Chapter 25: Chapter 25

024

You get lighter the more it gets dark

"What's wrong with you?" Missy asked when she saw me covering my nose with my handkerchief as I entered the room. I sat in the back row and she followed me.

"Why are you sitting in the back row?" She asked, confused, since I always choose the seat at the front row.

"I wasn't able to read the cases properly because my head aches," I replied. "And, I don't like the smell of someone's perfume."

I looked around and tried to distinguish the smell. My head was spinning and I felt like collapsing any minute. Ugh! What is happening to me? I hate it.

"What happened to you?" Missy handed me a bottle of water. "Did you drink medicine?"

"It's a migraine," I told her. "It was very hot a while ago at the court because the air conditioner broke and I skipped lunch."

"You should have gone home if you aren't feeling well," she suggested. "Should I call Loud?"

"No," I stopped her. "Please, don't tell him I skipped lunch. I'm getting better now," I lied. I felt like I was about to vomit but I couldn't. I need to use the power of my mind.

I am better now.

I tried to calm myself until our Professor went inside. He started calling names from the index card and I held my hand tight hoping he wouldn't call me because I am not really prepared. Thankfully, he didn't. I was able to survive the night.

But I still hate someone's perfume. I just don't know whose perfume it is.

"Gab," Missy called me. She sighed. "I think I am going to quit law school."

It was no surprise. I didn't blink and stopped from walking because I already know from the very start that Missy's heart is not in Law.

"What are you going to do?" I asked. "How about your parents?"

"They told me to try it if I really want it but no..." She shook her head. "I spent a sleepless night trying to pass all our subjects. I memorized everything and I felt lonely."

I tapped her shoulder. "Go, do what you truly want."

She nodded. "I will. I'll finish this semester and quit."

"We've been friends since college but you never told me what you really want?" I curiously asked. "Care to share?"

She smiled at me. "I want to become a runaway model."

"Woah," I said in amusement. Again, it's no wonder. She used to join pageants when we were in college and from what I know she also won a lot of pageants when she was still in high school.

"Yeah. I have to try, right? Though, they're looking for females with a minimum of 5 feet and 9 inches tall. I still have to try, right?"

"Of course, you're 5'7, right? If they've seen you, they'll surely make an exception."

I assured her. I know she will get what she wants if she believes in herself. Missy is so beautiful. The kind of beauty that you can stare at her all day. She's also the head-turner kind of girl.

"But I have to lose weight, don't you think?" She pouted as she circled around me.

I check her measurements and they seem fine to me. She's actually flat-chested like the models you see in editorial magazines. She's also fit even though she ate a lot.

"Whatever you do. You'll make it," I winked at her. "I believe in you, girl!"

Missy chuckled. "Do you think so?" She placed a book in her head and started walking while still facing me. "How's my walk - oh!"

"Watch out!" I warned her but it was too late. She bumped into someone, and the book landed on the ground. Luckily, the guy was able to catch her before she fell.

I secretly giggled as I felt the slow motion between them. Should I leave them? I mean, I used to read a lot of fiction and watch movies so I know that this kind of scene is a start of something new. I hope it's a happy one.

"Uhm. Are you both okay?"

"Y-yeah," Missy stood up and fixed her clothes. "Sorry, I wasn't paying attention."

The guy just smiled at her as he handed the book. "It's okay. Me too." He bowed a little and started walking away. I saw Missy's eyes still following the guy.

"Ehem, is he your type?" I teased her.

"You don't know him?" Missy eyed me.

"Should I know him?"

"Ugh. I can't believe you're not aware of the list of handsome boys in this town. Like, duh?" She shook her head in disbelief.

"I am Loud. So, why would I care about them?"

Missy rolled her eyes. "Whatever! Well, your Loud is already here." She pointed using her lips.

I automatically smell brewed coffee so I don't have to turn to make sure it is Loud. I felt his embrace from behind as he kissed my neck. "How's my Gabbabe?" He seductively whispered that sent shivers to my spine.

I bit my lower lip and tried to hide my excitement to kiss him.

"Okay, lovebirds. I am here," Miss pointed at herself. "Can't you see me?"

Loud laughed at her. "Let me carry this for you." He put my bag on his shoulder as he carried my book.

"Why not go and talk to the guy you just bumped into a while ago?" I poked her shoulder. "You like her. Is he the reason why you kept on rejecting your boys?" I emphasized the word boys because a lot of boys wanted to court her but she always refused.

"Unfortunately, he doesn't know I exist," Missy crossed her arms in dismay. "Also, he already has a girlfriend. They have been together since college so yeah...it's a one-sided love."

"That's sad. You should move on," Loud clicked his tongue. "Find another man."

"No. I'm fine being single," Missy stared at us bitterly though I know she's just joking. "I can carry my own bag."

Loud and I both laughed.

"But you can't go home alone?" Loud hissed.

"Yeah. I guess," Missy frowned. "C'mon, let's go home!"

She started walking away.

Loud and I both stared at each other and shrugged as we followed her.

Law school is killing me. Okay, it's even an understatement. I am slowly losing myself. Of course, I cannot give up my dreams. I am already here.

I'm just tired but it doesn't mean I will give up. Before I would go crazy memorizing codals by heart, I decided to take a break.

After my Saturday class, I joined Hander and Jacquer. They still make our band work by singing at the hotel where we became a regular. When we are not busy with our study, Loud and I spend our time singing with them.

"Loud is still not finish with his exams?" Hander asked. We already finished a set of songs and took a break. The people were already gathering inside the restaurant of the hotel.

Jacquer sat beside me and offered me a latte.

I checked my watch. "I guess not or maybe he's already on his way here. It's past five."

"Let's wait for him, then," Hander said. "Aren't you busy today?"

"I am busy," I sighed. "But I realized I need a break before law school kills me."

"Aww," Jacquer wagged his head. "It's okay. You're gonna be a lawyer soon. Make sure to give me a discount. Okay?"

"I can give my service for free as long as you both won't commit a crime," I glared at them.

"What if I commit adultery?" Hander jokes.

"Uh, I told you to stop what you're doing. Why are you such a playboy?"

He shrugged. "It's not my fault that girls love me that much."

I rolled my eyes and we continued our conversation. It's been months since I last talked to them so we did some catching up.

Jacquer and Hander are both working in their family's company. They usually have a lot of free time. I think they're not even making their work serious. Well, that's maybe the advantage if you know that from the very start you will be the one running your family's business. I'd like to think they are just enjoying their time since they'll be given big responsibilities soon.

"Btw, how's your friend?" Hander remembered. "Zee? The one who committed suicide? Is she okay? I heard she got married. You know, the business world."

I nodded. "Yeah. It's been a year since she got married."

What should I say? She's still miserable. She's not even using Aae's last name and they are not even living together.

"So, they company really merged. Woah, they're big companies and they just get bigger."

"Do you know them?" I curiously asked Hander. "Hands off, Zee's already married. Don't tell me you like her?"

I am not okay with Zee marrying Aae and will not be okay with her marrying anyone other than Zack. Damn! My sail sank. Where the hell is Zack? I never heard from him again.

"No," Hander denied. "It was our company who supplies aircraft materials."

Oh, right. Aae's family owned an international airline.

"Wait, you are both into business," I stated. "Do you have news about Zendaya's Corporation?"

Jacquer was the one who answered yes. "They expanded their businesses in the United States and I heard they are starting their business in Europe. They're huge!"

"We're trying to close a deal with them. Though, I don't know if they are going to choose us to build their resort on one of their private islands."

I widened my eyes. "They're that huge? Like, really huge?"

Wow! I didn't know that. Zack never told us about their businesses. Well, he never likes to talk about their wealth. I know they are big when her mother hired me in their company but I didn't think they were that huge...like how much is a private island?

"Yes. They have a lot of businesses like restaurants, oil company, gasoline stations, hotels, but their main focus is on real estate, private islands, and building resorts all over the world," Jacquer explained.

"Wow!" I blinked.

Why am I not aware of that? I should have asked Zack for a lot of money instead of work. Ugh! Well, it's too late. I'll be sure to ask him for a private island when we see each other again.

Did he forget about us? Did he really leave Zee?

He didn't stop Zee's wedding with Aae. I was hoping and praying he would appear, but he didn't.

Distance really killed their love.

"So do you know the son of the owner?" I asked Jacquer.

"Yeah. He was the one talking to us with regards to our deal."

"Zack?" I confirmed.

"No. Zane Zendaya," said Jacquer. "I heard Zack's already a pilot but I never met him in their company. Do you know him?"

"He's a close friend of mine," I sadly replied.

The atmosphere became so heavy around me that I had to excuse myself for a while. I shouldn't have brought the topic.

I was really sad about Zee that I tried everything to contact Zack. But how would I be able to find him when he's hiding?

I guess he is just keeping his promise not to bother Zee until she becomes a doctor.

However, it was too late. Zee's already married.

That's a lot of what ifs and regrets for the both of them.

And, I could only pray that it will not happen to me and Loud.

"Hi," I was back to my senses when a guy poked my shoulder.

I raised an eyebrow and moved an inch away from him. He looks like a bad boy with a piercing on his left ear.

"Yes?" I replied, trying not to be rude.

"I heard you singing a while ago and I just want to say you have a great voice," he smiled, trying to look cute.

"Thank you."

"Can I request a song?"

"Sure, what is it?"

He bit his lower lip and said, "Be mine."

Before I could react, someone pulled me away from the guy.

"Sorry, this amazing girl is already mine," Loud proudly said and kissed me.

I hadn't recovered yet when Loud gently dragged me back to the table. I am blushing again.

"What's with that? Is he hitting on you?"

"No. He's requesting a song."

"Be mine is the song?" Loud scowled. He bumped his fist toward Hander and Jacquer as they exchanged greetings.

"Is there a song with that title?" He turned to me while pulling out my guitar inside the case he gave me. It still gives me chills everytime I recall that scene. It was my birthday.

I shrugged. "Maybe? Try searching for it."

"Pfffff...."

I chuckled. Loud is so cute when jealous.

"He is hitting on you," Jacquer teased. "Can't find a song with that title."

I turned to the guy. He was looking at me - at us.

"Go stare at him," Loud scoffed.

"What? I am just - -"

He kissed me.

"Try checking him out again and I'll make sure to pop his eyes out with my scalpel."

I raised both of my hands, trying to calm my heart beat, and hiding my smile. I can't. I'm having a mini heart attack and butterflies in my stomach as of the moment.

"Understood." I nodded.

I grabbed my guitar from him and went directly to the stage. "Hi, everyone!" I greeted them all.

They clapped as they waited for me to say something.

"Over there is my very handsome boyfriend," I pointed at Loud. "I like to dedicate this song to him."

I strummed the guitar and started singing, "I've been reading books of old, the legends and the myths..."

The people started cheering when Loud sat beside me along with Jacquer and Hander who started playing their instruments.

"Achilles and his gold. Hercules and his gifts. Spider-Man's control and Batman with his fists and clearly I don't see myself upon that list..." Loud continued to the song.

We finished a set of songs then went home to eat pancakes for dinner. Although, it's not really pancakes that we ate.

The day of the results for NMAT, I took a break from work to surprise Loud. He's always been the one who surprises me, so it's also fair that I give him surprises, too.

He deserves it.

The results weren't out yet, but I am pretty sure Loud will pass it.

We talked about his examinations and I know that he did well. He knows all the answers and could even recite the questions. He told me that my brother Gabriel's index cards really helped him and Zee.

He's pretty confident about it, so am I.

Loud didn't know that I took a day off since he spent the time with Zee waiting for the results as well as checking for medical schools.

I don't know much about cooking. Loud's the best cook.

Somehow, I managed to make his favorite Paella. I wasn't sure if he would like it but I tried my best. It was really difficult at first. I also bought him a customized coffee cake in his favorite bakeshop and ordered coffee beans.

He likes coffee more than anything so I made a chocolate from coffee. It was bitter but yeah he likes the bitterness of coffee. It made me jealous sometimes because I felt like if we're between deaths, he would choose coffee over me.

Kidding aside!

I love him that much and I wanted to make everything perfect.

I arranged our table, put some lanterns on it, and prepared my guitar so I could sing some songs for him.

While waiting, I studied some cases for tomorrow. I skipped my class tonight for Loud. I want to celebrate the results of his admission test. I know it's a small achievement and not even close to being a doctor but it is the start of his career.

Good thing, I was already done with my recitation last week and that subject is pretty easy on me.

It was around six in the evening when I heard the gate creaking. I positioned myself in front of the door while holding the coffee cake with a candle and greetings that said, Congratulations!

"Oh, the lights!" I ran to turn off the lights and went back to my position.

I smiled like there's no tomorrow while waiting for him to open the door.

I yelled Congratulations as soon as I smelled his perfume.

"Yey! Blow the candles---"

My smile faded away and I dropped the cake when he said, "I didn't pass."