Stolen Romance

The polluted air filled her nostrils as she inhaled deeply, making her lips stretched into a wide, goofy smile. 'Ah, Manila pollution, my dear old friend'. She roamed her eyes outside the busy airport and tightly held her stroller bag, eyes closed, memories of her past starts to flood...drowning, tearing her apart. As much as she wants to dismiss the emotions that's reigning over her, she can't help but let it slide. 'Fine, this will be the last. I swear' she sigh and gave in. And for a moment there, she noticed how time truly healed her wounded---probably crushed into tiny bits heart, or maybe she was just fooling herself. 'Oh! Whatever' she mentally rolled her eyes. 'It's been three years and I’m all brand new now, there's no way I'm losing this battle again'. She have confident in herself that this time, she can manage. Shrugging her emotions away, she started walking, but stopped immediately a second later, and heard a familiar voice calling her name. She abruptly turned her head and saw a guy walking towards her, wearing a wide grin on his face, showing his perfect set of white teeth. 'You have got to be kidding me' It’s him, it’s the same guy she used to droll about, when she was in high school up to college. The same guy who happened to be her mother’s bestfriend’s son. And that really shook her to the core! The world is moving according to her favor. They exchange a few conversations back then but they never get to level up their 'friendship' Knees starting to get jelly, her eyes roamed about him, he was over six feet of muscular perfection. Broad shoulders encased in a white shirt and a denim jacket, dark pants molding his muscular thighs and narrow hips. Worn a white shoes, looking unbelievably gorgeous. She heard whispers and gasps around her. 'Right, enjoy the view all you want ladies, while it lasts'. Some are even taking pictures of him. Though she was wondering, how did he know, today’s her flight home? She did not inform anyone but her cousin, not even her father. "Hey" he greeted, slightly hesitant as he reached her, he kept his distance. She was then snap back to reality, upon hearing his voice. There's something in his eyes, she can't tell whether it's a no-no or you go girl-signal, because why not? It's really hard to stare at his face straight up. She cleared her throat and manage a smile, and saw how his face lit as he stares at her face, as if memorizing her features, making her heart throb uncontrollably. 'Oh boy, you are so getting me into trouble!' "What a pleasant surprise" she replied, trying hard to sound as calm as possible. Muttering a silent prayer for pulling it off smoothly. She made a bold move and meet his gaze, she always loved those dark hooded eyes, her eyes shifted to his defined cheekbones, down to his full pinkish firm lips. She never thought men can be this beautiful, like a freaking greek god or something. SAM "Daisy told me you were coming home today, and insisted on picking you up at the airport, but her schedule won't permit her" he explained, half smiling while his right hand is on his pocket, he seemed agitated? Or was I day dreaming? probably the jetlag. I nodded my head and finished his sentence "So you did the job instead" just how close are the two? I don't even remember seeing him and Daisy alone back then, chills started to envelope me as realizations flushing over my head. It's been 3 long years...could they have been dating? I'm not prepared for this. "Bingo, but I'm more than willing to do the job" he said without a hint of hesitation, eyes buried deep to mine, looking at me softly, as if I were the only person in his universe....is that longing I see? I stoned and felt my throat drying up, my heart pounding, 'Watch your language, you fool! You're making the lady's heart melt here!' Did I not mention how sexy his voice was? Well I already did. This guy's a pure tease, I’m telling you! "Oh shut up, you better do your job properly mister" I said rolling my eyes playfully, and thank goodness! I pull it off without stammering! He laugh and smiled at me, What? Can't a girl flirt once in a while? He helped me carry my stuffs and went to the parking lot, straight to his car. "How have you been?" He asked after settling at the driver's seat, "I’m all good, nice car by the way" I smiled and turned to face him, my heart almost jumped out of my skin when I saw his hardened expression. 'Okay? did I say something wrong?' "Mom's gift, last year" he didn't bother looking at me and started the engine. The atmosphere got tensed and I feel like the need to apologize, he looked really scary just now. Was it because of his mom? That, I'm not certain. A lot sure has happened during the past 3 years. After dropping me to my apartment, Gab went home, saying he have things to do. Still in a bad mood, and I can't help but wonder what could have triggered it. Well I don't mind having him over for a cup of coffee and talk about it, if only I hadn't ruin his mood earlier....wait wait wait! Am I being serious right now? goodness gracious! I should stop thinking about that guy already. I've moved on alright. 'Really now?' After settling my things, I changed my travel clothes to light ones, I'm freaking tired right now. I grab a drink inside the fridge and roam my eyes around, I got myself an apartment since, I don't feel like living under the same roof with my step mom. Well what? That feeling has been lingering in me like forever, It's not that big but it catches my style, cozy, comforting, peaceful and I intend to live alone, so who cares if the space aren't as grand as my dad's home. I stopped calling it 'our home' by the time mom died. She was my favorite person ever, the best mom you could ever ask. Things are not the same anymore. Dad's not being himself, it's like he lost all the care in the world. It gotten worse every single day. After 4 years, he introduced to me his new girlfriend, and the first time I laid my eyes on her I swear! Her entire being screams "I'm a gold digger" Our family owned a café and is currently expanding from cities to cities, town to towns. I never liked her, not even once, I hate how she dress like she's going on a party everyday, heck the lady did nothing but watch television and sleep all day! She's even wearing make up at home, all in the wrong places, ghad! She's torturing my eyes. I may not sound like it but I’m an influencer, I do vlogs how to properly put make up, the do's and the don'ts, and seeing her m******e the magic of make up makes me wanna scream. She just can't replace mom, even if she tries, she's way beyond ground zero. And I know dad felt the same way, he may not say it, but I can see how she treats the lady compared to mom, he's just lonely I guess. I sigh and looked at the ceiling to stop myself from crying. This can't continue, I already passed the stage of being weak. 'Oh really?' says the voice inside my head. I jumped a little of the sudden ring on my phone, someone's calling. I hissed and head over to the sofa where I put my phone. A smile immediately draw to my face, after learning who called. "Daisy!" It's my cousin, almost a sister to me, only she knows that I'm planning to go home, not even my dad. Her mom and dad are siblings. "Hey beautiful, miss me?" I roll my eyes and chuckle, "Not as much as you do" I heard her laugh on the other line. I missed those carefree laughs of her, I wonder if she got herself a boyfriend, "So how was life abroad girly? Any shady business hmm? You met a hot guy downtown?" She asked, teasing me, I sigh and bit my lower lip, I remember I still have a few questions regarding her and Gab....'oh, do you?' there's this voice in my head again, how annoying. Before I could open my mouth I heard a familiar voice on the other line "I'm back, have you eaten yet?" I stoned realizing who it was. 'No...' I swallowed the building lump in my throat, "D-Daisy? Who was that?" I failed to hide the pain and horror in my voice. I’m betting she felt that too, "Oh, um...wait--why don't we talk in person 'kay? I know you missed me a lot so Im meeting you on Tuesday, four thirty in the afternoon, I'll text you the address..." What's this? Why do I have the feeling as if I was being betrayed. "I forgot I have tons of things to do, you know? Paper works hahaha! I manage to secure a position in my dream company, can you believe it?" I smile and appreciate how she tried so hard diverting the topic, in order to save me from who knows what kind of pain this time, but I would pretty much want to know the truth, it's not that they owe me an explanation, there's not a single thing happened between me and Gab for Pete's sakes! there's no point in getting hurt at all. Also I was gone for too long and Daisy.....well Daisy is pretty, and smart, and gullible, the type of girl you want to introduce to your parents, at first glance you could say she's not just someone you can mess around and move on to another, you would want to take care of her and be with her. She ended the call with a kiss, as if she was with me here in flesh, she's such a wonderful friend and I won't take it to her. I promised myself I'll be stronger. I sigh and smiled bitterly, but being weak sometimes is necessary, especially if you feel the need to let it all out, and without thinking too much, I started crying. It will be better soon, maybe not tomorrow but I promise myself, it will be. *** A week past and my father found out about my arrival two days ago. Apparently Daisy told her mom and her mom told dad. I didn't get a chance to meet with Daisy, turns out she canceled our date, something serious came up, she said. So serious that she informed me an hour before our date, how could she? I’m like almost done preparing that time, but not a big deal. Really. Dad said he wanted to have dinner with me, just the two of us. There has been some kind of cold war going on between us, since I left three years ago and, I guess I should give this a try, whatever happens he's still my father, whoever he chose to be with after mom. I should respect his decisions. But I have to admit, I’m still not ready to talk about his woman, being part of the family yet. More like a substitute for mom’s absence. I stared at my face in the mirror. Everyone says I have mom's features, mostly. From brown almond eyes to small pointy noise. I got my soft jaws from my dad though, but the rest? It's all mom's, even my thin pinkish lips and divided chin, and long curly dark hair. That's why no one can ever replace her, because I always see her every time I look at myself in the mirror. She's beautiful....inside and out. That makes me beautiful too. I settled into a mini spaghetti strap dress, and glanced at the mirror one last time before heading out. I receive a text from dad that he's already there. 'Boy it's judgement day'. I sigh and call a cab. If I try to be more calm maybe we can pull it off real smooth. Cross fingers! *** Sam arrived at the venue ten minutes later, she learned that it's actually pretty near her apartment. She guess that her dad knew where she lives now, she bet Daisy spilled the beans. 'Oh you and you're big mouth' she thought rolling her eyes mentally. From where she's standing she can already see her dad, smiling and waving at her to come over. Her heart melt, seeing his smile again. The man looked handsome even with visible lines showing in his face, he's wearing a plain white polo long sleeve paired with a nude slacks, even in a simple clothing she can tell there's authority coming out from his aura. She can never deny that her dad is ultimately handsome and charming given his age. His eyes twinkling in delight, after so many years, his daughter is finally home. Her gut twitched in excitement as she starts walking towards her dad's direction. She could see in her peripheral vision that some guys are staring at her, giving their full attention, which is very normal to her. 'I'm my momma's masterpiece alright' feeling a bit cheeky, her eyes went to the lady that just got out of the restroom, and the world starts to crumble again, devouring her wonderful peace in one snap. ‘Such powerful impact you got there lady’. Her smile suddenly turn to a frown as she greeted her dad a hug and a peck on his cheek. 'It's her, Aman-freaking-da' the lady fake a gasp when she reach their table and stretch for her hand, but she refuse to be touched by some filth, especially that she just came out of the restroom, 'gross'. "Sammy! You're home, aww how I've missed you!" She blinked a couple of times showcasing her fake long lashes that made her look like a freaking clown, pouting her red plump lips. "Please, drop the act, I'm not in the mood" Sam said rolling her eyes, and turn to her dad. "I thought you said a dinner date? Just the two of us? Why is she here?" She ask as if the subject in her sentence aren't there, sitting close to her father and eyeing her from head to toe. Her father sigh and took a deep breath. "Samantha, she's a part of our family now, I want you two to get along" she scoffed, not believing what she's hearing right now, how could she ever got along with this...this filth! And part of the family? Goodness gracious! When did that ever happened, without her consent? She forced a smile to her father and then turn to Amanda. Stares at her for a second "No, not now dad. I still can't bring myself to like her. I'm sorry I have to go" it's not her intention to disrespect her father in front of the lady, especially in a public place, but being with Amanda even just for a minute annoys her. She just hates the woman! Period. Locking her gaze to her, Amanda averted her eyes not meeting hers, she can't stand Sam's intense hatred for her. All she ever wanted is to eat in peace and perhaps take a couple of selfie and send it to her friends, she bet they could die in envy, seeing her in a fancy restaurant, looking young and beautiful and rich. "I'll call you dad, love you" Not waiting for her father's response she started walking away. She took a deep breath and filled her lungs with pollution as she stood outside the restaurant. 'This is better, than sharing the same air with Amanda' she thought to herself. She was right, she still can’t acknowledge Amanda as her soon to be mom---step mom. "Sam? What are you doing here?" She was lost in her track of thoughts when she heard Gab's voice. She turn to face him and there he was, looking as handsome as ever. The man took his moment appreciating the lady in front of her, she's beautiful. 'I think that's understatement' he thought. She's astonishingly gorgeous, her long dark wavy hair compliments her pinkish skin color, she's not too short or too tall, just right. His eyes roamed over her breasts, ran down to her tiny waist, wide hips, toned thighs and before he could think of anything else he stopped and tried diverting his attention, because why not? Just a mere sight of this lady lights something inside him, unable to control the growing muscles between his thighs. Sam smiled and thought of coming all the way here is not so bad after all. "Nothing, just checking the place out, you know? I can't cook that much so..." Holy mother of cheesecake! 'What the heck girl? You lost your senses or what? Don't have any better excuses?' she can not tell Gab about her father and Amanda inside the restaurant, no way. "But I kind of lost my appetite and decided to rather go home" she chuckles nervously. 'Please buy it!' Gab's brows meet and slightly nodding his head as if absorbing what she just said. "How about I'll cook dinner for you?" Those words came out very softly that made the two of them jumped in surprise. "That would be great" she manage to say even with her heart beating wildly inside her chest. "Let's go?" He asked while looking at her intently, so intense that she thinks his stripping her with his eyes! Oh what the heck? His gaze is so warm but why is she having chills instead? A pleasant one. "You sure you don't have anything else to do? I don't want my dinner raw, I like it well done" she tease, trying so hard to ignore his stares. He chuckles, locking his eyes to her again, the corner of his right lips curved, making him look dangerously handsome even more! He could be more? "I'll make sure you're satisfied, then"