One More Chance
Chapter 133: That comfortable feeling

~~~Those memories I'm sure we'll never forget, those feelings we can put aside. For what we had sometimes I try to understand, but it's so heavy on my mind. So many dreams that flew away, so many words we didn't say. Two people lost in a storm, where did we go? Where'd we go? We lost what we both had found. You know we let each other down, but then most of all, I do love you... still~~~

-Lionel Richie-

Little did anyone know, I brought my hand under the table, put it in my pocket, and then formed it into a hardball. It was the only way I knew to control the excitement deep within the beating organ inside my ribcage.

But someone has walked past our table, so his scent blew in my direction.

"And maybe one of the reasons why I didn't recognize you right away was because you changed the scent of your cologne."

I became speechless for a few seconds when I realized what I said but then he suddenly laughed in front of me, a boyish laugh. So real and carefree.

"Actually, this is the first time I used this cologne. It's Cali's gift to me last father's day."

"Ohh... really?"

"Yeah, and by the way, I haven't changed my cologne. I'm still using the old one---"

"The sandalwood scent," I interrupted him.

His lips and forehead twitched at the same time.

"You still remember the scent of my cologne." He said in amazement as if he couldn't believe it.

"Of course, because I was the one who gave it to you, remember?" I replied proudly.

His mouth was agape at what I said but I just laughed at him. In fact, I was also shocked by the words coming out of my mouth, but I couldn't help it. It's been so long since I felt so carefree in front of him and as I remember, that was when I was just a teenager and my feelings for him had only just begun.

"And to tell you honestly, I could have recognized you sooner if you had just used your old cologne, but anyway, you should use that scent more often so your daughter won't get upset with you."

"Oh, yeah, I get it." And he laughed again that causing some of the customers to turn to us for the second time.

He was fast to change his expression.

"And for your information, I still remember everything about you, from your coffee blend to your favorite breakfast, favorite dish, snacks, the scent of your perfume and so many other things about you. Tsk.tsk.tsk..." I smirked, shaking my head. "Well, it is just you who don't remember anything about me." And then I chuckled, taking a sip of my coffee.

Deep inside, I was enjoying every shift of expression on his handsome face. It's so comfortable talking to him.

"Sam..." I noticed how he was lost for words so I decided to lighten the mood.

"Oh, come on, it was just a joke. Don't take it seriously and don't worry because I've already moved on." I smiled. "See, I now have a new business," I said pointing my hand to the counter. "Anyway, how have you been? I heard Caleb was now doing business with you." It was just then that his smile reappeared.

"Yeah, he was asking for a huge discount for the construction materials that his company will be buying from us."

"I see, but how could that happen when your company is in Los Angeles? Is he willing to add costs just to get imported materials? I think the discount you will give them will be useless."

"Well, yeah, the discounts I will give them will be useless if they import the materials from Los Angeles, but since we also have our office and warehouse here, he doesn't need to do that."

"Oh, wait, you mean to say...?" But before I could continue my question, he already nodded with a proud smile playing on his lips.

"Yup, we have also expanded here in the Philippines and have been operating for about six months."

"Wow! Really? That's great! Congratulations!" My voice came a bit loud, but due to Dana's influence, I learned not to worry about it and the next thing I said made him laugh for the third time. "I'm sure my daughter won't starve even if she won't find a job when she gets older because her father is doing everything for her future, am I right, Mister Williams?"

"Oh, you are absolutely right, Mrs--- Miss Soriano."

And it was me who laughed at him in the end. I know the word he was about to say was Mrs. Williams and it was already at the end of his tongue, but maybe he realized I was no longer Mrs. Williams.

"And because of that success---cheers!" I lifted the cup of coffee in front of me.

He gave me one of his handsome and mesmerizing smiles before copying what I did.

"Cheers."

My heart was jumping in my ribcage as I stared at him while we both sipping our coffee. Suddenly, I wished to have met him at a different time and situation before just like how we have met earlier. Maybe our story has been different. But since everything had happened already and not to mention that we both have already moved on from what happened, I think all we have to do now is to just go with the flow and wait where fate and destiny would take us this time around.

LUKE's POV:

"Luke!"

"Huh?" I turned to Caleb in shock when I suddenly felt the impact of his hand on my shoulder. We were at the newly opened bar near his office. The same night bar where he invited me the last time. "It seemed like you have been lost in thought lately." He studied my expression and then smirked. "What's going on with you? Don't tell me it's all because of Sam... your ex-wife?"

"Tss!" I sneered. "What the hell are you talking about and why did Sam suddenly get into the conversation, huh?"

"Hmm... because I noticed that something seemed to have changed in you since you met her again at the coffee shop the other day." He replied as he swirled the glass of scotch in his hand.

"You're just imagining things!" I avoided his gaze by drinking my shot.

"Oh, how I wish that I'm just imagining things."

I decided to ignore him and focused my attention on the dancefloor.

"By the way, I was really surprised to know she was your ex-wife. And come to think of it, you are my friend and Sam is my fiancée's friend who is now my friend too. Whoa! What a great coincidence that is, huh?"

"Yeah, I didn't know either. She said she's been staying here for almost a year and we've been running our business for six months, how come you never once mentioned her name? I didn't know she was just a few meters from me."

I didn't get a response immediately so I turned to him only to find him having an evil yet satisfied smile on his lips.

"What the hell is the meaning of that smile?" I asked him frowning.

"Nah! I was just wondering if you met her a few months ago or earlier than yesterday, were you still surprised like what you said you felt the moment you saw her?"

"Of course! I haven't seen her for two years and what surprised me the most was that she was just a few meters away from me and you, the bastard hadn't even mentioned anything about it!"

"Hey! I didn't even have an idea that she was your ex-wife." His eyes widened and I chuckled. "Anyway, what if she already had a boyfriend when you met her?"

"Tss! I couldn't even imagine if that was what happened and she's already in a relationship or worse, she's already married. Argh! My head is spinning every time I think about it!"

"Ohh... now I have concluded! You still have feelings for her! You're still in love with her!" He has the biggest grin after saying those things.

I stared at him for a few seconds and threw the following line seriously.

"Haist! Are you a turtle?"

"What? Why?" He asked me back with furrowed eyebrows.

"You're so slow!"

"Huh!" The only word he uttered as he was shocked by what I replied to him. "Ouch! You hurt my feelings!" He pretended to touch his chest with a fake hurt expression. "Tss! You hurt my ass!" And I drank the remaining contents in my glass.

A few minutes later, a girl in a red tight dress that just ended in her mid-thigh walked in our direction and sat next to my seat. She ordered her drinks and then turned to me. "Hi, do you mind if I sit here?"

I couldn't help raising an eyebrow as she was already seated before asking me.

"But you're already seated," I replied not looking at her but my drinks.

"Are you alone?" She asked again and I leaned back so she can see Caleb on my left.

"I'm not alone, I'm with him," I said pointing to Caleb.

"Oh, I see." She nodded. "But he's a man too."

I frowned. "And so? What if he's a man?"

"Uhm... I mean, I can be your date if you want." She then gave me seductive smile. The problem is that I'm not interested not just in her but in the idea of having a date with someone else.

"Miss, I'm sorry. You know what, I don't want to be rude but I'm already married." As soon as the word married came out of my lips, a satisfied smile stretched at the same time.

I heard Caleb's gasp next to me but I ignored him and showed my ring finger to the woman in a red dress.

"Huh!" I noticed the shock that had written in her eyes before looking at the wedding ring on my finger.

She was about to say something but Caleb interrupted her.

"And I'm soon getting married too." Caleb patted me on the shoulder as he showed me his engagement ring.

"Hahaha... yeah, that's what I said earlier." She then let out an awkward smile before standing up from her seat. "Anyway, thanks for the drinks." She took her glass and winked at me before leaving the counter. And because of the loud music, her laugh was barely noticed by the crowd.

"Haist! Miss, ang ganda mo sana kaso ang kapal ng mukha mo!" (You're beautiful it's just that you're a cunning woman!)

I frowned when Caleb suddenly yelled behind the woman's retreating back.

"What was that?" I asked him as I didn't understand what he had just screamed.

"Nah! I just told her what a cunning woman she was."

I chuckled and then continued drinking. I agree, she let us pay for her drinks.

"By the way..." He stared at me with a suspicious grin on his face. "You told that woman you're married when in fact you're divorced and you even have a ring."

"And so?" I smiled.

"Since when did you get married again?"

"Haist! Don't ask so many questions! There's just one thing you have to remember... I'm married, okay?"

"Ohh... Can I see your wedding ring?" He simply looked at my hand and his mouth and eyes widened at the same time. "Whoa! Wait--- isn't that your---" "Hey, hey, shut up!"

"Oh, my God! You're crazy in love!"

"Tss! I told you to shut up and promise me you won't discuss this with anyone, not even Dana and most of all to Sam! Am I clear?"