How Deep is Your Love?

16 - Natalie

“I’m sure my Tita Lorie and Tito Philip are so worried now.” I sighed and mentally slapped myself for sleeping too long.

After eating the pizza that Zac ordered, both of them talked for a while. She didn’t even notice the time because the guy had so many stories to tell and he made her laugh so easily. She was then grateful that he stayed because if not, she might end up crying all over again for her heart ache. However, she really didn’t plan to sleep too long. It’s already past 9 in the morning when she woke up.

“You should have woken me up.” I complained slightly after I freshen up.

“Hey, doctor’s orders. You need plenty of rest. I was just following it.” He replied and shrugged. “Already ordered some breakfast. You have to eat first before I bring you home.”

“Zac, you don’t understand. Once they find out I’m not there, my Tita Lorie will surely be worried. So we have to go now. We can eat breakfast back home if you want.” I insisted.

I really hate it that my phone battery’s drained. I also found that out when I woke up.

“But you said it’ll take about an hour to drive from here to your place. I can’t drive when I’m hungry So we’ll eat first and then take off. I have already settled everything and you’re all set to go.” He reasoned out and I just sighed in surrender, pouting. “Hey, the food will be here in 5 minutes then we can eat fast and I’ll bring you home.”

“Alright then. Thanks.” I replied and he grinned knowing that he won.

True enough, the breakfast he ordered was there in 5 minutes. It’s two orders of McDonald’s breakfast which consists of pancakes, coffee plus additional fries and sundae. He immediately handed me a cup of sundae.

“Sundae for breakfast?” I asked and he just winked at me.

“Well, I love it. Eat it before it melts. Eat everything in any order.” He replied. Then he took out his fries and dipped it on his sundae, the same as how I like eating it.

My mind automatically brought me back to my memories about 2 weeks earlier.

"For me to be sure that your intentions are pure, you have to try it." I dared. "C'mon... For our friendship."

"Natz, I-"

"Please? For me?" I interrupted with puppy eyes.

"Fine." He said and took the fries I was giving him.

I stared at his face while he ate the fries and waited for his reaction after he chewed and swallowed.

"Good, right?" I asked hesitantly.

"For some reasons, I can say that it is." He answered and nodded.

"See! I told you!" I yelled and clapped. 

"Yeah. The sweet and salty taste mixed together is somehow good." He added.

"Yeah?" I teased.

"Yeah." He finally agreed.

For the first in the history of mankind. He agreed with me.

"Then this is a good start." I said cheerfully and winked.

Brian.

“I know I’m handsome, Lee. But you need to start eating now if you want to go home early.”

I reddened immediately upon being pulled out of my thoughts and being caught staring but then I started eating and he just slightly chuckled.

“Here. Let me.” He said as he voluntarily helped me glaze the honey on top of my pancakes.

“Thanks.” I said and continued eating.

He fixed everything and discarded it as soon as we finished eating. Then we suddenly heard a loud knock from the before it burst open.

“Natalie.” His voice was soft but loud enough for me to hear.

“B-brian?” I blurted out, stunned to see him at the door with Bernard.

He looked like a complete mess. He was just wearing a wrinkled polo with some buttons open, a creased pant, and…

 Slippers?

He has dark eye bags and his hair was a total mess. In a spur of the moment, he came straight to me and checked me out. His eyes widen when he saw the plaster on my forehead.

“Are you alright? What happened to you? Aside from your forehead, are you hurt somewhere?” He asked in rush as he looked into my eyes, his fingers softly caressing my cheeks. “How are you feeling?”

“I…I’m fine, Brian.” I replied and he sighed in relief before pulling me into a big warm hug.

“Natalie.” He said once more, his voice croaked a little, worry evident in it. His embrace was so tight like he doesn’t wanna lose me anytime soon. I closed my eyes as I tried to control my traitorous tears that wanted to betray for nth time. I felt his hand softly stroking my hair. “You’re fine. You’re okay.”

That’s when I noticed that he smells like whisky and so I pulled away and looked at him.

“Are you drunk?”

“No. I’m not. I was but not now.” He replied right away.

“Ehem.” Someone cleared his throat on the sides and my cheeks flush after immediately recalling that we’re not alone in the room. I then nervously fixed my hair.

Brian’s brow automatically went up upon seeing Zac and intensely gaze at him, the latter also did the same.

“And you are?” Brian asked quite obnoxiously.

Zac just smirked before walking to my side, putting his arm around my shoulder which totally surprised me. Tilting his head to the side, he said confidently, “I’m this beautiful lady’s S-A-V-I-O-R.”

I immediately removed his arm and gave him a sharp look which he returned with an all-knowing and teasing grin.

Daredevil.

That’s when I realized that he’s like the guy version of Arya.

“Savior, huh?” Brian blurted out sarcastically, tension filling up the whole room.

“Brian, this is Zac. I crashed to his car yesterday and he was nice enough to help after I lost my consciousness.” I interjected right away. “Zac, this is Brian…my…uhm…friend.”

Really, Natz?

“Friend. You’re her friend. I’m good with that.” Zac commented and turned to me. “You ready? Almost 10am. Let’s go?”

Brian’s questioning look went to Zac then to me.

“We were just about to go home when you came. He’s supposed to bring me cause the car is still under repair.” I explained and gulped at the way he intently looked at me.

“Lee?” Zac called out and Brian sharply gaze at him.

“Lee?” He echoed.

“Yeah. We sort of liked calling each other with some pennames. Zac for me and Lee for her. Short for Natalie.” Zac explained and smiled quite dreamily.

“Tsk. Whatever. I can surely bring her home safely.” Brian declared with finality, looking into me. Then he turned to Zac. “Thank you for your service.”

Then he grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the room.

“Brian. Wait.” I reacted and tried to take my hand back.

“Let’s go, Natz.” He replied sternly, not wanting to let go. And by the sound of his voice, I know that nothing will change his mind.

“Fine but please let me just say goodbye properly. The guy saved me and helped me. I don’t want to be rude.” I insisted and he stopped abruptly.

“5 minutes.” He said and reluctantly let go of my hand. “I’ll wait here.”

I nodded and ran back to the room.

“Zac?” I called out as soon as I entered.

“Ding!” He reacted, he’s seated on the couch at the side of the room. “Took you long enough to come back. About a minute or so.”

“Geez. I’m sorry for his rudeness. He’s not very friendly.” I said right away and he chuckled.

“I can understand him. I would have fought him if only I didn’t see how messed up he is. Plus, he really looked worried. So I’d let it go for now.” He replied which made me a bit confuse.

“Huh?” I asked.

“It’s a man thing so you won’t understand, Lee.” Zac said and stood up in front of me. Then he smiled widely. “I will find you and get my payment. Like I said, a date will do.”

“But-“

“No buts.” He interrupted and smiled warmly. “Now, off you go or your F-R-I-E-N-D will pop out here soon.”

“Hmp.” I reacted and smiled back. “Again, thanks for everything.”

“My pleasure. It was nice to meet you, Natalie.” He said seriously before gently pushing me back to the door. “I’ll see you soon.”

***

There was an awkward silence inside the car as we rod back home. Bernard was the one driving and both of us are seated at the back. I just focused my eyes on the window. In my peripheral, I can sense that Brian is like debating with himself if he’ll talk to me or not. It’s like he wanted to say something but in the end, he chose not to. I sighed as soon as the car stopped in front of the mansion. Brian quickly got out and went to my side to open the door, assisting me out.

“Natalie!” Tita Lorie called out and she immediately came to embrace me. “I was so worried when I heard that you got into an accident and that you are in the hospital. I don’t know how I’d be able to face your father if something grave happened to you, especially your mother. I promised her that I will take care of you.”

“Tita. I’m sorry for making you worry like that. My phone battery’s drained and so I wasn’t able to call or message you. It’s really my fault.” I replied as I hugged her back and rubbed my hand over her back to ease her worry. “I’m totally fine, Tita. And you’ve always treated me like your daughter. I’m sure mom is so grateful for a best friend like you as she’s watching over us.”

“Oh, iha. Getting old and all that really makes me dramatic.” She said afterwards and pulled away. “But really, I’m so glad you’re okay.”

“Me too, Tita. I’m just really reckless. I’m sorry.” I responded.

“Hush that. Come on now, I’m sure you’re hungry. Melanie and Trinity prepared some food.” She said as we both entered the house.

“Oh, I already ate breakfast, Tita. Zac, the guy who helped me, bought food and we ate earlier.” I replied.

“Oh. That’s so bad. They prepared food for both you and Brian. You see, he hasn’t eaten anything yet because he went looking for you right away when he came to know that you didn’t come home.” Tita Lorie added and her statement made me look back at Brian who was silently following us behind.

I felt a wave of guilt overwhelming me upon hearing that he hasn’t eaten anything yet because of me.

“I will eat, Tita. Besides I’m still feeling a bit hungry.” I decided before hesitantly glancing at Brian.

“Perfect. Okay, let’s go.” She said.

“How about you, Tita?” I asked.

“Oh I already ate with you Tito Philip early this morning before he went to the ranch. I think he’s also on his way back here now after hearing about what happened to you.” Tita Lorie answered.

“Alright.” I uttered.

Geez. Make me survive this please.

***