SECOND CHANCE

CHAPTER 7

Few days has passed since the time that Rome and I had lunch together. I keep myself busy and make way to avoid crossing paths with Rome and Jay. My heart can't take the jealousy. I might kill Jay, anytime soon.

I spend most of my time in the clinic. When I there is something that needed for my decision on the project Arm is understanding enough to just call me and don't ask me to go there personally. He knew that I am avoiding Rome for the meantime. I can't bear to see those two flirting in front of me. Just like the usual day, I make my self busy with my patients. I even skipped a meal. I'll be going home late and just sleep my tiredness.

I received a call from Arm later that day to inform me that the shoot in Batanes is over. They were almost done with the project. Just some edits and it'll finally done. I go straight from home after I pick up my dinner for that night. This day I was not too tired. I decided to have a drink at home.

I was almost done with my last bottle of beer when I heard my phone rings. I don't bother to look who's the caller. It might be Arm, I did not reply to his last text informing me about the progress. I woke up the next day not feeling good. I feel like my head will explode anytime. This is one of the indication that anytime soon, my migraine will visit me. I just shrugged it off. I can still make it for today. I'll just deal with it later.

I was so busy that day that I almost skipped my lunch when I received a call from Arm. "Dude, I need you here. I had a dinner meeting tonight. Denise was not here. Can you look for the cafe for the meantime?"

Anxiety hit me. Just the thought that I will see Rome again with Jay, I can't make my mind straight. "How about Podd?" I asked anxiously.

"I need him with me." guilt stab me. For the past days Arm and Podd never ask me to go around to be personally involve with the project since they knew that I am avoiding Rome. I let a deep sigh. I think I have no choice this time. "The shoot is already wrap up. They finished early for today. All they need now is some editing so they won't be around anymore. They were gone by here by the time that you'll arrived." Arm continue.

"Alright. I'll be there." I bid my goodbye to Tay who's also decided to go home early.

The cafe is not accepting any customer unless the shoot is over. This time since the shoot end early, they accept customers already. Greg and Dion is there to attend for the customers. I just basically sits there and watch everything. It was already past 6 o'clock when they decided to close the cafe. After cleaning the cafe, the two left me alone. I decided to have a drink first before I go home. My head hurts and I think few glass of wine will ease it. I found a glass of wine at the bar near the counter. I knew Denise keep some here.

I turn off the light. I leave the lamp open at the counter, it's enough for me. I also leave the light outside. I was about to check the glass door if it was locked when a familiar face peak from the outside. I almost scream out loud because of shock. I saw Rome from the other side. I calm myself first before opening the door.

"What are you doing here?" I open the door widely to invite him to enter the cafe.

He go straight to the corner table of the cafe before he answer me. "I left my pouch here. The card where I save the file of the photos that I need to edit was there." he said not looking at me. I go back to my seat and continue to drink. I think he did not see what he was looking for that is why he check another table.

"Gotcha!" he excitedly mewls. He run to me and happily show off the pouch that he found on the other table from the corner of the cafe.

"Good." I answered without enthusiasm. I turn my focus to my glass. I avoid looking at him. But the idea that he was near me make my heart race.

I thought that after that he will leave. To my surprise he occupied the seat beside me. I look at him. He was not looking at me. He's looking at one of the photo at the espresso machine. It was the photo he took when he was still at this cafe. Denise loved the photo and ask to left it there.

"That photo is familiar." He smiled eyes locked at front. I did not answer, I lowered my head and focus on drinking my wine. Out of courtesy, I ask if he want one. Without waiting for his answer I took another glass near me and pour him some.

He look at me and took the glass that I slide behind him. "Thanks." I still did not answered back. "Why are you here?" I did not believe that he was actually talking to me. I look at him with amusement. He took a glimpse of me and focus his attention to the glass infront of him.

"Nothing. I just look for the cafe since Arm needs to attend a dinner meeting." I said.

"Good thing you're still here. I need the card badly. Jay will skinned me alive if I don't finish the edit for today." he softly chuckles. The sound of his laughter near me bring back the memory from the time that he was still mine. Those times that his laughter, his smile, his love was still mine. But reality strike hard by hearing him saying Jay's name with gentleness.

"You two are close." I tried my best to deliver those words hiding the bitterness but I think I failed.

"Who? Jay?"

I did not answer back. He should know whom I talking about. He was forced to answer back when he did not hear any words from me.

"Yes. He's one of the closest friend I found when I was in Korea. All the adventure that I had in my journey there, I shared it with him." I saw his eyes glitter when he was saying those. My heart want to deny it but it clearly state that the relationship between them is special. I was too late. I lost him already.

I gulp down half of the wine that was on my glass and pour another one. I want to drown the feelings that starting to build up inside me with alcohol. Maybe in that way I'll be numb and feel nothing while listening to him.

"Are you trying to get drunk? I saw your car outside. You won't drive, are you?"

I look up to stop the tears that is trying to build up. I calm myself before I speak again. I make sure that my voice won't shake. I don't want him to witness how much pain I had now. "I can always stay for a night. I had a key for the spare room."

"Oh."

We silently finish our drink. He get his glass and go to the sink. He wash it and placed it on where it was. "I'll go ahead." I was startled when I hear those words. My mind is telling me to stop him.

"Rome.." he stopped from opening the door when I called his name. He look at me straight to the eyes. "Can we start over?" I know I have to do something. I've confirmed that his relationship with Jay is special. But I can't just let him go. I can't live without him. I saw the shock written all over his face.

"Pick.."

"I know.. I know I hurt you. And I can't promise that I won't do it again. At some point, I knew, unintentionally, I will. But I promise that I will stick with you." My voice is shaking. I feel my body shivering from so much emotions that I have right now.

"Pick.."

I slowly approach him. I took his hand near to my heart without taking my gaze away from him. "I love you. I still love you." I slowly drew my face near him. I lowered my face and plant a kiss on his lips lightly. I tested if he'll push me away. When he didn't budge, I give him another kiss. This time I make it deeper. I can taste the alcohol from his sweet lips against mine. I miss this. I miss him.

I deepen the kiss. I trace his lips with my tongue and by that a moan skip from my mouth. The pleasure that it gives me is something familiar. This is the feeling that makes my heartful. I can feel him give way. He angle his head for me to have a full access on his mouth. I insert my tongue to taste his mouth. The sweetness and bitterness of alcohol clouded my thoughts.

My mind went wild when I hear him moan from my kiss. He gives my tongue to have a full access on his mouth. The alcohol and the pleasure makes me crazy. I don't care about anything. All I want now was to make him feel that I love him. And to feel that I am still his. My hand was busy exploring his build while my mouth is busy giving pleasure to his mouth.

He let go of my lips since I can feel he's already out of breath. I can't bear to be away from him even for a short time, I landed my lips down to his neck. While bruising him with hot kisses, I am starting to unbotton his shirt. When his chest is exposed to me, I let my hand explore it first and get my mouth back to his. This time I give him hot kiss. I want to let him know that I need him. I need him now. I want him now.

I can feel his hands clenching my back. His hand is starting to touch me roughly. Yes. This is my Rome. I moan when he insert his hand inside my shirt exploring my abdomen. I close my eyes tightly from pleasure. I pluck his lower lips with kisses while he was giving me pleasure with his hand over my body.

We were busy giving pleasure with each other when I heard his phone rang. We tried to ignore it however whoever the caller is, he or she won't stop. I give way for him to answer his phone. While still planting soft kisses on his cheeks and neck. I saw him check who's calling before answering the phone.

"Jay." I was like I was bathed with the cold water when I hear who's calling him. I pulled my self away from him a little. I waited on how he will answer this phone call. I can't understand what he was talking about but I can see the change of emotion from Rome's. "Where are you?" he ask over the phone worriedly. This time I distant myself from him. Looking confuse, waiting what he'll do. Is he going to choose me?

"I'll go there." Those words strike like a lightning over me. It make me stiff. We were in the middle of making love and just a call from this guy, he'll turn his back to me.

"I have to go."

I ball my fist to stop my anger. I want to stop the pain. But this is the reality. Now, he already has Jay while I have nothing. A sudden pain hit my head. Due to anger, I punch the wall beside him that make him startled.

"Pick.."

"You are with me but still your mind is with him." I murmurred. I can feel the pain in my hand but it is nothing compared to the pain that this person infront of me has given me. "I realized now how important he is." I put my hands down and lowered my head. I can't see anything. I feel like I was in the dark. I can't even straight. I don't know what to do.

"I'm sorry, but I really need to go."

I stand to where he left me, for a long time. It's been too long that I suddenly feel cold. I composed myself first from what happen and get out of that place. I need to go somewhere. Anywhere that can take away this pain.