THE next day was Friday, and Kuya Marc called me last night to update me on our next step. We didn't meet much after that scene at the training ground because they were bonding with his family. He also took care of the contact with important people during the opening.
Today, we're taking another step to gradually ruin Jacob and Ivy's relationship. Not to mention that their relationship has already a crack on the surface. I first parked at the restaurant where Kuya and I would meet. I looked at myself for the last time in the rearview mirror to check if my makeup looked fine. I winked at the mirror and flashed my charming smile before going out of the car.
I immediately saw Jacob near the glass window who was depressed from waiting. It's around 3 pm in the afternoon, and according to Kuya's sources, they have a date today with Ivy. It's up to Kuya and me to catch some information we can use for future purposes.
"Inhale confidence, exhale doubts. Jessica, you are gorgeous, and you can do this." I reminded myself before entering the restau, finding our reservation.
What's nice in this restau is the staff assisting us to our reserved table. When we reached our table, I sat down with poise and pretended that I overlooked Jacob even though our table was next to each other.
"Jess?" I closed my eyes before glancing at him, wearing my charming smile.
"Jacob! What a surprise!" He smiled back at me while his fingers lightly tapping on the table.
"You're waiting for someone?" He asked with a curious look.
"My fiancee." My answer erased his smile and made him look away slightly.
"How about you? Are you waiting for someone?" I shot his question back at him, and he shifted his seat to answer me.
"Hi, babe." We both looked behind me as Kuya planted a possessive kiss on my cheek.
"I'm sorry I'm late. Something came up." Kuya formally said, then took his seat adjacent to me.
"Hi, babe." Next, Ivy appeared at the other table wearing a red turtleneck and white pants. The intense heat of the summer really gave her the idea of wearing a turtleneck. So suspicious. We ignored them when a waiter approached our table and took our orders.
"Hi, Jess! There you are." Ivy greeted me, and I gave him a sweet smile. Fortunately, she noticed my presence.
"Babe, I have good news for you." Kuya reached for my hand and squeezed it a little, maintaining extended eye contact.
"What is it, babe?" I leaned forward to the table, paying attention to what he was going to say.
"I already asked Tito that we will have a trip to Bukidnon, and he agreed." My face lit up at what Kuya told me, and I really wanted to jump for joy like a child, but of course, we were here in a public place, so I controlled myself and remained my composure.
"Really? That's great!" I plastered a very wide smile trying to conceal my obvious excitement.
I caught in my peripheral vision Jacob crumpling the round tablecloth.
"But on one condition, your friends will go with us," Kuya added that made me more excited and happy.
Woah! Well, somehow I expected that. Now, I can't wait for our trip to Bukidnon with him and my friends.
"Thank you, babe. You don't have any idea how much you made me happy." I wiped a small tear on the side of my eyes, and Kuya intertwined our hands.
"Everything for you, babe." He looked at me with love, and my heart doubled in beat.
Why do I feel like everything he does is true? Are we still putting an act this time? Because I'm trying hard not to be carried away.
"Wine Ma'am, Sir." I let go of his hand when the waiter poured wine into our wine glasses.
I playfully ran my hands on my neck up to my jaw while looking at Kuya, putting some taste of seduction. Next came our orders, and while the waiter was serving, I ran my toes up to his legs up and down slowly, and he grinned at me sexily in response.
"Enjoy your food Ma'am, Sir." The waiter smiled and left.
Kuya raised his wine glass, and I also raised mine. We clinked the wine glasses, and we sipped with stares full of desire. Kuya and I also stared for a long time, and we had no plans to touch the food. I can really feel Jacob's stare at me, and I'm really enjoying the show we put on.
"Let's eat?" I broke the long, meaningful silence, then suddenly, his phone rang.
"Babe, I need to take this call." Kuya excused himself and put two fingers on the tablecloth as a sign for the next step before leaving.
I looked away instantly and glanced at Jacob's table. They were talking about something before, but I didn't listen much because I was too focused on Kuya. I was so overwhelmed by what he told me that I didn't get a hint of what Jacob and Ivy were talking about earlier.
"Babe, aren't you coming home this evening? I'm getting lonely." Ivy reached Jacob's hand and plastered a sad smile.
"Next week, babe. I'll go home after the party, okay?" Jacob tried to convince Ivy, but it made her upset.
"You don't have time for me anymore. You always have work." Ivy nodded and removed her hand that was holding Jacob.
I tasted the salad while listening to their conversation, and it was fine. I just don't really feel like it these past few days. Maybe because I feel lonely at home. Dad's stay in Cebu was also extended, and I'm getting lonely.
I just practiced on the training ground with Manong Arthur after eating, sleeping, horseback riding, and practicing the piano. So I was really excited when Kuya told me earlier that we would have our trip to Bukidnon with my crazy friends. Certainly, they will squeal and go jumping like a kid in joy when I tell them about the good news.
"Babe, you need to understand. I'm the only son, and one day, I need to take over the company." Jacob plastered an apologetic smile, and Ivy nodded, defeated.
"Excuse me, I'll just go to the comfort room." Ivy excused herself once carrying the bag and then left their table.
Perfect timing and I can do the next step as well. I texted Kuya, 'come back' once I stood up from the chair and was about to leave the restaurant. Jacob's face was frowning now, but he still noticed me standing up. Since there was only a tiny aisle space in the middle of our table, my exact rotation tripped on my heels, and fakely lost my balance that looked natural.
I caught the cloth of Jacob's chair, and before I could fall, he quickly grabbed me. I close my eyes at that moment, and when I open my eyes, this is our position. His right hand was on my waist while the other was on the back of my head.
But frankly speaking, this moment was not romantic like you watched in Korean dramas at all. Definitely, no slow motion and no OST. After all, I did it on purpose at a perfect angle.
I looked at him directly into his eyes full of shock, and I could hear his heartbeat skipping like crazy. His tired eyes reflect on mine while I'm whispering through my gaze, 'Be careful with your emotions because eventually, that will cause your downfall.'
"Are you okay?" Jacob asked with concern reflected in his eyes.
"Yes, I'm fine. Thanks." I averted his eyes and recovered from that position when Kuya and Ivy arrived.
For sure, they both saw what happened. I distanced myself from Jacob instantly as Kuya approached me and checked my condition.
"Please be careful." Kuya pulled my waist closer to him, and Jacob backed off when Kuya threw a deadly possessive glare at him as if marking his territory.
"Jess, how about we have a double date. After all, we're friends, right?" Ivy suggested from the back, and we all turned to her.
"Sure, no problem." I quickly agreed, and Kuya's jaw moved aggressively as he called a waiter to arrange our table and seats.
Kuya moved the seat and gestured me to sit down adjacent to Jacob. Kuya and I stood side by side, and he was holding my hand trembling with anger. Judging from Ivy's expression, she was touched in the scene with Jacob earlier.
Smells jealousy, darling.
I stifled a small smile at them. This is the feeling of facing your enemies. How I want to break their faces.
"So Marc, I see that you really love our friend. What did you like about her?" Ivy initiated a conversation because the silence at our table was awkward, and no one dared to move the food.
"I love everything about her," Kuya answered directly without a doubt, without a pause that stunned us.
"Are you aware that Jessica had a boyfriend before?" I was left dumbfounded when Ivy fired another question.
What is she trying to bring up?
"YES, of course," Kuya answered casually, taking advantage of the conversation.
I also didn't even notice that I was affected by our setup. On the other hand, Jacob remained silent and stole glances at me.
I know Ivy really meant it by replaying this scene 3 years ago... When I already have a hint of their relationship. I asked them if there was something they wanted to let me know, but they used the stupid group project as an alibi.
What a very lame excuse, right? Are there group members waiting in the restaurant holding hands and kissing?
"How did you guys meet?" Jacob eventually spoke, and his eyes were filled with ablaze.
"We met on a cruise ship. She was crying that time and totally wasted." Kuya paused to look me in the eyes and held the back of my hand on the table.
"She's crying over her first boyfriend who replaced her with another girl. She was yelling and cursing that night then she passed out. I took care of her and the rest of the night..." Every single word that Kuya uttered was striking them to the core, and that made the atmosphere uncomfortable, but the thrills, in the end, made them more intrigued and focused.
"It's a secret." Kuya surprised me with a kiss on the cheeks and wrapped his arms around my waist. His eyes darted to both of them, clearly implying that the story's antagonist was them.
Ivy looked away from Kuya, and Jacob sipped his wine.
Bullseye!
"Unfortunately, I didn't ask her who they were, but I know you're already aware of who I'm referring to since both of you guys are her good friends, right?" Kuya tapped his fingers lightly on the table while looking at me, waiting for a response. I saw the two of them freeze like mortals turned by the gods to stone as punishment.
"Past is past, babe. The important thing is we love each other at present." I cupped Kuya's face with affection and squeezed his cheek a little, then on impulse, I kissed his lips in front of them. I could clearly see the shock of the two of them, and I didn't care.
"How about you guys? Planning for marriage soon?" I changed the topic to fix my target at them. We can't just be the one you're trying to corner here. It's more fun to return the favor.
"Turning 4 years and counting, right?" I added as I ran my hands slowly on the tablecloth, almost touching Jacob's hand.
Jacob looked down at our hands, then I reached for the plate with carbonara with a small smile. Kuya was silent, and I put some pasta on his plate, still wearing my sweet smile.
"We're already planning that," Jacob replied, plainly paying no interest in the topic.
Poor Ivy. To this day, he still can't get his way into Jacob's heart. I supposed she badly needed my help.
"That's great! I hope I can attend the wedding before going abroad." Kuya said casually, nodding.
Wait, what? Kuya will go abroad? Why do I suddenly feel sad?
"So after marrying Jess, you will go abroad?" Jacob asked Kuya angrily.
Now, I smell bloodbath. They exchanged a fiery look at each other as if a fire was burning between them.
"We already talked about it so that he can focus on his studies," Kuya replied calmly but still didn't take away their tight stare.
"How can he focus if you're not next to him?" Jacob shot back another question making the atmosphere more intense.
Ivy gripped her utensils, and her vexed look clearly showed that she was distressed just watching Jacob reacting that way.
"Trust issues don't exist in our relationship if that's what you're worried about. I'm not a polygamous man who's not contented with their woman. And it's not your problem, BRO." Kuya fired a satisfying answer that blew Jacob's sanity somewhere else.
Jacob was silenced, and Ivy was sipping her wine nervously. What an obvious response that they were struck to the bones.
"Don't worry, Jacob. I will never hurt Jessica like how... her EX hurt her," Kuya answered playfully, but seeing through Jacob's stare, he was obviously dying inside to punch Kuya's beautiful face.
I saw how he clenched his fist over the tablecloth, suppressing the anger building inside. I want to plaster a proud smirk just seeing him tormenting himself by controlling his anger to prevail.
I smiled sweetly at Kuya when he touched my waist so we could stick together. I complimented it by leaning on his hard chest. I smiled with success in response to Ivy's fake smile. When I couldn't cope with the awkward situation, I separated from Kuya at once and then fixed my seat.
I gestured them to enjoy the food, and that's what we did except for Jacob, who was gripping his utensils showing his veins. I also caught Ivy, who was about to put some shrimp soup on Jacob's plate in my peripheral vision. I automatically blocked my hand on the bowl base before she could put a small amount. She eyed me curiously, and I arched my left brow.
"Is there a problem?" Ivy asked me irritably. I smiled a little before answering her question.
"Did you forget that he's allergic to that?" I pointed at the fresh shrimps in the bowl.
Ivy backed away and lowered the bowl. I glanced at Jacob then leaned back when I remembered Kuya beside me, observing my every move.
"Of course. I'm sorry I lost my mind for a while." Ivy rubbed her forehead and hesitated to glance at Jacob.
"Ivy, how could you forget Jacob's allergy? Remember, when we were in high school, we had lunch together, and then you gave him a taste of your cooked pancit guisado with shrimp. Marz and I even panicked because he had trouble breathing suddenly, then he panicked screaming his back was very itchy, "I told the story, and Kuya secretly laughed next to me.
"Yeah, right." Jacob chuckled, and the mood lightened up.
"Good thing, you're carrying along with an anti-histamine in your tumbler's cap." Ivy suppressed a laugh by forcing a thankful smile and secretly held Jacob's hand under the table. Jacob looked down, then looked at me.
"When there was still an us," Jacob mumbled in a low tone, almost inaudible, but I accidentally read his lips.
"You guys are really fun to be with back then. What happened anyway?" Our recollection of the past subsided when Kuya spoke. Jacob and I exchanged furtive glances, and I think no one wanted to answer Kuya's question.
"I transferred babe to Cebu because I want to study in Cebu Doc," I calmly replied, then tasted the carbonara.
"But you know what, I remember someone when it comes to shrimps. Ivy, do you remember Ivan? The one I introduced to you the other day at the mall? He really loves shrimp. That's his favorite, actually." I inserted that made Ivy gasp and looked away.
Just as I expected. Got ya slithering snake.
"Who's Ivan?" Jacob furrowed his brows and looked at me with eyes full of curiosity.
"Family friend," I answered shortly and sipped from a glass of wine.
I wet my lips with wine and threw a quick seductive stare at Jacob furtively as I slightly ran my toes up to his legs. I knew he had been focused on my every move before, so I'm sure he caught my stare.
I saw how his Adam's apple moved and cleared his throat, getting uncomfortable by my actions. I leaned back, and my foot was away from his foot. Subsequently, I leaned my face closer to Kuya's neck and cupped my mouth to whisper, triggering Jacob's confusion.
"I'll just go to the washroom," I whispered and kissed Kuya on the side of his lips.
I excused myself from them and smiled at Jacob meaningfully before I left the table. Tss, that jerk. How much I want to smash his handsome face. I washed my hands in the sink and checked my face in the mirror.
Ivy later followed me into the women's comfort room, obviously looking for me. I smiled when our eyes met in the reflection from the mirror. She wore her signature fake smile and walked toward me. Her heels clicked to the floor, but still, she looked up to face me, not to mention that I was just wearing sneakers.
"Jess, I wonder why we've met so often since the reunion." There was a hint of doubt in her voice as she washed his hand by my side.
"Maybe just a coincidence." I glanced at her shortly while retouching my makeup.
"Is it really just a coincidence?" She stopped and looked at me with eyes drowned with suspicions.
"Why? You have something in mind?" I shot back, wearing my threatening look.
"The more I think of it. You're somewhat like... stalking us," she answered defiantly, challenging me to start a war.
Go on, Ivy. Suspect me and see me as a threat. That's what I want. That's how the game will become more interesting.
"Why should I do that?" I exhaled on my nose, then put on some cherry red lipstick. I plumped my lips and glanced at her in the mirror.
"Because you still love Jacob," he said emphatically, and I saw the extreme pain in his eyes.
I stashed my lipstick back in my purse and faced Ivy calmly but with a dangerous gaze.
"You are mistaken, Ivy." I blinked and looked at her from head to toe.
I stepped forward and made her step back. I smiled when I reached her head and gently ran my fingers through her silky straight black hair. Clearly, her neck pulled up as she tried to slant her head to the side where my fingers traced as if hiding something. But before she could cover it, I threw the hair that gathered inside her turtleneck and saw a purplish mark on her neck.
"I think it's the other way around." The side of my lips rose, then I left her inside the washroom, stunned.
Yes, Ivy. That's what you must look like. Physical torture isn't enough for betraying me. Driving both of you confused and insane is more fun, and I badly want it that way. I smiled when I went back to the table. I think I just broke an intense moment between Kuya and Jacob. Extremely intense that almost turned into a scandalous scene.
"Babe, let's go." Kuya held my hand tightly, and I could almost drag him out of the restaurant.
"Babe, what happened?" I almost cried because his grip was hurting me. Too painful that almost broke my wrist.
He let go of my hand when he opened the car's door and let me enter the shotgun seat. He slammed the door closed, and I was terrified by his sudden outburst.
"Kuya, what happened?" I tried to lower my voice, but he shouted at me.
"Stop calling me that!" My eyes started to sweat, but I tried to control them.
He wiped his face when he realized what he had done and leaned on the headrest to calm himself. I looked away and stared at the window while leaning my elbow on the armrest. A moment of silence roared between us before he heaved a frustrating sigh and gently rubbed the back of my hand.
"I'm sorry I yelled at you. I didn't mean to." I looked at him directly in the eyes, and it was filled with a thousand apologies.
"It's fine." I could hardly speak.
"Do you really have to do this, Jess? Is this what you really want?" I knitted my brows from his sudden questions. I shifted on my seat a little to face him.
"Why? Don't you want to help me anymore?" I was confused. I also couldn't read what was on his mind.
"Jess, he still loves you, and I know you still love him too." He grimly replied, but I saw the pain in his eyes. Pain that I can't comprehend.
"How many times do I have to repeat myself that I don't love him anymore, Kuya?!" I almost cried out in extreme irritation at his assumptions as if he knew me better than myself.
Why is he still pushing that anyway? I don't love him anymore, and if Jacob still loves me, I don't care.
"STOP CALLING ME KUYA!" He shouted for the second time, which made me huff in shock.
"Why not? You are my Kuya! What do you want me to call you then?" I said provoking him more.
He held my shoulders to face him, and I met his mad eyes. I trembled when he looked at me with burning affection.
"MARC. Call me Marc from now on."