Chapter 20 Found Twenty
Perfect is the word that best describes our date.
The place was so romantic. I didn't expect that Andrew can also be romantic. I've always known him as Mr. Snob and Mr. No PR but I didn't expect that he can also be Mr. Romantic.
We are now having dinner together. The food Andrew prepared was just light. He pulled the chair for me. He turned to sit next to me. Then he opens the wine and pours it into our glass. Then he gave me a glass of wine.
"For our first official date." He said and ask for a toss.
"For our first official date," I said to him then cling to our wine glass for a toss.
After that tossed we started eating. We enjoyed the food as much as we enjoyed our conversation.
I thought I already knew all about him and so is he to me. But we were both wrong. We have so many things that we don't know about each other.
"I'm still curious why until now you don't have a boyfriend?" He suddenly asked me.
I smiled at him. I also want to ask myself that question. Why am I still single until now? Then I remembered Jester. After him, I never opened my heart to anyone, except now.
"Because of an unrequited love," I told him with all honesty.
He furrowed "Unrequited love?"
I smile and nodded. "Yes. One-sided love. Before I thought that what we feel towards each other is mutual, but I was wrong. You guys are all like that. You tend to make us misinterpret your actions. You will act sweet and will make us feel so special then when we started to assume things you will suddenly burst our bubbles and dump us."
"What do you mean? What happen?" He curiously asked.
I took a deep breath first. "He was my classmate in college. At first, I was annoyed because of his arrogance. But in the end, we became close. I realize that he is not that bad. Many have noticed that I became close with Jester. One of those people who noticed was my cousins. They concluded that Jester likes me. At first, I don't want to entertain that thought. But after we bought a book saying that a guy likes you if he does the things on the list. Would you believe that he completed the list?!"
"What kind of list again?" Andrew asked.
"There is a book that can tell you if a guy likes you or not. There are many things on that book like what we need to avoid doing to the guy we like, etc. but the main point why we bought the book is the list where you will know if the guy likes you." I elaborated my explanation.
'Okay, I get it. Then what happened after that?" He asked. He looks very interested in my story.
I continued my story. 'Because of that list, I also believe just like what they all thought, that Jester liked me. But I found out that he was already courting our classmate, the one who was always teased at him by our classmates. It hurt so much because at that time I realized that I already liked him, actually it was more than that, I already love him. Since I am not the one he likes, I don't have a choice but to forget him. It's good that Charles is there. "
Andrew's left eyebrow rose. "Who is Charles?"
"He is my guy best friend. He is the best of all my best friends. He was always there for me when I needed someone to talk to. He knows how I feel about Jester and he helped me to move on and he did not leave me even though Jester's group is always bullying him." I told him.
Andrew frowned. 'Why are they bullying him?"
I rolled my eyes. 'I don't know too. They always bullied the guys that are closed to me. One of the reasons why I make myself believe that Jester likes me. I even confronted him. I asked him why is he doing all these things!"
'And what did he say?"
I sighed "He told me that he is doing it because I am avoiding him. Then I told him the reason why. I even confessed my feelings for him."
'And what did he do after your confession?" He curiously asked.
I shook my head. 'Nothing. He did not answer me."
I smiled at him. 'That was all it. It's done already."
"A-are you still i-in love with h-him?" Andrew became uneasy.
I smiled at him and look at him with pure sincerity.
'I love him so much that I wasn't able to make myself fall for other guys. Because deep inside I am still hoping that it is still us in the end. I wanted to hold on to that list, that I am the one he likes. I am that willing to wait for him not until last year. I found out that he is already married. He married Rachel, our classmate who he courted that time. And they already have a baby. I thought I can't forget about him. But now I already confirmed that I already let him go and now I am ready to love someone else." I said sincerely.
I saw his face lighten.
I laughed. "Are you scared?"
I saw his snout. "Yes because it looks like my plan will be ruined."
I frowned. "Plan?"
He grins. "Just wait I'll just get something."
When Andrew left, a monitor in front of me suddenly opened. I didn't even notice that there was a monitor there.
My eyes widened when I saw Andrew on the monitor.
'Hi, Alli! I meant to video what I was going to tell you because I lacked self-confidence due to nervousness. I first saw you in Megamall. You are busy convincing staff in a cellphone shop in a cyber zone to push your product. I saw how dedicated you are to your work. And then I ask the staff and there I heard a lot of great things about you. And I admire you for that.'
My eyes widen. He knew me even before I was introduced to him?!
‘I first heard your name from Lance's story, his long-lost cousin. I don't know but just hearing your name I feel like you already capture my heart. Do I already sound corny to you? I wanted to help Lance to look for you not only because he is my friend but because I wanted to meet you.'
'So I introduce them to one of our family friends. He's one of the best investigators in the country. But of course, I got the latest information about you from him. That is why when the investigator told me that he already found you, I told him that I will be the one who will tell your family the good news. I made that excuse because I want to meet you first.'
‘That is why when the first one that you noticed is Vince I got pissed. Why did you notice him first?! Yes, he is an actor but I am more handsome than him!'
I laughed at what he said. I will of course notice an actor first because I already know his name.
‘But when I have given the chance to know you more through the driving class, I already knew that I have the upper hand over Vince. During our driving lesson, I fell for you even more.'
I smiled and my hearts flutter from all the things that I am hearing from him.
'And then Lieo came. I got panicked and scared that is why I had no choice but to confess at that time. But I never regretted that because finally, I am now free to express my feelings for you.'
'Allison Alonzo I Love You!'
Suddenly the monitor died. Then the spotlight went on the stage behind the monitor and Andrew was standing there.
"I love you, Allison Alonzo!" He says.
My tears suddenly fell. He started singing.
(Music)
'I would give up everything
Before I'd separate myself from you
After so much suffering
I finally found unvarnished truth
I was all by myself for the longest time
So cold inside
And the hurt from the heartache would not subside
I felt like dying
Until you saved my life'
His voice is so beautiful. I also like the arrangement that he did to this song. He owned the song. He sang like it was his original song.
(Music)
'Thank God I found you
I was lost without you
My every wish and every dream
Somehow became reality
When you brought the sunlight
Completed my whole life
I'm overwhelmed with gratitude
'Cause baby, I'm so thankful I found you'
'See I was so desolate before you came to me
Looking back
I guess it shows that we were destined
To shine over the rain to appreciate
The gift of what we have
And I'd go through it all over again
To be able to feel
This way'
'Thank God I found you
I was lost without you
My every wish and every dream
Somehow became reality
When you brought the sunlight
Completed my whole life
I'm overwhelmed with gratitude
See baby I'm so thankful I found you
Oooooooh
Thank God I found you
I was lost without you
I'm overwhelmed with gratitude
My baby, I'm so thankful I found
You
You'
The song ended. He went down the stage and went to where I am. He still holding the mic.
He holds my hand and he sings again. 'My baby I'm so thankful I found you."
I smiled at him while my tears are still flowing.
He wiped my tears. "I Love You, Allison."
He kneels in front of me and he opened a small box, there is a ring in it.
My eyes widen and suddenly got nervous.
He chuckled. "Don't worry I am not asking you to marry me yet but we will surely get there."
I pouted.
He chuckled again. "I want to take it slow. I don't want to rush things. I know that we will still end up there but for now, Allison Alonzo will you be my girlfriend?"
I smiled and excitedly nodded at him.
"Say it, baby, I want to hear it." He said sweetly.
"Yes, Andrew. I love you and I am now your girlfriend!"