One More Chance by Jaycelle Rodriguez

Chapter 30: And they meet again

~~~I'd be a fool if I couldn't see how things have changed between you and me. Maybe we try just a little too hard and we are strangers again. I still remember we used to hold. On those cold and lonely nights, we make love and we are strangers again. Oh, lady, it's hard to believe that there in your eyes, a stranger I see. And that the only song we got left to play are the memories of yesterday~~~

-Cinema-

Walking towards Caleb's table with a large tray in my hands, I couldn't help but notice his friend whose back was facing me. I don't know why I suddenly felt something that I couldn't explain as I glanced at his broad shoulders.

My heartbeats have become erratic as the image of someone popped up in my head, but I immediately shrugged it off as it's so impossible to happen. Los Angeles is way too far from the Philippines, so it can't be.

"Hi, Sam," I smiled at Caleb when he greeted me the moment I reached their table. "Where is Dana?"

"Well, she went into the girls' room so she asked me to bring your orders," I replied without bothering to look at the face of the man sitting across his seat. "Here are your orders, 1 cappuccino---" I hadn't even finished speaking when Caleb interrupted me. "Oh, that's mine even the croissant and chocolate doughnut."

I couldn't help but smile as I remembered Dana told me how Caleb loved croissants and doughnuts.

"Here is your croissant and chocolate doughnut, Sir."

"Thanks, Sam."

I chuckled at him still oblivious of the intense stares of the man sitting across Caleb's seat.

"And here is your black coffee and a slice of blueberry cheesecake---" I was suddenly stopped in mid-air the moment I recognized who that man was. 'Luke...' I muttered under my breath. It seemed like the world stopped when our eyes met. And it took me a few seconds to contemplate whether to greet him or act as if I didn't recognize him and let him call my name first.

I was just pulled back from staring into his mesmerising eyes that I haven't done for so long when Caleb called my attention.

"Sam, are you okay?"

"H-Huh?" I turned to him not knowing what to say.

"You looked like you have seen a ghost."

deep down inside, it's more than a ghost I've seen. Seeing your ex-husband, the man you first loved and left a special place in your heart unexpectedly in an unexpected place

see how handsome your friend, Caleb." I said taking a deep breath. God knew how I managed to came up with that

way, this is Luke Marcuz Williams, my friend and soon to be business partner."

as I

else I can bring you?" I asked avoiding Luke's gaze and turned to Caleb, but before he could open his mouth, Luke beat

of

took a deep breath upon hearing his voice. -'What the hell is happening to me, for God sake?'- I

two, please,"

it to you shortly." I smiled at Caleb and did my best not

was just taking a few steps away from

"Sam,"

halt. I was debating with my own mind whether to turn around or not, but in the end, I chose to do what's right. He's our customer after

longer in his seat when I turned and looked at him. And he had already taken a few steps near me before

It's

him and noticing the things that seemed to have changed in him... his hairstyle and his shoulders that seemed to have gotten

pull me into another world, there's one thing I have realized... I was staring at

I couldn't exactly explain the new and

been a long time." It was too late for me to realize that I had already uttered those words and that I was now smiling

where the female lead suddenly interrupted by the male lead and asked her the most unexpected

He asked and all of a

when my smile disappeared. I mentally slapped myself for letting that

I didn't notice stood up and asked us

smile, ignoring Caleb's question. And since he's good at hiding his emotions, well, I've also

"You're working here?"

I clearly heard the

she actually owns this shop. She and my girlfriend Dana are business partners." Caleb was the one who answered his 'question'. "Wait, how do you know each other?" He

before the two of us could answer, Dana came to our view wearing the same

here? Do you know him, Sam?" She turned to me, waiting for my answer but my eyes were

"Sam?"