Chapter 14

“Basically, Tamara told me almost everything. Her roomie, Agnes, stole everything from her. Agnes talked behind her back to her other friends, telling them of how much of an attention seeker Tamara is and stuff like that. So, her friends turned their backs on her, treated her like a ghost or a cast out. Some would even smile at her but when turning around, they’re rolling their eyes. Agnes even got to her journalism classmates and teachers, to the point of them walking away from Tamara. Then Tamara felt like her world turned down because of how people around her are treating her.”

I told Neil everything that Tamara told me when I came back to the FHR. He listened to me while his fingers wrapped around his chin.

“Tamara didn’t know at that time that it was Agnes. I mean, she said she knew but she was denying it. Because she sees Agnes as her friend.”

“Then it all went out because of that guy, Norman,” Neil concluded.

“Exactly.”

Neil sighed as he stared down the floor. “This is not love advice anymore.”

“But it is relationship advice. More like friendship,” I said.

“Yeah. I’m not saying that we’re not going to help her anymore. I’m just saying, this kind of issue sometimes happens in couple relationships because of lack of communication and understanding where you’re standing.”

My eyebrows furrowed. “What do you mean?”

Neil began pacing back and forth in front of me. “When your partner is toxic or abusive to you, what should you do?”

“Leave?”

“Exactly. Tamara, she stayed... with Agnes. Which she should’ve cut her off already since day one,” Neil said. “If you already can sense that this person is bad for you and is no longer making you happy, why stay? Why did she even become roommates with her?”

“Maybe Agnes was the kind of girl who is a friend to anyone. We can’t really blame all of this to Tamara.”

“Yes you’re right. We are not blaming her for all of it because there are people like Agnes exist. But it was still her fault. You chose to stay wherein there’s always a way out. Stop sticking with the wrong people. Learn to leave.”

I agree with Neil. Tamara should’ve done that when she started feeling that Agnes was doing this to her. She said that she was denying it. So that means she knows but was still sticking with this girl.

We called Tamara in the office again and told her what Neil told me earlier. She couldn’t help but teared up.

“I just don’t have any friends anymore,” she said while sniffing.

“Then find a new one. Create a new adventure. Isn’t that what we're always doing?” he said. Looking at him, it feels like he was talking to himself. Move on from the past, keep going.

“I’ll try,” Tamara said in a timid voice. 

“And about Norman,” Neil continued that made our heads turn at him. “If he really likes you, he will find a way to approach you and never be blinded by that Agnes. If not, you just have to accept the truth.”

Tamara nodded by Neil’s advice. And once again, we were able to solve another love case. The next day, we got the news that Tamara left that apartment and is no longer friends and roomies with Agnes. We didn’t get another news of her with Norman. But one thing’s for sure, leaving from that apartment where she was staying with Agnes is a stepping stone for her to heal.

I looked at myself at the mirror. I just wore a blue decent blouse and some jeans with sandals. My hair was laid down and was ironed. I wore light makeup since I don’t know how to anyway. I looked simple and pretty. And I’m confident that John will like me and see me for who I am.

I stared at my phone and I still didn’t get any messages from John. Fuck this gender pride! I’ll just go ahead and message him.

Ella

Hey! Still up for the date? I’m all dressed. :)

I sat down on my bed and waited for his reply. Then a few seconds later, I got a reply from him.

John

Yes of course. I’ll pick you up, okay?

I smiled while staring at my phone. And finally, I felt a bit excited right now!

After an hour of waiting, I saw his car parked in front of our house. I bid farewell to Auntie as I was about to step out of the house. Then I sat on his passenger’s seat and put my belt on. Then I greeted him with a smile.

“You look beautiful,” he said with a gentle smile. He looked so dashing as always. He was wearing a minty colored long sleeve polo shirt, his hair was combed well and was wearing jeans. He drove the car until we arrived at the mall. He talked about his work at the Kronos family as a bodyguard. Nothing that much. He just said that he was bored almost everyday and there was this time that he was just staring at the garden until he counted all the pigeons visiting there. They have no phones and gadgets allowed so I couldn’t imagine how bored they are with that job.

“Oh! Got a call,” he said while chuckling then he picked up his phone from his pocket. “Hello?” Then he signaled me that he’ll be away for a moment to take this call privately. I just nodded then he walked a bit far away from where I am standing. A few seconds later, he came back with a sad expression on his face.

“Ella, I’m sorry,” he said as he placed both his hands into a prayer form. “But I have to go. It’s work and you know how strict and scary Mr. Kronos is.”

Oh great. Just in time when it was my turn to tell him about my life. “Okay. I understand,” I said with a smile. 

He smiled and nodded at me. Then we bid our farewells and he left me alone with the crowd. Kinda feel sad about this. I didn’t want to be someone who will force him to stay and have a date with me because I know how important privacy and boundaries are in a relationship. I just have to be a little bit understanding about John and his work for this to work out. But I still can’t help but get sad about him leaving me alone here from our date.

So I just walked through the crowd, slow and alone. Thinking if I should spend something to surpass this heavy feeling that I am dealing with right now. I wanted to deny that I’m upset with him, but all feelings are valid. And you really can’t stop someone from having feelings.

I was heading towards the booth where I can buy some fruit shakes when I noticed a familiar person from afar. Heading towards my direction. When he got closer, that’s when our eyes met.

“Neil?”