Foretold by the stars

FBTS 2

1 Month later.

July 15,2021. 4:49 pm

Market Mall, Taguig City.

I am sitting in a bench not far from the fast food chain where Anika and I ate a while ago. She's waiting impatiently with her I don't know? Fling?

Well, I'm sure he's not her boyfriend yet because if he is, she would've told me and Jen about it. We don't keep secrets from each other. That's like our golden rule.

It's just me today and Anika because Jen is out with Dominic. I should be home by now but Niks asked me to accompany her here.

"What's taking him so long?" Anika asked. She's getting bored.

I looked at her while sipping my milktea.

"Chill. Just you wait, okay?Maybe he's still busy."

"You think something bad happened?—"

"Shush! Don't say that."

She stayed quiet and sat beside me.

"By the way Niks, what's inside that bag? I noticed that you've been bringing that the whole day."

"Oh This?" She looked at the yellow paper bag.

"Gift. I asked my parents to buy this hoodie the last time they went to Baguio. I'm going to give it to him—Hey! stop giving me that look!"

I laughed at her.

"What?"

"Tss It doesn't cost not much. And I used my personal money for this. Look..." she explained.

She's got a gift for him again. I don't know if there's any occasion but her giving gifts to a guy she likes is not new. She always does that even before when we're still students. I don't have to mind. I guess it's her love language.

She handed me the paper bag and inside it is a red crewneck sweater with a big Baguio City printed on it.

I looked at Anika and grinned at her. I can't with this girl. I wonder how much this sweater costs.

"I like Aivan, okay?"

"I didn't say anything." I just shrugged my shoulder. She's being so defensive.

I am not judging her. Actually, at some point, I can relate to her. Women sometimes do crazy things for the guy they like. I don't know about the others but things like this is already crazy enough to me.

I'm not saying it's bad giving gifts (be it expensive or not) to men just to please them. I'm sure, the happiness they can feel just by seeing their guy happy with what they gave is a rewarding feeling, right? I think it's so fulfilling.

Or maybe it depends on the

person.

Unlike Anika, i don't really like spending money over a guy.

I invest in myself more. Like i shopped whenever i'm going to meet him.

I'm not really into buying dresses, bags or even shoes like most girls i know but whenever i meet him, i make sure to use new things just to impress him. So that i can look presentable. I don't know. Maybe I like him too much that I want to leave him with a nice impression of me. Like on my normal days, I don't even mind if have an earring or any jewellery. But whenever he and I meet-up, i make sure to look nice and well groomed. I even join Anika and Jen on their selfcare day to the salon which they find really odd.

I rarely buy things for my appearance because usually i spend my money on buying books and merchs of my favourite bands and authors. Thinking about that now makes me question myself why I wouldn't mind being short on my budget as long as i will look presentable to him.

So at some point, I can relate to Anika. She doesn't have to be defensive. It's not bad giving gifts.

"What's taking him so long? He knows I don't like waiting."

She said annoyed.

"Should we go home?"

"Let's wait a bit more. Maybe he's coming here now." I told her.

So we waited for a little more. Aivan, who looks like he's joined a marathon came rushing towards our direction. Just by looking at him, i can tell that he really tried to get here faster.

"I'm sorry I'm so late."

"Nope. Not. It's been only about an hour?" Anika said sweetly while looking at her wristwatch.

I looked away at the sight of my friend being so childish. She's always like this. Very easy going but also ill-tempered. She can easily like a guy and if she's got hots on someone, she'll really put an effort for him to notice her. I just don't know where she gets the guts to confess her feelings first. I hope everyone can do that!

"Sorry. I had to do some revisions before i can leave the office. I have to submit them later." Aivan said.

"I still have work."

"You still have to do OT?"Anika is disappointed.

He nodded. Not minding her tone.

"Sorry. I won't be able to send you home tonight."

"No, it's okay." Anika smiled as if she's pleased.

"I understand that you're busy with work."

Anika looked at me warningly as i silently laughed at her.

Girls, sometimes also lie just for the sake of the guy they like.

Aivan, well i can say is a good looking guy. Just as Anika's type. He has a hooded pair of eyes and a thin lips. He is tall also.

I don't really know how to properly describe his hairstyle but he's got curly hair and every time i look at him, he reminds me of a cute monster from a Chinese movie I watched recently. He reminds me of Wuba or r****h as they call the cute baby monster from the movie only that Aivan is tanned. He's also got big square thick frame clear lenses.

Jen and I knew him first before Anika. He's a game designer and a friend of Dominic. His office is located in the same building as ours. I just don't know which floor.

Anika, Jennifer and I are working now in the same company.

We're all working as HR staff in a construction firm. Doms working in the same company with us too. He's an engineer and he's deployed in our ArcSouth Project. But he rarely goes to our main office here in Taguig.

"I should leave you guys for a bit. Niks..." i called for my friend.

"...I'll just be inside NBS. Call me when you two are done talking, 'kay?"

I glanced at Aivan to acknowledged his presence before I left the two.

I should give them privacy.

Meanwhile, while I'm still here I should grab the chance to look again for my favourite author's newly published book. She's released a new series again. I should look for it now while Anika's busy. I'm just hoping that they have it their branch here.

I get excited whenever I'm inside a bookstore. It's like my safe haven. I just love the smell of books. It relaxes me.

I hurriedly went to the section where my favourite genres are. I carefully scanned every book making sure not to miss the book I'm looking for.

After I think about an eternity, I'm so glad that i get to see the book I've been struggling to look for days now. The author is always in demand and the story is a hot topic today so i guess her book's already running out of stock. Well, it always happen whenever she releases a book.

"Yes! Heartless!" I chirped happily.

I was about to get it when a pale-looking hand grab it the same time with me. I was so shocked and was about to argue with whoever holds it but my attention was quickly drawn to the people near the counter because they are so loud!

But that is not the reason why I'm hooked staring at them.

Suddenly, I felt like my body became numb.

For a minute there, I forgot that I was about to argue with whoever holding the book.

There stood Jace Josef Edward, the guy I like for over 5 years now. Busy with his phone. His companions are so loud and he's the only one quiet among them.

He was about to look my way when i turned my back at him. I don't know what to do. I don't even know if I'm still breathing fine.

"Are you going to get this book too? Sorry. Maybe you can ask the staffs if they still have another copy of this book." She said shyly. She looked familiar to me.

"My friend said it is a good book—Wait! JJ!" She calls.

That's when it dawned on me.

She looked familiar because I've seen her before. On Insta.

I'm not really sure of what is my reaction right now. I don't really know. I feel like I'm about to throw up and faint any seconds now. Especially when she called him.

What are the odds that this girl in front of me right now...is his...is his...

I couldn't move. I couldn't think.

I was able to stare at the girl in front of me not knowing what to say. She's holding the book in her chest while looking at me weirdly. I can't blame her though.

I'm frozen into place.

"Where have you been? Come on! We should get going before it rains."

Said by the voice I always longed to hear. But right now, he's behind me.

"Wait a sec." The girl glanced at me again.

"Are you okay?"

I just looked at her. Finally coming to my senses now. I should move before Jace recognizes me.

I still don't know what to say but i know what I should do now.

All I can think about is run. Or walk away to avoid them. Whatever!

I can look for the book again next time. And maybe not here in Taguig. Right now my thoughts are running wild!

Without looking, i walked passed them. Hiding my face so that Jace won't recognize me.

I was about to pass the exit door when the loud group from earlier walked beside me too. And maybe luck is playing on me today because of all people that i would bumped myself into, its Lucas freaking Hale's chest i smashed my head into. He dropped his paper bags with heavy and thick books on the floor. I even saw Heartless in there. If it's a different scenario and with a different person, i would've help him pick up his things. But not now. I can't afford to see any of them today. My priority is to leave.

He looked shocked as i was when he recognized me.

I can't walk right now. I have to run and hide. I have to hurry. I don't want Jace to find out that I'm here. About to pick the same book with his girlfriend.

"Snob girl! Doesn't even help you pick up your books." said one of the guys.

"There's called manners!" Shouted by a girl from the group..

"Shut it, Wendy!"

Lucas said before i can finally run back outside.