He was with Mariely again, eating out. Frank was starting to notice that they were spending more and more time together. She had been replying to his messages regularly now, and they were always together on Saturdays—since that was her review day.
She no longer felt awkward around him, and she didn't seem annoyed anymore either. She was also starting to share more stories and laugh freely whenever they talked.
Is she really getting comfortable with me now? he wondered.
Well, she's always been talkative when she's with someone she feels safe around. He thought to himself.
"Do you want some?" she asked him.
"Sure, feed me," he teased.
She actually fed him, laughing as she did.
Hmm? Maybe she's really in love with me again, he grinned at the thought.
After they finished eating, he drove her home.
"Faith," he called her name.
She turned to him—and he kissed her. Mariely responded to the kiss, and he looked deep into her eyes. This had become a routine between them lately: sharing kisses before he let her go home.
He could feel her love in every kiss he gave her.
He wanted to confirm something, so he kissed her more deeply—more intensely—and she let him.
She really loves me… without hiding it. Just like before.
She's never been good at lying to me—not even now that she's forgotten our past.
"Faith, tell me honestly… Do you love me?" He asked as he looked intently into her eyes.
She was surprised by the question. She didn't answer right away and avoided his gaze.
"Yes… I love you. But is it the right decision to love you?" she asked him softly.
He smiled. "Then we're no longer just friends, right?"
"Do you love me too? Don't answer me if you don't," she said.
"Why? Are you doubting whether I love you?" he asked.
She stayed silent. "I don't know… I don't know what's in your heart or in your mind," she admitted.
"You need proof that I love you? I'll give it. But you have to be my girlfriend first," he said.
"I don't need proof. I just don't want you to feel forced into it."
Am I doing the right thing with her? Should I lie just to keep playing this game?
He questioned himself.
You always take the risk. You're already in too deep, Frank—so play it to your heart's content until you get tired of the game. He reminded himself.
"I'm going now," she said as she turned to leave.
"Of course, I love you, Faith," he finally said.
She smiled and kissed him on the cheek. "I love you too," she replied.
He saw her eyes glimmer. He could see the genuine love in them.
"I'm off. Bye," she said again.
He nodded. "Take care, Faith."
"You too." She smiled before walking away.
He watched her until she entered her home. She even waved goodbye as she went inside.
Once she disappeared inside the house, he leaned back in his car seat and sighed deeply.
There was a heaviness in his chest.
Am I really just doing this for fun? No way I'd fall for her… She's not even my type. He kept telling himself.
But when he remembered her questions from earlier, guilt slowly crept into his heart.
Stop. Stop. You're already in the middle of the game, Frank. You said she's not your type—stop overthinking. He scolded himself and drove home.
✦ ✦ ✦
Mariely couldn't stop smiling. She tried to suppress the joy that was blooming inside her.
"El," her brother called.
She jumped a little. "Y—Yes?" she answered.
"You're home late again," he said. "Did you and Frank eat already?"
She didn't want to keep secrets from her brother. He always knew what she was thinking, anyway.
She nodded. "Go change already," he said.
"I have something to tell you," she said nervously.
He waited patiently.
"F—Frank is my boyfriend now," she said softly.
She thought he would scold her. But instead, he just sighed.
"Well, then you should invite him here so Mom and Dad can meet your boyfriend," he said calmly.
She was shocked. "Y—You're not mad?" she asked.
"Why would I be mad? I know you really love that man," he replied.
"H—How did you know?"
"Because you're easy to read, Ely," he said, ruffling her hair. "Invite him. If he doesn't come, then he's not serious about you."
He turned and walked off to his room.
She immediately went to her room and changed clothes. She wanted to call Frank but figured he might still be driving home.
She sighed deeply. She was truly happy now.
It felt like this was the love her heart had been searching for all this time.
You need to focus on your exam too, Mariely, she reminded herself.
Yeah… Focus on the exam so you can become a licensed teacher. She said to herself again.
She needed to sleep. Just then, her phone vibrated. Frank was calling.
Her heart started pounding. She swallowed hard before answering.
"Hello, Faith," he said on the other end of the line.
Her heart jumped when she heard his voice. "H—Hello… Did you call just now?" she asked.
"Oh, I just wanted to check if you were still awake," he replied.
"Ah… Are you home already?" she asked.
"Yeah, just got home," he said. "Tomorrow's Sunday, right?"
"Y—Yeah, why?" she asked nervously.
"I just want you to invite me on a date tomorrow. A simple one—if you're not busy."
A date? She swallowed hard.
"S—Sure. I was planning to go to church anyway."
"Good. Let's go together. Then we can hang out after—just the two of us. Is that okay?"
"S—Sure. What time?"
"Oh, maybe afternoon? I'll pick you up at your place."
"Alright. No problem."
"Deal?" he asked.
"Yes… deal," she answered, letting out a soft giggle.
"Okay, I'll hang up now," he said.
"Alright."
"Faith," he said.
"What is it?" she asked.
"I love you," he told her.
Her cheeks burned. "I love you too, Frank," she said sweetly.
"Now go get some sleep. Bye. See you tomorrow."
"Okay, bye," she replied and ended the call.
She sighed again, holding her phone to her chest.
She couldn't understand why she always longed for Frank—why her heart kept insisting that he was the man she had loved for so long.
You need to sleep now, she reminded herself.
She arranged her bed and quickly drifted off to sleep, finally overtaken by drowsiness.