At Stary Hub

It had been three weeks since something happened to Nicholai and me. And I had been avoiding him for those weeks.

I really couldn’t believe what I found out. All those years that we had been together. I didn't even think of Nicholai having feelings towards me.

He was like a big brother to me. But I guess for him, it was not. Now I knew why he couldn't accept Philip for me even before. Now it all made sense to me.

I was startled when my phone suddenly rang. I looked at my phone to know who was calling.

It was Nicholai, again.

I shut my eyes and canceled his call. I sighed and sat on my couch.

I didn't stay in our house. I stayed in my condo instead. I didn't want to see him. I was still upset about what happened.

I stood up and decided to go out. I changed into a white halter top and black skinny tattered jeans. I took one of my plums in the shoe rock and then did my make-up. I haven’t been to Stary Hub in a long time. Maybe going there would lessen my stress.

After locking my condo, I went to the elevator and pressed the basement. When I arrived at the basement, I walked to where I parked my car. I smiled when I saw it. It was a Cadillac Escalade that was given to me by my Daddy. My smile faded when I remembered that Dad was also reaching out to me, asking me why I was not visiting them. I heaved a sigh and got inside the car.

I just stared at the steering wheel for a few seconds and then turned on the engine and drove away from the building.

I arrived at Stary Hub in no time. I was outside the Stary Hub when my phone rang again. I thought it was Nicholai again, but it wasn't.

It was Philip this time. With trembling hands, I answered the call.

"Love."

[Hi, love. I just got back. I miss you so much. I'm on my way to your condo.] My eyes widened at what he said.

All I knew was he should still be in the US for his conference.

"L-Love, I'm not in the condo. I'm at Stary Hub," I said and then bit my lower lip.

I didn’t know how I would deal with Philip after what happened to Nicholai and me. So, I was very thankful that they suddenly had a conference last week, so we didn't meet. And it was supposed to be for two weeks.

[You didn't tell me that you were going out.] He sounded pissed on the other line.

"I'm sorry, Love. I forgot. I thought you were busy. You said you'd be staying there for two weeks."

[I'm done with my part. And I badly want to see you. Are you not happy that I was back early?] His tone suddenly changed to a sad one, and I couldn't help but feel guilty.

"W-What? No! Of course, I am happy. I miss you so much too."

[Who are you with there at Stary Hub?]

Shit! How am I going to say that I was alone that he wouldn’t get angry? I knew for sure that he would get mad when he found out I was alone.

"I'm with Cheni," I lied.

[Fine. I'm also going there. I'm on my way. See you, Love. I love you.] He said before dropping the call.

Shit! I’m doomed! I even said that I was with Cheni even if I’m not. If he found this out, I would be doomed!

You were so careless, Denima!

I called Cheni, but she didn't answer my call. Argh! So I just texted her that I was in the Stary Hub, and I used her name as an excuse. I would lie and tell Phil that Cheni left right away because there was an emergency.

I was welcomed by the people's noise, smoke, and the music's full blast sound when I got inside the Hub. It was packed with a lot of people since it was Friday night.

I tried to find an empty table and saw one on the far end. I quickly walked over to it and sat down on the couch.

I raised my hand and called a waitress who passed near where I was sitting. She immediately turned around and walked closer to where I was with a smile.

"Good evening, ma'am. May I know your order?" she asked right away when she got in front of my table.

"I want a small tower of margarita and nachos with beef dip."

"Let me repeat your order, ma'am. A bottle of margarita and nachos with beef dip. Anything else, Ma'am?"

"None," I replied right away.

"Okay, ma'am." She was about to leave when suddenly another waitress appeared and shook the arm of the female waitress in front of me.

"Alondra! There's your crush Gonzalo again! Shit! He's so handsome!" Her eyes widened when she called Alondra and then, at the same time, pulled her away from my table.

I never minded them and just put my phone on the table when suddenly it rang. I immediately answered the call when I saw it was Philip.

[Love, I’m already outside Stary Hub.]

"Love, I’m inside me. I can't hear you. It's so loud here. I'm on the far right end of the bar counter."

[I'll look for you then...] I didn’t hear much of what he said after because the music was so loud, as well as the people inside the hub.

The waitress Alondra returned with a timid smile as she carried my order. She was with the woman she was talking to earlier. I gave them a genuine smile. Her companion put down the margarita tower and glass. While Alondra also put the Nachos I ordered on the table. They said something I didn’t hear before they left.

I was about to eat the nachos in front of me when I saw Philip walking towards my table. He kissed my lips before sitting down next to me. I was suddenly stunned.

"Hey, Love! You're spacing out." He chuckled.

"Sorry. I just can't believe that you're here." I blinked my eyes a couple of times while looking at him.

"Silly. I miss you," he said, and my eyes widened. Philip cupped my face and kissed me passionately, to which I responded. I poured it all into our kiss. I could still feel the butterfly in my stomach whenever he kissed me.

"I love you. Always remember that I love you. Okay?" My heart was pounding so fast. I was so guilty.

"I know. And I love you more. Is there a problem?" It's a worrying question. I shook my head and smiled at him.

"No. I just missed you." I hugged him, and he hugged me back.

"Where's Cheni?" he asked as he raised an eyebrow.

"She left me. There seems to be an emergency." I lied again. I picked up some nachos and dipped them in beef dip, and then put it in my mouth.

Suddenly my stomach twisted from its taste. I covered my mouth because it tastes awful. I wanted to vomit.

"Hey! What's wrong?" Philip asked, looking at me with a worried expression.

"I think the dip is already spoiled."

"What?" He tasted the beef deep with a fork. "It's not. It tastes good," he said while his forehead creased.

"I felt like vomiting." I didn't wait for his response. I hurriedly ran towards the bathroom.

It was weird. I only puked saliva. I still felt sick because of the taste of the beef dip. That was my favorite dip. But right now, I didn't want it anymore.

I looked at myself in the mirror as I washed my hands and wiped my mouth. I looked so pale. Weakly, I came out of the bathroom and was directly supported by Philip.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I think so." I gave him a weak smile, and then suddenly, my vision started to get blurry. "Phil—" I tried to call him, but I already passed out.