Marrying My Best Friend

Chapter 1: Kitty Paris I’ve been hiding my secret all along since I was 9 years old, that secret, is being in love with my super cute best friend, Mason Erwan Ashmore. So cliché, ha? But I don’t care. I’ve got a big advantage on him because I am his best friend. He dumped 6 girls because they kept complaining about me, about him always being with me. And yesterday, he dumped another girl because she complained about me always ruining their trip. Which I didn’t. I am innocent. I’m always with him. We do things together, and sometimes, we sleep together! Perks of being his best friend. “Hey, little Violet.” I hear a voice, waking me up. And that voice belongs to my Mason. Oh, his voice is so sweet and manly. With his soft pale lips, I could just kiss it every second. “If you don’t wake up, I will kiss you.” Oh God. He will kiss me! Mason Erwan Ashmore, my super cute best friend, is going to kiss me! Of course. Me being Kitty Paris, will not stop him. I’ve been waiting for this for so long! I mean, sometimes, I will fantasize him being with me, kissing me, holding me with his big manly arms. But this. Oh My God. I feel like I can’t breathe. I feel like my breath is stuck up somewhere. Now I can feel his breath fanning my lips. Hamana. Hamana. Hamana. His warm breath. I open my eye just a little bit, to see him leaning down on me. His eyes staring straight in my lips. Just a little bit gap. Close the gap, Mason. Close the effing gap, Mason! Our lips have 1 inch gap. Stop teasing me! The moment he presses his lips onto mine… everything ruins. Ring. Ring. Ring. I groan. Can’t this stupid alarm see I was having the best dream of my life? I mentally roll my eyes because—I just remember that—alarm clocks don’t have eyes. I don’t have my first kiss… yet. And I want Mason to be my first kiss. I’ve been saving my lips’ virginity just in case he changes his feelings for me and loves me like there would be no tomorrow. And I know this rarely happens. Because this is no fairytale nor a movie nor a Disney movie that always has happy endings. Because, for me, reality sucks. Well, there’s an exception when I’m with my best friend. We would just hang out all day, not bothering our stupid parents. Oh hell yeah. We have stupid parents. My mom is a cold hearted moron whilst my dad is cold hearted stupid man. They’re perfect. But I still love them. Plus, my cold hearted b***h older sister. She really hates me with all her tiny black heart. Don’t ask me why because I really don’t know why. Mason’s father, too, is a stupid devil. He makes Mason do this and that. Mason doesn’t like it, being dictated what to do by his stupid father. Mason and I just depend on his mother. Because Mrs. Ashmore is really lovely and sweet and caring. I wonder why I don’t have a mother like that. Heck, I wonder why my mother is a cruel cold hearted moron. I spin around my bed, let my feet touch the cold tiled ground, stand up and walk towards my cabinet to change my clothes I am wearing: pajama. I choose my cream-colored dress skirt with super pale green, blue and red designs on it. It only lies on my upper knee, revealing my legs. Then I get out of my room, only to be greeted by loud shout noises. It looks like mom, dad and my sister are having an argument. Then my sister gets out of the room and the moment she sees me, she shoots me an evil look then she walks towards me. “Stupid b***h. Don’t block my way.” She shoves me really hard and I stumble back, my butt hits the tiled floor. Ooh. Ouch. You’re the one who is a ‘stupid b***h’ because of your ‘stupid attitude’. We’re in the Philippines right now. We will be staying here for a year. For a year! Well, there has got to be a big advantage being here, right? Because Mason and his family will be staying here, too! For a year! With me! Meaning, my girlfriends won’t be putting their filthy hands on my Mason’s arm. I did a little research about the Philippines and the people here. About their attitudes, the way they dress, the temperature—it’s really hot here. Everything that is related to the Philippines. I’ve heard they are nice and cool people. Once I get out of this condominium, the strong heat of the sun greets me. And I can feel myself sweating. Good thing I didn’t wear my sweater because it would fry me. But there’s a low gush of wind that is wandering around this place. Sometimes, a big gush of wind. My cellphone vibrates and it’s a text from Mason. Meet me at Bonifacio High Street, Fullybooked. I’m waiting for you. Pasta! Pasta. It means faster. I always tease him because he pronounces faster than ‘pasta’. It’s pretty cool when he says it, and the fact that he always uses my nicknames for him makes me want to melt. In. His. Arms. My feet suddenly move without even thinking. It’s like my feet are programmed to move when it involves Mason. Since it’s a walking distance, I jog and head to Serendra, where Fully Booked is placed. My eyes quickly search for his presence but I can’t see him. I look to my left: none, then look to my right: none. Oh God. Did he just ditch me? Did I take too long to get here? “Boo!” I suddenly jump because of the sudden manly voice boomed in my ears. When I snap my head back at his direction, I stare at awe. There he is. Wearing a shirt. Not a t-shirt but a shirt! His batman logo tattoo is peaking on the strap of his shirt. It shows his muscular arms and his height is towering me. Because his height is 6’4. My eyes travel up and down at his body. God, I can’t believe I am checking my best friend out when he is in front of me. Oh My God. Look away quickly, Kitty. Look away quickly. Damnit. I can’t move my head anywhere but him. And when my eyes land on his face, those light blue eyes are staring deeply into mine. I feel a blush filling up my cheeks and my mind programs my face not to look away. Okay. I’m dead. He waves his hand in front of my face. “You okay, KitKat?” I nod slowly at him to answer his question. He gives me a smile, and that soft smile turns into a smirk. He knows I’m checking him out. He knows! I quickly look away, fighting the level 2 blush creeping up on my face. I say, just to forget that awkward moment for a moment, hopefully, for eternity. To him. Not to me. “Where are we going?” “Just walking.” “Just walking?” “Just walking.” He confirms. Okay then. If he wants to walk with me. That’s okay. If it means I’ll be having my time with him. And it is going to be fun since I’m with him. Let’s put a leash on my neck before I start jumping on him. Better be careful than sorry and lose my best friend. Someone says it’s okay to take a risk. If I confessed my love for him, would he have been gone and be not my best friend anymore? I’m scared of taking a risk. Plus, I am 100% sure that he doesn’t have any higher feelings for me. It hurts to hear but it’s the truth. I’m only his best friend. Nothing more, nothing less. We reach the Krispy Kream and he asks me if I want some American doughnuts. I shake my head. To be honest, I don’t like doughnuts. And he asked me just to irritate me. But when I shook my head, his eyes widen. Completely amused because I’m not irritated. Who would be? When the man you love teased you but you just can’t be irritated because he’s wearing a shirt that shows his muscled arms. Ha? Tell me! He shakes his head whilst chuckling. His dark—but light when the sun hits it—hair so gorgeous I just want to ruffle it with my hands. Or much better, grip it whilst kissing him. That would be so cool. He seems to notice that I am staring at him because he grins ear to ear and his light blue eyes are shimmering. I quickly roll my eyes just to defend myself and he chuckles again, ruffling my hair. I grab his hand to swat it away. The sudden contact of our hands send a spark all over my body. And my heart beats faster than ever. It is always like this when I’m with him. I don’t know why. Don’t bother asking me. He has this strong but enjoyable effect on me that I can’t resist. Heck, he’s too hard to resist. Especially when he does that stupid puppy eyes that works on everybody. But not to his father. We take a sit in front of Starbucks and he asks me what I want. I tell him, “Java Chip Frappuccino.” He nods and gets up and walk towards the counter, his back on me. I can’t help but stare at his back muscles that are flexing smoothly whenever he moves. If my eyes were a laser, he would be dead by now. He looks back at me and he flashes me a smile. I smile back and fish my iPhone so it doesn’t seem like I’m sort of a creep. On the corner of my eyes, I see him turning his head back on the lady. She smiles at him and laughs. What the fudge? I just want to trudge there and slap that woman’s face. I don’t want any lady flirting with my man. But I get a hold of myself. Because I know Mason would ask me why and I would have to tell him my feelings for him and he would leave me and he would run — “Miss, you okay?” A man asks. I look up to see him. His chocolate eyes staring with intensity into mine and I can’t help anything but to stare at it. There is something in his eyes. His eyes are glistening with happiness. As if he’s found his lost kitten. I nod at him. “Mind if I sit?” I nod again. He sits and stares at me. Well, I would find this weird and awkward… but it seems he’s an exception. Because I don’t find this weird and awkward. “What’s your name?” “Kitty Paris.” I say with much enthusiasm. Oh My God. It’s official. I’m such a creep! I could just get out of here and never return to this place just not to see his face again. And I can feel the flush rising in my chest. “Can I call you kitten then?” He chuckles. His voice is deep and tremulous. His words are softly spoken. Oh My. “My name is Liam de Guzman.” He raises his hand in front of me and I shake it. His dark complexion suits him perfectly. And he has some bulky muscles. But Mason’s muscles are much better than his. Just a fact. I’m not being biased here! I chuckle. Kitten. Really? Well, it sounds right and pleasant. Especially when it comes out of his mouth. “Nice to meet you, Liam. And to answer your question, yes, you can call me Kitten then.” I shake his hand. And it’s official, I have a new guy friend. After I shake his hand, Mason suddenly appears and eyes the new guy. He looks at me and I shake my head. Then he sits down, his eyes are still focused on Liam. Then he looks at me again. I see jealousy in his eyes. Or I’m just imagining things. But then Liam clears his throat. “Are you two… lovers?” “Yes.” Mason suddenly blurts out. I look at him, confusion drawing on my face. This is the first time he ever claimed that I, Kitty Paris, his best friend, am his lover. His eyes are still on Liam. Sometimes, he’s jealous of me having some guy friends. But this time. It feels like it’s different. Like there’s something in it. But I guess I’m only imagining things. Could it be… no! There is no way in hell that Mason would feel the same way at me. “No.” I quickly say. “There’s no way in hell. We’re not lovers. This guy here,” I point at Mason, “is my best friend since we were babies. Sometimes, he’s overprotective of me. Don’t worry.” I flash Liam a smile and Mason glares at me. I arch an eyebrow then he sighs and mutters under his breath like a kid. Mason’s still holding my Frappuccino and I think he doesn’t want me to take it. “Can I have mine?” He looks at me. It’s not looking, it’s glaring. He’s not in the mood because I just pissed him off. “No.” Oops. Someone is being moody today. I just shrug it and stands up. “Mind if I buy you something?” Liam butts in, chuckling. “Sure.” I reply to him and he stands up and walks with me towards the counter. I can feel Mason’s eyes burning on the back of my head. What the heck is his problem? It’s not like I’m going to make out with this guy, or worse, have s*x with him. That’s the last thing I want to do. Well, if it’s Mason, then there’s an exception. Could it be… no! Damnit, Kitty. Stop building your hopes! There is no way in hell he would feel the same way to you. I just sigh because of his sudden change of mood. Liam orders a two Java Chip Frappuccino and we wait for our order. We talk about what I am doing here and why my best friend is so moody today. I just shrug because I don’t know the answer. We get back to our table and Mason is gone. He’s not here. I look for him but nothing. I internally sigh. Why would he do that to me? I keep laughing at his jokes. Liam is a funny guy and very good looking. But not as good as Mason. Liam is a funny guy. He likes to tell jokes even if it’s corny. He’s not religious like his father. He tells me all about him, about having a little brother. He even invites me to his house and tell me to meet his little brother because I might like him because of his sweet aura. I tell him yes, but not today because I’ve got a lot to do today. Then suddenly, his eyes pierce into mine for what seems like an eternity. “You’ve got perfect eyes.” He says softly. “So purple.” His lips are slightly parted and I can’t believe myself that I am staring onto other man’s lips. His lips seem kissable and it’s like some force is forcing me to kiss those lips… but no! Because I’ve been saving my first kiss for Mason. “It’s perfect.” Oh it is. Many people would say it’s bad wearing a contact lens. But I am not wearing a contact lens. Because my eyes are natural purple. I don’t know why. I even asked a doctor for this. But he told me purple eyes rarely happen to have. So I’m lucky. He even told me that people have an extremely small percentage of having purple eyes. The doctor told me it’s a form of incomplete albinism but there’s nothing wrong with that. My eyes accidentally lands on his and I seem to be lost for words. “T-thanks.” I stammer, clearly looking like a moron here. I hope he just doesn’t notice my posture, because my legs are turning into a Jell-O. My heart suddenly beats so fast. It doesn’t like this before. I’m sure I’m feeling this way when I’m with Mason. But this time, it’s like he’s having an effect on me too. Oh God. Please don’t tell me Cupid has shot an arrow to this guy. He tucks a strand of hair underneath my ear, his palm resting on my cheek. His touch is gentle and soft. Then he blushes. Uh oh. Am I imagining things? I look at him again. And I am right. He’s blushing. He quickly stands up and says he has something to do and I nod in answer. He was blushing. I can’t believe he was blushing. Maybe he has a crush on me? Could be. But the fact he’s blushing because of me wants to kiss him. Um, no. What am I thinking? I stand up and head home. I don’t want to text Mason because I know he’s still pissed at me. Later, I’m going to talk to him and ask him what his problem is. I’m pretty sure I saw jealousy in his eyes. But my stupid gut saying it was me imagining things. Argh. When I reach my condominium—or should I say my father’s condominium, I quickly hit floor 15 grumpily. Yes, I have my own apartment because I don’t want to see my parents and my stupid sister and I know the feeling is mutual. When the elevator dings, I quickly open my door and slump myself on the cushion. I stare at my phone, and it has 4 missed calls from Mason and 10 texts from Mason. I read it the texts: Hey, I’m sorry if I was gone suddenly. Sorry. Don’t tell me you’re still with that douchebag? WHY ARE YOU NOT ANSWERING MY CALL? ARE YOU GUYS ON A DATE? ARE YOU DITCHING ME TO BE WITH HIM? Answer my calls please? I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. Please don’t ignore me. I called you 3 times, and you were not answering it. Guess you’re mad. I called you again. But you weren’t still answering it. I’m sorry. Really. Just seeing his texts make me happy. I sigh in relief. I thought he was mad at me, but instead, he thought I was mad at him. There is no way I would be mad at him. Because he’s my love and my life. And I would never be mad at him. Like ever. Maybe I still have a chance.