Five years later.
Paris is one of the best places that I enjoyed living, I'm working as a Civil engineer to one of the famous construction company here.
I'm focused on reviewing the layout drawings when someone hugged me from my back. I smiled when I figured out who is it.
"How are you baby? Where's my kiss?" I knelt down afterwards to hug her tight. She chuckled while doing her best to be free from my hug.
"I'm okay mama! I missed you! come let's go to the park!" she said excitedly as she tried to pull me up.
She's a little cute girl and I love her so much, it's been three years now since she was born.
"Later okay?" I stood up afterwards to look for Janine.
"Where's your mom?" I asked frowning.
"She's in the kitchen, we brought carbonara for us to eat! Then let's go to the park after!"
I was about to respond to her when Janine appeared. She's still beautiful and sexy, you won't think that she's a mom if you don't know her.
"Nica baby don't bother your mama, she's working" she said smiling while leaning on the door frame.
I walked closer to her to kiss her cheeks. It's been a week since their last visit, I missed them both.
"Where's John?" I asked her. She rolled her eyes before picking up the drawing that I am reviewing a while ago.
"He's busy with the preparation for the opening of our new restaurant" I nodded smiling.
Janine and I chose to end our relationship and become best friends four years ago. She then fell in love with a man named John, he's a restaurateur and a very sweet one.
"Well it's his first love you only came to his life three years ago" I joked.
She chuckled a bit before putting down the drawing, she then turned her attention back to mine.
"It's time for you to go back" I frowned by what she said.
"I'm happy here, I love this place and I don't want to leave you and Nica" I replied smiling.
I came to love this place and I don't have any intention of coming back to the place where all of my memories were bad.
"I know and we love you for that, but it's time for you to come back home. Your father needs you, we can handle ourselves here" she said gently before kissing me on my cheeks.
They're my family now and I don't want to leave them specially Nica, because she's my baby. I don't really want to go because I'm happy with my life now.
"But-" she interrupted me by putting her finger on my lips.
"No more buts Ginger, thank you for bringing me here with you because I've met the second person that I fell in love with. Now it's also time for you to find the second person that you will fall in love with" I shook my head while smiling.
It's been five years now but I still don't have a girlfriend. I guess she's right, I need to find someone who will love me as much as I love them.
"Okay I will but do me a favor" an idea came to my mind suddenly.
"Anything for you dear" she said sweetly.
"Can I bring Nica with me? And I won't give her back unless you and John will come to fetch her" I'm still not ready to be away from my baby, she's like my real daughter.
"Sure, after all she loves you more than me" she said chuckling. I laughed out loud because it's true, she even spends her weekend with me more than her parents.
"Because I spoil her" I said proudly.
"Yeah right, I'm sure she will be happy hearing this, she wants to visit Philippines because I always tell her that it's a wonderful place and that we both grew there"
"Thank you so much Janine" I said before giving her a tight hug. She shook her head in objection.
"No, I should be the one thanking you for everything that you've done for me, I will always treasure you" We gazed at each other smiling.
She's the first one to retreat.
"Now we're being dramatic, let's eat the carbonara" she said before reaching for my hand and pulled me to the dining area.
â¥
"Mama what time are you going to finish your work? Let's go to the mall" Nica said while grabbing my shirt in excitement.
I'm in the project site today, it's my first project here in the Philippines and it's a restaurant. I accepted the project immediately because the location is near the pastry shop that I used to work.
I knelt down to face her.
"Baby I'm not done yet" I said while pinching her cheeks.
"But you promised me" She said pouting while stomping her feet in upset.
"Look uh... why don't you call your nanny and tell her to come with you" she hugged me in so much joy.
Janine and John will come to Manila next week, they will stay for a month for vacation since it's Nica's summer vacation from pre-school.
"Thank you mama!" she gave me a peck on my lips before running to her nanny to inform what I just said.
I focused to my work afterwards and called the foreman.
"Do you know the name of the owner of this restaurant?" I asked him curiously, there's something in me that wants to know and I don't know why.
"No ma'am, the owner doesn't go here, just her assistant. All I know is that she's beautiful and still single" he said winking at me. I chuckled a bit before I started reviewing the designs again.
It's already six in the evening and I'm still in the project site, I need to talk to the owner immediately because the materials and workers are not enough to meet the deadline.
Finally I convinced the assistant to let me talk to the owner personally to share my comments and for some approvals. She told me that the owner will pass by the site at around six thirty.
I'm leaning on my reclining chair while my feet resting on the table. My eyes are closed when suddenly Alessa came to my mind.
"I wonder how is she and my dad? Did she already have a child" I muttered smiling.
Dad didn't know that I already came back, I'm planning to visit him next week, but for now I need to focus on finishing my job.
I reached for the papers on the table to read them when it all fell down, I knelt down immediately to pick them up when I heard a knock. I flinched which caused me to bump my head under the table.
"Ouch!" I exclaimed in hurt and massaged it immediately to ease the pain.
"Uh...come in please" I said while still picking up the papers.
I heard her footsteps and saw her feet under the table, in fairness hers was nice. I shook my head and smiled because it's the first time that I appreciate someone's feet.
"Can I help you?" I froze in my position when I recognized the voice. I will never forget the voice of the person that I fell in love with and broke my heart at the same time.
"This can't be happening" I mumbled to myself before forcing myself to stand up.
My eyes widen in disbelief when I confirmed.
"Alessa/Ginger!" we both said in unison, I can see the shock on her face too.
"Uh...sit down" I said pointing to the chair in front of me, she was reluctant at first but obliged after a while.
We were silent for a moment before I spoke.
"I didn't know you're the engineer/owner" we both said in unison again,
This is awkward! I said mentally.
"Go on..." I said allowing her to talk first.
"My assistant told me that we need to talk personally, what's the problem?" she asked with a bit of awkwardness on her voice.
"Well... uh... the materials and workers are not enough to meet the deadline so we have to hire more labor" I replied stuttering.
"Okay" was all she said. We were silent again for a while before she spoke.
"Does Emman know that you're already back?" I shook my head before leaning my back on the chair.
"I will visit him next week, how is he?"
"He's fine, I'm sure he will be happy to see you" she replied smiling.
I can't help myself not to gaze at her beautiful face after all the years that passed, her beauty didn't fade.
"Do you want a coffee? I only have instant ones though" I offered after a moment of silence.
"Yes please" I stood up and headed at the backside upon hearing her response.
I was about to ask her if she likes sugar on it when I saw her holding the picture frame where Janine and I hugging Nica. I placed it on my desk so that I won't miss much her when she goes back to Paris.
"Who's the little girl in the photo?" she asked without removing her gaze on the photo.
"Ah that's Nica my baby! She's Janine's daughter" I replied smiling.
"Hey do you want me to add sugar?" I added.
She didn't respond so I turned around to face her and about to ask her once again when she finally spoke.
"No, uhm... I think I need to go, just talk to my assistant tomorrow and tell her everything that you need to finish this project on time" she stood up afterwards.
The hell?
I put down the mug immediately and grabbed her arm when she's about to open the door.
"Hey why are you leaving? We're not yet done talking" I said frowning.
She removed my hand away from her arm and sighed afterwards.
"We don't have to talk" She's about to open the door again but I stopped her by pinning her body against it.
Suddenly I remembered what the foreman told me earlier.
"Why did the foreman said you're single?" I asked suspiciously. I'm really confused, I'm sure she married my dad.
"Because I'm single" she said before trying to push me away.
She glared at me when her attempt failed. I grinned before cupping her face and kissed her passionately. I don't know what's gotten into me, but my mind and body longed for this to happen.
She's not kissing me back but she's not pushing me away, I stopped after a while and gazed at her intently, we need to talk.
"What happened to your wedding? How come you're single? I don't under---"
"It's none of your business! and don't kiss me like you don't have a girlfriend and a daughter. I'm not a bitch anymore and I'm contented with my life now so be contented with yours as well" she said interrupting me.
What is she talking about? Girlfriend? Daughter? Family?
It took me almost a minute to process what she just said and I laughed afterwards. She thinks that Janine and I are still together and Nica is our daughter. I can't blame her for thinking that way because everybody would think the same.
"What's funny?" she asked annoyed.
"So, are you jealous or what?" I asked while leaning closer to her, she's avoided my gaze and that only made me want to tease her more.
"Jealous? You're dreaming" she said smirking. I'm enjoying our situation right now.
"Am I?" I said between kissing her neck.
"Ginger stop it" she said while trying her best to fight the sensation that I am giving her, I know that she likes it, she missed this as much as I am.
"I won't stop until you tell me why you're single" I said as I slowly push her to my desk.
She's wearing a dark blue polo and faded jeans. I immediately started unbuttoning the upper area of her polo, exposing her bra.
"Stop resisting and tell me why you're still single. Don't make me have you right now because it will definitely be my pleasure" I said between planting kisses on her neck. She's biting her lower lip to resist herself from moaning.
"He talked to me when he came back after the meeting, after you left..." she said between gasping, her both hands on my chest.
"What did he say?" She's still trying to push me but there's not much force in it.
"He asked me if I'm excited and I said no, I'm surprised because he just smiled at me and told me afterwards that the wedding is already cancelled" I suddenly stopped what I'm doing.
"For real?" I asked in disbelief" She nodded.
"So let me go now" she said between buttoning her polo.
That won't happen again, especially now that I know that she didn't marry my dad.
"I'm sorry but I can't" I said as I reached for her both hands. She glared at me, it's like she doesn't like what she just heard.
"You're such a---"
"Mama? What are you doing?" Nica suddenly appeared at the door.
We immediately moved away from each other. I chuckled afterwards when she started fixing her messed up hair and shirt, she's also blushing in embarrassment.
"Nica baby, I want you to meet Alessa" I said as soon as she walked closer to me.
"Hi" Alessa greeted her.
"Is she your girlfriend mama?" she asked me without removing her gaze with Alessa.
"Yes baby" I replied casually. The horrified look on Alessa's face made me want to laugh but I held myself.
"No! Your mama is joking, it's Janine your mom, her girlfriend" she replied hastily. She glanced at me afterwards, she's asking for my help in explaining but I ignored her.
Nica shook her head upon hearing what she said.
"No, my mom is married with my father and mama Ginger is single" she said innocently.
Nica spoke again before Alessa could react and say anything.
"Mama can I go to the mall again with nanny? Give me money please" she said before hugging my legs. She's really adorable, I wish in the future I'd be able to have a daughter like her.
"Okay fine, but you need to comeback before nine o'clock okay?" she nodded before I gave her the money.
"Bye Aunt Alessa, nice to meet you" she said before running back to her nanny.
"Janine is already married and that child is their daughter" I heard her mumbled.
I smiled before lifting her chin up to face me.
"She married John four years ago and next month will be their fifth anniversary" I said gently.
She's still confused but I don't want to explain any further, all I want is to have her, kiss her until her lips are sore and hug her like there's no tomorrow.
"Enough talking" I said before kissing her passionately, which she happily obliged.
It's not too late for the both of us, it's been five years and I know that I still love her. Janine was right when she said that I should go back here, but I didn't expect that I won't need to find the second person that I will fall in love with.
Not all happy people got what they wanted, but me? I'm one of the few who experienced it.
"I will be the most beautiful girl on my wedding and I hope you will be the happiest person someday"
The first sentence didn't happen, but the second? YES...
-Fin-
Copyright © 2012-2022 Manila, Philippines. All rights reserved.
â¢Mâ¢Eâ¢Gâ¢Iâ¢Mâ¢Nâ¢Mâ¢
NEXT COMPLETED BOOK:
BUT I'M NOT A VAMPIRE
(Allison McKinley and Salt Hastings Story)