One More Chance
Chapter 140: Friends

~~~Please hear me out my friend, I've something to say that's from within. It's our last memory. Try to think back I'll help you see. All of those nights we shared, all of those days you were there. If I could turn back the time I would have never let you go and you would still

be mine. I just wanna love you forevermore and I wanna hold you just like before~~~

"Well, thanks then," he smiled and we just found ourselves staring and smiling at each other.

"You are still single, right?"

"Huh?" I didn't expect to hear that question. "Y-Yeah," I replied confused but then I nodded. "Hmm... so am I," his eyes lit up and I bit my lip to stifle the smile that wanted to curl up from them. "Why do you ask?"

"Nah, I just want to be your friend." he shrugged. "If it's okay with you and if you allow me to."

And in what he said, I suddenly remembered what Dana had told me the other day, so I couldn't help the slight chuckle that escaped my lips. Then I silently asked myself... 'am I now ready to become his friend or am I now ready to accept him as my friend? And the answer is...

"Why not? The past is long gone and over so I can't see anything wrong with the idea." I smiled at him which he reciprocated with a wider smile.

"So, friends?"

"Hmm... friends," I nodded, accepting his hand.

"Cali will be surprised--- oh, speaking of Cali, do you know that she'll be flying to the Philippines tonight?"

"Ohh... yeah, she called me this morning." I nodded. "When did she tell you about her flight?"

"Well, she called me last night and said she wanted to visit me here."

"W-Wait..." I frowned. "That's what she told you? She wanted to visit you?"

"Yes, so I immediately asked my assistant Patrick to accompany her. Your parents are in Hawaii and Dale couldn't go with her."

"Ahh... we talked about it just this morning and she informed me you're here in the Philippines too, but I didn't tell her we've already met and----I didn't tell her you'll be now my new neighbor."

"Well, then let's surprise her." He shrugged, having the same wide smile on his lips.

"You seem happy," I couldn't help but utter seeing the excitement in his eyes.

"Yes, I am."

"And why? I mean, why do you feel that way?"

"Well, I'm happy because of two particular reasons. First, because I will be able to see my daughter a few hours from now, and second because I never thought we would ever sit at the same table again and talk normally as if we had done this in the past." My mouth opened slightly. I guess he's right. We've never had this kind of opportunity before. A smile spread across my lips as I continued to shove the delicious pasta into my mouth.

The next morning, Luke and I both agreed to pick up Cali and Patrick when they arrived at the airport. I was going to use my car but he insisted that it would be convenient to use one car as we are just going to the same place, so we ended up using his car. "Whoa! Why haven't I been informed of this? You're neighbors, seriously?" That was Patrick's epic reaction when we told him that Luke and I were neighbors.

"Tss! What's the big deal with that?" Luke punched him on the shoulder.

"Ouch! That was hard, bro!" He complained but I turned my attention to my daughter who kept staring at me since on our way home. I know she was surprised by the idea but until now she hasn't uttered a word.

"Shall we go inside now, baby?" I asked her as I opened the door to my apartment. Luke was the one carrying her luggage.

"Hmm... where is dad's apartment?" but she asked instead.

"Here's my room, princess. Why, do you want to go to my room first?" Luke asked her and was about to enter his door code.

"Nah, I want to check mom's first." She nodded, but then I didn't miss the smile that curled up slightly at the corner of her lips. "So you really are neighbors," she paused just to look at me and her father. "Well, that's good and I like the idea! I mean, very much like!" And then she giggled which made us frown for a few seconds.

"What do you mean?" I couldn't help but ask.

"Oh, I mean, it's good that you two are neighbors because it would be so convenient for me. You know, to visit both of you as I will just have to knock on the next door whenever I want to see and talk to dad." She shrugged.

"She has a point!" Patrick exclaimed having the widest grin on his face.

After a few minutes of discussion about us being neighbors, I invited them to enter my apartment.

"Wow!" Cali immediately ran and threw herself on the couch.

"Be careful, Cali, you might fall, baby!" I felt my heart also jump out of my chest seeing her careless move.

"Mom, I love it here, I think I don't want to go back to Los Angeles anymore."

"Huh? What about your studies?" Luke and I turned to her in unison.

"Haha... just kidding," she giggled.

And for some unknown reason, I suddenly glanced in Luke's direction and he did the same. I don't know but somehow I feel like we understand each other easily when it comes to our daughter. No words have to be said. "Eherm! I'm sorry to cut your staring competition but, Sam, do you have something to eat? I'm kinda starving and my last meal was when we left LA as I didn't like the food they served us on the plane."

"And since when did you like their food? You're a picky eater, butthead!" Luke whispered the last word as he didn't want his daughter to hear such a word.

I just shook my head and walked over to the mini-kitchen to prepare some food.

While I was cooking, I couldn't help but take a look at the two, Luke and Cali who seemed to enjoy bullying the poor Patrick. Well, not the kind that might offend him but it's more like pushing him to find someone for himself.

When I heard them laugh, a sigh suddenly escaped my lips. I never imagined that a time like this would come. Yeah, I have wished for it to happen so many times in the past, but it was just a silent wish. I have already accepted the fact that Luke and I were not meant for each other.

But look what fate has brought us. Who would have thought that after all these years, we will be having such a moment like this? Isn't it funny?

A few more minutes later, I noticed Luke stood up and walked over in my direction.

"Need help?" He asked the moment he stopped right in front of the counter.

I gazed up at him and shook my head with a smile.

"Nah, thanks, but it's just sandwiches,"

"Then I'll help you prepare the drinks."

I was about to refuse his offer but it's too late as he has already opened the fridge and slowly taken the pitcher. So I just bit my lower lip and continued with what I was doing even though awkwardness was deliberately crawling on my nerves.