Gab's POV

I'm stuck here in the shop,my motorcycle's broke.I ask my brother to send it to the mechanic and hopefully they can fix it as soon as possible.I'll probably hire a delivery guy soon.It's 3pm.I'm waiting for Khate to come back so I could go to Ced's cafe.I don't know if she's there though.

" What took you so long? " I ask when I saw my cousin open the door.

" Your ex. "

" You're dating him? " I stand up and get my wallet.

" Yuck!He's pestering me about you.I went to an ice cream parlor,I bumped into him when I turn around. "

" Don't mind him.I'll be over there. " she just gave me a thumbs up.

I really love the fact that I'm only 10 steps away from my favorite place.I went straight to the counter and place my order.

" Orange Vanilla Swirl Cappuccino " I tried their iced coffee this time.

I plugged in my earphones and lay my back on the chair while waiting.

I know I'm probably better off on my own
Than lovin' a man who didn't know
What he had when he had it
And I see the permanent damage you did to me
Never again, I just wish I could forget when it was magic
I wish it wasn't 4am, standing in the mirror
Saying to myself, you know you had to do it
I know the bravest thing I ever did was run

I close my eyes.

Sometimes, in the middle of the night, I can feel you again
But I just miss you, and I just wish you were a better man
And I know why we had to say goodbye like the back of my hand
But I just miss you, and I just wish you were a better man
A better man

Will I ever be in love again?Do I still have love to give?

I open my eyes when I feel a hand touching mine.There I see Shaun with my iced coffee.

" Are you okay? "

" Yes. " I smiled at her.

" I'm just,you know.I got carried away by the song. " I added.

She pat my head and went back to the counter.
I open my social media account as I drink my iced coffee.I like this flavor.It tastes good too.

Time flies so fast and here I am outside my shop which is now closed.Khate's boyfriend picked her up awhile ago.I have to walk to the nearest terminal and ride a cab.

I covered my face with my arms when a car stops in front of me,almost like blinding my eyes from its light.I heard the sound of the engine as it was turned off,and a footsteps probably walking towards my direction but I'm still busy rubbing my eyes.

" Hey,are you okay? " A familiar voice asked me.

I wanted to snap but think it might be a customer.

Keeping my calm,I slowly opened my eyes and blink a couple times,and look closely as my vision's getting clearer.

Damn it!Of all people!

" Damn you and that damn light! "

" Easy! " He said laughing.

" I don't see anything funny right now. "

I started walking but just as I'm about to walk past him,he blocked my way.The hell does he want?

" I'll take you home. " he said.

" Thank you but I can do it myself. "

I started walking again but this time he held my shoulders to stop me.

" Gab.Please let me. "

I look at him with no emotion.I know him,he's annoyingly persistent,he won't stop unless he gets what he wants.But I stopped being the person who will give in to his wants.

" I can do it my - "

I wasn't able to finish words when I heard a honk three times in a row.I look at the right side of the street where the sound came from.
I couldn't recognize it on the first glance.

Then the car's window rolled down.

" Need a ride? " Ced offers.

Without thinking twice,I walk to her car as fast as I could.I pretend not to hear him calling my name.I shut the car's door softly.

Once I fastened my seatbelt,she started driving.
She didn't speak.She turn on the radio and it did make me relaxed.

" Thanks for the save. " I said.

" Not a problem.But I need to know your address. " She said.

I smile at her a bit and gave her my address.

I see you calling
I didn't wanna leave you like that
It's five in the morning, yeah, yeah
A hundred on the dash
'Cause my wheels are rolling
Ain't taking my foot off the gas
And it only took the one night
To see the end of the line
Staring deep in your eyes, eyes

The song reminds me of what Khate said about this girl.Not that it bothers me that much,but,I have this feeling of wanting to know her more.I can't help but look at her while her attention's on the road.

" Have you eaten? " I ask her.

Mom texted me awhile ago that she prepared a lot tonight because of my siblings request.

" Not yet. "

" We can eat at home. "

She glances at me and I can the hesitation in her eyes.

" Uhm...I–"

She's contemplating which I understand but I won't take no for an answer.She just saved me from that asshole.

" Please? " I pouted and showed her my puppy eyes.

I heard her chuckled." Nice strategy. " She utter rolling her eyes playfully,bringing her attention back on the road.

I suddenly feel exultant.Acting cute,whenever I ask people a favor,even though I find it cringe, always works.

" So,it's a yes, right? "

She look back at me.God!This woman is gorgeous.I like the shape of her face,her eyes full of misery.I can watch her all day,really.

" Yeah yeah. " She said which makes me smile.But that smile fades when she added," Now,stop staring.You're distracting me. "

I quickly look away,and look at myself through the rearview.Her voice echoed in my head.I mentally cursed myself and try to put a straight face.

Now,stop staring.You're distracting me.

You're distracting me.

You're distracting me.

“I'm distracting you?” I ask,out of nowhere,sounding unsure.

She didn't speak,as if she didn't hear me.

“Am I distracting you,Ced?” I asked again,teasing her this time.

Again,no response.

Instead,she turns the music volume higher,ignoring me.

But I can see her stealing glances at me carefully,not wanting to get caught.

Now,that's cute.I can't help but smile.

Dancing on the edge, 'bout to take it too far
It's messing with my head, how I mess with your heart
If you wake up in your bed, alone in the dark
I'm sorry, gotta leave before you love me

Upon arriving at my place,I opened the gate so she could park her car in our mini garage.She walks behind me as we head to the front door.

" Did you tell them you bring a visitor? " she asks,nervous.

" Nope.Don't worry,it's fine. " I assure you her.

" Hey sis! "

Grace make her way towards us but stopped when she sees Ced,until mom and George enter the frame.Now the grip of Ced in my left arm tightened.

" Guys,my friend,Ced. " I introduced.

Even with her nervousness swallowing her alive,she manage to say Hi.

" What a beautiful lady. " says mom.

" Join us miss Ced,mom cooked us some of her specialties. " it was my brother.

" Let's eat I'm hungry " Grace said and she drag Ced happily to the table and made her sit.We followed them.I sit beside her.

The two started digging their food while mom's watching them.I put some rice on Ced's plate.
She looks at me and gave me a grateful smile.

" If you're on diet,cancel it just for tonight. " I joked.

" Which one do you want? " I point at the garlic chicken and chicken vegetables stir fry.
She chooses the latter.

" Thank you "

" Eat well "

The dinner filled with jokes and laughters the moment Grace started sharing her funny stories,some are about her crush,her first day when she take over the shop,she also talks about her stupidity which she's so proud by the way.Somehow,I can sense that Ced starts getting comfortable.I'm glad.

" How about you miss Ced,have you tried confessing to your crush and got rejected? " It was Grace.

" Never did.Never will. "

We.Again.Laugh.

" I don't think a beautiful woman like you will ever experience being rejected. " My mom inquire.

" I don't do relationships actually. " She stated.

My ears perks up.So Khate was right?I remain quiet and let them talk.

" You've never been in a relationship? " asks George.

" Uhuh. " she replied.

" As in,never?Ever? " Grace beamed.

Ghaaad!Grace,really!

Nodding her head,Ced answered.
" Never.Ever. "

" What about hook ups?Or for sure you've tried dating. "My brother asks again.

" I had some,but I didn't let it go too far. "

I stop myself from almost asking her why,it got me wondering,but I don't think it's the right place and time to talk about it so I set aside my curiosity.

" My sister loves going too far. " I heard Grace said and I swear my soul left my body for a millisecond.Right now,I just want to cut my sister's tongue.

Then my family started laughing.

A little too loud even.

" You do? " Ced asks turning the spotlight on me like hell.

I guess it's a good thing she doesn't know much about my past yet.How much of a stupid, hardheaded idiot I was back then,or else she'll be mocking on me.

" Don't listen to her. "

She leaned a little closer to me." Then tell me,I'll listen to you. " She softly said that I almost gave in.

Silence.

Deafening silence.

Why did she has to say it like that?I can feel my family's eyes on me.I feel like after this they'll bombard with questions.

I have to play safe.

Yes.

Play safe.

" Nothing comes for free. " I told her.

" Oh,you want a trade secret? "

I want to smack her head.Why does she has to be so smart?

" Soon. " I wink at her hoping it'll make her let go of the topic.

I heave a sigh when she went back to her food.

" Are you okay sis? "

I didn't answer my sister's question.Her silly face seems to be enjoying this so much.

The most embarrassing dinner I ever had finally ended.Ced thanked my family for the warm welcome and promised to grant my mom's wish to come back again soon.We're now in the garage.

" Your family's loud and wild,but funny. " she said.

" I hope you had fun. "

" I did. " she sincerely said.

" Making fun of me? "

I tried to hold my laugh at her reaction.

" I wasn't making fun of you. "

" I'm just kidding. " I can see her relief.

" Gab,thank you.It's the best dinner I ever had in a long time. "

I love the sincerity in her voice.I held her hand.

" You're welcome here anytime. "

I didn't expect her to hug me but it feels comfortable so I hug her back.It was a quick one.

" I'll open the gate. "

She entered her car.I opened the gate and now she's in her way out.

" Ride safe and have a good night ahead. "

I said when I see her rolling down her window.

" Goodnight in advance,Gab. "

We exchange smiles.

" Trade secrets soon. " She winked and driveway leaving me stunned.

Damn that woman!

I hastily locked the gate and went inside.

" Sis! "

" What?! "

" George asks if you have her number. "

" I don't. "

Grace is about to open her mouth again but I cut her off.

" Just focus on your homework,Grace. "

I turn my back and gaze at my brother who's washing the dishes,but I can hear his laugh.
I went straight to my room.

Ugh!

It's gonna be a long night.

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