His and Her Circumstances

Chapter 10 - A fresh beginning - Victoria

Chapter 10 - A fresh beginning - Victoria

Me and my big mouth.

I want the concrete that I am stepping in to open wide and swallow me alive right this moment.

“Come on, Vic. We all know that you are hiding a cute skeleton in your closet. It was so cute that even you can’t hide its cuteness from us. So, just let us take a peek and I assure you that we will be good friends forever and ever.” - Ana

“That is not how friendship works, Ana.” - Vic

“That is exactly how friendship works, Victoria.” - Ana

Ana looks devilish while saying those words to me. She is like a beast playing trick or treat with her next victim. I don’t know how much I spilled, but if I were too drunk last night, then it only means that I only managed to spit out words little by little while slurring inaudible sounds. I'm not proud of the slurring, but at least it helps.

They don’t know the full story yet and it was just a drunk’s rumbling, so playing innocent is still possible for me.

“Silly, Ana. It was just a drunk’s story and nothing else. You are prone to scam if you believe every word of an intoxicated person. I am now worried about your future.” - Vic

“Intoxicated, my ass. Look at this picture and deny more.” - Anthony

Anthony held out his phone and there I saw the picture of a smiling pretty boy sitting beside me. I don’t have to look twice to confirm that it was Nil. The background also seems familiar until I realize it was taken in the same spot I am standing in. What exactly happened last night?

“How? Why?” - Vic

My mouth can’t pick up whatever my mind wants to say. It feels like my drunkenness is back and it is worse than ever.

“I picked him up last night when you mentioned the words young man, neighbor, and alone. Well, he was pretty easy to find and grab. He did not even think much when I said that Victoria was looking for him. What a cute soul!… You know I could eat him alive if I was not taken.” - Anthony

Anthony’s evil grin did not waver as he revealed himself as the culprit of Nil’s presence in the bar. I feel like an i***t for trusting my slurring. How could I forget that these people are evil disguised as my benevolent friends?

“...Though, he kept his mouth shut since he wanted to honor that hot night with you. Ain’t he a loyal, faithful dog? A young man hooked on a heartbroken woman. I wouldn’t be shocked if you would suddenly announce that you are going steady with him next time we meet like this.” - Anthony

“So sweet. He is really cute too and completely legal. We can never forget the best part when our beautiful Victoria took his first adult night as well. Why does it sound like church bells are ringing non-stop in my head?” - Ana

“Go have your head checked, Ana. You sure need a psychologist if you are starting to hear auditory illusions.” - Vic

If Ana and Anthony reveal that they are the real siblings of each other here, then I will completely believe them. Third, he is too good and calm to be Ana’s blood brother.

“Have a seat, Vic. A cup of coffee will ease your hangover.” - Third

“Thanks, Third. You are the only angel here. I still can’t believe that you and Ana are blood siblings.” - Vic

“I’m no angel and I was really hurt last night when I learned the truth that your inner self is into young men. Your puppy love for me in the past could only be a simple infatuation for a big brother. I was so lucky that I was already in a relationship at that time since you will surely throw me away after you find a young man.” - Third

A complete silence enshrouded the room as we looked at Third’s back while he was making my coffee. A gentle person getting mad is the scariest thing of all. Though I’m pretty sure that he is only fooling with us right now, and yet the way he delivers those words made the atmosphere chilly for a moment.

“Haha, I’m just joking. Why are you looking at me like that? I’m gay through and through, so a romantic relationship was impossible, to begin with. Most important of all, you are not my type.” - Third

Crack.

I could hear my heart breaking into pieces. What a heartless monster. I almost forgot that Third has a sadistic side that he only shows once in a while. It is completely hopeless to wish that this man would look at me that way from the start.

“Honey, I’m hard thanks to you. Let’s park Vic’s night affairs and just go home for today.” - Anthony

“You horny horse. Bear with it since I want this topic to be discussed now or never. So, Vic, spill it out.” - Third

I am just hoping that these two will stop their flirting in front of me. I bet they had already forgotten that there was a single woman sitting at the same table as them. I seriously want to start a protest right here right now because of their insensitivity.

“Goodness. Just take your flirting back home. Ana even has her own boyfriend, so be merciful with a woman who is suffering like me.” - Vic

“Then spill it out and everything will be over. You are fully aware we won’t stop unless we are satisfied with your answer.” - Third

I was thankful at one point that I had smart friends, but I just want to regret that thought now, since I can’t hide anything from them if they are brainy enough to smell even the tiniest peck of secret that I’m hiding.

“It was just an accident. It happened the same night Lucas dumped me and I got home drunk from this place. I can’t even remember how I met him or how we did it, and I only met him once after that. It was when Anthony mentioned that the i***t couple made claims against me. All I know is his name and his age. That’s all.” - Vic

“So your young prince has impeccable timing? He is your soul mate, Vic! There is no denying it anymore. Hurry up and grab him like a mad woman. You will regret it if this one got away.” - Ana

“The one that got away oh oh oh the one that got away… ♫♪” - Anthony

“Hell yeah, so funny!” - Vic

Should I start a new hobby and just count the times that they will use that mistake to torture me every single day? Well, it’s not like it will be a serious thing and the only damage will be my peaceful life.

“Okay, so happy now? You already know it all so I bet that we are settled on that topic.” - Vic

“Yeah, but keep us updated once you make a move on the boy or if the boy will be itchy enough to jump on you. I, of course, want the latter to happen.” - Ana

“Goodness. Stop that. It was just a mistake and there really is nothing between us. If you have already met him, then you all know by now that he is somewhat a mature child who is also not into commitment or serious relationships.” - Vic

“Yes, ma’am. Well-noted.” - Ana

Our supposed to be heal-the-broken-heart-of-Victoria drinking party ended after they learned what they needed from me. It may sound like I’m criticizing them for being self-centered, but that is just how we express our friendship.

Nobody is perfect and their angst only made them irreplaceable in my life.

* * *

It was already dark when I reached my apartment complex, but the heavy shoulder that I had when I left for work last Monday is now totally gone. Being with people who truly care for you is truly magical.

The elevator door that was about to close was stopped by a white hand with slender fingers. My heart jumped out of my chest thinking that it was a vengeful ghost. I’m a realist, but the terrifying thought of a ghost can’t put me at ease whenever I step into dark places.

The numerous stories of tattletales in this building made me an even worse coward than before. I know that it is just me being paranoid, but my playful mind is not helping me at all. I could be strong if someone would challenge me with litigation, yet I would cower in fear if it is a nonexistent being.

I could feel the fast beating of my heart as the door slowly opened. If being religious will save me from whatever evil spirit is waiting behind those doors, then I swear that I will be a serious devotee right at this moment.

My mischievous imagination voluntarily lifts my right arm and urges me to make the sign of the holy cross. My fingers are already on my forehead when the supposed-to-be-bad spirit showed itself to me.

“Oh, hey..”

“Hey”

The evil spirit that I’m so afraid of is none other than my young neighbor. I feel silly for being so afraid of another person riding an elevator. I slowly breathed deeply as I looked at him pushing the elevator and pushing the closed button.

“Ahm. Sorry for last time. I was being a kid for leaving like that.”

“No worries. That’s completely fine. I’m also at fault that day”

The awkward silence made me wish that a ghost would appeal for real this time. This man is a decade younger than me, but all the words that I learned in life and school are flying out of my brain as I think of the best thing to say to him.

“Oh, yes. I almost forgot. I heard from my friends that they disturbed you last night. I seriously apologize. We are all drunk and they are no longer thinking straight about them picking up someone in the middle of the night just for some fun. This will never happen again.”

“You have good friends.”

“Huh?”

“I think they just want to check if the boy next door is really harmless or whatsoever, and I’m completely fine with it. I saw your drunk face again and it was priceless. That was a fun and adventurous night.”

The calm smiling face of the young man standing right beside me made me believe that the world we are in now is only revolving between the two of us. Whatever I am thinking is a silly thought but it made my heart grow warmer.

“If you want to pay me for all the trouble that you have caused, then there is something that I seriously want right now.”

“Geez, I almost forgot that I would give something to you. Okay, so name it. What do you want? This beautiful old lady will do her best to give it to you, but no s*x or any kinky stuff, okay?”

“Hahaha Busted. Just when I was thinking that I would wish for a steamy night.”

I looked at the young man with eyes that looked as if he was for real. I thought that I had already made it clear that I would never be doing it with him again since the first time was just a drunkard’s mistake.

“Just joking. I’m actually celebrating today, but my mother is not back yet, so I have no one to share this beautiful moment with. Could you be that someone? It's just eating cheap food and nothing else. I promise.”

The young man even raised his right hand and put it on top of his heart as if swearing that nothing but the truth is coming out of his mouth. I find it amazing and cute at the same time. I promise I need to keep my heart in check or else another drinking party will take place in no time.

“So, what are you going to prepare for our little dinner party, Mr. Young Host.”

“A super hot spicy instant ramen and a mini cake from the supermarket where I’m working. I will accept your questions as your RSVP for my party then.”

“That is an odd combination, Sir.”

“But, Ma’am, don’t you think that we are an odd combination as well? It fits us perfectly.”

My laughter did not stop even though we were already out of the elevator.

Too bad, young man. Too bad that you are just a young man.