One More Chance by Jaycelle Rodriguez

Chapter 33: Family photo

~~~Yet, it wasn't enough for you all the love I had to give. I did my best to keep you satisfied, I guess you'll never know how much I tried, I really tried. And if ever our paths should cross again, well, you won't find me being the one who gets lost. Once, I had so much to give, but you just refused my love. From now on, you're only someone that I used to love...~~~

-Natalie Cole-

After taking another deep breath, I came out of the cubicle and checked my makeup in the mirror. My heart still hadn't returned to its normal beat, but I can't in the bathroom any longer.

I was about to step out of the door when I heard muffled voices near the men's' room and my breath hitched when I recognized that one of them was Luke. He was talking to someone of the same age. I don't have a plan to listen to them, but it wasn't my fault because... ...first, the man he's talking to whom he called 'Patrick' was babbling so loud as if the one he's talking to was a few meters away.

...secondly, they were in the hallway, in front of the men's bathroom, but since it's the only way to get out and go back to the venue, I unintentionally heard a part of their conversations.

"Really? Then why didn't you tell her the truth?" asked the guy who has a deep frown on his forehead.

I got confused inside... who were they talking to? What truth didn't Luke tell her?

And why do I care?

They didn't seem to notice me.

"Come on, dude, it's your chance!"

'Haist, why does he need to shout? Luke was just in front of him! And jeez! why do they have to stand in the middle of the hallway? Can't they talk into somewhere more private?'

I mentally rolled my eyes when I was just a few steps from them.

"What happened to you? I thought---"

"Ahem!"

The guy instantly stopped speaking when he heard my voice. They looked at me with both surprises written on their faces.

"-- ohh..." the guy blinked repeatedly.

"Excuse me, do you mind if I go to the venue?"

"Huh---Oops, sorry."

stand on the side because you're 'not really' blocking the way." I faked a smile and emphasized the words 'not really' because they have a big torso, so they literally

help raising an eyebrow when I heard Luke mutter those

while the guy from the other side

He nodded, returning the stare

having the fake smile on my

them but I heard the guy's voice

"Wait!"

him but continued my

uhm...

at him then down to his hand. He stopped and stood in front of me with his hand waiting for

Fernandez,

eyebrow and tell him --- 'And so? I'm not interested'--- I already did, but of course,

his hand and it was only then

back to his boss, well, I was wrong as he walked with me to

didn't know you were prettier in

I asked him, confused about

finally meet you. You're my

my head. "Nope, ex-wife is the right

forehead. "You know what, I've heard stories about you. He said you love romantic movies, you're afraid of cockroaches like your daughter and you're a good cook---" ... but he stopped

"He?"

Did

at him

never mind what I said!" he said giving me an awkward smile as he started scratching

I sighed.

many times does he have to mention

afraid of cockroaches and you're a

remember telling him my phobia about cockroaches, he never went with me to the cinema or even watched a movie in our living room. And about cooking--- well, yes, I remembered that he started eating dishes that I prepared for him when Cali turned one, but he never once told me that he

"Mommy..."

pulled back from my thoughts when I heard my daughter called

her, lowering