Married By Accident

09: Drew Barrymore

| Franki |

I woke up to my alarm clock blaring obnoxiously. It triggered an anxious response from me, especially when I realized that I fell asleep on my sofa.

"What..." I looked around and the last thing I remembered was Jodie driving me home, getting a nice warm shower and crashing somewhere.

I sauntered to the windows with one eyed-open and pulled the thick curtains across them to block the stream of sunlight that reached my floor. Sighing in relief, I picked up my phone and checked my messages.

☑️Diana: Still up? ☕

So she texted me.

She noticed me sulking on the bench last night because I felt so left out with her, Jodie and Sky talking about their high school classmates. I understand that she had a life back here and I can't be upset when things like that happen, but still.

What are you, her girlfriend?

She walked up to me and asked if I was okay and subtly brushed the top of my palm with her thumb.

I feel that soft sensation all over again and my insides started melting.

Franki, it's seven in the morning. Go brush your teeth first.

Then I remembered her saying, "I gotta go, but we'll talk, okay?" She left with Sky's mom who popped out of nowhere with that awfully cheery voice. She was a huge Diana fan.

Please don't go Diana...

I wanted to have coffee or spend more time with her after... well... let's just picture out a tranquility pool.

"So needy." I kept hearing those words in my head.

Yeah stop being needy. And weak. And clingy. And just overall emotional.

She gently squeezed my hand before she left, then started fading into sight.

Stop being needy.

Yet here I am, heart jumping out of my chest, responding to her text.

☑️Diana: Still up? ☕

✔️Franki: Just woke up. I'm going for a run. Wanna come?

☑️Diana: Love to but I'm moving today. Let's meet after?

✔️Franki: You should really burn those lasagna roll-ups from last night.

☑️Diana: You're cute but I eat a lot of pizza and don't exercise. That's how I stay in shape.

✔️Franki: Sana all. Teach me your ways

☑️Diana: Hit me after gym.

Wow. 7:00 AM flirting. Not bad.

She called me cute. I know that was a sarcastic note, but my heart skipped a beat.

I suppressed the urge to use a lot of emojis and sending one more reply. She might think I'm overly excited about a text exchange with her for the first time.

It's true though, I am overly excited.

I‌ fixed myself up to go for a quick run. Pulled on some skinny stretch tights and a tank top before sneaking out of the bedroom.

I tightened my ponytail and fixed the beak of my cap. Then I strapped the phone in my arm band, turning on my Bluetooth, connecting it to my headphones. I set the volume on high, not wanting to be distracted by the strangers around me.

Shuffled my Spotify workout playlist and Midnight City by M83 started playing.

"Beautiful weather," I said as I‌ stepped outside the building.

*Phone rings*

Maza was usually loud but it was extra on this phone call. She invited me for breakfast at Jodie's place. I walked in and they were, all smiles at me as if I just saved the human race from extinction.

"What's with the frightfully happy faces? You guys are freaking me out."

"Good morning Franki. I got promoted!" Maza yelled and Jodie popped a champagne.

"Oh my god! Congratulations!" I ran for a tight hug. The three of us were bouncing up and down with huge grins on our faces.

"Senior Creative Specialist?!??! Girl!? Who are you!? Wait- where's Juls?" I asked.

"She's sorting out some problems with the people that we sent at Siargao for the venue. We also need to meet with Liz. There are some things that Juls and I need to go over. She wants to check your music library." Maza explained then made a gagging motion in her throat.

"Why does she need to check my library? I know what eighties music is. She knows we have the same taste." I almost sounded annoyed. But this was a good day, let's not anything ruin it.

I remembered that we used to pass each other songs and thought she was perfect. There was a lot of music that I couldn't listen to anymore when she left. They're the ones that reminded me of her and it sucks. Yes, including Yellow by Coldplay.

"Oh y'know her. But are you okay meeting with Liz or?"

"Don't worry about it. I'm alright and very grateful for this gig."

"Thanks babe." Maza then dashed off to work, leaving me and Jodie.

"You should really start dating again." Jodie casually brought it up.

"I'm kind of seeing someone." I replied. To be honest I don't know where that came from. It might've been my subconscious wanting to tell someone about Diana. Although I did feel like slapping myself as soon as letting those words out.

"Oh my god. Who is it? Someone I know?!" Her eyes widened in anticipation.

I opened my mouth and closed it a few times, as if wanting to speak.

"Okay, you know what, you don't have to tell me." She brushed off and took a bite of her toast, "...but just remember to always protect yourself and make sure that your feelings are not invalidated and that this person respects you and is interested in you and only you." She added.

Mukhang nagpaparinig (Seems like she's dropping hints.)

These kind of conversations were very frequent a few months back. Liz cheated on me twice, maybe more. It started when her band got a big break and did a mini tour across the country. I saw some social media photos and lots of gossip on twitter. She was very good with apologies and winning my affection back but she always made me feel that I wasn't enough.

When they came back from the tour, we had the talk and she eventually broke up with me saying she can't keep up with a relationship at this point in her career.

"You will always be special. You know that."

Few days later, she's dating someone else. Shameless. Some of her bandmates felt bad for me and told me what really happened during the tour.

Now I think about Diana saying, "It's not how you think it is."

I should've asked further instead of just melting into her arms.

Will history repeat itself?

Jodie promised me she won't say anything to the others as we parted ways.

I walked back home after gym and saw Diana on the way. Her new place is like a ten minute walk from me now.

"Well, I don't know, are you strong enough?" I saw her dropping a box outside of her building. I helped her move some stuff. At one point, she dodged my Hawaii question. I didn't want to embarrass myself and tell her straight that, yes, I wanted to go but I hope she feels the same. I tried to open it up but her response was, "Have you ever been there?" then mentioned Sky. I also think that she may have asked if the card was refundable on the phone call. I'm probably overthinking but it is what it is.

I didn't know what to do after that awkward conversation. She was standing in front of the bathroom and kitchen area so I decided to rush to the bedroom to take a breather.

It was dark, the only source of light was the small stream of sunlight from a half opened curtain. I automatically shifted my gaze onto the cabinets in front of me when I heard nimble footsteps nearing.

Then she came in, looking all confused and relieved at the same time. She was wearing a very thin white shirt and what looked like a red side-tie shorts.

I think I may have said something about the bed then sat on it. Not my best move but there we were.

It seemed like my brain suddenly enumerated the signs and symptoms ng pagiging marupok (of being weak). This was one of them.

"Come here." I said as she slowly walked closer.

She leaned down and pressed her lips to mine. My fingers slipped under her thin white shirt, her bra and took the bare flesh of her breasts into my hands. She moaned against my lips as my other arm tightened around her waist. I pinched my fingers around her n*****s, gently rubbing the tip back and forth as it stiffened at my touch. Diana's soft gasps drove me crazy. 

She flashed me a devilish smirk and slowly pushed me down the bed but we heard it squeaking against our weight. One more push and we ended up on the floor. We broke the bed even before merely doing anything.

But it was fun, we burst out laughing and she looked so happy, it was beautiful. She mostly has this stoic look which seems like she's used to holding her feelings closed. She's always calm and reserved.

I hope Hawaii would feel like this.

If... we even go there.

She then had to leave for a job interview and I went to meet Maza.

I reached Spark's office and signed a few things then we left for The Island. Apparently, Liz and her band are doing soundchecks and rehearsals for reasons we don't know. She always liked to be spontaneous and maybe this is one of their surprise or comeback gigs before the release of their new album.

Juls was with us and glued to her phone as we reached the place. I'm immediately consumed by nostalgia upon hearing the band play.

Nostalgia, crippling anxiety and anger.

♫ Polaroid of you dancing in my room

I want to remember

I think it was about noon

It's getting harder to understand, to understand

How you felt in my hands, in my hands ♪

That familiar voice.

It always had that bedroom-pop, lo-fi and sweet aesthetic that made countless men and women, including me, fall in love with her.

"Eugh." Maza gagged, for the second time today, upon hearing her voice as we stepped inside the bar.

"Okay, remember, we need to look extra happy, I mean I know we're happy especially that I got promoted but we need to be happy happy. Franki, you're not allowed to be sad or to stare blankly into space even for just one second. We won't even look at her. We'll just talk about random s**t on the table." Maza explains with her hands, her voice competing against the loud music while Juls was still on her phone, looking real upset. I smiled and nodded a few times.

We came in and I immediately saw Gino talking to her on the stage.

Oh look, my two favorite people on the planet. What a great start.

Gino waved at us and gazed back at her right away. Liz glanced at our direction but I looked away as Maza dragged us on a table in front.

"s**t. Where's my phone?" Maza dug through her pocket and searched in her bag. She tapped Juls who then called someone. We ended up going outside, entering a nearby 7/11.

"Her assistant said I left it at the conference room. How can I be so stupid. She said she's gonna be here to hand it to me, but where the hell is she?" We looked around, Juls was back on her phone.

"Hey Franks can I borrow yours? Let me call her again." As soon as Maza said that, I started hoping and praying that Diana won't text me. It will definitely pop up on the screen. And I'm absolutely not ready for that conversation.

I hesitated and remembered Diana isn't on my call history, so that's good. I hope she doesn't send a text and see my messages.

"Sure, let me dial the number for you."

Maza didn't get an answer from the number that she's trying to reach but she kept redialing.

I'm relieved that I didn't text Diana. She's probably still at her job interview anyway. It's only been two hours and she said it was a thirty minute drive so it can't be that quick.

This crippling anxiety now has to do with me wanting my phone back.

"I told you, she's cool." Maza playfully hit me while we stepped inside the bar again.

"What? Who's cool?" Juls looked confused.

"No one. She's pretending to have a good time." I laughed.

We sat at a table in front when I noticed Liz was arguing with her drummer.

Typical.

Then she saw us. She smirked and turned around to whisper something to their guitarist.

"Wow. Love her leather jacket." Juls was finally off the phone.

"She... yeah. Love the fit of her jeans too." Maza added.

"I haven't seen her in so long this almost feels like a déjà vu." Juls waved at a waiter.

"I mean, we obviously hate her and she's evil... okay pretend to laugh at something that I just said." Liz turned around while the three of us started fake laughing. She then gracefully jumped down from the stage and my heart started racing.

"Hello ladies. You look good." She said with a smirk.

"I wish I can say the same." I flatly said with a half hearted smile.

"That's a good one." Maza commented and nodded satisfyingly in my direction as if I just said something that will solve global warming.

Liz chuckled, "I miss you too Maza but I heard there's trouble at the venue. Have you sorted it out? Party's will be next week." She sounded her usual, demanding self.

I can almost feel Maza and Juls breathing out fire from where I was sitting.

"Juls and I are leaving for Siargao tomorrow so we can personally check it out. Always one step ahead of you, princess." Maza replied, her voice laced with sarcasm.

She looked smug and her eyes bounced at me this time, "I'm gonna need a list of your music library too, if that's okay."

Just say yes Franki, do not argue, so we can move on from this.

"Why wouldn't it be?" I asked back, Maza chuckled and Liz walked away.

The band started playing a funky version of Lovefool. It upsets me how good they are but I didn't want to acknowledge that. At this point I just wanted my phone back, but Maza was still redialing on a loop.

"Didn't know the Golden Trio are here." She said as she turned her back and saw Gino, Sky and Diana. I didn't say anything.

Why is she here?

"This next song is for Franki, I miss our Drew Barrymore marathons." Liz announced.

Maza gave her an obvious fake smile, "This f*****g b***h. She better not ruin Drew Barrymore for us. She was my favorite Charlie's Angel. Next to Lucy Liu obviously."

Juls laughed, almost choking on her glass of water.

Then they start playing Drew Barrymore from SZA.

♫ Why is it so hard to accept the party is over?

You came with your new friends

And her mom jeans and her new Vans

And she's perfect and I hate it, oh so glad you made it

I'm so glad you could come by ♪

Damn. That's a really good cover. I hate how good she is. We said we were not staying but the music was too good. We hated her but she always had that effect on us.

Some of her bandmates started smiling at me. I missed them so much, they were good to me. I started feeling soft and remembered all the good things that happened when we were together.

Cut it out, Franki. She was horrible to you, end of story.

"Can't believe we have to deal with her next week." Maza commented, rolling her eyes and eventually ordered a drink but still hummed to the song.

Then the door opened and I saw a girl walk in. She had these nice curves but dressed like she's selling insurance. Then I remembered this was the girl with Diana inside that VIP room the other night.

I wasn't looking anymore but I heard, "Hey Gino! Diana! What a surprise."

Great. Didn't know she was having a drink at four in the afternoon. At least I'm here for work.

I thought we were buying a bed together.

I subtly took a peek of what was going on in the back and saw that insurance lady sat beside her. They started talking and her face was so close to hers.

I know that they're talking and the music's loud but have some distance. That's my wife you're talking to, lady, have some decency.

Maza finally handed me back my phone. I fumbled for it and started texting her right away.

☑️Franki: I see you have a date :)

God. I just can't control myself can I?

✔️ Diana: I see you like Drew Barrymore :) 

Here we go.

☑️Franki: Never Been Kissed is a classic.

✔️Diana: You're right. You must miss marathon nights.

☑️Franki: What if I do?

Franki. You're gonna regret that.

✔️Diana: Nothing. You can obviously have marathons with whoever you want.

Please make me stop.

☑️Franki: Yeah. And you can obviously date whoever you want.

✔️Diana: Okay.

☑️Franki: Okay

✔️Diana: Fine.

☑️Franki: Fine.

And that was the last beep of my phone.

♫ I'm sorry I'm so clingy, I don't mean to be a lot ♪

Intense. Can't believe I'm never watching a Drew Barrymore movie again because it will remind me of this really dumb text exchange.

A few more minutes and people started flocking the bar. Juls and Maza went home to start packing for Siargao.

I planned to leave too but this pent up anger won't go anywhere and I'm absolutely not leaving her here with paw-hands lady. I found an open spot at the bar, but the bartender was at the far end. I tried flagging him but kept getting ignored. Then I heard a voice from behind, "Have you seen the latest Brooklyn Nine Nine episode?"

I turned around to see Liz, with an extremely beautiful smile on her face. Why does she have to look like that when I'm out here trying so hard to consistently hate her?

"No." I blandly replied.

"Rosa Diaz came out as bisexual." She added.

"Good for her." My voice was still monotonous with eyes fixed at Diana.

Then I remembered the first time I came out to my mom. I was a model back in Australia before getting into music. I took a girl home and told my mom that she was my girlfriend. She never said anything. She just nodded and smiled and we never spoke about it. I was lucky, I wish it was like that for everyone else.

I suddenly miss her. My life in Australia wasn't perfect, I ran around with the wrong people during my model days and hit rock bottom. I started to question where my life was going but music saved me. My mom is absolutely terrified of me going back to modelling and eventually living that life again of being at parties every night but I assured her I was not going back. She also wasn't a huge fan of me doing music but I told her this was what I wanted to do and I knew my limits this time.

"But honey, you still party every night. How is it any different?" She told me.

"It's different because I'm doing something that I'm passionate about and I will never try anything that will ruin this."

Then I saw Diana and insurance lady snapping photos with another girl in the middle of my thoughts. She's now flirting with two girls.

She's so damn annoying.

"Want to make her jealous?" Liz leaned in and whispered.

"What?"

"The girl. That you've been staring at for the past twenty minutes." She shook her head.

"I don't know what you're talking about." I muttered as I checked her i********: for new stories or posts, but there were none. Then I clicked Gino's profile and there she was, Abi. That's insurance lady right there.

I felt my blood boil as I locked my phone and slid it back in my pocket. If we were living together as a married couple, she's definitely sleeping on the couch tonight. Or maybe not even making it inside our apartment. She's sleeping in the lobby downstairs.

"Don't look but, she has her eyes on us right now." Liz leaned so close that there's almost no space between us. It only took another second for almost no space to be no space at all and her soft lips are brushing against mine. Everything in me screamed alert. We were in public, in the middle of a crowd and I will never hear the end of this if someone tweets it or takes a picture of us.

I gently backed away, glaring at her.

"You're welcome." She took a large gulp of her beer, not looking fazed at all.

"Leave me alone, Liz." I said and started walking out of the bar. I paused, then had a little smile on my face, I mean I was completely averse to the idea of that kiss but I wanted to see Diana's reaction so bad. I turned and started walking back inside. Gino and Sky left her with those two girls. I started walking in their direction.

Diana's eyes lit up and I somehow felt the world went in slow motion. Our eyes locked as I passed by their table.

Then I thought, where the hell am I going? I continued walking and reached the back entrance.

What the hell is happening to me?

I was alone and I leaned against the wall, breathing heavily.

This woman is driving me crazy.

A few minutes later and the door opened.

"Franki?" She called, "What are you doing here?"

"What are you doing here?"

"Where's your date?" I asked with a stern look on my face.

"Kissing your ex? In the middle of a crowd? That's bold." She slowly approached me.

"Flirting with two girls at the same time? That's bold."

"You started it."

I raised my brows and laughed, "I started it?! What are you, twelve?!"

She lowered her gaze and slowly walked closer until she was inches away.

"Get away from me and go back to your dates." I ambled away from her but she firmly held my hand and pulled me towards her for a kiss.

I roughly shoved her off and she let out a small laugh.

"This entertains you?"

"I didn't know you were the jealous type."

"f**k off." I turned away but was caught off guard when she grabbed me with her hand on my hips and pulled me in for another kiss. The strength of her grip was a forceful reminder of all the power that she has against me and her hot-as-hell exterior towering over me. My body was betraying me as I slowly started kissing her back.

She took me deep and hungry then slid her hands around my hips, pulling me in as close as she could. Next thing I knew I was being pushed against the wall, pinning my hands above my head. I tried to resist but it was of no use.

The kiss felt like we both waited to do this for days and I hated that. I hated that after everything, I still needed to feel this.

Signs that you're emotionally vulnerable and weak (marupok):

1. Suddenly, all the songs are about them.

2. No matter how much you tell yourself that you need to avoid them, you just can't help but run back to their arms.

3. You act all tough and unbothered, you even start kissing your ex but when she starts to pull you in for a kiss, you just let all systems go.

Well that third one's oddly specific.

She encased her wrists tightly, but not too hard where bruises will form, only enough pressure for me to stay put against the wall without a chance of escape.

"Diana..." I panted in-between each kiss.

"What?" she began, trailing kisses to the edge of my collar bones.

"Take me home."

TO BE CONTINUED⫸⫸

Please don't forget to follow me here! Thanks for reading ♥