Aris Sandoval’s P.O.V.
Like the old times of stalking her — I was wearing my shades again as I was also carrying a newspaper that served as props in case I needed to fully cover my face. I was wearing black pants and a white-striped polo, where the first three buttons were open exposing a part of my hard chest and the sleeves were folded up to my elbows emphasizing my muscled biceps.
Too handsome for a stalker!
I saw her heading to the second floor of the coffee shop, where I could only see two to three people in the entire area. I still followed her until I saw how she eagerly took her seat in front of a man wearing a red polo with long sleeves up to his wrists, who I thought, might be her boyfriend.
Wow! And they are both wearing red, huh? Was it Valentine’s in July?
But I never saw him in her videos or any news associated with her. Did I even research her well?
I decided to take a seat closer to them and used the newspaper to partially cover my face. I settled behind Drey so that she would not be able to see me. Well, that already included my strategic moves for me to easily hear what they were going to talk about.
Oops… I don’t care about their personal lives!
I was just hoping that I could gather some data that would help me know what was her real connection to Juno, with this eavesdropping idea. I didn’t like the idea of snooping around, but I would do this for the sake of Juno.
After all, I was only stalking Drey Laxamana because I was obsessed to finally see my Juno. Nothing else mattered.
“H-How are you?” she asked.
I was only seeing her back, but I could sense from her voice that she seemed so hesitant to start the conversation with him like something was holding her back. She stammered — too far from that ferocious Drey Laxamana who was asking me to say sorry to her three weeks ago.
Instead of answering her, the guy just sarcastically threw her a series of questions. “Is there anything important that you would like to talk about other than us, Drey? How many times do I have to tell you that we’re already done, huh? Can’t you just accept the fact? Everything has already ended between the two of us. I already gave us the closure you want since last year, remember? Wasn’t it clear to you? Don’t tell me that until now, you were still unable to move on?”
The end of my lips suddenly formed into a smirk as I barely looked at that guy, while still holding the newspaper right in front of my face.
What did he just say? Damn excuses!
If only I could interrupt their conversation, I already did that so I could also show that guy how thick his face was.
How could he plagiarize my dialogues? He doesn’t even reach my level of handsomeness that’s why he doesn’t have the right to say those words.
“What does she have that I don’t, Ivan? I am much prettier than her, much sexier! And you know how much I love you! I gave e-everything to you, everything… to the point that I left nothing for myself. Isn’t that enough? W-What did I do that made you fall out of love? Tell me and I’ll change it. I just don’t understand why you’ve cheated on me… and you know what’s even worst? I still couldn’t accept the fact that you’ve cheated me with my own best friend!” Drey’s voice began trembling. Even though she had her back on me, I felt like she was already crying. “Y-You didn’t give us closure, you’ve just formally announced your affair with her!”
I simpered on how she showed her brittleness. I just couldn’t imagine how a fierce woman during our very first encounter, a blithesome model through all of her magazines and MeTube travel videos, and a gorgeous woman with such strong personality that could tame the beasts of many guys out there — would turn into a fragile and pathetic crying lady, begging her dumb ex-boyfriend to love her again.
I believed her to have both beauty and brains. But when it comes to love, I guessed, she stupidly let her heart overpowered her brain. She was caged inside an erroneous love and memories of their past together. That was the main reason why she couldn’t fully move on.
Tsk, I pity her.
Now, this isn’t time for Valentine’s. Today could be an All Saints’ Day for Drey Laxamana. Where are the candles for a broken heart?
“So here we are again! You’re just repeating the same scene that would always remind you of everything that happened. Please, Drey… stop. I already told you before that Louise doesn’t have to do with our break-up. I—I just fell out of love. I don’t know, but I just woke up one day and realized that I don’t love you anymore… and if I stay, I would only hurt you even more.” The guy she called Ivan snapped at her.
What the hell, dude? Fuck you!
I even raised my middle finger in line with my thoughts to secretly salute that ugly asshole.
You fell out of love and yet you’re already with someone else in just speed of light? Are you out of your mind?
You could fool Drey, but not me. As a Casanova, I definitely knew that. And I always used those fucking alibis whenever I would like to break up with someone to freshly start with a new one.
I saw him stood up and was about to leave when he looked outside the window. “I’m sorry. I just hope that this would be the last time that you will ask for a friendly meeting, Drey.” Then, he looked at her and continued. “I just came here because I thought that you wanted us to talk about our possible video collaboration in MeTube. You know, I am still setting up my account and I quite need it for the number of views… but I was wrong. I’m sorry, I have to go.”
I saw how she pathetically gripped that Ivan’s wrist to stop him from leaving, but he didn’t even glance at her. He entirely doesn’t care about her anymore that all he did was to quickly remove Drey’s hand and damnably left her in that wretched condition.
Drey was left speechless that she had no other choice but to silently cry. I could see her shrugging off her shoulders while searching her round shoulder bag for some tissues or wet wipes. I didn’t know why but I suddenly pitied her. Those rough words that came from that guy, I could say that those were my breakup lines too and mine was even harsher than him.
When it came to breaking up with my past girlfriends and flings, I was nothing but ruthless. I always became such a cold-blooded monster most especially if a certain woman doesn’t want to let me go. I could destroy women in just a snap of my fingers. In fact, I could kill every woman just by saying my nasty words.
I could imagine all those women that I hurt from the past just by looking at Drey now. But I felt no mercy for them — that after I broke their hearts and used their bodies to fill my sexual desires, I would throw them away like broken pieces of trash I didn’t care about. I could just throw them like a rag, leaving them with nothing after that.
But now, I just didn’t know the reason why I was feeling sorry for her. I just loathed her a while ago and over the past three weeks but unexpectedly, my heart melted just by looking at her.
Why do I felt so guilty when in the first place, I wasn’t the one who hurt her? Why do I want to grab that guy’s collar and punch him straight in the face when he did that to her? Moreover, I didn’t understand why I suddenly stood up from my seat just to approach her.
Drey Laxamana’s P.O.V.Despite my beautiful face, it was quite ironic to say that my whole life was just a mess. A complete-package mess!When I was a kid, I used to believe in fairy tales. I used to believe that ‘happily ever after’ endings do really exist. I wanted to get tangled with that kind of eccentric destiny with my one and only prince charming. I believed in magical spells, fantasies, and worst, I believed in mermaids.Who would have ever believed that those creatures were real?And not just believe… I was obsessed with them. Yes, I got totally obsessed with mermaids!That was the reason why I got bullied way back my childhood years — because of my crazy obsession with mermaids. All of my things from head to toe must include mermaids. My bags and shoes were even customized with mermaids. I told my classmates that they were real, but they only cackled at me.We used to have a vast infinity pool in the house before and I would always wear my gold costume to swim like a mermaid.
Drey Laxamana’s P.O.V.Wasn’t he that conceited guy who took advantage of me during my flight from Tokyo coming back here? That infuriating guy who kept on asking about my painting?But what is he doing here? Oh no, was he stalking me ever since that plane incident? Damn it! I think I’m in big trouble again.He was nothing but trouble. I loathed him ever since and he looked like a freaking stalker!He was towering over me but I didn’t let him notice that I was quite surprised by seeing him. I knew it was savage but I hurriedly threw the handkerchief on him just to show what I supposed to feel that he was in front of me again, but he was fast enough to catch it even before it reached his face.“Hey, that’s rude! Is that how you treat people who wanted to help you?” he yelled at me.I rolled my eyes as I scoffed. “I don’t need any of your help, mister. I don’t even know who you are and why are you here. Mind you, no one is asking for your help. So back off!”“Uh oh, so you’re now differe
Drey Laxamana’s P.O.V.I must admit, our first encounter was really bad. In fact, it was even worst. But it was true that there would be always room to make things right. I believed that we would always have the right time to make things better.And here he was. The great Aris Sandoval had instinctively protected me from those paparazzi as he played the role of a knight in shining armor. Far from the vain guy with his enormous ego.I guessed it was already time for me to forget the terrible thing that happened to us before. Being annoyed with him for no apparent reason would just do me no good. My first impression of people wouldn’t always seem to last after all.What happened to us already happened. He couldn’t remember it and he already rendered his apology. I could no longer take the time back so I obviously had to move forward.I could still feel the warmth of his embrace when he said, “Here you go. They already left,” as he removed his shielding arms around my head.But why do I h
Drey Laxamana’s P.O.V.“Yeah, I certainly knew about that thing, miss. Drey and I don’t keep secrets to each other, it will just ruin our relationship. The truth is I have always been blessed for having her in my life.”I looked at Aris and silently pinched his hand to stop him. But still, he continued praising me like I wasn’t sure if he was only doing that on purpose.“Look at Drey? A licensed engineer, a professional model, and an adept artist! What more could I ask for? She’s so talented that I couldn’t even blink when I looked at her. I should thank your boyfriend, right?” he said as he even held my hand tighter as he narrowed his eyes to Ivan. “But for now, I was thinking how could he avoid all the bad lucks that was already attached to him… for choosing an ounce of charcoal over a pound of gold!” Aris even scornfully winked at my so-called best friend.I was not seeing my reflection in the mirror but I was one hundred percent sure that what he said made me blush. I didn’t know w
Aris Sandoval’s P.O.V.“Why did you do that?” Ondrea asked as soon as we were already inside my car. Those paparazzi didn’t ask further questions anymore after hearing what they wanted to hear from us.I wasn’t a celebrity and I didn’t have plans to be one, though I looked like one, but I knew how to respond from those prying people. Give them what they wanted to hear and case closed. They would no longer bother you so you were free to go.“What?” I ‘innocently’ asked, though I already knew what she was talking about. I was wearing my calm and deadpan expression but the truth was I really wanted to laugh.“Don’t ask as if you’re innocent, Aris. Why did you told them that I’m your girlfriend? They will surely have malicious thoughts, for Christ’s sake!” she bellowed before she held her forehead like I caused her so much trouble. Now, I loved to see the ‘first’ Ondrea that I met three weeks ago.I secretly smiled. “Ah, that? For them to easily let go of us, Ondrea! If I didn’t tell them
Aris Sandoval’s P.O.V.“I’m currently in a meeting.” Obviously, I lied. It was a lame excuse knowing what I just did a while ago.“Fuck you, Aris! Don’t lie to me, bastard. I heard from the news and I even saw it with my own eyes that you’re with that top billboard model — Drey Laxamana! And you had the guts to say in public that she’s your girlfriend, huh? Were the two of you really dating? Since when? And what about me? What about us?” she yelled over the phone. I could see that she was gritting her teeth wherever she was. If she was in front of me, I could have put some packaging tape on her mouth.This woman literally gave me headaches and I wanted enough of her dramas. But of all the things she had told me, why didn’t I know that Ondrea was a top billboard model? If she really was, I wanted to see her billboard right now!“You already knew who am I with, then why do you still have to ask? I’m sorry, Carlene, but we’re already done here. Haven’t you notice my cold treatment for you
ArisSandoval’s P.O.V.I excused myself to Drey who was at the lobby waiting for the receptionist. I went outside of the hotel but still, I could see her from here. I couldn’t help but smile when I saw how her forehead creased a little bit, while impatiently ticking her fingers over the counter.“Cancel all my appointments for one month, Francine. There’s an urgent thing that I have to deal with,” I instructed my secretary
Aris Sandoval’s P.O.V.That was when I opened my eyes and was surprised with what I saw—Drey was now in front of me while drying her long hair with a clean cloth. A quizzical expression was evident on her entire attractive face as the two of us were almost an inch apart.“Fuck!” I groaned all of a sudden, automatically pulling my body away from her. I must admit that I wasn’t able to control my sudden outburst as if I saw a ghost.How could I be so numb without even realizing that she already went out of the bathroom?“Hey, do you really have to curse? But what’s happening to you? You’re sweating, Aris. Oh my God, are you sick?” She asked as she even went closer to me. Drey, placing her palm on my neck and forehead, only added to the strange sensation that I was feeling at the moment.I swallowed real hard trying to remove the lump on my throat. She was wearing her clothes but still, she was in her drizzly look. I didn’t understand myself anymore, that I harshly shoved her hand away fo