A Night With My Ex

Chapter 3

It's been almost a year now. Today is not just an ordinary day for me... for us. My lips are in an upward curve from the moment I stepped out of our house. I just got out of the bus. I texted Ace earlier to not pick me at our house. Although I know he won't.

It's been a week since he started being cold. It doesn't bother me at all since, in our every monthsary, he always does that. He will not talk nor text me the day before our monthsary and then he will surprise me afterward. It's just that, this month, he adjusted his "cold treatment" acting for a week! Probably because we will be celebrating our first year in a relationship! My smile went wider at the thought. I can't believe that it's already a year since we've been in a relationship. Everything feels like yesterday... from the beginning of his courtship... to always picking me at our house to drive me to school... from continuously being patient with my dad's indifference... to the first kiss... to the first time we make love... all of it feels surreal.

Me, Kiyanah Nuevas, a consistent dean's lister and a poor girl who does nothing other than school works, is madly in love with the rich guy who doesn't care about his studies and a notorious bad boy. 

'Sounds pretty cliché, huh!' I smirked.

I don't know why from the past eleven—now twelve—months of our relationship, he didn't bother changing his way of "surprising" me. I chuckled at the thought. 

I grace the hallway of our school's campus. Today is Saturday. Unlike Ace, I don't have a class. I told papa that we have a research activity that has to be done by today. Even he was skeptical, he let me go to school and even offered me a ride. I was kind of guilty for lying to him but I know he won't let me go if I tell him that I will be celebrating my anniversary with Ace.

I put my backpack in front of me. I hugged it, protecting it from bumping to others. 

My smile is still plastered on my face. However, I noticed some weird expressions from my schoolmates. Others are smirking and some are looking at me pitifully. In the days where I was a nobody, I think today, someone focuses the spotlight on me.

How come I didn't notice this earlier? Am I too preoccupied with my thoughts of Ace? I sighed. Or maybe I'm just overreacting? My eyes widened when a thought came across my mind. I quickly opened my backpack and pulled out my phone. I switch it on and click the app camera. I studied my face on the front camera, scrutinizing whether there's blemishes or a first on my face. I barely check myself in the mirror before I left the house due to the excitement of today's celebration.

'My face is perfectly fine tho.' I put back my phone into my bag. I glanced at the regular size red box which was carefully placed inside my bag before zipping it close.

Aside from doing my school works, I spent the rest of the week writing a love letter for Ace and printing our photos. This is the first time that I will be giving a gift to celebrate our relationship. In our every monthsary,  I haven't provided him gifts because aside from I don't have extra money, I don't know what to give him. I mean, with the successful business of his family for decades, he can literally buy everything I can think of! So here I am, I made a gift that he cannot be bought with money. 

I am smiling stupidly while my feet are bringing me to the school's grandstand. I included in my text message earlier that I will be waiting for him there. I haven't received any reply from him yet, and I don't expect any either. I am positive that he'll come if he knew I was waiting.

"Told you. She's just one of his play toys." I heard a girl whispered to her other girlfriends. Although I'm not sure if it was a whisper since I think she intended to talk it out loud. They are on the side bench of the hallway. Their group started laughing quietly. When they notice that I am staring at them, they stop.

My forehead formed some horizontal lines when my brows furrowed. Are they gossiping about me? But I don't see the connection of their gossips at me. Playtoy of who???

I neglect what they said and started walking again. Maybe I'm just overreacting today. However, it doesn't take long when a guy taller than me and looks athletic, puts his arm over my shoulders. 

I gazed blankly at him, expecting him to get off of me. I'm not gonna lie, he got the looks. Typically the bad boy type like Ace. As I stare longer at his face, I realize that he looks familiar. My crumpled face slowly straightened when I remember him. He's a member of the basketball team.

"Get your hands off of me." I coldly said.

I don't care if he's one of the best players on the team or he's taller and stronger than me. I can easily throw him with my arm and shoulder.

Instead of listening to my warning, the guy only smirked at me.

'Ha! The guts!'

"I've warned you," I said in a low voice before twisting his arm with my hand. He is now facing the opposite direction as I put his arm on his back. I saw him arch by the sudden pain.

"Ow!" he winced.

I used my free hand to punch him on the side of his stomach with my knuckles, and with my full force, I kick him. He landed face-first on the rough concrete ground. 

Some of the students who saw what I did stop and watch us. Some are amazed, others raised a brow. I thought the guy will get angry and punch me at what I did but instead, he cockily stands on his feet, rubbed his hand with each other to get rid of the dust, and then he faced me. 

His annoyance is evident even with a grin on his face. With a controlled voice, he said, "You really are Ace's girl huh. I wonder if Samantha knows how to punch boys too." The smirk on his face is still glued while I am now confused by what he said. 

I was startled when another guy appeared behind me. Just like what the first jerk did, he also put his arm on my shoulder. The difference is, he put force on his arm that made me hard to move. 

Since I can't twist his arm and kick his ass, I turn my head at him and glared. I notice the band-aid on his right cheekbone. But what caught my attention is the words that escaped his mouth.

"You and Ace broke up, right? So, can I make my move now?" he smirked at me.

"Back off dude. This is mine," he said to the guy that I kick earlier. He turns his head to me, "I bet you're not boring in bed. It took Ace a year to finally let you go?" he whispered.

"What the hell are you talking about?!"

"See this?" he pointed at the band-aid on his cheek. "Your guy did it," I don't know if his voice is in dominance with anger or humor, or both. 

So? What would his wound gonna do with what he said?!

"I seriously thought he's really into you, but then..." he didn't continue. He only shook his head with his lips on a lopsided grin.

"Remove your arm," I commanded. I'm still muddled by what he is talking about but his arm wrapping around my shoulder and his hand reaching almost my neck give me discomfort. But instead of listening to me, he completely snaked his palm on my neck, making me closer to him. 

I am struggling to be free. I tried to kick his leg but it's useless. "If Ace will know about this, you're dead!" I yelled. I've never used Ace's name on my personal problems. But I am too desperate to be free from the arms of this guy! 

I heard him hissed. I can even hear him smirk. I was already ready to scream for help when he whispered something.

"Why don't you go to the school's garden? From the way you act, I bet you're not aware," he blew his breath on my neck before letting me go. When I was already free, I stomp on his feet with my full force. I didn't see how he reacted since I turn my back at him-- facing the direction of the school garden.

I hook my bag properly on my shoulder as I placed it in front of me. I hugged my bag in a protective manner. I am walking towards the school garden. I should be going to the grandstand but I don't know why I listened to that guy.

The school garden is filled with small nipa huts and an empty grass field in the center. A lot of students go here during their vacant. They use the school garden to either eat, relax, and bond with friends.

When I entered the open area, I don't see Ace in the grass field so if what the guy said were true, then he's inside of one of the nipa huts. I checked it one by one. I even interrupted a group of students who are studying when I entered their nipa hut. I just gave them a peace sign and apologize.

I heard a creak on the other nipa hut. I went there with the hopes of finding Ace. In between the wooden stick that serves as the wall of the hut, I saw a guy wearing a plain white shirt. Even only his back is facing me, I am certain that it is Ace!

I excitedly went inside the hut however, my smile faded from what I see. 

Ace's arms are widely spread and resting on the backrest of the long wooden chair while kissing a girl who is seating beside him. From the girl's straight long blonde hair, I already know who it was. 

Samantha Gail Yerin. The cheerleader and a model. She's close to Ace since her family's modeling company is under the company of the Macneils.

Ace felt my presence. The moment I step inside the nipa hut, he immediately pushes Samantha. Samantha growled in annoyance, not happy with what Ace did.

They both turn their heads on me. Samantha rolled her eyes when she saw me. She even leaned her back at Ace's chest. Her eyes are darted at me, almost smiling.

What the heck?! I bit my lips. Ace didn't bother pushing Samantha aside. He let her leaned on him while I'm standing in front of them, dumbfounded. I met Ace's eyes. He's staring blankly at me while mine is slowly being filled with unshed tears.

I tried hard to keep my tears at bay. With my quivering lips, I speak.

"I-is this p-part of your s-surprise, A-ace?" I asked stupidly. 

Love can indeed make us stupid. Even your ears had already heard and your eyes had already witnessed, you still seek an explanation opposite to what you see and hear. Simply because at the back of your mind, you are hoping that your senses had gathered it wrong... that maybe there's more behind on what you see and hear, and that you shouldn't jump to the conclusion.

But who am I kidding? I know what he will answer but still, I am hoping for a different one. Ace won't do something like this for the sake of surprising and spicing up our celebration... yet, I am silently wishing that it was.

"Pitiful," Samantha commented. 

"Stop it, Sam." Ace placed his hand on Samantha's lap. Since when did he start calling Samantha by her nickname? Since when did they become this close? Since when did he start cheating on me?

"W-what is this A-ace?" I asked once again.

"Kiyanah..." he called. I smiled bitterly. He didn't call me 'baby'. Not even 'Kiya'. He called me 'Kiyanah'. He mentioned my name as if we haven't been in a relationship... as if his lips didn't collide with mine. He uttered it foreignly—something how a stranger would probably speak my name.

"You should have done this earlier. Maybe it will hurt her less?" Samantha glance at Ace and then she stayed her eyes on me. "It was a year pure of fakeness. I understand your tears, dear." She mockingly said.

Ace didn't bother answering, he's only staring blankly at me. Samantha, who is still leaning her back at him, tilted her head and rest it on Ace's shoulder. She whispered something at Ace and chuckled.

I tried to control my emotion. But the sight of them flirting in front of me is too much to bear. I don't want anyone to pity me this way! 

My hands are shaking when I opened my bag. I pulled out the box which is my supposed gift to Ace. Without a second thought, I throw it in their direction. 

Even with my blurry eyes, I saw that it hit Samantha. The box went open and the love letter that I wrote as well as the pictures that I printed fell onto the wooden floor of the nipa hut. 

"Kiyanah!" Ace's voice thundered that it made me jump from my place. I saw some of the students from other huts went out to peek at what is happening. 

"Desperate b***h!" Samantha, who just recovered from what I did, stands in her seat. She was about to attack me when Ace stopped her by holding her wrist. He placed his hand on her waist, making her look at him. Samantha's escalated from an angry expression to the face of someone who is about to cry. 

The nerve of this girl to call me a b***h and play the victim card!

Ace hugged her as he faced me, ready to scold me for what I did. Even my heart feels like it was crushed, I manage to turn my back at them and walk out of the scene. I don't want to hear him defend her. I don't want to hear him hushed her with her fake cries!

As expected, there are students who are trying to watch the happening inside the hut. I ignored all of them even some are smirking and others are pitying me. I can't blame them tho. If I am in their position, I will also feel the same. I will also express my pity or maybe, I'll laugh too! Because who in their right mind will believe that a guy such as Ace will take someone like me seriously? 

I am an honor student! I can easily ace my school exams. I am smart! But how come I was fooled? 

Tears are continuously falling from my eyes. I even bump on some of the students since I am busy wiping them out. I managed to leave the school with a heavy heart. 

I wanna go home. If ever my father will ask about why I got home early, I'll just make an excuse. I don't want him intervening with this. 

I was already outside of the campus when I saw a familiar figure. There was a guy standing at the bus stop. With his stained brown khaki shorts, black shirt, and muddy slippers, I figure out who it was. 

I ran our distance. When he notices that someone is approaching him, he turns his head in my direction. His face lit up when he saw me, but it eventually faded when I stopped in front of him. He probably notices the signs of me crying.  

"What happened to you?!" Jaxon, my childhood friend, asked. From his look, I bet he got home from work.

I shook my head as a response. The bus stop in front of us. I get in immediately. Jaxon followed me and we sat side by side inside the bus.

"What happened?" he reiterated.

I sighed before answering him. "We b-broke up," I simply said. My tears are already dried but when I spoke, a new set of hot fluid in my eyes is now forming. Ace and I didn't officially break up. But from the scene earlier, I don't think we have to do it officially. 

"Why? Who initiated it?" his voice is now calmer than earlier.

"Me. I s-saw him c-cheating. He w-was kissing a-another girl," I stutteringly answered.

I heard him cussed. My eyes were directed at the window at the bus but I can clearly picture out his expression.

Jaxon was a friend of mine since childhood. Our father was friends. Only that, his father died in an accident at the construction site while working when Jaxon is still 17. His mother left them when he was still a baby so he has no idea who it was. When his father was still alive, he worked as a construction worker who has a minimum wage salary. Because of money problems, Jaxon hasn't experience going to school. As much as my father wanted to help him, we are also financially struggling. He is currently working as a construction worker to provide for his everyday needs. 

"Bastard!" he angrily spat. "Let me see him and I'm gonna punch him right into his face!" he added. 

I shifted in my seat and turn to him. He's gritting his teeth and clenching his fist. Jaxon is as tall as Ace. They also have the same body build, however, I know their capabilities. Not to side with my cheater ex-boyfriend but he will not win the gold medal every year in MMA if he's not good.

"Stay away from him, Jax," I calmly demanded and return my eyes to the window. 

Even with the fast-changing sights of the moving bus, I can still clearly visualize what happened earlier. From the scene of them kissing, up to when he hugged her. Tears pooled in my lower lids as the bus stopped.

I hurriedly went out of the bus and Jaxon followed. 

"I can do the revenge for you, Kiya..." he's half-running to chase me and he sounds very serious.

I stopped my huge and fast steps. "Don't." I firmly uttered and continue walking. This time, I jogged the distance of our house. 

Today is Saturday so it's my father's day off. Papa was seating on the sala and watching TV when I entered the house. He was startled by my sudden appearance that he didn't get to react. Jaxon followed me inside our house but I did not let him chase me. I went straight into my room and shut the door.

I slammed myself on the bed and covered my whole body with a blanket. I cried hard. The only thing that can be heard in my room is my sobs and sniffing that I can hardly block.

I gave him my all. I didn't doubt his love since the first day he told me he loved me. All my feelings were pure. What happened to us? Where did I ever go wrong? He fooled me. That's a fact. But, in our whole year of relationship, it's impossible for him to not love—or even like me—even in a single moment, right? Maybe he did really love me, but he just changes his mind? Because honestly, I can accept it. Even in the middle of our relationship and he changed his mind, as long as he loved me, I'll accept it. 

Even I know I deserved to be love at all times, being loved by him even in a single moment throughout our relationship—that alone can make me happy. Maybe it can somewhat lessen the pain I am feeling.

I cried the whole day. My father knocks on my door to bring me food but I fell asleep from crying. When I woke up and went out of my room, I saw my food on a tray, waiting for me on the floor. I pick up the tray and went back inside my room.

I ate peacefully. I push aside the fact that I and Ace are already done. I bet my father knew already about it. Jaxon was here. I don't know if he's still in our house but one thing is for sure... he told papa about it.

As I finished my food, I promise myself that this will be the last time I'll cry for our failed relationship. I am a strong, independent, and wise woman. I don't need that kind of boy in my life. The world is too big to cry over someone that you can replace. 

I smiled sadly at my strong-willed thoughts. It's funny that even to myself, I can easily fake it. But if I will allow myself to be honest for a second, I know that forgetting him will never be easy. He was my first. And I am not sure if there will be next. If we saw each other in the future, I hope my bruised heart is already healed. If time will allow, I wish I can face him with no pain and anger in my heart—just pure acceptance.

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Unedited. Expect typo and grammatical errors.

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A Night With My Ex

by: Joanne Cristel

©2021