It has been a week since Gab and Ced's visitation at the foundation.They didn't see each other after Ced dropped her off her house after having dinner together but the communication between them was never lost.That is why Gab knows how busy her friend is these days and the days followed.It would be a lie if she denies that she didn't missed their bond,the deep talks and the expression on Ced's face everytime she orders foods that could feed her friend for an entire week.

"Don't forget to take a rest.Let's meet when you're free." Sent.

She sent Ced a text before putting her phone on her pocket as Matthew's car stopped in front of the shop.She glanced at Khate and gave her a look that says 'I'm leaving',her cousin who understood the statement, nodded.

She opened the door,and entered the car meeting Matthew's warm smile.She's glad that he finally listened to her after several times she told him that there's no need for him to open the door everytime he picks her up because it's something that she finds really unnecessary.In other word,she really just don't like it,at all.

"Hi!" He greeted.

"Hi!" She replied chuckling softly.

She kinda finds it funny to see that familiar look on Matthew everytime he picks her up.Or maybe not 'funny',but amusing.The look of someone who's madly in love,the same look her ex used to had back in the day,which was a trick that trapped her into the brokenness.But it didn't bother her that much now,it's just that,she becomes skeptical with romance and the idea of being in the state of something so uncertain.

With that in her mind all the time,why is she with him?Is she giving him a chance?Is she letting herself fall in love again?Is she starting to fall for his efforts and affection?Didn't she turned him down a week ago?And now,they're seeing each other almost every day and since then,their closeness has never been quite this strong before.

Although she kept her walls still high,and the boundaries Matthew should not cross,other than that,they are...they're fine.Looking like a happy couple — people can assume.

"I'm really happy you're spending me your free time." Matthew spoke.

"Of course.I'm a woman of my word."

Yes.That's exactly the reason behind.As what they agreed,he is not courting her,even when he badly wants to.She no longer allowed him to continue doing all those stuffs that's beyond what a friend does,the gifts,the presents and the visitations that happen most of the time during her work because somehow,it makes her feel uncomfortable and pressured.If she could just tell him and force him to unlike her,she would've done it because she doesn't want to break his heart.

But Matthew,who always has been persistent - promised not to overdo his efforts and told her he respects her decision,as long as they remain friends and Gab won't distance herself to him.

They made a deal,and at this moment,they're on their way to have dinner at a restaurant Matthew discovered - somewhere near the city.

On the other hand,Ced is still in the office finishing her presentation for tomorrow's meeting.She didn't reply to her friend's message but she's doing her best to finish her tasks so she could spend time with her again.She doesn't have her best friend to accompany her because Belle is also caught up with work,so no one will drag her out of the office to eat.She sighed.Massaged her shoulder that's starting to numb and laid her back on the swivel chair.Out of exhaustion,she didn't notice she had fallen asleep.

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Ced was happy that her schedule is free for the next three days.Well,not totally free but at least,she has no loads that's breathing on her neck.She's in the parking lot,typing a message to Gab.

"Took me only today to finish everything,but I'm free now.Let's have dinner?" Sent.

She's just inside her car waiting for Gab to reply so she could drive to her place.She keeps glancing at her phone to check if Gab has replied but she received none.She,again,
patiently waited for a couple minutes before her phone light up showing Gab's name on the screen.She happily picked her phone and opened the message.

"I would love to have dinner with you cause I miss you but I already agreed to your friend's invitation tonight.So I'm afraid I can't make it." Received.

Her smile dropped and the excitement she felt a while ago vanished like it didn't exist at all.She feels sad - a feeling she hates most.
She'd rather be broken than feel sad,because for her,sadness is something she couldn't just shrugged off.Being broken makes her feel the urge to be strong so it's a lot more easier to conquer since she has trained herself how to deal with it,but sadness,it makes her feel weak,
fragile,and she hasn't found the best solution to fight it.

She wasn't thinking right when she turns on the engine of her car and drove,she lets the wheel decide where she's heading,but it was her right foot end up making the decision,
stopping at a fancy restaurant,she entered and was greeted by a waiter.She made herself comfortable sitting near the glass window while waiting for the food,she can see cars passing by and the people outside who are probably on their way home.Her mind travels on what those people do for a living and how they choose to live their life.Are they happy?Satisfied?Are they just like her?Alone?Lonely?

Her own thoughts made her chuckle.The waiter came back placing the foods on the table.She thanked him and started eating,
noting to herself that she can do it alone,why have someone to share a table with for a damn dinner when in fact,eating alone isn't that bad?
She's responsible,she's a grown up woman,
strong and tough to need somebody.She continued and smiled when an idea pop up her head,bringing back the excitement in her face and her mood a little lighter this time.

That's what she thought.

Little did she know that her phone that she left in her car,lit up once again showing the same name on the screen.

"I'm sorry.I'll to make it up to you." Received.

That was sent 20 minutes ago.The recent one was just sent a minute ago and Gab even though she's with Matthew who's saying something she couldn't really and clearly understand cause her mind is somewhere else - was waiting for her reply because whatever that is,she can still do something to make it up to Ced before the night ends.

"Can I call you?" Received.

The messages were sent but Ced didn't got the messages for she is too consumed by her emotion that she didn't even bother to check her phone when she once again drive her car onto her next destination.

Called the bar.

The moment she stepped her feet at the place,she instantly ordered a drink,she chose to stay in the counter and watch as drunk people go wild while jamming to the band who's singing their songs on the stage.She had a dark aura and a dull eyes that made every single person who wanted to approach her - held their grounds.

It's like she's giving them 'Fuck off','I don't give a damn' look without her knowing,but she'll surely be glad if she does because she's not there to talk, moreover to do those stuffs,she just wants to drink and the rest are something else she couldn't admit.

An hour had passed.The drinks must have taken its toll when she started to feel dizzy.She felt her phone vibrates,she lazily unzips her bag and when it was her best friend,she answered the call.

"Why aren't you picking up the phone?"

She moved her phone away from her ear for a moment upon hearing the rage on Belle's voice.Just by the noise Belle can hear on the background there's no need to ask where she is,all she needed was the exact location.Ced was about to speak when Belle spoke.

"Wait for me there,and don't you dare do something stupid Celine Del Hera!"

The call ended and she cursed under her breath and started blubbering incoherent words only she could understand.

It didn't took long when Belle arrived,she right away snatched the glass of whatever her best friend ordered this time that she was about to drink.That made Ced furious but when she saw who did it,her face softened a bit.

"You're drunk,let me take you home." Belle told her.

She childishly shook her head.Belle sighed and asked the bartender regarding the payment.
She paid the bill.Her attention was back to Ced who's hanging her head low due to her drunkenness.

"Don't be stubborn,stand up!" She said with authority.

"No."

"Don't test my patience,Celine!"

She didn't want to,but even though she's drunk,she recognizes that Belle was serious and have no time for bullshits because she's been calling her by her name.So she stands up,let Belle guide her and made their way out of the bar.

The good thing is that she still can walk properly,just her vision that's kind of blurry and her head that feels so heavy.Belle carefully made her sit on the front seat,put the seatbelt on before she went to the driver's seat.

"Don't you dare vomit or else I'll cut your tongue." She warned.

She gets Ced's phone to call her driver to pick up the best friend's car.But a certain notification didn't go unnoticed by her.

"Matt drove me home 30 minutes ago.I'm about to sleep.How about you?" Received.

Belle frowned after reading the message.She took a glance at her friend who seems to be asleep but the truth was,opening her eyes - hurt,and will just make her head spin.

"What's taking you so long,Belle?Drive me home,now." She said cutting Belle's deep thoughts.

She then started driving,wondering why Gab had to update her best friend.She let it slide,
maybe she was just wanted to talk about Matthew and her since she mentioned him.She made herself convinced with that.

"Are they dating?" She haven't talked to Matthew in a while but she'd definitely be happy if the two are dating.

While they're still on road,Ced's phone vibrated and a familiar name flashes on the screen once again.Belle hesitated to answer it because she's not the type of person who intervenes with other's privacy even though her curiosity is killing her,well,as long as she can handle it.

Not sure if Ced is awake,her gaze landed from the phone then onto her.

"Your friend is calling." She said anyway.

Ced remained still like she didn't hear her.

"Aren't you gonna pick it up?"

"Whose friend are you talking about?I'm with you." Ced chuckles like she just heard a joke.

"I'm your best friend,idiot.It's Gab who's calling."

Like a lightning,Ced was quick to open her eyes and stared at the phone.For the third time,it rings again.She felt an uncertain emotion within her that almost automatically made her answer the call but then another wave of emotion hits her,more dominant than the first.

"You're with him and yet you're calling me?" She laughed turning her phone off.

Belle gave her a questioning look.

"I don't need your pity,I can make myself happy on my own."

Ced was blubbering this and that like it was her mind speaking for itself rather than her,she's not even aware of what's coming off her mouth,much more to Belle's presence who's puzzled by what she's hearing.

"You sound jealous."

Ced looks at her best friend,meeting her eyes for the first time this evening.

All of a sudden,she was conscious.Her ears turned red,she could feel the heat on her face,for a second,Belle thought it was for a good reason,until Ced spoke.

"Nonsense!Why would I be jealous?"

Belle shrugged her shoulders.

"I don't have feelings for her." She sounded certain."Or to anyone." She added.

Her tone was sharp that could rip the heart of anyone who can hear it,Belle for an instance.

"I don't know how to love." She said with full of finality that ended the conversation.

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