Fascinated by you

Chapter 2

She thought of something that would get Kara’s attention.

“I was just thinking about the man who helped me yesterday,” she said out of nowhere.

“Helped you? Why? What happened?” Kara asked continuously. She knows that there is something that she doesn’t know and she wants to find it out no matter what.

“Wait, I think we need some time to talk about it. I’ll just call mom and say that I will stay at your place tonight,” she added.

As Kara was talking to her mom on the phone, she saw Bella’s broad smile. She knew it – there was something and she bet it had something to do with a man. Her best friend only had one boyfriend- it’s Greg. Greg and Bella have been in a relationship since their first year of college. They’ve been dating for four years and parted ways after graduation. They didn’t break up because they had run out of love but because Greg wanted to, obey his parents – to continue his studies in the U.S. Afterwhich, Bella didn’t entertain any single suitor she had, as if she was waiting for Greg.

“Let us buy beer and chicken!” as Kara grabbed Bella’s hand.

Bella didn’t want to hide anything from her best friend, whom she considered her sister, since she didn’t have one.

“Are you ready?” Bella said while teasing her friend.

“Of course I am,” Kara replied with a smile on her face.

Whenever they are having a heart-to-heart conversation, they always stay overnight, either at Kara’s place or Bella’s. Bella shared her story about her saviour in the very detailed way that she could. From the moment she opened her eyes inside the man’s car to how they parted ways.

“Bella, I hate you,” Kara said while pouting her lips. “You said he was handsome,” Kara added.

“Yes, he is,” Bella replied.

“Then why didn’t you get his name or even his contact number?” Kara asked. “How I wish you’d meet him tomorrow,” Kara added while praying for it.

“How I wish, too, or maybe he can visit me in my dream,” Bella answered.

And that is how their night ended.

Since it was Saturday, Bella and Kara decided to enjoy doing stuff they missed. Both of them agreed to do the shopping and treat themselves to a job well done.

Bella is wearing a white tee-shirt paired with denim jeans and comfortable rubber shoes, while Kara wore a faded knee-length skirt paired with a polo blouse. They first headed to the make-up section and pampered themselves with the newest shade of lipstick.

“Good morning, Ma’am, would you like to try our newest shade of lipstick? It was just launched today and you are just lucky to try it,” the sales representative greeted them and promoted the product.

“Bella, I want to try this shade,” Kara said happily.

“Ma’am, that shade suits your skin tone. It will give you a stronger aura,” the sales representative added.

The sales representative assisted Kara with applying the ‘glaring red’ lipstick. She knew that Kara would pick that colour because she wanted to look fiery at all times.

“OMG, it was perfect!” Kara exclaimed.

“I will buy this one,” said Kara, about the ‘glaring red’ lipstick that she tried.

“It suits you well, ma’am. And, if you buy another one, you can get our promo of 2 plus 1, and then you can save up to 30%,” explained the sales representative.

“Oh, I think it’s our lucky day, Bella,” Lara said.

“Yes, I think so. Miss, can I try this one?” Bella pointed out the light peach shade that seems so natural when worn.

“Of course, Ma’am,” the sales representative who assisted Bella was wearing the lipstick.

“As you can see, it seems so natural that you can wear them almost every day,” the sales representative added.

“Yeah, I want it,” Bella replied.

“Can we have this shade as a free item?” Kara asked.

“Yes, ma’am. Any shade will do,” the sales representative said.

“Thank you,” Bella and Kara said in chorus.

Shortly after the cosmetics section, they went to the shoes and bag section. They loved S&J products since they were given more than what they paid for. They both choose footwear that they can wear after work and, lastly, a handbag to complete the mood.

They have a great time. It’s been a while since the last time they rewarded themselves. It is already 7 p.m. They wanted to eat dinner first before going home. They headed to the nearest restaurant inside the mall.

“Bella, I think there are no vacant tables right now,” Kara said while her eyes were looking around. “Oh, the table over there is unoccupied,” she said happily.

They were just about to order when suddenly a tall and handsome man caught Kara’s attention. The man is wearing a plain white shirt and shorts. He looks stunning, even wearing simple clothes. From his physical appearance, she can say that this man looks like ‘the man’ Bella coincidentally met a few days ago.

“Bella,” Kara said while still looking at the man.

Maybe he's looking for a table. Kara thought

“What?” Bella asked out of curiosity. When she notices that Kara is looking at her back, she takes a look to know who caught Kara’s attention. And to her surprise, she saw a familiar face – the man who helped her. She doesn’t know what to do. Will she approach the man or will she ignore him?

Oh, I can’t believe this. I am looking at this guy. Maybe this is the perfect time to thank him for what he did the other night. She was about to speak when she noticed that the man was going in their direction.

“Hi,” the man said to them.

“Hello,” Kara replied.

“Can I join you? It seems there were no vacant tables if it is okay with you,” the man added.

“Su…sure, you can join us,” Bella answered.

The man seated beside Bella and Kara hears the man asking how Bella is.

“How are you Ms. Campbell?” the man asked Bella.

“Ms. Campbell? Bella’s address is Campbell. Are you about Bella? Oh, don’t tell me you’re the man who helped her the other night? And you are…” Kara asked the man but she was interrupted by Bella.

“I’m… fine,” Bella answered.

“Wait. So, I’m right?” Kara is waiting for confirmation either from Bella or the man.

“Yes, he is,” Bella answered shortly.

They ordered the best dish offered in the restaurant – roasted chicken, pasta, and salad. They were silently eating when Bella broke the deafening silence.

“I am Arabella and this is my friend Kara. I was glad to meet you again so I could formally thank you,” Bella explained.

“Nice meeting you Kara,” the man said with a smile on his face. “And I’m happy to see you again, Bella,” Charles said.

Bella? I’m so sure that I introduced myself using my whole name. Does he think we’re already close? Bella’s thoughts in her mind.

“By the way, I’m Charles,” he added.

“Nice to meet you, Charles. You are more handsome than in Bella’s story,” Kara said.

“I’m curious now how Bella introduced me in her story,” he said smilingly.

“Bella said that your eyes were charming, your nose was perfect and your lips were,” Kara was stopped by Bella.

“Kara, please stop it,” Bella interrupted her friend out of humiliation.

“Oops. Sorry, I was just carried away,” Kara explained.

“It’s okay, I won’t ask anymore,” Charles said. “I do hope that we can be friends because I don’t still have one since I arrived here in the Philippines,” he added.

“Of course, we can be friends. Since you arrived? Where did you come from? And what do you do?” Kara asked this series of questions.

“Actually, I am from the States and I’m here to do some business for three months, after which I will be back in the US,” Charles explained.

“3 months? I’m sad already. Maybe we can hang out together with Andy before he goes back to Dubai,” Kara said.

“Sure. If our time meets,” Charles promised.

“Waiter, can we have our bill?” he asked.

“It’s mine for tonight’s meal,” Bella said.

“Yes, of course, I will be using the money you handed me the other night,” Charles replied with a smile on his face.