Days had passed since our last talk. Consequently, I had been out of sorts for several days now. I thought the relation between us was going smoothly, the kind where I wouldn't get irritated like this with him anymore. And to think that it happened again makes my blood boil. I know that it is my fault, but he doesn't have to react that way! He could have been more gentle and considerate, but knowing him, I know there is no such side to him.
I wiped my sweat using the small towel draped casually over my shoulder. I am exercising now at a gym near the condo. I found out that moving, or rather exercising, helps with thinking and calming down. So here I am now, running on one of the machines here. I think this one is called a treadmill.
I was drinking from my tumbler when I spotted a familiar figure entering the gym. I almost choked on what I saw. The cousins entered first, talking to each other and seemingly not noticing my presence yet. The two friends of the person I'm currently annoyed with followed, so I couldn't help but look behind them to see if their other friend was with them. Upon seeing no one, it felt like a thorn was pulled from my lungs, making it that much easier for me to breathe.
"Sera?" Ranzel called out to me when he got close and saw me.
He immediately approached me, followed by his cousin. Ranzel is wearing a dark blue tank top, paired with black running shorts. Stacey, meanwhile, is also in men's style clothing; the only difference is she's wearing a shirt while her bottom is men's gym shorts.
Is she not in the mood to dress like a woman again? She's been wearing men's style for a while these days. And, Stacey also looks handsome whenever that's her style. She's quite something; she's pretty when she's in women's clothes and she's fine when she's in men's. She can pull off both genders.
"Hey," I greeted Ranzel when he finally got close.
"You're here too? Why didn't you say you were going to workout today?" Stacey asked me after putting her things down on one of the long benches there.
"It was just sudden," I answered her question.
"Never mind. Your body is already good anyway, so no need to work on it too much," Stacey uttered with a shrug.
I looked at my own body. I am wearing a neon green sports bra and high-waisted black gym leggings. I don't think my body is that good; Stacey is just really too kind to compliment my body.
"Have you been here long?" Ranzel asked after he also put his things down.
"Nope, I just practically got here too. I'm already sweaty because I used the treadmill." I pointed at the machine I had just used.
"Stephen," a familiar voice called out.
I turned around in confusion because I knew it was Rafa who called that name. How does she know that is Stacey's real name? And why was my friend's reaction like this? She stiffened as soon as she heard her voice. Axel and Ranzel weren't speaking either, weighing what Stacey's reaction would be. Her cousin is confused about the other guy, seemingly trying to remember where he had seen the people in front of us before.
"What? Don't you remember me again? Should I kiss you again to jog your memory?" Rafa uttered with a smirk as she walked closer.
She smiled at me while Axel just nodded at me. Rafa's wearing a sports bra, so the shape of her body is very visible, which is voluptuous. I suddenly became conscious of my own body, so I immediately averted my gaze.
But wait, what did she say?
Ranzel sighed while holding his forehead before speaking, "This is why you seem familiar; you're the one my cousin was kissing at the bar before, right?"
If I remember correctly, Felisse did say before that she had someone she kissed at the bar. That's why Felisse and Stacey had a small fight the next morning. Stacey was saying she wouldn't do things that she knew were impossible for her to do.
"Bingo! You're one of the people who pulled her away then, so we were stopped, right?" Rafa pointed at Ranzel while her smirk wouldn't fade. "Your name?" Rafa added.
"Ranzel, Stephen's cousin," Ranzel smirked at his cousin, whose forehead was already creased, seemingly irritated by what her cousin was saying and doing. "And yours?"
"Rafaela, but you should just call me Rafa. Your cousin prefers that he's the only one to call me by my whole name."
Ranzel nudged his cousin, so his own cousin irritably nudged him back. My friend's eyebrows were almost meeting because of how piqued she was by the current events. She turned her back on us and immediately approached one of the male gym instructors there.
"Seriously? Cheating right in front of me, Stephen?" Rafa whispered with an annoyed voice. She crossed her arms in front of us while her lips pouted.
"Is this why you wanted to go to the gym today, Rafa?" Axel asked his friend with a sigh, probably to change the topic.
We were all looking at Stacey, who was now smiling while seemingly laughing with the male gym instructor. It looks like Stacey knows him too. By the looks of it, if you did not know Stacey's sexual orientation, you wouldn't know that she's into men too. Is just that she's not dressing like the girls, but she preferred to be called as one. Like calling her Stacey rather that Stephen and to dress manly.
"Of course not! I just wanted to work on my body! I didn't expect to see our future sister-in-law and my old fling here!" Rafa shouted. She emphasized the last four words while facing Stacey's direction.
I saw how my friend's forehead creased, so she immediately returned to our spot. I thought she would approach Rafa, but she bypassed her toward me. Rafa's smile faded as soon as my friend walked past her.
Old fling? I didn't know that. Since when did they have that connection? And besides, if it was just a fling, why is my friend treating her former interest this way? Rafa is like air to her, as if they had no history together.
"Future sister-in-law?" my two friends asked Rafa at the same time when Stacey reached our spot.
"Yes, our future sister-in-law. She's marrying our brother," Rafa smiled again when Stacey's attention shifted to her. She even slightly jumped and clapped because of her joy in what she was saying.
Rafa approached and immediately held my friend's arm. Stacey irritably brushed it off, which caused her cousin to suddenly burst into laughter. Ranzel moved to my side before placing his arm on my shoulder.
My sight immediately noticed Axel's staring, so I felt something uneasy about it. Especially when he looked at his phone and seemed to type something there.
"Brother? I didn't know you had a brother," Stacey uttered with a frown. "And who are you referring to as sister-in-law?"
"My sister Serafina! Is there anyone else? If you're the one I'm talking about, I'd call you 'husband,' not 'in-law,'" she smirked teasingly at my friend. Rafa keeps pushing Stacey's buttons, but it seems my friend isn't going to explode because of it. "And besides, regarding your first question, you'll never know because you never asked. It's not a biological connection anyway, so no worries."
"Enough, Rafa. You're spitting too many things at them. They don't need to know that," Axel scolded while slightly pulling his friend away from us.
Rafa couldn't do anything else there because her own companion was already complaining.
Here they go again with the secrets. I wonder if it concerns their rule? Forbidden to tell the connection they have? Is it also forbidden for me to tell my friends about this? I can't wait to find out all the answers to my questions.
This story keeps giving me headaches by making me think of the answers that I want to obtain. In reality, it's a heartache that I'm noticing. Just like my father's death and his family's revelation. I would rather stay here and go crazy thinking than die because of the pain I feel in my heart.
"Fine-fine. Bye, sis. Bye, cousin." Rafa sweetly smiled at me and Ranzel, while slightly waving at us. "See you next time, babe," she winked at Stacey while giving a kiss in the air.
Stacey shook her head before turning to face me. The emotions she's feeling right now are evident in her eyes. A mix of irritation and shock was contained there.
"What was that, Sera?" Stacey held both my arms to keep me in my spot. Even though I wasn't going to leave or dodge the questions she would throw.
"What part?" I asked to clarify what she wanted to hear.
"The news that they just dropped!" she answered hysterically before letting go of me and putting her hands on her waist. "Considering she said the one marrying you isn't blood-related, maybe she's referring to her friend, right?"
"It's for personal purposes, Stacey," I answered back.
How am I going to tell them my situation? Even I don't know what's happening, so how can I tell them? Even the things that are basic to know, I don't know. The only thing I can let them know is the truth that I am getting married.
"Naturally! Getting married is for personal purposes!" Stacey whispered emphatically to me because many people were already looking at us. So my eyes landed in the direction where Rafa and the others were.
Axel is lifting weights while lying down, while Rafa is stretching and ready to go to one of the machines there.
"Stacey, let her explain first." Ranzel put his arm around me again while his other arm was around his cousin. "Go on, Sera," he added.
"I don't think I can tell you yet. Maybe after the wedding?" I answered them troubled. Because I really don't know what to answer until I get the answers I want to know.
"What?! That's a load of bull, Sera! Why?!" Stacey whispered emphatically again after breaking free from her own cousin's arm.
I sighed and went straight to where the yoga mats were stored. Because I'll only do a simple workout today.
"I don't think they'll let me tell you about it right now," I uttered while unrolling a purple yoga mat. I laid it down and didn't look at my friends anymore. If my sight also focuses on them, I won't finish anything inside this gym.
"Are you sure what kind of thing you're entering right now, Serafina?" Ranzel asked worriedly. I saw in the mirror in front of me his concern, so I smiled at him before answering.
"I'm not sure for now either."
"Look at that!" Stacey pointed at me, before her cousin handed her water. She took it and drank, even though she hadn't started exercising yet. "Do you know that he lost his case against Mayor Andres? It was rumored that he did it on purpose! So for sure, he's facing a lot of death threats right now! Even more than before!"
He purposely lost the case? I know it's for the betterment of the city, especially for those affected by that case. But, will he be okay? Are the ones who attacked us that night at the restaurant part of that? Just recently, news was everywhere about him being the lawyer for the accused. And now, I find out the case is over and he lost it?
What is really going on?
The topic keeps running in circles while we exercise. Me doing my simple workouts on this tiny yoga mat, while the two of them are lifting weights or doing some leg exercises using the machines inside the gym. Stacey wouldn't stop asking why the connection between me and Perseus ended up like that while Ranzel was opposed to the upcoming marriage.
"You're doing your squats wrong, Sera." He looked down at me while carrying iron weights.
"How should it be?" I asked, not leaving the position I was doing.
"Here, let me help you." Ranzel stood up after lifting the iron weights there. "You should put the pressure on your glutes." He gave a light tap on the part he was referring to when he got close and positioned himself at my side, mimicking my body's position. I immediately stood up and slightly stepped forward to give us space.
"Oh, sorry, did that make you uncomfortable?" he asked innocently.
I couldn't tell him directly that yes, because maybe he didn't intend to make me feel that way. "Don't mind it. I just stepped forward to get a better position," I made an excuse.
"Ms. Dela Merced. Perseus keeps contacting you, don't you receive his texts and calls?" a man uttered behind us.
I was surprised when I saw Axel there with a phone in his hand. He was just looking coldly while waiting for my answer. Never have I seen him show any other expression besides his blank face. Always empty.
"Ah! No. I've been busy so I haven't looked at my phone yet," I answered him.
He nodded before preparing to turn back again, "Alright. Just make sure to call him back or just reply to one of his texts."
The cousins looked at me after Axel dropped those words and left. Those eyes had a mix of judgment and worry. I thought Stacey liked Perseus for me? Where is my friend who was constantly teasing whenever Perseus was mentioned?
"I think your fiancé is having his two friends watch over you," Stacey said seriously while wiping her face.
"Where? By your old fling and Axel?" I asked her pretentiously.
And because of my question, Stacey went quiet and turned away to go straight to the showers to change clothes. We had been here exercising for several hours already.
I went straight to my things while Ranzel beside me was already drinking water. I was wiping my chest and face while taking my phone to look at what Axel was referring to earlier. My eyes widened when I saw that there were two missed calls and three unread messages sent by Perseus.
I thought we were fighting and he hates me?
From Atty. Perseus Villamor: Where are you? Can we meet up? We need to talk.
From Atty. Perseus Villamor: Never mind, Axel already told me. Want me to fetch you?
Are they really reporting to him? Is this what Axel typed earlier? Or did I just happen to see him pressing his phone? I can't imagine Stacey's face when she finds out she's right.
From Atty. Perseus Villamor: Oh, come on. You're with that kid again?
I couldn't help but laugh slightly at the last message he sent. He's still at it, huh? Calling Ranzel a kid. I bit my lip while typing my message back because I was holding back my laughter or my smile because of his message. What's with him? So moody. I told him he could fetch me. Of course, I didn't show that we were fine right away. I still haven't forgotten his words that night. And the expressions he gave me, it was cold.
Good thing I know how to show gratitude.
"Do you plan on going somewhere? I can drive you there," Ranzel offered when the three of us gathered in front of the gym.
They assumed I was going somewhere because I was fixed up. My hair is tied in a high ponytail, paired with a loose shirt tied at the side for my top. While my bottom is a new pair of black gym leggings. The cousins also noticed I didn't bring my car again, so he offered.
"No need. I can handle myself," I declined his offer.
Should I tell them I'm meeting Perseus and he's fetching me right now? It might be perceived differently by the two of them again and Stacey would shower me with questions. Which I don't want to do right now because we're outside.
"You should call your fiancé, tell him to fetch you here."
I turned toward that and saw Axel was the one who suggested it. This guy, sometimes it's surprising because he just pops up. He's too silent compared to his friend. Perseus is quiet but not as quiet as this one.
"Why would you make her do that, Axel, if Perseus is already here?" Rafa added to what her friend said.
We all looked at a black car with a Mustang logo. He swiftly parked his car in front of us. The window on my side rolled down, so I leaned down to look at the one driving.
He's wearing a usual white polo shirt, so it's tight again on his arms and his expensive watch is very prominent on his wrist. It's the weekend today, so he's not wearing work clothes; it's his day off.
"Mr. P! Give me a ride too!" Rafa uttered when she stood beside me. Her face was almost touching my cheek because she leaned down too.
Perseus looked at his own friend with a frown before answering, "Didn't you come here with Axel?" he asked grumpily.
"I did, but it would be better if with you—" Rafa smiled but immediately frowned because her statement was cut off.
"You're just going to be a third wheel," Stacey whispered at her side.
Rafa looked at her with smiles on her lips again. Stacey just stood there, while her right brow was raised. Seemingly puzzled why Rafa was looking and smiling at her.
"Why, babe? Want me to ride with you?" Rafa asked the person she was looking at sweetly.
Stacey sighed first before crossing her arms and looking away, "I'll just ride with my cousin," she uttered before also peeking into the car in front of us. "Good afternoon, Atty. Take care of my friend," she added to dismiss her conversation with Rafa.
"Good afternoon to you too, and yes I will," Perseus answered my friend formally.
When Perseus's eyes shifted to the area behind us, he looked at Ranzel who was leaving and going to the parking lot to get the parked car. I didn't notice that almost all of us were watching him walk away. Because he didn't say goodbye properly.
"Mr. P," Rafa pleaded pretend-style to Perseus after recovering from watching the man who just left.
"Stop with the talk, Rafa," Perseus stretched his eyebrow before gesturing for me to get into the car.
Without a word, I immediately did what he wanted. What is it with this man that everything he wants, I do willingly? Even marrying him is just fine with me. Even with no feelings involved. It's okay.
Perseus assisted me inside and also helped me put on the seatbelt. I could feel with our every move that the three were watching us. That's why my hands are getting sweaty!
"Why not?! I know it's okay with Sera for me to be with you!" Rafa pouted as her excuse to her friend. She even stomped her feet where she stood.
I didn't know how to react because Rafa seemed to be asking me for help, just to come along. I don't even know where we're going, so I'm not sure if it's okay with Perseus to bring one of his friends.
Stacey's look at Rafa didn't escape my sight either. She's observing every move she made. Even her frowning, she was looking at it closely.
I thought they were just old flings?
"Your sweat is disgusting, you'll smell in the car." Perseus.
"Aww, you have PMS again, Mr—" Axel suddenly covered Rafa's mouth, so she immediately struggled at his side.
I saw Stacey holding back a laugh beside them before looking at the car that was also coming toward our spot. Stacey signaled to me that she was going to her cousin's car. I just nodded and waved to say she could head there.
"I'll take care of her, Perseus. You can go with Ms. Dela Merced."
Perseus just nodded before preparing to pull out onto the road. Before we could leave, Ranzel's car stopped beside Perseus's car. At first, I thought Stacey had something to say to us when she rolled down the window, but to my great surprise, the two driving the cars just nodded at each other.
When we finally pulled out toward the road, no one was talking between us. It seemed like we were both gauging how to approach each other. How could the situation not be like this? Our last talk, we even fought.
During the whole trip, we didn't talk. No one dared to break the thin ice of silence between us. Because what I feel at this hour is nervousness for what will happen in the coming hours with him, and annoyance for the person I'm with. Just because I went with him now doesn't mean we're fine already. No.
"How's your workout?" He glanced at me when we were walking toward an elevator.
I don't know what building we are in right now. I'm too trapped in my own thoughts. Even the content of his thoughts, I want to know. Is he going to act like nothing happened?
"Just fine," I ended our conversation.
After that, he didn't immediately follow up with an answer. He waited for us to enter the elevator and pressed the floor where we would get off. I just stood behind him because I didn't want to stand beside him either, at least here in this small space.
"Are you okay with this setup?" he asked with his hands in his pockets.
Is he talking about how we stand inside this lift? Is this not okay with him?
"What setup?" I asked for confirmation.
"About being tied to me," he uttered while looking up and watching the numbers rising at the top part of the elevator.
I can't see his face, since the elevator we're in now isn't like the one in the condo. All I can see and look at now is his broad back. So it made it even harder for me to read him.
"If that's the only way you have thought of, I don't have any objections about it." I averted my gaze even though his back was toward me.
It was true. Even if I feel my heart, my heart doesn't seem to oppose. It only feels light. The only thing my mind can't get rid of is the thought that he's okay doing this. He doesn't date but he does marry?
"Mmm," he sounded before shifting his weight to his right thigh. His hands were still in his pockets.
"Is that all you're going to say?" I asked with a frown.
He tilted his head to the left, seemingly puzzled by my question before answering, "Are you expecting more?" he uttered with crossed arms.
Is he not planning to say anything? Am I the only one expecting something here?
"Never mind. I don't want to force you if you're not willing," I stated disappointedly. My hands were playing with each other in front of me. Because I am too disappointed with his words.
Sometimes he catches me off guard because of the words he's saying. But his words that leave me with disappointment also won't go away.
"Look, I'm not going to apologize for the last interaction I had with you," he formally said. Not moving from where he stood. Even his arms didn't move.
"Why? You suddenly kicked me out of your unit. That's offending, Atty. Villamor. In case you didn't know," I uttered when I could no longer stop myself. I was looking at the floor of the elevator with a frown while my hands were at my sides. Clenched because of annoyance.
I closed my eyelids tightly because of irritation.
That night he was spitting nonsense, saying he wouldn't let any woman sleep on his couch. But it's fine for him to suddenly tell a woman to leave his unit? What kind of logic is that?
"If that bothers you, I'm sorry. I wanted to cool my head off at that time." I opened my eyes and there I saw the pair of feet in front of me. "I didn't want to say any further harsh words to you, so I asked Kiefer to escort you out that day," he added.
I looked up at him to see his expression. "Even so," I insisted.
He's towering over me. He was looking to his side, while his right hand was holding his arm. His free hand he kept in his pocket. His eyebrows were twitching, seemingly keeping them from meeting.
"I acted that way because I care, okay?" he uttered, still looking away.
I couldn't answer. So this is how he cares in his own way. Even if it's not gentle to my eyes, he still tried.
Now that I think about it. I, too, care for him. My worry was intense when he was grazed by the bullet. How is his wound? Wouldn't it be better for him to stay inside his unit for now and rest? That shooting just happened recently, and the wound from a bullet graze doesn't heal instantly. That cut isn't even shallow. It's deep.
We arrived at an office. Perseus let me enter first because he said he still had someone to talk to on his phone. So when I entered, I encountered a woman I didn't expect to be there.
"Penelope?" I called out because her back was toward me.
It seemed she was organizing some papers on the table there. So when she turned and approached me, my eyes immediately spotted the name posted on the table.
Atty. Perseus Matheo Villamor.
So, this is his office? Why is Penelope here?
"Sera, have you and Attorney settled things?" she smiled at me before tapping the papers she held on a small table in the room.
She's working here? I didn't know. She didn't tell me either. Although, Perseus gave me a hint already.
"How did you know that we're not okay?" I asked awkwardly before sitting down.
Does that mean, during the weeks and days we weren't talking, he was talking to Penelope? Why not to his friends? That would be better since they are his friends. And also, he's giving thought to what happened last time? It bothers him too?
"His grumpiness in the office has been excessive for several days. I figured that something is off," she reasoned while already looking at something on the square gadget in her hands.
"What are you saying, it doesn't mean that we're fighting, maybe it's for another reason," I uttered.
I was right anyway; her conclusion doesn't sit right. He might be stressed out by his obligations, like his work and such.
"But my hunch is right, though? So, you guys settled it already?" she asked while her eyes remained on the thing she held.
She looks so busy. That's why I'm not comfortable talking to her because I might just be bothering her work.
"Uh yes, he says he's sorry," I answered.
"Really? Well that's a first. I never heard him saying that. He doesn't apologize to anyone." At this point she looked at me, while her smiles were still there.
Right, they think that I like him. They don't know that it's an 'Ensley' who has those feelings. Not me.
And what did she say? Perseus doesn't apologize? Just, what kind of a person is he? Almost all the people around us look up to him. Like someone who is high and above us. It's not far-fetched either because I noticed that when he speaks, it's always like an order. Like a boss giving instructions to his employees.
The office door opened and out came two people. Perseus and a woman I don't know. She's looking at him even though his back was toward her. What's with her?
"Nova, this is the woman I'm talking about." Perseus presented me after entering his office. He positioned himself at my side before crossing his arms and looking at me.
A woman wearing a nude-colored casual dress approached us. The bottom part of her dress is tight, while the top part is the same. I think she's three or more years older than me.
"Hello, I'm Nova Perez and I'll be your wedding organizer and planner," she smiled at me before offering a hand. As she did that, her eyes were shifting between me and the man beside me.
A wedding organizer? Why? When does this man plan to get married?