Jealousy.
"The feeling of envy towards someone that may be because of their achievements or advantages. It's a negative emotion but a positive indication that you like someone."
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Three times. Three times KENZO had received a no from Senthie. And today was no different. In the two weeks that had passed, he was trying to get Senthie to spend time with him by asking her out for dinner or whenever she had time to hang out, but she would always say she couldn't, and that she had a prior engagement, instead, she'd only say that she would just make it up to him next time. And so, Kenzo did only ask her if he could visit her tonight since she was finally moving back home after two weeks of living in GMC's studio, but the same response, he got. He was rejected five times. It was only five times, but it hurt him a hundred times. No words could explain how much he was missing her. He knew she was busy, but he couldn't take her off of his mind knowing that Jimhuesh was just around the corner. Although he was aware that Senthie wouldn't fall for him, he still felt threatened and jealous of him. He didn't want to feel these emotions, yet he had no control over them. It was overwhelming, it was making him drown. He needed a distraction. This was when Kassandra came into the picture.
"Hi, Kenny! Can you meet me at the Cinema Center VIP 2 of Grand Mall San Pedro?" Kassandra sighed, her breath reverberating from the other line. "My friend can't come, so, I was thinking maybe we can see the movie together instead? I really wanna watch the sequel to "My Heart, My Angel" but I don't wanna be alone. Will you come? Please?"
Kenzo was as if being rescued and perhaps, could use some help without asking for it. Being with Kassandra might be a good choice. She was the opposite of Senthie, so he was far to be reminded of her. Kassandra was interested and loved to be around him all the time, she made it obvious that even the dense Kenzo had taken notice of it. He felt valued, and appreciated. He felt loved. However, it was love that was given by someone he wasn't yearning for. Nevertheless, he was still grateful. Kenzo agreed to watch the movie with her.
It was ten minutes before the movie would start when Kenzo arrived, but there was no line and only Kassandra and a lady guard were there.
"The movie hasn't started yet, right? Are we the only ones watching it?" he asked jokingly.
She giggled. "Yes! Didn't I tell you I don't wanna be alone? If you didn't come, the theatre would be all mine, alone. How sad would that be?"
He blinked. "You booked the whole movie theatre?"
Kassandra nodded and then linked her arm with Kenzo as she led the way inside.
The movie theater was dim and cool when they entered. As they head to their seats, in the middle, not too far, not too close to the screen, the spot that Kassandra must have chosen as it already had the snacks (popcorn, nachos, and the beverages) between the two seats, where they could comfortably lie down because of its thick cushion, and it also had soft blanket waiting for them. The theater was designed for two people together, or simply, it was for couples or pairs. Each pair of seats were three feet away and each step had LED strip lights that made navigation through the dark much safer. It was one of the VIP theaters, so the service and the amenities were excellent. However, something took their attention, two lower rows away ahead of them, there were also snacks.
"I guess, we're not completely alone together," Kenzo stated as he sat down while Kassandra still standing, staring at the snacks.
Her brows met. "They've got to be kidding me."
He chuckled as he leaned his back. "It's okay. Don't let it get to you. It'll just ruin your mood."
She puffed and pouted which made Kenzo laugh. "Don't laugh. They should've at least told me. This won't do, I must get what I've paid for."
Kassandra turned and then began to walk to the exit. Kenzo tried to convince her, but it didn't work. He offered to go with her but she refused and told him she could handle the matter. Kassandra was now nearing the last aisle when two people, perhaps the ones who managed to get seats even though the whole theater was booked. As soon as their eyes met, Kassandra raised her voice. Though it was a bit loud, Kenzo couldn't make out what she said. He pulled himself up and decided to go over them, but was halted when Kassandra turned and laughed, and seemed to be that she was leading the way to their seats. Kenzo smiled, he thought she was cute. How she was just mad a while ago to how she was very welcoming now. However, that smile of his turned to a frown as his heart made an aching turn.
The Vice President of GMC was here and he was with the woman Kenzo was in love with. He hated to admit it, but they looked great together.
"Kenny! Sen is here!" Kassandra yelled as they neared him. Senthie greeted him and Kenzo forced a smile as his response. His heart twinged at the thought of Senthie choosing Jimhuesh instead of him. Her prior engagement was a date with the GMC's VP, and what even made Kenzo feel more dejected was when Senthie mouthed "sorry" to him.
"We meet again... Kenny," Jimhuesh said with a smirk. Kassandra burst out laughing while Senthie was holding it in, pressing her lips together.
Kenzo maintained his poker face and corrected Jimhuesh. "It's Kenzo for you."
"Oh, sorry about that, Kenzo." Jimhuesh cleared his throat. "Anyway, I hope you don't mind us watching the movie with you. Don't worry, our seats are over there, so... no one would interrupt your date with Kassandra."
"No, I don't mind at all. Would you like to join us here, instead? I mean, you can take that spot," Kenzo invited. His hand pointed at the lower seats ahead of theirs. He didn't want Jimhuesh to take Senthie all by himself, he might make a move on her. He had to keep an eye on him.
Jimhuesh agreed and thanked him for the offer.
Kenzo couldn't help but feel hurt and disappointed when Senthie thanked him, also. She wasn't affected at all. She was cool with it. She seemed to have forgotten that Kenzo was his ex that still loved her. There was no guilt or sadness in her eyes. Kenzo wanted to keep his feelings to himself but his emotions overpowered his dedication to resist the urge of asking them a personal question with an obvious answer. "Are you two dating?"
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Curiosity was killing him. JIMHUESH suspected the man called "Kenny" by Kassandra had feelings for Senthie by the way he could feel daggers through his eyes as soon as their eyes met and by the way he was looking at Senthie as if she was the only person in the world. However, it wouldn't make sense that this Kenzo boy was dating Kassandra if he didn't like her. That was his thought at first, but he realized it was possible. It was possible to date or even marry someone without having any romantic feelings for them. He remembered his parents. He remembered himself and the woman he was with at the moment. But when Kenzo asked if he and Senthie were dating, he said, "yes," even though he wasn't sure if the woman on the subject would agree with him. He said it to confirm his suspicion. He wanted to see Kenzo's reaction. But Jimhuesh was more surprised when Senthie answered, "yes," also. He thought she wouldn't say anything, but she seemed to be confident and perhaps, proud when she said it. For some reason, Jimhuesh's heart skipped a beat as if the time had stopped and only her "yes" replayed in his mind.
"Wait, do I actually like her?" he asked himself internally.
"That's wonderful! I never thought I'd see the day you'll date someone, Jim! What did you do to him, Sen?" Kassandra said enthusiastically.
Senthie chuckled. "Should I tell her?" She looked at Jimhuesh who was now blushing.
He smiled awkwardly and furrowed his brows. "There's nothing to tell." He then looked at Kassandra and then at Kenzo. "It's obviously because I find her interesting."
"Oh, I see," Kenzo uttered. He then sighed heavily and audibly and smiled sadly, Jimhuesh had noticed, but perhaps, all of them had seen it. He was affected by it but he seemed to not want to make it obvious, so he added, "the movie will start in a few minutes. Let's all make ourselves comfortable."
Before the movie started, the snacks were already transferred to their new spot. However, Jimhuesh couldn't focus on the movie from the beginning to the middle, since he was still thinking about what happened to him earlier. He wondered if he was starting to catch feelings for Senthie or did he, indeed, had those feelings right from the very start. Was Rychie right? But from what he felt, he knew he had already lost. That feeling was feeling. It wasn't just nothing. He felt something. Something he didn't foresee. "Whatever happened to I'll date her and feel nothing? No, impossible. I'm sure I was just surprised," he thought again to himself, denying his feelings.
"Did you say something?" Senthie suddenly asked.
Jimhuesh's eyes widened. That wasn't supposed to be said out loud. How careless he was. He smiled and shook his head as he whispered, "nothing."
"Okay, but... Do you have something to say to me?" She raised her brows. "You're staring at me like I'm the movie. It's making me uncomfortable, to be honest."
"When did I do that? Or maybe I did?" he chuckled.
Suddenly, a throaty cough interrupted them. Jimhuesh and Senthie looked at the source from behind them. It was Kenzo, but his gaze was on the screen. Still, he said, "I think we should focus on the movie."
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Jimhuesh and Senthie went ahead to the parking lot without Kassandra and Kenzo since they were having dinner after the movie. They were invited to join them, but Senthie and Jimhuesh had to decline. They wanted to go home and rest as soon as possible.
"I still can't move on with the movie! I did not expect the ending to be like that! Still, I love it because it's a happy ending for both of the MCs, I guess," Senthie said and then sighed heavily as she walked faster, so Jimhuesh kept his pace, also. She probably missed her bed, he thought, he could relate. Senthie looked at him and smiled. "Anyway, thanks for tonight."
"You're welcome and thank you." He smiled. "By the way, do you have something in mind for our last date?"
"Oh," she gasped. "About that... I'll leave everything to you, so you can decide. Just give me the details before you arrange anything, 'coz I really do hate surprises, just so you know."
He chuckled. "Fine, I will."
Senthie even walked faster, heading to the red car parked in between a white van and a blue car that Jimhuesh had recognized to be Kassandra's.
"Is that your car?" he asked as he pointed at the red one.
"Yes."
Jimhuesh scurried over to reach her car door first to open it. Senthie gave him a smile and a thank you. She remained standing just by the door that Jimhuesh was still holding. They were looking at each other as if waiting for one another to say something.
Senthie smiled. "Thank you, Mr. Anderson, you didn't need to walk me here but you did. I appreciate it. You know what, I think you will be a good boyfriend to your future girlfriend." She chuckled. "Anyway, have a good night, and see you next Sunday."
Jimhuesh wrinkled his forehead. "I think, Mr. Anderson is too formal for someone you went on two dates already. You can just call me Jim."
She laughed. "Fine... Jim. You can call me Senthie, or by my nickname, Sen. So, don't you ever call me Rinana again." She then raised her brows at him, hopped into her car, and pulled the door to close it, gently.
Jimhuesh chuckled as he leaned forward to see her through the window that Senthie had just rolled down. "I will, Sen...Sen. Have a good night and drive safely, Sensen," he teased.
Senthie glared at him but laughed after. She started the engine and left, and then, that was the time, when Jimhuesh headed to where his car was parked, grinning like an idiot until he realized he was and slapped his mouth multiple times. "Stop smiling!"
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Hello, Noomiells!
Thank you for reading this chapter. Hope you liked it. :D
Giving up is not in Kenzo's vocabulary, don't you think so? XD
What do you think of jealous Kenzo? XD
What do you think will be JimSen's last date?
Do you agree that Jimhuesh will be a good boyfriend?
Who is it you like better, Jim or Ken?
I would like to know your opinion. Please, let me know! :D