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FRANKI'S POV

I pout my lips in confidence as I take a final look of my outfit for tonight in the full-length mirror. I'm wearing this blue-green tube top, jeans and just my white sneakers which is my favorite get-up as of the moment, and then sprinkled myself with my favorite luxurious perfume because when you look and smell good, you feel good! With the right amount of straightness in my shoulder-length hair and light make-up, I'm good to go.

I am so excited to party with Diana again tonight. I really need to go out without David...

I mean, I just need to do whatever the hell that I want without putting him into the equation. I'm kind of allergic to him right now. I really breathe a sigh of relief last night when I learned that he will be away for a day for work and a reunion with his friends. I was also inwardly relieved that Sky went home right away. All I want since last night is to be alone with Diana in this condo or somewhere else...

I have been aching for some blasting music, alcohol, and my boyfriend's sister despite having a hangover and I don't exactly know the reason why. I hate that I am craving for her presence but at the same time, I love that I am having fun with it. Last night, I dreamed about her again and it was sexual...

Welcome to the gay world, Frances!

Seriously?

"Franki..." Diana peeks in from the slightly opened door. "Are you ready?"

I shake the weird thoughts away and answer her while flattening my side bangs with my palm and taking a final glance in the mirror,

"Of course I am!"

She graces herself inside the room and I suddenly forget how to breathe the moment I turn to see her.

Whoa...

Like, whoa! Sobrang ganda babae! (What a very pretty girl!)

She's wearing this orange sleeveless tank top underneath her denim jacket which shows her sexy bellybutton then paired with fitted black pants and black ankle-length boots. And those dangling earrings and seductive make-up are just...

...wow.

Frances Margaret Russell, pick up your jaw and panties now!

I am literally gawking at her right now.

She looks so fucking hot tonight and it suits her so well. I really think my eyes are sparkling with admiration right now as I continue to check her out. That tattoo just below her sexy collarbone...I really love looking at it.

"Franki, are you okay?" There goes her soft voice again.

When I blink again, I just realize that she is now standing in front of me while snapping her fingers on my face.

"O-of course!" I lift my phone up, suddenly having the urge to take a selfie with her.

"Let's take a picture!" I circle my arm around her shoulders and pull her closer until our cheeks are pressed against each other. I form my fingers into a peace sign and pout my lips, and so is she.

After taking a bunch of selfies while being really touchy with her, I excitedly took my white clutch bag and hold onto her arm as we walk out of the room and down the hallway. God, she smells so damn good that I have to stop myself from pressing my nose against her neck...

Jesus, Franki. Can you slow down?

My wide smile and flirty giggles stop when I realize my pervy behavior.

Should I slow down?

I am in happy jitters when we finally got into the basement parking. We head to her black Fortuner instead of her motorcycle and my heart did a little jump when she opens the car door for me while locking her eyes on mine. I know that she's a woman too but why am I kind of "kilig" (romantic excitement) when she did the "gentleman" gesture?

"Salamat...po!" I hyperactively chime in with some fits of giggle.

I fiddle with the seatbelt as soon as I am seated inside. Her car is so clean and it smells just like her. I watch her as she walks around to the other side but stops and leans on the door while taking her phone out instead of coming inside. She proceeds to call someone and I want to open the window to hear what she is saying but it's closed.

I wonder who is she talking to... She was also texting someone a while ago while wearing a troubled expression.

Moments later, she finally sinks gracefully into the driver's seat and closes the door on her side. The scent that is oozing out from ther neck reaches my nose again, causing me to become even more energetic.

She twists her body to the side and tosses her denim jacket onto the backseat and I again took the chance to stare at her.

I always try not to, but I just can't help myself. She's really pretty. I really am the kind of girl who appreciates my fellow women's beauty but that's just it. It's different from Diana's case because it comes with sexual drives...

Goodness, mate! What are you talking about?

"The Island here we come..." she utters in a high-pitch voice, her face as excited as mine.

"I can't wait!" I add. Before doing her seatbelt, she turns her body toward me and I gasp as she suddenly leaned in really close. I lean back and hold my breath, caught off-guard when her breasts merely brushed against mine.

Uhm, excuse me?

She angles her head toward mine, leaving literally an inch between our faces, and before I could even recover from this situation, she suddenly speaks right into my face, her warm and familiar minty breath sending my head spinning again.

"I just tightened your seatbelt," she clarifies and I just realized what she meant after like three and a half seconds.

"Oh! That's better," I mumble with a disturbed chuckle.

I again preen my hair and adjust on my seat while trying to recover my composure.

Is she teasing me back? Because if she does, then she's doing a great job.

I like this kind of revenge though...

I casually watch her as we finally got into the road, never thought in my entire life how hot a woman behind the wheels could be. I mean, just look at her very appealing side profile and the way her slender fingers stroke the steering wheel as she just gazes straight ahead...

I lean my head on the car seat and angle my head towards her so I can subtly observe her.

"I really like your cheekbones and jawline,"

Did I just voice my thoughts out? Because she just turned to me and flashed me a not so innocent smile.

"A little music would be fun though," I suddenly suggest to flush out the gay embarrassment.

"Of course," with one hand, she swipes something on her phone and Post Malone's Goodbye starts filling the car.

"Oh my gosh, I love this song! I love him!" I exclaim with delight.

"You do? Me too! Oh my gosh! I mean, his songs are so cool and oozing with chill vibes, you know!" she explodes into girly fits.

"I know right? Gosh. This one got me for some reasons though." I refer to the song.

"Me too..." she gives me a quick but meaningful glance.

The melodramatic beat caresses our senses as we both bob our heads into the rhythm. It's actually a song about being in a troubled relationship...

(You can play the video attached above to listen to the song while reading)

🎵I want you out of my head
I want you out of my bedroom tonight (bedroom)
There's no way I can save you (save you)
'Cause I need to be saved, too
I'm no good at goodbyes🎶

🎵We're both actin' insane but too stubborn to change
Now I'm drinkin' again, 80 proof in my veins
And my fingertip stained, looking over the edge
Don't fuck with me tonight
Say you needed this heart and you got it (got it)
Turns out that it wasn't what you wanted (wanted)
And we wouldn't let go and we lost it (lost it)🎶

I kinda feel high when we both started singing along with the music while staring at each other's eyes through the rearview mirror from time to time.

Ah, the feeling of Diana beside me driving and it's just the two of us make me really happy and giggly right now...

It was just a few minutes later when we finally reached The Island. My party nerves are all jumping around as I marvel at the place. Diana reaches back in her car to take her denim jacket and folds it over her arm while holding her phone, power bank, and purse all in the same hand. I take her other arm and link it with mine as we finally walk inside.

She told me that The Palace Pool Club is one of the best places in the metro if you want to have a crazy and worthy nightlife and its The Island is the first tropical-themed nightlife market in this country with a lot of concept bars inside.

This place really gives me colorful beach vibes and I am so loving it! I have been into these kinds back in AU and Vegas actually and I have been missing it!

I bob my head to Ester Dean's very upbeat song Drop It Low that is currently playing as we walk through the entrance where there's a bunch of motivational signboard quotes.

Diana is on her phone again looking kind of bothered while I am here drowning myself with excitement. Gosh, there's just a lot of Instagram-worthy spots!

"Oh my gosh, that's so cute!" I exclaim in delight as I saw the pool sitting in the middle of all the spots, lounges, and stalls.

We walk on the poolside and go straight to the courtyard couches where there are a group of people, two guys and around six girls seated across each other with a table in the middle and a beer and shots hut bar adjacent to it.

Diana points her fingers toward their direction, "There they are!"

They all turn their heads toward us as we are approaching and flash out excited and friendly smiles.

"Are you sure that it's fine with them that I'll be joining you?" I ask, feeling shy again because I'm not invited and they don't even know me.

"It's fine, Franki. They're cool with it. Don't worry." she assures me before excitedly rushing toward them. She heads straight to the short girl in red which I assume is the birthday girl to give her a hug and kisses. Well, she's wearing red so I assume she's the one with the birthday.

I just stand there behind Diana as she shortly mingles with them with a wide smile. I wonder who among here is Veronica...she seems to be a special friend because Diana has been staying in her condo.

Finally having a glimpse of Diana's world, a part of me is wishing that Veronica is only a friend.

Now, where did that come from?

Diana then glances back at me and pulls me for the introduction.

"Oh, by the way, guys, this Franki Russell, David's girlfriend. She's from Australia and is currently having a short vacation here," she starts. Everyone is smiling and looking at me except for the girl with the sexy yellow sweater top who seems to be busy on her phone. My gut feel tells me that she's Veronica. She's also pretty. I can tell that she's rich but she looks simple and is more on the cute side. She's not my type though.

Type? What are you, a lesbian?

Ugh, what am I thinking?

"Hello! Kumusta? (How are you?) Nice meeting you guys, ako po si Franki!" I introduce myself.

The short guy with braces and chinky eyes stands up first and extends his arm for me.

"Hi! I'm Dean. Nice to meet you, Franki. I like your boyfriend, by the way!" he playfully winks at me and I turn to Diana while chuckling. He seems nice. They all seem nice. I did a cheek-to-cheek kiss with all the other girls except for the one who is still on her phone looking kinda problematic and is alienating herself at the moment.

"Hi! So you're the birthday celebrant! Sorry for the gatecrash!" I turn to Jamela again, the birthday girl.

"It's fine! Wow! She looks like a real-life Barbie, isn't she?" Jamela turns to the others and they all agreed. I often receive that compliment but until now, I am not used to it.

I felt Diana's hand encircling my waist and proceeds to pull me down on the couch beside her. On her other side is the girl in the yellow sweater and across her is Dean. She must really be Veronica because I have already known all the girls' names except hers. I reach out to her over Diana's lap to get her attention.

"You must be Veronica! It's nice to finally meet you!"

She finally lifts her eyes up from the phone and meets mine. She smiles and receives my handshake.

"Likewise, Franki." she softly says before immediately returning her eyes on the phone. She kind of intrigues me for some reason.

There's a lot of cocktail drinks and tequila shots on the table and a few baskets of nachos.

Diana speaks next to my ear, "What do you want to drink, Franki?"

"I'll just have a mojito for now," I request. She beckons for the waiter to come and orders another round of drinks and food.

I just quietly sit beside her while observing the celebration. Veronica finally drops her phone and starts talking to Diana. She caught me looking at her as they talk and I just casually smiled at her.

They start by singing Happy Birthday to Jamela as well as a special number from the live band on the stage across the pool.

I have been observing Diana the entire time and she seems to be really close with everyone, especially with Veronica.

They are all speaking Tagalog and I didn't understand a thing. I want to ask Diana to translate some for me but she has been exchanging whispers and giggles with Veronica and I'm starting to lose my mood.

Everyone seems so happy while I feel so out of place. I don't want to be a killjoy or something because I am not invited here so I just sip on my mojito while subtly swaying with the upbeat music and appreciating the beauty of the place.

My chest heaved when I caught Veronica's hand on Diana's thigh. It then slides up and finds Diana's hand and the latter opens hers. They then held hands under the table and my grip on my drink tightens.

Dean starts talking to me again and I casually chitchatted with him about David, momentarily forgetting my chagrin.

I decide not to look on my side and just continue to enjoy the music while browsing on IG. I stopped dancing with the music when I felt Diana's hand on mine under the table.

So yeah, in that very second, I am happy again.

She turns her head toward me and smiles before leaning in to whisper in my ear,

"Are you okay? Are you having fun?"

I just gave her a small smile before leaning my head on her shoulder and intertwining my hand along with hers under the table. I just need this at the moment.

Suddenly, all eyes are on me.

Diana is about to lean in again to say something but Veronica from her other side suddenly puts her arm around her and pulls her away from me while laughing heartily on whatever the girl across her has said. I notice Dean glaring at Diana at some point while cocking his head in my direction.

Wait, what was that all about?

I'm afraid to see Diana's expression but I can feel some tension right now. I might be just chilling here but I love to quietly observe people around me. Dean might have noticed that I am looking at him right now. He gives me a very wide grin and offers a basket of nachos toward my direction.

"Thank you!" I loudly exclaim while picking up a piece and bringing it to my mouth. I actually don't like the taste of it but out of courtesy, I take a small bite out of it. I prefer to eat tacos and fries so I mentally remind myself to order later.

They are now teasing Diana and Veronica for some reasons and my curiosity piques even more.

"They are really sweet, aren't they? Dean suddenly asks me, and I just find myself obliging with a nod and a forced smile. "Yeah! They are so kilig!"

I have no idea on what's exactly is going on but my chest is so heavy right now.

Come to think of it; Diana has been staying at this woman's condo lately like she's someone really important and now they are acting like a couple. She's not really sharing a lot of details about her love life, aside from that subtle confession about liking girls...

Fuck. Is she not telling me something about her and this Veronica girl?

Dean is now holding his phone in front of Diana while they are urging and teasing Veronica to feed her some nachos while the latter is blushing and all-out smiling. I'm starting to get really uncomfortable right now. I really want to smile too but no matter how hard I try, I think my bitch face is showing and Dean caught it.

Diana glances at me with a worried look on her face. Confused, I just averted my gaze away.

I really am so pissed off right now. I have to blow off steam somewhere. I have been noticing the cute and muscular moreno (dark-skinned) bartender in a blue unbuttoned floral polo shirt from the Hops and Shots bar adjacent to our spot looking at me since we got here so an idea comes into my mind.

I get up and lean down to speak next to Diana's ear.

"I'll just go to the bar,"

She looks up at me and says, "I'll come with you,"

"No, it's okay...I'll be right back."

"Are you sure?" she asks again. My eyes move from her to Veronica beside her who was initially looking at me with a serious look on her face but immediately flashes out a friendly smile when she noticed me gazing at her.

I am kind of expecting that Diana will insist to come with me but she instead returns her full attention to Veronica.

Disappointed, I make my way to the bar and sit on one of the stools. The bartender's eyes light up upon seeing me in front of him. He seems to be surprised at my presence.

"Hello, magandang binibini! (beautiful lady). Alger, at your service!" he gives me a toothy grin while leaning his arms on the counter.

''Hello, Alger! Ako si Franki. What you got in there?'' I ask with my voice diffusing in the air. He continues to gawk at me for a few more seconds before replying,

''Ahm..." he straightens up while scratching his head like a shy schoolboy.

"We have these drinks here, different flavors, very delicious and ano, tasty,'' he points to the menu board over his head. His English accent amuses me. It sounds sweet and funny.

''Mmmm..." I look up with my finger on my chin while choosing. "Why don't you..." I trail off, currently having the impulse to flirt with him for distraction, then continues, "...give me out your best one.'' I suggestively mumble as I lean back on the stool and cross my leg over the other while returning the eye contact.

I then saw how his lips form into a shadow of a smile before preparing my drink.

He looks young, probably around Diana's age. He is turning to me every now and then as he starts juggling the drinks in front of me, flexing his bartender skills. I can say that he is gwapo and charming, but he's not my type. I just need a fucking distraction right now.

Oh gosh. My heartbeat is racing in chagrin as I look back to check on them. Diana is vaping now as she gulps on her drink while Veronica is laughing her heart out. They all look so happy and it hurts me because I clearly don't belong in that world of Diana Mackey.

But wait, why am I feeling this way? David's my boyfriend...

My emo moments are again distracted by Alger's obvious flirting stunts. He's so cute in an amusing way. He is giving me this smitten eye contact while shaking one bottle in hand like he is jerking his thing, if you know what I mean. He then pours it out on a tall glass in a cool and expert way and brings it on the counter in front of me.

''Here's your drink, magandang binibini,'' he says with a wink again. There goes his cute English accent again.

I bring the glass to my lips and sip it sexily on purpose. I want to laugh at the way he gapes at me with open mouth.

Poor boy...Have mercy on him, Frances!

I sigh as I felt the alcohol warming my veins and somehow chilling my jealous nerves.

Jealous...

Wait, did I just say jealous? I'm not jealous. I'm just disappointed with Diana for not telling me everything.

''Ahm...Do you... like it?'' Alger asks, eagerly waiting for my verdict even though I am totally distracted. I keep on looking at Diana's direction, hoping that she will glance back my way and be jealous or threatened with Alger but she seems to be totally occupied with her friends.

That Veronica's arm has never left her waist and I am starting to become really suspicious.

Anyway, what if she's her girlfriend?

I mean...Diana is apparently into girls. She lowkey confessed it to me in Bora and even kissed me back when I was drunk. Yes, I fucking remembered everything and it didn't leave my mind ever since. I thought we had something going on between us but now, maybe it's just on me...

I really lost my mood and I want to go home.

"Pranki?" Alger calls out while waving his hand in front of me, pronouncing my name as P instead of F.

Remembering his question, I finally answer him half-heartedly, "Oh yeah! It's yum! I really like it!''

"Anyway, what is a beautiful lady like you doing here alone with ano...ahm...sad face?" he asks while wearing a very interested face.

''Wala lang, I'm bored po," (Nothing, I'm just bored).

I lean in closer to him and smirked when I saw how his eyes bulged at our proximity. I love teasing men sometimes.

A number of costumers suddenly flood the bar which obviously annoyed him.

''Teka, wait, ahm, can you wait for me? Wait lang ha?" he panics and I just nonchalantly nod my head. He then proceeds to serve the other costumers while I just continue to sip on my drink with my eyes on Diana.

Seriously? She never checked on me? Like what the—wait.

She's now looking around for something. I wait for her eyes to find mine and when it finally did, she just smiles at me and gives me a thumbs-up sign with her face asking me if I'm okay.

Disappointed, I just returned her thumbs-up sign with a fake smile.

Alger's eyes occasionally dart on mine, puppy-eyed they are, telling me to be more patient, but I am emotionless right now with dropped shoulders.

I did another quick glance at Diana and now, Veronica is now leaning her chin on her shoulder while hugging her tight.

To add insult to the injury, she cocks her head in my direction and meets my eyes. With raised eyebrow, she then gave me a not so friendly smile. It might not have any other meaning but it came off as mocking for me. I quickly look away and curse inwardly.

Feeling like crying, I finally stand to go to the toilet to compose myself. I now regret coming with Diana tonight. I just want to go home already...

"Hey, wait, are you leaving na ba?" Alger asks in his low voice, his face obviously disheartened.

"No. Where's the toilet?" I ask him.

"Here, please take this," he hands me a piece of tissue after showing me the direction.

"Thanks!" I immediately grab it without thinking and finally walk away even if he is about to say something more.

On my way to the toilet, I unfold the tissue and saw a handwritten mobile number with a heart drawing after it.

He wants me to call him? Oh, poor guy.

I crumple it and throw it in the trashcan in the corner.

Ugh, Diana...

I so hate you right now!

*****To be continued*****

A/N:

Thanks for reading!

Do you feel bad for Franki in this chapter or she deserves it?

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