(Alys Prov)
"Drake..."
My voice sounded more like a plea and not a refusal. It was like a choice between heaven and hell. But I promised him I'll make his dream come true... But what if his dream would be my reality? Everything was complicated. It's really hard.
He clenched his jaw but clasped my hand inside his.
"Are you?" he reiterated his question.
I shook my head. "No."
Living abroad for almost five years, sleeping around has always been a freaking option. Most of my classmates did that but me? No way in hell. Few years back, I promised him myself. Stupid promise. We broke up and everything, everything he said to me, all his promises are still imprinted in my mind. It was like his memories would forever haunt me.
He nodded and then hugged me. "Thank you."
"Huh?"
I felt him kissing the side of my head. His breathing was heavy and his familiar musk intoxicated me. It was good that he hugged me if not, I'm sure I was already sitting on the floor. Damn it's been freaking years yet the effect was still the same... intensified even. How could he do that to me?
"You... This... Everything," he said.
I smiled. "You're so cool!" I said, trying to lighten up the mood. "You're so sappy, Drake!"
He shook his head and then smiled at me. He breathed out one last time and then we started walking side by side.
The September wind was blowing so softly against us. It felt so good to walk at night at this time of year. The atmosphere was so serene and with Drake here, the silence wasn't so bad. It had always been like this. His silence, his stares, his words; it has always felt like home.
"Have we eaten yet?" I inquired. I was so hungry.
"There's no food around."
I shook my head. "Tss. You're just making me hungry."
He stayed silent as we continued to walk on. After half an hour, finally, we reached the suite. Nothing worked! The cable was freaking useless, the wifi had a password and didn't want to give the password! It was really annoying! I really had no choice if I didn't talk to Drake, sleep, or get bored.
"Haaay!" I said as I laid my body down. My feet were freaking sore from all the walking and my eyes felt so heavy. It's tiring to adventure with Drake!
I was on the verge of sleeping when he suddenly poked me.
"Noob."
"Oh?" I said, half asleep. I'm really tired. I need sleep.
I rolled off the bed away from him because he had been rocking me earlier. The bed was spacious so I wasn't afraid of falling.
"Noob."
"What the..." I said in a prolonged tone. Drake, sorry but I'm more sleepy than you.
I felt him moving towards me. In just a split second, he flipped me over so saw him and he was staring at me.
"What!" I said, blushing. He was wearing a black shirt? But that wasn't the point! Ugh! What kind of view is that, Drake?! What did you do while I was away? Staying at the gym?!
His face was unreadable. Is he surprised? Is he irritated? Can't concentrate!
"Eat."
"Huh?"
He pointed at the table using his hand and... oh, my god! Is there a party?!
"What's that?"
"Food," he simply said.
"I know that's food, Drake! I mean, why is there so much of it?!" I asked, my eyes still feasting from all the foods! I felt more hungry from the amount of food. Oh, gosh! Was it crispy too?! I missed that!
He shrugged. "I'd never let you go hungry. There. Make yourself happy," he said and then pulled me upright.
I didn't know if I was going to laugh or what! Why did he do this?! I was just kidding around!
My eyes were still awestruck by the amount of food when Drake pulled out the chair for me. There was even sparkling white wine! Oh, Drake. You really did overthink. There's a downside to being a genius!
"What do you want?" he asked.
The choices were vast. What would I eat?
"Surprise me," I said.
He put a portion of everything on my plate. Earlier, he said we were going on a date but in the end, we both got lost. Now, this felt more like a date. Things like this were more fun than if we went to some high end place. There were too many people. Here, it was just us. It felt more like a date.
"There's so much!" I said.
"Fatten up."
"I don't want to!"
"Why?"
"I've been working on my figure!" I defended. It was jog, jog, and jog! I could eat whatever I wanted but I had to jog every other day... and yoga.
He pursed his lips and continued putting something on my plate. Beef jerky! Gosh, Drake! What kind of food choices are so random!
"You honestly look like a stick."
"What?!"
"I could draw you using stick figures."
"You have such a bad attitude!"
He shrugged. "Come on, eat."
I took the chicken leg and chewed it while shooting daggers at Drake. This mean man! He's back to insulting me!
I looked down at my arm. Okay, okay! He shouldn't have seen VS models! Those are stick figures! I'd be obese if I were to be compared to them. Shh!
"Drink," he said then handed me a four seasons drink.
"Shh," I said when I reached it.
I just ate while he watched me eat. Spell awkward!
"Stop looking at me."
He just shrugged.
"Seriously, Sebastian, I'm not running. Eat," I said and motioned for him to eat. "Eat!" I said because he still wasn't moving.
He shook his head. "Just shut up and eat, Alys. I'm fine."
"I can't eat while you're looking!"
"Then close your eyes and eat."
"What?!"
"Shut up and eat."
"Ugh! Mean!"
He smiled irritatingly. It's annoying! "Thank you."
I also got shrimp puffs and dipped them in mayo. The food was delicious! If it's like this, I'll be fat by the time I get back to Manila. For sure mommy will scold me.
"Drake," I said in between bites. "I won't run. Chill. Eat too."
He shook his head. "You always say you won't run but I always find myself chasing after you because you always know how to break your words."
I sighed and then put down the shrimp. "Drake," I said, looking at him. "I won't run. Not now, not tomorrow. I'm all yours for this week."
"And then what?"
I was torn to lie and to tell him about me giving him a chance. I promised myself it was Tripp but I also promised Tripp that I would try to give Drake and I a chance. Maybe whatever will happen shall just happen. I'll give us this week. If after this week I'd find myself in love--no, I'd always been in love with this guy--be able to trust him not to lie to me again, then maybe it's the sign for us to start over again. It was all I was asking for: trust. I'm a big girl; I'm sure I could handle the truth. It was what destroyed us: him lying to me. I can handle it if only he told me the truth. Maybe by now we would have been married. When we were together, Drake has always made me feel like he'll be my future. I don't know but he has that effect. Maybe that's why I had so many rivals with him before and today. Girls and women are all attracted to this damn, young man.
"Stop thinking and let it happen," I said. "Just enjoy the chase and then accept the result. Drake, happy endings aren't always the best part of the story. The chase, the memories, the fun... Those are the things that make endings happy."
He started talking. "I'd rather suffer during the chase as long as the end game includes you barefoot and naked inside my kitchen."
"Drake!" I said, my face flushed scarlet red!
He chuckled. "If we didn't break up, Noob, I'd have you pregnant by now."
I almost choked on what I was drinking.
He continued assaulting my innocent mind. "I know I promised 28 but it was just damn too long. I plan to have you pregnant and then let your dad beat the hell out of me. That was the dream."
"Drake!" I said, again. I don't know how I will react to what I hear from him! Had the years apart made him perverted?! No, I knew he's a perv but now he's a super perv!
"Alys," he said, seriously. "Did you ever consider marrying me?"
I stayed silent. Yes, Drake. It was the thought that used to make me stay up all night. Marrying you was the best dream... until you lied to me. That was the game changer, you know.
But I chose not to lie. "Yes, that was an option."
"Was?"
"Fine, it is."
He nodded. "Did Tripp ever propose to you?"
I shot it right away. "No. He didn't ask me." Sure he did but it was all just a joke to him. Did he even consider marrying me? We've been together for years already. Maybe... at least once, right?
"He's an ass for not asking."
I smiled at his comment. "Yes, he is."
"But I should thank him. Marrying you is my plan, my dream, my obligation, my reason for living," he said and then looked at me. "Alys, I can't let you return to your reality. Give me this week and I'll make you remember why you loved me so madly when we were young."