Matters of the Heart

Twenty Five (Last Chap)

She just waited for Anette to leave before she went to Donn and without a word gave him a slap in the face.

"Hey!" He was holding his cheek shocked. "What was that for?"

"You moron! I should be the one asking you that. What was that hug for? Don't you know that Anette and Kent are getting married?"

"I know that."

"Then why did you still hug her?" She still tried to accused him but the truth is, she was trying to hide her jealousy on what she saw.

He slowly went near her. "It's just a friendly hug. And mind you, I will hug any girl that I wanted to hug."

"Damn you!"

"Why?"

"Just… damn you!"

"Are you still jealous of Anette until now?"

"Of course not!"

He pulled her in his arms. "Liar." And then he kissed her. "You were never a good liar, Florence. I knew it from the moment I saw you on that hospital bed."

She wanted more with his kisses. "And I hated you ever since."

"You're lying again."

"I know."

He kissed her again. This time, he took his time, savoring and tasting her lips like it was the most delicious dessert he had ever tasted. She didn't mind if they were in the middle of the parking lot. She's just so happy. But there were still things that needed to be cleared.

She pushed him away. "Okay, confession time."

"Can we do that later?"

"I want to hear it now." She tried to be formal even thought she wanted him to just kiss her. "Why are you still trying to get Anette back even though you know that she's already getting married to Kent?"

"Who said I am? You were the one who always made me realize that I don't love her, right?"

"You're still not answering my question."

"No. I'm not trying to get her back. As I said, it was just a friendly hug… a plotted hug."

"Plotted? You mean it was a setup?"

"Sort of. I asked help from Kent when you chase me away in your office."

"How am I not supposed to chase you away… if you’re the one who did that to me first?" She stares at the floor when she suddenly remembered the night he was drunk. "You told me to leave you alone and that you don't need me."

"I said that?" He cussed. "God, I must be insane or something!"

"Actually, you were drunk. But, Donn," she looked at him in the eyes now. "I want you to know that whatever happens, I won't leave you. Unless you want me to. And also, you will never disappoint me."

"Is that your way of confessing that you love me?"

She pouted at him. "No, I'm trying to read your death sentence," she said sarcastically. "Be serious."

"I am serious. But every time I am with you, I always lose my concentration. And my dear girl, just forget whatever I've said to you before. In fact you were the reason why I got drunk that time."

"Me? Why me?"

"Because after we kissed, you just ran off. I thought we're already on the same page."

"You were the reason why I ran away that time. You were angry or furious when Kent confessed her feelings for Anette. So I thought maybe you already love her."

"No. I was furious of the fact that they didn't tell me about their plan that night. I just got worried on how it will affect grandma and Anette's parents."

"They can't tell you anything because it was the plan. To save Anette, Kent and you. Especially you because you're still an idiot at that time."

He leaned her at his car's side and blocked her side with his arms.

"I have to tell you something. All this time that you thought I still wanted to marry Anette even thought I don't love her… I was just pretending."

"What?" She hit his head. "Do you wanna die?"

He just laughed at her and kissed her neck.

"The moment I saw you took notice of me in that hospital, I know that I can't fulfill my promise to grandma. I just didn't say anything because I was amazed on how you manipulate all the things and people around you just to secure my happiness. Hey, did I ever tell you how much I love you?"

"Not yet."

He instantly and constantly said the word "I love you" to her and she just let him do that until he got tired.

"Are you done? That was little than I expected."

"Love, you're being greedy. Give a kiss for me to be fully charged."

She was about to kiss her when she remembered something. "Your heart, Donn."

"What about it?"

"Your grandma said it's fragile."

"Ah, yeah, before… But I'm all healed now… Because of you."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning, that I just have a lot of baggage's in my heart full of guilt. That I forgot to care for my own happiness. Grandma knew how I tried to avoid things that might disappoint those people close to me, just because I was afraid that what happened to me and mom will happen again. She died knowing that I disappointed her because I've been such a brat when I was kid."

She put her arms around his neck. "But you've changed and that's what important."

"Thanks to you."

"You're welcome. By the way, I'm not a girl anymore. I'm already twenty-four."

"Okay. So do you love me, too?" He is smiling while asking. "With all your heart and hope to die?"

She matched his smile. "No." but her heart shouted a big "YES!"

"I see. Do you know the consequence to those who are lying?"

She smiled and nod still looking in his eyes. "Uh-huh. I was just waiting for that punishment of yours."

He kissed her tenderly, leaving their heart to speak to each other.

---END---