TWO

"Alice and I are getting married," He says. Gemma's smile faded, her eyes caught her reflection in the mirror, and her eyes went misty at the stabbing words.

Gemma remained silent on the phone, but her breath increased and became shaky. She looked away from the mirror and raised her head, pushing back her tears, her hands brushing the tears rolling down her cheek. Gemma knew deep down he loved her so much and wouldn't let go. She didn't want to either. Juan meant the whole world to her. Gemma's eyes are wrinkled.

"But we could still be together. I'm getting married, doesn't mean we won't be together," Juan said. Despite the breaking news, she felt him smile over the phone.

She shut her eyes tightly, her face wrinkled, her mouth streaked and tightened together, and like a flash, tears rolled down her eyes. Gemma quickly trapped the wiping sound in the palm of her hand.

She heard him giggle, he was happy, but she wasn't. It wasn't what she had planned. Maybe he would give up on the marriage, but she still had a chance to be with him. Her hands went from her mouth to her hair, pushing them backwards.

"Are you there?" His voice blared in her ears, and she swallowed, licking her lips aggressively and biting her lower lips. Gemma breathed calmly and replied.

"Of course," Her voice shakes.

"Alright then, that's cool," Juan cleared his throat. "You know I love you, right?" he questioned. A faint smile brushed her lips, but she nodded, unable to mutter. The tears she had bottled up for ages were hitting her faster the more he opened his mouth to speak. She forced a faint smile, putting her hands in a fist, and she shook her lips.

"Yes, I do," she managed to say.

Disappointed, Juan had not even noticed he had hurt her. Her voice and quietness weren't normal for her, she had expected him to pick up, but he seemed so excited that he didn't even care, she assumed.

"Would you come over tomorrow night? Alice is travelling for work," He whispered. Gemma hung up, and tears streamed down her sad eyes. She held her head in her palms as she sobbed quietly.

Minutes after, she raised her head to look at the mirror, and from the reflection, she saw the curtain close. Gemma quickly turned back, but the curtains were closed and saw no one.

Looking back at the mirror, her makeup, ideally done by Gira, faded from constant wiping.

Gemma got up and rushed over to the door. She grabbed the doorknob and shut the door. Gemma took her bag and went into the dressing room to change her clothes. Once she was done, she took her bag and headed out.

Gemma stepped out of the dressing room. She had her bag in her left hand, dressed in a jean and a white crop top, and her hair packed in a ponytail, and she was heading straight home after this as soon as she walked out of the room. She found the photographer alone. He worked on his camera and had a bag close to him. She glanced around, and everyone had gone. Gemma wondered why he stayed behind.

His eyes found hers, and she looked away, Avoiding him, the closet that approached him. Her gaze turned in his direction, but she avoided eye contact with him still.

"Where's Anita?" she asked, curiously staring around.

"Anita?" He looked around. Gemma looked at him, he had a perfect shape jawline, and her eyes fell to his Adam's apple that rolled each time he breathed. Her heart twitched. Staring at him, she narrowed her eyes down his arms, and his veins popped out. He had his camera in his arms. He looked at her and caught her staring at his arms, and he smiled, ", She was going to call you in the dressing room," He spoke. Gemma blinked, looking away. "But she headed out. She said you were busy, and I guess," He finished, looking at her head to toe.

"Is that so?" She cleared her throat, and Gemma caught him staring, then raised a brow. He smiled sheepishly, lowering his gaze. Gemma rolled her eyes and continued out of the studio. He looked good but acted creepy.

Immediately the door closed, breathing out and crossing his hands on Isaac's chest. Anita stepped out from behind the curtains and quickly grabbed her things on the table. He watched her quietly, his eyes filled with guilt.

"She's gone?" She panicked, darting at him.

"Yeah, I'm sorry I shouldn't have ears dropped. I-" Anita interrupted with a loud sigh.

"It's fine. At least let the lady believe it's me," Anita said. He nodded, hiding those gorgeous hands at his back, a disciplined child.

"Is she in a relationship?"

"It's complicated," Anita replied, "Anyways, let me buy you dinner."

"No, don't worry about it."

"Jule introduced me to a fine guy like you, and I feel bad for wasting your time."

He laughed, "I am okay, honestly. I just pray they would accept the pictures. Maybe then I would let you treat me," he giggled.

"You're right, thank you," she smiled, heading to pick up her coat.

A taxi parked in front of a tall building, and Gemma got down with a black bag. She walked into the building, she frowned into the elevator, sighing out of frustration. She searched her purse for her keys.

"For Christ's sake, where did you go!" She got out of the elevator, standing in front of her door. She searched her bag angrily till it fell to the floor. "Mmmmm," she covered her lips, holding them tight, sitting on her knees, quivering. Her breath increased as she tried to stop herself from crying, "He was mine first!" she yelled, letting them out.

Ding ding!

Gemma pressed the bell to Juan's apartment, standing before the door. She wore a red crop top and boyfriend jeans. She arranged her outfit, trying to look the best.

The door opened. "Gemma," he smiled. She tried to look inside, but the house looked dark.

"Hey," she returned the smile, he looked good in a white polo and black shorts, and she folded her hands together. They stared at each other for a while, smiling.

"You look stunning," he says, giving her space to come in.

Gemma stepped in; her face brightened when she saw his apartment filled with scented candles and a flower sitting in the living room. The lights were dim, making the candles bright. Gemma smiled, turning over to him. He came forward, hugging her from behind.

"This is beautiful," she says, blushing hard. Juan's effort trying to please her made her happy.

"I know you're mad at me, and I can not do anything to make it up to you. I want you to know I am sorry, mm?" Kissing anywhere his lips touched, Gemma turned to him and wrapped her hands around his neck, locking eyes with him. "Forgive me?" he kissed her cheek again, rubbing his hands around her waist.

Gemma's smile faded, and his words were like arrows to her heart. They battered her so that she couldn't even react.

"Huh? Come on," he pecked her again. Gemma nodded in response.

"Yes," she says, looking around the house. He took a balloon in his hand and gave it to her. Gemma moved away from him. "What's this?" she laughed.

"Come on, pop them" he grips her wrist, pulling her closer and giving her a long pin.

"Why?" she laughed, taking the pin from him. Gemma moved away from his hold, staring at him. He looked suspicious.

"Come on, check them" he pulled her closer to his body, and Gemma looked at him. The silence made her nervous. What could probably be inside a balloon? Juan made her feel goosebumps.

"Here I go," she says. Finally, she popped it open. Gemma closed her eyes to the sound. She slowly opened them, seeing two papers on the floor, and she stared at them and back at him. Her mood brightened at how he made her feel so special even though he had someone, and sometimes, this made her jealous instead of happy. Does he do this to Alice? she thought.

"Don't you like it?" he held her hands, looking at her. Gemma stood staring at the ticket, her mind wandering to so many things she asked herself questions every time.

"I do," she gulped, bending to pick them. "Thank you," she pouted.

"It's a musical ticket," he says. Gemma wrapped her hands around his neck, kissing him. "I missed that," he says. Gemma smiles, pressing her lips against his, and Juan's palm grabs her ass, pressing her tighter and closer to him.