CHAPTER THREE

“YOU WORRY so much about Gino that you almost forgot about yourself, Ally. You know what? You’re unbelievable. Are you saying that you’d rather end up alone if you won’t end up with him?” Lyneth, her best friend, exclaimed.

Lyneth was a self-published author. Aside from writing, her other passion was eating. There she was actually, munching a popcorn. Ally thought at first that Lyneth brought it just for her. Lyneth ate it instead.

Lyneth came to see her after a week of isolating herself from the world. She personally did all the layout of her manuscripts. Her friend would rather self-publish than give up the copyright of her works to traditional publishers. And Ally was in favor of it, of course. She earned from printing Lyneth’s books. She received complimentary copies, too. It’s not a mystery they became good friends.

“It’s better than forcing myself, right?” she defended and put some popcorn in her mouth.

It had been two days after the incident at the hospital. And she had not seen Gino nor Ghia for two days, too. There her best friend was, either sulking or pouring out his time on performing with his band. When she talked to him, Gino was worried about how to keep Ghia by his side. The jerk was madly in love. And there she was, of course, enduring and keeping the pain to herself. It’s what best friends were supposed to do, anyway.

“`You know what I’m thinking, girl? It’s time to incline your attention to other guys. You need to do that. If you insist on waiting for your handsome best friend who was already in love with someone else, I’m afraid you’ll miss the chance to meet the man who was meant for you. Don’t argue, I have a point.”

“You should write an advice book,” Ally said in a bored tone.

“About love and relationships?”

“No. About fitness.”

“What is your problem with my baby fats? I worked hard for them too, you know!” Lyneth snapped.

“It doesn’t seem to me.” Ally grabbed more popcorn.

“You know what? You should go with me to the opening of Arnold’s new studio,” Lyneth said, changing the topic.

Arnold was a famous photographer and blogger.

“What business do I have there?” she said in a knotted forehead.

“Mingling with other guests, of course! Duh! You need a distraction, Ally. You don’t have to spend the rest of your life waiting for Gino.” Lyneth grinned. “Also, I need new inspiration for my next novel. I’m sure I’m going to find a lot of it at that party. Come with me, okay? I’ll ask your parents.”

“I don’t want to. Gino needed me the most now,” she said stubbornly.

“Gosh. How could you be a killjoy and a masochist at the same time?” Lyneth retorted. “I’m the writer here yet I’m more demanding for social life than you. It’s not that I invite you all the time. Come on, Ally.”

“I’ll think about it,” Ally replied lazily.

Ever since Ally realized she was in love with Gino, she had not looked at other guys. Until Gael.

Ally stopped at the thought. Yes, Gael was an exemption. Despite hating his guts, she could not help admiring his beauty. And whenever he crossed her mind, his image was always clear and vivid. Sometimes, she found herself hitting her head because there was no reason to think of him. They’re not in good terms!

“Don’t think about it. Just say ‘yes’. Don’t dare make any excuses.”

*

“BREAK A leg, dear! I hope one of these days, you’ll finally introduce our would-be son-in-law so that we won’t have to worry about you becoming an old maid. Don’t be shy at the party, okay? You know what to do.” Her Mother Andeng giggled.

In her afternoon radio program My Dear Andeng, her mother gave serious pieces of advice and counseling to her callers and letter-senders. But when it came to Ally, it’s as if she could not wait to give her away. They were three siblings. She was the middle child and the only daughter. Her older brother already had his own family and was working as a hotel manager in Dubai. Their youngest, on the other hand, worked on a cruise ship and had a girlfriend.

But it was not enough reason to rush herself into finding a partner!

“Come on, Ma,” Ally said, suppressing a frown.

“Andeng, don’t be so hard on your daughter,” her father, Domeng, who entered the living room with his coffee, said. “Let the right man find her. Ally is too beautiful to search for a man herself.”

“So you mean to say, you were too handsome back then that I even had to do the first move?” her mother said with eyes in slits.

“Andeng, with all those guys more handsome and richer falling in line to court you, I had accepted the fact that you’ll never notice me.”

Her mother clacked.

“You’re always like that.”

Ally smiled. She kissed her parents' hands.

“I better get going before Lyneth calls our friendship over.”

*

ARNOLD’S new studio was inside a commercial building. Ally became friends with Arnold because of Lyneth. Arnold was the official photographer and designer of Lyneth’s book covers. That’s why they were always invited to Arnold’s every exhibit.

Ally saw luxury cars outside the commercial building while parking. Arnold had pretty good connections. It’s definitely great to be BFFs with a person like him.

*

ALLY stroked her black skirt which she paired with a long-sleeved blouse with lace tied into a ribbon on the neckline. She texted Lyneth when she was going up. When she reached the floor where the studio was, her friend was already waiting for her.

“You dressed simply,” Lyneth remarked with a sour expression after sharing a quick hug.

Ally raised an eyebrow and put her hands on her hips.

“And?”

Lyneth grinned.

“I love it!”

Ally giggled. Lyneth was already telling her about the handsome guests she had talked to tonight. Some of them had already agreed to be the faces of the covers of her books. Ally pretended to have her whole attention with her story. Her interest was already captured by huge displays of photographs on the walls of the studio. They were so beautiful she wanted to take all of them down and bring them home.

“Hey, Arnold!”

“Hello, gals!” Arnold squealed and kissed the two of them. Arnold was gay but still dressed like a man except for the way he talked and his gestures. No wonder he can capture incredible photos because he’s such an artistic person. “What can you say?” he asked.

“Congratulations!” they said.

“Are the photos new? I don’t think I’ve seen them before. They’re all so gorgeous,” Ally said.

“Yes, they’re all new and fresh. I shot all of it when we went to Negros. I loved almost every spot there. Most of the photos were captured in Silay City.”

“Ally, weren’t you always looking forward to seeing The Ruins one day?” Lyneth elbowed her with a grin.

“What about you? When are you gonna be free? I’m just waiting for you to go with me,” she said.

“We made a stop there before we returned to Bacolod. It was evening and everything looked romantic,” Arnold said dreamily. “You can check around. I had a photo of it.”

Ally’s eyes widened.

“Can I bring it home once I find it?” Ally said shamelessly.

“Why, of course you can!” Arnold said laughing and waved a hand. As if he could say ‘no’ to her.

“Arnold, you’re the sweetest! Thank you so much! I’ll see you around.”

“And don’t forget to check out some guys, too!” Lyneth blurted out.

*

WELL, there were a lot of handsome guests Ally saw in the event tonight but no one managed to get a second look from her. Sometimes she wished she was like Lyneth who can appreciate species of Adam. Sadly she used to see only Gino. He was all that she wanted to see. But now, she could not understand what’s with Gael and she found him irresistible.

Gael again! Stop thinking about that beast!

After literally rubbing elbows with the other guests, she finally found The Ruins, almost within her reach. She approached the framed photo with hurried steps, knocking over someone in the process.

“Sorry,” she said without bothering to see who it was. To touch the photo was what mattered to her that very moment.

It had always been her dream to see that historical landmark but she could not find the right timing. She wanted to bring a companion too so she could enjoy the experience even better.

But she stopped when she smelled a familiar scent.

“Who would accept such an apology?”

Ally held her breath when she heard that familiar voice. She turned around and found Gael with a wrinkled forehead, his hands in his pockets, approaching her. Ally blinked. Why did her world seem to stop?

Was he the one she bumped into?

“W-what?” she asked with a stutter.

“I’m not accepting your sorry. Apologize to me again.”

It was Ally’s turn to wrinkled her forehead.

“I did not mean it. I supposed you weren’t hurt.”

“Whether you meant it or not, whether I was hurt or not, I don’t allow anyone to knock over me.”

Ally ignored him and studied him instead. He was far from the Gael she met at the bar and at the hospital. He was wearing a white long-sleeved polo. She realized just now that he looked younger without his three-piece suit on. Ally’s face flushed like a high schooler.

She clenched her fist to stop herself from touching his face again. That would be insane to do.

“Whatever.”

She shifted her attention to the photograph but Gael was not done with her yet. He stood between her and the painting. Ally took a step back. He looked like a tower looking over her.

“What’s wrong with you? Get out of my way.”

“Apologize first.”

“I’m sorry, your highness.” Ally stuck her palms together and smiled in exaggeration. “Forgive thy poor servant and spare my life.” Then she looked darkly at him. “Happy.”

“You look stupid,” Gael said blandly.

“Stupid is the new beautiful.” She gave him a bored look. “Now get out of my way. You’re blocking the beautiful view.”

“I refused to. The beautiful view is right in front of me.”

Ally stared at him. He can’t be serious. Wait. Did he even have a sense of humor?

He’s actually making her conscious inside.

Did he just call me beautiful?