Chapter Three:

"Cyanelle your friend is here!" My mom said while knocking on my door.

"Yeah, Mom just a few seconds!" I shouted. Wondering who is friend who would visit me in this evening. Probably, it's Teejay!

When I decided to go downstairs, I got surprised when I saw Manu talking to my Mom. What was he doing here? My eyes widen when I realized that it's Addy's birthday tonight! I looked at my Mom and she is now staring at me.

I did not told my Mom yet that I have a boyfriend. And probably Manu introduced himself as my boyfriend. Oh god! I'm dead!

"Cyanelle Louise!" My Mom called me in stern voice. That's why Manu noticed me.

My Mom goes to me and hit my arm. "How come you didn't tell me that you have a boyfriend huh!" She start to hit me again.

"Ouch. Mom!" I said while massaging my right shoulder that she hit.

"How dare you to keep this to me huh?!" She said before hitting me again.

I closed my eyes preparing for another hit from my Mom but thankfully she stopped. "You don't have to be embarrassed! Your Boyfriend is a good looking person! What's your problem?" She exclaimed, looking at Manu who was staring at us innocently.

"That's not it. I'm just afraid to tell you and Dad." I answered. Well, that's true. I was afraid that my Dad would know about this. And I'm really scared!

He is strict. While my Mom isn't.

"But how dare you to keep this to me huh?" She said.

"Okay, Mom sorry," I said. Before I look at Manu who is now standing. I smiled a bit as I walked towards him.

"Mom, I want you to meet my boyfriend Manu. And Manu she is my Mom." I said as I introduced them to one another.

"He already introduced himself to me." My Mom scoffs as she crossed her arms to her chest.

I chuckled, "Owh."

My Mom sighed deeply as she shake her head. "I'm going to say this once Mister Fernandez, but I want you to take good care of my daughter." My mom looked at me before he look back at Manu again.

"She's the only one. So, I want you to make her happy. Because her happiness means the most to me as her mother. Although, I know she can be stubborn at times, but treat her like she is dear to you she's our only princess." Aww, my Mom is so sweet. And It seems like she fully trust him.

"Yes, Mrs. Smith no need to worry about that, I will." My heart melted when Manu said that.

I went upstairs to changed clothes and fix myself because Manu and I are going to Addy's. It took me almost an hour to finished. 

I wear a casual an off shoulder beige dress and heels. I put also an accessories like necklace and an earrings, I straightened my hair and put some two hair clips on the side.When I'm totally done, I went downstairs again.

My Mom whispered something to Manu. My body trembles. Are they talking about me? Well, hopefully not.

I took a deep breath while staring at them both. They even laugh together! I'm very curious now, what they are even talking about. They look like besties now chitchatting in front of me.

My eyes keep looking at them for almost 2 minutes straight. They're both laughing like they have an inside joke or something. I just rolled my eyes pretending that I'm annoyed. Because I don't know what they're even talking about. They didn't mind to share it with me! So, I can laugh with them too.

"Just don't forget what I've said!" My Mom told him. He chuckled and nod his head like he already know what my Mom is talking about.

"Noted, Misis Smith." He chuckled. Okay, so, what's going on?

"Let's go?" He said while his hands are on my waist. I stopped in a moment.

"Is my outfit okay? Did I over dressed?" I asked, before we hop in his car. He look at me from head to toe that got me conscious.

"Perfect! You're perfectly beautiful Cyanelle." He compliment. And I guess my face is turned red.

I'm not used to it. His compliment makes my heart flutters.

I can't help myself from smiling ear to ear. While watching him drive. He's wearing all black and I can't see any color but black. But he looks really perfect in any clothes he wear.

When we arrived in the place. I feel nervous for some reasons like am I ready to meet his friends? Am I enough? Manu hold my hand and squeezed it, he smiled at me and kisses my forehead before we climb out to his car.

"Nervous?" He asked, while we were walking. I nod without even looking at him.

"Well, don't be." He added.

The guy in red tux greeted us as we entered the venue. "You came with a hot chick!" The guy smirked at Manu, "Yeah? I did. By the way happy birthday!" Manu said as he tap his shoulder.

"So, mind to introduce me to yo' girl?"

"She's Cyanelle,  she's off-limit dude." Manu said to his friend. Before he look at me, like I'm the only girl he sees in this moment. "She's my girlfriend," Manu added.

"Babe this is Addy my friend." Manu introduce his friend to me. Addy lend his right hand to shake hands with me. I grab it and smiled at him politely. So, he's Addy? It's my first time to meet him. He is a good looking guy too!

"Hi, nice to meet you and happy birthday." I said.

He chuckle, "Nice too meet you too, pretty lady and thank you." That Addy guy said as he winked at me. Yiee, he's kinda look like a playboy to me! He let go off my hand and turned his head to Manu, he said something about their other friends that I didn't know.

While they are talking. I can't help myself to look at Addy he is kinda look like from a royal family? Like seriously, his posture kinda classy and the way he dress. Uhh, I don't know maybe I'm too judgemental?

If I'm not mistaken he have a celebrity look a like, he look like { Zayn Malik } from one direction but not really. He got the eyes and the hair but over all isn't.

He is an exchanged student in our School. Not being a stalker or what Manu said it and he is also an athlete. That's why I think I can say he is perfectly fit.

My eyes widen in surprised when Addy asked me, "How long have you been guys dating?"

"I..." I don't know. I don't how to answer this question. It's not like I'm his real girlfriend. I'm just his front to tell her ex that... He finally moved on. I just begged him to be mine for months. So, I don't know!

Manu is sweet, caring and kind but he doesn't like me. I'm out of his league. Maybe they see us that we're perfect couple but no! We're totally not. He just let me, to be his oh-so called girlfriend because I begged him and nothing more! This dating will lasts after eight months. And after that I will never bother him. For good.

"Hey stop, Addy. You're scaring her. Were dating and it's been a month now." Manu answered his friend.

Addy smireked. "Okay? Its a good thing though that you are finally moved on! Like you know its been a year dude!" Addy said while having a smirked on his face.

"But Manu.." Addy stop as he glance at me. He ordered Manu to lean closer to him and starts to whisper something but I can see that Manu smiles began to fade. What was that about? What did he to say to him?

Even if I wanted to know, I remained silent. Maybe he will tell me that later? I guess.

"So, just enjoy the party guys?" Addy said on us, he tap Manu's shoulder again and glance to me.

"Nice to meet you again, Cyanelle." Addy said to me before he leave.

I looked at Manu who's up in a serious mode. He's been silent since Addy whispered something to him.

He's just staring at the empty glass while playing it.

"Oh. My. Gosh. Manuel!" The girl from the back, in a high pitch voice. Manu and I turned our head. And I'm surprised to see her here also.

It's Denisse. Manu's ex.

"Denny.." He said softly. While his face expression didn't change.

"Long time no see! Come on, give me a warm hug!" She said then they hug in fronted of me. My breath stop for seconds. I just look away because I can't look at them like that in that position.

"It's amazing that we're on the same table." She exclaimed in a cheerful voice while still smiling at Manu.

She keep telling him some stories about their neighbor, their high school friends, their favorite food and anything! Like she doesn't mind if he is with someone. They talked for a minutes now and I think Manu forget me. About being with him in this party. His focus and attention is on his first-love. Staring at her, listening as she talked to him. My heart crack a little of the thought of that. It hurts. It really hurts.

I sighed as I tried to avoid the sight of them. They are really close and they are even smiling at each other like they're still together. No heartbreak, only happy vibe.

Manu still loves her as I can see. I tried so hard to pretend that I didn't see nor hear their sweet-talk but I cannot. I can't.

She cheated on him, but he still loves her. Oh god! I'll never wanted to be somebody right now but her. Why she is so lucky to have his heart?

She's Denisse. Manu's first love and meeting his ex-girlfriend is really awkward for me. Well, who wouldn't? I don't know where to stand or where should I put myself. I am just claiming him as mine. When the truth is he is not really mine.

She is hot, she's gorgeous. She's everything that man could want. I feel small, low and pity for myself. Whenever she's around. I can't even hold a candle to her, she's almost perfect! Like him..

I know this is not a competition about Me and her, but I just can't keep myself to compare myself to her...

I really envy her.

She got Manu's heart with no efforts.

She got Manu's attention without spotlight.

While here I am doing an effort to noticed me. I beg him to be mine for a short period of time.

I try to calm myself but I really can't because that's a fact. This situation hurts me. I immediately wiped my tears before it streams down to my face.

"Are you with someone?" Denisse asked him, I immediately fix myself and open my phone pretending that I'm busy browsing the net using my data.

"Yeah, I'm with Cyanelle." He said as he glance at me, but he look again to Denise.

I kinda feel a little bit awkward knowing Denisse are looking at me, I smiled bitterly and she smiled back, I know it's not a sincere smile though its fine.

"My Girlfriend." Manu added, I look at him. Wondering why he said that. Is he say that because he wants to hurt her feelings.

His green emerald eyes are focused on her while Denise? She's looking at me with such a bitter look.

She forced a small smile, "Hi Cyanelle, it's nice to meet you here.." She said.

"I'm glad to meet you too." I said to his ex but look away when I feel Manu's holds my hand and intertwined our fingers.

He stare to my eyes and smiled sweetly. I know that this is all a show. Because his ex-girlfriend was here watching us.

I look at Denisse and she's staring in our intertwined fingers. I don't know, If should i'll be happy? But, why do I feel like I am the antagonist to their love story? That I'm the one whose keeping them apart from each other?

I sighed heavily, "I... I'll go to the restroom just for a while." I said, as he let go my hand.

"Come back quickly." I give him a small smile before I rushed to go the comfort room.

I stared at myself in the mirror, my eyes and nose are red. I know that he does not mean all of it! All of these are just a show! Because he wants to look okay in front of her!

I began to sob and cry. It really hurts me. He still loves her and yet here, I'm trying to keep him by my side. Oh, gosh! Should I need to let him go?

I tried to fix myself again as I look back in the mirror, my mascara messed up now. I wiped the black under my eyes.

When I think I am actually fine. I decided to go back to our table but Manu and Denisse are not here. I look around and saw them dancing on the center floor. The light is dim and the sweet music is on.

Her hands wrapped on his neck, his arms are on his waist, dancing slowly with the sweet background on it. Oh, damn! What kind of torture is this! I looked up trying to stop my tears to fall down but it failed.

My heart is crashing while looking at them, this scene really breaks my heart. They look like couple and acting really sweet in front of everyone.

I'm just wondering if I didn't know them, I'm pretty sure that I see them as a pretty cute couple.

I smiled bitterly as I watched them sweetly danced like a prince and a princess. My heart is aching, my knees is shaking and my eyes are getting hot. And when the music is all about to changed my heart crashed in a tiny thousand pieces and my body tremble.

My tears keep strolling down when I closed my eyes, when they kissed. Everyone awed and cheers, because they are looking cute and all. They are really perfect together.

My heart really sank down from my stomach. I hurriedly ran away from the venue before they could see me, I ran faster as I can.

Loving him is like holding a sharp knife that even if it hurts I'm still holding onto it because I don't want him to go. Because I love him.