Ms. Artista (Book 2)

Thirty Four

"Am I still your friend, Francine?"

"Of course, Cyrus. Is that even a question?" I answered him.

We are here in a restaurant, he invited me over lunch and here I am. Eating with him.

"Come on." he slightly rolled his eyes, "You're ignoring me, I know."

Oh, alam niya pala. "I am busy, you know that." I lied. Damn, yeah. I am ignoring him.

I am scared. What if he confess to me? God. I'm not ready to hurt him. He's a good friend of mine.

He sighed, "Francine." he looked at me, "Tell me, what's up with you and Zion?"

Is this the right time? Should I tell him the truth?

"Cyrus." I slowly smiled, "Do you love me as a friend?" I asked him.

He didn't answer me. He's just looking at me.

"Because honestly? If you'll ask me, I will answer 'yes'." I said while smiling, "I love you as a friend, Cyrus. I hope you know that."

I'm sorry, Cyrus. I'm just making it clear to you. I'm emotionally and physically taken.

"Damn." he suddenly smirked, "Hindi pa nga ako naamin, binusted mo na agad ako."

"Cyrus—"

"I like you, Francine." he said while staring at me. "I like you a lot. Simula noon, hanggang ngayon."

Fuck. "What do you mean simula noon, hanggang ngayon?" I asked confusingly.

He sighed, "3 years ago, I already like you, Francine. Hanggang ngayon, gusto pa din kita."

Hindi ako naka-sagot sa kanya.

"And, hanggang ngayon, alam ko pa din na wala akong pag-asa sa'yo." he sadly smiled, "I know that it's Zion."

Damn it. "Cyrus.." hinawakan ko ang kamay niya na naka-patong sa table.

"You're my best friend, please." umiling ako sa kanya.

"But I want more than that, Francine." he answered, "I also want to be your boyfriend."

Oh, God. "Y-You can't," I whispered, "I'm sorry." napa-tungo ako.

"Fuck yeah, I know." he sarcastically said, "Am I rejected already? Hindi pa nga ako nanliligaw, busted na agad?"

Damn. Hindi na naman ako naka-sagot.

"You didn't answer me, tell me, what's up with you and Zion? Boyfriend mo na ba siya?"

Shit. What should I say? Kapag naman sinabi kong hindi, baka manligaw talaga siya sa akin.

"We..." I gulped, "We love each other, Cyrus." I looked at him, "I love him." I said with certainty.

Simula noon, hanggang ngayon, siya lang talaga. Walang iba, siya lang.

"O-Oh." he nodded his head.

God. He's in pain. I saw it in his eyes.

"I-I'm sorry, Cyru—"

"No." umiling agad siya. "I understand." he faked a smiled.

"You understand?" mahina kong tanong. I'm so guilty, damn.

"Yes." he nodded his head, "I'm still your best friend, right?"

Mabilis akong tumango, "You're my forever best friend, Cyrus." I said while smiling.

"Okay." he slightly smiled, "That's what matters to me right now." he said.

Oh, thank God. "T-Thank you for understanding me." I said while smiling.