HEARTFILIA'S POV
I just stared out into the window as we drove along. We had eaten at the mall earlier and left right after. I did not know our surroundings now because it was dark outside. Jharied's friends were quiet, too, probably tired from their talking. I did not feel so out of place because they talked to me, but I was still reserved with them; I was just being cautious.
I looked at the person beside me as he embraced me. My heart raced again all of a sudden. His chin rested on my shoulder while I felt the smell of his warm breath, which made the hair at the back of my neck stand up.
"Why aren't you sleeping yet? We still have a long way to go," he said softly. I swallowed before answering.
"I'm not sleepy yet. Maybe I'll sleep later once we arrive at our destination," I replied, still looking outside.
"I love you, Filia," he whispered once more and drove my heart even crazier.
"We're not in a public place, Jharied. You don't need to be sweet to me," I said coldly.
"I don't have to pretend anymore, Filia, because what I feel for you is real," he replied seriously, and I felt his hug tighten around me.
"Maybe you're just confused about your feelings. Maybe that's for Samantha, not for me." I felt him look at me. I needed to be sure so that I wouldn't fall completely. I was terrified of entering this kind of situation; I didn't want to get hurt. Even if it was part of love, I felt that if I got hurt, I wouldn't be able to handle it.
"Why drag Samantha here? You're the one I love, not that woman. I don't have any feelings for her." He answered seriously. I said nothing. Should I believe him? But I couldn't, because I saw how concerned he was about Samantha. I felt bad he didn't even let me defend myself in front of so many people.
I didn't want to open my mind and heart to his words, unsure if they were true or if he was just playing a game. He broke the embrace. I thought he would pull away, but I was wrong. He held both my shoulders and turned me to face him. His expression was serious as he looked at me.
"I'm telling you the truth when I say I love you. I'm not lying to you or playing games, if that's what you think. I can prove to you that my feelings are real." I raised an eyebrow at him.
"Then prove it. Because the truth is, I really don't believe you," I said with a sharp rejoinder. I saw him smile.
"So you're allowing me? I mean. if I court you, do you accept?" he asked. I was taken aback and had to think for a while. True, it's just courting. If he messed up, I could dump him. I nodded in reply.
He hugged me so tightly. Jeez, my heart—it wouldn't stop pounding again. I cleared my throat since I was getting uncomfortable. My heart was going to explode if I let him hug me like this any longer.
"Sir, are we still on our way to Ma'am Lara's place?" asked Manong Jose, Jharied's driver. He released the hug, and I finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Yes, Manong. Are we close?" asked Jharied.
"Yes, sir, we are close," he replied. I looked at my watch; it was already ten o'clock at night. It had been a long trip.
"Hey, wake up, all of you," Jharied shouted while shaking Lara. They opened their eyes and looked around.
"Where are we, Jharied?" Lara asked, rubbing her eyes.
"Near your resort. Wake up those idiots in the back first," he instructed before sitting back properly. I looked outside again. Moments later, the vehicle stopped at a large gate. A guard approached, and Manong Jose rolled down the window.
"Manong Jose, is that you?" exclaimed a happy guard.
"Yes. Sir, Ma'am Lara is in the back," he replied. The guard nodded.
"Alright, I will open the gate." He walked over and opened it. Manong Jose honked before driving the vehicle inside again.
A brightly lit resort greeted us; it was large, and a lot of people were still swimming in the pool.
"Finally, we're here! I can finally lie down in a bed!" Kara shouted while stretching.
"Let's go, there are plenty of chick babes at the bar!" Arman yelled.
"What about you, Jharied? Coming with us?" Zander asked.
"You guys go on your own, I'm sleepy," he replied straight away.
"How about you, Filia? Are you coming? Lara and I are going," Kara asked me. I was about to answer, but Jharied beat me to it.
"She's not coming. She has to rest for tomorrow," he responded coldly. His friends smirked as they cleaned up their things.
"And just in case you forgot, you still have something to do tonight," he reminded them. They scratched the back of their heads.
"Oh, right..." he said disappointedly.
"We'll go to the bar tomorrow," Alex said and stepped out.
"We can still go night swimming!" Kara suggested.
"Let's just rest. Tomorrow—my body can't handle it," Kris replied.
"There are plenty of hot guys outside, though," Kris said, grinning.
"Even if there are a thousand of them, pass. My beauty can't handle it," she replied sharply and left the van.
"Are you embarrassed now?! We need to get settled first. You can go night swimming later, girl," Lara teased again before following Kris.
Kara squeezed her face in annoyance.I packed my things, including Chichay's mess, and put all of it in one plastic bag.
Jharied got one for himself—and to my surprise, he took mine too. So all that I had to do was carry Chichay.
I got out of the car, astonished by the whole resort. It wasn't just a pool; it had a beach beside it and many rooms.
"Let's go," Jharied urged, taking my hand. I looked at my hand held in his.
We followed Lara and the others, who went ahead. Other people couldn't help but stare at us, especially at Jharied-it couldn't be denied that all of them were handsome.
"OMG, Lara! Why didn't you tell me that you were coming home?" asked a woman that we ran into. Her body was most definitely well-maintained, and she was beautiful; the long hair and height suited her.
She hugged Lara, but Lara didn't hug her back. I saw her look at Jharied and smile. She immediately broke away
."Baby!" she called Jharied, happy and flirtatious. Arman and the others muttered "Taste It", meaning she was ready for action.
She was about to hug Jharied, but Lara stopped her.
"What, Lara? I just missed Jharied! He hasn't been here in so long!" she complained, trying to pull Jharied into a hug, but suddenly Chichay barked.
She looked at me—and at my hand, which Jharied was holding.
"Hey, who are you? Please don't hold my boyfriend's hand!" she said sharply. I was about to pull my hand away, but Jharied tightened his grip.
"I miss you, baby," she whispered flirtatiously to Jharied.
"Stop it, Solen," Jharied snapped angrily. She wasn't intimidated.
"Hmmm? Don't you miss me? Is it because of this girl? She looks boring. Obviously, she can't handle what I do to you," she said suggestively. My temper flared.
"We're in trouble now," Zander said, rubbing his temple.
"Why is your cousin here, Lara?" Kara asked.
" How should I know she's here!" Lara replied. I raised an eyebrow at Solen.
"She's my wife, Solen. So don't insult her right in front of me," Jharied answered firmly. I saw shock on the witch's face.
"Wife? You are a married man?" she kept asking.
"Excuse us," Jharied said coldly, pulling me along. But I stopped right in front of Solen. I felt Jharied look at me.
"Come on, wife. We need to rest," Jharied urged. But I didn't listen to him, and would not let the witch's comment slide.
"It's true I'm not as good as you in bed, and I'm boring? Well, I'm not like you who's only good for the bed. I'm a woman for the home, Solen. No matter how beautiful you are, you still stoop to getting involved with a married man. What does that make you? A shameless mistress?" I asked before giving a short, soft laugh. I saw her face darken.
The people swimming were starting to look at us.
"Don't me, bitch!" I said sharply before bumping past her. I pulled Jharied away.
"Damn, burn booooo.!" Alex and the others shouted as they laughed.
I ignored them. Hmph. Who did she think she was? Gold? To insult me like that?
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