Fragments Of Love

Chapter 3

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either a product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner and not to advertise any of them at all. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Do not distribute, publish, transmit, modify, display or create derivative works from or exploit the contents of this story in any way. Please obtain permission from the authors themselves.

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"Gino was a good friend of mine way back in high school." Chester shook his girlfriend's friend's hand.

They had just come home from New Jersey. He's with Sheena, his girlfriend of five months, whom he met in New Jersey. He is not that serious here. He's just enjoying her company. His friend Gino greeted them. He said that this was the only friend left in Manila.

"Nice meeting you Ches." Gino greeted him.

"Same here." He said. He looked around. How he missed this country. He left her for eight years and now here he is again.

He was sure his parents would be surprised because they didn't know he would be coming home because he wanted to surprise them.

During those long years, the only communication he had with his parents was the internet. They are really proud of him because he is considered one of the youngest business tycoons. Because he was able to build a business chain owned by them in New Jersey.

He only decided to go on vacation to the Philippines because Sheena insisted. He doesn't understand why he wants to go home there when his whole family is in New Jersey as well as his job. He said he just missed the Philippines and just because he hasn't even vacationed in the Philippines for years due to being busy with his business, he agreed.

"You must be tired from the trip. It would be better if you came to my condo first so you can rest." Gino babysat them.

"No thanks Gino. I have my own house. Sheena and I will go straight there." He answered seriously.

He couldn't hit but he had a strange feeling about Gino.

He seems to have a heavy heart here. He sighed.

"Honey, Ches. Is it okay with you if we eat at a restaurant first? He picked us up and then we just left him. So we can bond." Sheena caresses him.

Actually, he wants people around him to call him 'Chester'. But Sheena couldn't stop calling him 'Ches, short for Chester', so she just let it go. Even introducing it to its friends and acquaintances, it always says Ches. He is now a better man, but he is still the Chester from the past - who is madly in love with Celene Clarito. The only thing that has changed in him is his appearance. That's all.

He loves the feeling of being chased by women that he never felt eight years ago. That he is not shy to face other people. He has lots of self-confidence.

"Okay. If that's what you want." He didn't do anything but agree, even though the truth was that he wanted to rest.

He needs the strength to start what he is planning while he is in the Philippines. First, to find Celene and second, to make her love him like he promised himself.

A little smile curved on his lips.

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"WHERE are you? You told me that you were going to pick me up here at the restaurant. I guess you just ran out of time?"

Celene's blood warms to Gino. He promised to pick her up that day to have dinner. But she is about to grow a root in her foot, but it is not there yet.

Their restaurant is open at nine in the morning until eleven in the evening. But when seven o'clock came, she left the restaurant for her assistant manager.

"I'm sorry Hon. I'll pick you up, okay? I'm with my friend Sheena and her boyfriend. Because they arrived suddenly from abroad, so I picked them up at the airport."

She took a deep breath. That Sheena girl who is a friend of her fiance, Gino, who always calls her to say hello. She is getting on her nerves. Because of this, Gino broke his promise. How important is this to her fiance? Doesn't it have other friends or family?

She sighed with frustration. "Okay. So I don't think our dinner will continue. Am I right?" There was sullenness in her voice.

"Hon, please don't sulk. Maybe it would be better if I just took them to your restaurant. Let's have dinner with them. Is it okay with you?"

She took a deep breath again. "Okay fine."

"We're on our way. Wait for us. Promise, I'll get back. I love you Hon.”

"I love you too." She answered without emotion and then hung up. Why is it that his blood seems to be heating up because of that Sheena, so Gino can't keep up with the conversation? Even though Sheena mentioned that her boyfriend was with her back home in the Philippines, she still couldn't help but be annoyed. Can what she feels at that moment be called jealousy?

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He just shook his head.

"Sure why not?"

So this gentleman has a fiancé? Chester said with his sip. After talking to her boyfriend on the cellphone, she suggested that they eat at the restaurant owned by her fiancé.

"Thank you. For sure, you will like the foods served there.” Gino was proud as he drove his car, then smiled at Sheena.

Why does he feel that Gino is looking at Sheena? Is it possible that they have a past? Let them take care of their lives. He doesn't feel jealous because he doesn't care if Sheena is being cheated on by another man, but hopefully not with someone who already has a fiancé. Gino's fiancé is pitiful by chance.

"We're here." Gino's declaration.

Chester took a deep breath before getting out of the car. He didn't know, but he was suddenly nervous. Usually his mood is just calm.

He was helping Sheena down. "Thank you Ches." Sheena said, smiling, then kissed him on the cheek.

He is really used to Sheena. This is how tender it really is. He doesn't know why he can't even feel love here. He just likes her company.

"Let's go inside. I will introduce you to my fiancé Gino's Nanny. They immediately obeyed.

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CELENE doesn't know how to react. She wanted to smile but she knew it would be forced because she could still feel annoyance to Gino.

She didn't greet him even though she heard his car honking from outside the restaurant. She is not in the right mood

now. She tried to calm herself because, in the first place, she didn't want to embarrass Gino in front of his guests.

When she saw her boyfriend from the entrance of the restaurant, she took a deep breath and tried to smile.

"Hon, I'm sorry. I love you.” He hugged her and kissed her on the lips. It's always that tender. The only difference now is that he committed a sin. It doesn't matter, she will spend the night with you first because he has a guest. She needs to be kind.

"It's okay." I said.

"By the way, Hon met my friend, Sheena and her boyfriend, Ches."

Gino introduced his companions.

When she saw what he introduced, she smiled but when he looked at Ches she felt something strange. She felt that she had known him for a long time. She did not know? Maybe she has seen it in the events he and Lemon go to.

"Sheena, Ches, meet my fiancé, Celene Clarito." Gino introduced her to them.

"Hi Celene! Nice to meet you.” Sheena greeted her with a smile.

"Nice meeting you too Sheena." I said.

She looked up at Ches who was staring intently at him. What is wrong with this man? Face to face staring at her? Take note, his girlfriend was with him while still staring at him. Men.

"Chess? Are you okay?” Sheena said.

"I'm sorry. Nice meeting you C-Celene...” he seemed to be stuttering in greeting her.

"Nice meeting you too. Let's go, I'll take you to your table so you can order food," She told them. They followed.

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CHESTER didn't expect that after eight years he would see and meet Celene again unexpectedly.

He's sure that she is the Celene whom he used to love until now.

He would never forget her angelic and innocent face. His eyes, his nose, his lips and the way he speaks, he will never forget because he memorized all of them.

While they were eating, he couldn't help glancing at Celene. Because Sheena and Celene and Gino are facing each other at the table. He wondered just because he had caught her looking at him once.

"The food here is awesome. Perfect!" Sheena praised the food prepared by the crew of that restaurant.

"Thank you." Celene replied with a smile.

She was sure she had no idea that he was Chester Tan, the man she had shunned when they were still in high school and had been told she would never love him.

The change in his appearance is really big. Who would have thought that Chester was always bullied for being a nerd and a nerd?

"By the way, when is your wedding, Gino, Celene?" Sheena asked.

Celene seemed hesitant to answer. "A-Ah, next month. Are you going?" This is it.

"Sureness! Let's attend ches, ok?" Sheena said to him.

"Sure," He answered. He will go but he is not sure if their marriage will continue. It was right for him to go home to the Philippines because he still had a chance to find a way to prevent their marriage from going ahead. The opportunity favors him.

He really loves Celene and until now only one thing is stamped in his vocabulary - that Celene belongs to him.

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Celene WANTED to scold her because she couldn't stop herself from looking at Ches. Because he and Selene were sitting in front of him and Gino.

She doesn't understand why she seems to feel an attraction to her. Apart from its Greek god-like handsomeness, its almond shape and gray eyes and thin but red lips are remarkable. It is even suited to this with its sharp teeth. He has a fair complexion that emphasizes its hotness.

He also has a broad shoulder and the height of a basketball player. Isn't it obvious that he has been staring at this for a while now? He had almost mastered its appearance.

It's like she's cheating on her fiance. Face-to-face she was fascinated by Ches's physical appearance.

"Celene? Celene?" Celene was surprised by Gino's call from beside her.

"Umm..."

"Any problem? Are you dizzy?" Gino asked hesitantly, then put his arm around her.

She looked at Ches again then headed. "I feel a little worse. Can I go to the restroom for a while?"

"Can you do it? Tell me what's the matter." Gino's face grew more worried.

"Don't worry, I'm okay. I can manage. Excuse me." I stood up and went straight to the restroom.

When Celene entered the restroom, it was only there that she breathed a sigh of relief. Why did the presence of Ches disturb my personality so much at that moment when I had just met him?

I looked at myself in the mirror again and slapped myself lightly. I took another deep breath and decided to leave the restroom.

"Are you really okay?"

I almost jumped in shock. How did Ches suddenly get here when I didn't even notice that he was leaning against the wall outside the restroom?

"Y-Yeah." Why is it there? Did it follow him? Just assuming the peg?

"Make sure you're okay. I just noticed that you've been looking at me for a while. Am I that attractive that, even in front of your fiance, you can't help but stare at me?" He laughed a little.

He is still teasing! Does that mean that he noticed how often he looked at it earlier? Shame!

I felt my cheeks flush.

"You're wrong, Mister. I-I'm not looking at you. I just can't help but look at you because you're sitting in front of me. Don't make it a big deal." I still managed to sneak through.

It's embarrassing.

He smiled. It's like her knees are getting weak. Why does it have such a strong impact on her? Is it just me? Or to all women who encounter him?

"There's no reason to deny it. I'm used to that. I know how handsome and attractive I am." It's boasting.

I frowned. "I think the wind is too strong here? I'm embarrassed." I was supposed to go but then I was stopped by him because of what he said next.

"Why? Isn't it true? The reason you were staring at me earlier is because you were attracted to me. Don't try to deny it again because I'm the last one to see you. I'm not that i***t to not notice that. You are attracted to me. That's the fact."

I didn't know what to answer. Because it's really right. This is a long-tailed man. Did he follow her just to tease her? It's very straight forward. It's too late! I felt the reddening of my cheeks as well as both of my ears.

"You're blushing. Don't worry, I won't tell them that your attracted to me." After saying that, he winked at her and then went straight into the men's restroom.