He is Back!

*Patricia's POV*

I was in a hurry to Bubble Tea to meet my friend, Janine del Rosario-Zobel. She texted me. "URGENT!" so I could not help but worry about her.

"Pat!" she gave me a hug when I arrived.

"Janine, relax," I said as I returned her hug, "Why are you so giddy?" I continued as we took our seats.

"Ohemz, Patricia! You must hear this," she said excitedly. I couldn't help but raise my eyebrows on her and waited for her to tell me the news. I do not know if she just had too much sugar in her milk tea or if being hyper is her only outlet for being a housewife.

"I have two good news!" she exclaimed, "which one would you like to hear first?"

I tried not to roll my eyes so she wouldn't feel bad, I mean, how can I ever make a choice? I do not have a single idea about what she is about to tell me.

"Oops! Silly of me. Haha," she grinned, "the first good news is about my love life. The second is about your love life. So, which do you want to hear first?"

"Tell me about your love life," I slumped at the table, "did you forget that I have been loveless for more than two years now?"

"That is what you think!" she interrupted, "but anyway, here's my first news," she excitingly placed a pregnancy test kit on the table. Like seriously? She just placed an apparatus that contains her urine on the table! But I forgot what I was about to say when I saw two lines on it.

"Oh, shoots!" Janine, you're pregnant?" it was a statement though I wanted her confirmation.

"One hundred percent," she clapped while she sang her excitement, "and the second news is," she stopped and smiled.

Ugh! I knew she wanted to thrill me but it was killing me so I raised my brows.

"MR. STUART CORDOVAL is finally back in the Philippines!" she raised her hands as if she just won a contest.

"Seriously?" I whispered in disbelief.

HE IS BACK – he was my sweetest dream but fulfilled my most painful nightmare. I live because he is my vitamin but died because he is my poison. He is my happiness yet he caused me sadness. The man who can turn my world upside down is finally back!

"Hey," she held my hand, "why are you so quiet? Aren't you happy that he is finally back?"

"Of course," I tried to fake a smile, "I am happy."

"But you don't look like you're happy," she noticed, "don't you want him back?"

"I think four years of being a stalker plus one year of hoping that I can make him love me is enough," I sighed as I remembered everything in the past.

Yes, I followed him around as his stalker for four years. During those times, I made sure that none of the girls could ever be close to him. Why did it? Maybe because I believed in the promise that my cousin told me when I first met him.

*Flashback*

"Cuz, what is the name of that drummer?" I asked while my eyes stayed hooked on the handsome man behind the drum set.

"He is the best friend I have been telling you about. He is Stuart Cordoval" my cousin replied but I think he noticed how I looked at him so she frankly asked, "Do you like him?"

"Huh? Ah-eh," I was dumbfounded that I did not even know how to answer her.

"That's okay," she must have seen me blushed for her to say that, "I am used to this because a lot of girls have a huge crush on my best friend, but don't worry," she gave me a meaningful smile, "I prefer you over anyone else so I am going to help you have him," she continued and dragged me towards the backstage.

Sandra is my cousin and I just went with her to watch the concert of her best friend. I had no idea her best friend would be this handsome. Well actually, I have no idea she is friends with the popular boys in her school. I am amazed at how comfortable she is when surrounded by these boys, I mean, I have never been in that situation. I studied in an exclusive girls' school and we never had concerts like this in our school.

"Hey Stuart! Your girlfriend is here," uttered one of the boys.

"Kaz, he is not my boyfriend," Sandra patted his back, "he is my best friend."

"Exactly," the guy shrugged, "you're a girl and you are his friend, is it wrong to say girl-friend?"

"Sandra," I froze when I finally heard his voice, "why are you here? Didn't you watch the concert?"

"We watched the show but decided not to finish it so we can meet you here once you get out off the stage," my cousin explained, "I do not want to push my way through your fan girls so I decided to get here first before they could even block the way."

"Oh by the way," my cousin exclaimed when she finally remembered to introduce me, "this is my cousin, Patricia Sandoval."

I have no idea how someone who froze me with his voice can now melt me with his smile. I flashed him a smile and offered a handshake. I thought I'd look cool in that gesture, but I was wrong. I went dreamy-state the moment the warmth of his palm touched mine.

He was tall, dark, and handsome but most of all, he wore the most tantalizing eyes I have ever seen. His look seems to seep through my skin, invading every living cell that comprises my whole being. And that smile! Oh my, I think I need to tighten the garter of my panty.

"Patricia," my cousin whispered, "are we joining them or not?"

"H-huh?" I panicked not knowing what to say.

"Close your mouth," my cousin chuckled, "don't embarrass me."

"WHAT?! Was I gaping at him?" I literally covered my mouth.

"You obviously like my best friend," she teased me when the boys went to their dressing room, "was that love at first sight?"

"Stop it, Sandra!" I lightly pushed her, "That's embarrassing."

"Ouch, cuz!" she exclaimed, "you just fell in love, you do not need to be that violent."

"You're obviously teasing me!" I stomped my feet.

"Hey! Don't be childish," she laughed at me, "don't worry, I'll help you have him."

"What if he won't like me," I stopped, "maybe we should not do this. I might fall too hard or end up in a one-sided love situation."

"Stop the drama, cuz!" she said, "I know Stuart from head to toe. I know what he likes and I know his weakness. In short, you have an advantage over any other girls. Just do what I say and see that one day he'll come running after you, begging you to be his girl."

For a while, I dwelled in my dreamy state again as I imagined the day he'll ask me to be his girl but for some reason, I imagined him asking Sandra instead. Nervously I turned to my cousin and asked, "Was there a time when you felt that you are more than just friends?"

"What?" she laughed, "he is my best friend and I would like to keep it that way."

"But why are you doing this?"

"Doing what?"

"Why do you want me to be his girlfriend?" I asked, "Why would you do your best to make him fall for me?"

"Because I am tired of being always mistaken as his girlfriend," my cousin explained, "but Stuart is kind but vulnerable. He just lost his mother and I have seen how sad it made him. Patricia, you are perfect for him. I know you can fill that empty space left by his mother. And I know you are the perfect girl who will never hurt him or leave him."

__________________________

Two months passed and I ended up stalking him. He was kind to me at first but after a few weeks, I noticed how cold he treated me. I knew it was wrong to force myself to him but I could not stop myself either. I have fallen deeply in love with him and I can no longer set myself free from the thought that I will one day have him for myself.

"Take care of Stuart," Sandra cried, "don't you ever give up on him, promise me that."

I nodded but I was too tongue-tied to even utter a single word. I am also saddened by the thought that she is leaving to accept her scholarship in London but I understand that she wanted to fulfill her dreams. We hugged and said our last goodbyes and from then on, I have lived to fulfill my promise to her – to make sure that Stuart will fall for me.

For countless times he rejected me and made me feel that he'd never fall for me but I did not have the heart to give up. Call it crazy but I am willing to do everything just to make sure he'll end up loving me.

*end of flashback*

"Pat," I was brought back to my senses when Janine called my name.

"H-huh?"

"I have been talking here and you were not listening," she complained.

"I'm sorry. What were you saying?" I said.

"I was asking you to help me set up a surprise anniversary party for my husband," she said, "I wanted you to bake the cake which I will use to announce that we finally have a baby."

"Oh – okay," I said mindlessly, "how many guests are you expecting?"

"Hmm, let's see," she uttered, "our parents, our siblings, and our closest friends."

"Wait," I interrupted, "you mean Stuart is gonna be there?"

"Yes!" she happily confirmed but she probably noticed my reaction so she continued, "But you still have to go. Arlene will be home to attend the party so please don't miss it," she pleaded.

"Fine," I surrendered, "but no crazy ideas."

"Promise!" Janine excitedly raised her hand to swear.