Dark Secrets

Chapter 30: Do You Talk About Me? (2 of 2)

“If you don’t want your bed Desa then give it to me.” Troye said.

“Nah, us men should be sleeping on the floor.” Pluto responded.

“But I’m not a straight man, I prefer to be comfortable than pretend to be a gentleman when I’m a lady.” Troye replied to him.

“Still you were born as a male Troye, just stay where you are. We’ll be leaving tomorrow anyway; you’ll be back on your bed sooner.”

“Fine.” Troye rest his case and lay down on the mattress. “I know you only want to be near to Desa since you can’t share the same bed with her again because she’s sober enough to kick you out.”

“Can we share the same bed again?” Pluto asked me right away.

I just shook my head and gestured him to lay down on his mattress.

Few minutes later, Alessia and Troye already knocked down since they had few drinks earlier at the party while I avoided alcohol as much as possible because I don’t want to wake up with a man beside me in bed again.

I turn to Pluto’s side to check on him if he’s already asleep or not but he’s pretty much awake like me.

“You’re not sleepy yet?” I asked softly since I already met his eyes.

“I’m still thinking about you even if you’re right next to me.” he said.

“You really searched for me for a decade?” I moved closer to the corner of the bed to hear him louder.

“Yes. Maybe that’s the reason I feel the same way about you, I want to protect you just like how I felt for that girl when I met her.”

“I admit, I’m weak when we met for the first time but a lot of things happened, I’m not a crybaby anymore. And I know now that I shouldn’t come along with a stranger easily.” I replied.

“Hmpf.” he smiled at me. “How did you get that big scar anyway?”

“Remember the secret basement that you found out beneath my practice room in Canada. The five Latin curse tablets are in there, I was too young and dumb to touch them, that’s how I got that scar.”

“Like a binding spell, it must hurt a lot when you cut yourself.”

“Actually, I was bleeding but I’m completely numb, it doesn’t hurt until I turned 7. That’s when the scar started to act up, it was an excruciating pain, it felt like my palm is being cut over and over again. I even had my 7th birthday in the hospital because of that and the doctor’s diagnosis was I’m being delusional.”

“How long have you suffered from such pain?” he took my right hand and touch my palm.

“Everyday since then but I kept it a secret to my parents because I don’t want them to worry about me. I was in pain when you found me and miraculously, your touch made the pain go away like magic.”

“Honestly, aside from Tia, I never hold hands with someone but I held your hand that time because you look like you’re about to cry again if I told you off.” he laughed at me.

“I probably am, since I’m desperate to hold onto your hand that time. I didn’t even think about if you’ll take me somewhere dangerous or not because we’re complete strangers to each other.” I replied.

“How about now? You don’t want to hold hands with me again?” he asked as he intertwine his fingers on mine.

“There’s no reason to hold your hand. I don’t have the scar anymore.”

“You know I like you more than a friend, right? And I just told you earlier that you’re my first love. Isn’t that reasonable enough?”

“That’s you and not me.” I took my hands away from him. “I’m sorry, I’m not ready yet to commit myself to someone.”

“It’s fine. I understand.” he has a broken smile on his face. “So, this is how it feels like to be rejected by someone you love. It hurts.”

“Sorry. I know I’m being selfish but can we still be friends?”

“Would you reconsider me when you’re ready to commit yourself in a relationship?” he sits up as he looks straight to my eyes.

“If you’re still around then I don’t see why not.” feeling sorry for him as he’s sincere with his words.

“Then we can be friends for now if that’s what you want. I can wait for you whenever you’re ready.” he patted my head.

“But I’m not holding you back, alright? If you find someone else then go ahead, you’re free to do whatever you want.” smiling a bit.

“That won’t happen. I manage to searched for you for a decade and now that I found you, I’ll never let you go again.” he smiles back at me sweetly. “We should sleep now; we need to get up early morning.”

“Ah, right.” I nodded in agreement. “Goodnight, Pluto.”

“Goodnight, Desa.” he lay down again and face the wall this time.

I still reject him so I understand that he’s a bit upset that’s why he turned his back on me but we’re good, right?

The next morning, after having our last meal at the villa, we’re headed to other tourist spots in the island and to buy some souvenirs too since it’s our last day.

After a long day of strolling around the area, we’re finally going home as we departed from the airport at 7pm and had dinner in the plane like Pluto treat us all for a meal since we used his plane again.

“Desa, we’re sleeping over at your new home next weekend, alright?”

“Sure. Just visit me anytime you girls want.” I replied to Alessia and Troye. “By the way, shouldn’t you be at Luke’s car?”

“Nah, I’m more comfortable here with Troye.” Alessia look at Troye on the driver’s seat. “I’m still healing from a heartache; I don’t want to use Luke to move on.”

“I understand.” I look at Troye. “Drive safely. Take care on your way home. I’ll see you two next week end.”

“Sure. Let’s have a movie night on Saturday, Desa.” Troye uttered as he starts his car engine.

“Fine with me. Just bring a movie film then, popcorn and drinks on me. Bye, girls.” watching Troye’s car leave before I turn to Pluto who’s still taking care of our crew members.

I gestured to take a cab when I met his eyes and I thought he was waving his hand goodbye to me so I walked toward the taxi lane but he suddenly ran after me.

“I’m sending you home.” Pluto holding onto my luggage.

“It’s alright. I can take a cab from here it’s not that hard to get one since we’re at the airport.” trying to pull my luggage away from him.

“I’m not repeating myself. My car is over there, let’s go.” he pulled my luggage away from me and dragged it to his car’s direction. “You bought a lot of souvenirs; your extra bag is heavy.”

“More of delicacies and miniatures, that’s what Ace-oppa told me when buying souvenirs from a trip.” catching his pace.

“Ah, I see. You’re calling Ace-hyung, oppa now.” he uttered.

“Because he’s a big brother. Why what’s wrong with that?” I asked.

“Nothing. What about Diso? Do you call him oppa too?” he handed our luggage to Butler Kim.

“I still call him Diso-sunbae since he’s my senior.” I responded.

“Keep him calling like that and don’t change it no matter what.” he smiles at me. “As for me, you can call me oppa if you want.”

“Ah right, you’re 2 years older than me. But I’m actually comfortable calling you on your first name like Alessia and Troye, am I being rude to call you on first name basis?” getting in at the backseat first.

“No. Whichever made you feel comfortable.” he sits beside me.

“Then I’ll keep you calling Pluto. Though sometimes I want to call you Toto but no one calls you on your nickname aside from your family.”

“I actually don’t like that nickname because it sounds stupid to repeat the same syllable of someone’s name but that’s how Filipinos give nicknames to their children and as you can see, I look like one.”

“I like your sun kissed skin; I don’t like men who got pale white skin.”

“Hmm … I’m listening, what else do you like about me?” he sounds excited as he exchanges glances with me.

“You’re tall and handsome. Physically you’re perfect that’s why a lot of girls likes you.” I noticed the wide smile on his face. “You like hearing praises about you, aren’t you?”

“Well it’s coming from you so I really appreciate it. What else? I know there’s a lot to like about me. We got an hour or two to discuss everything.” he grabbed a bottle of water beside him. “You want?”

“Thanks.” I took the water he offered and tried to open the lid but it’s too tight for me so he grabbed it again to open for me. “Thanks.” I drink first before I continue to flatter him. “Ah, so this is the mineral water that tastes different from a normal mineral water.”

“Forget about the water, proceed on telling good things about me.”

“You’re kind-hearted, quiet, shy, and very gentle, per Diso-sunbae said about your personality. Though I’m only certain about the quiet and not the other three, I’m still looking for proofs.” I continued.

“I’m a gentleman I already proved that to you.” he defended. “I’m not good at public speaking because I’m shy so I always keep my speech short as possible whenever I need to speak out and there are times that it’s hard for me to express my feelings. As for the kind-hearted, am I ruthless to you?”

“Not just to me but to everyone whenever you lose your temper.”

“Ah, we’ll I’ve got no excuse. I know that I got a short temper.”

“Not only your temper but your cold and arrogant sometimes though I like you being blunt and chic, still there are times you’ve crossed the line and the reason no one can hate you completely because you’re cute like a puppy.” I continued.

“First you mistook me for a bear now you’re telling me that I look like a puppy?!” he sneers at me. “I hope next time I look like a handsome husband to you so you can be my pretty wife.”

“Haha, nice try lover boy but don’t push your luck. We’re not even …”

“Lovers yet.” he finished my sentence. “I think I wanna marry you.”

“Hmm … think about it again. I pretend I didn’t hear that from you.”

“Right, I should propose marriage properly and not like this.” he said.

“We’re young to discuss about marriage and people change, you may never feel the same way for me after a few years.” I responded.

“Maybe. Maybe not. But I’m certain of one thing, I’m in love with you. You said you like me blunt so I’ll say whatever is on my mind.”

He caught me off guard with his statement that I couldn’t help myself but to blush and I even notice that Butler Kim smiled at me through the rearview mirror.

“Can we talk about something else and not the complicated matter?”

“Hmpf.” he laughed at me. “Fine. Your birthday is coming up, what present do you want? You’re turning 19 on the 24th, right?”

“Anything is fine. I’m already blessed this year I can’t ask for more that’s being greedy.” pulling myself together. “Speaking of my birthday, you think the English men would come if I invite them for my party? It’s nothing grand like the party you throw but I want all of my friends to come.”

“They’ll come as long as you give them invitation. What day is August 24 anyway? Do you know Butler Kim??” he turned to his butler.

“It’s Tuesday, Young Master Pluto.” Butler Kim replied to him.

“Oh, it’s a workday. Maybe they could drop by at least, those men love to party anyway.” he nodded.

“Ah right, they’re employees and they don’t have summer vacation like us students. But can you at least relay them my invitation? I don’t know how to contact anyone of them.” I responded.

“Tell them yourself tomorrow, we have a meeting at Caracciolo.”

“Does it have something to do with what Ashton discussed to you last night?” I suddenly remember the interrupted moment we had.

“Yes. George told him before the band flew to Jeju.” he responded.

“I see. It’s not an urgent matter but it’s something serious, right?”

“Uh-huh. You’ll know the details tomorrow.” his face suddenly turns serious as he looks at the window beside him.

I arrived home at 10pm, just in time before Mom goes to bed since she wakes at 4am to prepare herself before going to shop at 5am.

Since I got a lot of laundry with me, I washed clothes the next day while both of my parents are working.

Late afternoon when I finished hanging the clothes at the balcony, since Mom’s bakeshop is right across the street instead of cooking lunch for myself, I just went there to have some bread and pastry.

“Would that be enough for your lunch, Desa? You should go to a restaurant instead to have a proper meal.” Mom said as she put my ham and cheese bread along with the raspberry cake on my table.

“It’s fine Mom, I’m going to Caracciolo for dinner later, meeting my other friends. I’m finally going there as a customer this time.”

“You just got home from a vacation and you’re leaving again, can’t you stay home for a little longer?” Mom moping at me.

“Mom, it’s just for dinner. I’ll be home before 10pm, promise.” raising my right hand like I’m taking an oath. “I won’t stay out too late.”

“Fine. Just be home before 10pm. Who are these friends you’re meeting with anyway?” Mom continue asking me questions.

“Alessia, Troye, Pluto, maybe Diso if he comes, Luke, Calum, Michael, Ashton, Adam, Matthew, George, and Ross.” telling her everything.

“Aside from Alessia, all of your friends are men? well except for you know who.” Mom raised her eyebrows at me.

“What’s wrong of having a lot male friends than females??” I asked.

“Aren’t you too comfortable being surrounded by men as friends that’s why you’re not into romantic relationship?!” Mom crossed her arms to her chest. “Or are they all of them into you??”

“That’s not possible, Luke likes Alessia, Troye likes everyone except me and Alessia; Calum, Michael, and Ashton got their own list of girls, me and Alessia are off limits to them; as for Adam, Matthew, George, and Ross, I’m pretty sure they got their own mature women since they’re already at their late 20’s.” I explained.

“Then that leaves Pluto and Diso.” Mom grins at me.

“Mom, Diso-sunbae is like a big brother to me as for Pluto he’s my special friend.” rolling my eyes as I take a bite of the bread.

“That’s what you think about them, but what do they think about you?” Mom walks off to welcome the new customer who entered the bakeshop. “Good afternoon, ma’am, welcome to Umber Bakeshop.”

“I know what Pluto thinks but Diso-sunbae, he only treats me like a little sister, right?” talking to myself as I think deeply.

I left the house at 6pm since the meeting is at 7pm, and because Vincenzo already got back to Italy after 2 weeks of stay, they hired a new part-timer at Caracciolo.

Though Vincenzo’s look is still the best to make a long line of girls outside the restaurant the new part-timer, Lee Shin, looks like a movie actor too, making Caracciolo a blockbuster to ladies.

“Auntie, long time no see.” I greeted Alessia’s mother in her office.

She told me not to call manager anymore since I’m no longer working at the restaurant and call her auntie instead since I’m Alessia’s best friend and I’m like a family to her.

“Desa.” Auntie hugged me and kissed my cheeks as she greeted me back. “You got a business meeting with everyone tonight?”

“Ah yes, Auntie.” I nodded.

Alessia’s family doesn’t know that she got a special ability and not just an extreme sense of smell.

They only know that the meeting we does is for business purposes.

“By the way, Alessia won’t tell so maybe at least you can tell me.”

“Tell you what Auntie?” I’m curious as to what she’ll ask.

“I know about her and Vincenzo’s relationship didn’t go well but what about Luke? Is that boy still pursuing my girl?” Auntie asked.

“Yes. Luke is sincere to Alessia, Auntie. I’m actually rooting for him because I know how kind-hearted he is and a gentleman on top of his good looks. I wish Alessia give him a chance.” spilling the truth.

“Exactly my sentiments about that kid. I know Luke since 12th grade and I thought he’ll be contented being friends with Alessia but when he told me and my husband that he wants to court our daughter, we don’t have much objection. Luke is a good man; I like him for Alessia.”

-End of Chapter 30-