(Alys Prov)
"Hey!"
"What!" I said then I hit Tofer. Suddenly I was so surprised!
He pouted and then leaned back in his seat. We were just here at his restobar and I was still sighing. It's been three days since Drake asked me... and I haven't slept, normally that is. And I feel like a hypocrite because I've been avoiding Tripp too. S-hit I feel so guilty!
It's like I'm playing with the two of them... but I know I shouldn't. When I answered Tripp, I assured myself that we were done. No in betweens, no reason to doubt. I gave myself fully, committed fully.
"What's your problem?" asked Tofer.
Oh, Tofie. How I wish I could tell you...
I shook my head and smiled at him instead. "Nothing, I'm just stressed about Drake and
Cristine's wedding," I said. And truthfully, I was tired of it.
I spent every waking moment planning and arranging their wedding.
Somewhere inside my head, I was hoping that Cristine would come home. Please, Cristine, fix your fiance. He's making me insane!
"Are you broke, Alys?" he asked.
"What?"
He stared at me. "All I know is that you're rich... why did you agree to be your own ex's wedding planner? Are you broke? Or are you just a masochist?"
I huffed. Maybe I'm a masochist. Because deep inside my head, I imagine Drake and Cristine getting married. I imagine that once I see with my two eyes that they are married, I'd be finally free from the shackles of my past. Call me desperate and pathetic but that's just how I am. Seeing him settle down with someone will really put an end to all this madness.
Maybe if it's another woman, I'd feel doubtful. Drake is a great person, I know. It's just that we had our moment at the wrong time. He loved me a great deal. And Christine? She has all my blessings. She's wonderful...
"I have my reasons, Tofer. Don't butt in."
He pouted again. What a girl!
"Aren't you a wedding planner?" he asked again, I nodded. "Can I ask for an invitation?"
My brow shoot up. "You don't have an invite?"
He shook his head. "You know, Drake and I are Bonnie and Clyde, right? Hehehe. Put me on the guest list!"
Awesome! Now, I'm really getting curiouser than ever! What did Tofer do to Drake to make Drake so angry with him?
"What's the reason why Drake is so angry with you?" I asked him, fishing for information.
I've been wanting to know the reason for so long! We're still in the States, I want to know but neither Tofer nor Tripp would tell me! Stupid bro code!
Tofer suddenly shook his head. "Hah. Where are you, Zyril."
"Because! What is it?"
He shook his head again.
Tsk. Fine, whatever.
"Fine. No invites for you. Just gate crash," I said, regretting the information!
He shrugged and sipped his milk shake. "Whatever, Alys. Are you sure that's a real wedding? Could it be just a scam?"
"What?"
Is he crazy? I just heard about a scam wedding! What's up with that? And... why would Cristine and Drake have a scam wedding if scam weddings ever existed? Ah, thoughts!
"To tell you honestly, no one in our family knew that Drake was getting married..." he said.
"What? What? Explain it properly!"
God, what is this again?! Three days before the wedding and then I feel like I'm going crazy again!
He raised his hand and motioned me to chill. "Chill. Because, Miss Perez, I asked my mom and my dad, including Nana, no one knew about marriage. They thought I was joking! And you know..." he said, still teasing!
"What are you doing? You like teasing!"
He laughed a little at my reaction. Gah! Swear, I'm going to choke on this half-half!
"Nana said when I asked if Drake was getting married, 'Drake? I don't know, son. All I know is that Steve said he's waiting for his girlfriend who's studying abroad.' Isn't it! Isn't it! Oh my! It's a good thing Tripp wasn't there when I asked Nana, otherwise there wouldn't be another world war 2 in the Palma family!"
Okay, wait.
No, Alys. You're not the only one who studied abroad. Don't assume.
But damn! Don't be stupid, Alys! It's obvious that Drake is talking about you! Ugh! Drake and his crooked world!
"I'll really kill him!"
Tofer tsk-ed at me. "I really thought Shaira was the one they were fighting over the most. You're the one! That's awesome, Alys! Beauty is priceless!"
I stopped. "What? Beauty?"
Oh, no, Tofer. Please don't add anything. Let's put aside my curiosity about your true sexual orientation.
After talking to Tofer, I immediately went out and went to the hotel room I reserved for Cristine's belongings. It's a bit far since Cristine told me she wanted a beach wedding. I drove for hours. I opted to drive to clear my mind. All I could think about was Drake and Tripp. It's really getting out of hand.
When I got to the hotel room in Batangas, I went into the comfort room and stayed there for a while. I don't know why but I find staying inside the comfort room very comforting. I just sat down and think.
My phone kept on ringing. Tripp was calling.
You're such a bad girl, Alys. How do you manage to fool Tripp? You had the audacity to lie to his face over and over again. Yet you still manage to say you love him. Just... you're a freaking coward.
With trembling hands, I picked up the phone.
"Tripp..."
("Zy?")
"I'm sorry... I'm sorry..." I sobbed.
I don't know why I'm crying. I feel so terrible. I don't want to hurt Tripp, I don't want to. But...
"Tripp, I'm so sorry... I love you, okay?"
("What? No--")
I ended the line before I could pour my soul. I don't want to talk about things like that on the phone. I'd rather face him and tell him about my lies. He's Tripp. He's my Tripp. I'd rather look like a terrible person and tell him everything than to feed him with my lies. He doesn't deserve any of this. Tripp is so kind. I'd rather break Drake's heart than Tripp's. I just... I just can't afford.
And I hate explaining and thinking and hurting. I hate everything that's happening right now. Can't I just rewind when I don't have a problem?
I was about to come out of my comfort zone when I heard a voice.
"Gah! I missed the Philippines! I didn't miss you, Drake! You're still ugly!"
I stopped myself from opening the door. It was Cristine. And Drake.
I carefully closed the knob and stayed near the door, listening to every word they said.
"Stupid."
"Heh! You're stupid! You're the one I did a favor for, huh! Do you know I don't want to go to Canada but for you!! You're annoying!"
My heart was beating fast twice than its normal rate. Why am I hiding here? I can still get out.
"Then you should've gone to another place. Stupid."
"Hmp! You're the one I did a favor for! Thank you!"
"Tattletale."
"Bastard."
"Flirt."
"No way!"
"Shut up."
"Weh! Yes, I met someone there, Fier. Hihi, she's beautiful! I invited her to go on vacation in the Philippines. Do you want to be her friend too so that we can be friends?"
"No. Shut up, that would be better."
"Meh. Stubborn! Oh, is that the gown? She's so pretty! You'll definitely fall in love with Alys in this!"
Wait what?
"She's always beautiful."
"Nuxx! Improving! You're not stoic anymore, just a little bit!" Then I heard her laugh.
Please, please. What's going on? I wanted to crawl out and ask them but I can't... I'm afraid of what I might hear. All these things... Damn it all makes sense.
The gown...
The place...
Not knowing that he was going to marry Cristine...
That they still thought I was his girlfriend...
All the chasing and the screaming...
Damn.
"Hey, Drake. I just wish your plan wouldn't backfire. I've done my part and you did your begging. Now, it's up to Alys. If she'll say yes. And I do hope she'll say yes."