(Alys Prov)
I closed the door. You're so windy, Drake! Years have passed but you're still the same arrogant person that I knew.
I was holding the steering wheel while blowing my bangs off of my face. I haven't been back in the Philippines for less than a month, but I'm already very stressed reaching out to Drake! What does he want? We're obviously done. We are done and I have no intention to get back to where we left off.
I'm being redundant now. I was hurt, very badly. And now? I don't want to experience the same thing all over again. I like myself better now. Sure, the Alys he knew was good but I'm better. Maybe he knows that I'm not bound to be immature forever. At some point, I will grow up. I'll mature. And here I am.
"Tsk," I uttered as I unbuckled my seatbelt. I got out of the car and followed Drake. I should stop this madness right now. Tripp will be back in two days, I don't want him to come back with Drake and I in this situation. I love Tripp so badly, I can't handle it if we fight because of Drake.
I showed my ID to the lady at the front desk.
"Miss Alys Perez?"
I nodded. Why did she seem surprised? "Why?"
She gave me a timid smile and then handed me my visitor's pass. I also asked her where Drake's floor was and she told me it was the 31st floor.
I got into the elevator and then when I pressed the 31st, it still needed a passcode. Really, Drake? Are you just so special?
I breathe hard. Calm down, Alys. I thought of calling him but it's no use since I don't have his number. I don't want to call Cristine either, no! We're not in that kind of relationship where I'll call her out of the blue. I think that Cristine's nice, well, according to what Tito Steve had told me. But why is that? Whenever she sees me, she's nice but you know what... something is obviously off and I can't pin point. It's frustrating!
I've been trying the code since it's only been 3 tries.
Think, Alys.
1131?
Nah. Why would Drake make that his passcode? Didn't the peg move on? And he already has a fiancé!
I put Tripp and I'm on our anniversary since we were together, which really weirds me out. We really did have the same September 13th? Too much of a coincidence but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. I don't know if it's just a coincidence, right?
0913
Incorrect code.
Aish! If I get three wrong, I won't be able to go up. Waste of effort! Luckily, not many people ride this elevator... is it because it's only for executives? Weird! Drake seems really special! He has his own elevator, the floor even has a code!
My hand is still shaking a little but here we go...
1131.
There. Screw it, Drake. 1131?!
Cristine's POV
"Hey, Palma," I said to Drake. He's been quiet, which is normal. Since college, he's been really quiet.
He gestured that he's listening so I spoke. "Until when are we gonna play this game?" I asked him.
He stopped writing and he looked at me. "Why? Are you tired?" he asked me.
I shook my head. I'm not tired, I'm just... confused. As you can see, Drake and I, we're not together. He's my best friend but we were never romantically involved. And I don't think we ever will be. I like to be with him because he's smart. He's so smart that I'm fascinated when we're together because I learn a lot. And me, I don't know. He said he likes being with me too. I don't know. We just click together.
"We're not playing, Cristine," he said.
I shrugged. I can't do anything, he's Drake and he rarely wants anything.
He's like the most generous person I know. In college, he was like the tutor of the whole bloc. He didn't complain, he just taught. But that's all, teaching. No personal interaction whatsoever. There were also a lot of girls around him but he wouldn't even spare them a glance because he has a girlfriend.
He's so dedicated and cute!
But it all went south when the second semester started. I don't even want to remember it because as Drake's friend, it hurts. You know what? You see him struggling to keep their relationship alive but then one day, he comes back here to the Philippines looking like he's lost everything important in his life?
It was... heart breaking. Really, really heartbreaking.
That's how it is, isn't it? When someone who is strong gets hurt, the pain intensifies because you know that even though they're strong, they still manage to get hurt. The pain must have been too much for them to succumb. And Drake is so strong. Alys must have really hurt him.
"So, how's the wedding? Don't tell me you're going to marry me. Bloody hell, I won't!" I said. Based on Drake, if it wasn't for Alys, he'd probably marry me. No. I like him but I don't like him that much to dedicate my lifetime to him!
He smirked at me. How arrogant of him for someone who agreed to be his pretend fiance! "You know who my bride is."
I smiled at him and exited his office.
Yes, I know. For Drake, it has always been Alys... and it will always be Alys.
Alys' POV
Okay, calm down, Alys.
I was still closed-mouthed when the elevator opened.
Okay? Weird. A whole floor but empty! What is this, a warehouse?!
When I saw that there was no one there, I went back to the elevator. Waste of time, waste of effort!
I had already gotten down to the ground floor when my phone rang.
"Ugly!!" I said in glee. He didn't call yesterday, I missed that ugly one!
("Look behind you," he said.
I quickly looked behind me, expecting to see Tripp. "Are you kidding me?!"
He suddenly laughed on the other line. I was about to answer when someone suddenly hugged me from behind. "Tripp!" I said. "You're home----Drake?!"
I was surprised. He was hugging me. Tripp was still talking on the phone but I was frozen like ice. Sht.
("Hello, Zyril? Hello?")
I covered my phone and spoke softly. "What the hell, Drake?!" then I glared at him. He looked at me and then kissed my neck.
This a-hole!!
"What the melon?!!" I couldn't help but scream. He kissed me! He freaking kissed my neck!!
("Perez, hey? Are you still there?")
Keep your cool, Alys. "Busy right now, Panget. Call you later, okay?"
("But---") I didn't let him finish what he was saying because I already turned off the phone.
I pushed him away from me.
"Drake, what's your problem, huh?!" I said, trying to contain my anger. I'm so annoyed now! WE'RE DONE, HE LEFT ME! Isn't that even clear in the sunlight?!
He shrugged. He freaking shrugged!
I pointed my finger at him. "Don't do that again." I said, meaning every word.
"I can't promise you that one," he said. "We missed your 20th birthday. Don't you remember?"
THIS FREAKING A-HOLE!!