When The Time Is Right ✔

Chapter 10

The funniest thing in life is not the jokes that we laugh at. It’s not the errors of our friends when they slip and land on their butts or when they mispronounce words. It’s the stupidity of destiny.

It’s really funny that the person who wants me to stay away from him, is living in the same building, in the same floor and f**k it! Right next to my place.

It’s really funny that he’s living really near me – only the wall is separating us – but he seems so far away from me.

Really funny. My eyes are watery right now.

I didn’t even dare to get out of her yesterday even though I wanted to go to a Chinese restaurant because I am craving for something Chinese. I couldn’t even look out the terrace because he has the same terrace beside mine and I am afraid I would see him – or worse, he and Nicole together, flirting in the terrace.

But now I got no excuse to not go to work no matter how hard it is.

“Keep calm, Hana Shaniah. You’re not going to die if Louis is living right next to you.” I mumbled to myself. “Sure, it’s going to hurt you a lot but it’s better than dying. You have a lot of people in your life. You have Mich and Zian. You are loved.” I chanted before I turned the door knob and walked out.

I looked to Louis’ unit and my eyes widened when I saw him walking out as well. He’s wearing a white button down shirt with black slacks. Geez! He looks so divine.

“No. No, Hana. Don’t even glance at him. Not even for a second.” I mumbled close-lipped. I don’t even know how I did it.

Must be the wonders whenever I see Louis.

He finally glanced at me and I looked away. I walked as fast as I could to the elevator. Then it dawned on me. s**t! Are we going to ride the same elevator?

Oh, God! Please, no!

I sighed hard and pressed the button. Geez! I wanted to go back and pretend that I forgot something but that would make me a coward. And besides, I have to accept the fact that we live in the same building, same floor and same side of the condo, since I think we would be neighbors for a long time.

I have to get used to this. To the pain when I see him. So that the time will come when everything I feel about him will go away because I am used to everything again. Used to pain. Get numb. Like that.

I felt his presence behind me. Oh damn, my heart is racing like hell right now, like it used to. I am quite familiar to this feeling but the sad thing is I shouldn’t feel this.

My heart shouldn’t be racing like this whenever I am in front of him because he is not the one for me. I shouldn’t let myself love him still because it’s not how it should be. He has someone else now. And I am starting a new beginning.

The elevator came with no one of us talking.

Well, there is nothing to talk about. He told me to stay away from him so that means I wouldn’t have to talk to him too.

We entered the elevator. I was behind him. I really tried my best to not look at him. And I think I succeeded on that.

Not until…

“I’m sorry for what I told you in the restaurant.” His voice echoed around the elevator. Why does it have to be only me and him inside this skinny place?

I had no choice but to look at him. At his reflection on the elevator door.

“There’s nothing to be sorry about.” I told him after gathering enough strength to talk. It’s just hard. It’s hard to accept the fact that the person who loved you so dearly is acting like a stranger to you. Although I can’t blame him. I left. I’m stupid.

But that’s not the point.

I have to move on. That’s what I should do.

I heard him breathe deeply. “I was harsh. Sorry.” He mumbled.

I sighed. “Thanks.” I spoke and he looked at me. “Thanks for being harsh on me in the restaurant. You just pushed me to the reality that we are never meant to be. Never were. Never will.”

Then the elevator opened and I walked out, leaving him alone.

Shit! Hana Shaniah for the win!

**

“Okay. Meeting adjourned.” I smiled at the board members as closed the folder I am holding. I looked at Mr. Pascual and he smiled at me.

This is the first meeting I had with the Board Members and yes, he was right. The board members are not as intimidating as the board members I watch on TV.

They are actually nice and they give me a lot of ideas.

I stood up when he walked to me. “Want to grab dinner?” He asked me.

I looked at my watch. It’s seven in the evening already. I looked back at him and nodded. “Sure.”

The day was right. I had a lot of things to accomplish and it made me not think about what happened in the elevator this morning.

It was the best thing that happened this day. I guess that’s why people say that when you underwent a breakup, you should preoccupy yourself with anything. Work, clubs, orgs or whatever.

Because it is effective. It makes you forget about that certain person, about the pain you are feeling, even for a while. At least you are spared of emotional stress even for a while.

Mr. Pascual and I walked into a Chinese restaurant. He asked me where I want to eat so I told him where exactly.

We chose the table in the corner to be able to the street lights. It was great. The view. “What do you want to eat?” Mr. Pascual asked me.

I looked at him and smiled. “The best seller.” I replied.

He smiled and nodded then he turned to the waiter wearing a red and black Chinese costume. “What’s your best seller?” He asked.

The waiter smiled. “It’s Szechuan noodles with spicy beef sauce, Sir.” He replied.

Mr. Pascual nodded. “Sounds good.” He replied. “Two of those.” Then he turned to me. “What do you want to drink?” He asked.

“Green tea.” I replied.

He turned to the waiter again. “One green tea. One wine.” He told him and the waiter bowed at us and left.

I looked at Mr. Pascual. “You like wines?” I asked.

He smiled and nodded. “Yes. Do you?” He asked back. I shook my head. “No. I mean, I don’t know. I’m allergic to drinks with alcohol.” I replied.

He looked at me. His gaze is captivating. It’s like he’s telling you that he’s owning you. It’s different from all of the gazes I’ve seen. Probably because he is uptight.

He raised his brow. “Really? Too bad. I can’t drink beer with you.” He joked. I chuckled. “Yes. It’s a pity.” I smiled.

He looked at me and smiled. “So,” his voice trailed. “Tell me something about you.” He told me.

I gave him a weird look. “What something about me?” I asked.

“Favorite color, favorite book, favorite pastime, love life, et cetera.” He enumerated.

I scoffed at him. “What are you? Slum book?” I teased.

He chuckled. “I just want to know more things about you.” He told me. “I mean, aside from being the company’s President’s daughter, I know nothing about you.” He said.

I smiled and exhaled. “Well, my favorite color is blue. My favorite book is Pride and Prejudice. My favorite pastime is sleeping. And no. No love life.” I replied. But then I suddenly thought of Zian.

“I made you fall for me before. I will do that again.”

He raised his brow. “No love life? Are you kidding me?” He asked.

I chuckled. “No. I really don’t have one.” I replied.

He gave me a look. “You’re one of the prettiest girls I’ve ever seen. I won’t believe you.” He told me.

I laughed at him. “Then don’t. But really. I don’t have that. Love life.”

“Yet.”

I looked at who talked and was surprised to see Zian looking at me. “Hi, Hana Shaniah. Nice meeting you here.” He greeted me then he pulled a chair and sat beside me.

Mr. Pascual smiled. “I knew it. You’re too beautiful to not have a love life.” He told me.

Zian shook his head disapprovingly. “Dude, you got to learn to stop flirting with her.” He said as he wrapped his arm around me. “She’s mine. So back off.”

Mr. Pascual chuckled and raised his hands in surrender. “Aye aye, Zian Woo.” He laughed. “I’m just testing the waters.”

I was getting uncomfortable in the atmosphere that’s forming but then again, I was shocked that Mr. Pascual knew Zian. I bet Zian’s really that famous that even a busy Associate CEO of a company knows him.

Zian glared at him. “There’s no water to test in the first place.” He scowled.

Mr. Pascual chuckled. “You’re a bit too possessive.” He spoke.

“Because I am.” Zian spat.

Mr. Pascual smirked. “You’re acting like you’re not confident of her feelings for you.” He shot back.

“Can y-“

“Oh my gosh! It’s Zian Woo, babe!”

Zian’s words were cut when we heard Nicole’s voice.

Zian immediately looked at me, alarmed. “Shit.” He muttered under his breath as soon as he saw Louis.

Nicole looked at me and waved. “Hi, Ms. Hana!” She greeted me. I smiled at her. “Hey.” I greeted back awkwardly. Hell. This is the most awkward day of my life.

The waiter walked to them. “Sorry, Ma’am. But the place is full.” He told her apologetically.

Nicole pouted and looked at Louis. “It’s fine. We’ll just eat at a different Chinese resto.” Louis held her hand and smiled.

Ouch. I shut my eyes in relief. Yes! No place for them. God must still love me.

“Oh! You can sit here with us.”

Zian and I looked at Mr. Pascual, stunned. Then we looked at each other.

“Shit.” We chorused this time and Zian chuckled. He held my hand and gave me an assuring squeeze. I smiled at him.

Now this is what I like about Zian. He makes me feel secure. He makes me feel safe. That no one will be able to touch me, to hurt me when he is around. He did that when we were in college. No one could even get near me because he is my boyfriend. Then now. He holds my hand and I feel like there’s nothing that could harm me.

Perhaps, he will always have that impact in me.

Nicole looked at the generous Mr. Pascual, surprised. “Really?” She asked in disbelief. He nodded. “Of course.” He replied then Nicole and Louis sat with the round table with us.

Louis strategically sat in front of me. This is getting bad. I sighed hard and Zian wrapped his arm around my shoulders immediately.

Nicole smiled at us. “Are you together?” She asked us. Me and Zian.

Zian smiled. “Getting there. Again.” He replied. I just smiled.

Nicole’s eyes widened. “Again?” She asked. “So, you were together before?”

Zian nodded. “Yes. But this lady left me five years ago to study abroad.” He pulled me closer to him.

“Wow.” She gasped. “You two really look cute together.” She adored us. I mean it. She really did. By the looks on her face, she did.

“Why did she leave you?” Mr. Pascual suddenly asked.

Zian rolled his eyes and looked at him. “I already told you. She went to study abroad.” He spat.

“If you love each other, you should’ve worked it out.” The other talked back.

I suddenly glanced at Louis who is looking at me. His gaze is unreadable. But I am getting intimidated.

Zian exhaled and rolled his eyes. “That’s exactly what we are doing now. Working it out.” Then he looked at me. “Right, Hana?” He smiled at me. I smiled back and nodded. But deep down, I am pinching his sides.

“Isn’t it too late to work it out?” Mr. Pascual comes again.

Zian rolled his eyes and sighed hard. “Seriously, dude, you don’t know love at all do you?” He asked.

Mr. Pascual just smirked. “Tell me what love is, Woo Jiho.” He challenged. None of them is backing down and I am getting frustrated at the whole situation.

Zian wrinkled his nose. “Love is when someone hurt you so bad that the pain makes you want to die, yet you’d still accept her when she comes back to you because you’d rather endure the pain than live without her.” He answered. Then he looked at Louis. “Right, Pascual?” He asked.

Louis smirked. “Why are you asking me, Woo?” He asked.

Zian shrugged. “Just because I thought you should know about that.” He replied.

I looked at Louis and he is giving Zian a wicked smile. I know it. I have hated Louis so much before I have loved him so I know how he gives his wicked smile off.

Nicole looked at Louis. “You know Zian, babe?” She asked him.

Louis shrugged. “Unfortunately.” He replied.

Nicole beamed at him. “Really? Are you close?” She asked.

Zian rolled his eyes at Nicole. I bet she is getting into his nerves already. “No. We are not. He’s just a school mate Hana and I had known.” He replied.

She nodded. “Ah. Yeah. I remember Louis telling me that too the last time we had dinner together.” She replied.  Then she looked at me. “I’m really sad that you had to leave early that night, Ms. Hana.” She told me.

I just smiled. I don’t know what to say.

“Ah. That dinner.” Zian beamed and Nicole nodded. “I believe Hana had a really bad stomach that time that she cried of the pain.” He smirked at Louis.

Nicole looked at Louis. “Bad stomach?” She asked. “I thought someone called and she has to go ahead?” She asked.

Louis was taken aback.

I laughed weakly. “Ah. Yeah. Someone called then my stomach betrayed on me that night.” I lied.

Louis gave me a look. Zian tightened his grip around me. How did I get caught up with this mess again?

Nicole nodded. “Ah. That’s unfortunate.” She pouted.

I smiled. “It’s fine. I mean, it’s not that hard getting over it.” I assured her and she smiled.

“Right. It’s not hard getting over it because I am here to take care of you.” Zian beamed at me but his words, I know, were meaning something else.

Louis looked at me. What does he want to tell me? Or does he want to tell me something?

“Ehem.” Mr. Pascual coughed and the food arrived. “Let’s just enjoy our meal, okay.” He told us.

Zian grinned at him. “Of course. It’s really fun eating with you guys.” He said sarcastically. “And besides, this dinner is like a mini reunion of the three of us, right, L.Joe?” He smirked at Louis.

Louis rolled his eyes. “You talk a lot, Woo.” He beamed.

Zian smirked. “I talk and act a lot, Louis Marco Pascual.” He said and the latter just glared at him.