Chapter 27| Dilemma

"Are you happy with our date today?" the man who was walking beside me asked. We walked towards my house.

"Yes. I'm so happy," I whispered, enough for him to hear it. I tightened my hug to the teddy bear that he gave to me earlier. This was the prize he won at the amusement park.

"I'm happy to hear that."

We both stopped walking when we were in front of the door. We looked and stared into each other's eyes.

I could see in his eyes that he enjoyed the day with me. I smiled.

"I'll go inside," I bid goodbye and pointed to the door. He nodded as he stared at me.

"Be careful when driving," I reminded him. I approached the doorknob and turned it. I was about to open the door when Clark suddenly grabbed my arm. I was startled and I looked at his face.

"Angela, wait,” he stopped me.

I released my grip on the doorknob.

"Do you forget something—" I was cut off on what I was supposed to say when he grabbed my both shoulders and pulled me closer to him. He bowed his head slightly then reached my lips.

My eyes widened and could not move for a second. My heart pounded so loud due to disbelief and there was something like butterflies roaming in my stomach.

When I recovered from the shock, I slowly closed my eyes. I began to feel his lips touching mine. Later on, he slowly moved his lips. I snaked my two hands around his nape to deepen the kiss. The teddy bear that he gave to me fell at our feet.

After a few seconds, we gasped for air when we parted from each other. I slowly opened my eyes and stared into his handsome face. I could see the longing and love drawn in his smoky eyes. My right hand caressed his left cheek which he held and squeezed it. He took my hand near his lips and gave it a tender kiss.

I smiled at what he did.

He let go of my hand and bent down on one knee in front of me to pick up the teddy bear that fell at our feet. After picking it up, he handed it to me.

"Come inside your house. Thank you so much for your time, Angela. I have fun today," he said kindly.

I shyly took the teddy bear in his hand. When I got it, he walked away and headed to his car. When he was in front of his car, he glanced at me again for a second. He waved his hand in my direction and I waved at him back then smiled. After that, he got inside his car and drove it away from my house.

I entered the house with a smile on my face. Upon entering, I locked the door. I put down the teddy bear in the living room for a while before heading straight to the kitchen.

I found Maymay, Kokoy, and Bel in the dining area.

They stopped eating and they looked in my direction in unison.

"Oh, Angela! You're already here. Come here! Come, eat with us!" My best friend invited me for dinner. From what I've heard, I could not help but feel embarrassed. She was the one who took care of Maymay and Kokoy today when I was outside. I talked to her over the phone asking if she can watch over Maymay and Kokoy. Then, she never failed me. She agreed right away which I am grateful for.

I was happy with the date that happened earlier with Clark.

I nodded slowly as a response and approached the table. I sat down next to Maymay and we started eating together.

* * * *

"Angela..."

I shifted my gaze to the person who called me from behind. I stopped folding the clothes here in the living room. I sat down properly and put my ear to her.

We already finished eating dinner. Maymay and Kokoy were already in the room, sleeping.

"What's it, Bel?" I asked and moved a little so she could sit next to me. I reached out for her hand and made her sit.

She smiled and hugged my arm.

"Angela... You look happy with Clark, do you?" she commented. I secretly smiled and caressed my hair gently. Just hearing his name, my heart leaps with joy.

"Yes, Bel. I'm happy. I'm so happy," I replied with a smile on my face and bit my lower lip. Just the thought of being with him makes my day complete.

Bel let go of the hug and sat up straight. I looked at her face. She was looking at me seriously. My forehead creased.

"What's wrong, Bel?" I asked hesitantly when I felt there was something off.

Did I say something wrong?

She took a deep breath first and she stared at me hard.

"Do Clark started courting you, didn't he?" she asked, which made me stop in my seat.

I absentmindedly caressed my long hair and looked at her again.

"Yes..." I whispered.

"Since when?" she asked and crossed her arms.

I paused for a while and couldn't look straight into her eyes. There was something about Bel right now that I can't name.

I felt uneasy.

"It's only been a week, Bel," I whispered enough to hear. I was still not looking in her direction.

"Why don't I have any idea about that? I'm your best friend, aren't I? You used to tell me stories about your life. You tell me everything, even the small details of you. Now, you're keeping a secret from me?" she snorted which caused me to look back at her.

I bit my lower lip when I saw her serious face. She crossed her arms and leaned back in the chair.

"Bel...I have a plan to tell you but I'm shy. It's like things move so fast. It seems like recently... I can't seem to keep up with the flow so I'm just quiet for a while about Clark's courtship. But, I do have a plan to tell you. Believe me," I explained and sighed.

At what I said, she didn't utter a word. Her lips just twitched which made me sigh for an nth time.

"Okay," she replied in a low voice then later, she looked in my direction.

There was a long silence between us before she spoke again.

"I think Angela, in case you will be Clark's girlfriend in the next few days, I think it is better to confess to him what you do in living. He should know about that from you. It may affect your relationship with him if he will find out the truth about your work from others. There's a possibility that he may feel betrayed," she suggested sympathetically and held my two hands. She squeezed it gently.

I shrugged at what I heard and shut my eyes tightly. I took a deep breath to calm myself and slowly release it.

"I can't tell him," I answered truthfully with eyes shut tightly.

I’m so scared. I’m so scared to let him know about my secret.

"But Angela... I know you understand what I'm talking about, don't you?"

"Yes Bel, I understand but... For now, it's quite complicated. It's hard for me to say it to him because, if I do, if I'll confront him and say that I work in prostitution, that I'm a prostitute, he might stay away from me and leave me again or he may not love me anymore. I'm afraid Bel. I'm afraid that will happen. I love Clark so much," I said, teary-eyed.

I saw her eyes shut tightly and massage her temple. Later, she slowly opened her eyes and glanced at me.

"Okay. I'm not going to force you into that idea. If you can't tell him the truth, resign to the club."

My eyes widened in shock at what I heard. I looked at her in disbelief.

"Bel... You know that I can't. In case you forget. Our boss, their rules."

"That's what I wanted to say, Angela! Choose between the two. Will you tell Clark or find a way to resign? After all, the time will come that he will find out your secret and the worst part is the possibility that he can't accept who you are. Did you know he was looking for Magda last week before we went swimming at his house? He thought Magda was living in my apartment. Angela, come on! Be careful!"

Fear embraced my entire system at what she said. I felt nervous at the idea of ​​Clark looking for me; looking for my character Magda. The name that I use in the club.

"Bel..."

"Just choose, Angela. You will resign or tell Clark about everything."

At what she said, I took a glance at her and bowed my head. I was thinking that if Clark would know my job, I would already be feeling nervous.

"I'm going to resign," I decided.

"But how?" I whispered and I heard her sigh after.

Her shoulder dropped as she approached me to give me a warm hug.

"We'll find a way..." she whispered as she gently caressed my hair. I closed my eyes and hugged her back as well.

"Get ready. It's almost ten o'clock in the evening. We're going to work... at the entertainment club," she reminded me before letting go of my hug.

There was a sad smile forming on my lips before nodding at her and beginning to groom myself.