Deanara’s POV
“What’s your plan?” Ethan laughed after I told him what his brother did during the conference. “Why not just tell him the truth?”
“Should we continue what we are doing?” He added when I didn’t answer him.
I shrugged as I continued sipping my latte while looking outside the coffee stop, observing people, thinking of what to write next for my story. I need something that will calm my mind because Gray hadn’t left it since the first time I met him again. It’s not like he left at all. He never left, not even in my heart. I am just trying my best not to fall for him again and hurt myself. I am not yet sure about him. What if he is lying again?
“You need to go with me to Cebu!” I demanded Ethan. “You need to help me.”
He raised his hands up and shook his head. “As much as I wanted to, I will be taking over the work that Gray left. But, I can visit you to tease my brother and make him jealous.” He grinned.
“You are not funny.” I scowled.
“You are just making it hard. Just tell him. You didn’t let him explain.”
“What’s to explain?” I asked. “I heard it and I saw it. You saw the pictures. Do you want to see it again?” I glared at him. “I can show it to you.”
He rolled his eyes and sadly looked at me.
“What happened to Vivian?”
I never asked him that after what happened because I know that it was so painful for him like it was so painful to me, either.
“I don’t know. I never talked to her. You should ask Gray.” He teased me and I scowled.
“Let’s forget about it.” I changed the topic and ate some strawberry cake. “I need to unwind and clear my mind before I go to Cebu.”
“Clear your mind there.” Ethan replied.
“You are not helping.” I rolled my eyes.
He laughed and moved his chair close to me and hugged me. I leaned my head on his shoulder as he massaged my hands. It’s what he usually does whenever I am stressed and I come to like it. He really became my friend after what happened since Dave was already busy with his own life and I no longer want to disturb him. He was already happy with someone and I am so happy he found the love of his life.
I hope to find mine too but it seems that destiny is not letting me move on from Gray. Is he really the one for me?
“What do you want? I’ll buy you anything.” Ethan said.
“Hmmm…I want a house and a lot.” I joked.
“I’ll build a house for you.” He answered.
We both turned to our backs when someone spoke.
“I can build you a home.”
It’s Gray. His gaze turned to my hands that Ethan was holding. Ethan, knowing what to do, teased him more by pulling me close to him and even kissed the top of my head.
“Too late. We’re getting married, right hon? Do you want to be my best man?” He asked.
Gray smirked.
“Are you sure about that? I might steal her from you.”
Ethan laughed than even made Gray furious.
“I don’t think you can.”
“I did with Vivian. What made you think I cannot do it?”
There you go. That’s my confirmation. I already know it but it still hurts. I don’t even know what to believe now. Maybe it was his ego that is why he wanted to get me back. We hurted his ego again and he wanted to pay back to satisfy himself. Now, I am doubting everything again. What does he really want?
“She’s not Vivian.”
Gray titled his head and shrugged. What, now? Is he really thinking that I am like Vivian? Damn him! He was the one who cheated!
“What do you need?” I directly asked. “Leave us alone if you don’t have anything to say.”
“We’ll leave in two hours so I hope you have already prepared everything you need.” He said and left.
“He still loves you,” Ethan whispered.
“I doubt that.” I replied.
“I could see it.”
“I no longer want to believe it.” I told Ethan hoping he would drop the topic.
“You didn’t let him explain,” He clicked his tongue like it was my fault that I didn’t let him explain so I was miserable right now.
I am not miserable. I am happy but it wasn’t like the happiness I felt when I was with Gray. I am really happy during those times I was with him. I felt like it was a dream come true. And, now, I’ve woken up from the dream. Not all our expectations will turn into reality.
“What to explain? I’ve seen and heard it. Am I going to repeat this again?”
“You didn’t give him the benefit of doubt.”
I rolled my eyes and glared at Ethan.
“Why are we talking about these things?”
He smiled and shrugged as he sipped his latte.
“I am just saying that you can give it a try again,” Ethan stated. “You still love him, right? Maybe this is a second chance for you to be both happy again.”
“I don’t want to stay in a relationship full of doubts.” I shook my head. “I just don’t want to compromise my peace of mind even though I love him.”
Ethan looked at me and sighed. “Will you be okay with him? You cannot pretend forever. We cannot pretend --”
“I am just here for a year, okay? I will try my best to avoid it.”
Ethan frowned, still not convinced.
“I am letting you know that you can try again. You can give yourself a second chance. Happiness is a choice, Deanara, so I hope you will always choose to be happy.”
I smiled at Ethan and placed my head on his shoulder to comfort him. I know he was still sad about Vivian.
“Do you still love Vivian?” I whispered and he shook his head.
“There’s still love, but no...it’s no longer the kind of love that I want to stay.” He sighed. “For now, I’ll be single and let things flow.”
“Me too.” I chuckled.
“Okay.” He hugged me. “Let’s be single together, hon.”
We both laughed at it. I was really grateful to have him by my side.