Chapter 3: He Reminds Me of Him
2164 Words
Jake and I decided to ride my car since he brought his motorcycle to the gym today. I mentioned I live near the gym so we can just pass by there later and he can pick it up on the way home. It didn’t escape my head that he rides a motorcycle just like Julian does. The only difference is that Jake rides a big bike.
I drove while Jake gave me directions on where to go. I didn’t notice it right away, but when we got to the place, we were actually at the same place where Julian brought me to the first time we went out together. It was the restaurant overlooking the city. When I went there with Julian, I was amazed by the view, but he said that it looked more amazing at night. He wasn’t lying.
Instead of the structures that can be seen in the morning, I can see the lights of the city. As I stood and looked at the view, I couldn’t help but tear up. I really miss my man. I felt Jake moving close to me.
Jake: “Hey, what’s wrong?”
Vanessa: “Uhm, nothing.”
Jake: “I’ll admit, the view is nice but it’s not that nice to cry over.”
Vanessa: “I just remembered my fiancé. This is where he took me on our first date. Well, we weren’t together at the time yet.”
Jake: “Wow, really? Would you like to go somewhere else?”
Vanessa: “No, it’s fine. Let’s just stay here.”
We took our seats and proceeded to order. I couldn’t help but be awed by the view. The only thing that would make things perfect right now is if Julian was here with me. I felt a tear fall down my cheek. I wiped it with my finger right away, but not before Jake noticed it.
Jake: “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to pry, but did something happen to your fiancé? I’m only asking because the thought of him seems to always make you want to cry.”
I wanted to tell Jake, in fact, I have been dying to tell someone, anyone, what I was feeling. It feels like the more I deny Julian’s absence in my life, the more I am living in a lie. I feel as if I’m almost deluding myself into this alternate life where we are happy together. I just kept looking at him while hesitating if I should tell him or not.
I noticed his face looking solemn before he lowered his head and talked.
Jake: “A year ago, I was engaged to be married to the love of my life. She was my first girlfriend, and we’ve been together since high school. A week into our wedding, I caught him f*cking my best friend, when I got home from a trip. I wasn’t supposed to come back until the next day, and I wanted to surprise her. Jokes on me, because it was me who was surprised.”
Vanessa: “I’m sorry.”
I reached out my hand to his and caressed it. It was meant to console him, and he held onto it tight as if he’s trying to get some strength from me. His face is expressionless, but his eyes are so sad. Once more, he reminded me of Julian and his expressive eyes.
Jake: “It’s fine. I’m over it, but every now and then I feel the urge to beat someone up, especially when I’m reminded of them. As it turns out, they’ve been sleeping together for almost a year, and last I heard, she gave birth to their kid. We all have common friends, so I still hear things about them from time to time.”
Vanessa: “I know what that’s like. I was cheated on by my boyfriend of five years. I found out when I met one of his girlfriends. I actually moved here to Manila from Cebu to get away from here. I also got a new job, so it was a blessing in disguise.”
Jake: “Wow, he had the nerve to cheat on you? If my girlfriend is as gorgeous as you, I probably won’t be looking at any other woman.”
This compliment made me smile.
Vanessa: “Thanks. Cheaters suck, don’t they?”
Jake: “They sure do.”
We both chuckled and I felt comforted by the fact that the guy in front of me is someone who can relate to my situation. I can imagine how difficult it must be for them, since he caught his fiancé in the act of cheating on him. I’m actually amazed at how he was able to control himself from getting violent. We were still holding hands, in fact, we were playing with each other’s hands, not wanting to let go.
Jake: “Listen, I don’t know your situation with your fiancé, but it would make things better if you can tell someone about it. It doesn’t have to be me, but you need to have a sounding board who can absorb some of that sadness in your heart.”
Vanessa: “You’re right. I haven’t really told anyone about what happened. Maybe because I was in denial, and I’m still hoping for the best.”
Jake: “I get that. After what happened with my fiancé, I was still hoping that she’d come to me and ask for forgiveness. I loved her so much that I was willing to forget what happened, and still wanted to marry her. Good thing she didn’t, otherwise I would have made the stupidest decision of my life.”
I just smiled and sighed deeply before starting my tale.
Vanessa: “His name is Julian. I met him when I moved to the house I lived in now. He was my neighbor. He was younger than me, so initially, I was hesitant to pursue a relationship with him, but I fell in love, and you can’t help who you love.”
Jake: “I agree.”
Vanessa: “Somehow, because of me, he went to jail trying to protect me from a p*****t. His parents decided I wasn’t good for him, so they took him away. I don’t even know where he is now. Before he left, he gave me this ring and a letter promising he will come back and marry me. He asked me to wait for him.”
Jake: …
Vanessa: “That’s why I lost it when I lost the ring. This ring is a reminder that somehow, somewhere, he’s coming back for me.”
Jake: “I’m sorry, Vanessa.”
He then proceeded to hug me. I felt so comforted by his hug, and the fact that I can feel as if it’s Julian who’s hugging me right now adds to the comfort. We were interrupted when the server arrived with our food. We ate our food in silence.
Jake is right. Somehow, I felt better by the fact that I was finally able to tell someone about what happened to Julian. He might be a relative stranger, but his presence is so soothing, and I appreciated the fact that he doesn’t seem to be hitting on me. I can’t handle any romantic entanglements, right now, particularly since I am already engaged, albeit to an absent fiancé, but I am still engaged nonetheless.
When we finished eating and settled the bill, we walked towards the car. Jake took my hand and I didn’t protest. He offered to drive and I relented. We parked at the gym so he could get his motorcycle. We sat in the car for a few minutes not saying anything. It wasn’t uncomfortable or anything. We were still internalizing what we shared about each other earlier.
Jake: “You, know, I have met Julian before, and you’re not the first person to mistake me for him.”
Vanessa: “Really? When did you meet him?”
Jake: “He used to go to this gym.”
Vanessa: “Wow, what a small world.”
Jake: “Yeah. One time, he was bragging about his very beautiful girlfriend. He says she used to be a model and that he’s going to be marrying her someday. I’m guessing that he was talking about you.”
Vanessa: “He said he was going to marry me?”
Jake: “Yes, he did. So you used to be a model?”
Vanessa: “Yeah, when I was younger. I didn’t like it anymore, so I just focused on school.”
Jake: “Do you ever think about going back to modelling?”
Vanessa: “No, not really. Why do you ask?”
Jake: “I do some modelling every now and then, when I have some free time. Just some print ads.”
I looked at Jake and he does have the typical model body. He’s more burly than usual, but that only means that he can do modelling even without his clothes on.
Vanessa: “Oh, I’m sure you do a lot of body shots.”
Jake: “Yeah. I don’t mind. I work hard for it, might as well flaunt it.”
He flexed his muscle a little which made me chuckle.
Vanessa: “I better go, I still have work tomorrow.”
Jake: “Okay, let me follow you to ensure you’ll get home safe.”
I declined since I didn’t want to inconvenience him too much. He asked for my phone and he saved his number on it. He told me to give him a call or send him a message if I want someone to eat or hang out with. It was totally non-committal and I agreed.
Since the gym is located near the house, I got home after a few minutes. As soon as I got inside the house, I took a quick shower and changed into my sleepwear. I decided to send Jake a quick message telling him I got home safe and wishing him a good night. He replied within a few minutes.
Jake: “That’s good to know. I’m home too. Thanks for dinner. Next time, it’s my treat.”
Vanessa: “I won’t say now to free dinner.”
Jake: “Great. So will you be at the gym tomorrow?”
Vanessa: “I think so. I’ll try to make it a habit to go everyday. I wasn’t able to use my membership for two months. I’d like to take full advantage of it now.”
Jake: “How would you like a free lifetime membership instead.”
Vanessa: “How’s that possible? Do you know the owner of the gym?”
Jake: “I own it.”
Vanessa: “Really? No wonder I see you there all the time. No, it’s okay. It’s a business and I should pay for the service. You can give me a discount when I extend my membership, though.”
I added a smiley face with my message. He doesn’t have to do it, and I can afford the gym membership, but I was trying to see if he’ll let me get away with it.
Jake: “That’s not a problem. I’d love nothing more than have more customers extend their memberships, whatever it takes.”
Vanessa: “I’ve been thinking of getting a trainer too. I feel like I haven’t been able to maximize my visits because I don’t have a workout plan.”
Jake: “Well, I am a certified trainer. I’d be more than happy to be yours.”
He added a smiley face to his message as well. We continued exchanging messages until I felt sleepy. I didn’t notice the time, and it was almost one in the morning. I’ve been messaging him for almost two hours!
I decided to say goodnight and proceed to go to sleep. He relented and said “See you tomorrow.”
For the first time in a long time, I went to sleep with a smile on my face.
- Writer
