Zec (COMPLETE)

CHAPTER XV: Love on Mountain Top

There’s still so much unspoken words in my heart that I want you to know…

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Year 2009.

Another year passed by so fast. ND and I were still together but a lot of things between us had changed. I felt that we’re back together solely because of companionship.

After my college graduation, I got a job in an IT company as a web designer. During weekends, I still hangout with Iona and the twins, RR and JJ. I also kept tab on Milena .I’m happy to know that she started to go back to the right track. She stopped hanging out with the wrong crowd.

Together with this change, Millie started to avoid meeting up with Carly to have s*x. Iona happily informed me this though her best friend, Carly, was devastated about it. I felt relief when she told me this. Milena also got a job and started working as a website developer. I saw her parents last week and they told me that they will go back to Madrid and manage their family business without Milena because she wanted to stay here in the Philippines. One day, I got the courage to visit her,so I went to their house to see her, but my heart got crushed when I saw her with a boy. It looked like she was in a relationship with him. When will I ever have a chance at her?

 The next day, I asked my supervisor if I could be transferred to our Central Luzon office. I want to be far away from her as much as possible.

Year 2014.

In 5 years, I became a senior website designer. I bought a new house and a car for my sister, and another house for myself. I also started setting up a small business. My parents wanted me to stop working and be part of our family business, but I wanted to make my own money. My on-and-off boyfriend, ND never stopped visiting me in my new house. Sometimes he will sleep at my place and we looked like live-in partners,but nothing s****l happened between us and I always let him sleep at the couch.

Tonight, we were celebrating the first successful year of my small business. ND cooked a special dinner for me. We ate and talked some business strategies for the next month.Then we watched a movie on Netflix while drinking wine. He draped an arm around my shoulders and gently laid my head on his chest. Some of my friends send me a message that said they were proud of me that I’m a successful business entrepreneur now.

Iona never failed to update me regarding Milena’s whereabouts. She told me that she’s with a girl for almost five years now. And it looks like she’s back to being happy again.I’m glad that she found another person that will make her life colorful again.Even if it’s still not me. I stood up from the couch and grabbed some bottles of vodka.

After a while, ND and I both felt sleepy and drunk. He asked me if I could let him sleep on my bed for tonight. I didn’t know why, but that night, I needed someone to hold me, so I told him we could cuddle. When we got to my room, he wanted to spoon me. I didn’t argue with him because I’m too sleepy. I let him hug me from behind.

At midnight, I was slightly awakened by something that was poking me from behind. I felt ND’s hard member pressed firmly against me. I wanted to scooch away from him, but he had a strong grip on my hips. He pressed my back harder against him and I heard him moan. He began to grind myself against him and he totally lost control! He started humping me roughly. I am so disgusted! He then put his two fingers in my mouth and forced me to suck it for him. He pulled them out of my mouth and he tried to put it inside my pants.

In that moment, I felt a sudden rush of energy. I pushed him back and screamed, “NO!”.  Tears started to swell up in my eyes. I couldn’t let him go too far. I couldn’t give all myself to him. He was taken aback by my sudden outburst. He left me in my room and soon I started to weep helplessly.

After that night, ND started meeting up with random girls to have s*x with them. He hid it all from me, but I knew because I have friends that saw him doing unfaithful things. I didn’t confront him. I just let him be. We both didn’t know why we keep pretending and staying in this toxic relationship for too long.

August 2016.

I was surprised to receive a group chat message from Milena. She’s inviting us to join her team building at Cuenca Batangas. I didn’t respond to her message because my mind told me not to. But then I woke up the next day,from a loud knock at my door. When I opened it up, Jojo is widely smiling at me. A girl was standing beside him.

“Oh, let me introduce you girls. Belle, this is Frincez, one of my close friends since high school. And Cez, this is my girlfriend Belle.”

I smiled at Belle and we shook hands. She averted her gaze away from us when I caught a glimpse of her flushed cheeks. I didn’t know that Jojo liked shy girls. I looked back at Jojo and asked him, “J?! What are you doing here?How did you know my new place?”

“Get ready to dress for our hike today!”

“What hike? You know that I hate activities like that!”

He pushed me back inside and insisted that I should go packed my things and go with them. I didn’t have time to argue with him because the twins kept on calling him and telling us to hurry up or we’re going to be late. Milena hated it when she arrived a bit late at our meeting places and then still needed to wait for the rest of us.

Belle drove the car and let Jojo sat with me at the back to have a conversation. Jojo kept on teasing me. He said that I have a chance with Milena now. She’s not in a relationship and that he really wanted us to be a couple.He still ships us hard.

I joked, “Milena’s not in a relationship but I am. I’m still with ND.”

“What?! I thought you broke up with him years ago!”

I laughed, “Yeah you’re right! I broke up with him ‘again’ last week.I’m single and ready to mingle! Except with Milena!”

He kept on giving me tips on how to seduce Milena later. He said I needed to up my game.

“I’m telling you, Cez! This is your chance now! That ND of yours is a trash compared to Milena. He’s worthless. You left him so many times. And deep inside, you know that you love Milena more than him. And I don’t like that guy.He never meet and bond with us! And he’s not spending enough time with you!”

“He became busy.”

“Doing what? Or should I say, doing who?”

“Let him be. I’m busy too and I don’t want to waste my time making outwith him.”

He laughed and said, “Whatever! Just do what I said! You’ll thank me back if you two became a couple.”

I ignored him and pretended to sleep. He snickered and moved to the front seat beside Belle.

As we arrived at our meeting place, they were all gathered there. Milena was the only one surprised to see me. I think the others planned this to set me up with her. Jojo and Milena fist bumped each other and then hugged. He introduced Belle. I stared at her as she smiled and greeted them. I really miss my love. It’s been a long time since my heart beats this way again.

She then looked at me and said, “Hey Zec! It’s been along time!”

Yeah. Been a long time but you’re still calling me that annoying endearment! Couldn’t she at least call me Frincez? It sounds like a princess and I want to hear it again from her lips!

I felt like my world stopped for a bit when she moved closer and hugged me. To hide my nervousness, I smiled at her and said, “Hi, Milena. I’m sorry if they invited me. They forced me out of my house to join you.”

Milena shook her head and clicked her tongue in disapproval, “What are you sorry for? You’re part of the gang! We’ll never be happy if we’re not complete!”

She still includes me in her circle of friends. I don’t know if I should be happy about that or not. Knowing that I’m still a ‘friend’, hurts a little.

Before climbing Mount Maculot, Milena introduced us to her work mates then they decided to climb up by pairs. And it’s awkward for me and Milena to be partners because the others already teamed up by love teams. As we climb, I told her that this was my first time. She then winked at me and exchanged my heavy backpack with one of her sling bags that contained only snacks and water for two. Then she assisted me up the steep mountain slope. My heart skipped a beat because of her sweet gestures.

She’s still a gentlewoman. A part of her remains the same but I felt that there’s something changed. Is this the effect of having too much s*x? Or is this because she took a part time modelling with Carly before? That’s what Iona told me. Carly is a freelance model in some photoshoots and sometimes her partner was Milena. She’s still nice and optimistic but she’s more confident now. I thought my heart already forgotten her. But she looked more beautiful than ever! And here I am,still in love with her!

Every time she’s holding my hand, I needed to sit and to catch up my breath. This woman will be the death of me! At the second stopover, she bought us some cold drinks and snacks because I already emptied the bottled waters I’m carrying earlier.

I sat on a fallen trunk of a tree when I felt cramps on my leg. I held Milena’s arm for support, “Mi, I think I am having leg cramps.”

She knelt in front of me, “Here, give me your foot.”

She then stretched and massaged my cramped muscle, “Do you still feel the cramps?”

“No. It’s gone. Thank you.”

Just looking at her this closely and having her hands all over my skin made all the pain go away!

She sat beside me and we take in the breathtaking view in front of us,the impressive view of Taal Lake.

She sighed deeply and closed her eyes. I couldn’t help myself but to take stolen pictures of her. But I forgot that there’s a click sound in my phone camera. She opened her eyes and looked at me, “Hey Zec! You know I looked ugly when the shot is stolen! I looked haggard and not prepared, gosh!”

I giggled,“Nope. You are the beautiful partnered with nature. Beautiful nature.”

She’s the most gorgeous thing I’ve ever seen.

She laughed and took my phone, “Give me that phone, besty! and we’ll take good pictures together.”

So… We’re back to being besties again? What the heck, Jojo! Your tips were not effective! Milena still treats me as her best friend. And she’s still the insensitive girl I met and fell in love with!

She switched it to front cam and we took selfies. I sat between her legs and wrapped her arms on my waist. She leaned her chin above my shoulder as I pushed the timer and wait, “One…Two…Hey Mi, look at the camera…Three! SMILE!”

I requested another shot, “Alright! One more! Wacky pose!”

She gave me her weirdest looking smile and crossed her eyeballs. I laughed at her goofiness.

“One more! Let’s switched position, Mi!”, I asked and then switched position with her.

I gave the phone to her and motioned her to sit between my legs.

She pushed the timer and said, “Ready, Zec? One. Two. Three!”

I kissed her on her right cheek. Her eyes widened in shock. She’s so cute! Alright! Jojo! I have five points now!

“Besty! Why! Look at this! I am so ugly here! My eyes are wide and my mouth agape! Delete that picture!”

“No! I will not delete any pictures! You are so cute here! Your cheeks and ears are both red! Sorry if I can’t help myself to kiss your cheeks!”

I grabbed my phone from her and took more pictures of us before we continued our trail.

At 5 PM, we reached the campsite, which is the last stop over where hikers can pitch their tents. We’re ten minutes away from the Rockies. We planned on having an overnight trip. The guys started to set up the tents while the girls helped on setting the table for dinner.

Me and Belle helped on arranging the sleeping beds inside our tent. She told me that Jojo instructed her to pair up the sleeping bags, so I could have the chance to sleep beside Milena tonight. I chortled at Jojo’s persuasiveness. We talked for some time. She told me that Jojo and her were arranged to be married when she’s 18 years old, but they made a way to delay it until 2018. It was a decision from both sides. They were both pleasure-seekers that’s why their parents had enough and wanted to put an end on their irresponsible behaviors. I looked at her with an evident shock on my face! I thought she’s a shy type of girl! I was so wrong! I inspect her closely and this girl’s hotter than hell. Honestly, I will find her interesting if Milena or Jojo doesn’t exists.

After they were all done setting up, we gathered around,and they all started telling each of their own climbing adventures. I sat beside Milena. Jojo sat on my other side and then Belle. Jojo simply elbowed my side, telling me to make another seduction move to Milena. I acted like I feel cold. I rubbed both of my arms and shivered a little. Milena saw me, and she grabbed her blanket and moved closer to share it with me. She wrapped an arm around my body and rubbed my arms, ‘helping me to warm up’.

Then she reached out to one of the foods at the table.She gave me five hotdogs with white marshmallows on sticks. I smiled at her and ate two sticks at the same time! My favorite! She laughed at me and watched me attentively as I ate like a kid. Jojo silently giggled at my side and when I looked at him, he mouthed, “10 points for you! Go girl!”. If I didn’t know that Jojo is a playboy, I would think that he’s gay!

The drinking session began. I saw how Milena drank like a pro! We’re all tipsy already when her boss requested a performance from us that will showcase our hidden talents. Some danced, others showed magic tricks,and the twins made a skit show. Milena asked me to team up with her. We went back to our tent to tuned up her guitar and practice a little. We decided to sing Terrified by Katharine McPhee. I took a stolen picture of her again. She’s so attractive while humming and strumming her guitar.

When it’s our turn, Jojo clapped his hands like a lunatic. Milena grabbed an empty tin can she could sit on while I preferred to stand beside her. She started to strum the guitar. At the first verse, I liked to hear the audience laugh a little, so I sang using my cute baby voice. I caught Belle at the corner, trying hard not to laugh at my silliness.

When I started singing the line, “And I'm in love. And I'm terrified. For the first time. In the last time. In my only life.” I became serious. I remembered that time when I realized that I’m in love with Milena. I felt scared because that’s the first time I fell in love with a girl. I looked at her, but she avoided eye contact. I held her chin up and fixed her eyeglasses. I knelt in front of her. Our faces were so close together. None of us moved. All I could hear was my heart pumping out so loud in my chest. I looked at her and hoped that she could feel the love I still have for her. I wanted to kiss her, but we broke out of trance, when our friends started to capture photos. They whistled and shouted, “Get a room!”, “You are so cute together!”, “I am right! You two are a couple!”, “You’re so hot together!”,“Compatible! Chemistry is real!” Milena shook her head. We immediately moved away from each other. I needed to calm down my heart, so I ran away from them.

After a while, Belle called my name from a distance,and I saw her worried face. She told me that she helped the twins to look for me because it’s already dark and it’s not safe to wander alone.

When we got inside our tent, I saw Milena picked the sleeping bag at the corner. Jojo saw me and he whispered, “Go on! Sleep with the love of your life.” I nodded and gently laid beside Milena. I carefully wrapped an arm around her. Hugging her from behind. And I inhaled her sweet scent before I drifted to sleep.

I woke up when Milena tried to remove my arm that’s hugging her. I mumbled, “Hmm…Mi?”

“Sorry, Zec. I’m not used to someone’s hugging me when I’m sleeping.”

“But I always hug you.”

“The last time we slept together is when we're fourteen years old! That’s a long time ago!”, she said and massaged her head temples. I know that she’s not drinking lots of water after taking much alcohol.

“When did you became a loner? Don’t worry you’ll get used to my hugs again. Oh wait! You needed to drink water!”

I grabbed a bottle of water and gave it to her, “You forgot to drink water before you sleep. Alcohol dehydrates the body. Don’t forget it next time.”

“Are you a nurse too?”

“What? No… I’m not. I am a web designer, not a nurse!”

Was she still dreaming? Why was she asking about a nurse out of the blue?

She drank the water and said, “Thank you, besty.”

I pouted. All the points I gained earlier were lost because she called me her best friend again!I thought I’m making some progress here! Jojo! Could you slap this insensitive friend of yours!

I settled beside her and hugged her again. I closed my eyes to sleep but she said, “Zec, I can’t sleep with your arm hugging me!”

“Don’t you miss my hugs?”, I pouted and made a sad puppy face at her.

“Oh! Never mind! I am sleepy! I will remove your arm later if I can’t sleep.”

I smiled and hugged her again. She couldn’t resist my charm! I squeezed her a little before we drifted off back to sleep. I missed sleeping with her like this!