"WHAT was that all about?!"
Disgustingly, I wiped a cotton pad on my lips to remove all traces of the kiss of my cheater ex-boyfriend earlier in the horror house. My night here in the bedroom was totally ruined and I couldn't help but punch the pillow next to me just to let my anger all out. Kuya was just watching me lose my mind while his brain is occupied with something else.
I just let him think about whatever was bothering his mind as long as I had to get all my annoyance out of my body. So here it goes, I'm piling the pillows on the bed that I could find and dropping my body against it imagining that the pillow is my enemy and I'm killing it so bad with my weight like how wrestlers do.
"That's mine!" He hissed at me then grabbed the poor deflated pillow from my tight grip.
His pillow was poorly deflated that it looked like a marshmallow that's not fluffy anymore in the mouth. Now I'm worried that it's not as cozy as before.
"Jess, do you still love him?" My eyebrows creased immediately at his question.
How many times do I have to answer that stupid question? And why is he repeating that anyway? Isn't he tired of asking me the same question? Another annoying stuff that fuels up my anger. Is he planning to keep things going back and forth? Because if he does, I'm not planning to exert energy on his nonsense.
"I DON'T!" I emphasized my short answer lazily.
I held on to my chest immediately when an idea came to my mind. His question benefited us. Now, we had a better plan of what to do next.
"Kuya what if he still loves me?" The corner of his lips rose while looking at me intently.
"Isn't it obvious Jess?" I scoffed at his conclusion.
"Jacob? Still, loves me? How come?" I pointed at my sternum because it never once crossed my mind that, that jerk still loves me until now. It makes me nauseous.
"Maybe you just didn't notice, but I saw it clearly. I can see it by how he looks at YOU." He pointed at my face. The tone of Kuya's speech was serious so I just shut up.
When he talks, I listened like a child.
"When a man loves for the first time, it doesn't disappear instantly Jess so there's no doubt m-" I cut him off because I really can't accept what he's trying to insinuate right now.
That's not possible! DEFINITELY NOT!
"What if it's a false positive?" I raised a brow opposing his claims.
"Why? Are you scared? I thought you don't have feelings for him anymore?" He pointed at my left chest, referring to my heart.
"We need to run more tests to prove your claim," I asserted and immediately turned my back from him then throw myself to bed and shut my eyes close in anguish.
"You can still back out Jess. You better clear things up with him. You just need to t-" I immediately covered my ears with a pillow and wrapped myself in a blanket so that I won't hear anything that he would say.
That kiss won't change my mind. Most importantly, I will not let all my plans be ruined just because he still loves me. I don't believe in second chances and I will continue what I started. If he really loved me, he shouldn't have thought of fooling around and hurting me like that. I felt the heaviness of my eyes and wonderland called me. The next day, I woke up without Kuya's presence except that he left a sticky note near the lampshade.
"Level 2 - Pool."
I yawned while reading his message and I went straight to the shower and wear my summer yellow one-piece bikini that matches my radiant skin tone. Its sweetheart neckline exposed my cleavage. I yawned as I slipped on my white marikina shoes and for the final touch... my black shades. I looked at myself in the mirror to check my butt cheeks going up to my overall figure. I looked hot and irresistible as usual. With a smile, I grabbed my phone and sunscreen before leaving the room.
"Let's just see if a fly won't land in that snake's mouth with what I'm going to do later, " I whispered to myself while going down the stairs leading to the pool.
I could already hear the screams of my classmates having fun in the pool as I walked down the hallway. I heard the splashing of water and the squeal of fun and excitement while waiting for their turn on the slide.
"In 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, ACTION!"
Then I flashed the charming smile that could captivate everyone's attention to me. I waved my hand to greet them warmly and just like I presumed, their heads turned towards my direction, but just for a short period when they heard a scream of disgust in the sunbathing area. I approached that area full of confidence wearing my fake smile. That type of smile I know she can read because she has mastered the art of fakeness just like how she fooled me as far as history can remember.
"Is everything alright?" I cast a meaningful look at a hotel crew holding a tray.
She got what I meant and arranged what she was carrying and then swept the broken glass on the Bermuda grass. She took a towel from the empty cottage and Ivy was in the middle of exploding when my batchmates started gossiping and laughing at her. I can't blame them though for being uncontrollably intrigued about what Ivy did to win Jacob. She was about to pull the waitress's hair in her anger when I stepped between them and threw a warning look at her.
Don't you dare lay a hand on my father's employees or else, I will run over you and squash you like a flee.
It would be nice if I can say that to her face, but I didn't. Instead, I controlled my boiling point and stifled an approachable smile. I turned my attention to my ex-best friend whose nose and ears were smoking mad because the orange juice filled her white bikini which she really deserved. Actually, that's still not enough after everything the pain she caused me.
"Oh my God! Ivy, are you okay?" I changed quickly into worried eyes, but behind that fake concern is a wide smile as I watched her disgusted face.
She smiled a bit awkwardly in my presence, but I could clearly see the anger in her eyes that she was trying to hide. She raised an eyebrow and clenched her fist. I'm sure he saw what Jacob did last night at the horror house, and she can't deny that she's hurt because his own boyfriend kissed his first love.
However, I made sure that my kind act today will convince her that last night was not my fault for two reasons. First, unlike her, I am not a treacherous snake. Second, I'm not the one who initiated the kiss. And she needs to know the difference and who she should be targeting. Absolutely, it's not ME and I'll make sure of that.
"What! Why are you so stupid? What a cheap service you have here. ARGH!"
My ears tingled when she said the word 'cheap' but I managed to control my temper. It's good that I know how to control myself altogether. I wrapped the white towel around her waist that the crew handed to her but she didn't accept. She was surprised by how I volunteered and at the same time, embarrassed by the people who witnessed what I did.
"Ivy, I'll just report to their manager about what happened. If you don't mind, I can go with you to the swimwear shop so you can wear a new and not CHEAP bikini." I stifled a kind smile after emphasizing the word cheap on his face and the snake who bit me from behind got bitten by my offer.
Good thing, your dull brain hasn't changed Ivy. Just a little offer, you're trapped right away. I didn't take away my kind smile as I helped her choose a bikini. She chose a pink two-piece bikini and I gestured for her to get inside the fitting room. While she's in the fitting room, I sent a discreet message to Jia and I received a response in less than a minute. I plastered a despicable smirk secretly and took it off when Ivy finished fitting in and got out of the room straight to the cashier.
"Let's go?" I asked and gestured after she paid at the cashier then we went back to the pool.
"Thanks Jess." I waved my hand, saying no probs and left her to sunbathe again.
NO thanks Ivy, I had fun looking at you getting irritated and will have more fun ruining your lovey-dovey time in the future. Because starting from this day onwards, I know your locations every single day. I sat at the edge of the pool away from people pushing each other for a dive. Guys greeted me with their interest in hooking me, but I am very well aware of those tricky moves they're throwing at me. Meanwhile, the others show off and want to get noticed by showing their backflips in the pool.
I just enjoyed dangling my feet in the water, then my eyes fixed on Jacob who was topless sitting next to Ivy. He nodded at what Ivy was saying probably about the accident earlier. I looked away when he almost caught me staring in their direction I don't want him to assume that I was asking for closure or proper breakup, whatever the appropriate term for that because that's not going to happen. I got up and decided to leave the boring pool party because my mission is done there. I headed to the CR and inhaled a large amount of air then exhaled sharply. I just want to wet my face when Jacob startled me with his deep voice making me jump in surprise.
"Why are you here?" I pointed him and his brow raised.
He looked up to check if he's in the right place, but he pointed me back instead as if I was the one who made a mistake. A grave one.
"This is the men's comfort r-"
I covered my mouth in an instant, looked around checking the gender label above and he's right. I just committed a stupid crime. I wanted to tweak myself when I realized I entered the wrong place. I even looked around and transferred me look at him before making up my mind to get out of that place. My goodness!
I didn't look at him, nor bother explaining myself and left the area composed as if I didn't commit a crime. I looked around to make sure that no one noticed me and thank God, the area was clear. I continued walking still confident and not looking suspicious. I went back to my room, but before I could open the door, someone grabbed my wrist so I immediately looked up at him.
"You left your sunscreen b-" I cut him off, averting his gaze because I'm embarrassed about what happened earlier.
"Thanks." I quickly responded then opened the door, but before I could enter my room, he pulled my arm and I stared deep into his eyes.
"C-an we talk ... privately?" He stammered and I looked down at his trembling hands.
I didn't know what to answer and given that Kuya wasn't around. Here I am again stuck up in unplanned scenes. I'm scared that everything goes wrong when things aren't planned. I only have myself right now so it's up to me to decide. I've entered this one so I should be ready anytime for the next thing that will happen, especially unplanned talks that really creep me out.
"Let's talk somewhere else." I lowered my voice once he removed his grip on my arm.
I entered the room to get my wallet, then he followed me outside the hotel. We quietly walked to the cafe at the adjacent resort so it was okay that I was still in a bikini. I don't care if others get distracted because I'm used to it and it's not my fault that I'm born beautiful in the first place. I can feel his illegal, stolen glances at me, but I didn't complain.
We entered a small cafe without too many people meddling with us because they enjoy swimming on the beach under the sweet summer sun. He moved the wooden chair before I could reach the top rail like a gentleman. I responded with a grateful smile and sat comfortably. Well, I no longer fall for such styles.
He moved it forward and took his seat adjacent to me. A waiter came and took our order. Since I have no appetite, I just ordered coconut delights in a coconut shell and he ordered the same.
We waited for the order and I just looked around inside the cafe. The cute design is on the cafe is like a little candy house and there are Kpop posters on the right side and a freedom wall full of sticky notes on the other side. Probably, messages of couples when they come here like duh, forever is just a word and it doesn't exist here in this world.
He propped his elbow on the wooden table while his fingers closed together and I could feel his penetrating stares at me.
What the heck! Little by little he might get addicted to me! My revenge is no challenge then! I whispered to myself as I gazed at the abstract paintings near our table.
I scrolled on my phone to show that I'm doing something, then it came to mind that I need to text Kuya where we are and what I should do to my ex. We shouldn't just talk, then what? He will act as if he will apologize like in the dramas? Yuck! Disgusting! Hell no! Less than a minute, I immediately received a reply from Kuya.
From: Babe
TRACKER
You read it right. I actually put it in the phonebook as per instruction. He's the boss. Annoying! I immediately hid the phone when the waiter placed our order. I check the food first and smell before tasting the creamy ice cream. Just to make sure, I won't get poisoned... and die.
"It's good." The waiter smiled at me when he heard my compliment then left the two of us.
I crossed my legs over to the side while my hands were placed on my thighs, waiting for him to start a conversation.
"So, what are we going to talk about?" I leaned my back at the chair while tapping my fingers on the table.
He swallowed a lump in his throat and stared at me before saying the two most cliche words in the whole wide world. Cliche but struck me to the core.
"I'm sorry... I really am."
"I'M SORRY... I really am," he reiterated and I plastered a sad smile. I looked down on the floor before I met his lonely eyes. I reciprocated a friendly smile, not for the sake of his comfort, but because I need to.
"Jacob, it's been a long time. As I've said yesterday, we're okay, we can be fri-" he cut me off when he reached for my hand on the table. I looked down when I felt something that electrocuted me.
"It's about the kiss last night." I immediately withdrew my hand and just hid it under the table and he shifted in his seat.
I thought he meant the one at the shop yesterday, but it's the kiss last night at the horror house. I studied his facial expression predicting what will he say next, but all I saw there was sadness, pain, and longing but half of me wasn't convinced at all.
"I didn't mean t-" His brows furrowed when I cut him off instantly.
"Let's forget about last night," I said impulsively.
His confused expression from my sudden reaction was explicit that even I was shocked with myself. I don't know, but I don't want to hear what he has to say.
"What do you mean?" he finally spoke after processing everything.
"I know you're sorry so apology accepted. Can we be friends again? Like before?" I offered my hand for us to shake hands, the same hand he held earlier.
Doubt was written on his face so I pushed my facial expression to be more convincing to make him say yes.
"Why?" he hesitated at first, but I counteracted it using my fake honest eyes before he can sense that I'm up to something.
"I don't want to have hard feelings for you and Ivy, so friends or friends?" He seemed to get the point and he reluctantly agreed to shake hands with me.
"Friends." He sounded defeated.
I plastered a friendly smile when I looked down on our hands, but behind it was a laughter of success. I thought I'm gonna get caught, but just like Ivy, he's fooled and clueless. Little by little, the two of them will fall into my trap.
Watch out Jacob! You might wake up one day regretting the moment you shook hands with me. I pretended to enjoy how he reminisces our old throwback stories because we're now, friends. I don't know what has gotten to his brain that he's in the mood for those disgusting throwback memories, but I have no choice but to endure hearing it from him.
I just nod and laugh with him so that he can feel how good I am to be his friend. It's only a limited edition of our friendship, but of course, he doesn't know when is the expiration date of this friendship because after I get what I want, we can be no longer be friends.
His stories are just random moments. He even threw back our moments in high school that I already erased in my memories. I don't even remember the other things he's telling me and I don't know why he still holds on to those past memories of us though. It doesn't have any value to me now. Apparently, I was just going along on his throwback trip, then he excused himself.
"Ahm Jacob, can I borrow a phone? I'll just call someone."
I shifted in my seat slightly to the other side so he could see my cleavage while smiling at him seductively. I saw him look down at my chest and then handed me his phone without him being aware of it.
Men and their weakness, I scoffed at the back of my mind.
He immediately turned around and went straight to CR. He took longer than expected. Maybe the toilet flushed him already. While he was away, I dialed my own number and then turned it off immediately after a minute and opened the case of his phone. I opened my wallet to get the nanotech tracker inside, then carefully set it below the back camera.
After almost 10 minutes, the door of the CR opened and I quickly put the phone to my ear as if I was talking to someone and then handed it back to him. He didn't notice anything strange so I took a deep breath. Because the tracker is transparent and thin, it's impossible that he'll notice it.
While we were talking again, I secretly texted Jia for the next action. I don't know how I did it while keeping up with the person I was talking to. He didn't notice my hands doing some action under the wooden table and we talked until we decided to leave the cafe and return to the hotel peacefully.
We were close to the pool when I eyed Jia approaching. I gently slapped Jacob on his chest, pretending how funny his jokes were. Unexpectedly, the floor I stepped in was wet and my smart idea was angling my feet to create a false slide on his side. Jacob has good agility and reaction time and before I fell on the floor he caught me immediately. And for the final touch, I wrapped my hand around his neck to make it look more naturally persuasive. I clung to him and stared into his dark eyes in shock.
He had my head carefully rested in his arms while one hand was wrapped around my waist. My wide eyes gazed slowly in surprise and blinked when our eyes met.
Indeed, a perfect angle to hurt someone's feelings.