AMELIA POV
"Um, hi there," I responded cautiously, trying to place the person who had addressed me. "And who are you?" I asked, my brows furrowing in confusion.
"What's up, Amelia? It's me, Dave! Dave Sebastian, your neighbor from before! In Palawan! We used to build sandcastles on the beach all the time," he exclaimed, his face lighting up with nostalgia as he recalled our childhood adventures.
It took a moment for me to recognize him, and when I did, a smile spread across my face. "Dave? Dave Sebastian?" I exclaimed, my surprise clear in my voice.
"Of course, it's me! Can't you tell by this charming smile?" he chuckled, flashing a grin that resembled the mischievous boy I once knew.
Memories rushed back, remembering the carefree days spent under the sun, the salty breeze tousling our hair as we played along the shoreline. "Dave, I can't believe it's you!" I confessed, a smile spreading across my lips.
The man standing before me grinned, his eyes lighting up with recognition. "That's right! It's been ages, hasn't it?" he replied, his tone filled with warmth and nostalgia.
I couldn't resist smiling back, "It truly has," I agreed, feeling a wave of nostalgia. "Why did you suddenly disappear? You didn't even say goodbye. I waited for you there, but the caretaker said you relocated to Manila," I said, a touch of sadness in my voice.
Dave's smile faded slightly, and he looked down for a moment. "It's because of my dad. He got caught up with expanding his company, and we couldn't go back to Palawan as often as we used to. I didn't know how to contact you since I didn't have your landline."
Understanding came over me, mixed with a sense of empathy for the situation that caused his abrupt departure. "I understand. That must have been difficult for you," I replied, offering him a comforting smile. "Life has a way of getting in the way sometimes. I missed our adventures on the beach, Dave."
"Remember the sandcastles we used to build?" I asked, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips.
Dave chuckled, his eyes sparkling with affection. "Definitely! We were quite the builders, weren't we? Those sandcastles were our masterpieces."
Curiosity sparked within me as I realized I hadn't heard from Dave in years. "What have you been doing all this time, Dave? How has life been treating you since we left Palawan?"
A nostalgic smile tugged at the corners of his lips as Dave reminisced, his eyes distant with memories. "Well, after we moved to Manila, I focused on my studies. Eventually, I pursued a career in architecture, and it's been quite the satisfying journey so far," he shared, his voice tinged with a sense of pride.
I listened intently, captivated by his story. It was incredible to see how life had taken us on different paths, yet somehow, fate had brought us back together in this unexpected moment.
 I couldn't help but admire his resilience and determination to create a path for himself despite the challenges in his life. "That sounds amazing, Dave. I always knew you had a talent for creativity and foresight," I commented, genuine admiration evident in my eyes.
Dave's smile widened at my words, grateful for the validation. "Thanks, Amelia. It hasn't been easy, but I'm grateful for the opportunities that came my way," he replied, his tone humble yet filled with happiness.
"Enough about me! How have you been, Amelia?" he asked, genuine curiosity shining in his eyes, his voice filled with warmth and sincerity.
I shrugged, a nostalgic smile playing on my lips. "Oh, you know, just trying to figure out life's ups and downs," I replied, my voice tinged with a hint of sadness.
Dave's expression turned serious for a moment, a shadow passing over his features before he quickly hid it with a forced smile. "Oh, you know how it is," he said casually, though I could sense a hint of sadness in his voice. "Life takes unexpected twists, but you learn to roll with the punches."
I nodded, fully grasping the unpredictability of life. "Yeah, I guess you're right," I agreed softly, my mind wandering to the recent changes in my own life.
There was a brief pause between us, the weight of unspoken words hanging heavy in the air. But before either of us could speak, Dave broke the silence, genuinely curious. "So, what brings you here? I didn't expect to see you on the rooftop of all places."
I paused for a moment, uncertain of how much to disclose about my current situation. But in the end, I chose honesty. "Well, actually, my fiancé runs this company," I explained, feeling a twinge of frustration at the mention of Alexander. "We were in the midst of planning our wedding, but he got called away for a sudden meeting."
Dave's eyebrows raised in surprise, his expression filled with genuine interest. "You're getting married? Wow, that's... that's a big step," he remarked, his voice tinged with a hint of awe.
I suppose. It's just a matter of taking things one step at a time," I replied, offering him a reassuring smile.
Dave nodded in understanding, his gaze filled with a mix of empathy and admiration. "Well, I'm here for you if you ever need someone to talk to. Feel free to reach out," he offered, his sincerity evident in his words.
Thanking Dave for his support, I felt relieved to have a friend with me during these tough times. "Thanks, Dave. I really appreciate it," I said, feeling grateful for his kindness.
I didn't wait for his response as Alexander suddenly pulled me away from the rooftop, his grip strong and unwavering. Surprised, I glanced at him, only to find his eyes filled with rage, his gaze intense and chilling.
"What are you doing here? I've been looking for you. I told you to wait for me in the office," he snapped at me, his voice laced with annoyance.
I attempted to pull my hand free, wincing at the pain. "Hey, relax. Amelia seems hurt, just release her hand," Dave interrupted, his voice filled with concern as he approached us.
Alexander's anger surged even more, his voice getting louder. "Shut Up! Stay out of our conversation," he shouted, his grip on my hand tightening as he pulled me away. I glanced back at Dave, silently reassuring him, "I'm fine. Don't worry." I could see the concern in his eyes, but he listened to my words and stayed where he was.
As we entered the elevator, Alexander finally let go of my hand, but his determined gaze remained fixed on the door ahead. My frustration erupted, and I couldn't help but release my built-up anger.
"What's your problem? That hurt, you know. And who are you to talk to me like that and embarrass me in front of my friend? Twice in one day!" I snapped, my voice showed with an annoyance.
But Alexander stayed quiet, his focus solely on the elevator door. His lack of response only fueled my anger, and I kept expressing my frustrations.
"Hey, I'm speaking to you! Can't you hear?" I demanded, my patience running out.
Finally, after what seemed like forever, Alexander turned to me, his expression serious as he asked a question that surprised me.
"Why did you leave?" he asked, his voice devoid of its previous hostility. I hesitated, surprised by the sudden change in tone. But I quickly gathered myself, refusing to retreat.
"Why did I leave? Well, because one of your women showed up. She was angry and tried to make me feel like I came second to her! Like I even care! So I left because I didn't want to deal with your women anymore," I retorted, my frustration boiling over.
“She's not my woman,” Alexander whispered, his words barely audible.His confession caught me off guard, and for the first time I saw the vulnerability beneath his arrogance.
The elevator doors finally opened, and we entered the dimly lit basement where Alexander's car was parked. The silence between us was noticeable as we drove home, each lost in our own thoughts.
As we pulled up to the house, Alexander waited for me to get out before speeding off in his car, leaving me standing alone on the doorstep. I couldn't help but wonder what had caused his sudden change in behavior, but I pushed aside my questions as I entered the house, eager to escape the lingering tension of our confrontation on the rooftop.
What could his problem be? I wondered to myself as I entered the house.
I couldn't shake off the day's events: the clash with Eliza, the surprise encounter with Dave, and the heated argument with Alexander. My mind was a jumble of feelings, and I needed time to sort through it all.
I found comfort in the silence of the room, sinking into my bed and letting the day's events consume me. As I lay there, staring at the ceiling, I couldn't help but think about what had caused Alexander's sudden change in behavior. There was a vulnerability in his eyes that I had never noticed before, a side of him that he had hidden. I felt there was a deeper story, more tied to his behavior and the women who seemed to be involved in his life.
The day's events had left me emotionally exhausted, and sleep gradually overtook me, providing a brief break from the inner chaos. But even as I slept, I couldn't evade the questions that troubled my thoughts.