IT'S BEEN almost a week since Rexon called me for work. I've also been fermenting here at home for a week.
I want to apply for another job but I can't. After all, Rexon didn't give me a regular job.
I haven't talked to Calixto since that night happened at the bar. I also don't receive any calls or texts from him.
Even though I was in pain, I chose to ignore it. Perhaps he isn't the right guy for me, and I should look for someone else.
I want to forget Calixto. I want to bury my feelings for him, no matter how sick and hard it is.
What I was worried about was our expenses and medications of my father. I need to find a real new job soon.
"Dad, I'm here!" I chirped after buying some groceries for the whole week.
But my feet stood still when I saw Calix talking to my father in our living room.
"Cherry, your boss Calixto is here!" Dad gave me a big smile.
"Ah, I'll just take these to the kitchen first," I immediately said to my father and didn't bother to take a glance at him.
I was momentarily stunned for a moment. I heard a soft step entering the kitchen. I knew it was Calixto, so I kept pulling the cans out of the plastic and ignored him.
He leaned over me and would have attempted to pick up some can goods when I stopped him.
"No, I can do this." I stepped away and opened the cabinet over my head.
"Cherry," he softly said.
I slightly bit my lower lip and turned around to continue arranging the cans in a cabinet.
"Look, I'm sorry. Everything happened so fast. I don't want to hurt you." I felt one of his hands on my arm. "Please, let's talk."
I gathered some air before facing him. I leaned my back at the sink and raised my head to looked at him in the eyes.
"Why don't you go to work anymore?" he asked.
I could feel his hand caressing my bare skin. He was now an inch away from me, so I bowed.
"Please, go back to work." His voice seemed to be pleading.
I shook my head repeatedly. "I'm sorry. I can't do that anymore," I weakly said.
"Father Gorio said you don't have a job today. Why don't you just come back to me?"
To me? I wanted to laugh at what he said. I was never part of his life. Yes, he treated me special. I guess I was the only one who can go out and enter his office and make jokes about everything, even during work hours.
He treated me special, favoring me with light and easy work. I thought I had a place in his heart, so he treated me differently, but I was wrong. It was a big misunderstanding.
"I already have a job with Rexon." I tried to be casual with my answer.
"That bastard?!" Obviously, he didn't like my answer.
"Yes! That bastard!" I spat out.
I would rather work with someone like Rexon than him, who did nothing but hurt me.
"You know he's not good for you. He'll just hurt you," he said in a sharp breath.
I couldn't help but laugh at him. I could see his mouth curving at what I had done.
"Really? Coming from you? Who broke me first?" I said with full of sarcasm.
"Damn! I don't mean it and I am starting to hate it!" He rubbed both hands on his face as if he had a lot to say. "Please, go back to work." His eyes glazed over at me again as he grabbed my two hands.
I bit my lip to hide my feelings. I decided not to speak because if I did, I might just be carried away.
But he grabbed my two cheeks. "I missed you," he whispered huskily.
I tightened my grip on the sink to steal some strength.
This is what I really wanted, right? To tell me he misses me and he needs me. But I guess it's too late. I'm already numb in pain.
"I can't. I'm sorry . . ." I forced his hands away from me, which he did immediately.
"I can't push myself on someone who don't like me. I'll just keep hurting myself if I agree to go back to your restaurant," I said. My eyes were kept from clouding, and I let out a heavy breath.
"Thanks for all your help. I'll never forget you being a part of my life." I pointed to my own chest.
His eyes have full of sadness and regrets. But for what? To believe I have a place in his heart? I'd already decided to move on and forget everything about him.
***
That night I keep on thinking about Calixto. I have ended all my connections to him. It's better to break my own heart leaving rather than having a person who could break my heart every day.
I tossed over the bed and hugged my pillow tight when my cellphone rang on the side table.
I immediately picked it up and quickly see who texted.
Hi, Cherry! It's me, Devon. How are you?
I bit my lower lip before typing a reply.
I'm okay, Devon.
I wanted to add something to my message, but I stopped.
Good, are you free tomorrow morning? Can I invite you out for lunch? he texted back.
I took a deep sigh before started typing and sent it again without hesitation.
Maybe some other time?
It's been a few minutes since I sent my text to him, but he has no reply.
I think I offended him with my answer. But it's better to tell him that I am not ready to take this friendship seriously than to give him hope and a false impression.
I started lying down again to get ready for bed when my cellphone rang again.
I pulled it out and glanced at the caller. I was quickly thrown back on my feet when Rexon's name was registered there.
I don't know why but my heart pounded. I tremblingly cleared my throat before I answering it.
"Ah, hello?" I said in my calm voice.
"Cherry . . ." I swallowed because of the caress of his voice on the other line.
"Y-yes?"
"Meet me at Pete's and Han's Restaurant."
"Wait, as in now?!" I can't help but raise my voice over the phone. I started panicking and quickly stood up on the bed.
"Yes. What's the problem?" His voice sounds irritated now.
"But what time is it?!"
"Do I have to tell you what time it is?!" He started to raise his voice at the phone.
I pursed my lips and held my forehead.
"I'll wait for you. Within twenty minutes, you should be here. That's an order, not a request. Is it clear?!"
I seem to have lost strength in what he said. I uttered some words that weren't clear before I hung up.
"Shit!" I stand up quickly. What the hell was wrong with him? He hasn't called me in nearly a week, and then all of a sudden, he called and ordered me to come to a place I've never been? This man was unbelievable!
But after all, I had no choice, so I quickly took a bath and changed my clothes.
Before leaving the house, I first glanced at Dad, who was sleeping soundly in the other room. I just left a small note in case he woke up.
I glanced at my wristwatch only to find that ten minutes had passed. It's already past 11 p.m., and I still have to take a taxi to take me to that restaurant.
When I reached the place, I rushed inside, but it was crowded. The lights were also off, and the music was too loud. I didn't know where I was going. I didn't know where Rexon was.
Fortunately, I found an empty chair to sit on for a while. I carefully looked around before I thought of taking my cellphone out of my bag.
I quickly dialed Rexon's number, but I couldn't reach him. I tried a few more times, but no one answered.
"What is your order, Ma'am?" A waiter approached me.
"Ah, just water," I answered sparingly. In fact, I didn't have much money, so it's okay for me to have water.
He immediately complied, so I looked at my cellphone again to call Rex again, and he finally answered it.
"Rex!" I almost shouted at him on the other line because of the noise.
"Hey, are you yelling at me?!" he answered.
"Where are you? I'm already here but I can't see you!" I ignored what he said and continued yelling at him on the other line.
"Then find me."
My lips parted at what he said. Is he for real? I shook my head repeatedly.
"Are you out of your mind?!" I angrily said.
But he didn't speak anymore and hung up. I tightened my grip on my cellphone.
"Damn!"