It's You, Not Him

Chapter 2: Good Bye Wedding

"Come in first, Edward," Bella said to her boyfriend after he led her to them. They had just come from the resort at that moment.

"I really also want to come by." He got out of the car and opened the door for her. He also carried her overnight bag. When they got inside, she led him into the living room.

She was secretly thankful that her parents weren't there. Maybe they are in the family room. Or more likely, her mommy is already in the room and her daddy is in the casino. "We need to talk, Edward."

"Yeah, we need to talk," he agreed seriously.

"This morning I noticed that you were not in a good mood. You were very quiet during the trip. And it seems like you are having a lot of trouble. Everything is in order for our wedding, isn't it? Or maybe there is something missing that you just can't say to me?"

"No, it's actually enough."

"Don't be shy. Tell me, what is that?" She took a breath. She was determined to let him know the decision she had made, but it wasn't that easy to say. "Promise me that you'll try to understand my decision."

"Hey, since when did you become dramatic?" Edward said with a playful smile. She hugged him without warning. Until the last moment, she hoped that she would feel something enough to change her decision. She looked into his eyes afterwards. But she only confirmed the extent to which she looked at him.

It didn't capture his inner turmoil at that moment. He read her actions differently. "Do you agree with my request?"

"R-request?" she asked, confused for a moment.

"That I've been requesting for a long time," he said harshly, smiling and rolling his eyes. He quickly wrapped his hands around her body. "Let's start with the honeymoon first."

She gasped, shaking. He broke free from it and stood up. "Edward, I'm sorry, but I can't do it."

His smile faded. "Why did you hug me then? What do you really want to happen?"

"You can't understand me. I said, I can't do it.' I don't want to fool you. I can't afford to marry you. He stopped for a moment at what she said. And then his eyes widened. "Are you kidding me? Do you know the implications of what you're saying?"

"I'm really sorry, Edward," tears started dripping from her eyes. "But I don't want to fool you. It will be even more difficult if we continue the marriage even though we both know that I don't really love you."

He stood up, his face red with anger. "No one has ever done this to me, Bella! I swear, you will regret this!"

Bella looked down at the bottom of their pocket garden again. His father was still there, walking around, seemingly deep in thought.

Ever since she backed out of her marriage with Edward it had been like that. It doesn't go out at night to casinos. His mother also often complains inside the house. Whereas before there were so many social functions that it was attending.

She thought she shouldn't be surprised. Those social functions were also often attended by Edward's mother. Even the casino that his father goes to is also Edward's daddy's hangout.

It turns out that Edward is no longer her boyfriend, their three-year relationship has ended. And she was nervous. She didn't know why.

Her cellphone rang, it was Rossy, one of her close friends. "You called?" she was curious.

"Bella my dear, the group has a gimmick in Subic, a drag race tonight. Come. We'll meet there. Those who lose the race will be the ones paying for our gimmick at the bar."

"Okay, count me in. What time are you leaving Manila?"

"We're already leaving right now. Just catch up if you're not prepared yet. The meeting place is at Lev's Coffee Shop, so the car park will be free."

"Alright, I'll go."

She got dressed. Carrying her bag, she had already left the room when their maid, Angelic, approached her. "Ma'am Bella, your mommy is looking for you."

"Why?"

"She said, she wants you to go out with her."

"I'm going today with my friends. Why? Where is she going?"

"She didn't mention anything."

"Just like this. Tell her I had already left the house. I'll call her when I'm on the way."

"But, ma'am bella--"

She tapped her on the shoulder. "Alright, Angelic. Just tell mommy what I'm telling you." She turned her back on her and quickly headed to the garage.

A few moments later, her black Vios was speeding down the road.

She was already on the North Luzon Tollway when she called her mother.

According to this, they had something important to talk about. She said she was on her way to Subic.

"I'll be back tomorrow, Mommy. Let's talk tomorrow."

"How long will you be so irresponsible, Arabella?" her mother Lucille said to her.

She frowned. That is new in its vocabulary. Whereas when she broke up with Edward, she didn't scold her at all. She only told her to think about her decision before she broke up.

But because she was determined and there was no time left for long thoughts, she did continue the marriage retreat.

When her car entered the Tipo Road neighborhood, she remembered something important. She quickly called Rossy. "I forgot to ask, is Edward with us too?"

It laughed. "Of course, we're waiting for you here."

"All right, s-see you then." She turned off her cellphone. Because she has no intention of contacting them. It's a shame that she didn't remember that they were friends with Edward. Naturally, it also includes such gimmicks.

Instead of turning right to the Coffee Shop, she turned left on Burgos Street. She drove her car to the Boardwalk.

This makes me look like a fool, she thought as he walked along the Boardwalk. How could she be alone? No one does gimmicks alone, as far as she knows. And if there is, isn't that person very pathetic?

She felt sad. Moreover, those who are ahead and those who meet her always have companions. If not, maybe their young couples or married ones, while others are with their family or friends.

She stopped on one side, where there was a standing shed. She rested her hands on the ledge of the railing and looked at the sunset. Only now did she notice that it was yellow-orange.

You are pathetic, Bella, she yelled at herself. Because who would have thought that she, Arabella Illustrana, a jet-setter and a gimmicker would be there and look like a sentimentalist gazing into the sunset?

She didn't want to go home. She was tired from the trip. She doesn't want to drive home anymore because the traffic is definitely too much again. And she's going to cry on the way. She will spend the night at the hotel.

Someone was also clinging to the railing near where she was. "Hello there!"

She turned around in shock, the man who had introduced to her at Fine Sand before. The attribute that likes to give unsolicited advice.

"I'm sure you'll still remember me. But I'm also equally sure you don't remember my name," he said with a smile.

He's right, she didn't even remember the name he had said before. But she remembered that he was the brother and twin of the man she fell in love with when she first saw him for the first time.

She would have dealt with it. But she thought he could give her some information about his twin. "You're right, I'm not good at remembering names."

I'm Clyde. Clyde Morphie." He held out his hand to her.

She didn't accept that but she introduced herself. "Arabella Illustrada, just call me bella, that's what everyone calls me."

"Well, Bella, I'm glad we got to meet again."

She didn't say a word, but she smiled.

He looked again at the setting sun. He spoke without looking at her. "You don't strike me as someone who would appreciate nature."

Why is it that this man reads me as if it's like my thoughts are more visible than an open book?

It is true that she is not a nature lover. She doesn't pay much attention to nature. What kind of nature can be seen in Manila? And if anything, she was too busy with the things she was used to. Just like her and her friends interests, gimmicks, travel, nightlife, that's where her world revolves. She reasoned she already had a career -- the management of one of the branches of their bakeshop. And for her that was enough.

"And you're certainly not the person I'd see who's willing to be alone in this kind of place."

It was right again at that point but she had no intention of admitting it. "Don't be so sure about that, you don't know if I really want to be alone."

"You mean you're not with someone today?"

"Yes."

It shook. "I can't believe that. Why?"

"Nothing."

"Well, whatever your reason is. I mean, for coming here alone, I think this is good."

"Why did you say that?"

A happy smile appeared on his lips.

"I'm also alone today. I'm finished with my appointment meetings. Why don't we celebrate?"

"What should we celebrate?" The truth is she likes the idea. She might die of boredom if she stays there alone until the time comes when it's no longer embarrassing to sleep. She knew that the night was very lively in that place.

"Well, there are many things that needs celebration. To life. To good health. To a beautiful beginning."

She couldn't stop her temper. She raised her eyebrows. "What beautiful beginning are you saying?"

"What, isn't it correct? When we first met, you were harsh towards me. But now, you don't hate me anymore. I mean, not too much," he smiled.

She couldn't stop her own laughter. "Okay, let's go ahead and celebrate."

Clyde took her to a bar and restaurant just near where they were standing. It fed her with delicious seafood menus and exotic food like pickled monitor lizard.

She is not a big fan of seafood, but since the dishes were well cooked she enjoyed them a lot. She also enjoyed the pickled monitor lizard.

Little by little he poured the wine into her glass, the same in his. She just realized that her tongue was slipping. " You know what? Edward scares me. He thought I would be scared of him. Me? He knows how tough I am."

"He's your boyfriend, right?"

"Wrong, he's my ex-fiancé. I backed out of our marriage."

"Why?"

"I don't like him."

"You're getting married and then when did we find out you didn't love him?"

"I love him in a way. But it's not my fault if I discover lately that I love someone else more than him?"

"That's unfair to your ex-fiancé."

"It would be even more unfair to him if I got married, but he's not the one I really love. Anyway, I'm not happy right now."

"Because you feel guilty?"

"Because the one I love also loves someone else."

It grinned. "He-he, you got karma."

"Nope, I don't know where he is. But if I know, I can find a way to hook him."

"Well, why are you looking for someone that's not here? Look, I'm right here. I'm sure you won't have a hard time making me love you," he said, smiling.

They both burst into laughter. "You're such a thick-skinned person."

"Or just like this, tell me how can I hook you up."

She watched his face. She thinks it's handsome. Its dark eyes are gentle. Its nose is pointed and its lips are soft. Prompted by something, her hand suddenly reached into his face, specifically to his lips.

"It's really soft," she said after briefly feeling his lower lip.

It didn't retreat, it just smiled. That smile when seen on a woman is called the Mona Lisa smile--mysterious smile

"You know, you look like him."

"Who?"

"The one I really love. Couldn't he be you?"

"What do you think?"

"I'm unsure." She followed that with a giggle.

"Me too, I'm also uneasy," he agreed with a smile.

"But I'm enjoying this, you know."

"Me too." He poured wine into his glass and her glass again. They are not even half done yet. The bottle is empty. "There, equally divided like were siblings."

"Sibling," she said, nodding. "He's your brother, isn't he?"

His smile disappeared."Who?"

"The man I love."

"Do you know what his name is?"

"I'll know if you tell me. You told me before, he's your twin."

Staring into her eyes. "It's Lucas."

"Lucas," she repeated. That name feels good to say. "You'll lead me to him, right?"

"Nope."

"Even if I say `please?'" She rolled her eyes. It's like she wants to tease him even though she knows he won't be fooled.

"Even if you bribe me with a kiss," he grinned with a wink.

She burst out laughing. She was enjoying this immensely but it felt like something was pulling down her eyelids. She couldn't say she was drunk. They only drank white wine. It's just that she had consumed half a bottle of white wine in one sitting.

"Let's toast," she heard Clyde say.

"All right, let's toast." She raised his glass to it.

"For the night."

She just imitated it. "For the night."

When they left the restaurant, they walked around the Boardwalk. The air is cold. It stuck to what she was wearing. Clyde didn't have a jacket either.

When he put his arm around her, she did not object. She even pressed her body into it like a chick warming its body on their hen's body.

"This is like a dream," she heard him say. When she looked at him, his face had a dreamy expression. Even his voice had a dreamy element, too.

She closed her eyes. She just let him guide her. She wanted him to talk more. His voice seemed to make her body warm. "Go on, talk," she said.

"Do you wanna hear what my dream is?"

She just nodded, still closing her eyes.

"That we can always walk in the night like this... on the beach... in the meadows."

"Daydreams."

"Yeah..."

"What's the ending of your daydreams?"

"A dreamless sleep."

She laughed. "Your daydreams are boring. It made me sleepy."

"All right, I'm going to put you to sleep."

He guided her to the Boardwalk Inn after they retrieved her overnight bag from her car. They occupied two rooms next to each other. When she entered her room, Clyde also followed.

"I'll tuck you to bed." here.

She just shrugged.

He waited for her to take a shower. When she came out of the bathroom, it was still there.

She felt embarrassed. But she didn't tell him to leave the room.

"Lie down now, pretty girl. I'll tuck you to your bed," he said.

She did lie down. She didn't understand why she obeyed his every command.

When he covered her with a blanket, he also kissed her on the bridge of her nose. "Goodnight, Bella."

It was strange. Because she likes the feeling of being kissed on her nose. "Clyde..." she called when he turned around.

It turned forward, its eyes questioning.

"Kiss me again."

It obeyed without a word. He sat on the edge of her bed before bowing to her. He kissed the tip of her nose. It did that several times. Then his lips slid until it landed on her upper lip.

She was surprised, causing her mouth to drop open. Which he took advantage of to completely conquer her lips.

He was not able to leave her room that whole night.