As I looked over our neighborhood, a sense of familiarity and longing filled my heart.I left my hometown in 2013, shortly after graduating from high school.Since then, nothing much has changed in our neighborhood except for the houses that have been improved and the trees that are now bigger, higher, wider, and older.The taxi I was in pulled up in front of our house. I paid the fare, exited the cab, and waited for the driver to retrieve my luggage. The vehicle instantly left after giving me my luggage, leaving me standing in front of our house.I fixed my gaze on our house. It's been ten years since I left this house, and I haven't returned since, until today.My parents will most likely be surprised when they see me. I've simply told my parents that I'll be returning home, but not when.I'm already picturing their reactions. Their only child has finally come home, so I'm sure their faces will first be filled with shock and then joy.For the past ten years, my parents have pleaded
I'm not sure how long Caesar and I stared at each other. As we look into each other's eyes, it's as if time has stopped.Despite the fact that we are still pretty far apart, I can see intense feelings in his eyes that I am unable to name.And when I stared at him, I realized how much I missed him. I missed his face and voice, as well as the times we spent together. But the longing I have for him stems from platonic affection, not romantic love.We haven't seen one another in ten years, but that doesn't change the fact that he is my best friend and will always have a special place in my heart, which no one can take away.Caesar and I were staring at each other when my mother approached him and excitedly called him."Caesar, you're here!" She exclaimed with a smile on her face before looking behind him. "Where are your parents? I thought you all went to mass together."Caesar smiled back at my mother. "Auntie, they're on their way. They'll only come a bit late because they had to go out
"I still can't believe you two really ended up together." I said this as I looked at Raine and Tyler seated side by side on my room's couch.Today is my second day at home, and because Raine and Tyler were unable to visit me when I first arrived because Raine became ill, they chose to pay me a visit first thing in the morning."How come you're still saying that when I'm already pregnant? What else do you want us to do to make you believe we're together? Do you want us to perform a live show for you?" Raine stated this as she ate her fifth mango of the day.Tyler's nose screwed up immediately. "Babe, I already told you to restrain your mouth. Our child will hear you."Raine sighed and rolled her eyes. "Be quiet, Tyler." And Tyler also closed his mouth tightly, which made my brow rise.Tyler laughed when he observed my reaction and said, "I can't let a pregnant woman get mad. It's terrifying."When Raine heard that, she grimaced, but instead of saying anything to Tyler, she simply smack
"What did you guys talk about?" Caesar asked as he sat beside me."Not much at all. We were only reminiscing about our adolescence." I responded hastily, terrified that Raine would reveal the truth.Caesar gave a nod. "I see.""What brought you here?" I asked."I just wanted to come hang out. Do you mind?""No, of course not. We're already hanging out, so the more, the merrier.""It sucks that I wasn't invited, though." He stated it with a disappointed tone in his voice.I laughed. "This wasn't planned, okay? These lovers appeared out of nowhere in my room, waking me up from my deep slumber.""That rhymes.""Hm?""That was the last sentence you said. It rhymes."I laughed once more. "You still took notice of it?""That was because I was listening closely.""So now you know how to listen closely."Caesar cocked one of his eyebrows amusingly. "And when did I not listen to you closely?"I pretended to be thinking and trying to recall things. "Um, I can't remember the exact details anymor
Caesar’s POVTyler arrived at the bar while I was already on my second glass of rum.He tapped my shoulder to let me know his arrival before taking a seat on the stool next to mine.He drew the bartender's attention and ordered his own drink before placing his clasped hands on the bar's counter and looking at me."So, what is it this time?" he inquired. "Will this be another night of sharing your feelings?" He was grinning from ear to ear, which irritated me to no end.I was already aware that he was doing and saying irritating things on purpose to irritate me, but he still managed to provoke me.To be honest, I never imagined that one day I'd be hanging out with Tyler.I used to despise him. And I despised him even more after Brae departed, and he refused to tell me anything, despite the fact that I knew he knew something. I even made a scene, causing us to fight. But after learning and realizing some things, as well as having an emotional chat with him and Raine, we gradually began
"What's up with this sudden outing? Were you two not preoccupied with wedding preparations?" I asked Tyler and Raine. They unexpectedly called me yesterday night to invite me to an outing with them and Caesar. And because I had nothing planned for my vacation, I gladly accepted their invitation. So here I am, currently at their house, awaiting Caesar's arrival. Raine told me that Tyler and she agreed to live together only three months ago. They bought a house with their savings and began a new chapter in their lives. And, according to Raine, it was in this house that they had their baby—something I didn't want to know but Raine decided to reveal regardless. "The preparations were nearly finished with little supervision required, so it's fine. And our parents will be there if the organizer, coordinator, or planner needs anything or has any questions. And this outing is not unexpected, okay? We've been meaning to do this for a long time but haven't gotten around to it because you have
Caesar was in the driver's seat, and I was in the passenger seat, and we've been leaving for a few minutes now. Tyler and Raine's car were ahead of us, and Caesar and I were following. "How long will it take to get to the resort?" I asked Caesar. Without looking at me, Caesar replied, "If traffic is light, it will take longer than an hour but less than two hours." I gave a nod. "Quite a long while." I commented, and Caesar just responded with a hum. After a few moments of silence, Caesar replied, "You can play some music." My head shook. "I prefer the silence." I've grown to prefer calm and quiet since becoming a writer. It's likely that I started using it in my daily life because that's what I needed whenever I had to write. I don't mind the noise, but I love it when it's quiet. "I'll keep quiet for the rest of the drive then," Caesar remarked. I cracked a smile. "But I don't mind having a conversation with you." "Then, what do you want us to talk about?" I raised my head,
"Hey! Brae!"Raine's yelling at me was what jolted me out of my trance.Raine sat alongside me, and I gave her a blank expression."What's going on? You seemed to be in deep thought. Did something happen?" she asked, raising her eyebrows.Did something happen? Yes, absolutely!I'm still having trouble processing what Caesar said. Even after we arrived at the resort, and even now that I'm inside the room Raine and Tyler reserved for me, my mind seems to be stuck on the talk Caesar and I had in his car.I have no idea what happened next or how we got to the resort. After Caesar's response, my mind was already racing with questions.I was already surprised that Rhea had broken up with Caesar, but the reason for this surprised me even more.I had no idea Caesar was in love with someone else.I believed he was in love with Rhea the entire time. It turns out he was in love with someone else.To think about it. Caesar has told me several times that he likes Rhea, but he has never expressed t
After reaching the park, I immediately went to the gazebo, not minding the curious stares that the people in the park were giving me because of how I was walking so fast and was frantically looking around, looking for Caesar just in case he hadn't reached the gazebo yet. Adding to that was how I looked. From my hair and make-up, down to the dress I was wearing—it all screams I just came from a wedding.It did not take me long to reach the gazebo, and just as I thought and hoped, Caesar was there, sitting on the stairs with his head down and staring at his shoes.I stopped my tracks when I was already in front of him, and with an intense gaze, I asked him in a shaky voice, "Is it true?"Caesar flinched a little before he slowly lifted his head and looked at me. "You're here," he murmured while staring at me, looking so surprised to see me in front of him.I did not pay attention to what he said and instead asked him again. "Is it true that you're leaving?"The surprise on his face was
"Are you alright?" Raine suddenly asked me, which made me flinch a little out of surprise.Looking at my own fingers, I raised my head to meet my cousin's questioning gaze. I smiled at her. "I should be the one asking you that. Are you alright? Do you not feel nervous?"Raine smiled back as she sat beside me. She was already wearing her fabulous and extravagant wedding gown, and she was done with her hair and makeup as well. She was all ready for her wedding, which was about to start in just twenty minutes."I would be lying if I'd say I am not nervous because I am. But the nervousness I am feeling cannot be compared to my excitement." Her eyes started twinkling. "I can't believe I am really getting married today! And it'll be with Tyler, which is something I have never even dreamed of before. I have always thought that the two of us would just remain as best friends. I never knew that we would end together like this."I smiled at what she said. Even I was shocked when I learned that
Shocked, surprised, bewildered, dumbfounded, flabbergasted—I could list all the adjectives I know, but they wouldn't be enough to describe how I felt.Caesar's lips are soft, and I could feel it very well. I could also feel how starving his mouth is for me to respond—from brushing my lips with his to gradually biting them, wanting me to open them and accept his tongue's fiery attacks.I don't remember anymore how long I just stayed still and let Caesar taste my lips as much as he wanted. But what I do remember is how my body reacted, gradually heating up as his hands that were on my cheeks moved to my neck, shoulders, and back before he slowly pulled me close to him to the point where I was already almost sitting on his lap.My heart, which was already beating fast, went even faster, but it wasn't because of nervousness anymore. It was because my body was slowly turning on.I clenched my hand tightly. My mind was telling me to push Caesar away, but my body did otherwise. Because inste
In front of us is the magical sight of bioluminescence plankton, which I have only seen in pictures.My eyes and mouth widened in amazement as I looked at the beautiful sight right in front of us."Oh my God! It is so beautiful!" I exclaimed in pure wonderment as I couldn't take my eyes off it."Do you want to come closer?" Caesar asked, to which I quickly answered with a repeated nod while smiling from ear to ear, causing Caesar to chuckle."Give me the bags then. I'll hold them for you," he said. And due to my excitement, I did not hesitate anymore to give him the bags I was holding. He then added, "You could also walk and swim on them if you want.""Nah. I'm not comfortable walking on them, and I think they wouldn't be comfortable with it either," I replied to him before I started walking closer to the plankton and stared at it in amazement once more.I can feel my eyes twinkling as I keep muttering the same word, 'wow'.I have never seen something as magical and enchanting as this
“Would you like to go somewhere with me tonight?” Caesar asked me, which took me aback for a little.After everything that had happened between us, that was the last question I expected him to ask. I assumed that despite our reconciliation, he would still distance himself a little from me, at least for a little while. But I guess I was wrong.Well, if he was able to be romantically involved with another woman just a few days after I rejected him, then I guess asking me to hang out is not that much of a big deal for him. And since it seems that he's okay with everything now, I don't see any reason why I should decline his invitation. This could also be a way for us to clear up even the tiniest awkwardness that will suddenly surround us from time to time, just like now. Also, it would be a good opportunity for me to ask what the real score is between him and Mara, and why did he deny that they were on a date when that was clearly what he was implying when I asked him yesterday?"Tell me
Caesar’s POV After the work-related call ended, I quickly went back to our table. My feet have been itching to get back to the three girls I was with. I was worried that the moment I left, they'd start fighting violently. I definitely doubt Brae would stoop that low, but I'm not sure about Raine, especially Mara, whom I've only recently met and am unfamiliar with her attitude. But one thing is certain about Mara: she is not the sweet and kind girl she tried to portray. The way she stared and the words she told Brae from the very first time they were introduced, I could already tell that she's trying to be someone she is not. So I can't really blame Brae for showing the same behavior to Mara. She was just letting her have a dose of her own medicine. As to why I was putting up with her, letting her get close to me as much as she could, and even accompanying her, it’s simply because I don’t want to be rude to her and also because I have a hidden agenda. This might sound cliche and som
I couldn't help but throw a couple of glances at Caesar and Mara's sides.They were sitting side by side, while I and Raine were sitting together. Mara, as usual, was being extra attentive towards Caesar again. I bet if Caesar allowed her, she would spoon-feed him.Thankfully, they haven’t gone there yet, or I might really end up throwing up all the food I ate due to disgust.“Is there a problem, Brae?” Mara asked when she suddenly looked at me and caught me stealing a glance at them. Caesar and Raine stopped eating to look at me in curiosity. “Or are you finding something funny about me to laugh at again?” Mara then added, her voice still filled with hostility directed not only towards me but only towards my Raine, who immediately turned her attention back to her food and ate again, acting as if she didn’t feel the animosity Mara has been giving the both of us.I sat straight and finally looked at her properly. I smile at her insincerely. “Look, Mara, I am sorry for offending you. I
"What are you doing here? I thought you planned to stay at home all day?" Caesar asked me, surprised but smiling. I gave Caesar a forced smile. I was suddenly confused and nervous, and my brain also seemed to go blank, which is why I couldn’t immediately come up with something to answer him. I remember telling him yesterday, after he dropped me off, that I had no intentions to leave and would simply stay at home. I also told him that Raine and I had no plans to go out, but now he saw me in the same mall as he and Mara, who were out on a date. I was still trying to construct a lie when Raine came to my rescue. "Ahm, hi, Caesar? I'm here if you haven't noticed." Caesar was surprised again, and it wasn't until then that he looked at Raine. He appeared to have just noticed Raine was with me. "Oh, Raine!" He exclaimed, startled. "I didn't recognize you." Raine lifted an eyebrow. "You noticed Brae even though we were both wrapped up, but you failed to recognize me? It's not very obvio
"Ahm, can you remind me again why we are doing this?" Raine asked me as we were secretly looking at Mara and Caesar, who were inside a boutique, looking at clothes while having a conversation with smiles on their faces.We are currently in a mall, sitting near the escalator and only a few steps away from the boutique where Caesar and Mara are."We are just purely doing this out of curiosity." I answered her in a weak voice without even looking at her because I didn't really separate my gaze from the two.Raine lifted one of her eyebrows as she stared at me. "We? You mean to say: out of your own curiosity?" She snarled before adding, "And we're not really sure if we're really just doing this because you're curious."I was still staring at Caesar and Mara when I answered Raine. "Be quiet, Mara. I didn't force you to come with me. You're the one who insists on coming because you just want to catch gossip.""Hey, that's such a mean thing to say. What are you saying that I just want to cat