t want to be the wrecker of your rtionship with your girlfriend.¡± I told him with anger in my voice.


    ¡°Are you jealous?¡± He was smirking.


    ¡°In the first ce, why would I be jealous? We are not in a rtionship. I just don¡¯t want my friend to be lying to me and besides, I don¡¯t want your girlfriend toe after me and confront me regarding your rtionship to me. We were just friends, that¡¯s all we have. So just let me go.¡± I said angrily.


    ¡°Who told you that she is my girlfriend?¡± He angrily asked me.


    ¡°There¡¯s no need for someone to tell me that she is your girlfriend. Actions speak louder than voice.¡± I answered him furiously.


    I was so shocked by what he did next. He gripped my wrist and he was dragging me outside the campus to his car. Some of the students were looking at us, but he didn¡¯t mind. I just bowed my head in shame.


    We arrived in his car, and he opened the passenger side and he let me in. He then opened the driver seat and he just sat there. He was just gripping the steering wheel in anger, and he just bowed his head and he was silent. As if he was gathering all his patients.

 6銆丮y First Kiss

    **Lisa¡¯s POV**


    I started crying because I don¡¯t know what he will do to me and at the same time the shame I have when he was dragging me outside the campus to his car. I see the anger and desperation of not believing what he said. I just can¡¯t listen to another lie that could hurt me. I am afraid to get hurt. I am not ready for that.


    ¡°Why can¡¯t you listen to me? Don¡¯t you trust me?¡± He questioned me.


    ¡°My trust is not that easy to get. It has to be earned.¡± I told him while crying.


    He looked at me as if he already lost the patient hearing me out. He grabbed my waist and the back of my head and drew me near him and he kissed me hungrily. I am totally shocked and I cannot move to his grip. I was crying and I felt that he was also crying. I can feel his tears on my cheek. That was my first kiss and why it has to be in this situation.


    I tried all my strength and pushed him to release me, but he was too strong for my match. So, I let him kiss me until he was satisfied with what he was doing. After a while, he stopped kissing me but he still held me to his embrace. I was crying, he too was crying.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to be rude and disrespectful of you. I just don¡¯t know how to exin things so that you would listen and understand what I have to say.¡± He confessed.


    I just listened to whatever he said. I am sobbing. He just caressed my hair while he embraced me.


    ¡°Did you see us or did somebody tell you the incident while we were alighting from the bus after the practice?¡± He asked me while he was still holding me.


    ¡°I saw you.¡± I answered him.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t youe forward, so that I can exin to you what you think that day?¡± He questioned me.


    ¡°There was no need to rify things between you and me or between you and your girlfriend. It is very clear what your rtionship is to that girl. Isn¡¯t that obvious?¡± I answered back.


    He released me from his embrace but he was still holding my arms and he looked at me as if pleading for a little understanding. I really want to know who that girl was.


    ¡°Who was that girl then?¡± I asked him with anger.


    ¡°She is nothing to me, no matter what she does or how she did it, still there is only one girl I want to be with for the rest of my life and that is you.¡±


    I was totally shocked and I could not speak but just staring at him with his eyes also staring at me intently.


    ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± I asked him


    ¡°It means I love you. And you are the only girl for me no matter how much they throw themselves at me, it is still you that I want nobody else. Do you understand me now?¡± He exined.


    ¡°You never asked me if I feel the same way with you. What if I don¡¯t love you?¡± He stared at me shocked and confused.


    ¡°I can¡¯t force you to like me, much more love me. Just let me love you instead and don¡¯t question how I would feel. Is that ok with you? I can ept anything you would say as long as you won¡¯t stay away from me. That could be death for me.¡± He answered.


    I felt so ashamed that this man in front of me would be willing to ept his fate on me even though I don¡¯t love him. Just my closeness andpanionship would be enough for him to live. It was a heartwarming feeling. I know I have my priorities and love was not one of them. Am I ready to open my heart to love? I want to feel loved and I feel something for him anyway. I can¡¯t say a word that I feel the same for him. So, I just kiss him on his lips, just a peck.


    His eyes were wide in shock and he tightly embraced me again and he was crying andughing at the same time.


    ¡°That does mean that you feel the same way as I do? Are you my girlfriend now?¡± He asked me, smiling brightly.


    ¡°Yes, I love you too. Is there any answer you wanted to hear from me?¡± I asked him mischievously.


    ¡°No, No, No. Your yes is more than enough for me as your answer! Though what you said that you love me too feels like heaven!¡± He was embracing me tightly whileughing with joy.


    ¡°I just have some conditions.¡± I told him.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    ¡°Go ahead, I¡¯m listening.¡± He said smiling.


    ¡°No lying. No dates during sses. And most of all I just don¡¯t want my father to know our rtionship until I am ready to tell him so. Is that clear?¡±


    ¡°Yes ma¡¯am.¡± And he saluted me as a sign of understanding what I wanted to imply to him.


    He kissed me again on my lips and it felt good. The feeling you were loved and he¡¯s willing to do everything for you. I wanted this rtionship to work until we graduated and had our own career. I just wanted this rtionship tost forever. I just hope so. I just wanted my first to be my forever, but would that be possible?


    We were cuddling for a little longer. And before we got out of his car, he kissed me again.


    ¡°You would get tired of kissing me if you did that often.¡± I told him


    ¡°I would never get tired of kissing you, even if we grow old.¡± I justughed at hisment.


    We went straight to the cafeteria where his team mates were staying. We joined them for lunch and it was a memorable day for both of us. He proudly told them the news that I am already his girl. They were happy and he was congratted by the team. We were now in a rtionship and hoping we could ovee everything that will go against our way in the future.

 7銆丷elationship

    ** Leon¡¯s POV**


    I was really ecstatic about what happened yesterday. I cannot ce my happiness, as if I am on cloud nine. I got to get the girl I was dreaming of since the time of the incident. I can only thank GOD for staging the incident to meet the girl of my dreams.


    I am more than inspired to practice with the team and study at the same time, because she is always near me and we get to see each other while in school. I was able to take her home in the suburban area and got to meet her mother who is always weing. Though my girl introduced me as her boyfriend, she requested her mother not to mention this to her father. She told me that she is quite open to his father and she doesn¡¯t want her father to get a different idea of her getting a boyfriend. Though it is not the end of her studies, I know parents want their children to get a good future and career after graduating college. Me too. I wanted to give my future family the best in life I could offer. I really need to graduate. It is good enough that my girl is good enough to bnce studies and our rtionship. Although I wish we could tell his father our rtionship so that we could openly show what we really feel for each other. I just hope that day wille, with GOD¡¯s permission and guidance.


    Every day in school is just like a paradise to me. I could see my girl and we have lunch together, and I could take her home if she leaves early at school. She¡¯s also understanding whenever we have a practice that I cannot take her home. We seldom go on a date because of the pressure on practice and studies. She was not a demanding girlfriend, but always understood. She is always happy that we can have our precious time together at school. She understands me better. The most precious part of our rtionship is that I could kiss and hug her. Who would not want to kiss and hug his girlfriend? It was more than enough to rejuvenate me physically and emotionally. She¡¯s beautiful and smart. My teammates were envious of me because they knew that there were other guys who wanted to hit on my girl at school. But then she simply ignored them all. She was not that popr at school, though she was well known to her department because she¡¯s not only intelligent but also with beauty. Even for the University as a whole. But she prepared to be simple and not prey to other¡¯s eyes. Her department only had three girl enrollees and all men, and all the three were schrs including her. One of which was state schrs and the two of them were University schrs, where she was one. These girls were her friends and I already met them during lunch time and they are also fun to be with. My teammates were hitting on the two girls. I just hope they will seed. I can only say that I am more than lucky to have my girl. I was praying that life could always be like this.


    ** Lisa¡¯s POV**


    Since the time me and Leon got into a rtionship, I am always at a bliss. I be more inspired with my studies. The only thing that bothers me is that my father is still in the dark with my new rtionship. I just don¡¯t know how to open up to him. Will he understand me or will he get angry? I just can¡¯t get all the courage I needed to tell him about me and Leon. I can¡¯t take the risk of telling me to stop my rtionship with Leon. It would be devastating for both of us if that would happen. I just hope he has an open mind to listen and understand us. I don¡¯t want to lose my father¡¯s trust in me. I am now in a dilemma.Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.


    ¡ª¡ª-


    It has been a month since I and Leon were in a rtionship. I have this guilt feeling that I should be telling this to my father. I don¡¯t want to hold it anymore. I told Leon that I would be telling my father our rtionship. I talked to Leon about my n, hoping to get some idea on the matter.


    ¡°When do you n to tell him about us?¡± He asked me.


    ¡°Maybe tonight after my ss in the evening. I was having a second thought about this. Whatever the oue, I wanted us to remain together. Do you agree with me?¡± I told him.


    ¡°There is nothing in this world that I wanted to be with but with you. Whatever happens, we will stick together. We did nothing wrong and we won¡¯t go wrong. I just hope he will see this in a different perspective.¡± He encourages me.


    ¡°I just hope so.¡± I answered back.


    After a while my ss was finally over and we were heading to his car to take me home to my father¡¯s house. But before we drove off, he was telling me something.


    ¡°I will send you to your father¡¯s home but I won¡¯t be entering the house. I will be leaving as soon as you enter the house. But still be careful. I don¡¯t trust your brother-inw after you tell me what he acted whenever you are there. Just stay in your room if your father is not yet around.¡± He warned.


    ¡°Yes, I will and thank you.¡± I answered.


    He dropped me off from the gate, but before I got out of his car, he gripped my wrist.


    ¡°Just be careful. I will see you tomorrow, ok? I love you.¡± Then he kissed me and drove off.


    I entered the house, good thing that my father was already there and having his dinner. He invited me to have dinner with him. I obliged because I am already starving. After clearing the table and washing all the dishes, we went to the living room to watch some TV program. My hands are sweating and I keep on twisting my fingers. My father can see my reactions and he knows me well enough to know that I am nervous to tell something to him. He looked at me with an observant eye.


    ¡°Do you have something to tell me?¡± He questioned. I could not say a word at first because I didn¡¯t know how to start. He stared at me intently. My eyes started to watered in fear. Then he suddenly walked to me and sat by my side and embraced my shoulder.


    ¡°Just tell me, I won¡¯t get angry or scold you. I will listen.¡± He told me.


    ¡°Promise?¡± I asked for assurance.


    ¡°Promise.¡± He assured me.


    ¡°Fa¡­Father, I already had a boyfriend.¡± I told him my head bowed and looked at my fingers which I kept on twisting. I am waiting for his answer and I am preparing myself for any eventualities that may fall on me. I didn¡¯t hear his answer orment. He is still not talking. I look at him with tears in my eyes, like I want to plead for him to understand. He embraced me and stroked my hair.


    ¡°Who is this guy? Is he good to you? Is he from your school?¡± With a chain of questions from him.


    ¡°Yes father, he is also from my school. He is always good to me. And you met him at the infirmary when I had this incident. He was the captain of the Varsity team.¡± I answered.


    ¡°I see. I wanted to meet and talk to him. Can you take him tomorrow? It is my free time tomorrow.¡± He ordered.


    ¡°Yes Father, but don¡¯t scare him please.¡± I plead.


    ¡°It all depends on how he answers.¡± He replied.


    ¡°Father!¡± I protested.


    ¡°Ok, stop crying. I just don¡¯t want to see you crying, it hurts me more seeing you crying.¡± He embraces me.


    I couldn¡¯t say more. It was good enough that he wanted to talk to Leon. I am hoping that it will turn out good. I left him in the living room watching TV and went to my room. As I was going up the stairs, I saw my brother-inw standing at the end of the stairs and staring at me. I froze at the bottom of the stairs not knowing what to do. I quickened my step going to my room to evade him, suddenly he grabbed my arm in anger.


    ¡°You already had a boyfriend?¡± He angrily asked me.


    ¡°That is none of your business! And who are you to question me?¡± I answered him mockingly.


    I shoved my arm to release from his hold. He let go of my arm but he continued his killing stare. I almost ran from him to reach my room. I locked my door after I entered my room. It was a scary experience whenever I encountered him. I didn¡¯t want to talk to him nor wanted to see him at my father¡¯s house. He is the scariest person I always avoided to see. I never told this to my father for fear that it would create a misunderstanding in the family. As much as I can avoid him, I would do it. Anyway, I would not be staying in this house forever. After I finish my studies, I won¡¯t be going to this house.

 8銆丠eart to Heart talk

    ** Lisa¡¯s POV**


    I have an early ss this morning. But before I could enter the school gate, I already saw Leon waiting for me outside. Worried was written all over his face. I Approached him immediately and kissed him on the cheek.


    ¡°Waiting for someone this early?¡± I mischievously asked him.Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.


    ¡°Yes. I am waiting for you. I am just worried about the oue of your talk with your father.¡± He worriedly asked me.


    ¡°Well, I can say it was good. He didn¡¯t scold me nor did he raise his voice. He just wanted to talk to you personally today after ss. Will youe? This is the only time he has for the week.¡± I told him.


    ¡°Hmmmm, ok. We will go. Just don¡¯t leave me, stay with me.¡± He requested. I wasughing at his gesture. I can see that he is nervous.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I will be by your side. My father didn¡¯t bite. He is a reasonable man.  That¡¯s why I love him.¡± I told him.


    We proceed to our sses. Good thing that they don¡¯t have practice for today because they were given time to catch up with their subjects. sses had ended and we were heading outside of the campus. I have waited for Leon at the parking lot so that I can go home to my father¡¯s house, and my father wants to talk to Leon. He approached me nervously, as if he was going to a first job interview.


    ¡°You can cancel this meeting if you are notfortable. I just don¡¯t want you to be fidgeting in front of my father if you are not sure of your intention to me.¡± I told him.


    ¡°It is not that. I love you and I can always fight for my love for you. I am really nervous because this is my first time facing the parents of the girl I love. I can definitely answer him with all honesty and from my heart.¡± He exined.


    ¡°Then we will both face him. I will not leave you, even if  he would tell me to leave. I wanted to hear what he is going to ask you and what will be your answer.¡± I encourage him.


    After that conversation he drove me home to my father¡¯s house. It was a silent ride. Both of us were nervous and thinking of what could take ce with this talk. I just hope everything will turn out right.


    We arrived home and my father had already waited for us in the living room. I greeted my father with a kiss on the cheek. And Leon was greeting my father with a hand shake. My father motioned us to sit. I saw that Leon was notfortable, so I held his hands which were really cold. He was really nervous.


    ¡°Rx man, I don¡¯t bite.¡± My father told Leon.


    ¡°It is not that Sir. This is really my first time talking in front of my father¡¯s girlfriend.¡± He exined.


    ¡°So, my daughter is your first girlfriend?¡± He asked.


    ¡°Not officially, to be honest Sir.¡± He said nervously.


    ¡°Oh, I see. How is that?¡± He questioned.


    ¡°Sir, I won¡¯t brag about myself since I am the Lead Captain of the team and even though I don¡¯t want to be entangled with girls at school, they always swarm around us. To be honest Sir, I don¡¯t have any intimate rtionship with anyone, just your daughter. I love her with all my heart and my intention to her is pure. We will put studies as our priorities because I also wanted to give my future family a good life. Rest assured Sir that I always respect your daughter and we will not cross the boundary of our rtionship.¡± He narrated.


    ¡°I have nothing against your rtionship or your rtionship with my daughter. I am a father and I wanted to protect my daughter from  getting hurt. I wanted to request from both of you that you make studying your priorities, as you said, you also wanted to give your future family a good life. No crossing boundaries with your rtionship. After you both graduate, you both can have whatever life you want or get married if you are both ready. That is all I asked from both of you. Don¡¯t waste your parents¡¯ time and money. Time is always gold. Do I make myself clear to both of you?¡± My father stated.


    ¡°Yes Sir.¡±


    ¡°Yes Father.¡±


    We answered in unison.


    ¡°From now on, you are not leaving my daughter outside the gate of this house whenever you take her home. Is that understood by Leon?¡± My father told Leon.


    ¡°Most definitely Sir. Thank you for understanding.¡± Leon said.


    ¡°I love my daughter and if he loves you, I will give you the chance to show your love to her. Just don¡¯t hurt my daughter.¡± My father requested.


    ¡°I won¡¯t Sir. I would be the first to get hurt if I hurt her.¡± Leon said.


    ¡°Ok, I will leave you two for now. Behave yourself.¡± My father said, and he proceeded to his room.


    It was really an interrogation night for both of us. But I am happy that my father understood us. While we were sitting in the living room, I felt someone was watching us from above the stairs and staring angrily at us. Leon was cuddling me while we were talking and the feeling of someone who is about to separate us in anger. I knew my father was already in his room resting though not yet asleep. But I could feel something dangerous was about to happen, so I told Leon to leave and said goodbye to my father. I went upstairs to knock on my father¡¯s door, when someone grabbed me by my wrist, and mmed me on the wall away from my father¡¯s door. I was staring at my brother-inw, shocked and angry the way he was reacting.


    ¡°What are you doing? If you don¡¯t release me, I will scream.¡± He was really furious, something enough for me to be strangled.


    ¡°Is he your boyfriend now?¡± I don¡¯t know what he was concerned about.


    ¡°It is none of your business whom I will get involved with, besides you already with my half-sister. What¡¯s the fuss?¡± I straggled hard to release my wrist from his hold. My brother-inw left for their room. Then I went straight to my father¡¯s room and knocked. He opened the door.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Leon is leaving and he wanted to say goodbye.¡± We went straight downstairs to send Leon home. Leon bid his goodbye to my father and thanked my father for the understanding he gave to our rtionship.


    I led Leon to the gate beside his car and he kissed my lips good night. I felt someone was watching us from the window. When I looked up, I saw my brother-inw shooting a dagger at us. Though I didn¡¯t tell Leon what had happened a while ago. I just don¡¯t want any troubles for Leon and me. I will deal with it soon.

 9銆丳rotective Father & Boyfriend

    ** Leon¡¯s POV**


    Afterst night¡¯s mind shattering conversation with Lisa¡¯s father, I can now breathe free and be at ease with our rtionship. It was known by her parents as well as at school. It was good enough that I introduced her to my teammates and friends that she is my girlfriend. Now, nobody will not try to hit on her. I would not allow anyone to be near her, especially those who are still trying to flirt with her. Even though I have entangled myself with lots of girls in school, none of them have been my girlfriend. Lisa is my first and I hope to be my forever. She has been my inspiration and strength to do anything that I have never done before, not even talking to a parent asking permission to be their daughter¡¯s boyfriend. I couldugh it out because I have done it and passed the scrutinizing presence of his father. That¡¯s how I love her. I could do anything for her. Now, the end of the second semester is nearly over. I could say that I have done a good job because I don¡¯t only get good grades and our team is performing well at the league, I also have the girl of my dreams. I am so lucky to have Liza as my girlfriend. I just can¡¯t thank GOD enough for all the good things I already have. Though, I have this one worry that was creeping my thoughts about her brother-inw. I heard their conversation upstairs, but I did intervene, unless Liza asked for help. I know her brother-inw is really a pervert and also has an interest in Lisa. I wanted her to go back home to her mother, which is much safer for her. I know her predicament for not telling his father the attitude of this pervert to her. She is still protecting the family. And before anything goes wrong, I would like to talk to her about this thing once I get the chance. I just hoped she would stay at her mother¡¯s ce rather than to his father¡¯s house.


    **Lisa¡¯s POV**


    So excited that the semester would soon be over and another struggling year toe. This semester has been the memorable semester of my life because of my rtionship to Leon. He has been my all first. My first touch, my first kiss and my first boyfriend. Who would ever think my boyfriend is the team Captain of the school varsity? Another first, my father allowed a boy to enter the house other than rtives. Even during High school year, he never allowed me to attend parties or Prom. One time my father allowed me to attend ss reunion because my previous ssmates talked to him personally and asked his permission to allow me to attend our ss reunion. He was really reluctant to agree, but he gave in with some conditions. I would stay at the party until eleven in the evening, and he was going to fetch me at the exact time. My ssmates all agreed just to allow me to be in our reunion. I found it funny, but I can see that my father had been over protective of me. I love the way he showed me how he cared and protected me, that¡¯s why I love him much too.


    Regarding what happenedst night between me and the pervert brother-inw. I don¡¯t have the courage to tell this to my father. I don¡¯t want to create misunderstandings between the family, especially when my father is concerned. I was nning to stay away from that pervert and I would be staying in our home in the suburban area after the semester ended. It was safer there even far from the city and the scarcity of the transportation is a problem. Maybe that can be arranged if needed. I would tell this to Leon regarding the incident with my brother inw so that we would not need to worry in the near future. I don¡¯t want this pervert to ruin anything that is going on with me and Leon.


    ¡°Where are you now?¡± I have received a text message from Leon.


    ¡°I am just about the gate of the campus.¡± I answered him.


    ¡°Ok, I¡¯ll be waiting for you at the gate. We need to talk about a matter of importance.¡± As I alighted from the bus, I already saw him waiting for me at the gate of the campus. He fetched me from the other side of the street as soon as he saw he alighted from the bus. With a happy smile on his face. As he came near me, he pecked a kiss on my lips. I blushed because of his public disys of affections. Though I see from him that he was just proud of me and doesn¡¯t care anymore.


    We cross the street at the same time with our hands intertwined. We went first to his car and got his things from there and told me that at break time we need to talk about some matter of importance. I just nodded to what he said and he sent me off to my first ss. But before he left, he made another peck of kiss to my lips and proceeded to his ss. I had so much blushing for the day because of his DPA. That was really new to me and I felt all eyes were on me.


    Lunch break was just a minute away and myst ss for this morning is nearly finished. Before I came out of the room, he was already waiting for me outside. As I came outside, again he gave me a kiss on my cheek. I pinched his side to stop kissing me every time he sees me. He teasingly embraced me from my back.	¡°Why are you ashamed of me?¡± He teasingly said.


    ¡°I am not ashamed of you, I was just ashamed of what we do. You are so arrogant to show your PDA. Maybe we should do it in private, because that is the right way to show our intimacy.¡± I told him.


    ¡°I just wanted to let them know that you are my girlfriend and they have no chance of hitting you if they have ns to.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you trust me.¡± I asked him.


    ¡°Trusting you is a different thing. But then, I don¡¯t trust anyone.¡± He countered.


    ¡°Ok. Let¡¯s stop that bickering. I am hungry and I have another ss after lunch break.¡± We went to the school cafeteria for lunch hand in hand.


    After we had eaten our lunch, we settled on one of the benches at the quadrangle and I asked him what was the matter of importance he was talking about.


    ¡°I¡¯m just thinking that you should stay at your mother¡¯s house next semester. Do you think I don¡¯t know that your brother-inw have been eye raping you every time he looked at you? I may not be talking it out to you, but I saw that you were ufortable whenever he was around. And I don¡¯t want you to be in a dangerous situation. I heard your conversationst night and I am afraid that if you don¡¯t keep your distance from him, he might do something that we both might not like, especially me. I don¡¯t want you to stay there anymore.¡± He narrated.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry that I haven¡¯t told you what happenedst night. I just don¡¯t want you to be involved yet with my family problem. Though I really want to stay away from him, if possible, my father would question me why I would note back to that house. I just don¡¯t want to create trouble between the family and it would be a big question if I won¡¯t be back to that house. I just hope I can get an early schedule so that I won¡¯t beteing home. But I really don¡¯t want to go back there, it creeps me out a lot whenever I see him.¡± I exined to him.


    ¡°For Your safety, you can go there whenever your father is at home. Am I clear?¡± Hemanded.


    ¡°Yes Sir!¡± I amusingly answered him. And we bothughed about our reactions.


    Our sses for today were over and I could go home to my mother¡¯s house in the suburban area. Leon drove me off there and I was happy that it was yet early when I arrived home. When I reached home, I saw my mother preparing for dinner. So, I let Leon stay for dinner time and he obliged. We had a little conversation with my mother.


    ¡°Did your father know about the two of you?¡± She was asking me the question.


    ¡°Yes, he did.¡± I answered her.


    ¡°What did he say?¡± My mother asked again.


    ¡°He just wanted us to focus first on our studies and be sure to finish what we have started for our future. We should know our boundaries to our rtionship.¡± Leon was just listening to our changes of question and answer.


    ¡°And Leon, take good care of my daughter and protect her in every way possible.¡± She suddenly said to Leon, then kept eating.


    ¡°Yes ma¡¯am, I definitely will.¡± He answered.Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.


    We finished our dinner in a good mood and clear mind. I just hope every day and night will be just like this day.

 10銆乀roubled year at School

    **Lisa¡¯s POV**


    Thest few remaining weeks of our sses were spent studying for the final exam of the second semester. If we pass all our subjects which I definitely will do, I am already in my third year of my course and Leon will be in his fourth year of his course.


    I know Leon¡¯s part will be much harder thising year because most of his subjects will be all his major subjects. I just don¡¯t know how he can cope up with his time having his game and studies. I can always understand his situation being an understanding girlfriend. I can only support all his endeavors in life no matter what it will be. I know time will not always be good for us to be together, considering his schedules and this will be the first test to our rtionship. To be honest, I was apprehensive of what woulde. Knowing that everything is not always bed of roses. Hoping we would pass this one.


    Exam week had passed and almost all my ssmates felt the pressure of anxiety. Not sure if they answered all the questions correctly or they could get a passing grade. The anxiety periods will be over once we get our grades pass or fail. Thankfully, Leon¡¯s and my grades were all good, specifically in my situation, I could not get a grade lower than 2. 5 because of my schrship. I would like to maintain my good standing as much as possible so that my father will not tell me that I have made a mistake in getting into a rtionship that will distract my studies.


    Vacation time has been a breaker of all the tension in studies. We enjoy our time together. We go on a date but only on day time and we make sure that we will be back before the end of the day. Leon¡¯s family is going for a vacation to his father¡¯s province in Pangasinan. He wants to take me on his vacation but my father rejected the idea. Though I wanted toe, I can¡¯t do anything to change my father¡¯s decision. While Leon was on vacation, I stayed at my mother¡¯s home though Leon was always texting me of the ces they have gone. I am happy for him for enjoying his vacation, so when he returns to school he is totally recharged.


    Enrollment for the next semester is going on and all the vacationists are all back to the city. For us schrs, our department was kind enough to take our schedule and enrolled us to our designated sses for the semester. While others have to take the long que line to enroll. For the Athlete Schrs like Leon, their team manager is responsible for the enrollment of their team. So, there¡¯s no need to worry for the scheduled sses to close.


    Leon has returned to the city but we have not seen each other. His team mates have been asking me if I have already seen Leon at school. I told them I haven¡¯t seen him yet since the start of enrollment. I don¡¯t want to create a fuss out of the question, but I remain trusting him. Hisst text to me was that he was already in the city but he never texted me since then. I am worried, though I don¡¯t know what came about that he became distant. I¡¯ll just wait for his exnation, if that wille.


    Time passed and the start of sses was approaching. I hadn¡¯t heard from Leon though I had texted him so many times. I am deeply worried about him. Has something happened to him or something he was not ready to tell me?  I hope none of those, because I cannot let my father tell me that ¡®I told you so¡¯ phrase.Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.


    sses have already started and I haven¡¯t seen or heard from Leon, even his team mates have been asking me about Leon. What could I say? He has never been in contact since he sent hisst message, I need to be strong for whatever became of Leon or this rtionship, I just need to wait.


    After two weeks of sses, I saw Leon¡¯s car in the parking lot. Being excited to see him, I know that maybe he was at their gym. I went there excitedly to see him and asked him what happened. My shock came crushing me down when I saw that girl was embracing his arm and leaning on his shoulder. His both hands were in his pants pocket not holding the girl on his side. He was talking to his team manager, his back on me. My eyes started to be watery and started to cry when their team manager saw me. Before Leon could turn his back, I left the gym and went to thefort room. There I cried and sobbed keeping my hands on my mouth not to make a sound of my sobbing. I was really hurt and devastated. I don¡¯t want to see him anymore. There¡¯s no exnation needed because I have seen enough of the lies and betrayal. I thought he loved me. I thought he cared for me. I thought he would protect me. What has be of those promises? It all became in vain and I was a fool to believe.


    I left school after I got out of thefort room. I need space to think and gather my strength to ovee this betrayal. I was hurt, really hurt. Being he¡¯s my first, I have to keep myself away from opportunists who are going to y with my feelings. NOT AGAIN! I am going to close my heart this time. I don¡¯t want to get hurt again. After sobbing and crying. I went straight home and I left school regardless of my ss schedules. After I arrived home, my mother wondered why I came home early. I just told her I don¡¯t feel well. I went straight to my room and I cried again until I fell asleep.

 11銆丒nd of Relationship

    **Lisa¡¯s POV**


    Next day, I gathered all my courage going to school. I need to be brave to finish what I have started and to show him that I am not a bit affected by what he has done. I just don¡¯t want to see him at all, not even a glimpse. As much as possible I avoided his team mate even in the cafeteria or in the school corridor. I just ate outside the campus all by myself. It was better this way than to get hurt all over again. He didn¡¯t even look for me to exin his side of the story, I never thought that he was that coward to admit what he has done. I guess it is better that way to avoid further hurt in confrontation. I tried to concentrate on my studies and not mind what I have heard from my ssmates gossiping about the women I saw at the gym with Leon. I gave a deaf ear to their conversation and continued what I did. I am just a robot doing things routinely. My friends in the department saw my suffering, they didn¡¯t ask me what had happened because it was like opening a faucet, tears would just flow automatically. Theyfort me in their own way, because they know how hurt I am.


    Weeks and months passed by and no Leon was willing to exin his side. When I went home, I saw a familiar car in front of our house. My heart is beating so fast I can even faint. When I entered our house, I saw him seated in our living room. When he saw me, he ran to me to embrace but I pped him with all my might.


    ¡°What are you doing here!? You must be mistaken to enter the wrong house. You may have got the wrong address. Get out of here!¡± I shouted.


    ¡°Please listen to my exnation first.¡± He pleaded.


    ¡°I have waited for a long time to exin your side of the story but you did note. It is toote for me to listen now to your exnation. Get out!¡±


    ¡°Please listen first, you are the one that I love, not her.¡± He sobbed.


    ¡°Stop lying Leon! If you loved me, you would have told me everything when you arrived in the city. Maybe I would have believed you then. Why it takes too long for you toe forward and exin. Your exnation was not needed anymore. Whatever it is, just keep it to yourself, I don¡¯t want to hear anymore. Get out! I don¡¯t want to see your face anymore. Please, avoid the chances that we could meet at school, because from now on you are nothing to me. You have hurt me so much! Seeing you would make me hate you more! Get out before I throw you out of the house! Get Out!¡± I shouted and cried uncontrobly.


    **Leon¡¯s POV**Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.


    I left Lisa¡¯s house crying.  I can still hear her sobbing and crying. I can see that she was really hurt and devastated, I admit that it was all my fault. If only I had the courage to tell her the truth of the incident as soon as I arrived in the city, maybe we could patch up things. She was right, how could I say I love her when I cannot act like I am really in love. I don¡¯t have the courage to face her because I know I really hurt her. If only I could turn back the hands of time, I would not be trapped by my childhood friend. I know she has had feelings for me since we were a child, but I only saw her as a sister. She gets me drunk and I don¡¯t know what happened after that. She tells me that something intimately happens between us. I didn¡¯t believe her, I really can¡¯t remember anything about that night. Only GOD knows what really happened. But I am determined not to marry her because I really don¡¯t love her. I will go against the odds, no matter what my parents and her parents insist on, I will not marry her. I only love Lisa and she is the only girl for me. I hope Lisa can forgive me.


    **Lisa¡¯s POV**


    After Leon¡¯s visit at home, I haven¡¯t heard from him. I really don¡¯t want to hear any. I promised to myself that I would concentrate more on my studies until I finished my course and graduate, and I would not get myself involved with any man during my studies. I never wanted to get hurt any more. That would not leave anything for me.

 12銆丟raduation

    **Lisa¡¯s POV**


    Few weeks from now is graduation day. Gone the heartache, gone the person that hurt me and gone the pressure of studies. It was all over.


    I was lucky enough that my father did not condemn me for having this rtionship. He was always there to support me and give some advice andfort to lessen the burden of hurt. I know if he saw Leon that moment, my father would definitely punch him to death for hurting me. What had happened to the promises? What happened to all my first? I lost all my first and now I believe that there is no forever. What was left now was only hurt. My first heartache to say the least. Now it is good enough that he did not show his face anymore. I know he was ashamed of what had happened to us. I haven¡¯t heard from him since Leon came to our house. Not even his team mates had any news about him. Maybe he has transferred to another school or worse, he married that bitch. I don¡¯t care anymore what would happen to them. I would lie if I say ¡®I wish them good¡¯, because they don¡¯t deserve one. I have cried a lot and I could not cry for more. Lesson learned, that¡¯s what I always told to myself and it¡¯s time to correct the time lost from me. No matter how hurt I am, I need to move on. Life can¡¯t be that good if I always sulk myself to oblivion. I need to be strong and be ready for whatever happens in the near future after graduation.


    Though my grades went down drastically during the time of my heartache. I lost my schrship until the end of my course, but after that semester I have gathered all my wits into pieces. I just maintain my good grades, though I cannot get the average grades for the honor of Distinction, I still have good grades that¡¯s all that matters to me. Considering that I am the only female student who is going to graduate this year. My twody friends get pending grades from one of our professors in design. Carmen, who was a state schr, pleaded for her grades andter got the honor of distinction. I am happy for her at least her schrship was not removed from her. Happy that my studies are really over and just waiting for the actual graduation to happen. We need to sign some papers at the registrar to confirm our graduation. And for some reasons, pay for some fees that are needed.


    Most of my friends congratted me for passing the hurdle of college life. It was not merely studies, but also rtionships. Rtionship to your ssmates, rtionships to your professors, rtionships to your parents who were nagging you for having low grades and rtionship to loved ones. Some of it would fail, but that must not let you crush to the ground. Raise up and don¡¯t let yourself fall down again.


    My father was happy upon hearing that I would be graduating. My mind now is to get a good job and pass the board exam. I¡¯m searching for a good review center to have my review for the board. After school papers have been processed, the schedule for our graduation has been set and I look forward to a new beginning of my career. How nice it is to earn your own money from your hard work.


    The graduation day arrived and my parents were there to celebrate my graduation day. My friends from school also attended my graduation to give me support for whatever I have gone through in  my life. I would always be grateful to them who were always there to see me if I am alright. And a ready shoulder that I could always cry on other than my parents.


    I am happy to graduate and finish my course though my grades suffer from my misfortune in love. But still, there was somethingcking in my life, that could be the void from my happiness. I just need to get over this feeling of emptiness if I want to seed.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    After the graduation and the release of my papers from school, from diploma to TOR and other pertinent papers for board exams and for applying for work.

 13銆丼tart working

    **Lisa¡¯s POV**


    I have already started sending my job application topanies that were in line with the course I finished while having my review for the board exam. Most of thepanies that have sent my CV have replied and requested me for a job interview.


    The first on the lists was thergest TVwork in the country. Though they needed a licensed engineer, they gave me a chance to be optimistic of the position I am applying for. I need to pass the board exam to get the job they offer.


    Next was the domestic satellite station located somewhere in the mountain side of Rizal. I was set for an interview and I was so shocked that it was not an ordinary interview, but a panel of interviewees. Though a little nervous of the questions they threw at me, I was so d that I answered it all correctly with the aid of some drawing that can be exined by just one word. Though it was so far from my mother¡¯s house as well as my father¡¯s, they provided a service bus to take all the employees from the city to this mountainous ce.  I took the job before I could finish the ss review for the board. I was given two options by thepany where I wanted to work, Management or Operational. I choose operational because it is where the action is. My first assignment was tower reading. I need to go up the steel tower to read the frequency of the signals thrown out and received from our receiver. Though afraid, good thing I don¡¯t have fear of height. I worked for more than two months until my father noticed that I am losing weight due to travel and strenuous work that I am doing. He asked me to stop working because he was afraid that my anemic wille back if I continue working from the mountain. With my father¡¯s persistent and nagging at my kind of work, I give up my work. Though literally I looked like a walking corpse due to the travel and shifting work we have. I am jobless.


    After I recovered from my normal health condition, my father encouraged me to study analytical programming. Though this study is within the scope of my course, it was not taken broadly. Now my father encourages me to broaden my knowledge on this study. I enrolled in an analytical programming course with the study of programmingnguages and analyst. Before I finished my course, I already applied for another job interview. Luckily, a lot ofpanies responded to my application and one of the big groups ofpanies whose business catered from real estate to department stores. I take this job because it is near my mother¡¯s home and I just need one ride from thispany. I will be supervising the EDP department whose sole purpose is to develop programs that are needed by thepany from the group depending on the nature of business of thepany that needs it.


    I was lucky enough that the people I will work with are all weing. Here, I met Sheena who is one of myputer operators. She is bubbly and easy to be with. She always wears a smile on his face and always has a ready answer anytime you ask her.


    ¡°Do you have a boyfriend?¡± She asked from nowhere. I was adamant to answer her. Though she wanted to know the answer.


    ¡°I don¡¯t.¡± I answered her.


    ¡°What?!¡± She was surprised by my answer, but I was more surprised that she doesn¡¯t believe me.


    ¡°Yes, I don¡¯t have one. But I n to.¡± Just to tease her on her real intention of asking me that question.


    ¡°Don¡¯t fool me! You¡¯re beautiful and I guess you¡¯re just in your early twenties and you don¡¯t have a boyfriend?¡± It was like a statement rather than a question.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    ¡°Yes, I don¡¯t. When I was in college, I had a boyfriend but we broke up and don¡¯t ask me why, Ok? I ¡®m still young, I¡¯m just 22 and I¡¯m not in a hurry to have one.¡± I re at her.


    ¡°I have a friend who is looking for a girlfriend. I would like to introduce you to him, maybe you two would click.¡± She told me.


    ¡°I told you, I¡¯m not interested.¡± I reiterated to her.


    ¡°Maybe sometimes when he gets here together with my boyfriend, I will introduce you to him. He is thendlord of the apartment I am renting in the city.¡± She exined.


    I just looked at her for being persistent in her idea. In fact, I¡¯m not at all interested in what she was saying.


    **Lisa¡¯s POV**


    After two months of working at my present job, I met this guy whom Sheena is talking about. He came after office hours together with Sheena¡¯s boyfriend and she was so excited to introduce me to William Paredes. Yes, that is his name. He looks simr to an actor in the Philippines. Though he¡¯s not that tall, he really looks handsome. I don¡¯t feel the tingling sensation that I felt with Leon. I just don¡¯t feel anything.


    I just felt that he was staring at me during the time that we were introduced. I just felt cringe. He invited us to eat at the restaurant below our office building. Me, William, Sheena and her boyfriend headed to the restaurant below. The conversation started with some questions focused on me.


    ¡°So, you are an engineering graduate?¡± William asked.


    ¡°Yes I am.¡± I answered.


    ¡°Actually, the apartment where Sheena lives here in the city is my sister¡¯s property, but she¡¯s not living here anymore. She¡¯s already in Denmark, living with her husband. I only managed her property until her petition for me arrived. Sheena¡¯s boyfriend here is my best friend, so we knew each other for years now.¡± I was just listening to his story.


    ¡°Where do you live? Can I send you home? I just hope nobody will get angry if I send you home.¡± I was shocked with what he uttered. We met just now and he was asking me if he can take me home? I find it weird.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry but I need to pass by my aunt after. She got sick and my mother wanted to know her condition.¡± I lied, just to shake him off from my side. Though I don¡¯t hate him that much, I¡¯m not yet ready for this kind of situation. ¡°Maybe next time.¡± I added.


    ¡°Ok then, I¡¯ll just send you to have your ride. If that is ok.¡± He insisted.


    ¡°Ok. So, let¡¯s go before it gets dark. Thank you for the snacks.¡± I stand up heading for the main lobby of the building. We walked side by side until we reached the bus station. ¡°Thanks again for the snack.¡± I told him before I stepped into the bus.


    ¡°It¡¯s ok. I just hope I can see you again. I hope next time I can send you home. Be careful.¡± He bade goodbye.

 14銆丄 date

    **Lisa¡¯s POV**


    After that day of meeting William, he often visited the office. At times, I almost rejected his presence. It has be annoying to me. Though he was so gentleman in every way. One time, he told me that he was into a group of bands and saxophone is his instrument. They were ying at bars and hotels sometimes and I am eager to watch him y his instrument with the band.


    ¡°Can I invite you tomorrow tonight? We have a show at one of the hotels in the city. If it¡¯s ok with you?¡± As if he is pleading.


    ¡°I would like to, but I don¡¯t know if my father would allow me to attend.¡± I told him.


    ¡°I would ask for your father¡¯s permission if you are willing to attend.¡± He insisted.


    ¡°Ok, you can talk to my father tonight and ask his permission.¡± I told him.


    ¡°So, I can send you home tonight, then I can talk to your father to ask his permission.¡± He dly said.


    ¡°Ok, as you wish.¡± That was the first time I allowed him to send me home. I was just curious about him ying with his band. He sent me home that afternoon using his car. Luckily, my father was at my mother¡¯s house, so I didn¡¯t need to call him toe.


    I introduced him to my father and my father was eyeing me curiously all that time, as if asking me questions. They talked a little longer and then he opened his intention of why he was here at our house.


    ¡°Can I invite Lisa to the Hotel where we will be ying?¡± He asked with ardent prayer that my father would say yes.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    ¡°Is she willing toe?¡± My father asked. Then my father directed his question to me. ¡°Do you want to go?¡±


    ¡°It depends if you would permit me toe.¡± I was a little shy to answer.


    ¡°Well, you¡¯re old enough to decide for yourself, so I guess you know what is good for you.¡± I was so confused about what my father answered.


    ¡°Rest assured sir that I will take good care of Lisa and I will send her home early.¡± He assured my father.


    But my father reiterated. ¡°I wanted her home early in the evening, not early in the morning. Do I make myself clear? If you broke this one rule, then there would be no next time.¡±


    I wanted to burst outughing because of what my father said. But his face was really that serious and William was blushing.


    He just answered. ¡°Yes sir, I will.¡±


    Then it was set that he will pick me up tomorrow night at 8 pm because their performance will be at 10 pm. Since we have no office tomorrow, it will be ok to bete at home, but notter than 12 midnight. That is the rule. My father¡¯s rule.


    After William left, my father talked to me. ¡°Is that your decision to go with him? Are you already in a rtionship with him? Just be careful whom to trust again. I don¡¯t want you to get hurt again. I might kill that guy if he does. Do you get me Lisa?¡±


    ¡°I understand father. I am not in a rtionship with him and I just wanted to enjoy it since he invited me to watch their performance at the hotel where they work. I am not that easy prey to be lured into their trap again, I knew better. And thank you for caring for me.¡± I got teary eyes.


    ¡°Just a reminder and do take care of yourself, ok?¡± He said with a reminder.


    ¡°Yes, father I will.¡± I embraced him while crying.


    The night hade and he came on time to fetch me to their performance at the hotel. I dress just right for the night with a wrapped around ck dress that is above the knee. With heels that arefortable to walk. My hairy down freely just below my shoulder with light makeup. I really don¡¯t want to apply makeup, because it makes my skin itchy. Just looking good was enough, no exaggeration to look better.


    The performance was calming especially when he ys solo with his saxophone. I never knew he yed that well.


    After their performance we stayed for a while to talk with his bandmates. They yfully teased him about who I am and how I know him. I was shocked when one of his bandmates asked him how I numbered his previous girls. I just look at him with questioning eyes. I just don¡¯t want to ask because we are not in a rtionship, we¡¯re not even friends yet, just apanion to the show. I want tough at myself for telling that to myself, who I am fooling with.


    We left his band mates and went to the terrace of the hotel, and he was sorry for his bandmates for saying something offensive. In fact, I was not offended, it was he was being offended by his bandmates.


    ¡°There is no need to be sorry, besides it is not offensive. I guess they are directing it to you. I just wanted you to know that we are in a friend stage and we have no rtionship at all. If ever that woulde, I guess not sooner.¡± I cleared it for him.


    He could not say a word but he just listened. ¡°Does that mean I don¡¯t stand a chance in your heart?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t mean that. But I am not ready to get into a rtionship this early. Besides, I have just known you for a month and that was not enough to get to know you. I don¡¯t want to get hurt again.¡± I exined to him.


    ¡°How does he hurt you?¡± He asked.


    ¡°He cheated on me. He was my boyfriend in college.¡± I told him with sad eyes. He didn¡¯t say a word.


    He just looked at me and held my hands and told me, ¡°I won¡¯t make the same mistakes as he does.¡± That¡¯s all he said.


    I just hope so. But I don¡¯t want to rely on what he said knowing that he is a yboy and messing around with lots of girls, how would I believe that? I would be fooling myself again.


    After some pep talk, we looked for his bandmates who would be staying in the hotel and left for home before my father got himself to the hotel. He always has the urges to follow me whenever I don¡¯te home as agreed. He¡¯s that protective ever since, and I love him for that.

 15銆乀he proposal

    **Lisa¡¯s POV**


    We came home as per time agreed. Upon opening the door to our house, I saw my father waiting for me in the living room. So, I let William enter the house to greet my father and at the same time bid goodbye. My father offers a handshake to thank him for sending me home as agreed and also William bid goodbye at the same time. I send William to the gate and also thank him for the wonderful night.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    ¡°I just hope this will not be thest time that I can invite you out.¡± He told me before he got into his car.


    ¡°I just hope not, we will see.¡± I¡¯m not giving him much hope for another time like this. I¡¯m afraid to get entangled and get hurt again. He¡¯s a yboy, what do I expect?


    After that night I attended their performance at the hotel, it was already a couple months ago. Every day he picks me up after office hours. It seems that we were already a couple, though he doesn¡¯t say anything. I was about to ask him something when he first talked.


    ¡°Lisa?¡± I just looked at him to see what was the purpose of his question. Then he looked at me. ¡°Can you be my girlfriend? I don¡¯t want to pressure you to answer me right now, but I wanted to ask you anyway.¡±


    I don¡¯t know how to answer him because I don¡¯t know how I feel. ¡°Just give me more time, please. I don¡¯t want to make another mistake and get hurt all over again.¡± I just told him.


    Though I feel he¡¯s hurt. I can¡¯t be hurt again. And I am not sure of what I feel for him.


    To get more information about him, I told Sheena that William was proposing to me to be his girlfriend. To be more urate, she has the idea of what William really is because she was living in William¡¯s apartment. She looked at me as if I had grown two heads. I don¡¯t know if she was angry or surprised. She just never answered and avoided me since then. I just really don¡¯t know what was wrong.


    After this incident, Sheena avoided me and even work rted, she doesn¡¯t want to ept the job that I directly assigned to her. That was in insubordination. I am her boss and she should follow what I instructed her to do even though she was senior to me, but I am the supervisor and she is just an operator.


    I was fed up with her attitude, so I reported her to our manager. She was called to the manager¡¯s office and I don¡¯t know what really transpired at their meeting.


    When she came out of the manager¡¯s office, she stormed to me and said she wanted to talk to me in private. We went to thedy¡¯s room and she went ballistic.


    ¡°Who the hell do you think you are? You don¡¯t own thispany and I have all the right to reject work from you.¡± She yelled.


    ¡°Yes, maybe I don¡¯t own thepany but we were paid to do what we were asked to do and I am your supervisor, so I can designate work to you anytime I want.¡± I countered.


    ¡°Do you think you impress everybody with your brain and beauty? Not everyone is praising you!¡± She shouted.


    ¡°Oh, I guess it is more than the work we are talking about here. Why don¡¯t you rify yourself and spill it out. I don¡¯t want to get the wrong notion that you are jealous. I know there was something about you that you were hiding since you introduced William to me. Is he the reason you changed when you learned that he wanted me to be his girlfriend? Why introduce William to me since you want him for yourself?¡± I surprised her.


    To my shock she admitted. ¡°Yes, I never thought that he would be interested in you. And since the time he knew you, he was always asking for information about you, which makes me jealous. Though I am in a rtionship with his friend, I was hoping that he would give me some attention more than a friend. He has been my crush since I started renting into his apartment and it was developed to love, but he just treated me as a friend. I never loved his friend but it was just a fa?ade of my rtionship. Hoping that he would get jealous of his friend, but I was wrong. Knowing that his friend is my boyfriend, I cannot show how much I love him.¡± This woman is really despicable. No shame at all.


    ¡°Then you shouldn¡¯t introduce William to me since you are in love with him. How was that my fault? I never flirted with him nor wanted him to be there almost every day. You should have control over him since you have known him more than I did. You¡¯re so unreasonable. You can have him too if you want. Anyway, I have nothing to do with him. He¡¯s not even my boyfriend yet. That¡¯s why I am asking you how you know him so I can make my own decision on him. And since you admittedly you loved him, you can have him. Bear this in your mind that as long as I am your supervisor, you will do the work as I tell you. This is just work and has nothing to do with your rtionship to William, or anyone for that matter.¡± I was furious at her for making me feel that I took William from her. I stormed out of thedy¡¯s room and went straight to my office.


    That afternoon, William was already there waiting for me. I asked him if we could talk at the snack bar in the lobby. Though confused he agreed and we went straight there. As we sat and took our order.


    ¡°What is your rtionship to Sheena?¡± I directly asked him. 	¡°What was with Sheena? She is just a friend, because she¡¯s the girl of my best friend.¡± With a questioning look in his eyes.


    I told him everything that Sheena told me about his feelings for him. He can¡¯t even fathom the problem of Sheena¡¯s revtion. I myself was shocked by how a woman can make a fa?ade of hiding what she really feels. I don¡¯t know how to break this to William, but I am sure of myself that I cannot stand to be with someone that could create havoc to my work and my life.


    ¡°Sheena has been arrogant at work and she disregards my order. And I can¡¯t tolerate her attitude towards me as her supervisor. But she has different reasons for doing so. She loves you and I cannot change that. I want peace of mind, William. And you are the root cause of her shenanigans. I can¡¯t avoid her, but I can avoid you. So, please stop whatever you are proposing to me. It is never toote to stop whatever we have or whatever feelings we have right now. We can never even say a break up because we are not yet in a rtionship. I just wanted you to stop seeing me.¡± I told him.


    He just kept silent. I don¡¯t know what he is thinking, but I don¡¯t want to enter into a messy rtionship especially when your rival is your co-worker and his friend. There will always be conflict. He just stood up and walked, but suddenly he stopped without looking back. ¡°I¡¯m sorry if my rtionship with my friend creates confusion for you as well as for Sheena. But please understand that I don¡¯t love her and it is you that I am interested in. Nevertheless, I will do as you requested.¡± He just left.


    He was true to what he said. He never came back. After a week, Sheena had filed a resignation. I don¡¯t know if she and William had talked. All I care about is that they stop messing up my life.

 16銆丠is Return

    **Lisa¡¯s POV**


    After all the trouble from Sheena and William, my peaceful life had returned. I was working peacefully when suddenly my best friend from college Elizabeth called. She told me that her parents had petitioned her to go to the USA. But before she can fly to the USA, she has still time to spend here in the Philippines while waiting for her petition. She was now studying at one of the biggest militaryputer instations in the country. And she wanted me to join her. The only catch is, I need to be a fulltime student at the camp. But before that I need to take their entrance examination.


    I want to try, but it will cost me my job if I am  epted. But it was a privilege to study in this kind of military instation. I was so excited and I wanted to inform my father if he could still support me in this endeavor.


    That day, I called my father if I could talk to him. ¡°What is it, another problem?¡±


    I wasughing. ¡°Why is it that whenever I want to talk to you, you always think that I have a problem? Why don¡¯t you want to see your daughter?¡±


    ¡°It is not like that, it just worries me.¡±


    ¡°So don¡¯t be. See you tonight.¡± I bid him goodbye.


    When we were having dinner, I told him that my friend Elizabeth had called me and I told him about the military instation schrship. He is also excited about it, because it is one of a kind chance to study in the military instation. It is a full time schrship so I need to be a full time student. The schrship would run for six months. So that means I am jobless for six months.


    My father agreed so I took the entrance examination. I was given the schedule of the examination day and time, so I need to request for a leave for that day.


    The day of the examination hase. For heaven¡¯s sake! I saw Leon, and he is one of the examinees of this schrship. I don¡¯t know if he has seen me, but I see him. I tried to avoid him by hiding at the back of the examinees. Fate really tricks me when our tables are arranged ording to the examination application number. Our tables were facing each other and he was surprised to see me. He jumped over to his table and went directly to my table. We were facing each other with the table in between us. We were staring at each other and no one was willing to talk.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    Our staring stopped when the proctor of the examination told us to settle at our designated table. ¡°Can you wait for me after the examination? We have a lot to talk about.¡± He told me before he went to his table. I just nodded.


    Most of the examinees were engineers and I am just lucky to be one of them.


    After the examination, I already saw him waiting for me in the lobby of the building. I don¡¯t know if I would smile or how I would greet him. Though his face is serious and he has lost weight. When he saw me, he smiled so brightly that I could remember the time of our first kiss. He extended his hands to my hands and he held it tight as if I was going to run.


    ¡°Can we go somewhere so we can talk?¡± He asked me.


    Fortunately, my office where I work is just across the military camp where the examination was held. I told him that we can cross the street to where my office is and there is a snack bar in the lobby. ¡°Ok then.¡± He answered.


    When we walked out the lobby, he was still holding my hand until we crossed the street toward my office building. I could not reject or say anything of what he does, because I also like the feeling of me holding him. The feeling is mutual. We don¡¯t say a word along the way to the snack bar. After we arrived at the snack bar, he ordered and he just stared at me.


    I started the conversation. ¡°How is married life?¡±


    He was shocked at my question. ¡°Do you seriously think that I would marry that girl? No matter what she says, something happens to us. And if ever she gets pregnant, then I would ept the child but not the mother. How sure am I that I am the father of her child?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want you to lie anymore and it has been a long time. What really happened to you these past three years?¡± With my eyes almost crying I asked him.


    ¡°That fateful day as I told you when I came to your house, we had a drinking spree with my friends so we all got drunk. As I remembered we were all gathered at one big table outside our house. When I woke up in my bed, she was already there by my side and half naked. Don¡¯t get me wrong and hear me out first. I really don¡¯t remember anything. I don¡¯t remember if I took her to my room, or if she was there along with my friends. I fought with my parents about that, and they don¡¯t support me including my studies. My eldest sister believed in me, she¡¯s the one who supported me all this while and she enrolled me in a different school until I graduated. She is also the reason why I am here for this examination. She told me to try.¡±


    ¡°What happened to the girl?¡± I asked him.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know and I don¡¯t care. Before I went to your house, I had already talked to my parents and to the girl. I don¡¯t care if they disowned me as their son, but I definitely would not marry that girl. I was about to ask you that day to elope, but I know how important you are to your studies. Though I¡¯ve heard from my friends in school that you lost your schrship due to what happened to us. I am really sorry for what it costs you. I know you were still mad at me. But I could only ask for your forgiveness.¡± He narrated


    He continued. ¡°Regarding that girl, she deceived anyone who would fall for her shenanigans. Sorry but I am not one of them. I would stand for whatever I feel and whom I loved, and that is  still you Lisa. I just hope you can give me another chance to continue whatever we have left, if you are still free.¡±


    How can I say no? He is still the one I have been longing for and wished that we could cross paths again. And here he is, confessing to all the wrong things thate across between us. I just don¡¯t know how to say yes because I still don¡¯t know how my father would take this if he knew.

 17銆丼econd Chance

    **Leon¡¯s POV**


    I was mixed with emotion when I saw Lisa at the examination venue at the military instation. I could not utter a word and I just jumped to my table going to her table. I just looked at her. I wanted to embrace her and kiss her but I cannot do that for fear that she still hates me for what I have done to our rtionship. I just ced both of my hands over her table and asked her to wait for me at the lobby after the examination. I was so lucky that she agreed with me. I wanted to jump with joy but also fearing that she already has a boyfriend. I just need to deal with one thing at a time. I just need to talk to her.


    I cannot keep myself from touching her because I missed her a lot. If I can turn back the hands of time, I should have told her earlier what really transpired between me and that girl. But fate creates a different path for us. I just wish I could correct it this time.


    Lucky enough for me that she doesn¡¯t have a boyfriend. I know she has been more careful this time to be in a rtionship because of the misfortune of our rtionship. I know it devastated her more than I can imagine because she was the one who got hurt the most. Too bad I cannot face her father anymore because of the promise I made to him. But I need to be brave to face her father again to show him that I really love her daughter. No matter what he said to me I would ept it because I am at fault. I hope this time fate will be good to us, because I really love Lisa no matter what. I cannot stand and ept that she would be lost forever.


    During the time that I was out of Lisa¡¯s life. My sister transfers me to a different school because she cannot stand looking at me depressed and my parents are not supporting my studies anymore because of the situation that I get into. Good thing that my sister can support me enough to finish my course because she works for the airlinepany as ground manager.  I need to ovee my depression to finish my studies to prove to my parents and Lisa¡¯s parents that I am good enough for their daughter and to my parents who were wanting me to marry that girl.


    When I was transferred to another university, I was already in my fourth year, and I knew Lisa would be in her third year, we have one year difference. I was devastated when I learned that her grades went down drastically and her schrship was stripped of her. I know it was a great frustration on her because of what I cost her. I cannot turn back the hands of time but I can change to correct the future and make it better.


    I am presently working as quality assurance of heavy equipment in one of thergestpanies selling and repairing heavy equipment in the country. I love my job and the pay is good, enough to start a family. I wish it could be with Lisa, my only love.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    After the day me and Lisa have settled our differences, I have constantly called her at her office and at the same time waited for her after office hours. I cannot directly send her home because Lisa was so afraid that her father would know that we were seeing each other again. Though I don¡¯t want our situation, I wanted Lisa to have her peace of mind for now. I don¡¯t want to be an added burden to her.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t take me home for now. I am afraid that my father will know that I am seeing you again.¡± Lisa requested me.


    ¡°I know what you feel, though I don¡¯t want us to be this way. I wanted to let them know that my intention to you is sincere just like before. If they could hear me out first, I would dly let them know.¡± I told Lisa.


    ¡°I just wanted you to know that I am not rushing you up. But I wanted to know my ce in your heart. Am I still there?¡± I shyly asked her.


    ¡°Now you are asking me where were you in my heart? Do you really think that I can easily rece you in my heart?¡± She answered, looking at her finger while twisting it.


    ¡°You mean, you still love me?¡± I smilingly asked her.


    ¡°I never thought for thest three years you became that slow Leon.¡± She said more like a statement than a question. ¡°If you have a recement in my heart, you shouldn¡¯t be here, ok.¡±


    I was so overwhelmed by what she said. I couldn¡¯t control myself from crying and I embraced her. ¡°Baby, thank you for forgiving me for all that I have done and waiting for me until now.¡± I wanted to kiss her but she stopped me. I am just holding all the urges that I wanted to do. But I need to wait. I know Lisa doesn¡¯t want to be intimate in public, that is a no no to her. It is good enough that we can start all over again. Now my biggest problem is her parents. How to gain their trust again. I just hope I can find a way to talk to her parents and exin my side without being punched in the face.


    While I am embracing her, I don¡¯t want to let her go. As if she¡¯ll run away and never return. I wanted the feeling tost while embracing her again in my arms. Hoping that it wouldst forever this time.

 18銆丩eaving Again

    **Lisa¡¯s POV**


    I and Leon got back together again. It was a satisfying feeling that I didn¡¯t give up my feelings for him and I didn¡¯t give chances to those who wanted to get into my heart. I nearly considered the proposal of William, but seeing theplication of the rtionship that I will get into if ever I ept his proposal, I back out. Thank goodness that I was stuck in the problem of Sheena for having fallen for William. That will give me moreplications at the end. Not only for myself but also with my work.


    A week after the examination that I took from the military instation, me and Leon were constantly in touch. If he¡¯s noting to take me home because of work rted reasons, he would call. If he coulde, he would call at lunch time to let me know that he will being. That was my everyday schedule with Leon, it was a heartwarming feeling. As if my life isplete again.


    I was so surprised I got an early call of the day. I was thinking who could it be. To my surprise it was Leon.


    ¡°Hello baby!¡± He excitedly calls me.


    ¡°Yes, hello! What¡¯s the matter? Why are you excited?¡± I was confused.


    ¡°You passed the examination! I never doubted you a bit. You really made it. I¡¯m proud of you.¡± He proudly said.


    ¡°What about you? How did you score?¡± I asked him.


    ¡°Nah! I¡¯m not really expecting to pass that examination, besides it was hard. It seemed like a Statistics and Probability examination, like how theputer works. It is not my forte anyway. It is really for you. Though I gained more than what I expected from that examination because I saw you and now, we¡¯re together again.¡± He reasoned.


    ¡°Yeah, I know. I¡¯m sorry though you didn¡¯t pass. At least you try your best.¡± I answered.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be sad baby. I can stille and send you home. It is like going to work and leaving for work after office hours. I will be waiting for you after your ss.¡± He consoled me.


    ¡°Did they announce the start of sses?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Yes, the sses will start two weeks starting today and you need to register to let them know that you are interested to join. Because there are some wait listers that would fill your ce if you failed to fill your registration on time. This could be an added knowledge and achievement at the same time. Very seldom people are given this chance, so grab it babe.¡± He exined.


    ¡°Thank you for the encouragement.¡± I told him.


    That afternoon I filed for a half day leave at the office to take my registration process at the military instation. After that, I called Leon and said that I have done my registration and I¡¯ll be waiting for him at the snack bar in the lobby of my office building after office hours. I still need to go to the office to file my resignation. It needs 30 days for the approval of my resignation. So, I have to work for the remaining two weeks and the remaining days will be filed as leave to consummate the 30 days approval of my resignation.


    Things went well for the remaining two weeks at my work as well as my rtionship with Leon.


    The start of my ss at the military instation hase and I am so excited to start the day. But while I was preparing for the day, Leon called me at home and told me that he would pick me up after ss and he would be waiting for me at the lobby of the camp. I was so happy that he is a caring boyfriend and had never failed to call each day to let me know that he is always there for me.


    The first day of the ss went well, not to mention some other attendees were surprised to see women entered into this kind of facility. Just like in school I came from women were treated no less because we were just women. We need to excel to prove to them that we also have brains. I and my friend Elizabeth were the two women who passed their examinations and we want to prove them wrong that we were not just women, we can make the difference when ites toputers.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    A month before the end of our course on the military instation, Leon talked to me about his n to go abroad. I have nothing against his n because it can help us a lot to prepare for our future as he said. So, I agree since my parents have not yet known that we have been together. They have not seen Leon ever since thest time he went to our house. I don¡¯t know if it is an advantage or disadvantage because of our previous situation.  Sometimes I have the urge to tell my father my current rtionship with Leon. Though Leon just waited for me to decide to tell or not to tell my parents our rtionship now.


    His contract is for only two years and after he finishes his contract, we will get married. What a dreamy n, I just hope ites to reality. Though I don¡¯t dream of having a grand wedding, just close family and friends will do.


    The seriousness of his intention to go abroad gives him anxiety. Sometimes I saw him staring at nothingness.


    ¡°Leon to earth. What are you thinking? Is there any problem? Since you n to go abroad, you have been silent. What¡¯s the matter?¡± I asked him


    ¡°I was just thinking, what if I left you for two years and your parents still don¡¯t know that we¡¯re back together again. What would they say if after my contract was finished and asked for your hands in marriage, would they not get angry after knowing that we already have a rtionship again?¡± He asked.


    ¡°Is that what you are thinking? Well, if that bothers you a lot, we can talk to them if you like. You just need to face the wrath my father would have against you.¡± I told him.


    ¡°I don¡¯t mind, anyway it is still my fault for noting forward about my problem then.¡± He reasoned out.


    ¡°If that is what you want, I can¡¯t say no.¡± I agreed with him.


    ¡°I will just let you know when I am ready once my flight is already confirmed.¡± He confirmed.


    My training has nearlye to an end and Leon has already signed his contract abroad. He just needed to confirm his flight schedule so I can talk to my parents regarding our n. I just hope it will turn out right.

 19銆丗light or Plight

    **Lisa¡¯s POV**


    A week before our training is through, Leon told me that he already has his flight schedule. So, he would being to our house and meeting my parents a few days before his flight. Too bad that I would be graduating on my training without Leon, at the same time happy that he has nned this for our future.


    I talked to my parents about me and Leon, and about our rtionship for the fast six months.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry father for keeping this rtionship from you. Though I have no intention of hiding this from you, for fear that you would go against it if you knew. Leon exined everything to me and the reason why he disappeared. He never cheated on me but he was trapped to marry the woman he thought was his friend. But he didn¡¯t want to. His parents also disowned him because of the incident. Hearing his predicament, I epted him because I love him. Her sister was the one who helped her to finish his course and helped him until now. Leon lived with his sister at present.¡± I exined to them.


    ¡°He should be the one exining that to me, not you. So, that was the only reason you wanted to talk to us?¡± My father questioned.


    ¡°Not only that father. Leon wanted to talk with you personally to exin what really happened and asked for your forgiveness. At the same time to let you know that he is going abroad.¡± I told them.


    ¡°When will hee?¡± My father asked again.


    ¡°The day before his flight. He is busy arranging his papers at present.¡± I exined to them.


    ¡°Then Let us know when, so that we can meet him.¡± My father told me.


    ¡°I will father.¡± I answered him.


    Leon is leaving within two days. He told me that he would being tomorrow night for dinner. His flight will be the evening after tomorrow. So, I told my parents that Leon will be having dinner with us tomorrow night. I was so excited though sad that we need to part ways for at least two years. I don¡¯t want to stop him from what he nned for us, because he is the man and he needs to prepare for our future. That¡¯s what I always bear in mind, it is for us anyway.


    The night hase as he promised toe to have dinner with us. My parents have waited for him untilte in the evening. 	¡°Let¡¯s go eat. It is alreadyte and I¡¯m already hungry. I doubt that he woulde anyway.¡± My father told me.


    ¡°You can go ahead, I¡¯ll wait a little.¡± I answered.


    ¡°He is noting. If he intended toe, he would have been here a while ago and we should have already finished our dinner. Let¡¯s go eat.¡± He angrily said.


    I started to cry. What had happened again? Why did he stand me up again? My father saw me grieving again. I was already sobbing when my father came to console me again. I was a fool to fall for his promises again. I never learned. Am I that na?ve or a fool to believe again to his false promises?


    ¡°I know it really hurts sweetie, but life should go on and move on to whatever lifees against your expectation. It is not always bad things or good things that are always happening in our life. We were taught to deal with our failures or shorings. When we learn, we will know how to deal with it when ites again to our life. By now you should learn how life taught you how to deal with failure. So that you won¡¯t sumb to frustrations. You are still young and there¡¯s a lot of good things ahead of you. Just always be aware of circumstances that will fall upon your way. Just enjoy life. Life is just so short that we need to take advantage of what we have today, alright? Stop crying. There¡¯s already a wrinkle on your forehead.¡± My fatherforted me.


    ¡°Do I have one?¡± I questioned him worriedly.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t stop crying, you will get wrinkled all over your face.¡± He jokingly said.


    Though I smiled at what he said. I whined a bit to his joke but I embraced him for having there always with me when things not going what I want it to be.

 20銆丮oving On

    **Lisa¡¯s POV**


    I had enough of crying for almost a week after Leon stood me up again. I really don¡¯t know what has be of him or why he didn¡¯t show up. I don¡¯t care anymore.  All I care about now is to move on and straighten my life again. Meaning, again the second time around that he has given me heartache and frustration. Why does he always hurt me? Did he really love me or was he just toying with me around, because he knows that he was my first boyfriend and I love him? Though I have given him the benefit of doubt that he truly loved me, I cannot leave the questions of WHY?


    We already graduated from the military instations, and my friend Elizabeth held our celebration at the restaurant with my parents. Since her parents were not here anymore. Her parents were already in Las Vegas and were only waiting for the release of her visa so that he could fly down to Vegas. It was really a nice day for us. She told me that she already has an employer in one of the casinos in Vegas, because her parents have already looked for a job for her. She was telling me that she would convince her employer to employ me too. I am not optimistic with her idea but dreamy at the same time.


    After two weeks of our graduation at the military instation, Elizabeth¡¯s departure came. Though sad, but happy for her that she would see her parents atst. As for me, I have been sending my curriculum vitae (CV) topanies who have an opening and looking forputer rted works. Lucky for me, one of the biggestpanies in the city financial district of the country is hiring Programmers/Analysts. Knowing the training I had, I didn¡¯t have a hard time passing the interview and it gave me to start immediately.


    Thispany has an affiliation from shipping, financing, construction to recruitment abroad. This is a great way to practice what I have learned from the military instation and it does help me a lot. I am the supervisor of the electronic data processing (EDP), and almost all of the information gathered from the various affiliatedpanies is processed by my department. Though a very taxing job, it is worth it to forget whatever worries that still bothers me. A really fulfilling job after all that keeps me busy.


    My co-employees were all friendly and I am happy with theirpanies whenever we had our lunch together. We never fail tough at jokes that they always cracked. We even have a night time every Friday whenever we have a lesser job to deal withpliments from our boss.


    I have already forgotten my broken heart and I am happy with what I am having right now. Maybe this time I can say I have already moved on.


    Having to do different programs to deal with different affiliations was quite a rattling job. Sometimes I experienced anxiety whenever the deadline for the program to run way beyond the requested time frame. So, most of the time I came homete to keep up with the time frame of work assigned to us. Though, I have never beente or exceeded the time frame given to us, which I can say I am proud of.


    I am at peace already with what my life has now. I can already smile recalling what I have gone through. I am not at all hurting. I have already epted the fact that Leon had left me and wherever he is now, I can wish him good not cursing him anymore. Whatever his reasoned be, it is beyond me anymore to guess or to know. I am happy with what I am now, and I wish this will be good tost.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    My parents were ted that I am not only busy with my work, but also happy with what I do. Though sometimes they were worried, because it takes most of my free time to stay at work to finish the task that was given to me. I have no regrets though sometimes I was deprived of my regr rest. But it was fulfilling enough to know that my program worked perfectly as what the affiliationpany required.


    It¡¯s been two months since the time I started from thepany I am working now, when one of their affiliate shippingpanies needed to change the payroll program. I needed to go to their office and talk to the person in-charge of the payroll of all the seafarers. The office is sprawling with male seafarers and I need toe here almost every day to gather their requirements. Once their requirements are settled, then I can create programs that are tailored to their needs.


    One day, when I was going to the payroll department to discuss further their requirements, I happened to bump into this guy who smelled like a baby. Yes, like a baby, because he smells good. It is seldom for men to smell good, especially when they sweat a lot.


    He was somewhat cold and seldom smiled, but I don¡¯t feel intimidated by his facade. It feels weird though that it seems that he was hiding something from what his face shows. He dressed simply, denim pants and shirt with cor which is their dress code when reporting to their crewing manager. We just stared at each other, so I just broke the silence between us.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I was in a hurry to get to the ounting department so I never saw youing.¡± I told him.


    He was broken into a trance he was in and he spoke. ¡°It was I that should say sorry because I am the one who crossed your path and I have not seen youing from that corner.¡±


    Oh, he has a tongue. So, he can speak. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s ok. I am just in a hurry to get things done in the payroll department. Ok, I need to go now.¡±


    ¡°Wait! I want to introduce myself, I am Richard Ss, Archie for short.¡± He extended his hand to me.


    Likewise, I extend my hand to him. ¡°I am Melissa Valencia, you can call me Mel or Lisa. Whichever you prefer.¡±


    ¡°I prefer to call you Lisa, which is more feminine.¡± He added.


    ¡°Well, nice meeting you Archie. I need to go now.¡± I told him.


    ¡°When can I see you again?¡± He asked me.


    I was shocked to answer his question because I really don¡¯t know how I can answer his question. I just looked at him, more like staring at him. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± I just answered him.


    ¡°Are you an employee here?¡± He asked.


    ¡°Not really, though thispany is a part of the group of affiliatedpanies that I am serving. I worked on the sixth floor¡± I answered him.


    ¡°I see. By the way, I am a seafarer who is waiting for departure. Anyway, nice meeting you Lisa. Hope to see you again.¡± He exined.


    ¡°Same here. Bye.¡± Then I proceed to the payroll department.

 21銆丯ew Acquaintance

    **Lisa¡¯s POV**


    That was a week after I met Archie in the corridor of the 2nd floor building of the shippingpany I am working with. I have been busy working on the program after gathering all the necessary information needed at the payroll Department. Though I work on the sixth floor most of the time since the EDP is located on the sixth floor. The payroll program has been generated for almost a week and we need to dry run the program to test if there will be some error that will ur before running it.


    After debugging the program of the payroll as requested, it is now running perfectly to their desired oue. I am more than happy that they were satisfied with the oue, especially my boss who was more than proud of us. He sends us to buy food to celebrate the sess of the program.


    So, my friend Helen went with me to buy food for the celebration. When we were already at the lobby, someone came running with us and calling my name.


    ¡°Hey Lisa!¡± Someone called from behind us.


    I turned my back to look at who was calling. I saw Archie smiling and came running at us. ¡°We have seen each other again. Where are you going?¡± He asked.


    I looked up at him and I answered. ¡°We are going to buy some food.¡±


    ¡°Can Ie?¡± He asked.


    I looked up Helen if she is willing to let Archiee with us. She just asked. ¡°Who is he, Lisa?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I forgot. This is Archie. He is a seafarer who is waiting for his scheduled departure. Archie, this is Helen, my co-worker and friend.¡± I introduced them.


    ¡°Ok, you cane with us, so that we have somebody to carry the foods we are going to buy.¡± Helen¡¯s mischievous smirk.


    So off we go. I have never thought that we could see each other again. We went to a restaurant to purchase the food listed for our little celebration. Archie helped us to carry all the foods we purchased. We returned to the office with the food on our hands including Archie. My office mates looked at us questioningly who the man was with us. Though they don¡¯t directly ask me who he is, their staring at us is enough for me to be ufortable. So, I introduce Archie to them.


    ¡°By the way, this is Archie. He is a seafarer from the second floor just waiting for his scheduled departure.¡± I introduced him to them.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    ¡°I thought he was your boyfriend.¡± Leah interjected, our ountant.


    ¡°He is an acquaintance. I just knew him a few weeks ago. I bump into him on the second floor while doing their payroll program. He just saw us outside and he offered his help to go with us to help carry these foods.¡± I exined.


    ¡°So, he is just an acquaintance?¡± Leah questioned teasingly.


    ¡°Yes, expecting something more than that?¡± I answered Leah¡¯s question.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry if I put Lisa into this questioning session. Though she is right as of now that I am a new acquaintance of hers, but I wish we could be more than that soon.¡± Archie¡¯sment made a roar of teasing,ughter, and pping.


    I was blushing with his outrightment. Ashamed for insinuating something out of his goodwill for helping us from carrying the staff we bought. I just looked at him. I don¡¯t know if I would get angry with him for being forthright with his words. I just stared at him. I don¡¯t know if I would get angry or be happy with what he said. I just don¡¯t want to expect something out of this simple help. I am not ready for whatever they thought this thing would lead to. I just don¡¯t want to rush into specting something that would put me again to destruction.


    My officemates invited Archie to our little celebration. Though he talks less, he gets along well with my friends and officemates.


    Though Archie was not the only seafarer who took advances of introducing themselves with me. Impressing me with their ranks and sry but I just looked at them as being braggart rather than being honest with their intentions. I just wanted tough when they started to tell me that theirpensation for being a seafarer is more than enough for me to stop working. I didn¡¯t need their money nor I wanted to stop working. What do they think of me? I am not a money hungry person. I prefer that I have worked for everything that I have rather than getting it from other means or from others. My officemates told me that seafarers are all Casanova. They have women in every country they stayed and leave them after they change port and country. I don¡¯t want to fall victim to their habit. As much as possible, I don¡¯t want this kind of work for the man I would like to marry. The chances ofmitting mistakes on the part of these men is greater than the wife who is staying at home. I don¡¯t know, it is just my point of view.

 22銆丳ursuing Her

    **Archie¡¯s POV**


    Weeks have passed and I haven¡¯t seen Lisa on the second floor. I was expecting her to be there as she said she was working with the seafarer payroll program. After failing to see her for days, I waited for her in the lobby of the building. Always hoping to see her since I don¡¯te here often to make a follow up for my schedule. I hope this day I will be lucky to see and talk to her.


    I had my luck today, because I saw Lisa with apanion who just came down from the lobby of the building. I called Lisa, but she seemed not to hear my call. So, I came running after them while still calling her name. She turned her back and saw meing running at them. I am so lucky that they were going out to buy food and I offered my help. They both agreed, though herpanion, whom she introduced as Helen, was suspicious of my sudden appearance. After they were through buying food, we returned to their office with food tow in our hands. Though Thankful for the help, her office mates thought I was her boyfriend. That was my real intention, but I need to take it slow. I don¡¯t want to rush things because I want things tost forever.


    They were teasing Lisa and I realized that I am not the only one who got interested in Lisa. I am be dumb fool if I thought that no one will notice Lisa. I know most of them are seafarers like me or her officemates. Her beauty is something that you would like to stare at all day and you wouldn¡¯t get tired of doing so. The first time I saw her when I bumped her on the second floor, I couldn¡¯t control myself from staring at her, that¡¯s why I became tongue tied to say a word. She might find me weird but I just loved staring at her.


    I¡¯m the kind of guy that talks less, even when drunk. If you talk more, you would probably get into trouble. I don¡¯t really talk much because I don¡¯t talk much about my life to anyone. We have our secrets meaning, life secrets. Though it is not as if I¡¯m a serial killer or a murderer. It has something to do with my family though, it has no difference from any other family that you can¡¯t be proud of.


    I was brought up by my great grandmother on my mother¡¯s side because my parents were separated when I was two years old and my sister was just newly born. My sister and I both live with my aunties and they were the ones who bear the responsibilities for our education. My mother works as a seamstress and she could not afford to send us to school, so my mother¡¯s sisters help us to finish our courses. My father had his own family now and he didn¡¯t spend a single cent for our education or send us money for our everyday needs. I really hate him for leaving us for another woman. My father was so shameless to let her wife and his other woman live in the same town. How unfortunate of us to have this kind of father. That¡¯s why we¡¯re always the talk of the town. I have promised to myself that I won¡¯t be like my father and I would be good to my wife and a good provider to my future children. That¡¯s why I am very careful to enter into a rtionship not until I am sure of what I am getting at. But Lisa is different, though I don¡¯t want to rush things because I don¡¯t want to make mistakes, thenter I would just regret it. I don¡¯t want to hurt others feelings as much as I don¡¯t want to get hurt also.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    I haven¡¯t talked to her that long because of our circumstances, though I wish we could have some lunch out to get to know her better, and for her to know me better. I knew she was avoiding getting close to any man. I don¡¯t know what was the reason for that. I would like to respect her space. Maybe someday when she is ready to talk and sit down with me. Fate then will take us where we should be in the future.

 23銆丣ealous?

    **Lisa¡¯s POV**


    Archie frequented the building lobby where most of the seafarers stayed whenever they made a follow up for their scheduled departure. I saw him waiting in the lobby while we went out for lunch.


    ¡°Going outdies? Can Ie?¡± He asked.


    ¡°Yes. I would first ask for my friend¡¯s permission if they wanted you to tag along.¡± I answered.


    ¡°Who is he?¡± My officemate Lily asked.


    ¡°Oh, by the way, this is Archie, a friend. And Archie, this is Lily, my office mate.¡± They shake hands as I introduce them.


    ¡°Nice meeting you Lily.¡± Archie said.


    ¡°Likewise.¡± Lily answered.


    ¡°Shall we go.¡± I told them.


    We proceed to the cafeteria near our office. Lily and Archie were engrossed with their conversation as if they were the only persons present at the table. I was left listening to them unmindful of my presence. I just continue eating my lunch and I don¡¯t mind them either. As much as I wanted to leave them alone, that would be rude of me. I have never spoken a word after our lunch out. Even when they asked or talked to me, I never answered them. How rude of me, isn¡¯t it? I just feel outcast from them. I just feel some anger developing inside of me. Why would I be angry anyway? Archie is not even a friend. I don¡¯t care if they get along well.


    After we arrived at the office, I left them and I just went ahead, not minding them at all. I heard Archie calling me but I didn¡¯t look back. I went straight to my office but Lily went to my office and asked me something.


    ¡°How rude are you? Archie is calling you back there and you didn¡¯t look back at him. How long have you known Archie?¡± Asked Lily.Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t heard him calling me and I know you two were busy talking. I haven¡¯t known him that long. Why do you ask?¡± answered and asked her at the same time.


    ¡°Does he have a girlfriend?¡± She asked again.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. You should have asked him that a while ago. Why asked me since I haven¡¯t known him that long? Are you interested in him? Why not ask him directly?¡± I was irritated when answering her. She just smirked and left  my office.


    After office hours, I walked out of the lobby and I saw Archie outside. I was in a hurry to get out of the lobby when someone called out from behind me and I saw Arnold, my officemate in ounting.


    ¡°Going home? Can I walk you out to the bus station?¡± He asked me.


    ¡°Yes of course. At least I have someone to talk to while walking to the bus station.¡± I told him. We chatted andughed while walking to the bus station. Not minding that Archie is following us. Arnold never left me until I got into the bus. Thankfully Archie never followed me anymore. Is he really following me? I don¡¯t care at all and I don¡¯t want to talk to him anyway.


    Next day, I was early at the office because there would be a meeting for our financial statement status. The meeting went well and we have some projects to get busy with. I have never thought of Archie anymore because I get busy with my workload. I have never gone out for lunch as I usually do, but I let my officemate and best friend Helen to buy me some food at the cafeteria. So, I ate my lunch at the office to get my work done at my scheduled work frame.


    Lily went to my office to ask something. ¡°Have you seen Archie?¡±


    ¡°How would I know I haven¡¯t gone out since this morning? Haven¡¯t you seen him outside the lobby?¡± I asked her.


    ¡°No. I haven¡¯t seen him.¡± She answered.


    ¡°Are you interested in him? You should ask him that personally because I cannot answer you that. I don¡¯t know him that well.¡± I was annoyed by my answer. She just left my room.


    I don¡¯t care if he was there or not. I don¡¯t care anymore. As I can see, Lily is interested in Archie and I have no control over it. He is not even a friend to me. Again, he is just an acquaintance and there is no reason for me to get annoyed. Though, I hate when Lily asks me some questions about Archie which I don¡¯t know how to answer.

 24銆乀he Revelation

    **Lisa¡¯s POV**


    A week after the lunch out we had with Archie, I was busy with another project with our recruitment affiliate abroad so I was not able to eat my lunch outside. I just ordered my food so I can eat at my office while working. I haven¡¯t seen Archie or heard from him anymore. Lily stopped pestering me about Archie. I went homete and I am not expecting anyone to be hanging around the lobby since it iste. But to my surprise, when I was getting out of the lobby, someone called me. When I looked back, it was Archie.


    ¡°Why are you still here? It is alreadyte. I assumed that the second floor was already closed.¡± I asked him.


    ¡°Yes, I know. I am really waiting for you.¡± He answered.


    My eyebrow is arching up a little because of his answer. ¡°Maybe you got the wrong person. Lily has already gone home, and I am not Lily.¡±


    ¡°Are you jealous?¡± He asked, smirking.


    ¡°Me? Jealous? Why should I? We are not even friends, why would I be jealous?¡± I was annoyed.


    `	¡°What about the guy that sent you to the bus station? Who is he, your boyfriend?¡± He asked, staring at me.


    ¡°That¡¯s none of your concern since you have lots to answer to Lily when she sees you. I don¡¯t have the answer to her question about you. She is pestering me about you. You two should talk so you can get to know each other.¡± I told him.


    ¡°Why push me to Lily?¡± He questioned me.


    ¡°What right do I have to push you to Lily? It¡¯s just that she keeps on asking me about you. What can I say?¡± I exined.


    ¡°Then, can I take you home since it waste.¡± More like a statement that question.


    ¡°What can I say, since you are here already.¡± I answered.


    ¡°Then we can get to know each other more. Have you had your dinner?¡± He asked.


    ¡°I can have my dinner at home since I am going home already.¡± I answered him.


    ¡°Then why don¡¯t we have our dinner first so we can talk, at the same time you can just rest after you arrive home.¡± He suggested.


    I don¡¯t see any problem with his suggestion. Since it is alreadyte and I am already dead tired to have my dinner at home. I just go along as he told me. We have our dinner at a fast food chain nearby. While we were eating, he asked me some personal questions which I don¡¯t know if I should answer or not.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry if Lily¡¯s query about me makes you annoyed though I don¡¯t have any control about her grumpy questions about me. I just wanted to make it clear that what we talked about when we went out for lunch was nothing more than a simple conversation. There¡¯s nothing for you to worry about.¡± He narrated.


    I immediately interjected. ¡°Me? Why would I worry about you or her?¡±


    ¡°I just wanted you to know that I am not interested with Lily since she made all the conversation going while we were having lunch. I am just being polite to answer some of her questions. But actually, I wanted her to stop talking.¡± He narrated.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    ¡°I don¡¯t see any problem with that since we were just friends. It was just awkward to join your conversation wherein I don¡¯t know what you are talking about.¡± I exined.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you see my point?¡± He asked.


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t. Then tell me.¡± I wanted to clear his point.


    ¡°I¡¯m interested in you and I wanted to pursue you. It is not Lily or anyone, it is you I¡¯m interested in. I am not rushing you to make your decision. I am good at what you can extend to me as of now. I am good with friendship first, if that makes you feel better. As long as you know my full intention.¡± He rified his point to me. I was so stunned by what he directly said, but I definitely get his point. What more was shocking when he asked me his next question. ¡°Do you have a boyfriend, because you¡¯re so aloof.¡±


    I don¡¯t know how to answer his direct question. But I answered him just the same. ¡°No, I don¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Why is that so?¡± He added.


    I stared at him before I answered him, contemting if I should answer his question or leave it as it is. But I choose the former. ¡°When I was in college. He was the captain of our university varsity team. We broke up before we graduated because of a big misunderstanding. Then after three years, our paths cross again. We reconciled, then after six months of our reconciliation he just disappeared. Since then, I haven¡¯t heard any news about him. Now, I don¡¯t know if I wanted to hear anything from him. Maybe the thought that he just disappeared made me cringe about what may have happened to him. Nevertheless, I just wanted him to be good.¡±


    He just listened to my story. I don¡¯t know what was running to his mind right now. At least I tell myself to him what really took ce in my previous life. It is better that he knows what he is getting at with me.


    He extended his hand and held my hand. ¡°I won¡¯t just disappear in your life unless I die. That is a promise.¡±


    I just looked at him. I hope he is right. But I don¡¯t want to depend on just promises. Because many promises have already been broken. Many lives and rtionships have been destroyed because of broken promises. I won¡¯t bet my life on it anymore.

 25銆乀he Promise

    **Archie¡¯s POV**


    After I heard what Lisa told me about what happened to his previous boyfriend. I was bothered why his boyfriend just disappeared. I cannot fathom the depth of his reason why he disappeared. Maybe time will tell, but I am sure of myself that I wanted her to be my girlfriend. As I have already told her that I could wait for as long as she wanted me to wait. And just tell me directly if I could get her favorable approval regarding my intention to her. I am ready to ept whatever her decision be, even if it can break my heart but I wish it is the opposite.


    That night, I took her home. Although she did not invite me to enter their house in the suburban area, I was happy that I knew where she lived and I safely took her home. Her safety is my main concern, that is why I insisted on taking her home since it waste when she left her office.


    Next morning, our crewing manager informed me that I had already scheduled a departure. This is what I am waiting for. I will be boarding my ship anytime soon just waiting for my flight schedule. I don¡¯t know what I feel, excited but sad. Excited, because I can already board a ship and I could start to save for my future and could help my family with our financial difficulties. But then sad, because I will be leaving Lisa and I don¡¯t want to leave her. I need to tell this to Lisa and let her know that I would never disappear in her life, but always be there by her side. Just be patient and wait for my return.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    I directly went to the sixth floor where she worked and asked her to have lunch out with me if she had nothing important to do. She agreed, so we went out to a nearby cafeteria.


    ¡°I wanted to tell you something Lisa, I don¡¯t know if it is good news to me or bad news at the same time since this would temporarily set us apart. I just wanted you to understand that this is my kind of work and it will be the start of me to save for the future. I know you don¡¯t believe in empty promises, but I can only say that you need to trust me. I would be leaving soon, Lisa. I will be boarding a ship for a nine month contract. I just wish that you could wait for my return.¡± I immediately told her.


    She just looked at me. I don¡¯t know if she understands what I told her. I can see her eyes watered. Is it tears? I don¡¯t know, I don¡¯t want to specte. But I see sadness in her eyes. She never spoke a word. She just looked at me.


    I held her hands and kissed it. ¡°I promised you that I would be back after my nine months contract. I hope that I will be seeing you by then, still avable and with no boyfriend.¡±


    ¡°Alright then, I¡¯ll wait for you in nine months and then I will decide to what extent we can be then. Will that be alright with you?¡± That¡¯s all she could say and I am more than happy that she had given me a chance to be in her life. I don¡¯t want to screw this up. I was holding her hands more tightly this time and she smiled brightly. Though there is no confirmation of my chances to her, I just feel I have already won the fight.


    We left the cafeteria, walking hand in hand. Most of the seafarers that we came across were staring at us including her officemates. I have never been happy in my life, though I have gone through many rtionships before which I was not proud of. With Lisa, she¡¯s different. I just need to admit to her that she was not the first girlfriend I ever had but I am dead serious with her. I just hope she believed in me.


    While waiting for my scheduled flight, my rtionship with Lisa has been good considerably, every day we go out for lunch and I could take her home. My fellow seafarer has been asking me if she is already my girlfriend, because I am fencing her from anybody who wants to get close to her. I don¡¯t want to lie about my real score to Lisa, but I don¡¯t want anyone to hit on her, I don¡¯t want that since I will be leaving soon. I wanted her to be mine alone. Call me selfish, but I am. When you are in love with someone you tend to be selfish.


    **Lisa¡¯s POV**


    After the day I told Archie about my previous boyfriend who went MIA (missing in action), he was constantly roaming around my ce of work. He already stated his intention to me though I have no definite answer to him. He could wait, he told me and I don¡¯t want to rush things again. Though I feel something for him, I wanted my feeling to develop to whatever it would take me. Another heartache is not my option. Let¡¯s wait and see. Nine months will be a good space to get to know if I would miss him or not. I am not a fan of LRD (Long Distance Rtionship) because most of those that are into this kind of situation do notst long or always fail. I just don¡¯t know if true love will test the rtionship from a long distance. Sometimes they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder. People most of the time like a tangible thing to fonder not air or absence. I can¡¯t say I wanted it, but I would try to test myself from being away from Archie if I would miss him or not. For now, I would like to enjoy his presence.


    The day of his departure hase and he requested me to send him off to the airport. Since we don¡¯t have an urgent job to do, I asked for a half day leave. He told me that he would pass by the office to get his tickets and other papers, so we can proceed to the airport after he gets all his papers. After we arrived at the airport, his flight number was called.


    ¡°Be careful always.¡± He embraced me tightly and he released me of his hold, he held both of my hands and pressed it to his lips.


    ¡°Thank you for sending me off. I will always remember this memory in my mind.¡± I just look into his eyes. As I see, no one has sent him off, not even one of his rtives. Does no one care about him?


    Next day at work, my officemates have been asking me if I am already in a rtionship with Archie. I just told them we were just friends. I also asked myself, who am I fooling? There is no confirmation of our rtionship but the action is much more an answer to their question. Denial is always what I do, because I don¡¯t want to be caught up again to a web of frustration and heartache.


    There are a lot of things that are still running through my mind. I haven¡¯t introduced Archie to my parents and neither has he introduced me to his parents or rtives here in the city. He said that he grew up in the province and most of his rtives live in the province. He stayed with his aunties and uncle in a military camp which is allocated for the soldiers like his uncle who is a Coronel. Not knowing anything or very little about him made me worry about his intention. I don¡¯t want another betrayal of trust. I already have a trust issue with man after what I have gone through with Leon. Though I don¡¯t want to look at them as if they were all the same. I just wanted to make sure of my feelings too. What am I saying? I already had a feeling for Archie? I really don¡¯t know, let¡¯s wait and see.


    I know starting tomorrow will be a different day for me since Archie has gone aboard his ship. Will that go with different feelings at the same time? I can¡¯t answer as of now.

 26銆乀o See is to Believe

    **Lisa¡¯s POV**


    Days in the office have never been that exciting. I have always concentrated my time on the work assigned to me. I never thought that Archie¡¯s absence would test my feelings for him.


    I met Architect Luigi Gil. He is the cousin of our Company President and he is from Davao. I met him during the meeting of our affiliate constructionpany seeking for costing and payroll done in our department. I gathered the required information of the project that they want us to do. He is the architect and manager of the certain condominium project that they have won through bidding. They need a precise costing of the project and payroll for the workers.


    The meeting ran smoothly and he is the only person who is responsible for all the information I needed for the output of the project they want. Ever since, we have constantmunication regarding their project which makes us see each other almost every day.


    I have seen a peculiar manner from him, because he was staring at me most of the time. I don¡¯t know if he understands what I have been exining to him regarding the project they want us to do. Sometimes, I am asking him some questions and he was just looking at me as if he was lost with my question. And I need to get his attention to focus on the discussion. His friend Rigor who is also an Architect, sometimes elbowed his side to distract his trance. Rigor is also a friend because he is pursuing my best friend Helen, and most of  the time he went with us for lunch.


    One time, Rigor invited us again, Helen and I to have lunch out with him. I was hesitant at first because I have lots to do at the office, but Helen insisted on tagging me along with their lunch. Then, as we stepped out of the lobby, I saw Rigor and Luigi at the car parking lot waiting for us. Helen dragged me along with them.


    ¡°It¡¯s good to see you again Melissa and thank you foring with us for lunch, it is my honor to have you.¡± I don¡¯t know how to react because hepleted my name and it is like in the medieval era that the prince charming uttered those words.


    ¡°The honor is mine Luigi. Is there any special asion that you need to celebrate with us? Besides you always address my full name, why is that so?¡± I asked him.


    ¡°You have a beautiful name just like the owner, and it is just right to speak it fully. Besides, I love the way your name rolled on my tongue.¡± He exined.


    So, every time he addressed me, he always said my full name. It¡¯s kind of weird though, I don¡¯t know what he sees from my name. It creeps me out, really. Then we proceed to the restaurant nearest to our office since I cannot take a long break because I have a lot of work to do. I told them that before we went out. So, they outright agree with me.


    ¡°So, how¡¯s the project going?¡± I asked LuigiProperty belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    ¡°It¡¯s doing good. Sometimes we cannot control some circumstances that would not be favorable to us. But generally, we¡¯re still on track.¡± He answered.


    ¡°Good to hear that. By the way, the development of the program is already done, but we need to debug it first. So that when it bes operational, you won¡¯t encounter errors.¡± I exined.


    ¡°I believe in you. You¡¯re not just beautiful, you are also intelligent.¡± Heplimented me.


    I don¡¯t know what he meant by that. As if he chooses his words to impress me? While Rigor and Helen have their own world and they just eat and chat. I always caught Luigi staring at me again. I be cautious of his actions and he sees that I am not at ease with his staring. I really cringed with his actions.


    ¡°I am sorry if you always caught me staring at you. Did I make you ufortable? I just cannot keep myself from staring at you. Your eyes are different, I don¡¯t know what color is that. It is not ck but I see dark blue.¡± He told me.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I really don¡¯t know what my eye color is. I am my father¡¯s replica. We have the same eye color and I do look like him, only the female version.¡± I exined to him.


    ¡°I see. Do you have a boyfriend? I¡¯m sorry if I became straight forward with you. But I do really like you, Melissa.¡± He reiterated.


    I was so dumbfounded with his straight forward question. I don¡¯t know how to answer him. I just looked at him with a questioning look. If he could ask me a straight question, that needs a straight answer then.


    ¡°I already have a boyfriend and he is not around because he is presently on board a ship. He is a seafarer.¡± I directly told him, though I haven¡¯t confirmed to Archie the status of our rtionship. I just feel something is not right about Luigi.


    ¡°Forgive me Melissa If I don¡¯t believe what you said. If I be persistent with what I feel for you. I haven¡¯t seen you with anyone for thest few weeks we have met. As for me, ¡®to see is to believe¡¯. And I would take all the chances to win your heart.¡± That¡¯s creepy of him.


    ¡°I know it is hard for you to understand because he is not around. As I have said, he is presently on board the ship and he has a nine month contract. And if given an opportunity, I would introduce you to him as soon as he arrived. Would that be ok with you?¡± I was in total shock. It is the first time I have encountered such a persistent man even if I said I am already taken. What the hell is he thinking? I cannot control what he feels but, please be reasonable enough to ept the fact. I cannot reason out anymore with him because he was already staring at me again.


    I whispered to Helen to tell Rigor that I would like to talk to him in my office after this lunch is over, and don¡¯t let Luigi know that I would like to talk to him personally.


    She did as I asked her to do. After we arrived at the office, Rigor followed me to the sixth floor. I let him in and closed the door. ¡°What is wrong with your friend? It creeps me out of what he is talking about. You know how I see my rtionship with Archie, don¡¯t you? Maybe Helen has told you about Archie, didn¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Lisa, I just can¡¯t control his admiration for you. I know you have a near rtion to Archie, but he never believed me. I told him about you and Archie, as he said ¡®to see is to believe¡¯. I cannot control what he believed.¡± He told me.


    ¡°It really creeps me out that he is talking like that. I just hope he could understand me better but I need you to help me to exin to him my situation.¡± I asked Rigor.


    ¡°I cannot promise anything Lisa, but I will try for the sake of our friendship.¡± He told me.


    ¡°Thank you, Rigor. You can leave now.¡± I thank him.


    After that lunch date with Rigor and Luigi, I often received flowers and food delicacies from Davao. My officemates told me that maybe the food has aphrodisiac or mixed with love potion to lure me to Luigi. Though I never believe in love potion, just to be safe, I gave all the food to my office mates. If ever that happened, they were the one to be affected by the potion. I wanted Luigi to stop sending flowers and food, so I nned to talk to him next time I see him.


    The submission of our project has been handed to them for testing, though it was already tested and debugged just for assurance purposes. Luigi and I meet again. I guess this is the proper time to talk to him. ¡°Luigi, can I talk to you?¡±


    ¡°Ok, regarding what matters? If it is something to do with the matter of the heart, I don¡¯t think there is nothing to talk about. But if it is work rted, I¡¯m all ears.¡± I was totally stunned by his answer. What can I do to stop him from giving me food and flowers? if he doesn¡¯t want to talk about anything that is not work rted.


    I was at a loss of what to do about him, and what other reasoning that he could understand. ¡°Luigi, please I appreciate the effort you have done for me. It is just that I have alreadymitted myself to somebody. I really don¡¯t want to hurt you because I know how it feels to get hurt. But if you ept it the sooner, the less the pain.¡±


    He just stares at me again. ¡°I need topromise with you. You just need to agree. Once my boyfriend finishes his contract and he doesn¡¯t show up, then I will give you a chance to pursue me. But once hees back and chooses to be with me, you need to back out. Do I make myself clear? That is a fair agreement.¡± Though I didn¡¯t get an answer from him, I just hope he does understand what I am trying to tell him.


    Days had gone by and he didn¡¯t stop sending flowers and food and he kept on stopping by my office just to say ¡®hi¡¯, ¡®good morning¡¯, and a lot of sweet nothings. I can¡¯t see that he would stop, so I let him be. I am just waiting for Archie to arrive.

 27銆丠is Return

    **Lisa¡¯s POV**


    Nine months of Archie¡¯s contract is fast approaching. Since the time he left was basically normal, just work and home. But Luigi changed it all. It is good enough that Archie made sure to ce a call whenever they arrived at a certain port. I am more than happy to receive his call knowing he gives me importance to his life. Though he cannot make his call that long because it was expensive. Nine months was not that long after all and I am not bored waiting for him because I have work to keep myself busy.


    From hisst call, he told me that he would being home after they arrived in Japan which is their discharging port. I was more than ecstatic because I got to see him again and Luigi would probably stop from pestering me. But I need to make sure if I decide to move our rtionship to the next level. Sometimes people say calm weather before the storm. I just hope my situation with Luigi would not affect my rtionship with Archie, and Archie would understand my predicament with Luigi. I just hope no stormes to us that we cannot surpass. There is always uncertainty when ites to rtionships just like weather. I hope we are both open for a talk whenever things get rough between us.


    The day of his arrival hase. He called me up after he just got down to the arrival area and it was so heartwarming to know that I am the first one he called immediately.


    The next day he reported immediately to his office and saw me on the sixth floor after. He bought me some gifts which I appreciate so much. He also bought food for my office mates to share lunch with them. We were happy eating while having a conversation with Archie. But not all were happy, especially Lily who had been eyeing Archie ever since they met this morning.


    ¡°I thought you two are not a couple?¡± Lily asked sarcastically.


    ¡°Yes, we were not at first, but before I left I had already confessed my feelings to Lisa. Though I don¡¯t get a definite answer from her, I am willing to wait until she gives me a definite answer.¡± Archie cleared Lily.


    ¡°So, Lisa, what¡¯s the score between you two? Archie, do you know that one of thepany Architects is courting Lisa and he is always sending flowers and food to her?¡± Lily stated addressing the statement particrly to Archie.


    ¡°Please Lily, don¡¯t create a ripple to our rtionship. He doesn¡¯t know yet what has happened and let me tell him first and not from anyone who just wants to create gossip. And why are you so concerned about my answer to Archie? What¡¯s it got to do with you if I answer him or not?¡± I was really annoyed with Lily for being sarcastic. ¡°If you want, you can tell Archie directly to confirm what was really running in your mind.¡±


    ¡°I have just arrived and we haven¡¯t talked about it and I will let you know if we havee to our decision, so let¡¯s just enjoy the food first. And whatever there is with Luigi as you said, we can talk it outter.¡± That¡¯s all Archie could tell Lily.


    I have almost lost my control and appetite for Lily. I just remember Sheena who had the same intention as Lily. Archie just held my hand under the table. He felt that I am losing my temper with Lily. Lily looked at me as if she wants to murder me and squeezed life out of me to get what she wanted to know. After our lunch at the office, Archie told me that he is going to wait for me after office hours so we can talk.


    After office hours, I have already seen Archie talking to Lily in the lobby of the office. I felt angry with what I saw. Lily is talking to Archie flirtatiously. Am I jealous? No, more like anger. Good thing that Archie saw me first. But I know Lily already saw me, but she was really ignoring my presence. So, Archie came to me and held my hand.


    ¡°So, there you are. Can we go now?¡¯ he asked me.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    ¡°I just thought you and Lily have not yet finished discussing some important matter. You finished it first.¡± I answered him irritably.


    ¡°No, we¡¯re done and we have nothing to talk about. So, we can go now.¡± Archie told me.


    Lily looked at me as if she wanted to stab me. If looks could kill, I might already be dead. Archie entangled our hands while we were walking which made her angrier. I let her watch us while we were leaving the building. Archie and I went to a restaurant for dinner before he could take me home. This is also the time that we need to talk about ourselves.


    While we were having our dinner, Archie opened up our situation. ¡°What am I to you now, Lisa?¡±


    ¡°What do you expect?¡± I told him.


    He just stared at me not knowing what I meant by my answer. ¡°I don¡¯t know what to guess or specte about something that I may be wrong about. Just give me a direct answer Lisa.¡±


    ¡°I can only say, what you feel, I also feel. Only that, I was afraid to trust again. I don¡¯t want to get hurt all over again. I have already told you what had happened to me with my previous boyfriend. It is you that I don¡¯t know if you have a girlfriend or you have any previous rtionship. I don¡¯t want to get into aplicated rtionship.¡± I told him.


    ¡°To be honest, I have many rtionships before you which I am not proud of. But I don¡¯t have a girlfriend now. If you ept to be my girlfriend, then it would be you now.¡± He mischievously said while holding my hands.


    ¡°How can I say no when you are already so assertive of my answer.¡± I answer him while smiling.


    He was happy to hear my answer, so he transferred to a seat beside me and he embraced me. He was about to kiss me but I put my palm to his lips. He removed my hands and held it tight. ¡°I am so happy to  get your answer. So that means you are now my girlfriend?¡±


    ¡°What more answer do you want?¡± I asked him.


    ¡°Thank you for trusting me.¡± That¡¯s all he uttered while embracing me. Then he whispered to my ears, ¡°Can I kiss you?¡±


    ¡°Not here please. I am not a fan of public disys of affection. Maybeter?¡± He just smiled as I told him.


    ¡°I will imter what you have owed me.¡± He whispered again to my ear. ¡°By the way, who is this Architect Luigi that is running around my back?¡± He then asked.


    ¡°I will tell you everything that you need to know regarding Architect Luigi. And it is up to you if you trust all that I have to say.¡± I told him everything from the time I met Luigi and his constant sending of flowers and food to me. His awkward phrase of ¡®to see is to believe¡¯, including our agreement and the manner he said my name.


    He looked at me through my eyes and held my chin with his finger while rubbing my lips with his thumb. ¡°I do believe you love me, because I trust you with my life. Whatever his intention with you, that is not beyond me. As long as your heart belongs to me.¡± Then he softly kissed my lips and electricity ran through my spine and he looked at me admiringly. He holds my chin and rubs my lips again with his thumb. ¡°Now you are paid what you owe me.¡± He mischievously said while smiling.


    I could not say anything but looked him in the eye. I am questioning myself what have I got into? I am happy that we have cleared our rtionship now, and I have cleared myself from Luigi¡¯s issue, we can now move on to the next level of our rtionship. I hope we can surpass the test of time to keep this rtionship forever.

 28銆丮eeting His Rival

    **Archie¡¯s POV**


    Now I can proudly say that she is now my girlfriend to keep other guys from making advances at her. I am thankful that she trusted me to be in this rtionship with her. And I need to clear things to Architect Luigi so he would stop pestering Lisa with his shenanigans. I will show him how I love Lisa and there is no chance for him to intervene with our rtionship. That day Lisa talked to Helen to tell Rigor that I would like to meet Luigi at the lobby, so Lisa could introduce him to me during lunch time. As this is a part of their agreement while I am away.


    Luigi came, and Lisa introduced me as her boyfriend. I am more than happy to see frustration from Luigi¡¯s face. It seems I won the battle and won the most precious gem in my life that they lost.


    ¡°So, you are Archie? Melissa told me about you, but I don¡¯t believe it, because it is unlikely that a beautifuldy like her will be left alone.¡± Luigi stated.


    ¡°She¡¯s not left alone. It is a matter of trust that we need to give to each other because of some circumstances. Just like my kind of work which I need to travel and leave most of the time. We need to trust each other and that trust coupled with love would strengthen our rtionship.¡± I told him. I hope he understands what I mean that he should stop pestering Lisa.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry I get now what you mean. I¡¯m sorry but I can¡¯t help admiring your girlfriend because she¡¯s not only beautiful but also intelligent. That was seldom seen from all women today. Congrattions Archie, I wish you both good luck. But please don¡¯t misunderstand whenever you see me with Melissa, it is purely work. I hope you won¡¯t stop me from making friends with Melissa, if that is ok with you.¡± He requested.


    ¡°I don¡¯t mind, as long as it won¡¯t cross the boundary of friendship.¡± I told him.


    I was so thankful that Lisa¡¯s predicament with Luigi has been solved. And I am so lucky that Lisa has been forting with her problem with Luigi. At least I can look forward to anything with this kind of situation urring again, we know how to handle this.


    Now, I guess I need to face my situation with my family since I settled my problem with Lisa. I love her so much and I would like to introduce her to my rtives, but I was hesitant because of my family circumstances. I am afraid that they would reject our rtionship. My rtives were all selfish. Once they know that I have a girlfriend, they always think that I would discard them out of my life and I would be selfish to them. I know Lisa is different from my other girlfriends that I have. I just need to find a way to introduce her to my family.


    Next day after I settled all my problems with Lisa and her persistent suitor, now I need to go back to our province to meet my rtives.


    ¡°Hey love, I need to talk to you. Can you have a break for a second?¡± I asked her.


    ¡°What is it? Is there a problem?¡± Lisa worriedly asked.


    ¡°No no no, it¡¯s just that I need to go back to the province for one week and take the chance to talk to my mother and my other rtives regarding our situation. I promise I will be back after a week.¡± I exined to her. I know she would question me, but she never uttered a word and wished me a safe voyage.


    I too have been questioning my rtives why they were so strict when ites to my rtionship to others, especially not of their choice. They do the same with my sister. I would not give in to their personal choices of whom I would love and marry. It would be my choice and not theirs, no matter what happened this time. I have gone to many rtionships that have been destroyed, and this time not with Lisa. Over my dead body. They could disown me, the hell I care. But they cannot change my mind about Lisa and my love for her.


    I have arranged my things and am getting ready to go back to my province and meet my rtives. It is eight hours by ship and 45 minutes by ne. I choose to ride the ship for me to give my mind an ample time to think of how to tell them my new found love. I know most of them would oppose  what I am going to tell them. I am not even hopeful of their approval. This could be the first time I would go against their will. I know GOD will always be by my side because I sincerely love Lisa.


    I arrived at our farm early in the morning and I needed to take some sleep because I was so tired from the trip and my mind was so upied by what would happen today. Though they were so excited that I had arrived, I could feel the tension in my surroundings. I am going to tell them everything I have in mind during our lunch and I am ready for their rapid questions.


    ¡°How was your work and travel?¡± My Aunt Nita asked.


    ¡°It was fine, and I would be promoted next time I board the ship.¡± I answered her? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    ¡°Good! That is a good start for you to save for the future.¡± My Uncle Dan rebated.


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s true. I am now looking for the future because I met someone that I need to save for our future.¡± I answered my uncle. They all kept silent and they just stared at me. I am waiting for another question from them but they don¡¯t say a word. So, I added, ¡°I already have a girlfriend and she is working at the affiliatepany of my shippingpany I worked with. She is an Engineer but she works as a Programmer/Analyst at thepany. I wanted to introduce her to all of you, but I am requesting you to show some respect to her, because I respected her that much. I don¡¯t know if you agree or not, but I have decided to marry her and I don¡¯t expect any objection to my intention from all of you. I don¡¯t want to be disrespectful, but I guess it is about time that I decide for myself.¡±


    ¡°Let him decide for himself this time. You have been manipting his life ever since he boarded the ship. Let him save for his future family as he said. He has given you so much more than you have given him, and he needs to do what is best for him and not what all you have instructed him to do.¡± My great grandmother said. She had always been my savior from her grandchildren. She was always there to defend me whenever I needed help. They have been silent from what my great grandmother said. No one objected. They just left the table.


    I went to my great grandmother and hugged her. ¡°Thank you Nanay, you are always there to defend me from them. I just hope you have a long life and see my future wife and my children.¡±


    ¡°I would like to meet your girlfriend. Please bring her here and I will make sure that she will be taken care of.¡± She requested.


    ¡°I would like to do that and I need to tell her first your invitation. She would be d to see you too.¡± I answered her with a smile on my face. I embrace her for always being there to support me.


    I called Lisa immediately after I talked to my great grandmother. ¡°Hi love, I am already here in my province and my great grandmother is excited to meet you. How is work over there?¡± I excitedly told her.


    ¡°Work is just fine. I am also excited to meet your rtives in the province. I just hope that your other rtives are excited to meet me too.¡± She answered.


    ¡°Of course, they will be and they don¡¯t have any choice.¡± I answered back.


    ¡°Well, I need to n it first so that my work would not be hamper once I take my leave.¡± She told me.


    ¡°Just be careful going home. I miss you, Love. See you soon.¡± I answer and bid my goodbye.

 29銆丳ersistent Suitor

    **Lisa¡¯s POV**


    I feel the excitement of Archie¡¯s voice from his call from me this afternoon. I just hope everything is fine with his rtives. Now I realize that he has a lot of rtives and I have to please them. I am more excited to meet his great grandmother, it is very seldom we can see people of her age still that strong and kicking. I just wish I could introduce him to my parents as well after he arrived from his province.


    Work has been flowing smoothly, but with little disturbance from Luigi from time to time. Though he stopped sending flowers and food, he did not stop from pestering me. I don¡¯t know what¡¯s his problem, alwaysining about the program. Sometimes he told me that it has some error but once I run it and asked him where the problem is, he can¡¯t pinpoint the error. I am guessing that he is just creating some nuisance just to get my attention. He¡¯s so creepy, we do make an agreement about being just friends, sometimes I just can¡¯t disregard his actions. Whenever I am in their office attending to hisint, he is always standing behind my back and touching my hair or smelling my hair. I always had goosebumps and all the hair on my nape rose. He¡¯s really so creepy. If only I could avoid him, I would have done that. Only that I need to see to it that the program I created will be running perfectly and give him assistance or repair the program if ever needed.


    I don¡¯t inform Archie about the creepiness Luigi is making. I don¡¯t want to bother him anymore. I knew he was having a battle with his rtives in the province and I don¡¯t want to add some more problems to his te. As much as I can avoid Luigi for his advances, I have been doing it with caution. I wish Archie¡¯s one week in their province is over and he would being back already.


    I would like to let my parents know about my new rtionship with Archie, but I was in a dilemma which one to prioritize. Archie¡¯s great grandmother is so eager to see me, though I need to let my parents know first about my rtionship to Archie so I can ask their permission toe to Archie to their province.


    I nned once Archie arrives, I would like to introduce him to my parents so he can freely enter our house whenever he sends me home from the office. I hope my parents would ept him just like Leon who has now disappeared.


    As soon as Archie arrived from the province, he immediately came to my office and gave me a hug and a peck on my lips which was so PDA. I couldn¡¯t say more, that was an instant and intimate action from him. I was surprised when I saw Luigi on the door looking sharply at us. Maybe he saw Archie embracing me and kissing  me at the same time. I would like to say that he is jealous, but we were not in any rtionship for him to get jealous. ¡°What can I do for you Luigi? Is there any problem with the program?¡± I immediately asked him while he was shooting daggers looking in our direction. Archie was looking more possessive while wrapping his arms around my waist.


    ¡°No, the program is running just fine. I just passed by your office going to the president¡¯s office to consult something. I just don¡¯t expect Archie to be here. Ok then, good morning to you two.¡± All the creepiness that he shows, Archie was apprehended for his action.


    ¡°Is he doing that every day to you? Is he stalking you every time he passes by your office? Is there something that I should know that you are not telling me?¡± Archie felt my fear so I told him what Luigi did every time he called me to his office.


    I was so fearful of what Archie might do to Luigi. I don¡¯t want Luigi¡¯s action to create trouble for me or Archie from our work. I know that Luigi is a rtive of the owner of thepany and it would be easy for us to be dismissed or fired from our work if it would create trouble for us. I just pray that Luigi is sensible enough to ept the fact that I am Archie¡¯s girlfriend and he needs to back off from our rtionship.


    **Luigi¡¯s POV**


    The first time Iid my eyes on Melissa was in the conference room, I cannot concentrate on the topic that we are discussing because I was so distracted by her beauty, especially her eyes. I was so mesmerized by the color of her eyes. It is somewhat ck but dark blue on the side. I thought she was wearing contact lenses, but she wasn¡¯t. She is also intelligent because she can answer any questions thrown at her. It is seldom that you see this kind of woman. Most of the time I was staring at Melissa, that¡¯s why Rigor always got my attention at the meeting. I cannot wait to get to know her.


    After the meeting, I introduced myself to her not waiting for anyone to introduce myself, since we were working for the program needed by the President to facilitate the costing and the payroll of the workers. I took all my chances to talk to her and made some conversation to get to know her more. I started with the project that we needed to aplish. Later it became more personal, though I feel she became aloof to answer some of my personal questions her. I don¡¯t normally invade others¡¯ personal spaces, but Melissa is different. I wanted to know more about her. I asked her what color  her eyes were. She herself doesn¡¯t know what eye color she has. She only knows that her eyes are ck and she and her father have the same eye color. She even tells me that she is the replica of her father, only that she is the female version of her father. Maybe they have a foreign lineage as I can see from her a prominent Spanish feature. She has smooth brown skin and nice smelling ck hair which has some curls that reach down her waist. Oval shape face, pouty lips, nice pointed nose and hazel shape eyes. What can any man ask for their woman if all what they wanted is already in Melissa. How could I just say forget what I fell for her. Not a chance, I will try my best to win her heart even though Rigor said that she was alreadymitted to someone.


    It really breaks my heart that the first woman I have ever loved has already beenmitted. If I havee earlier, maybe I have the chance that me and Melissa will be in a rtionship instead of Archie. I also learned from Rigor, that Melissa has a lot of admirers from the ground floor to the sixth floor of our building. I don¡¯t doubt it, because she¡¯s beautiful inside and out.Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.


    I know I feel that Melissa is avoiding me because of my persistence. Archie is just her boyfriend not her husband. I was really hurt when I saw Archie kissing and embracing Melissa, while I am imagining myself that I am the one kissing and embracing her. I never lose hope, and I can still fight for my feelings for Melissa. What would I do to remove Archie away from her life? This is the first time I was thinking bad for anyone because of love. I am selfish, I know, but can you me me? I want Melissa and I love her. I don¡¯t know what will make me change my mind not to pursue her. Just thinking about it already makes me feel like I¡¯m dying. I don¡¯t know how bad I can be, but forgive me, I can¡¯t let her go with any man, only ME.


    **Archie¡¯s POV**


    I saw how hurt Luigi was when he saw us at Lisa¡¯s office when I arrived from the province. I can¡¯t help myself from embracing and kissing her because I missed her a lot. I know how persistent Luigi can be, and I can also see that he¡¯s not the kind of man that easily epted his defeat. I am just afraid of what he could n to create havoc to our rtionship. I know he is that crazy guy that could do anything he pleases just to attain his goal.


    I wanted to talk to Luigi personally without telling Lisa, but I don¡¯t know what will be the effect of this on our work and our rtionship. I have to n ahead before Luigi makes his move. I don¡¯t want to lose Lisa and her work as well as my work.


    I have been seriously guarding Lisa from Luigi. I always made sure that I was there every lunch break and after work to send her home. My friends and Lisa¡¯s office mate were teasing me that I have already been fencing Lisa from other men. Yes, I admitted that because that is the truth especially when ites to Luigi. I know he is up to something not good for both Lisa and me.


    I took the chance to talk to Luigi when he came to the office in the middle of the day to attend some meeting with the President. I asked him if I could talk to him privately. He probably knew that it had something to do with Lisa. At first, he was hesitant to answer, but he gave in to my request. We went to a nearby caf¨¦ and I ordered some drinks.


    ¡°What is it that you want to talk about?¡± Luigi started the question.


    ¡°It is about us, you, Lisa and me. I wanted you to stop making any moves on her and, please leave her alone. I am her boyfriend and she is notfortable whenever you are around.¡± I told him.


    ¡°Melissa is not yet your wife and I still have the chance to steal her from you. Why are you so afraid that she will change her mind? Instead of marrying you, maybe she would marry me and she will be my wife. You see Archie, I have not given up Melissa to you and I never lose hope that I would win.¡± I was shocked with his answer. I wanted to punch his face but I controlled myself for the sake of Lisa. I have never encountered such a person who is full of himself.


    ¡°Well, that is your opinion, but I am warning you, don¡¯t hurt Lisa in the process of whatever your n is. I know we both love Lisa, but it is just so unfortunate that she loves me instead of you.¡± I reiterate to him.


    ¡°Maybe she loves you for now. But let¡¯s see how that love will survive for theing days.¡± Luigi countered. I can feel that it is a threat. I cannot back down because of what he said. Lisa loved me and not him, and I will do anything to protect our love for each other.


    Luigi just stood up from his seat without saying a word and proceeded to the office. I can see the anger on his face when he left. I followed him just to be sure that he won¡¯t be going directly to Lisa and talked rubbish about our meeting. I already nned to tell Lisa that I initiated to talk to Luigi about his conspicuous move to Lisa. I just waited until her office hours are over and we can n to stop Luigi from pestering her.

 30銆丯ext move

    **Archie¡¯s POV**


    I have been waiting for Lisa in the lobby of her office building. I am really bothered by the result of my talk with Luigi. I already saw Lisaing down from the elevator, my steps have been in a hurry as if someone will grab Lisa away from me. After I came close to her, I hugged and pecked a kiss on her lips. I don¡¯t care anymore what people may say of my actions. But I wanted them to know that Lisa is MINE and MINE alone. I know Lisa was shocked by what I did, but I cannot hide being afraid of losing her in the process as Luigi said. I held her hand and we walked outside the building and we went to a nearby caf¨¦ for a short snack.


    ¡°Lisa, I need to tell you something. I just hope you¡¯re not mad at me for what I did just now. I know you¡¯re not a fan of PDA, but I cannot control myself from being afraid of losing you. Forgive me please, but do understand my actions.¡± She just looked at me and encouraged me to continue talking. ¡°I have talked to Luigi just this afternoon and he was so persistent to continue his intention on you. He even made a threat that he would steal you away from me. I don¡¯t want to lose you. I would die if that happens. Do you really love me? I just wanted to know what you really feel about me.¡±


    ¡°What the hell are you talking about? Of course, I love you. I wouldn¡¯t be fighting for you over Luigi if I didn¡¯t love you.¡± She just blurted out.


    ¡°Thank you, my love for assuring me of your love for me, but it got into my nerve Luigi¡¯s threat over our rtionship. I cannot just disregard what he can do to win your heart. I am so afraid that I just woke up next morning that you¡¯re already gone from me. I don¡¯t want to lose you, you know?¡± I was really fidgety at that time. I am really speechless.


    Lisa held my hands. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, everything will turn out fine as long as we have each other, we can fight everything that wille our way. We just need to have faith in each other and remove all doubts in our rtionship. I just wish I could introduce you to my parents so that you can freelye to our house whenever you send me home. Will you be ready for that?¡± She asked me.


    ¡°I would dly do, if that makes you happy.¡± I told her.


    ¡°Well then, when are you ready to face my parents? I wanted you to be ready for eventualities, especially my father who might throw you questions.¡± She questions me. I haven¡¯t done such a thing in my life to face the parents of my girlfriend because I am not really serious about my previous rtionship. It was all a fling.


    ¡°We can have it tomorrow night so that I can prepare myself for any consequences.¡± I told her.


    ¡°Ok then, tomorrow night. I will tell my parents about you tonight so you can meet them up by tomorrow. Are you ok with that?¡± She confirmed it to me.


    ¡°Well then, it is a date.¡± I assured her. We left for the bus station for her to ride home. Unknowingly that there is someone lurking in the dark that was following us. I may not see him but I would guess it was him, Luigi. He¡¯s really creeping me out. I don¡¯t know what his n was to ruin my rtionship with Lisa, but I would never give up on her, knowing that she also loved me that much.


    **Lisa¡¯s POV**


    I arrived home after a short talk with Archie. I can see the worry on Archie¡¯s face that he was really bothered by the talks he had with Luigi this afternoon. I never thought that someone like Luigi would be like this. He can have any woman he wants, he is also good looking, rich, and educated. I can¡¯t see the point why he would threaten us. If only for his selfishness to get what he wanted. I just hope we get over Luigi¡¯s threat. I wanted to deal with one problem at a time. And I need to focus on my parents first to introduce Archie to them by tomorrow night.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    ¡°Father, sorry to disturb you. But I need to tell you something important.¡± I told my father through the telephone.


    ¡°And what is it this time?¡± He inquired.


    ¡°Don¡¯t get angry please. Promise me?¡± I solemnly asked.


    ¡°Ok, just spit it out. I am already holding my breath here of worry.¡± He¡¯s losing his patience.


    ¡°I would like to introduce to you my boyfriend by tomorrow night, and please don¡¯t harass him with your questions and badments. He will be attending dinner with us tomorrow night here at home. Please father, don¡¯t get angry.¡± I told him in one breath.


    ¡°How long have you known this man? I hope he is not like your previous boyfriend and boyfriend to be. Like Leon and William? Ok then, I will be there early so we have more time to get to know him better.¡± He told me with concern.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry father, but I have known him for quite some time now and I just recently agreed to be his girlfriend after he arrived from his journey. He is a seafarer and he just recently returned from his journey. He would be leaving again soon for another contract. That¡¯s why I wanted you to meet him before he boarded his ship again.¡± I exined to my father.


    ¡°I have already said yes. I will be there tomorrow night. Just be sure that he would not disappear in fear of meeting your parents.¡± He sarcastically said.


    ¡°Of course not, father. He would be there, as we expected him to be.¡± I assured my father.


    Now I have convinced my father that Archie will be here tomorrow night. And my father wille home for dinner tomorrow to get to know Archie, and I will also tell my mother that we will have a visitor tomorrow night. I just hope my mother will refrain herself from making badments.


    I guess introducing my boyfriend to my parents will be a good move to strengthen our rtionship against Luigi¡¯s threat to us.


    Today is another milestone for me and Archie, because this would be the first time that he would meet my parents, and his first time to face the parents of his girlfriend. As he said before, he never had the chance to meet the parents of his previous rtionship because he¡¯s never been serious with them in the first ce. I don¡¯t know if I could say I was lucky that he would give time to meet my parents, it may be an indication that he is really serious about what he feels for me and with our rtions.

 31銆丮eeting the Parents

    **Lisa¡¯s POV**


    In my excitement of what wille this evening, I arrived at the office early to see to it that I would be leaving early for the dinner set for tonight. To my astonishment, Lily entered my office as if I hadmitted a crime and used me of stealing something from here.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    ¡°You¡¯re so selfish Lisa. You have got a good job, a lot of suitors and yet you seduced Luigi as well as Archie.¡± She used me.


    ¡°Woh woh woh! Calm down, who you said I seduced? I have not seduced anybody, if you are referring to Luigi, you better ask him if I seduce him. And for Archie, maybe he already made it clear that you are nothing to him, and he is not interested with you whatsoever, so stop assuming things that you can¡¯t prove. I know you feel something for him, but that is beyond me to tell. You asked Archie if he feels the same way as you feel for him. I know he already cleared things to you, but you just refused to ept it. You and Luigi should go together, because you are in the same boat. Now, if you have nothing to tell me other than work rted, you may leave now. And stop using me of seducing people without any basis.¡± I reiterated.


    Lily left mming the door of my office that created a loud noise from the same floor. How can they use me of something I never did, I was so tired exining things to these people, out of their desperation, they used me of something to get what they want? Is that how they n to destroy me and Archie? Oh, my precious Lord. What have I done to get into so much trouble? What have I done in my previous life that I need to suffer today from  the consequences? I have already cried a lot when Leon left me for the second time, and now these people have already been on my neck and making my life miserable.


    I left my office and went to the wash room and started to cry. I cannot hold it anymore. I cried until there¡¯s no more tearsing down my eyes. Then I went back to my office and kept myself busy. I know what Lily has told me will start gossip like fire, because that¡¯s what she really wanted to destroy me with Archie.


    Archie arrivedte in the afternoon, so that his waiting time for me would not be that long. At the same time, he wanted to avoid meeting Luigi so as not to further their conflict.


    After that morning of Lily¡¯s usation, my day has been fine though sometimes I don¡¯t feel good and I just wanted to go home and see Archie outside of the lobby. After office hours, I was about at the lobby when I heardmotion and shouting. I walked faster to the lobby to see who was making somemotion. To my shock, I saw Lily and Archie bickering with each other. Archie saw me and he ran to me and held my hand and pulled me out of the building. But Lily blocked our way.


    ¡°You need to listen to me Archie, Lisa is seducing you and Luigi. She doesn¡¯t love you. It is I that really loves you.¡± With desperation in her voice. And to my shock, I wanted to entangle my hand from Archie, but he never let me go.


    ¡°I wanted to listen to you Lily since you don¡¯t have any shame to admit that you really love Archie. Does he promise you anything that you assumed that he loved you or you were just assuming it? Now Archie, tell her who do you really love? I don¡¯t want to be the third wheel here, just rify it in front of her, NOW!¡± Archie was shocked with my demand and talked to Lily.


    ¡°Lily, I have already made it clear to you time and again that I love Lisa more than my life, and as much as you wanted to know who you really are to me, you are just nothing Lily. I have not even said a single word that you would expect me to like you or even love you. I love Lisa and she will only be the one I will love. Regarding what you said that she seduced me, well I allow her to seduce me because I also seduce her to be with me. So don¡¯t specte that I have feelings for you, because there is none. You stop your shameless act because there is nothing between us and there will never be. I hope you will stop this shameless act of yours.¡± Archie cleared Lily, while everyone was watching. I pity Lily but she is so shameless to bring this thing up in the open, instead that we have talked this out privately.


    I have seen Luigi at the lobby and he is one of the spectators of the scene created by Lily. I don¡¯t know what was running into his mind. I know he¡¯s that creepy and being aware of his threat to us, we need to be careful when dealing with him or we will fall into his trap. We left the lobby and walked hand in hand and the spectators watched us leave. I am not the one to be ashamed, though sometimes people could just judge you by just merely hearing the gossip not the truth behind it.


    We need to cool down a bit to release the tension from our heart. So, Archie suggested we need to take a breather at the caf¨¦. So, we entered the caf¨¦ and ordered.


    ¡°I thought you would listen to what Lily said about me. I have no rtionship with her nor do I have feelings for her. I have always avoided her as much as possible because I know she feels something for me. But I have always said to her that I wanted no one but you.¡± Archie exined to me.


    ¡°I do understand you, and also thank you for not believing that I seduced you and Archie.¡± He justughed.


    ¡°It is so funny that she used you of seducing me, while I am the one seducing you. If I don¡¯t seduce you, I am still waiting desperately for your answer and Luigi might have the chance of stealing you away from me.¡±


    ¡°Would you allow that to happen?¡± I asked him.


    ¡°Of course not! Over my dead body!¡± He answered angrily.


    ¡°Then we should not befortable thinking that we have already taken them away from our path. Let¡¯s still be aware of our surroundings. Ok, then we need to go home. My parents are waiting for us.¡± I told him.


    We arrived at home earlier than expected, though the dinner was already prepared. My father is already in  the living room waiting for us. As soon as we enter the living room, I introduce Archie to my father as well as my mother. My father shook Archie¡¯s hand as well as my mother. My mother already showed a sour face to Archie but I disregarded his action. The most important person to me is my father, because he is a more reasonable person to talk with.


    ¡°Where do you both meet?¡± My father asked Archie.


    ¡°I bumped her sir in the office where I am following up for my scheduled departure. Since then, I have been waiting for her at the office lobby to get to know her.¡± Archie told my father.


    ¡°So, you¡¯ve been stalking my daughter ever since you bumped her?¡± My father stated.


    ¡°I would like to clear that notion sir. To be honest sir, I was already smitten by you daughter so I have always made a point that I could see her even from a distance. And I never distracted her from her work or became desperate for my action. If she says no, it is a NO, and I never persisted. My intention to her is sincere, and I would not make her cry.¡± Archie rifies.


    ¡°Did she ever tell you that the same word her previous boyfriend told me? He also told me that his intention was sincere, then he left and never came back. My daughter is precious to me and I don¡¯t want another hurt toe upon her. I cannot control her heart because I¡¯m not a heartless father. I just wanted her to be happy and never go through another heartache and frustration. If you cannot promise me that, you should already back out.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry sir if she went through a lot before I came into her life, but I just wanted to assure that I will love her faithfully and as much as possible never make her cry. I cannot promise a bed of roses for her since I was just beginning to save for the future. But I wanted you to know that she is my future. My line of work is travelling outside the country, and wanted to assure you sir that themunication between me and Lisa will always be open.¡± Archie brought out his heart and soul.


    ¡°Well then, since you two have an understanding already, I will not be a hindrance to you two. But be sure Archie that my daughter will be safe by your side all the time. Did I make myself clear?¡± My father cleared himself to Archie.


    ¡°Yes sir, and thank you very much for understanding and epting our rtionship. I cannot promise anything sir, but I would put my life for her safety and happiness. Thank you, again sir.¡± Archie promised to my father.

 32銆丄cceptance of Defeat

    **Lisa¡¯s POV**


    What a quiet night and a blissful dinner. The dinner has been a good start for Archie and I. He can now enter our home whenever he sends me home and not like before that he stays outside. I was hoping that his rtives would do the same thing for him just like my parents did. I slept peacefully that night after Archie left home. He left with a smile on his face knowing that he just passed the first hurdle of our rtionship, my parents. I just hope his next move is to introduce me to his rtives and mother.


    I arrived at the office early because I woke up early and out of excitement that my parents agreed with my rtionship. But to my surprise, Luigi is already at my office sitting in my visitor¡¯s chair. I don¡¯t know what¡¯s his business this time, but I have a gut feeling that it is not good at all.


    ¡°Good morning, Luigi. What can I do for you this early in the morning?¡± I asked him


    ¡°Is that all you can say and ask?¡± He questioned.


    I furrowed my eyebrow as if I asked something hurtful. ¡°Then, what do you want me to ask if not for work rted matters?¡± I asked him again.


    He stood up as I approached my chair behind the table. He grabbed my wrist and mmed me to his chest and embraced me tight. I wiggled to release me from his hold, but he just held me tighter. He tried to kiss me but I turned my face away from him but he yanked my hair to face him. Then he forcefully kissed my lips like a hungry animal devouring my lips. I cannot release myself from his hold, so with all my force, I stepped on his foot with my heels. Then he released me with agonizing pain on his toes. Then I p him hard on his face.


    ¡°What the hell are you thinking Luigi?! Is that how you want me to see how despicable man you are?! That you cannot ept defeat? You just now proved yourself that I cannot trust you anymore.¡± I was already sobbing, he was just standing in front of me while I sat on my chair still sobbing. I cannot stand still because my legs are shaking from what had happened. I can see that there were tears in his eyes. I pity him but I cannot force myself to love him because I love Archie.


    He went to the opposite chair and held my hands while we both cried. ¡°Sorry, If I did something drastic and hurt you in the process. I do really love you Melissa and it breaks my heart to admit my defeat and I could never see you again. I am really desperate to make you mine, but it seems that Archie really swept you on your feet.¡±


    ¡°Do you think that what you did can change my mind? Even if you raped me, I will not marry you! Just thinking that you forced yourself on me makes me hate you more! There will be no love at all. In desperation you did what you did, you must understand that love is a two-way rtionship. You will not be happy if I give in to your desire, but will you befortable if I love someone but not you? I guess not, you will always be in turmoil. Luigi for thest time, I beg you to stop doing this. ept your defeat and let¡¯s just be friends. That¡¯s all I can give you. I know you will find someone much better than me.¡± I continue sobbing.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    He released my hand and stood up. He walked to the door and stopped. ¡°I¡¯m sorry Melissa, I really am. I just can¡¯t control the pain that my heart suffered because of my defeat to Archie. If only I could teach my heart to stop loving you, I would have done so. Now I realize how painful it is to love someone but not reciprocated. I¡¯m sorry, but I rejected your friendship because I wanted more than that. I know I can never look into your eyes ever again because of what I did. I am really ashamed of myself for all that it cost. With all my heart, I wish you happiness with the one you love. Sorry again Melissa, you will still be the one I truly love and will always be a part of my heart.¡± He left me sobbing and thankful that he will stop pestering me. That¡¯s all I need for him to ept his defeat and stop his innuendoes.


    **Luigi¡¯s POV**


    I really love Malissa and the incident at the lobby with Lily and Archie is something that puts me to think seriously of the incident. I cannot really let Melissa go to someone whose personality is questionable. I can¡¯t say Archie is truthful to Melissa. What if Lily is telling the truth that Archie is also courting or pursuing Lily? I don¡¯t want to see Melissa crying because Archie is unfaithful to her. I need to do something that could change her mind and divert her attention to me instead of Archie.


    I get to her office early so I can talk to her privately. She was so shocked to see me at her office. I can see that she is afraid of me. It is apparent because we were the only people on this floor. She greeted me first good morning, though her voice was shaky like she was really afraid. Asking me if I have work rted problems. I don¡¯t know whates to my mind. I grabbed her wrist and mmed her to my chest and embraced her. I wanted to kiss her like what Archie did thest time I saw them kissing at her office. But she refused to turn her head to me. So, I yanked her hair to force her to look at me. I sessfully kissed her lips which tasted like heaven. I never wanted to let her go but she stepped on my toes. With pain, I let her go and I know her legs are shaking and I realized that I have done something wrong that I would regret for the rest of my life, hurting the only woman I have ever loved. She sat in her chair and I sat in front of her and held her hands to calm her down. But I feel her shaking and I cannot control myself from crying too. I cannot stop her from sobbing because of what I did. She told me if I seeded in my intention, she would never love me, she would hate me more. I never intended to rape her. I know I made a mistake, but I know I am hurting her more. I caused her pain and I guess I need to release her from this pain and that is to admit my defeat from Archie. Maybe this is the right time to release her, but I can¡¯t ept to be her friend because I wanted her to be more than friends. I can never look again into her eyes because of what I did. It will just give me pain and guilt. I will try to avoid her in the near future and I wish them happiness.

 33銆丆onfusion

    **Lisa¡¯s POV**


    After the incident this morning with Luigi. I am still shaken by what he did. What if he really raped me? What will be of Archie and me? I know Luigi will not do what I have been thinking. He is not that kind of person even if he was so desperate to make me HIS. Good thing that he already epted his defeat, and hoped that he would stop pestering me. He promised and I would believe him.


    I am just confused if I would tell this incident to Archie. I don¡¯t know if he would understand and let it go. Knowing that Luigi touched and kissed me, he would be furious at Luigi¡¯s action, I know it. I don¡¯t want this thing to end up in a fist fight, and we will be put into something ridiculous and be the topic of gossip of the entirepany. When Luigi left my office, I still couldn¡¯t control my shaking though I stopped crying. I bury myself from work at hand and just forget what happened this morning, as if I just woke up from a bad nightmare.


    The dinnerst night had been favorable for both Archie and me, and I am looking forward to meeting his rtives soon. I know Archie is trying to schedule the visit to his rtive and it will carry on depending on my schedule of work. I don¡¯t want my work to be hampered If I take a vacation for at least three days.


    Archie will be here soon, and don¡¯t know if I would tell him the whole story or just the remnants of it. Just the good side of the story and not the whole. I don¡¯t want to lie, but I don¡¯t want to put ourselves in the most disgusting situation. You see, people could judge you only from the outside but not what it has inside. I just hope he would ept anything that I would tell him without questioning farther.


    **Archie¡¯s POV**Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.


    My visit to Lisa¡¯s ce was kind of a roller coaster ride. Though her father is nice to talk to, always straight to the point. Now Iy my card to Lisa¡¯s parents, I guess it is now the time that my rtives get to know my girlfriend since I am clear with Lisa¡¯s side. I will ask Lisa to set a date so that we can go home to my province to introduce her to my rtives.


    I was happy waiting for Lisa at the lobby of the building, and I wanted to tell her that I would tell my rtives that we will be visiting my rtives and she should clear her schedule for next week, that is if she has nothing important to do at her office.


    I saw her descend from the elevator and I walked to her. I see something in her eyes that something is bothering her. I Embrace her and peck her lips. ¡°Is something wrong?¡± I asked her but she just shook her head. I held her hands and  she was cold. ¡°Are you sick?¡± I touched her forehead but it was just cold. ¡°Why are you so quiet? You are not telling the truth. What is the matter? Please tell me.¡± She just looked at me and shook her head. I held her hand and we walked outside of the building. I just can¡¯t take her silence, so I asked her if we could stop by a nearby restaurant so that we can have our dinner, at the same time we could talk. She just nodded her head in agreement.


    I ordered our food and we started eating when I asked her again. ¡°Do you have any problem that you are not telling me? I wanted us to be truthful to each other and no secrets. If you have any problems, we can talk it out. Just don¡¯t keep silent, it is killing me Lisa, please.¡± She looked at me and she pecked my lips and snuggled at me. I was so shocked because of her sudden action.


    ¡°Listen to me first and don¡¯t interrupt me, I will tell you all that took ce this morning at my office. Luigi came to my office this morning and we had a heated argument that resulted in pping him. He told me that you could be unfaithful to me because of what Lily said, that maybe you are also pursuing or courting Lily at the same time. He also told me that he was jealous when he caught us in my office kissing and hugging each other. I shouted at him that he has no right to be jealous, because we have no rtionship, though I know he has deep feelings for me. I told him that I can¡¯t love him no matter what he did, and there is nothing he can do to stop me from loving you. Then he tried to hold my hand, that¡¯s why I pped his face. Maybe the p came to his senses and he sat in front of me and he started to cry.¡± I look at her and listen intently to what she is telling me.


    ¡°He then sincerely apologized to all what he said and the havoc he created between our rtionship. So, I offered him that we could be just friends, but he rejected the friendship I offered, and just wished us happiness. My only hope is for him to be truthful to his word. That¡¯s all that happened this morning. I was just so confused how you will take the news. But I don¡¯t intend to hide it from you. I¡¯m sorry to make you worry about my actions.¡± I just looked at her as if something is amiss to what she is telling me. Maybe there is but I cannot force her to tell me the truth.  As long as she is safe and back in my arms, I will let it pass for now.

 34銆乂acation

    **Archie¡¯s POV**


    Lisa has already arranged her vacation for three days because she can¡¯t file for a long vacation due to her work. I was already thankful that she could visit our province and meet my rtives. She was also excited to meet them. But before that, I had already asked her parents for permission to take Lisa to our province and I was thankful that her parents permitted us to go.


    Everything was settled then, so I asked Lisa that I will go ahead by one day because I will be going there by boat so that I can prepare whatever there is to prepare for hering. She will be going there by ne so that there will be no time wasted on her vacation.


    The n went smoothly and I went ahead of Lisa by one day and she arrived by ne the next day. It also coincided that we were celebrating the town¡¯s fiesta. I fetched Lissa from the airport and most of the people who knew me kept on asking who am I waiting at the airport. I told them I am waiting for my girlfriend. They were so surprised by what I said because it is very seldom or not at all that I have had any rtionship since my rtives don¡¯t allow us siblings to get into a rtionship that is not approved by them.


    When Lisa arrived, she was wearing sunsses,  a t-shirt and jeans. I can¡¯t hide my excitement and smile from my face because it seems like some celebrity has arrived. When she saw me from the arrival area, she came to me and I hugged and kissed her (of course at her lips). All of the viewers were so stunned and I couldn¡¯t be more proud of my girlfriend. Much to say that she is really beautiful. We proceeded to the baggage area to take her bag and we went to the vehicle I hired.


    She arrived at the airport early and it was still breakfast time in our province. They were still preparing for breakfast when we arrived home and we joined them. I introduced her to them. I don¡¯t know if she could remember their name as I introduced her to them. Our farm workers were also there because they were curious about what my girlfriend looked like. Once again, I am really proud of my love because she¡¯s not the one that belittles people. She was nice to everyone including our farm worker. She doesn¡¯t hesitate to go with different kinds of people. My great grandmother was very happy to see Lisa and she was always smiling at Lisa and she was always holding Lisa¡¯s hand. My mother has an uncanny look at Lisa. I feel something is not good about my mother. I can see that they get along so well and she likes Lisa for me. Now I have my advantage with my rtives, because my great grandmother always has a say to whatever is happening at home.


    After breakfast we went to our farm and she met all our farm workers and I introduced her to her. They were so happy to meet my girlfriend. Though one of the trusted workers told me (in ournguage). ¡°Good thing that your aunties and uncle approved of your girlfriend, including your mother.¡± I answer him in our ownnguage. ¡°Why won¡¯t they approve, besides they were not the one who¡¯s going to be with my girlfriend if I marry her.¡± He just tapped my shoulder and took me away a little farther to Lisa. ¡°You know how selfish they can be and they don¡¯t want anyone to share what you have.¡± I always knew he was right, but when timees, I will draw the line to separate my rtives from me and Lisa.


    We ate our lunch at the farm and I was stunned that Lisa could be down to earth, because she was eating with her bare hand like our farm worker. She said, when in Rome, do what the Romans do. I¡¯m just so proud of her.


    We spent the remaining days of her stay going to some scenic spots in our province. I can see that she enjoys her stay as much as I enjoy and is proud of her. I can¡¯t ask for anything more for my rtive for being amodating to Lisa while she was staying with us. I can only hear theirments after we have left the province.  As one of the trusted workers on the farm said that my rtives were all selfish. I don¡¯t care anymore about them. They can say whatever they want to say, but they cannot change my mind about Lisa. As long as my great grandmother approves of my rtionship, they can do nothing about it.


    It¡¯s time to go back to the city since Lisa¡¯s three-day vacation is over and I need to follow my schedule for my departure. This time we travel by ship going back to the city so she can enjoy how it is to ride in  a ship, because she never travelled by ship this big. We arrive in the city at dawn. Good thing that it is the end of week days and we have time to rest for the next day before going back to work. I sent her home and brought some tokens from our province that I gave to Lisa¡¯s parents. They thank me for taking good care of their daughter and also the token I gave them. So, I also went home to where my aunties reside in the city.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    **Lisa¡¯s POV**


    My vacation to Archie¡¯s province is tiring and exciting. I got to meet his rtives, especially his great grandmother. Though some of her rtives are not weing, I tried to hide it and be nice to them anyways. I know Archie saw their reaction to me, and he doesn¡¯t care a bit. Her mother was also somewhat indifferent, but her sister is trying to get along well. I know, she is still in the stage of getting to know each other and I understand it. Their farm workers were also nice to me and it is nice living in this ce where everything you eat is all fresh. I also eat with them with my  bare hand. They were so stunned that I could eat with them in that condition. Though I live in the city, I can be with myself anytime I want.


    I know that is a big step made by Archie towards his rtionship to his rtives as well as to me. I just hope nothinges between us anymore.

 35銆丅ack to Reality

    **Lisa¡¯s POV**


    Vacation is over and back to work. Good thing that there is no new program to develop other than the regr running of programs and printing. My skin became a little darker because of the wind from the sea and beach hopping we did in their province and gained a little weight because of constant eating and a nice rest. My morning could have been better with just the disturbance of Lily again.


    ¡°How¡¯s the vacation?¡±This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    ¡°It was a lot of fun and I got to know Archie¡¯s rtives. How¡¯s it going here during my absence?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re all good.¡±


    ¡°Good to hear that. Ok, I need to go now, See youter.¡± I walked away from Lily and proceeded to my office. But with all the luck in the world, I saw Luigi alighting from the elevator and I was there in front of the elevator door that was wide open. We looked at each other momentarily before he went out of the elevator and got down to the basement parking lot. To my surprise, he doesn¡¯t seem to recognize me. He just passed me by and straight down to the basement parking lot. Now I realized that this is his word that he cannot ept my offer of friendship because he wants more than friendship. If this is what he wanted to ignore me, well I can¡¯t do anything about it then. It is just too bad that I can¡¯t do more than be friends with him. He stared at me coldly and why do I feel so guilty? I really feel sorry for him.


    I keep myself busy doing my backlog at work, though it was not that rush. I could easily do those three-day work in one day. This way, I will keep myself busy not thinking about Luigi¡¯s cold stare at the elevator. Thankfully, Helen called me from the inte.


    ¡°Hello Lisa, care to join me for lunch?¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s going with us¡±?


    ¡°Rigor and Luigi are going with us.¡± A cold run from head down to my feet. What in the world are they going to invite me for lunch including Luigi?


    ¡°Do they know that you are inviting me for lunch?¡±


    ¡°Yes, actually it is Rigor who suggested that you go with us.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Helen, but I can¡¯t. You go ahead and enjoy your lunch.¡± What is Rigor¡¯s thinking? Didn¡¯t he know what his friend did to me before I went on vacation? This is what he wanted and I am giving him the dose of his medicine.


    I ordered my lunch and ate it in my office. I am not eager anyway to go out for lunch. Later, Rigor is knocking at my door and I motion him toe in. He sits on the visitor chair in front of my table.


    ¡°What happened between you and Luigi?¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t he tell you?¡±


    ¡°About what?¡±


    ¡°We have already talked, and we have reached an amicable agreement. I doubt he didn¡¯t tell you what had happened before I went for vacation.¡±


    ¡°No, he told me nothing.¡±


    ¡°Well, I guess you need to talk to him. I am not in the position to tell you that. If he is going to open up, just listen and don¡¯t judge, ok? I could say I feel guilty about what happened, but it is his choice what he thinks is best for him.¡±


    ¡°Lisa, what really happened?¡±


    ¡°I told you, I am not in the position to tell you. You should ask him if he is ready to talk. Luigi needed someone to talk to and understand him. I just hope he opens up.¡±


    ¡°I guess it concerns you.¡± I couldn¡¯t agree more to what Rigor had said, but it is the truth. I just hope Luigi would open up to his friend and Rigor would understand and give him a piece of advice.


    I was at a loss of what had happened to Luigi after what happened that morning. I know it was a big blow to him considering I am his first love as he said. Friendship is all I can give him, but he refuses that friendship because he wanted more than that.


    Time to go home and I know Archie is already down stairs. I was preparing to leave when the door of my office opened up. I saw Rigor at the door of my office and he came straight to sit on my visitor¡¯s chair.


    ¡°I have already talked to Luigi and he told me all about what happened that morning. I am sorry that he did that to you. And I feel sorry for him too that his love for you has not been reciprocated. I tried to calm his feelings for you, but I guess it would take time for him to find something to divert his feelings to something else or someone for that matter. He just wanted to drown his frustration with liquor. I just don¡¯t allow him to destroy himself.¡±


    ¡°Just help him out, please. I do understand how it feels, but I can¡¯t do anything about it. You know that I am now fullymitted to my boyfriend. I do pity him, but all I can give him is friendship which he rejected. I can¡¯t do anything to make him feel  better. I hope you do understand me, don¡¯t you?¡± I tried to exin my situation to Rigor. I know how he feels for his friend. I know it really hurts. But it needs to end this way.


    He thanked me for not letting this incident out in the open. If it does, I can sue him for sexual assault, and I could also be on a hot seat and my rtionship with Archie will be put into question. I would not want that. But since Luigi was sorry for what he did, I¡¯m fine with it. If he wanted to ignore me, it must be better that way, I guess. For our peace of mind.


    When Rigor left my office, Archie almost bumps Rigor at the door and they shake hands, out of courtesy to each other. They have known each other before Luigi does because of Helen. I guess Rigor and Helen are now in a rtionship, though they don¡¯t openly admit it. It is fine with me, whatever suits them better.


    What really a fine day of tension and hiding. I don¡¯t want to hide things from Archie, but it is better that way to lessen the tension between us. I know, questions will never end once I tell him the truth and I don¡¯t want that to happen.


    After some pleasantries between Rigor and Archie, we left my office and went straight home. My mother was expecting us to have dinner at home and it was a relief to be at home. To my surprise, my aunt who is leaving at the same ce with Archie hase to our house. She is my mother¡¯s sister. I was surprised that they knew each other. Obviously, they knew each other because of a small ce they moved around. My aunt, shooting dagger to Archie when I introduced her to my boyfriend. She dragged me to my room and she was telling me that Archie has a girlfriend at their ce and he was just using me to gain ess to be hired in mypany. Not a good scene to end the day.

 36銆丷eality Versus Expectation

    **Lisa¡¯s POV**


    I was already sobbing when my mother came to my room asking what really happened. Archie was left in our living room.  I just can¡¯t ept the reality of what my aunt was telling me. ¡°Don¡¯t you know that your boyfriend had a lot of girlfriends in our area? You may not know that because he didn¡¯t tell you, did he?¡± My mother was shocked to know that my boyfriend is not truthful of his intentions to me. That¡¯s what my mother spectes.


    ¡°He already told me that he has a lot of promiscuous rtionships. But I never thought that he did it in your area. He already told Father when father talked to him. I need to ask Archie about this personally. And why don¡¯t you allow me to talk to him and exin his side?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s not good for you. He will just use you.¡± My aunt was telling me and he was furious with Archie. My aunt did not allow me to get out of my room, and she was telling me that she is going to drive Archie away.


    Archie left without having the chance to exin himself to me regarding the usation my aunt made. Though there is nothing to exin, because he already admitted his previous rtionship was not that good. ¡°Do you know that almost all the women in our ce have been his girlfriend. His gang even got dead drunk for the whole day. How can you say that he is a good man?¡±


    ¡°Aunt, he changed and he did not deny to me that he got a lot of girlfriends before, and it was already in the past.¡± I did not eat my dinner and I continue crying. My mother just heard my aunt bbering things to destroy Archie¡¯s image to them. ¡°You need to avoid him at any cost.¡± She imposes it on me.


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me what to do with my life, Aunt. I respect you, but you have no hold of my future and my life to love and marry. I can decide for myself. His past has nothing to do with my present.¡± I was at the edge of my anger because she was imposing what I should do. ¡°Whatever I decide, I will be responsible for whatever its oue.¡± I told her with gritted teeth. I know they want the best for me for whatever happened from myst rtionship. But it was already in the past and I got over it. I never regretted that I epted Leon the second time and hurt myself again the second time. I have no regrets either, because I decided it myself. And that¡¯s what I intend to do with my rtionship with Archie, and nobody will be responsible for my failure If I do fail it again, because it is I that decides. I can¡¯t me no one.


    My mother and my aunt left me sobbing all night and didn¡¯t eat my dinner. My cellphone chimes and I see Archie¡¯s message and he wanted to exin tomorrow if I could just hear him out. I will give him a chance to exin and he better exin it well.


    ¡®Ok, I want to hear your exnation.¡¯ I answered his text message.


    ¡®I¡¯ll see you tomorrow love.¡¯ I cried reading his words of endearment. I knew something was amiss and I couldn¡¯t let it go. I need him to exin everything to me before our rtionship gets nasty.


    My aunt left with me when I went to work. We never talked to each other, though we went the same route. He alighted from the bus first and I went straight to my work. I never expected Archie would be there that early but he smells of liquor which I don¡¯t like. I told him to go home first and rest. But he demanded that he talk to me first before he went home. I guess he¡¯s been drinking the whole night. But he doesn¡¯t seem to be drunk.


    We entered my office and he sat on my visitor¡¯s chair and he just stared at me and he didn¡¯t want to start talking.


    ¡°Speak up and tell me the whole truth and don¡¯t even try to omit a thing. You already knew I have been in a hurtful rtionship and I don¡¯t want that thing to happen again. I do understand what my aunt¡¯s intention was, to protect me from another heartbreak. But I am giving you a chance to exin. So, start talking before I change my mind.¡± Archie widened his eyes because of what I said but this is hisst chance to exin himself.


    ¡°As I have said before, I have gone to many rtionships that I am not proud of. Your aunt is right, almost all the women in our ce have been all my fling and I am not serious with anyone. They were just all my ything. I am not proud of it, because I am just ying with them. It is their choice and I never force them to be with me or do things that they don¡¯t want to do. I am not even happy with what I do. I even got dead drunk the whole day with my friends. I have done this out of desperation with my rtives to force me to look for a job wherein I am in contact with a lot of shippingpanies without their knowledge. The day you bump me into that building, I have already signed a contract with yourpany, that¡¯s why I told you that I am just waiting for my schedule for departure. Just after I signed my contract with yourpany, I have never been with any woman nor I drink liquor. I was so afraid that you would reject me too, if you know what I was doing with my life. I wanted to change for the better because I wanted you to be proud of me as your boyfriend. I have no intention to use you or your influence in thepany, because before we met, I had already signed my contract. And there is no truth about using you. I know that whatever I have done with my other rtionship will backfire on me, but I can always say that I cannot change that and I am being honest to you that it is all in the past and I am not proud of it. Out of desperation to my rtives, I have never thought that what all I have done in the past would be brought up again.¡± I was listening to Archie¡¯s story and he was in tears of frustration waiting for my answer.


    I know we have gone a long way but I need honesty and faithfulness with our rtionship. He never lied to me when he said that he has gone through a lot of rtionships that he was not proud of. I never thought that he was that bad with women.


    ¡°You should understand that women are not a ything, and I don¡¯t want you to do that to me. I have gone through a lot of failed rtionships twice with the same man. But I never lose hope that I could find someone that would respect me as a woman and not just a ything.¡±


    ¡°I know it was all my fault and mistakes. I have a lot of women surrounding me and I do respect them a lot. But these women whom I got involved with were mature enough to know what they are getting at. I have made it clear to them that I don¡¯t like rtionships or be entangled with them. And we both agreed to that. Again, it¡¯s my mistake to take advantage of the circumstances. I just hope you understand and forgive, Lisa. I have changed because of you. And I will do anything to be better as you expected me to be.¡± He was still crying and so was I. He held my hand and I let him. He went to my chair and we hugged each other while crying. I released him before my office mate came.


    ¡°Go home and sleep to freshen you up. I forgive and understand you. You cer after office hours. I will wait for you. I will stand by you always. Ok?¡±Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.


    He was crying because of what I said. ¡°Thank you, Lisa, you won¡¯t regret it for giving me a chance to prove myself to you. I love you honestly and sincerely. I will be backter. Thank you again my love.¡±

 37銆丆alm Before the Storm

    **Archies¡¯ POV**


    All the bad things in my life have alle back to me. I never thought that Lisa has a rtive in our ce and I was so shocked to see her aunt in Lisa¡¯s house. They were the D Rosa¡¯s and one of the prominent generals in our ce, though retired, he is still well known in our ce. I never thought all my promiscuous rtionships before would backfire at me. I am so dumb idiot to think that it would not be known to our ce all I have done before. But I am also dumb serious with Lisa and I would do everything to get her back and her trust as well as her parents. Though I always say it is all in the past, the past will always haunt me.


    I really drank a lotst night because of frustration. I thought I totally lost Lisa that time. Now I feel sober because of what Lisa said. I need a clear mind before I convince Lisa that I am the right man for her. I know Luigi could be a better recement for me but I would not allow it as long as I have Lisa¡¯s trust and love. I can¡¯t fail Lisa and I can¡¯t fail myself for not doing what needs to be done.


    I returned home after talking to Lisa and I showered and slept the whole morning. When I woke up it was already afternoon. I ate my lunch even though it was alreadyte for lunch. I was so surprised to hear somebody is making noise outside our house. I saw Lisa¡¯s Aunt who was cursing me from outside.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    ¡°Archie! Get down here and talk to me! You need to stop with your rtionship with my niece. She deserves better than you.¡± I was so shocked by what Lisa¡¯s Aunt said.


    ¡°What was that about, Archie?¡± My Aunt, my sister and my uncle, are asking what is going on.


    ¡°It is Lisa¡¯s aunt. I saw her at Lisa¡¯s house when I sent her homest night. I never thought that she has an aunt here in this ce. Knowing my previous life here, Lisa¡¯s Aunt was disgusted with me and she ordered Lisa to stop seeing me and she¡¯s here to intimidate my rtionship with her niece. I don¡¯t have ns to give up Lisa, I have talked to Lisa this morning at her office before I went home. No matter how drunk I am, I tried to exin everything to Lisa and she understands my predicament unlike her aunt who is ranting outside. Let her say whatever she wants to say, as long as Lisa and I understand each other.¡±


    ¡°Did her parents know about your past?¡± My uncle was so worried about my situation.


    ¡°Though I have told Lisa¡¯s father about my past life, I don¡¯t know how far he could understand me. I don¡¯t know what will be our next move regarding this. So, I need to return to Lisa¡¯s office this afternoon to talk things out. I don¡¯t want this problem to get worse so I can still control it.¡± I get dressed ready to leave and Lisa¡¯s Aunt has already left our ce.


    I arrived at Lisa¡¯s office building and she¡¯s not yete down from her office. I waited for her in the lobby of their building until she arrived. Unfortunately, Lily saw me in the lobby. My life is getting messier this time. I¡¯m not in the mood to talk to her. She is approaching and smiling where I stand.


    ¡°Waiting for Lisa?¡± She asked me with a vicious smile on her face.


    ¡°Yes of course, who do you think I would be waiting here for?¡± I sarcastically told her.


    ¡°I just thought you¡¯re waiting for me.¡± She¡¯s really getting bolder. Good thing that Lisa alighted from the elevator and came straight to us. I embrace her and peck her lips for a quick kiss. We left Lily without any word.


    ¡°Where can we go for a talk?¡± I asked Lisa and she just stared at me. ¡°I just need to clear myself to you and to your parents.¡± I worriedly told her. We just stand on the walkway staring at nothing.


    Suddenly she speaks. ¡°Let¡¯s go to my father¡¯s house. I need to talk to him.¡± We then proceed to her father¡¯s ancestral house in the city.


    We arrived at her father¡¯s house near dinner time and her father was not yet around, so her step-sister and her brother-inw were present in the living room.


    ¡°What¡¯s so important that you came here unannounced.¡± Lisa¡¯s brother-inw asked her.


    ¡°For obvious reasons, that doesn¡¯t concern you at all. I am looking for my father and I want to talk to him.¡± Lisa sarcastically answered.


    ¡°He¡¯ll be here soon, so let¡¯s wait for father.¡± Lisa¡¯s step sister said. ¡°Were you from work? Who is he?¡± She was talking about me. Although this is the first time I havee here. I have a strange feeling about these two people. They don¡¯t seem going to do good thing, especially her brother-inw who was eye raping Lisa.


    ¡°This is Archie, my boyfriend. Archie, this is my step-sister Leah and her husband June.¡± Lisa introduced me to them. So, I extend my hand to them for a handshake. Leah epted my hand shake but June ignored me. So, I retract my hands. Lisa saw the rejection from June and Lisa just held my arm.


    ¡°What happened to Leon? Where is he now? I haven¡¯t seen him for more than a year now.¡± Lisa¡¯s brother-inw asked. I feel


    Lisa¡¯s ufortable with the conversation. Testing the water if I would react.


    ¡°Oh, I never thought you care? I haven¡¯t heard from him either. When he left, I didn¡¯t care anymore. Is that what you want to hear?¡± She sarcastically answered his question.


    They just continued watching TV from the living room when Lisa¡¯s father opened the door of the house. Lisa immediately stood up and embraced his father, while I extended my hand for a handshake.


    ¡°Why are you here? Is something wrong?¡± Her father asked her with a questioning eye. I know maybe he is worried that Lisa was here unannounced.


    ¡°We can talk about thatter. But first, let¡¯s have our dinner since it is already set up. I know you¡¯re already hungry.¡± Lisa told her father.


    We have our dinner quietly. Lisa cleaned the table and Leah washed  the dishes. June immediately went to their room after dinner. Lisa and I settled into the living room. Her father went to us. And she started crying.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Her father asked her. I cannot say anything because I have no right to intervene, though the cause of her problem was me. She told her father about the incident at their house regarding her aunt who wanted us to separate. Her father looked at me with the same questioning eye.


    ¡°Archie has alreadye clean to you about his previous     rtionship which is not something to be proud of. But during that time, I wasn¡¯t his girlfriend then, and he already changed for me. Why did aunt want us to separate because of his past? I epted him for what he is, regardless of his past. Why do they have to intervene? She¡¯s making a scene at Archie¡¯s ce and ordering Archie to stop seeing me.¡± Lisa was already crying.


    ¡°You Archie, what can you say about what is happening.¡± Her father asked me.


    ¡°Sir with due respect. I have never denied to you what happened to my previous rtionship. I havee clean to you because I know that it is the right thing to do. As for Lisa¡¯s aunt, I can¡¯t do what she ordered me to do. I love Lisa so much and they can¡¯t do anything to separate me from her, not even my rtives.¡± I sincerely told her father.


    ¡°Then there is no problem. Why do you need to follow something you don¡¯t want to do? Your rtionship is between the two of you, and if you want someone toe in between the two of you, then that is your fault. Let them say what they want to talk about. As long as you understand each other and you don¡¯t keep secrets to each other. Then there is nothing to worry about. All I can say to you Archie, I love my daughter and I don¡¯t want her to get hurt again. Do you understand me?¡±


    ¡°Thank you, sir for understanding us. I may not be the perfect man for her but I will try to be one for her.¡±


    ¡°I am not expecting you to be, but I wanted her to be happy.¡± I was so happy that her father was so supportive of our rtionship. We left her father with a happy heart and sent her home. Though I never entered their house, I¡¯m not at all bothered and worried.

 38銆丮arriage Proposal

    **Lisa¡¯s POV**


    Archie sent me home that night and I met with my mother in the living room as I entered our home. I knew she was waiting for me. ¡°Did you eat your dinner?¡± She asked me.


    ¡°Yes, I already did mother. I just came from father¡¯s house and we talked to him about what aunt was telling me to stay away from Archie. And we asked his opinion regarding what my aunt said. She cannot just tell me what to do with my life. And I am not doing what she was saying. Archie never hides his secret from us when father talks to him. But it was unexpected that the ce where he got himself involved with his promiscuous rtionship were on aunt¡¯s ce. It is already in the past and I was not even there to be cheated by him. It was his past and I have nothing to do with it. Father is supportive of us and I thank him for that. I just hope you do the same.¡±


    ¡°Whatever made you happy. Just be aware of everything that is happening around you. I never said I never liked him, but like Leon, anything can happen. Ok, you can rest now. Good night my baby.¡± My mother left me and she went to her room.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    ¡°Good night mother, and thank you.¡± I also rested for the night. The next morning, I woke up in the bright morning because I am happy to know that my problem with my aunt is finally settled. Now, no matter how she intervenes, it will just fall to deaf ears. Nobody will order us to do things that we don¡¯t want to do.


    I arrived at my office early and I wasn¡¯t expecting Archie toe that early. He came right straight to my office and as usual, embraced and gave me a peck kiss.


    ¡°Why are you here this early?¡± I asked him.


    ¡°Thepany sent me a text message to report this morning for a contract signing. I will be departing soon, so I can save for our wedding.¡± Archie excitedly told me.


    I was so shocked that I can¡¯t utter a word. He just embraced me andbed my hair with his hands and whispered to my ear. ¡°You don¡¯t want to get married to me?¡±


    ¡°Of course, I want to. It¡¯s just that I was so surprised.¡±


    ¡°As much as possible, I wanted to marry you now, but I don¡¯t have the money to spend. So, after this contract we will get married. Is that ok with you? Besides, I can¡¯t wait any longer. I don¡¯t want anyone to go in between us anymore and I don¡¯t want to lose you at all.¡± With an assuring smile on Archie.


    ¡°I am happy to hear that. I will be waiting for you then. Do you have any flight schedule already?¡± I don¡¯t know if I would be sad or happy, because he was starting to save for the future and leaving me at the same time.


    ¡°As of now, they are arranging our papers. I am kind of mixed with emotion because of the roller coaster ride we have in our rtionship, but nevertheless we have learned our lessons and strengthened our rtionship. Promise me you will wait for me. No matter how simple the wedding will be, as long as you will be mine.¡±


    ¡°I promise. I can¡¯t wait to be your wife.¡± I excitedly told him. I was so proud of Archie that he was already nning for our future and he is all ready to face the new phase of his life, being a family man.


    Archie waited for his scheduled departure for his next voyage. While waiting, we had the best time of our life. Some of his rtives came to the city from their province and they made small reunions prior to his departure. I have almost met his rtives including his aunt and uncles living at the camp in the ce where my aunt lived. It was nice to meet them. As expected, not all of them liked me but at least they were civil towards me.


    Archie left the country after a month since he received the notice from his office that he was ready for departure. I know nine months is not that long to wait. I just need to keep myself busy from work. Every day is like waiting to end the day. Archie did not miss to call me once they anchored to port. And telling me how he missed me and he longed toe home. I wished that too, but we need to wait for him to finish his contract and be home.


    Luigi knew that Archie was already on board, he didn¡¯t make a move since he knew what I felt for him. Though it still cringed me that every time we met at the corridor, or any offices within the building, he always stares at me but never approaches me. Sometimes, he went to my floor and just looked at my office door but never attempted to enter. He was stalking me. I cannot tell him to stop what he is doing, because he has never disturbed ore near me. I let him be whatever suits him best.


    Time flies so fast, and it was a gratifying feeling that the nine-month contract will soon be over. I am just waiting for his arrival and I will see what he said is true, or just be just promises like what Leon did. But I did expect Archie to fulfil his promise.


    Archie arrived and we waited for him at the arrival area together with his rtives. I don¡¯t know what he said to them, but I was just surprised that most of his rtives were here in the city. There was a little celebration at their house near my aunt¡¯s ce, but nothing strange or trouble happened. Foods and drinks abound and all his rtives and friends enjoy. I am notfortable with it. He saw my uneasiness.


    ¡°You wanted to rest? You can stay in my room.¡± He asked me.


    ¡°No. I need to go home. It is not appropriate to sleep in your room especially if your rtives are here. I don¡¯t want them to think that I am that kind of girl. I know you are already drunk and I don¡¯t want to bother you. I will just get a cab so that I can go home.¡±


    ¡°No. I wouldn¡¯t allow that. I will take you home.¡± He did take me home but I didn¡¯t allow him toe down from the cab. I ordered him to go straight home with the same cab. So, he did.


    I wasn¡¯t expecting him to report immediately to his office the next day knowing that he was seriously drunk that night. But to my surprise, he went first to my office before he reported to his office. He was there, fresh as ever, smelling like a baby. That¡¯s what I really like about Archie, he is always smelling good. Unlike other men who are smelling sweat. He greeted me with a tight hugged and a peck kiss to my lips, which I miss a lot.


    He was talking now about our wedding. And he asked me how I wanted my wedding to be. ¡°I wanted it simple and with few attendees, only close friends and rtives.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you want a morous wedding?¡±


    ¡°Not at all. I wanted to save that extra money we will be spending on that wedding for our future. What if I get pregnant immediately and we don¡¯t have money to spend for my maternity delivery? I just wanted a simple one. No more than one hundred guests.¡±


    ¡°Well then, if that¡¯s what you want. Your wish is mymand. I need to tell that to my rtives and I need to talk to your parents to inform them that we are nning to settle down. I just hope we will be done before I go for another departure.¡± I was praying for that too.

 39銆乀he Wedding and Pregnancy

    **Archie¡¯s POV**


    My rtionship with Lisa was going better every day since the time Lisa and I talked to his father about our situation with her aunt. Her father was very supportive of us, and couldn¡¯t ask for more. I left on board a ship and returned home safely in her arms. I invited my rtives to see them at my arrival. Some of them at home and some from the airport, and most especially my Lisa, my future wife. I was so excited to see her and I missed her a lot. Talking to the telephone is not enough to quench the feeling of touching and kissing her in person.


    I wanted my rtives to enjoy the feeling that I also gave them importance before I told them that I am going to get married. Though I know that would be a shock to them. I am just twenty-five years old but experienced a lot in life and I wanted to have a big family. My sister and I were just two siblings before my father left us for another woman. I wanted to grow old with my wife and children and cherish the time we would spend with them.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    I asked Lisa what kind of wedding she had in mind, and I was so d that she wanted it to be simple and solemn, just close rtives and close friends. I wanted the same. The most important thing is that I can have Lisa as MINE and MINE alone. Call me possessive, can you me me for having so many men running around her and trying to snatch Lisa from me? I have fought so much before, but I have never been so afraid that the thought of losing Lisa is a nightmare.


    I have asked my mother and my great grandmother to Lisa¡¯s ce to ask for Lisa¡¯s hand in marriage. And we talked about what kind of wedding and reception we wanted, and where we would stay after the wedding. Lisa¡¯s father suggested that we should stay at her mother¡¯s house since they were just two living in that house and it has three bedrooms, enough for us to be amodated. Her mother also agreed to the arrangement, because she doesn¡¯t want to be left alone at the house, besides we don¡¯t have enough money to purchase a house for ourselves yet. So, it is advantageous to us.


    The wedding is also set and all the preparation. Just waiting for the day of the wedding. ¡°You need anything to add to the reception¡± I asked Lisa, but she was satisfied with the numbers of invited guests. It is RSVP, and they need to confirm that they will be attending. ¡°No, it is all I expected to be done. Thank you.¡± She graciously smiled at me.


    The wedding was done in a small chapel, a simple white dress for Lisa and white Barong (our native suit for men) for me. The wedding went well and the reception was also lively. It is good enough that all the invited were all that close to us, and there was no need to pretend. I was so happy that I definitely say that Lisa is already MINE, she¡¯s already my wife and I would like to spend the rest of my life with her and our future children.


    We stayed for the night in a reserve Hotel room in the city. Well, you can guess what happened to our overnight stay in that Hotel. I was really hungry for my wife and I know I have tired her for the night since it is her first time. I was so lucky even though I am not her first kiss, but I am the first in her life. I can say that was our Honeymoon. We cannot stay away that long because of her work. We will be leaving soon to my province, do some ind hopping and have some fun before I make my next voyage. I wanted to have a child before I left, you know my insecurities.


    We left for my province and we spent one week over there before we went back to the city. I know Lisa can¡¯t stay absent for too long because of her job. We went back to the city happy and content with what we had. We stayed at her mother¡¯s house and Lisa went back to her work, and I reported to my office waiting for any messages from the principal.


    Two months had passed and Lisa was six weeks pregnant with our first child. I was so ecstatic that my wish was granted. My office also informed me that they received a message that I need to be on board by next month, which is Lisa¡¯s eight weeks of pregnancy. I am good with that knowing she will be staying with her mother and her father is constantly seeing her since he knew that Lisa is pregnant. Our rtives were excited because this will be their first grandchild on both sides. My great grandmother will still see her great-great grandchild, because I am her great grandchild. She¡¯s so happy to hear that I will be having my own child. I am also thankful that she has this long life to see us grow and have our own family.


    **Lisa¡¯s POV**


    I was more than happy that Archie¡¯s rtive came to our house to get my hands on marriage. I couldn¡¯t ask for more that it turned out better than I expected. The date of the wedding was set and the reception was settled. ¡°Do you need to add to the reception?¡± He asked me. I was so overwhelmed by what was happening to my surroundings. ¡°No, it is all I expected to be done. Thank you.¡±


    Our attire at the wedding was so simple and it was not morous as every wedding wish turned out to be. But I am more than happy because I wanted it to be simple and solemn. After the wedding, we stayed overnight at the Hotel, and you can guess what took ce there. I was happy that I have offered myself to my husband which is rightfully His. I considered that as our honeymoon though that was short, but fulfilling. Though tired of that night, we need to travel to their province to spend my one-week vacation from work. And we can¡¯t stay long because Archie is also expecting some messages from his departure.


    We returned from the province and we stayed at my mother¡¯s house and continued our blissful life. My work has been the cycle of my life and Archie. Though there were some incidents where Luigi and I crossed paths. He never said a word but you can see the anguish in his eyes. I know it was not easy for him to ept the hurt he feels just like I felt for Leon¡¯s betrayal. I know he was really hurting especially when the news about my pregnancy was revealed.


    One time, we were riding the same elevator going down. At first, I was so hesitant to say anything but he was the one who started the conversation. ¡°Congrattions and best wishes to your wedding. I was expecting that you won¡¯t invite me, but it is better that way. I might do something that I myself don¡¯t expect to do.¡± I was surprised by what he said, so I asked him. ¡°What can you do?¡± He stared at me and smirked and he answered without hesitation. ¡°I might abduct you and take you somewhere that they can never find you, so it would be just you and me. If I have done that, I would not regret it though. Because for sure you would be MINE. And whatever the consequences it causes, I am ready to face it.¡± I was so afraid and started to tremble. ¡°By then, I was supposed to be the father of your baby. Anyway, congrattions again and be careful.¡± He added. I was about to faint when the elevator door opened and he hurriedly went out. My knees were weak from walking, so I held the elevator door to remain open.


    Seriously! I can¡¯t understand why he was still holding that anger towards me for breaking his heart. First of all, I have always been open to him about my feelings for Archie. Only that he cannot ept his defeat and frustration that I love the other man and not him. I am sorry for him, but that¡¯s all I can do for him. I am already married and having my baby. I just hope he gets over his anger over me.


    After my encounter with Luigi at the elevator. I don¡¯t want to talk about it to Archie. I know he would be apprehended by the incident and I don¡¯t want my husband to meet with Luigi, knowing Luigi has be vocal of what he feels. I just don¡¯t know if he is serious about what he said or just teasing me. Nevertheless, it was creeping me out that he uttered those words. Joke or not, it was not good and I am really afraid. I hope I never meet him again.


    I tried to erase Luigi¡¯s words from my mind. But fear settled within me of what he really meant by what he said. He is creepy and weird every time we are alone. There is always insinuation in his words whenever he talks. I don¡¯t want to think that he is instilling fear into me. I wanted to ease my mind, so I texted Archie to see me at lunch. It is good that he is within the building and he immediatelye to my office and we went out for lunch

 40銆丷eturn of the Lost Love

    **Lisa¡¯s POV**


    Not before long, my father called me to inform me that someone is looking for me at the ancestral house. ¡°Who can that be father? Any of your rtives?¡± I asked him.


    But he simply answered, ¡°No.¡± I was in a wondering state since my father didn¡¯t tell me who it was.


    ¡°Father, I don¡¯t want to guess it anymore. I don¡¯t have any idea who would be looking for me.¡±


    He then asked me, ¡°is Archie with you?¡± I was wondering now why he asked for Archie.


    ¡°No, he left for hispany. Why do you ask?¡± Now, I am more worried about his question.


    ¡°Can youe here alone?¡± Oh, it is getting crazier.


    ¡°Why? Father, can you be specific. You¡¯re making me nervous.¡± My life has never been crazier each day.


    ¡°Leon is here and he is looking for you.¡± With the name my father mentioned, the blood all over my body has been drained down to my feet.


    ¡°How would I tell Archie that I would be going there without him? He would question me.¡± A punch to my gut, and another problem to tackle on my own.


    ¡°it¡¯s up to you to reason it out. He wanted to talk to you personally. I have told him everything about what happened to you and he likewise told me what happened to him. It is not likely that you would go back to him since you are married. But he wanted to talk to you.¡± My father exined.


    ¡°I will talk to Archie if he would agree, then I will call you.¡± I told my father. My father wanted to talk to me personally, how would I exin that to Archie? I can¡¯t think of any alibi to tell him. I am now in a messier situation, not only from Luigi, but now Leon who came from nowhere. Oh, heaven and earth have already collided with me. I needed to talk to Archie to ask his permission toe to my father¡¯s ancestral house. I just hoped he would allow me to go.


    I sent a message to Archie toe up to my office to tell him that I need to talk to him. He came up immediately and he hugged and kissed me as if we had not seen just this lunch time.


    ¡°Love, father has just called me that he wanted to talk to me tonight after office hours. I guess, some family problem and he requested me toe alone. I hope you won¡¯t get mad.¡±


    ¡°Why so sudden? What could be the problem?¡± He asked


    ¡°I myself don¡¯t know what it was.¡± I lied. That¡¯s all I can do to cover up the situation.


    ¡°Then, I will send you there.¡±


    ¡°No! I mean It¡¯s ok, you can send me to the bus station to get a ride. I will let my father take me home, so don¡¯t worry.¡± He looked at me as if to question my action. But he kept it to himself. I know he has doubts about this meeting, but he can¡¯t do anything but to follow.


    I called my father immediately. ¡°Father, I will be there. Archie permitted me toe, but you need to send me home.¡± I told my father.


    ¡°Ok, we will wait for you and be careful.¡±


    ¡°I will.¡±


    After office hours we leave the office at the same time and Archie sends me first to the bus station to take a ride to my father¡¯s house, before he takes a ride going home. I don¡¯t know if he really went home. I am also worried that we would go somewhere else to pass the time. I hope he won¡¯t do stupid thing to make thing messier than it was already.


    ¡°Be careful, love.¡± Archie told me. I know there were doubts in his mind.


    ¡°I will. And be careful going home. I will send you a text message before my father sends me home.¡± I told Archie.


    I arrived at my father¡¯s house, and to my surprise I saw Leon in the living room with my father waiting for me. When he saw me enter the house, he ran to me and embraced me. He was about to kiss me but he stopped. Knowing that I am already married and also pregnant.


    ¡°How are you?¡± he was already crying.


    ¡°I¡¯ll leave you first.¡± My father told me.


    ¡°Thank you, sir.¡± He told my father.


    I can¡¯t start the conversation because I don¡¯t know how and I don¡¯t know where to start. He looked at me and I couldn see that he had been crying a while ago. ¡°You looked more mature but a lot more beautiful than before.¡±


    ¡°I guess, experiences change me. A lot has happened since you left and I haven¡¯t heard from you since then. I have waited for you that night, I haven¡¯t eaten my dinner waiting for you. I don¡¯t know what had happened, but it taught me a lot. A lot Leon! Maybe my father told you that I am already married and presently pregnant.¡± I was already crying, but not in pain. In anger.


    ¡°Please hear me out.¡± He told me.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know Leon, if hearing you out could make any difference. But just to give you a chance, clear your mistakes and my forgiveness.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I know. Remember the night I came to your house? I brought my sister¡¯s car and I promised that I would be back to have dinner with you a day before my departure abroad. Unfortunately, I met with an ident. A dump truck identally bumped the back of the car and I was pushed forward to amp post. Out of the panic of the crush, I lost my phone where your address and telephone were stored. Because of the impact, I became unconscious overnight. I obtained some minor cuts and bruises. I used the hospital¡¯s telephone to call my sister and he came for me at the hospital. I asked her to look for my cellphone at the car crash but they didn¡¯t find any phone, the first responder told me. I was so devastated how I could contact you. I am sorry but I don¡¯t even know your address, I just know the direction. I was dischargedte the next day and I remember the dinner date your parents set for us. I cannote because I was still at the hospital and the next day will be my departure. I cannot cancel the departure because I might be charged with breach of contract. So, I leave it all to fate. I leave the day after the supposedly our dinner date with your parents. I know it was a big mistake for me, but I take my chances and leave it to fate as I have said. I was looking for a way to contact you but I failed. You don¡¯t know How much I missed hearing your voice, yourughter, your face, especially your lips to mine. I will go crazy, without the help of my sister who is trying to locate you, but she was also a failure. I can¡¯t me you for what you are now, but I wanted you to know that I STILL LOVE YOU. And if it is not toote, I will take responsibility for what you are carrying now.¡± He narrated.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    ¡°What do you think of me Leon, I would just jump the fence because you say so? No, Leon. You have already been given two chances to correct the first mistake. But then again, you messed up the second chance given to you. I know it is not your fault, as you have said fate has messed us up already. I am happy for what I am right now. My father has given you the chance to exin things, because he understands. But that doesn¡¯t mean I will be back to you. I forgive you already. I really am, and I wish you all the best. I have Loved you then Leon, because you are my first boyfriend and my first kiss. Only that, we are not fated to be together. You are just now my YESTERDAY, and my husband is my TODAY. And my child is my TOMORROW. I know, what has happened to us will leave a scar on our heart, but I got over it because I found someone that will cover up that scar that you have left. I don¡¯t totally me you, but we were just given the chance to meet but not destined to be together. I thank you for telling me what had happened to you and I¡¯m sorry that you have encountered that ident. I was hurt and you were hurt too. But I love my husband and the child in my womb. I wish you only the best because you are a good person and I have already forgiven you.¡± I can only give him my forgiveness, but I cannot turn back the hands of time. I am sorry for him. I have already moved on. I just hope he can recover soon.


    ¡°I will leave my address abroad, just in case you change your mind.¡± He gave me his address abroad on a piece of paper.


    ¡°Please Leon, don¡¯t expect too much after this talk. We have already cleared each other¡¯s grievances, and there is nothing more to expect.¡± I cleared it for him.


    ¡°I know. I was just hoping against hope that you would change your mind. But no expectation at all, I just LOVE YOU SO MUCH TO JUST LET YOU GO. I won¡¯t say goodbye, but I LOVE YOU BABY and take care always.¡± That¡¯s all he said and stood up and he embraced me again as if he didn¡¯t want to let go, and then he left.

 41銆丮y Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

    **Archie¡¯s POV**


    I was left thinking of what might have been their family problem, that Lisa¡¯s father will request her to go back to their ancestral house alone. I wanted to follow her but I don¡¯t want her to think that I don¡¯t trust her. I don¡¯t go home straight because I don¡¯t want her mother to ask me why I came home alone. I will wait for Lisa¡¯s call toe home with her father. I went to my previous ce with my aunt and uncle. They were surprised to see me. I just told them the truth, that Lisa was requested by her father to see him at their ancestral house.


    There¡¯s a lot of things bothering me at that time. Are they hiding secrets to me? I don¡¯t want to specte things but I wanted Lisa to be truthful to me. I won¡¯t judge, just listen. In my boredom, I bought some liquor and had a drink with my uncle. Not long enough before I got drunk, Lisa called.


    ¡°Where are you? Are you home?¡± She asked me.


    ¡°No, I am at my uncle¡¯s ce. I don¡¯t want to go home without you. Your mother might ask me why we are not together. Are you going home?¡± I asked Lisa.


    ¡°Yes, we¡¯re going home. Father is with me. See you at home. My father has something to tell you.¡±


    ¡°What is it? Do I need to worry?¡± I asked Lisa.


    ¡°Just be home, ok. Be careful. I love you.¡± She hung up.


    Now I am more worried than before. What could it be? I said goodbye to my uncle and left.


    **Lisa¡¯s POV**


    After Leon left, my tears have all dried. I guess I have cried enough for Leon¡¯s sake and it¡¯s all over. I was left alone in the living room. I was surprised. June, my brother-inw came forward to me and grabbed both of my arms.


    ¡°You have never learned your lessons, do you?¡± He told me.


    ¡°What are you talking about? And who are you to tell me that?¡± I told him.


    ¡°I was just concerned about you.¡± He told me.


    ¡°Concern? I never thought you were concerned about me. All I saw from you was just taking advantage of the situation. There is no concern at all. All personal advances. You call that concern?¡± I sarcastically told him.


    ¡°Why can¡¯t you see how I feel for you? How am I concerned about you?¡±


    ¡°Oh, now you are talking. Are you confessing your feelings to me? With all honesty, in my eyes you are just a pervert!¡± He was raising his hand to p me but my father came.


    ¡°You won¡¯t dare do that to my daughter! I have helped you in so many instances, and I have allowed you to get settled with Leah. But I never thought you were targeting Lisa too? You can never be good to any of them because you are legally married to your previous wife which was not annulled, how can you say that you fall for my daughter. You are nothingpared to her previous boyfriend and not even close to her husband. Get out of my sight before I¡¯ll send you out of this house! And never again bothered my daughter!¡± My father angrily told him. June left and went upstairs.


    ¡°Did he bother you before this incident?¡± My father asked me. I just nodded my head. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡±


    ¡°I just don¡¯t want to create misunderstanding in this house because of me. I thought, since I seldome here, it won¡¯t be a problem anymore. Leon knew this matter, that is why he never wanted me toe into this house unless you are here. Anyway, I won¡¯t be staying here anymore and for sure he won¡¯t bother me anymore.¡± I told my father.


    ¡°I will talk to him after I send you home. I won¡¯t take this lightly. He¡¯s not going to make advances to you anymore, I will make sure of it.¡± My father told me. ¡°What about Leon, are you going to tell Archie about Leon?


    ¡°I want to. I don¡¯t want to keep secrets from Archie. I guess he has all the rights to know what really happened here. I know when I told him that you wanted to talk to me personally, there was a questioning look on his face. I will let him know that Leon¡¯s part in my life is over and he, being my husband, is my present priority and my child in my womb. So just help me to exin why you wanted to talk to me alone. Please father?¡±


    ¡°Ok, let¡¯s go home. I will talk to Jer.¡± My father told me.


    ¡°Just be careful in dealing with June. He might do something bad to you and I won¡¯t let him go.¡± I warned my father.


    ¡°He won¡¯t do that, because he is just azy bastard to work and dependent on me. Nevertheless, if I die, they get nothing.¡± My father exined.


    My father and I arrived home, and a little while Archie arrived. He saw us waiting for him in the living room. ¡°Have you had your dinner?¡± I asked him.


    ¡°Yes, I went to my aunt and uncle at the camp and I had my dinner there.¡± He told me.


    ¡°I smelled alcohol in you. Why? Was there some celebration at your aunt¡¯s ce?¡± I asked him.


    He cannot look straight at me. But there was a question in his eyes. My father tapped his shoulder and sat beside him.


    ¡°I know you want to know why I asked Lisa to go to my house and instructed her toe alone. Though you never asked, I will tell you. But before that, I want you to understand first that it is not to create misunderstanding, instead to strengthen it. You just need to listen and keep an open mind.¡± My father told Archie.


    ¡°I know Lisa has told you about Leon. He just arrived at my house this afternoon, and he was asking to talk to Lisa about what happened to him and why he just disappeared. I told Lisa toe alone because they need to have a closure of what had happened. Don¡¯t take it that I am against you. I wanted them to talk and clear everything between them so that there would be no more feelings to look back on. My daughter loved you, that¡¯s why she married you and the past is just the past that should be left behind and never looked back. I will leave you two to talk it over and understand each other. And I have something to settle at home.¡± Once again, my father tapped Archie¡¯s shoulder and I kissed him on the cheek. Then he left.


    ¡°Now, tell me what happened.¡± Archie asked me.


    ¡°As my father said. Leon came to my father¡¯s house and he asked my father if he could talk to me personally. My father told him that I am already married. Though he was hesitant to grant Leon¡¯s request, my father called me and told me the situation. I am also hesitant to what Leon requested, but I need to let Leon know that I am really married and also need a closure of what he has left.¡±


    ¡°Did he exin why he just left and never seen again?¡± Archie askedProperty belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    ¡°Yes, he did. He said he met with an ident aftering from this house and he was unconscious until the day of his departure. He needed to fulfill his contract before he was charged with breach of contract. He said that the only address and telephone number he has of me was in his cell phone and it was missing from the ident and nobody imed to have seen it. So, he never contacted me at all, nor did he call me to inform me that he met with an ident. The only call he made was to call his sister who came for him at the hospital. Maybe it was fate that he met with an ident, if not we never have met.¡±


    ¡°Do you have any regret that both of you separated?¡± Archie asked me with sadness drawn in his face.


    ¡°Yes and no. Yes, because I thought we were meant for each other up to the end. No, because without the incident, I could have not met you. Fate really made some turn out of our life that we really don¡¯t expect. We just need to appreciate what life has offered and what it has set us to live with. I know you have doubts about what I am talking about. Leon is just my YESTERDAY and he will be just my past and also a part of my life. And you are my present and my TODAY. I have loved you and I married you, regardless of the many obstacles we have hurdled, we are still together and we will strengthen that rtionship into the future. I have no doubt of what decision I made for choosing you as my life time partner, I just hope you do the same. And since I have a child in my womb, this child is our future and TOMORROW. We will look forward now for tomorrow and the day ahead of us for our children toe. Do you think we will grow old together?¡± I asked Archie.


    ¡°I don¡¯t doubt our future because I love you so much that nothing will evere between us since we are bound by love and blessed by GOD. I am your TODAY and will be you TOMORROW together with our children toe. That is not just a promise but a covenant of my love for you. And nothing will ever break us apart anymore. I LOVE YOU love.¡± Archie embraced and kissed me.


    We both cried in happiness that we came this far and we are still together. And now, we are waiting for a bundle of love to be delivered within seven months toplete my family. I for one, have a closure of my previous rtionship to Leon. So sad that we have to end this way, but as he said fate has a great part to what we are now. I hope he will find true love in the future. Leon has been my YESTERDAY and will always be a part of my life. My husband is my TODAY that will keep me from loving him as it was promised, till death do us part. My TOMORROW is my children, because they will make up my family and out of love for Archie and me.


    THE END


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