Chapter 8

Abbigayle's POV

I haven’t talked to Ethan right after that night. It has been a month since that happened and I haven’t had the chance to talk to him. I continued studying and doing well in my classes even if sometimes I think about him and how come he didn’t contact me right after I kissed him. Was my kiss that bad? Oh, God!

I saw Klaress entered the classroom and she sat beside me.

“How are you? You’re early.” She said.

“I’m fine. I just woke up early today.”

“You seem weak. Are you sick?” She asked me.

“No, I’m not,” I said. “Just couldn’t sleep properly last night.

“Anyways, you know what? My brother went to the mall yesterday and he got us matching bags.” She said.

“Really? Why? Why did he do that?” I asked this time I am so interested.

“I don’t know but he was with someone when he bought it. He was with a woman. I saw her when we were video calling each other. I guess that’s his girlfriend. Maybe he bought her a bag and decided to include us.” She said.

He has a girlfriend. So that explains why he didn’t even call me. What an ass! It wasn’t his fault anyway; I was the one who kissed him. He didn’t even respond and did not even text me.

“Hey, are you alright?” She asked me.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” I said. “Do you always video call each other?

“No, we seldom do. He says he’s so busy. I told her we’ll video call again with you but she said he’s too busy he might not call often.

He can call Klaress but not me. To top it all, he has a girlfriend. All my hopes were shattered. I felt like crying because it hurt. It hurts that I expected something from him because at some point he made me feel that I was special to him. I promised myself that I will just forget him and that the kiss never happened.

~~~

It has been more than two years since Ethan went abroad. Klaress and I are already in our senior year.

“Are you excited for today?” Klaress asked.

Today is the announcement of our assigned hotels for our internship.

“Of course I am. This is what I’ve been waiting for.” I said.

“Do you think we’ll be assigned together?”

“I don’t know. I hope we get to intern at one of your hotels.” I said.

“I hope so too. Although, other hotels will do just fine for me.”

We went to our classroom and waited for our professor for the announcement.

“Good morning class, as you all know today will be the announcement of your assigned internships. I have sorted you out alphabetically. Two interns will be assigned to every hotel.” Our professor said while handling out our papers to everyone.

“In these papers are your assigned hotel and your partner. Your internship will start tomorrow so you better be prepared for this. You better be on your best behavior and not stain the university’s reputation.” He continued with his reminders.

I received my paper and what I saw first was the name of the hotel.

HIGH DREAMS HOTEL INCORPORATED

KLARESS LEDESMA

Klaress and I will be partners and we are assigned at their main hotel in the city.

“Oh my God! Abby! We’re partners!” She said.

“Yes! And we’ll get to work at your hotel. I’m so happy.” I hugged her.

Klaress and I have been closer than before. I went to their house almost every weekend to chill or sometimes to study with her. We went to the cafeteria and continued with our topic.

“I’m excited and nervous at the same time.” I told her.

“It’s gonna be okay. Trust me.” She said.

“Easy for you to say because you are the heiress of high dreams.” I said mockingly.

“Well, what can I say I was born lucky.” She joked and we both shared a good laugh.

“Anyway Ab, I’m just curious, since the hotel is a bit far from here do you consider transfering to another apartment that is nearer to the hotel?” She asked me.

“Well, I’ve thought of that already. Since we won’t be going to school often now, I might as well transfer to a new apartment.” I said. “It will be a hassle if I live away from the hotel and I don’t want to be late during my internship days.”

“That’s good. Did you find one already?” She asked me.

“No, not yet. I didn’t really expect that I’d be assigned at your hotel.”

“Great! I was thinking that maybe we can stay together at our penthouse. My parents offered a room for me at the hotel so that I won’t have a hard time with the internship.” She said.

“Really? That would be great but don’t you think it’s too much?” I said.

“No, it’s not. Actually, it was Mom and Dad’s idea to invite you to live in the penthouse with me. They  said it would be nice to have someone to look after me and to accompany me.” She said convincing me.

“That’s nice of them. If it isn’t really a trouble then why not?” I said happily. “I would love to live with you and I promise I will do well in our internship as a way of expressing my gratitude for all that your family has done for me.”

“That’s really nothing, Ab. You are our family too.” She said.

“Oh Klar, what did I do to deserve you?” I said as I hugged her. “Thank you so much.”

“Well, since you agreed to live with me, why don’t we start packing your things?” She said.

“Right now?”

“Yes. Why? Are you going somewhere else?” She eyed me.

“No. I mean, let’s go.”

We went to my apartment and started packing my things. I’m a bit sad about leaving this place. This has been my home for more than three years. However, things have changed now and I am a step closer to my dreams. I have to let go of this apartment.

“What are you thinking? Why do you look so sad?” Klaress asked me.

“I am gonna miss this place and all our memories here Klar. We had fun times here especially during our lunch breaks.” I told her.

“I am gonna miss this place too. I can still remember how we rest in here and watch movies whenever we have a very tiring day.” She said.

“I am really happy that I got to know you Klar. I found a sister in you.” I told her honestly.

“I am happy I met you too Ab. You have been nothing but a good friend and sister to me.” She said as she hugged me tightly.

“You are making me cry, Klar. Let’s just continue with the packing, okay?” I said as I stopped crying and laughed instead.

“Yeah, we better get going because I’m so excited to tour you in our penthouse.” She said happily.

We finished packing and Klar called for her driver to lift my boxes and put them in their car. Since I only had a few things in my apartment, we only had a few boxes and it fit in their car.

“Shall we go?” Klaress asked me after we put the last box. “Didn’t we forgot anything”

“I don’t think we have. Let’s go.” I said.

“Okay. I’m so excited!”

We went inside their car and we drove to their hotel. I can’t believe I will really live at the penthouse of my dream hotel. Klaress kept on telling me about how excited she is about having me in her place. I can feel that she really is happy to have me with her. We reached their hotel and Klaress told the driver to deliver my things to her penthouse.

“Thank you Klar but I think I can bring them to my room. I don’t want to hassle other people in here.” I told her because I think this really too much.

While she is busy about how excited she is, I couldn’t stop staring at the place around me. This is my first time to be here. I couldn’t help but notice how elegant and beautiful their hotel is. It has gold and white walls and furniture which made the place looked really expensive.

“No, let them be. I want to show you our place. They can handle your things. Let’s just enjoy this, okay?” she said and she pulled me towards the elevator.

She pressed for the penthouse. Even the elevator screams money. Even their mirrors looked really expensive. The door opened and she pulled me out of the elevator. Honestly, this girl really knows how to pull huh.

“Wait, let me get my card.” She said as we were in front of her suite. “Here it is.”

She opened the door and my eyes grew in amusement as I scanned the whole place. Well, I can’t say I am so surprised since I’ve been to their house and seen expensive things and furniture just like this one. No wonder their hotel is number one in the country. They live up to their name.

“Oh my God! This is so big and so elegant. Is this for real? I am really allowed to stay here?” I asked, still amused and excited at the same time.

“Yes of course. We deserve nothing but the best and we’ll work hard too.” She said.

“Of course we will Klar. Oh my God! I’m so excited!” I said.

“Well, this might sound odd but I am so excited about our internship too.” She said. “Do you want me to tour you around?”

“That would be nice.” I said.

“Okay, this is the living area obviously. This is the kitchen and I guess we won’t be spending much time here since we will be working. This is the bathroom and the toilet and since I have my own bathroom in my room, this is all yours.” She said.

“This is really great. This place is so lit Klar.”

“Okay, okay.” She laughed. “Let’s go to your room. This way, please.

I followed her as she leads me to my room. We stopped at a brown wood-like door.

“This is your room.” She said as she opened the door.

A tropical-themed room with queen size bed and large television is what was behind the door. Wow!

“Wow. This is so nice. Klar, thank you so much again and again.” I said as hugged her.

“Oh.” She laughed. “I’m glad you liked it.”

“I liked it? No, I love it! It’s really lovely and it’s really too much Klar.”

“No, it isn’t. You are my friend and I won’t let you have less than what you deserve.” She said.

“Oh, I love you Klar.” I told her and hugged her once more.

“Aww, I love you too, Ab.” She hugged me too.

DING.. DONG..

“Oh, that must be your things.” She said. “Come on, let’s get it.”

“Alright.”

We got my things and we decided to unpack it later right after dinner.

~~~

I couldn’t sleep thinking about our internship tomorrow. I mean it’s understandable since this has always been what I was looking forward to. I stood up and went to the kitchen. I opened the fridge and scanned for some chocolates. I found one and as I was walking back to my room I saw the picture frames in the living room. I didn’t see this earlier. It might be because I was so excited that I didn’t have the chance to look closely. It was Klaress's pictures together with her family. There was one with him and Ethan channeling their beautiful smiles. You're handsome but you're an ass.  I hate you, Ethan. I really hate you.

Ethan's POV

It has been more than a year already since I left home and study here. I've settled quite fine here but I guess there's still a part of me that is missing. I know it'll only be filled when I go home and confess my feelings to Abby. I followed my Dad's advice and didn't contact Abby so she and I can focus on our studies. I can't wait to go home and tell her I like her and how much I missed her.

"Hey Ethan," Jasmine said. "Do you think we'll finish our master in time? I think we're off schedule in our thesis studies." 

Jasmine is my classmate and one of my friends. She was born and raised here. 

"We can do it. I don't wanna be extended here." I said. "I'm very eager to go home and you know why." 

"You're still not over with that girl? I thought you came here to study and forget about her." She said.

"I came here to study but not to forget her. I just gave us time to grow and figure out our feelings for each other." I said. 

"Why don't you just find someone else?" She said. 

"I can't do that," I said. "She's way too special for me. I just can't replace her with anyone else." 

"Why not?" She said. "I'm here for you Ethan. I have always been here whenever you needed me. Don't you know it yet?" 

"Know what Jas?" I said. I don't understand what she's saying right now.

"I like you Ethan, I like you a lot." S he said as she looked at me in the eyes. "I like you, isn't it obvious?" 

"Jas, I don't know what to say," I said. "I mean--"

"You don't have to say anything, Ethan." She cut me off. She touched my face and without delay, she kissed me on the lips. I immediately came back to my senses and pushed her a little just enough to break her kiss. 

"What are you doing?" I said. "Are you out of your mind?"

"Ethan, don't you see it? We are good for each other. We belong in the same status. You and me, we can be more." She said. 

"You're out of your mind, stop it," I said. "Stop it."

"Please, just forget about her." She pleaded. 

"I'm sorry Jas, but I don't think we're on the same page here. You are my friend, nothing more and I wanted to keep it that way. So please stop this nonsense once and for all." I said.

"No, Ethan please wake up! She isn't good for you. She's too young and maybe an immature one." She said. 

"Don't judge her like that. You don't know her." I said. This conversation is over." I walked out of her sight. 

Spending some time away from Abby made me realized  how important she is to me. I'll be home in a few months now and I can't wait to tell her about everything.