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."

way." I faked a smile and

an eyebrow when I

the guy from the other side has his gaze moving

nodded, returning the stare that

I shrugged, still having the fake smile on

heard the guy's voice

"Wait!"

glanced at him

I... uhm... I'm

down to his hand. He stopped and stood in front of me

Fernandez, Luke's

rude to raise an eyebrow and tell him --- 'And so?

Soriano." I accepted his hand and it was only then he stepped

he's going back to his boss, well, I

know you were prettier in

I asked him, confused about

finally meet you. You're

shake my head. "Nope, ex-wife

ahh, never mind." My head snapped towards him when he slapped his 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 when he noticed my confused

"He?"

Did I say

at

oh... uhm... never mind what I said!" he said giving me an awkward smile as he started scratching the back of his

I sighed.

many times does he have to mention the word 'never

keep plunging on my head. 'He said you love romantic movies, you're afraid of cockroaches and you're a good cook.' Who was Patrick Fernandez referring to? Was it Dale? Dad? Or

the only people I remembered who knew these things were my family and of course, Jack, but Luke? I Don't know. I'm not sure as I don't 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

"Mommy..."

was pulled back from my thoughts when I heard my daughter called

asked her, lowering my height