How Deep is Your Love?

3 - Natalie

1 week later...

"Please, iha. I already bought tickets for the show..." Aunt Lorie begged and looked at me excitedly. "I really want us to go."

She's been asking me to go with her to watch one of her favorite show, ‘La Perle’ by Dragone. 

La Perle is a breathtaking fusion of immersive artistic performances, imagery and technology. I have heard a lot about it but I haven't tried seeing one yet. And Aunt Lorie may have seen it a couple of times already. It is actually a show which is currently based in Dubai but this time, the performers will be bringing the performance in the Capital, which would be almost an hour and half ride from the estate.

"I would love to, Tita. But you are not feeling well today. Are you sure you can make it? I don’t want you to get so tired." I hesitated.

"Of course I can make it." She answered and smiled cheekily. “I’m already old and sickly but I can still manage to watch a show.”

She wasn't feeling well since this morning because of her elevated blood pressure.

"Okay then. Let's go." Thinking hard, I finally agreed and I swear I saw her grin cheekily.

I think I smell something fishy.

***

I went out to go shopping and buy a dress which I can use for tonight since I left almost all of my dresses in LA. Then I also made sure to shop something for Aunt Lorie since she can't accompany me now. After sometime, I also decided to shop something for Uncle Philip. They've done so much for me ever since my mom died and I know shopping things for them is just a small thing. But I’m so happy that I can finally do things like this for them. I sighed and smiled thinking of how blessed I am to have them. I was walking more into buying some coats for Uncle when I saw a coat which is absolutely perfect for Brian. 

I think he will really look good in this coat.

But, will he like it?

There's no harm in buying it, right?

If he likes it, then he can use it.

If not, then he can throw it or give it to someone.

So, in the end, I decided to get it for him. After spending a day strolling and shopping from here and there, I finally decided to go home even though it's still a little bit early. 

***

"Melanie, where did Auntie and Uncle go?" I asked one of our oldest house help when I can't find the couple anywhere in the mansion.

"Oh, your Uncle went for a business dinner in the Capital and your Tita went with him." Melanie answered. "But your Tita said, you will still watch the show as promised since the dinner is early. She said you both will just meet in the show's venue." 

"Oh, okay then. Got it. Maybe I'll just call her when I get there. Thank you." I said. "Did she left the tickets?"

"Ah, yes. It's here, Miss." Melanie said and gave me the tickets.

“Hey. No need to call me ‘Miss’.” I complained and she smiled.

“I’m already used to it.” She replied and I just sighed.

"Okay then. Thanks, Mel." I said and went back to my room to start preparing.

***

I checked myself once more in the mirror and finally, I am satisfied with my look. Currently wearing a simple black dress that looks a little conservative and a bit showy, I gave myself small smile. I partnered it with a black wedge sandals to add some height on my 5'4 stature. I also put a light make up on my face (eyeliner + tint blush + nude lipstick). I have a naturally pale skin, an Asian white complexion to be specific. And I thank my mom and dad for giving me good genes as my skin is clear with very seldom breakouts. Thankfully, I don't really need to put foundation and stuff. As for my hair, I just formed some wavy curls in the end because I have a natural straight black hair. I smiled at my reflection once more and took my clutch before going out of my room. I told Bernard, our gardener/driver, to prepare as I planned to leave at around 7 pm. I checked my time and it's already 10 past 7. I hurriedly went to the front door as I suppose Bernard is already waiting for me. And I was right, I saw the car in the front of the mansion as soon as I opened the main door. I hurriedly went to it and entered the passenger seat straight away.

"I'm sorry if I made you wait Bernard." I said as I put on my seat belt, not looking.

"Yeah, 10 minutes late to be exact." The voice beside me said and I turned to the owner of that voice right away, obviously looking surprised. 

"Brian." I muttered softly.

"Surprised?" He asked sarcastically and I blinked twice and then glared at him after recovering.

"Where's Bernard?" I asked as I pouted.

"Unfortunately, he had to rush to his home because something urgent happened." He casually answered and started the car.

"W-wait." I started and he looked at me questioningly. "So, you're the one driving me to the capital?"

"Isn't it obvious?" He asked back. “I’m the one seated on the driver’s seat, right?”

"Oh." I blurted out and he started driving. “I know that but why will you even drive for me?”

“Do I look like I have a choice?” He asked dryly.

Right.

Silence enveloped the car’s atmosphere and it eventually gave me chills. I then swallowed the lump on my throat, breaking the silence. "Thanks."

"For what?" 

"For driving me." I answered.

"Like I said, I don't have much choice. Bernard called Mom and Mom demanded that I drive for you." He explained.

"Still, thank you."

He didn't respond after that but I heard him sigh. We hit the road and I just looked at the view outside. Even though, it was already dark, I can still manage to take a peak of how beautiful the estate is. I missed this place so much. It feels so good to be back here after a very long time. After an hour or so, I decided to speak again.

"How are you feeling now?" 

"Good."

"Hmmmm. Okay." I replied as my eyes automatically went to check the cut on his forehead. And I can see that it was only a little scarring that was left.

Silence.

"Are you still mad at me?" I bravely asked as I turned to him once more. "I am really sorry for what happened-"

"I'm not." He interrupted, giving me a little side glance then his eyes went back to the road.

I nodded my head in understanding and sighed. I don’t know why I suddenly found the urge at the moment. But then, maybe I’d take this opportunity to casually ask him about things I have been wanting to ask for so long. I am sure I have asked him these things before but he never answered me directly and most of the time, he’d just walk away. But now, there is now way for him to walk out. "Can I ask you a question then?"

"Aren't you asking already?" He asked back, his tone seemed to be a little bit irritated.

Yeah, right.

"Er- yeah. Right. I guess so." I blurted out, crunching my nose at the realization.

My bad.

Awkward silence. Minutes passed and neither of us spoke.

"Why do you hate me so much, Brian?" I finally managed to ask.

As I’ve mentioned, it's been a question that I've been wanting to ask him ever since I met him. And I really don't know what came to me for doing this. I just felt like I wanted some answers after all these years.

He immediately looked at me as soon as the question left my lips.

"I don't hate you." He replied firmly looking into my eyes.

Then he looked away almost immediately and continued driving.

"Then why do you always pick a fight with me? And bully me, tease me, annoy me and irritate me ever since you met me?" I asked further, looking outside the window this time. "You easily get mad at me and unlike other people, you don't forgive me so easily. Just like what happened a week ago."

He stayed silent for a while and I sighed.

"I don't hate you, okay?" He said reassuringly again. "I just don't like you. There's a big difference."

“Why?” I asked boldly as I look at him.

He gave me a silent treatment once more and I knew he wouldn’t answer that question.

Sighing once more, I spoke. "You say there’s a difference between you not hating me and not liking me instead. But it felt the same for me."

This time, I got his attention and he look backed at me once more, meeting my eyes. My heart pounded rapidly and suddenly, I felt my cheeks burning.

Gosh. 

Stop blushing, Natalie.

Hmmmm. Nothing's changed.

I finally concluded. Even after all these years, I realized that my heart still feels the same.

My feelings for him are still completely the same.

I still go wild whenever he stares at me.

"We're here." He finally muttered and looked away.

"Yeah." I replied and tried to calm my pounding heart, looking anywhere but him.

He then parked the car. While I was about to get out of the car, Aunt Lorie called.

"Hi, Tita." I answered and tried my best to sound cheerful despite my nerves being all over the place.

"Iha, sorry. My head suddenly felt heavy." She said apologetically, her voice weak. "So I decided to go home with your Uncle Philip after the dinner so I can rest."

"Oh my. How are you feeling now Tita?" I asked right away, feeling worried.

"Don't worry. It's tolerable. I just thought that I needed some rest for tonight." She answered and I let out a sigh of relief.

"Yeah. It's really best for you to rest, Tita." I answered. "I'll tell Brian, we just reached the show's venue but we'll head home now. Your health is more important."

"No. No. No." She contradicted firmly. "Go and watch the show, iha. Brian can accompany you since he is already there, right?"

“There’s no need, Tita. You are more important. We'll go home as soon as we can-" I reiterated.

"Don't!" She interrupted almost immediately. "You can't miss the show, iha. Besides, Brian is free tonight so you can ask him to stay."

"Huh?" I blurted out. “But-“

"Just stay there. Brian is there, right?" She asked. "Give him your phone. I'll talk to him."

"But Tita-"

"No 'buts'." She spoke firmly.

"Oh. Okay." I sighed and gave Brian my phone. "She wants to talk to you."

"Yes, Mom?" He answered hesitantly.

I sighed as I listened to Brian arguing with his Mom for a while.

"Fine." Brian said in the end. "Take care, Mom."

Then the call ended and he gave me back the phone.

"Let's go." He said.

"Huh?" I blurted out, my eyes wide, surprised that he actually agreed to accompany me.

"Let's just go." He stated again.

"Are you sure?" I asked. "You actually don't have to if you don't want to, okay?"

I mean, he said he’s not mad at me nor does he hate me. And that is good enough for me. So I don’t want to create a reason for him to hate me now.  

All I want is peace.

Peace.

World peace.

"We can just go home?" I suggested hesitantly.

He just looked at me and shook his head before walking out of the car. And to further my surprise, he went to open the door on my side. He brought out his hand for me and I look at him questioningly, not believing what is happening right at this moment.

Whatever Tita Lorie told him, it's absolutely effective.

"Don't look at me like that." He said and pouted. "Are you coming or not?"

"I..I.." I was out of words.

"Alright. I know I was mean to you and all." He said. "But I will repeat it again. I don’t hate you. Let’s just say that I…I just want to try my best to get along with you, okay?"

I was speechless and I just stared at him with wide eyes like he has grown two heads.

"Let’s start anew, Natz." He said and I gulped. "Let’s be friends?"

Natz?

I was still silent, just looking at him.

"Is this a dream?" I blurted out carelessly.

Then he pinched my cheek painfully.

"Ouch!" I hissed. "Why did you pinch me?"

"To tell you that you’re not dreaming." He said and stared at me. "I'm actually trying to be nice here. So what do you say? Friends?"

Oh my. Peace. Finally.

I nodded and smiled.

"Let’s go." He said and held his hand out once more.

And I accepted.

***