When The Time Is Right ✔

Chapter 6

“You are going to be with who?!” Michelle hollered at me when I went to her this day. She is off-cam from filming. I paid her a surprise visit because I didn’t know what I would do.

“You can’t be kidding me this time, Hana Shaniah Tejeros. You can’t go to a dinner with Nicole and your ex-fiancé.” She scolded me.

I sighed hard.

I’ve met Louis three days ago and he might have told Nicole that we know each other because she kept on asking me to eat dinner with them. For three days already.

I turned her down twice. I told her I have errands to do with my parents so she let it go. But then she made me promise to eat with them. I couldn’t bring her down. She is one sweet girl. So I promised.

And I am regretting it.

I want to see Louis but I don’t want to see him with her. I don’t want her to be with him. It has to be me. The one with Louis.

The one he would be hugging.

It has to be me. But I have no right to be. And that explains Michelle’s explosion at me today.

“Oh, Tejeros, you are the most stupid person in the whole world.” She told me. I didn’t fight it. She was right.

Perhaps, she knew about Nicole and Louis. That was why she freaked out when I told her that Nicole Torres is my secretary.

She said Nicole and Louis have been dating for almost three years now. They are legal. Both of their parents know about it and they are all for their love.

Hell, they were all for our love before as well.

But I screwed it.

“So, what are you going to do now?” She asked me.

I sighed hard. I asked her to come with me but she couldn’t make it tonight. She has to fly to Japan for a project. She’ll be out of the country for three days. Oh Lord.

“I don’t know. Should I act sick?” I asked stupidly.

Mich shook her head at me. “Why don’t you just call that Mr. Pascual? Maybe he would come if you ask him to.” She suggested.

I sighed. “I tried. But he is in South Korea.” I replied.

Mich sighed with me.

I looked at the floor, feeling hopeless and helpless. Should I just get ready to murder my heart tonight?

“Maybe you should just try your sick drama idea.” Minji told me. “Maybe that would work.” She added.

I sighed. “Or maybe I should just go and then pretend that someone called me in for an emergency.” I replied.

She laughed at me. “Wow, Hana. Didn’t know you had that storywriter feels within you.” She chuckled. “But that would work.” She said. “However, who would call you?” She asked me.

Sure, she couldn’t call me because she is in the plane. And I’m shy to make Mr. Pascual call me. So, I don’t know.

Maybe I just have to murder my heart tonight.

“I’m screwed.” I sighed and messed my hair.

**

“I’m really happy you came, Ms. Hana!” Nicole beamed as I sat in front of them. Louis and her.

I smiled back. “Sure. I couldn’t break my promise.” I replied smiling.

Nicole chuckled. “I knew you were a woman of honor.” She teased me then she hooked her arm with Louis’. “Right, Babe?” She asked.

I had to shut my eyes. s**t. I have been here for less than a minute and my heart is ripping into pieces already.

“How did you know Ms. Hana, babe?” She asked curiously.

Louis looked at me expressionless then he smiled at her. “We attended the same college, Babe.” He replied.

Babe.

And I just got #SchoolmateZoned by my ex-fiancé. Just great.

Nicole nodded. “Ah! So you know a lot about each other?” She asked excitedly and I wanted to tape her mouth because I am getting frustrated of everything.

“Nothing much. I barely even talk to her.” He replied nonchalantly.

Ouch.

I chuckled hypocritically. “Yes. He barely talks to everyone. He’s a cold city guy.” I replied but my tears are brimming. I can’t help it.

I know that I have hurt him a lot. I left him and all. He told me some harsh words. I gave his feelings away.

But this.

Do I really deserve this kind of treatment?

Nicole looked at Louis. “You’re a cold city guy? Not at all!” She beamed as she slapped his arm playfully.

He smiled at her. “I changed when I met you, Babe.” He replied sweetly.

Ouch.

I swallowed the big lump in my throat. I just hope I survive this dinner.

Suddenly, Nicole’s phone rang.

“Oh! I have to take this.” She said as she walked out. Maybe it is a private thing. And that left me and Louis alone in the table.

He looked at me. “Why did you even agree to this dinner?” He asked me when he saw that Nicole is away from us already.

I looked at him. He is staring at me with cold eyes. I can feel anger in his stare.

“You shouldn’t have come.” He gritted his teeth. “In fact, you shouldn’t have come back to the Philippines at all.”

That’s it. My emotions exploded. I was crying.

Crying ugly in front of the person who thinks of nothing for me but hatred.

“I’m sorry.” I said as I wiped my tears.

“You should know that you’re apology is the least that I want to hear now, Hana.” He told me with the coldest tone I have ever heard from him.

“I know.” I sobbed. “But can’t I just say it?” I asked him.

He looked at me. Shocked, I think. I think he was surprised to see me like this.

“I know I have hurt you and I’m sorry. I know that you don’t want me back, so I’m sorry I am here pestering your alone time with your girlfriend.” I swallowed the tears. “I’m sorry that as much as you don’t want to see me, I still want you. Five years. I’ve been wanting you for five years. I’ve been missing you for five years. What can I do, Louis?” I looked at him staring back at me.

I can’t read his expression.

It was worse than the last time I saw him.

“You can just leave us alone.”

And those were the harshest words I have ever heard of him. The words that have left me wounded more.

“I don’t want to have complications with my relationship with Nicole. So, please just leave us alone.” He told me.

I scoffed and nodded as I wiped the new tears that fell.

“I would never really have you, Louis.” I told him. “Before, there was Michelle. And now, here’s Nicole.” I laughed weakly. “I really can’t have you. It’s clear to me now.”

He’s staring at me.

“You were never meant for me, Louis Pascual.”

Then I left.

What the hell was I thinking? Why the hell did I even come here? I am really the stupidest person alive. I really am.

Because I’ve just gone to a war without a single gun. Now, I’m dying.

“Shaniah?” I heard a familiar voice. I looked at him.

“Zian?” I asked.

He looked at me with narrowed eyes. “Wait, why are you crying?” He asked me.

And that’s it. I broke down. And here he is, the man I cheated on because of the man I used to believe was the man for me. I’m just really stupid. Why didn’t I see it before?