My Man 10

Cy waited for Van to came as her rescue. C’mon Van… she thought silently. She was sitting uncomfortable on her chair and she didn’t pay any attention to Dave, who was talking energetically at her. So Kenneth and Johan were waiting for someone AFTER ALL! And that someone is… Cybil looked at the handsome guy sitting next to her, holding both her hands. I’m really going to kill them both after this. She thought as she was glaring angrily to Kenneth and Johan’s direction.

Not long enough, Cybil felt someone’s presence standing in front of them. Van! She immediately looked up, hoping to see Van but to her surprise; it wasn’t Van standing in front of her it was BJ.

He first cleared his throat and then said to her. ‘It’s time to leave Cy.’ He said calmly. ‘The twins called and they were looking for you.’ He lied.

Still haven’t recovered from her shock, Cybil nod at him. ‘Okay-’

‘Wait Mine…’ he stopped Cybil from standing up. ‘I’ll drop you off.

Cybil shook her head. ‘No… ahmm…’ she looked at BJ. ‘I’m with him.’

‘No I insist…’ he looked at BJ. He stood up and then faced BJ. ‘I’ll be the one-’

‘You heard her!’ BJ’s patience just snapped. ‘She’s with me and- who the hell are you anyway?’

The guy slowly smiled. He stood up, looked first at Cybil then he looked at BJ. ‘I’m Cybil’s BOYFRIEND. My name is Dave and you are?’ Dave said confidently, he even extended his hand for a handshake.

Oh shit! Cy thought silently. Not now… She winced and looked down.

Still his hand was on midair, Dave looked intently at BJ. ‘Hold on, you’re BJ Reynolds…’ he said amusingly.

I’m in hell! Cybil thought. Please… someone kill me. She threw Rae a pleading look but to her dismay, Rae wasn’t paying any attention. She seemed so tense. To Cybil frustration, Kenneth and the others joined them in the table. Both Kenneth and Johan looked surprise and they were both frowning. ‘What’s going on here?’ Kenneth asked. His gaze jump from BJ’s neutral face to Dave’s mocking one. He then faces Dave. ‘What is HE,’ he tipped his head towards BJ’s direction. ‘Doing here?’

Cybil glared at him. ‘This-’ her sentence was abruptly interrupted by BJ’s cold voice. She looked at his direction and then winced upon seeing his face.

Slowly, BJ’s brows were drawn at the center. ‘Boyfriend?!’ he repeated unconsciously. Then again he looked at Cybil.

‘Yeah it’s been years.’ He shifted his gaze to Cybil’s direction. ‘How come you know each other, Mine?’ he asked sweetly.

Cybil could sore she felt goose bumps all over her body hearing his sweet voice and the endearment that once she liked. This is ridiculous! I have to stop this! She thought silently then slowly she stood up and looked Dave fiercely. ‘It’s KRIZIA for you.’ She said stoically. She raised her voice a little, the DJ just started new house music and there was a little commotion on the dance floor. She then glared at Kenneth and Johan’s direction and with cold voice, she said at them. ‘This will be the last time I’ll attend your STUPID get together!’ She then picked her purse and then she reached for BJ’s hand interlock her fingers with his. ‘Let’s go, Brent.’ Cybil said near BJ’s ear.

‘CYBIL?!’ Kenneth, Johan, Sev and Dave said in chorus. They were all staring at Cybil’s hand and they all looked scandalized.

‘Ahmmm…’ It was Rae, standing anxiously behind Kenneth and Johan. ‘Have I guys told you that Cybil has a BOYFRIEND?’ she said slowly.

‘What?!’ Johan asked distractingly. His gaze was transfixed at Cybil’s hand.

Cy ignored her friends’ reaction. She started marching towards the exit but to her surprise BJ pulled her hand. ‘Brent?’ she asked frowning.

‘I’m curious-’

‘Not now Brent…’ she cut his sentence. ‘Please not now…’ she pleaded in a whisper.

‘What the hell’s going on here?!’ Johan asked.

‘Cybil…’ it was Rae. It was a command and from Rae’s tone, Cy knew pretty well what she needed to do.

Still her back on her friends, Cybil closed her eyes tightly, sighed audibly before she slowly turned to faced them. She first looked at Kenneth, then Johan, then Sev, then Dave and lastly to Rae. Cybil sighed again as she saw her best friend was batting her eyes on her. Leaving without much of a choice, she said. ‘Brent,’ she looked at BJ. ‘These are my friends…’ she properly introduced Kenneth, Johan and Sev to BJ. ‘And this Dave Adams my,’ she looked at Dave. ‘EX boyfriend. Guys this is Brent Justine Reynolds my…’ she hesitated. Should I tell them? She asked herself quietly. But technically, Brent’s NOT my boyfriend. Oh I’m in deep shit! Cybil looked at Rae, she was disappointed as she saw Rae’s smug smile on her face. She sighed and closed her eyes tightly. ‘He’s my-’ her sentence was cut off. She could fell BJ’s hand tightened and he then squeezed it. That simple act gave her so much reassurance. She looked at BJ and then smiled at him. ‘He’s my boyfriend.’ She said it loud and proud.

Mouths dropped open and eyes widened, an obvious sign of shocked that Cybil’s friends shown in front of her. ‘Boyfriend?!’ it was Dave. He was the first to recover from their shock. ‘Him?!’ he looked at BJ. ‘But how? Why-’

Cybil’s gazed narrowed towards him. ‘You’re not the only guy in this world that I can fall for.’ She said seriously making all her friend’s gazes and so with BJ’s drawn towards her. She then faced BJ. ‘Time to go-’

‘Hold on a second.’ Dave said furiously. He stopped Cybil from moving closed to BJ. His strong masculine hand was now on Cybil’s elbow, holding it firmly. He was trying to retrieved what he thought was his. He tried to force Cybil to face him, but failed. The girl’s really as stubborn as rock! ‘I know you too well, Cybil.’ He whispered. ‘And if this is your way to make things even between us-’

Cybil flinched and faced him. ‘Bull shit!’ she shouted, cutting his sentence. ‘If you really knew me THAT well,’ she glared at Dave. ‘Do you think I’m THAT kind of a girl? Using someone for my own benefit?!’ she laughed mockingly at Dave. She then shook her head; her auburn hair gracefully followed her head’s movement. ‘I’m not LIKE you. I’m not using anyone,’ she looked meaningfully at BJ. ‘Just to forget you… Not Brent. I’m not that fool enough to ruin OUR relationship… just because of you.’ She said fiercely. She twisted her arm, hoping Dave to let it go but as her first attempt, she failed. ‘Let go of me!’ she shouted as she felt his grip tightened.

‘No I won’t.’ he said firmly. ‘Not unless you’ll listen to me. I can explain everything, just give me a minute-’

‘NO!!!’ she shouted. ‘I’m fool enough to gave you a year… besides you wasted six years-’

‘I was there!’ he cut off her sentence. ‘God knows I was there…’ he whispered.

Cybil was shocked. She was motionless and stared at those beautiful blue eyes, pleading for her. She blinked and then shook her head vigorously. She had fallen for that trick years ago, and she didn’t want to fall of it… not now… not ever. Cybil knew too well that if she let her guard low, and fall for his tricks, heartaches… disappointments sure follows. ‘Let go, Dave…’

Dave shook his head. ‘No. I’m not going to let you go, if I can-’ he felt a strong hand trying to free Cybil’s arm. He first looked at the hand and then the owner. His face turned red from his anger as he saw the owner. It was BJ!

‘Let go.’ He said, his face was neutral but he was looking sharply at Dave. ‘You don’t have the right for her anymore. She’s MY girlfriend now, so stop bothering her.’

Dave looked at BJ’s face and then sighed. He then slowly released Cybil’s arm. ‘I was there, Cy, I was there.’ He lowered his gaze. ‘I was afraid for the outcome of that day’s meeting, I was afraid it wouldn’t be on my side and I was so afraid of facing you, after what happened-’

‘Why are you telling me this?’ she asked angrily. He looked straight at her eyes and Cybil willingly do the same. ‘Why now? What about the past six years?’ suddenly reality hit her and she looked at Dave with so much disgust. ‘You expect me to accept you NOW? And dump my boyfriend?!’ she studied Dave reaction for a moment. Cybil saw guilt written on his face. He then looked down. Cybil couldn’t believe her eyes. She was right! Dave wanted her to choose him over BJ. Who are you? Cybil thought. I don’t know you anymore. What happened to MY Dave? ‘Look Dave, I’m in love with the one I’m with, so you better forget about me. Move on with your life.’ She said truthfully. Cybil looked at her friends and wondered about their silence. She smiled as Kenneth, Johan and Sev wore the same expression on their faces; they all stared at her in disbelief. Her gaze then shifted towards her best friend. One look at Rae and Cybil could tell she was teasing her. Cybil just rolled her eyes at her and started marching. Luckily for her, BJ followed.

‘I’m not giving up on you.’ Dave said loudly at Cy’s back.

Cybil abruptly stopped walking; her back was still on Dave. ‘You can do whatever you want, I don’t care but you’re just wasting your time on me.’ She said then resumed walking. Suddenly as they neared at the exit, Cybil felt a strong and possessive hand slipped around her waist and pulled her closer.

‘You okay?’ BJ asked.

She looked at BJ. Worried was written on his face. She smiled at his thoughtfulness then said. ‘I’m fine.’ She said while biting her trembling lips. ‘Thank you.’ She said in a low voice. She was really delightful for his help. She knew pretty well BJ will demand a payment later on. I’m used to repay things. I guess that’s how I’ am. You’re not going to get any free stuff nowadays without repaying it. Cybil remembered him saying those words. I guess I have to prepare myself for his demands, she thought.

‘Hey,’ BJ called her attention, he even squeezed her hand. ‘What are you thinking?’ he asked curiously. They were outside the bar, slowly walking towards the car park.

She stopped walking, so as BJ, she blinked and then shook her head vigorously. ‘Nothing… It’s just that, if only I knew their plan… if only I knew he’ll be coming… I should have stayed home.’ She said without looking at BJ. She then pulled her hand from BJ’s tight and firm grip, after successfully retrieved her hand she then pushed his body away from her. ‘Too close…’

Sev looked hopelessly at the bar’s exit door, to Kenneth, Johan then Dave and then sighed audibly. Sometimes, idiots will always be idiots and jerks will always be jerks, he thought. They’ll never learn. He then cleared his throat to get their attention. ‘Happy?’ he asked Kenneth and Johan. Sev didn’t wait for their answers, he marched towards the exit.

‘Where are you going?’ Johan asked him.

‘To check if Cybil is okay.’ He said without facing Johan. ‘She’s not as healthy as we are…’

Remembering about Cybil’s health, Dave momentarily panicked. ‘I’ll go with-’

‘Not a chance!’ Rae interrupted. She was standing in front of Kenneth, Johan and Dave. Her arms were crossed over her chest and her right foot was tapping on the floor. ‘I need an explanation, impromptu!’ she demanded with one brow raised.

‘Not now Raynabelle.’ Dave said distractingly.

Wrong moved. Rae’s patience snapped instantly upon hearing the name. ‘DON’T YOU DARE call me with THAT name!’

Sev shook his head as he heard Rae’s angry voice. He continued marching towards the exit. Not long enough, he found himself in the bar’s car park. Searching patiently for any sign of Cybil or her boyfriend… BJ. He then spot a semi- tinted silver BMW M3 was about to leve the vicinity. His heart leaped as he saw Cybil in the passenger’s seat. Sev saw her fist was on her chest and she closed her eyes upon inhaling. ‘Cybil! Cy…’ he called and was moving towards the car, as fast as he could. ‘Cybil wait!’

Cybil took her inhaler inside her purse. ‘Brent, stop the car.’ She whispered, just enough for BJ to hear. She then inhaled her medication and closed her eyes.

‘Why?’ he asked but he was slowing the car’s pace. He looked at Cybil and frowned to see her fist on her chest. ‘What’s wrong?’

She just shook her head then said. ‘Just stop the car.’

Confused but still he followed Cybil. BJ stopped his car and stared at her. Her eyes were still close, her fist was still on her chest and her breath was steady but deep and the mass of auburn on top of her head was a mess, it was pleading and begging to be combed but surprisingly, it looked good on her. I guess I was used to seeing her with messy hair, he thought. She’s astonishingly beautiful… and hot, he studied Cybil. In her own ways, he said quietly while smiling at himself.

Cybil felt BJ’s gaze and it gave her goose bumps. Slowly she opened her eyes and frowned as she saw BJ was smiling by himself. ‘Why are you smiling?’

His smile widened as he saw Cybil’s reaction. ‘Nothing… it’s just that,’ he paused and looked mischievously at Cybil. ‘You’re in love with me…’ it wasn’t a mere question but a statement.

Cybil couldn’t believe her ears. The jerk really thought everything she’d said was true. She rolled her eyes at him, seated properly and then sighed. ‘Give it a break, Brent.’ She said without looking at him. ‘I just said those THINGS to convinced them, especially Dave, that I’m serious with you, that I’m committed with our,’ she raised both hand and made an imaginary quote. ‘Relationship. I know those guys and their line of thinking, I guess it’s better to play it safe than sorry.’

Ouch… Brent said quietly while staring at Cybil.

‘Besides…’ she looked at him sideways. ‘You’re not the type of guy I’ll fall for… and,’ she whispered and looked away. ‘I’m through with love.’ She said truthfully. It has been seven years that she stopped believing in love, stopped believing in true love, stop searching Mr. Right and she stopped believing that somewhere out there there’ll be a guy that would love her more than his life, a guy that would do anything stupid just to make her smile, a guy for her, only for her and a guy that she can claims hers… his man. ‘My Man…’ Cybil whispered unconsciously. She then looked at BJ and saw surprise to see his reaction. It was as if he was hurt about something. ‘What’s wrong? You looked like you’re hurt…’

Yeah I’m hurt… he thought while looking away at her expressive amber eyes. My pride is hurting you bit-

‘Cybil!’ It was Sev. ‘I’m… you… noticed… I… check… you’re okay…’ Sev said while catching his breath.

Cybil faced her friend immediately. ‘Hey, Sev breathe…’

Sev took one full minute to regain his composure. ‘I just want to check if you’re okay.’ He finally said. ‘I was worried after this night’s event might… you know…’

She smiled charmingly at him. Sev hasn’t chance a bit! She thought. My big brother that I never had… ‘Sev don’t worry about me. I’m okay… and if you’re worried… it’s the LUNGS that had been bothering me in these past days not the HEART.’ She said meaningfully at him. She was referring to her asthma and angina. It has been their code name. ‘And I have lots of interventions to deal with it so no need to worry.’ She reassured him.

Sev was unconvinced. Asthma still is life threatening… he thought and unconsciously he remembered a horrible memory from his past. Cybil had an attack and was struggling for her life. After the doctors had stabilized her and administered oxygen, Sev thought she’ll pull through immediately but it took her three days to regain her consciousness.

‘Sev…’ she called. ‘It won’t happen again… I promise.’ She knew too well what he’s thinking.

Sev sighed and reluctantly nod at Cybil. ‘Okay… okay.’ He looked at BJ. ‘Take care of my friend Reynolds or else, I know where to hunt you.’ He said seriously. BJ lamely smiled at him and he nod his head. Satisfied he then looked at Cybil. ‘Call or text me when you arrive home okay?’

‘Okay Sev…’

‘And Cy,’ he leaned forward. ‘About those three-’

She shook her head. ‘Please Sev…’

‘Hey,’ he touched her cheek. ‘Those three always has a thing for you, you know that right?’ Cybil nod at him. ‘So I guess that explained Kenneth and Johan’s actions… but I don’t know about Dave.’ They were quite for a moment. Then suddenly, out of the blue BJ cleared his throat. ‘I’m going to check if those three were alive or what.’ He didn’t give Cybil an opportunity to ask. He then said. ‘Rae’s with them and… Dave called her ‘Raynabelle’…’

‘Oh…’ Cy said, torn between wincing and laughing.

As habit took over, Sev kissed Cybil’s cheek before he bid the couple goodbye. ‘Take care, okay?’ he said to his friend. Involuntarily he looked at BJ. He frowned and was confuse to see his expression. BJ was looking sharply at him. It was as if he’ll going to kill Sev any moment.

Sev scratch his head and stared at the silver BMW M3 moving away from him. ‘That guy sure is in love with our Cybil but…’ he frowned as he remembered Cybil’s statement earlier. I’m in love with the one I’m with. As I’ve known Cybil, it’s not her habit to tell everyone she’s in love. Come to think of it, she never told Dave she loved him… well at least not in front of us. Sev sighed. ‘I don’t get it!’ he said out loud. ‘Could it be...?’

‘Why did you let that guy kiss you?’ BJ demanded immediately after Sev was out of his sight. ‘And the irritating part was… why in front of me?’ he shouted without looking at her. He was furious! Furious at Sev, for kissing Cybil, furious at Cybil for letting the guy kissed her and lastly he was furious at himself for not stopping Sev. He didn’t know the reason why he reacted to that simple and friendly gesture. ‘I thought ‘you’re in love with the one your with’,’ he glanced at Cybil who surprisingly quiet at the time. ‘Then why-’ he stared at Cybil. The girl wasn’t listening to him! She was blankly staring head. To his surprise, Cybil’s expression was different from earlier. It seems like Cybil was about to cry but courageously and stubbornly refuses to do so. Does that mean you still love your Ex? He asked himself silently.

‘Brent red light…’ she said out of the blue.

It took him a minute to realize what she said. He immediately stopped the car. His car was only inches from hitting the bumper of the car in front of them. He sighed in relief. He then looked at Cybil. Nothing’s changed in her expression. ‘Cy…’ he called her attention. She blinked at then slowly shifted her gaze to BJ. How do I put this? He thought. Are you still in love with your ex?... Do you want him back?... Why do you broke up anyway?... How long have you been dating him?... Is he the reason you don’t want to get involved with me? BJ was momentarily shocked. What am I talking about? He asked himself.

‘What?’ Cybil asked softly but she was looking sharply at BJ.

BJ winced. ‘Ahmmm… W-Why didn’t you tell me you have a b-boyfriend?’ he asked reluctantly.

She snorted. ‘You never asked me…’ she looked away. ‘Then why should I tell you?’

BJ stared at her in disbelief. Sometimes… this girl‘s a bitch. He thought irritatingly. He looked ahead and saw the traffic light was signaling them to go. He drove the car in silence. He never attempted to talk to Cybil.

‘Stop the car!’ Cy shouted out of the blue. There were only five blocks away from her house.

BJ followed immediately. ‘What now-’

Cybil immediately get off the car and slammed the door in BJ’s face.

‘What the?’ he also get off the car. ‘What are you doing?’

Cybil just shrugged. ‘I’m going to walk home… you know a night stroll... a habit of mine.’ She said lamely, she didn’t even look at him. ‘Thank you for helping me.’ She then started marching away from BJ’s car.

‘Hey-’ BJ sighed. ‘You liar…’ BJ whispered to himself.

Not long enough, Cy reached a park. It was the same park Van confused an important feeling to her, it was the same park Van knelt down in front of her and huge her in delight after saying ‘yes’ to him. She smiled weakly and sighed. She sat on the park’s bench, hugged her knees and rested her head on top of it. What is he planning? She thought. After all this years, why now? Why- Her thought was interrupted by a presence standing beside her. She looked up and sighed in relieved upon seeing the person. It was BJ. She didn’t know why, but she was glad to see him.

‘I also have the habit of walking at night.’ He said while looking straight at her amber eyes. All of her emotions were written in her eyes. BJ sighed. Somehow it pains him to see her like that. He wanted to help her ease the pain she felt, but he knew pretty well he can’t… not unless she’ll let him know her past with Dave, that’s the time he could help. This time, all BJ can do is lighten her mood. ‘And also I have a habit of sleep walking. Onetime, I put on my shoes when I go to bed… you know…’ he secretly winced. Lame! Lame! Lame! He thought. You can do better than that BJ… C’mon-

Cybil giggled at his joke.

Whoa!!! BJ thought while staring at Cybil in full amazement. Does she really- he abruptly stopped as he saw tears falling down from her eyes. He sighed and pulled her closer and locked her in his arm. ‘It’s okay…’ he said tenderly. He was hugging her tight. ‘Just let it out…’

Cybil first stiffened in his arms but after hearing his words, she gave in. She buried he face on BJ’s chest and poured out her heart.

‘It’s okay…’ he said while caressing her back. ‘It’s okay… I’m here…Just let it out… ’

I’m so sorry for the delay… I really hope you like this chapter… (fingers crossed…) and please feel free to tell me what you think…

Enjoy reading…