87 The Daisy and The Actress
1253 Words
“Mister!” the younger man called, his wallet in hand. The man let out a breath when he handed it to Noah, “Good thing I caught up!” he said in relief as he placed both palms on his knees.
“That was close,” Noah commented. “Thanks for this,” he handed the man a grand, and he gladly took it. Both of the men stood in front of the gun shop. They waved when Noah attempted to go inside his car.
He opened his door, but gasps erupted behind the metal. He quickly halted.
“Oh, that was close!” A woman said from behind his car’s door.
The woman who looked like an actress from Hollywood smiled at him, “Be careful,” she warned. Her fiery-red hair was in loose curls as she placed it on one side of her shoulder.
Noah scratched his neck’s nape, “Sorry,” he apologized as he peered behind, “I didn’t—” his words were lost when a smaller figure appeared behind the gorgeous woman.
“Noah?” Diana asked, unsure at first, “what are you doing here?”
Noah felt his tongue roll back at the end of his mouth. His breath hitched. His heartbeat was running wild. The clamminess in his hand had no end. His lips were obviously shivering, so he had to press them tight. The black box rattled, and it was mad-demanding to be released. The heal of his shoe pressed hard on the ground, and Noah, with a determined look, faced the woman who took and broke his heart.
He didn’t know how he pulled-off such a smile, but Noah did, “It’s been a while,” he greeted Diana who had a solemn expression.
Noah wanted to divert his attention, so he opted to ask for the lady she accompanied with, “You’re with her?” he smiled.
Diana stepped forward as she beckoned the smile Noah had on his face, “This is Jennifer,” she gestured her hand to the woman who smiled back, “she’s a theater actress.”
Jennifer took Noah’s hand, “A pleasure meeting you,”
“Please, it’s Noah,” he smiled, “you can call me Noah.”
“Noah Martin, huh?” his name said through Jennifer’s lips ran down a slight chill on his back.
On the other hand, Diana watched them. Her face was blank, and not a single trail of worry was hinted. Noah assumed she didn’t mind talking with him after what happened during her special day. She did look fine. Perhaps more unbothered than he expected her to be.
Noah worked hard to remove this ache in chest. So, he wouldn’t stop now. What makes her think that she would allow her to hurt her this much? Noah was being truthful to what he feels. In the current situation they’re in, Noah wanted to disregard what he felt with her for the past months that they have spent together. It wasn’t worth the anything anymore. The regret should have dawned by now. The bitter taste already fading. And the sweetness—Jennifer didn’t take her eyes off him—it’s slowly sending a strong taste toward Noah.
“I didn’t know you had such a charming friend,” Jennifer looked behind her. Her hazel-colored irises searching Diana’s face.
Diana adjusted her posture. And the great pretender that she was, her expression changed from neutral to happy.
She had one hand on her hip as she said, “It’s been so long since we last each other. I didn’t know you were interested in hearing about my friends.”
If Jennifer was offended by her remark, she didn’t show it. Noah mentally noted this. It would probably be one of her skills: to act as if she was telling the truth, and to feel as if she’s really feeling it.
She was an actress after all.
Jennifer c****d her head to the side. Her hair followed her movements as she stared at Noah’s face for a long while.
The atmosphere grew thick and misty, and Noah was having the idea that he must quickly escape before the situation escalated into a more unbearable event. Noah didn’t more said memories. That and anymore of Diana would make him go insane and sad.
Turning to face Diana, Jennifer grinned, “You mentioned that you wanted to eat at the famous restaurant around here?”
Diana held her chin, her eyes drifting upward, “Somewhere here?” she looked confused. Her feet tapped several times on the cobbled-stoned floor. “I don’t remember mentioning any restaurant I’m interested in trying.”
Her last word drew Noah to look at her face. He found him staring, and the both of them glimpse each other’s soul for a second. Regardless, it felt like eternity.
“Oh, silly!” Jennifer lightly elbowed her on the side, “you told me about it when we saw each other at the back stage!”
Jennifer zipped her bag fast. She took out her phone and showed the conversation to Diana, “Here,” she scrolled down as Diana’s eyes scanned the texts in front of her.
Her eyes widened, her mouth round, “I did mention it—” she chuckled sweetly, “—in a text.”
“You mentioned it again when we saw each other on the back stage,” Jennifer insisted.
Her slender arms crossed over her full chest, “Now, can the three of us head to this restaurant?”
Noah couldn’t say anything. He was definitely caught off guard. Earlier, he had been thinking of escaping by saying his goodbye. And now, his fear of what was happening was now escalating into a much worse situation. Like frozen water, Noah was silent, his mouth unmoving.
“What say you?” Jennifer asked as she peered on Noah’s face, “let’s go?”
This woman—she was wicked. Kind of charming enough that Noah wants to ask her out to get to know more about her. Although they were in a weird situation. If he agreed, he’s about to spend time with the person who rejected him, and also with some random actress that seemed all the more interested in knowing him.
Should he refuse? Would that be too rude in doing so?
“Come on,” Jennifer repeated. Her slender hands slid on Noah’s, her full chest grazing his side.
Noah didn’t mind it. But what worried him is how Diana would take in what’s unfolding ahead of her.
After all this time of moving forward, Noah realized that he still care about Diana. And it was a tragedy he can never look back to.
Noah slowly nodded—his head moved once, and Jennifer’s face lit up like the stars.
Her eyes smiled whenever she grinned cheekily. Noah was mesmerized by it. He can’t help but compare her to Diana. The end note wasn’t something he expected.
As he gazed across a clinging Jennifer, Diana had a glad smile on her face. Noah’s heart squeezed tight. He’s not sure if the face she’s showing him right now was something he would like to understand—he couldn’t understand her. She’s that mathematical equation he would struggle solving no matter how much he tries.
The relief she displayed made him want to lengthen the distance they had with each other.
Noah and Jennifer walked ahead, her hand wrapped around his biceps as they headed down the road. With that, Noah fought the urge to look behind him. He was still curious whether Diana was following them or not. He didn’t need to check on the woman as Jennifer angled her head to have a good look behind them. She talked for Diana most of the time. She asks directions, what streets should they cross, what were the signs, the stores they would come across—she talked alot, and Noah didn’t mind that it grew on him. Atleast she kept him sane. He was occupied with accompanying her throughout their entire walk toward the restaurant.
“Here,” Diana softly said. “We’re here.”
“Perfect, then!” Jennifer cheerfully said as her grip on Noah tightened from the excitement.
- Writer
