Almost but not Quite

Chapter 2

I was awaken by the very loud alarm on my phone. I was too tired to even move a finger after the long haul flight.

I decided not to answer whoever is calling and went back to sleep. But it just won't quit ringing.

I grumpily picked up the phone without even looking at the caller ID.

"This better be important whoever you are." I firmly said while my eyes still closed. I heard someone chuckle on the other line. 

"Well, hello to you too babe!" It's Philip whose bugging me this early. There's no one else who calls me that. I got used to it already. Good thing his girl friend is also my female best friend.

"I called you to ask where you are at? Have you forgotten about our meeting?"

"Holy Crap! What time is it? I just woke up. Give me 30 minutes. I'll be there as soon as I can." I hurriedly went to the bathroom while still on the phone.

"You still have 3 hours babe. No need to rush." then I heard him laughing his ass out. I went to check on the clock and it's still god damn 6AM.

"Oh. F YOU!" I yelled at him. He really knows how to piss me off. 

"Sure! When?" he began laughing again. Can he just die this instant? Why am I even friends with this i***t.

"No thanks A*hole."

"See you later babe. Don't be late." Did he just hang up on me after waking me up this early. Urgh that man.

Since I cannot sleep anymore, I just decided to take a bath and do my morning rituals. 

Since it's still too early, I decided to jog at Pfingstweid Park.

I decided to take a rest at one of the benches after a few rounds. I was tying my shoe laces when I saw a pair of shoes stopped beside me. I looked up only to see the heaven sent male specie offering me a bottle of water.

I cleared my throat and accepted it.

"Thanks. Where's Ell?" trying to create a topic. He sat beside me and said.

"She's with my mom. They went somewhere."

"Oh. I thought there's only the two of you having a vacation here?"

"Well yes. My mom is based here with her family."

"I see. Anyway, thanks for this. I have to go. I have to be on a meeting in a few." i was about to leave when he held my arm that made me stop.

"Wait! Uhm. Can I invite you to go out sometime? Uhm just a friendly date." he said while scratching his nape.

"Well, I -- uhm -- I dunno what to say."

"Please. I just really wanted to make it up to you for saving Elli a couple of times already."

"You don't need to. But anyway, sure. Let's hang out sometime."

"Yes!" He even jumped and threw a punch in the air. As if a boy, who got a yes from the girl he's courting. I chuckled at the thought.

"Just send me a text whenever. i really need to get going."

"Okay see you."

I just waved at him and left.

I drove my Lykan Hypersport on my way to Restaurant Sein.

This is where I am going to meet Philip and the team for the upcoming project. The food here is really the best plus the ambiance is an excellent location for business meetings.

I handed my keys to the valet and went directly to the restaurant.

"Good morning madame. It's nice to see you here again. Mr. Young is already at the VIP lounge." 

People from here knows me already because we are a regular patron. I just gave the server a small smile and went immediately to our favorite spot. I can already see Philip grinning like a mad man looking at my direction.

"Nǐ yěyǒu yītiān" (You'll have a day too.) I whispered on his ears as he kiss me on my cheeks. He just gave me a peace sign and pulled a chair for me.

Harley, Steven and Monica are already here. Seems like they were just waiting for me.

"Just on time." Harley gave me a friendly hug. So as Steven and Monica. They are not just my long time business partners but also my good friends. 

However, Philip and I are just very close because both of us are Filipinos and we share the same hobbies and interests. He always teases me that I am like one of the boys because I love to play basketball and target shooting. We always spend time together with her fiance doing those sports. 

It was actually me who forced Gabriella, Philips fiance to try target shooting. She was my college buddy and I was kinda their match maker. (wink)

Plus, my office building in Cebu is just right next to Philip's. It was very easy for me to match make the two. But sometimes, I felt like it wasn't a good idea shipping my two best friends because most of the time, they collaborate on match making me. They set me up for blind dates years after my husband died. I know that they just wants me to be happy. But I believe that the right man will come at the right time.

The meeting was too tiring. We had to fix the financial budget, the project schedules, bidding, and so on and so forth.

Harley, Monica and Steven, left ahead. Philip and I decided to have a few wine first and enjoy the view. Time flew so quickly that we didn't realize it was already 8 in the evening.

"Shall I get the bill?" Philip asked.

"Yes let's settle it and leave. I need to rest more because someone woke me up too early." rolling my eyes heavenwards at him. He just chuckled and called the server.

Philip took my things and assisted me while on our way out. His hands at the small of my back.  We were at the door when I saw Jake on his way in. I was about to step back but it's already too late because he already saw me.

I saw him look at me and then to Philip, down to Philip's hand. I don't know why but I suddenly felt nervous thinking that Philip is holding me at my waist.

"Kait, I didn't expect to see you here." He said still looking at Philip's hands on my waist. I can see a flinch of anger and jealousy in his eyes that quickly faded. Or maybe it was just my imagination.

"Yeah. I--Uhm_-" I stuttered. His forehead knotted as if he's waiting for my answer. Damn. Why does it felt like I'm a cheating girlfriend when in fact, I just recently knew him.

"Mind introducing him to me babe?" Philip cut me off. I felt my palms sweating at that. Damn Philip. You really know what to say. Insert sarcasm here.

I cleared my throat 

"Uhm. Philip. This is Jake, a friend and Jake, this is Philip, my business partner and --'

"His boyfriend. Nice to meet you." He cut me off again while extending his hand to Jake. Jake did not take it immediately. His forehead knotted even more as he stared at Philip. It's like they're having a staring contest with lightning bolts in between their eyes. Guys and their competition.

I cleared my throat again. Jake took Philips hand and gripped it tightly. I can seriously see his knuckles whiten. I held both of their hands to make them stop to whatever argument they have that only them could understand.

"Uhm Jake, he means he's my boy best friend. Well, go ahead." I said without looking back, pulling Philip's hand and dragging him out of the resto.

I just heard Philip bursting out laughing. 

"You should have seen his face." he said while holding his stomach. I slapped his chest and glared at him.

"What the hell were you thinking back there? Do you happen to know him that I ain't aware of?"

"That man is seriously into you babe. No doubt. 100%"

"What are you talking about?"

"Just wait and see. And yes. I knew him. Who wouldn't know Jake Elliot of JE Holdings? Tsk."

I can see that this man is up to something. 

"I really am going to kill you you when I have a chance."

"I love you too babe." he said while still laughing.

"ha-ha-ha. I hope you just choke there." 

He escorted me to my car and closed the door for me after I went in.

Before I left, I heard him talking to someone on his phone. "I think this time, it's going to be mission accomplished."