One More Chance by Jaycelle Rodriguez

Chapter 150: The New Revelation

~~~ I believe in happy endings though I've only known a few. For as rare as they are

like a bright falling star, I found one in you. Sometimes, all the world can seem so friendless and the road ahead so

endless and the dream so far away. Sometimes, when I'm almost to surrender then I stop and I remember I have you to save my day~~~

-I Have You (Carpenters)-

-'Forgodsake! How did he become so handsome and more attractive even after these years?'- I asked myself as I stared at him.

He stared back with confusion visible in both his eyes.

"Really? Let me help you set the table then." I stood up, trying to calm my insides and hold back myself at the same time.

"Nope, I got this," he shook his head. "You just have to take a seat and wait for me to set up the table, okay?" He urged me to sit down again before going back to the counter.

So that's what I did. I waited for him to put on the table what he had prepared for our dinner with a silent prayer I kept repeating in my head to stay calm until the dinner is over. "Here they are!"

"Wow!" My eyes went wide as well as my mouth when he put all the dishes in front of me... Chicken garlic pasta, Caesar salad, and what made me smile more was the flavorful, crunchy fried chicken wings. But he mistook my smile for something else.

"I'm sorry, I'm not a professional cook, and I---"

"Hey, why are you apologizing?" I interrupted him as I saw a hint of disappointment in his eyes.

"Because I don't know how to cook a formal dinner." He sighed. "I should have taken you to a fancy restaurant---"

"Luke!" I immediately took his hand as I urged him to look at me. "I appreciate all of this and your efforts and honestly, I like it here more than eating in a fancy restaurant out there." "But that's all I had prepared,"

"So what? It's okay, it's just the two of us, besides, didn't you know that these are my favorites--- the crispy chicken wings together with pasta?" I grinned.

His eyes suddenly lit up.

"Really?"

"Uhuh! So you don't have to apologize and please... can we start eating now? My tongue could no longer wait to taste those wings!" I excitedly pointed to the plate of crunchy wings.

That made him laugh and kissed me on the forehead and even though it surprised me, I still managed to hide the excitement inside.

A few minutes later...

I can't believe you're apologizing for all of this!" I chuckled referring to the food in front of

Dana and Jack to help me with what to cook for

What did they say?" I bit my lip to

me the same thing that I should be asking you because you're the one who's going to eat with me. Tss! I don't know what happened to those women as they suddenly turned their backs on me!" He said frowning but it made

I asked the men... your brother, Patrick, and Caleb. Dale told me to cook pasta, Patrick suggested the salad, and

really wanted to say that it doesn't matter whatever he cooked tonight because what really made me excited was the idea of having dinner with him

least you made a lot of effort and I appreciate it and thank you for the best homemade fried chicken I've ever tasted,"

He sighed.

should be the one showing appreciation for having dinner with me. I've been wanting this to happen many times over the past couple of years, but I didn't have the courage to ask you, besides, you hate me so much then." "Hmm... kinda," I

us for a few minutes before both of us decided

in surprise

sorry---" we stared at each other as we did it

can go first---" but then

stared at each other, our laughter blended in mid-air at

can speak first," he said his grin still

ahead first," I

you

like to hear what you're going to

which made me hold my breath for a

with me?'- I wondered as I

just going to ask what made you decide to stay here in the Philippines for the past

I brought the wine glass to my mouth

I

whole family, and of course,

of that I never felt alone again. And I stayed here not because they made me happy but because I found a home and a family." I ended my speech with

to

shared a smile and

I know you have already expanded, but the company in Los Angeles is much bigger than the branch you have here, besides, you have a lot of people to manage your business

"I don't know,"

mean you don't know?" I

but after knowing that you're here, I think I now know the reason. Maybe because fate

I gulped.

but I felt my stomach churn and my toes curled under the