Chapter 29 - All Too Well

Daniel staring at me with his dexterous eyes having an open view of my complexion. His head leaning closer as my eyes shut and - Oh my God! - My left hand cloaked my face quickly, barricading his pulpy lips.

"Stop!" lifting up my body and Daniel's sitting on my lap, meeting him eye to eye with a little misfortune.

"I thought you were straight?"

"But I can be gay for you." the words are confident but his voice is lifeless. He moved and sit beside my legs, I bend my knees to my chest like a five-year-old kid position when it's scared. I am deliriously stunned at what he confessed.

"And I have a boyfriend - there is someone better out there waiting for you." I contemplated.

"No, I've fallen for you - and I can give more than Romeo could offer." That's the idea I don't want to hear - it's pathetic that people tend to underrate someone for their own, whatever reason.

"Do not ever underestimate Romeo, you don't know him.”

“And what's true, love is something you can't price." I closed my laptop and started packing up my things.

"Where are you going?" he asked like a little kid on his king-sized bed - hysterical.

"Leaving and I'm really sorry."

"No - I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to startle you or upset you by what I have told. This affection I am feeling - I didn't decide for it but my heart did!"

"I'm madly in love with you Kris." holding my hand and I can't even think straight - my other hand gripping the strap of my bag standing before him. I know where his emotions coming from and it's so hard fighting it.

"But I truly knew I can't be the right guy or the perfect person for you." I stepped closer to him and gave a sympathetic hug, he's a good friend after all then I began to walk away.

"Before you leave just accept my best wishes for you both and for your health."

I am completely taken aback by what he announced. I take a few strides to him - he's sitting on the bed while my eyes were fiery autumn leaves.

"What did you said?" I asked.

"Best wishes." he stands up and tried clutching my shoulder but I shifted it back, Daniel knew that's not what I'm talking about and he is giving me a contrite look and inserted his hands on his pocket. I am moving curved, from the front to his left side, and said, "No - about my health condition! What else do you know?"

'Dr. Cruz - Daniel Cruz.' I hissed inside my mind. Daniel's mom is probably my doctor. He bounced his head and exhaled.

"I didn't mean to check the file from my mom's office - but I am confused why there is an envelope on her desk with your name written on it."

"I'm sorry!" he grabbed my shoulders, nodding my head in disapproval.

"You shouldn't do it!" I cried.

"That's why I'm really sorry."

"You should've known your place - that's some kind of intruding privacy!" I am feeling emotional, sobbing. Daniel embraced me but my hands were just laid on my side. I could feel the tenderness and warmth from his body but that wasn't the one I want to - I'm craving Romeo's heat and passion.

"Not even from my family neither Romeo knew about it, but only me - or maybe you'd knew it first before I could uncover it myself."

I stepped back, nailing my nasty eyes and he looked down - his hands on his pocket. I don't want to get furious at him because for a long time he became close to me - he's the ideal friend for some and for me, but what he did is a bit unacceptable.

"You shouldn't let yourself easily tempted on things - just like how you confided stupidly your emotions to me and it wasn't right in the first place, knowing I am in a relationship." I preached and realized, I only made his feelings and status worse.

"You're only telling that because you weren't on my shoe - I know everything I did was wrong but I'm obsessively fantasizing about you and I can't help myself not to." my brows furrowed, this Daniel in front of me wasn't the Daniel I've known - his emotions fired up and aggressive, but still innocently looking.

"What else have you done?" I asked, and I take a few more steps back - keeping a distance from him.

"Remember, when we were in our café? I saw Romeo standing, having a phone call with you just across the street, and me being a little touchy giving you a sophisticated massage." he wets his lips and smirked, I wanted to believe it was delusional but that's what made Romeo militant that we almost broke up.

"When I drove you home from here and opened the car's door for you in front of your apartment building - Romeo's walking on the street and I waited until he was standing on the pedestrian and did what I did."

Now, I am mad at him - Romeo's right, that's why he doesn't have a pleasing impression about Daniel because he was evil and not just he was jealous. I should have listened more to my man. I shook my head and my face disheveled.

"Oh? And about the perfume I sprayed it on my hand while you're busy lacing your shoes and placed it on your shoulder.." he walks closer to me and his ever angelic face still angelic face - I couldn't imagine he could have had done it.

"And when you asked about it at school. I sprayed my whole car and met you in the park intentionally - which you hopped in and drown all your doubts, easily."

"And before I forgot, while your boyfriend is watching us from the distance."

"I knew that day something wrong with you - you've always inserted your hands inside your pocket when you're not confident." I hope it makes sense that I never let him drive me to the hospital but I didn't saw Romeo that he was in the park too.

"And thank you for your honesty."

"I have defended you to Romeo and in return, you gave me pain - all your goodness was just part of your pathetic show!" I yelled and swung my bag hard to his face and he only blocked it by his hand.

"It was pathetic but there is one who gets favored and bought a ticket - wasn't you Kris?" he ridiculed, pulling my bag and tossed it on the floor - my laptop banged.

"I thought we were friends?" Maybe I am stupid but I can't hate this guy, I can still saw a light inside of him. He was only steered by his emotions that he went crazy doing all those stuff or probably I am just scared losing the one friend I have considered.

"Yes, we were - but I wanted us more than that." he clutched my hand and smiled purely.

"And may the best man win!" he whispered.

"I'm too sad to inform you that Romeo had already won." shrugged off my hand and I walk passed, bumping his shoulder with mine and I snatched my bag on the floor. Now he gave me a receipt that I must be upset with him - and I am, truly.

"You ain't going anywhere!" he yanked me to the couch and I started panicking - breathing exaggeratedly.

"What are you planning to do with me? Sleeping with you?" I blurted angrily, throwing the cushion on his face. He wets his lips and raised a brow thinking while his hands on his waist.

"You told me you can sleep here all day. That's a great idea." he grabbed the remote and changed the lights - it gets dimmer as the white glow shuts off. He smirked.

"Not with a psycho like you!" I spat out.

He tackled me and I can barely move from his weight, gripping my hand as I keep fighting, wriggling my body to at least outbalance him - I am screaming and it was helpless - I am a loser, I don't have much physical strength and I can't help myself, simply.

When I got my opportunity, I raised my knee strongly, hitting his groin. I groaned but he was groaning better as his body curled on the fluffy carpet - it can comfort him lessen the pain, at least. I grabbed my bag and Daniel's hands are cupping his.

"You've said one thing over the phone - telling me I'll be good and you were right. Romeo and I are getting better. And our connection is just so strong." I told and stepped over him.

I looked down, his demeanor was lit with discomfort and eyes were slightly shut, raising my left hand on his face and said, "Romeo gave me this ring as we made a promise and nothing can stop us now."

And walks away, I laced my shoes and snatched the doorknob. Daniel was sitting on the couch and looking at me weakly.

Behind his angelic face was a viciously evil living inside - and all person carries a demon that resides within each body and if we let it take over ourselves we made bad things, decisions, and actions. And we're still human and imperfect.

"Daniel I still liked you as a friend - and I hope we're all good," I told and smiled, he manages a tiny smirked then I opened the door and exit. I don't know but Romeo changed me a lot, from an egocentric high school kid to a young man who is full of hope and open-minded - maybe one is to easily forgive a friend.

Or should I address my only friend?

I may be out of my mind, but after all, what he had done - all the anger that burning within me, I don't know where it went - it just simply gone.