This Time I'll Be Sweeter

Chapter 1: New Version of herself

Samantha's POV:

"Sam."

"Hmm?" I looked up to see my best friend Jack leaning against the door frame. Her face has a mixed expression of frown and worry.

"Are you sure you're ready to go back to San Francisco?"

I put down the dress I was holding as I found myself laughing at her question.

"Of course! Why shouldn't I be ready?"

She shrugged, walking towards the bed and slumped herself next to me. "I think you should ask yourself that question and not me."

"Well, I don't have to ask myself that question because I know that I'm ready! It's been almost four years since I left my hometown and I really missed the things I was doing then."

"Okay, as you say so." She gives me a shrug for the second time. "Are you now going to stay there for good?"

"I don't know. Maybe yes, maybe no. But honestly, I haven't thought about it yet. I just want to see my daughter and surprise her on her birthday."

"How about seeing your husband again? Are you ready for that?"

"Ex-husband! He's no longer my husband, Jack, remember?"

"Alright, but what if you meet him again at the party? You know, it's impossible for you not to see him again. After all, he's still Cali's father."

"I know. And so --- if he's there? I can't stop him from seeing his daughter, besides, everyone expects him to attend the party. Of course, some of them are just to gossip about our lives."

"Hmm... so you mean to say you're ready to face him again after four years of hiding from him?"

"Excuse me! I'm not hiding from him, I didn't and I will not. Why would I do that? And as for your question, of course, I'm ready. I completely forgot what happened. It's all in the past. I am now Samantha Soriano version 2.0!" I said flipping my hair over my shoulder. You know, to show her how confident I am with my answer.

But she just laughed at me.

"New Samantha Soriano version 2.0? Wow. Amazing! And because of that, I will be generous in giving you loud applause."

I stared at her with a forced smile. She's clapping while laughing hilariously in front of me... inside my room and on top of my bed.

"Haha...funny!" I just rolled my eyes and continued with what I was doing before she entered my room.

"So you're saying you have already moved on, huh?" She asked after a while. I know how much she's trying to suppress her laughter.

I sighed.

"Jack, how many times do I have to answer that question? I've already moved on and whatever has happened in the past, it will remain buried like all the stupid feelings I felt for him four years ago. I'm completely healed, especially now that I have David. I love him and I'm happy with him."

David is my boyfriend. And If you're asking if my daughter approved him as my boyfriend...the answer is yes and we've been together for six months.

"Oh...alright, you're completely healed." She left me hanging on those words and busied herself checking her new polished nails.

'I now have David. I love him and I'm happy with him.' I repeat these words in silence. He's a nice guy. He loves me. He understands what I went through and the only thing I could give him back for his love and support is to stay by his side. Well, that's what I believe in.

"Mom called me last night."

Her head snapped instantly.

"What did she say?"

"She was asking me if I would take David with me to the party."

"Whoa! That's an interesting question!" Suddenly, her eyes lit up with excitement. "Tell me you said yes."

I shake my head. "You know he can't come with me, Jack."

"But why? I don't see any problem if you take him to your daughter's party. Cali likes the man too!"

"I know, but he has a job. He's a doctor, remember?"

"Aghh!" She pouted.

Jack is David's number one fan, but also my ex-husband's number one basher/s***h/hater.

"You know what? I think you should really take him with you."

"And why should I do that?" I asked raising my eyebrow.

"Well, since we're sure you will meet your f*****g husband---"

"Ex-husband! And please get rid of the awful word."

"Jeez! Your daughter isn't here!"

"Even though she's she's not here, you shouldn't be talking like that!"

"Fine!" She huffed. "Can I continue now? As I was saying, since your F husband---"

"Jackelyn!"

"What? I didn't say anything! I just said F --- what's the problem with that?"

I didn't answer her. I just gave her one of my serious looks.

"Aghh! Don't be so sensitive, Sam, he's just your ex-husband! Duh?"

"And who says I'm being sensitive---" but she cut me by placing her palm close to my face.

"Hep! You don't have to explain. Just let me continue, okay? What I was saying earlier was that you should take David with you to San Francisco. Why? Well, it's not just to introduce him to everyone, but to show your ex-husband what kind of precious gem he has thrown 4 years ago. He chose to be with that woman who knows nothing but shows off on a catwalk wearing only two pieces of her s**t --- I mean, cloth!"

"You can't blame her, she's a model." I chuckled.

"I know she's a damned lingerie model, but you don't get my point, do you? You and Luke had been married for 4 years, you had a five-year-old daughter but what got me confused is that he never learned to love you? Goodness!"

"Ouch! Do you really have to slap me again with those words?" I pretended to be hurt. I couldn't help it. I don't even know why those words still give a slight sting in my spine.

"Why? Isn't it true? Jeez! If only it were David, I think he learned to love you in those 4 years of being together!"

"Yes, if only he was David, but he's not him. He's Luke Marcuz Williams."

"Oh, yeah, thanks for reminding me! I forgot he's not David. Because the David I know knows how to treasure a precious gem, unlike your ex-husband. Imagine, he let you go so easily just to be with his ex-girlfriend who looks like a walking stick!"

I covered my mouth and bit my lip just to keep my laughter from escaping my throat, but I failed.

"Jack, that's enough. You shouldn't be calling someone like that, especially with names."

"Oh, hell! Mother Mary are you with my cousin's body?"

"Jackeline Agustine, that's not a good kind of joke!" I glared at her.

"Hehe... I'm just kidding. I'm sorry Mother Mary." She said looking at the ceiling with a peace sign on her fingers. "Let's be serious, Sam. What if suddenly everything changes when you come back?"

This made me frown. "What do you mean?"

"What if when you see him again you'll realize that you still love him? That nothing has changed and that you are still in love with him even after four years?"

My mouth suspended in mid-air. I admit I was kinda shocked by her question.

"That's not going to happen." I smiled, shaking my head.

"How can you be sure of that?"

"I just know," I said with a shrug.

"Well, let's see."

"It's true, Jack, believe me. Because Luke and I..." (I smiled bitterly) "...we just met, but we weren't really destined to be together. See? Fate had just played on us." I blinked away the tears which I don't know where it came from.

"Ohh..." she held my hand, giving me a sad smile. "You're right, you're not meant to be together. It's enough that you became fool and stupid over him in your youth days. But anyway, at least that's stupidity gave you the most precious gift you've ever received."

"Yeah, my Cali." A smile formed my lips upon mentioning my daughter's name.

"Hmmp! If you didn't flirt with him that night and didn't spike his drink, surely you would have like to be single and carefree in those 4 years instead of being tied to his name!"

"Yeah, but don't you think that if I didn't do such thing, I wouldn't have Cali at this moment who will be celebrating her birthday the next day."

"Haist, you must be thankful for having her after seducing her father. Gosh! I could still remember your face when you told your mom about your pregnancy, you were only 17 then. What comes in your mind that night for doing those stupid things?"

I smiled. "Well, first I was too young, naive and I wasn't thinking of what possibly might happen after doing it. I was kinda curious and jealous, and of course, I was still the old Samantha who always gets what she wants."

Scratching the back of my neck, I glanced at her.

"Tsk.tsk.tsk... so stupid!" She said shaking her head. "Samantha Soriano version 2.0? Let's see if you can prove your words in front of him."

"You really know how to support your best friend, huh?"

"Of course! Anyway, do you need help packing your stuff?"

"Ahh... thanks bestie, I appreciate your offer, but no, thanks." I smiled sarcastically. "After reminding me of all my mistakes years ago and after calling me stupid, you really still remember offering your help?"

She gave me a puppy smile. "Okay, if you don't want my help, then I have to go."

"Oh, yes, I think that's the best thing you can ever do for me today, getting out of my room."

"Really?"

"Really! I confirmed, taking one of the pillows. "You better get going now before I forget you're my best friend, argh! I'm going to smack your ass!"

I tried to hit her but since she quickly ran out of the door, the pillow just landed on the floor. I still hear her laughing inside my room as she forgets to close the door. Oops, no, she hasn't forgotten. She intentionally didn't close the door to annoy me.

"Haist! Jackeline Agustine!"

I dropped my back to the bed when Jack finally left my room. She's right. The biggest mistake I made also gave me a precious and memorable gift in my life... becoming a mother. It was a mistake that I will forever regret doing but would be grateful for at the same time.

Staring blankly at the ceiling, a sad smile formed my lips as the part of that happy and painful memories crossed my mind again.