Chapter 7

Abbigayle's POV

It has been four months since my first encounter with the Ledesma family. Since the day that Ethan invited me out for dinner, I felt that something has changed. I felt like I’ve been thinking about Ethan so often that I think it isn’t normal anymore. I know that Ethan is just like my older brother but I think I like him more than that. Months passed by and I’ve gotten closer to Klaress and her whole family which means including Ethan. I go to their house every Sunday to join their family lunch or dinner and it has been that way since I don’t know when. I just woke up one day and realized that I’ve got a family in them and I couldn’t be more thankful. Although I never texted Ethan and he never texted me again since that night either. We just talk sometimes when I'm at their house or when I'm having dinner with them, nothing beyond that. 

My phone rang and I answered it immediately.

“Hello?” I said.

“Are you ready?” Klaress said on the other line. “The party’s about to start.”

“Yes, I'll be on my way now.” I said as I looked at my reflection in the mirror. I adjusted my pink dress and put on my earrings.

Tonight is Ethan’s sendoff party. Yes, he’s leaving. He will be studying abroad for two years to have a master’s degree in business. It kinda makes me sad and depressing that he’s leaving but what can I do I’m just his sister’s friend and his friend too.

I entered their mansion and saw that it was filled with people. This is my first time to attend a party in their house and it makes me nauseous seeing all these glamorous people in front of me.

“Abby!”

“Tita Klara, good evening.” I said as she enveloped me in a hug.

“You look gorgeous as always.” She said.

“You too Tita, beautiful as ever.” I said.

“Thanks. Anyway, have you seen Ethan already? There are too many people in here.” She said.

“No, I haven’t seen him. I just got here as well. I was actually looking for Klaress.” I said.

“Klaress is with her cousins, I guess.” She said. “Anyways, I’ll have to leave you. I need to go to the powder room. Excuse me. Oh, have fun.”

“Yes, Tita I will.” I said.

I saw Klaress at the far table talking to some people of her age and that might be her cousins. I don’t want to barge in so I decided to just sit at the corner table and have some wine.

“Are you even allowed to drink that?” a voice echoed from behind me.

“I don’t know, you tell me.” I said.

“Well, you look so legal with your look right now. You don’t look like a nineteen-year-old college girl.” Ethan said.

“Therefore, I am allowed to have some wine right?” I said.

“Why are you here all alone? Why didn’t you join Klaress?” He asked instead of answering my question.

“I’m fine right here. I don’t want to intrude in their bonding moments.” I said.

“Do you mind if I join you here?” he asked.

“No, of course not. It’s nice to have some company.” I said.

"I didn't think that you like my company. I thought you despise me." He laughed.

"Oh, I do it's just that tonight is your night so I'm being the nicest person to you." I laughed as well.

“You’re so beautiful.” He said out of nowhere.

I turned to him after hearing what he just said. It’s like I was mesmerized with his words.

“What?” I said.

“You’re so beautiful.” He said again.

“Well, thanks.” I said.

“Will you miss me while I’m gone?” he suddenly asked.

“Of course, who wouldn’t miss all of your teasings?” I said trying to cover up my real emotions. Of course, I will miss him much more than I should.

“That’s good to hear. Anyway, you know what; I think you and Klar shouldn’t get a boyfriend for now. Not until I get back from studying abroad.” He said.

“Why? Although, we don’t really plan on having one.” I said while suppressing a laugh.

“It’s just that you’re still young and I want to be the one to test your boyfriends when the time comes.” He said. “So, no more boyfriends for you until I get back.”

I know that he meant Klaress and me when he said that but why do I feel like he only meant me alone.

“Alright.” I said.

“Promise me.” He said.

“I promise.” I said.

“Good.” He said. “I am gonna video call Klar now and then, I hope you’ll keep your promise and look after her.

“I will don’t worry about us.” I said.

“Excuse me, sir?” A woman which I knew was the event organizer approached Ethan. “It’s time for you to deliver your speech.”

“I’ll be there in a minute.” He said as he turned to me. “I’ll see you later.”

I nodded and he went to the stage for his speech. I was listening to Ethan when a girl approached me.

“Hey.” She said. “I’m Natalie.”

“Oh hi, I’m Abbigayle. You need something?”

“Do you like Ethan?” she asked.

“No.” I said.

“You better not.” She said.

“She’s Klaress’s friend.” The other girl beside her said. “Tell me, are you befriending Klaress to get Ethan’s attention?”

“What? No. I am Klaress’s friend.”

“Oh come on, girl. We know what you want. You’re just like those other gold-digging bitches that used Klaress to get to Ethan.” Natalie said.

“I’m not. I’m not a gold digger, okay?” I said.

“Whatever you say, we won’t believe you anyway.” She said.

“Why? Why are you confronting me like this? Do you like Ethan?” I asked her.

“Well, Ethan and I were a thing before.” She said.

“Before? So, you are a part of his past? Are you one of those girls who cannot move on from their ex and still want them back?” I said.

“What? I am not his past. I am gonna be his future. He just needs to see that I’m the one for him.” She said.

“How pathetic.” I said.

“What did you just say?” she asked and she sounded so mad.

“I said you are pathetic.”

“How dare you!” She said and she was about to slap me when suddenly someone spoke from behind her.

“What’s happening here?” Ethan asked.

“Oh, thank God you’re here. This woman right here is annoying me. He throws shit at me.” She said.

“Well, you deserve it anyway.” I said.

“See, Ethan? This girl has no manners. Oh well, what would I expect from a gold digger and social climber right?” She said.

“Stop it, Natalie. Stop it or else I’m gonna throw you out of this party.” Ethan said.

“Whaaat? What did you just say? You’re defending this woman? This bitch?” She said.

“Watch your mouth Natalie. Abbigayle is not a bitch and most importantly not a gold digger.” Ethan said. He then held my hand and pulled me out of there.

“Can’t you keep yourself out of trouble?” He asked me when we were alone.

“I’m sorry I was out of trouble until they approached me.” I said.

“Well, you better stay out of it anyway.” He said.

“I will. I just got carried away with whatever they told me.” I said.

“Why? What did they tell you?” He asked.

“They said that you and Natalie are a thing and I shouldn’t interfere with it.” I said.

“You shouldn’t deal with those kinds of women. Just forget what they said. Anyway, I was having my farewell speech and you weren’t even listening. What a heartless woman you are.” He said as if he was really hurt.

“I was listening until your ex came to me. You must’ve left her so heartbroken. She thinks I am taking you away from her.” I laughed.

“Well, no one really moves on from my charm.” He said and we both burst into laughter.

“Good luck with your studies abroad. I’m sure you can make it.” I told him after a moment of silence.

“Thanks. I can’t wait for it to be done. I want to be back right away.” He said as he looked at me with longing in his eyes or was it just my imagination?

“Me too, it’s gonna be lonely in here without you.” I said.

It’s now or never; with all the courage I have I kissed him on the lips. It lasted for a while until I withdrew from it.

“I am gonna miss you. You take care out there and be back in one piece.” I said and I walked out of their mansion. He was just there staring at me dumbfounded. I was embarrassed by what I did so I ran towards the gate and call for a cab nearby. I saw Ethan got out of the gate as well but it was too late. I sighed and touched my lips. What have I done? Now I don’t have a face to show to Ethan and Klaress as well.

Ethan’s POV

I was just standing there and I couldn’t move after what Abby did. To say that I was surprised was an understatement. How could this girl affect me that much? I got back to my senses but she left already. Did she just leave me after kissing me? I walked towards the gate and looked for her but yes she left already. I don’t know what to do or what I would feel. I’ve been fantasizing about kissing those lips before. I can’t believe it! I rushed inside our house to get my car keys from my room. I was on the stairs when Dad called me.

“Hey, son.” He said. “Can I talk to you?” He said.

“Of course Dad,” I said as I walked downstairs. “What is it?

“I saw what happened.” He said.

“What?” I said.

“I saw you and Abby.” He said.

“About that Dad…” I said but he cut me off.

“I know you like her. She might like you as well. I have no objections about that if ever.”

“Yes Dad, I like her,” I said. “I was about to go get my car and follow her. She can't just leave after kissing me. What a woman!”

“I just want to tell you to take everything slowly. You’re leaving. Don’t you think that would be unfair if you tell her you like her?” he said. “Why don’t you just finish your studies first and come back for her?"

“Dad, I will be gone for two years. That’s too long.” I said.

“Listen, son, Abby is still studying and so are you. She needs to focus on her studies as you should also.” He said.

“Dad, what if he finds someone else in those two years? She's beautiful and very kind. It's not impossible for someone else to like her. I just can’t go on without telling her how I feel.” I said.

“You know Abby very well. You know she’ll never like someone else. She’s hard to please.” Dad said while trying not to laugh. " If you tell her now, she won’t be able to focus on her studies. You don’t want that to happen, right?

“Of course not,” I said sounding so defeated.

“Then take my advice son. That way you can also figure out what you really feel for her and so does she.” He said.

"You really think it's the best thing to do?" I said.

"Yes, it is." He said.

“Alright, Dad. Thanks.” I said. "I guess you're right."

“Let’s go. You still have to entertain some guests and others were leaving already.

We went back to the party and talked to some of the remaining guests.

~~~

Abbigayle's POV

What have you done Abby? It's so not you. You haven't kissed a guy before not even in the cheeks. What has gotten into you for Christ's sake! 

I was pacing back and forth in my room thinking about what I just did. I did it out of the frustration that I'm not gonna see him for the next few years. I looked at my phone and saw that Abby texted me an hour ago. She was looking for me. Oh my God, I haven't even greeted her at the party. I texted her back saying that I wasn't feeling well and I went home to rest instead. She was worried but I assured her that everything is under control.

I was in the middle of cursing myself when my phone rang. I picked it up and saw that it's a call from my Mom. I answered it immediately. 

"Hello, mom?" I said.

"Abby!" She said on the other line. "How are you? You seldom call us. Are you busy with school?"

"You have no idea Mom." I thought. 

"What?" She said. Oh, my God I said it out loud. 

"I mean, yes I'm so busy with school Mom you know school kinds of stuff," I said. "Our professors are strict so we need to study harder."

"Have you been eating well?" She asked. "You're Dad and I are always worried about you."

"There's nothing to be worried Mom," I said. "I can handle myself here. Send my regards to Dad."

"Okay, then call us often so we won't have to worry alright?" She said.

"Alright Mom, bye I love you," I said. "You and Dad take care out there. 

"Bye, we love you too." She said and I ended the call.

That call was a reminder of what I am truly here for. I need to focus and set a straight path towards my goal and that does not include Ethan Ledesma.