Beautiful and Better (ENGLISH)

Five

I woke up with a bouquet beside me. I was hoping that it was from my boyfriend. Yeah, boyfriend, because I already accept him as the best person in my life lately. Except, of course, from my parents who kept on bugging me to meet that Pendleton something. 

“Do I need to call on the Mental now?” I rolled my eyes at Ari. 

I know that she doesn’t like Matthew. But I still told her about us, and I never expected That she’d drop my call. I dropped that the line was cut. But I doubt that because she never calls nor showed up at the house after that call.

“I'm good. I can't believe that after my twenty-four years of existence, someone already appreciates me for what I am and for who I am.” 

“Everybody can appreciate you, mostly your rich enough to be their atm,” I rolled my eyes at her. 

I know, right. I've already done that before. Someone already used that friendship card on me and almost sold me to gain money. If they said so, I should have given them double the amount they asked my parents. 

"Where are we going?" I asked her. 

I was wearing a black off-shoulder top and Raw Hem Boyfriend jeans, and I just paired it with a stiletto. And my hair is loosened and curled on end. 

"We have to attend an art gallery opening. You were invited there, don't you remember?" I thought for a moment before shaking my head. "Sometimes, try to think about your work and things to do, not your man." 

I pouted and checked my phone when I saw Matthew's name. He was asking where I was going and who’s with me. But before I could compose a message for him, my phone was already ringing. 

"Hello, I was typing my response to you. Why?" 

"Which Art gallery are you in?" I just turned to Ari to ask, but she immediately frowned at me. 

"No. That's your Mom's friend. Do you want to toast us alive?" she answered rudely. 

"All right. But I want to see you. Text me if you're already. I'll try to sneak in," he said before dropping the call. 

I also want to see him, so it will be up to him later what will happen. But of course, as much as possible, we don’t want them to catch us. Mommy will tighten up my security even more.

When we arrived at the gallery, so many people were lined up to get in. Is he that popular to have this kind of guest on her first day? I think she is because even on the line to the entrance, they talked about her works. And she is incredible when I see her line of art. 

Ari and I were roaming around the gallery when she suddenly disappeared. I tried to call her, but she's out of reach. So I continue to roam around alone. 

One painting caught my eyes. I think it's a common theme, but there's something in that painting the way I see it. It's a girl sitting on the sea looking at the city light and the sky. I can feel how lonely she is, even if I can't see her face, but I can feel her pain. Does it happen? 

"Is he calling you too?" I turned to someone, suddenly speaking next to me. 

"Excuse me?" 

He smiled and turned to me. "What can you tell about the painting?" he asked once again, looking back at the painting. I was stunned for a moment while looking at it. 

"She's sad. Did you do it?" 

"No, but I like it. There is someone that reminds me of her over and over again," I frowned at him. For a moment that I was looking at his face, it made someone feel familiar.

"Do I know you?" I can't help but ask him. 

"Not sure. But I can introduce myself. Timothy, but you can call me Tim." I accepted his hand and introduced myself, as well. 

"Tallulah, but you can call me--" but before I could finish talking and introduce myself as if he can in a hurry.

"I prefer to call you Lula. Can I?" 

No one else was calling me then. Apart from my friend hence I can no longer remember. 

"Sure .. Lula for change." 

As I talk to him, I feel better. I don't think I want to finish our conversation. 

"Tally ..." my face immediately lit up when I saw who called me. When I turned to Tim, he was no longer there.

I wish I could introduce him to Matt. 

"Hi, sugar," Matt greeted me before kissing me on the lips. 

Maybe no one will bother to take a picture of us or stalk us, right? 

"Hi, you're fast." 

"I just went near here. I thought Ari was with you? And who is that man that you’re talking about?" 

When he pulled me away from there, I looked for a moment at that place so I could find Tim. But maybe he left because he suddenly disappeared. 

"Are you looking for something?" 

"I thought I knew someone standing there. But I think she’s not,” I reasoned out. 

Matthew and I have been in a relationship for a week. And it looks like my decision was right because I was thrilled with him. We toured the entire Art gallery together. But we secretly held hands. Maybe someone will see us. We both have a name that we need to preserve. 

I don't want to ruin him because of me. Because I know when they find out Dad, it's either he loses his career, or they destroy him in person. 

"Are you hungry?" 

"Yes. But I'll call Ari first so I can find--" 

"Don't call her anymore. Let's enjoy the time together. We've been together for a week, but we can’t get out like this." 

I no longer argued with what he wanted because I still wanted to be with him. We just looked for a restaurant there that was a bit hidden, so we didn't get distracted. It is because of my size that everyone will notice me.

"What is that, Matt? It isn't very comfortable. Don't bother feeding me, besides wherein a public place people might look at us," I said shyly. Because when it was just the two of us, he was always feeding me.

"What if they see us? I don't care about them." 

I suddenly felt ashamed of what he was doing. But he was hard-headed and didn't lower his hand that was still pointed at my mouth. I could do nothing but gape and let him feed me. 

These are the things I dream about. I always wished that would have happened to me too. And I know that will never happen to me. So I enjoy watching movies and imagining I am them. 

It is different because the man who will make me happy is right in front of me—the man who will fulfill all my dreams. 

But in all stories, there are villains. And I can only imagine who she was. A skinny woman looks like a giraffe walking towards us.

"I didn't know that the pigs had come out of their den?" Savanna artfully asserted when she stopped in front of our table. 

“I also didn’t know that giraffes were allowed to come out of the zoo?” I answered her while drinking water. 

I was about to stand up when he pushed me back again. Fortunately, the seat was sturdy, and I did not fall. This woman is a witch. 

“Who says you can leave? That doesn’t mean you have someone with you. You think I will let you?” She raised her eyebrows, and at the same time, she flipped her hair that looked like she suffered from alopecia on its thinness. 

“Who are you, Miss? Stop hurting my girlfriend.”

“Girlfriend? Are you serious? Or you're just making us laugh?" 

Savanna and her friends could barely breathe because of what Matthew said. Is it unbelievable that someone would like me? Maybe it's because they have never stopped laughing ever since I was a child. They were like these. 

"Yes. Why don't you have a boyfriend?" Matt answered. But the artistic Savanna just laughed at her. 

"Savanna, right? Can you stop now? We're just having lunch here. I hope if you have nothing to say, it's good for you to leave." I just stared at Matt as to how he was talking to Sav.

Now, as others mock me, I realize our difference.

I will always end up as nobody for them, a nobody who will not bother to make time for them to know.

Whatever I do, I am still the same as before—a loser in everyone's eyes. I clenched my fist as Sav approached and held Matt. 

"Let go of my boyfriend!" 

"Really? Why did you pay him so much? I'm sure I can also give him what you can give," she asked me with a smile. 

"No matter how much I paid him, you don't care," I pushed her away from us. 

"You know why? Because I spend my money, not yours," I said before pulling Matt away. As I walked away, I couldn't help but cry. In tears, I always witness what pain I have been suffering from then until now. 

"Hey, sugar. Don't cry," I just smiled timidly at Matt. 

"I'm going home. I'll look for Ari," I informed him. 

"I'll be with you." 

"No need. Maybe someone will see us again. Just call me," I said goodbye to him before kissing him on the cheek.

I saw Matt look at me, disappointed maybe, but I want to be alone right now. Every time I meet Savanna and her friends, I feel how small and worthless I am in their eyes. That even if time would pass, I will not change.

I felt tired as I sat on a bench I passed by. I reached a park without realizing it. Sometimes it's better that I don't go out and mingle with other people so that I won't bother anyone. My life would still be quiet. 

"Why every time I see you, you're always alone?" I turned to the man sitting next to me. 

"Tim," I was suddenly embarrassed because my voices sounded excited. 

"Nice to see you too, Lula." 

I don’t know if I will laugh at myself or what. But maybe it also happens to others. We have someone new in our lives that we always wanted to see them. Sometimes we wish that they would still be there to listen to us. 

"Are you a stalker, so you always show up wherever I am?" he let out a laugh at what he heard. 

"I'm a very handsome stalker. You don't have a companion, do you?" I just nodded in response to his question. 

He immediately took my hand before pulling me somewhere. I just let him pull me where he wanted. "Where are we going?" I turned to him. But when he looked at me, he just answered me with a smile. 

A smile that makes my heart flutter somehow.

We stopped at a restaurant in the middle of the park. The restaurant spot is beautiful because it is in the middle, and trees surround the plants. He is not hidden but looks hidden because of the trees around. 

"Is this yours?" I asked him. 

"Yup. Come on in." 

If it looks good on the outside, it looks even better on the inside. The entire restaurant is surrounded by greenery. Mexican and English style is the interior of the whole surroundings. 

"Nice." 

The only thing I whispered as I looked around. I look like Mary in the Secret garden. It is fun to watch the vines move every time the wind blows. "I know how you loved the place, but let's eat first. I'm already hungry," he said before pulling me to a chair. 

Many kinds of food were put on the table for the two of us. He said he didn’t know what I wanted. But when I looked at every single plate there, it was all my favorite food. But while we were eating, I could not help but feel guilty for Matthew. I sent him away, but I am here, and with the man I just met besides that, he's not my boyfriend. 

"Eat that ... You always think too deeply. Not everything sometimes needs to be thought about." 

"Why?" 

"Because sometimes when we think about things we forget to be happy. Because we’re just focused on the things in the future." 

"Are you like that too?" I can’t help but ask him. 

"No. Because even if I want to grab the chance to be with the woman I want, I don't want her to get hurt because of me. I will let her choose things that will make her happy." I suddenly felt pain for him. 

"What if she was hurt by what she chose?" He stared at me for a moment before smiling. 

"I can't do anything if she gets hurt. She chose that. But if she needs me, I'm always here to catch her." 

I got home, but I did not forget what Tim said. 

Is this possible? 

We love, but we let them go where they will be happy? Because if I love you, I will fight for you. Even if I lose everything I have. I will not let you go. 

Unless he voluntarily asks me to let him go and let him be happy with someone else.