“Are you happy?” my best friend Lauren asked me outright when we got together for coffee. I had confided everything to her.
The question caught me off-guard. I nodded without thinking. “Yes, I am. I’m happy.”
“Great!” she responded. “Then there shouldn’t be any problem…”
“There is,” I countered. “I’m happy for now, but if I let my other goals just pass me by, I might not be happy and contented in the future.”
Lauren sighed, and then laughed. “You are so you, Georgia! I wouldn’t want to be in Drake’s place right now.”
“Am I being a difficult girlfriend?” I asked, frowning.
“Well, he doesn’t know it so don’t worry about it,” she said. “You have to relax. If he really loves you, then he’ll understand your personal needs and your career goals. He will support you no matter what.”
“I guess you’re right,” I said, taking a sip from my coffee.
She leaned forward excitedly. “So tell me again how you two ended up like this?” she said eagerly. “I just can’t get over it. After all these years, your first serious boyfriend turns out to be the person who first broke your heart in high school!”
“Sshh…” I said, laughing while looking around. Drake and I haven’t exactly made our relationship public yet, though we’ve already been dating for six months.
“Well, can I at least tell Jordan?” Lauren begged. “I want to see him fall out of his chair!”
I laughed. “Then I want to be there when you tell him.”
“Deal!” she said, making us both grin with anticipation.
“Then we can set up our double date,” Lauren added. She had an excited glint in her eye. “Oh, this will be so much fun! I hope you two get married, too!”
“Let’s not jump to that yet, okay,” I said, making her straighten up and do the motion of zipping her lips. But she still looked giddy.
CHAPTER 17
DRAKE
Dusk was settling. The lights had been turned on, somehow making the football field appear like it was basking in daylight.
I stepped onto the field, looking forward to the friendly game that had been set up among the Windfield Warriors only. It was for the benefit of cancer patients, so I’d said yes after getting the invitation. It was not only an opportunity for me to play again, to remain in touch with my beloved sport, but it was also for the purpose of publicity for Walton Pharmaceuticals. Dad was certainly pleased when he heard about it.
I haven’t had practice for a long time, except for playing throw and catch with some buddies from time to time. But somehow it didn’t matter if I didn’t play that well. I was happy. I’ve never been happier.
I joined the other players on the field for the starting lineup. Before getting into position, I gazed out to the bleachers and instantly found my father. To my astonishment, Georgia was sitting beside him. They were deep in conversation. For a while, I felt nervous and puzzled. I wondered what they were discussing.
“Great to have you back, Walton!” someone said, making me turn around. It was Alex, one of my best buddies in the football team.
“Thanks!” I said, giving him a quick salute. “Great to be back.”
As soon as the game began, I went into complete action mode. It was as if my body was on autopilot, moving like an expert football player. Despite my lack of practice, I was in good shape. It was easy for me to fall back into the zone, to play the way I was accustomed to. And because I now had inspiration, I was eager to do my best.
It’s funny how being away from football now makes me appreciate it more. I guess it’s really the way things work.
Somebody passed the ball to me. I swished and whooshed past big boulder-like players, finding an opening to pass the ball to a teammate. I saw Alex waiting. I threw the ball to him and he caught it in mid-air perfectly, and drove forward at once until he scored a touchdown. He ran back to me and gave me a high five. “Great game, Drake,” he whispered before we positioned again on the field.
At one point, I saw Georgia rising to her feet and cheering. Dad actually stood up, too, and clapped for me.
It was a close fight, but our team won. It was, of course, a great chance for the Windfield Warriors to have a practice game for a good cause. The added exposure would surely boost audience attendance during the real games.
A video was played after the game, and it was followed by a speech. I didn’t hear any of it anymore because I went to rest and shower. When I came out again, the cheerleaders were performing and the crowd was cheering them on. Then the organizer came out to thank the Windfield Warriors and cheerleaders for our contribution. The event was a huge success.
I found Georgia right outside the shower room waiting for me. She ran into my arms to congratulate me, not caring about the people around us. Naturally, a lot of the football players were surprised. Some gave us curious stares, but I didn’t really care.
“You were amazing!” Georgia said, which was enough reason for me to celebrate.
“Thank you,” I said, placing an arm around her as we strolled out of the stadium.
We bumped into Coach who patted me on the back and shook my hand. He was also shaking his head and looking at me with admiration. “Man, that was some game, Walton,” he uttered, making me chuckle. “When the hell are you coming back to the team?”
“Soon, Coach, I promise,” I told him.
He grinned. “Well, that’s always better than a never, right?”
“Yeah,” I agreed, laughing. We talked a little bit more and I introduced Georgia to him. He was delighted for me, of course. Before parting, he urged me again to consider continuing my professional football career.
“So…” I began once Georgia and I were alone again. “What were you discussing with my dad up on the bleachers?”
“Oh, you saw us?” she grinned mysteriously. “Well, it’s our secret. Sorry, I can’t tell you.”
I knew she was just playing me, but it was certainly annoying. I was more than curious to find out. “You seemed to get along pretty well.”
“We do get along pretty well,” she said. “Your dad and I are both nerds. That’s what I found out. And since we are both in the medical field, we had a lot to talk about. Aren’t you glad?”
“Of course, I am,” I answered. “Just curious ‘coz my dad’s not often like that.”
“I know,” she said, nodding. “Actually, we have a dinner meeting tonight… Your mom’s going to be there, too. And, of course, you must come as well.”
“Really? Why?” I was bewildered.
“Your dad has invited me to get on board Walton Pharmaceuticals—as a sports and exercise medicine consultant…”
I opened my mouth in awe. “He must really think you’re that brilliant!”
“Yeah, don’t you think so, too?” she teased, though there was uncertainty in her voice.
“Of course, I do,” I quickly said. “You are brilliant in so many ways, Georgia.” I pulled her closer to me and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
“And you are the most handsome and the most brilliant football player and businessman I’ve ever met, Drake Walton,” she said, kissing me on the lips. It was pretty flattering and heartwarming. I wasn’t used to getting such compliments, after all.
That evening, she was dressed in gray slacks and a matching blazer over a white frilly blouse. Her hair was neatly combed in place, and her makeup was definitely suited for a meeting, not an evening date with her boyfriend. Her entire look was fitting for a gorgeous young doctor who was determined to become a huge success.
“You’re going to bowl them over,” I declared after kissing her in greeting.
“And you?” she asked in a teasing tone.
“You’ve already imprisoned my heart,” I jokingly said, though I knew I meant it. The words were too cheesy for my taste, though, that I couldn’t believe I had just said them.
She laughed and gave me a friendly slap on the shoulder. “Is it really still y
ou, Drake Walton?” she joked. “Whatever happened to that mysterious, brooding man who doesn’t give a damn about everybody else?”
“He’s still in here somewhere,” I said. “But not when I’m with you. Maybe he’s scared of you.”
She laughed, the sound of her laughter calming and warming me.
The French restaurant was cozy, romantic, and classy—perfect for my parents. They were waiting in one corner, engaged in a serious conversation. How I wished this was an ordinary meet-the-parents dinner instead of a formal business meeting and meet-the-girlfriend kind of thing.
“Mom, Dad…” I greeted.
They stopped talking and looked up at us. Dad’s face broke into a small smile. He stood up and shook our hands, as if I wasn’t his son but a mere business partner. Mom, on the other hand, actually looked thrilled to meet Georgia. “Roger has told me so much about you,” she said. “Forgive us, but we just love discovering young, brilliant minds.”
“Uh, thank you,” Georgia replied, smiling politely.
We all sat down and ordered. Then Mom glanced at me and said, “Finally, my son has come to his senses. I am glad you two are getting along very well.”
“Oh, we are,” Georgia confirmed. “Thank you.”
My dad didn’t waste any more time. The pleasantries were done, so he launched into the objective of the meeting—to inform us all of his agreement with Georgia and to provide her with more details. I was surprised to find out that he was planning to send her to London for a grant on sports healthcare and research.
“London?” I repeated, looking at Georgia for confirmation.
“Yes,” she said, to my surprise. So she’d known about it.
As my dad discussed more details, Georgia got more excited. This was obviously a dream come true for her, and I was angry at myself for not feeling happy for her. My major concern was being apart from her. We didn’t have an office in London, so I couldn’t very well volunteer to take care of our business there.
“How long is this going to be?” I asked.
“One year,” Dad said.
“You’re okay with that?” I said, turning to Georgia incredulously. “I mean, weren’t you planning on settling here already so you could be near your parents, too?”
She suddenly looked uneasy, perhaps because I sounded troubled. “Yes, but I can’t let this opportunity pass.”
“Now that’s the right attitude for success,” Dad interrupted, smiling widely at her. “This woman knows her priorities. I like that. She’s just like your mother, Drake.”
I couldn’t believe my ears. I couldn’t believe Georgia was eating all this up. She was obviously being used as some kind of pawn by my parents. And no, I didn’t want her to be like my mother. That would be a curse for me and our future kids, if in case we ever progress to that level.
I was quiet for the remainder of the meeting. The food tasted bland, and I silently wondered why this was a multi-awarded restaurant. Or maybe it was just because I had lost my appetite. Everything tasted vapid—just like how my life was going to be once Georgia was out of the picture and I was all alone again.
A big part of me was seriously considering moving there to be with her. I don’t care if I would have to sell my car and pay for everything myself. Besides, my father would surely allow me to use our apartment there? Perhaps we could even plan a project that could help us build a presence there too for our business. I don’t know…
I was thinking irrationally. I would have to discuss this with Georgia herself.
After dinner, Mom invited Georgia over to the house, but I interjected. “Actually, Georgia needs to rush to the hospital for a patient who’s waiting for her,” I said before she could answer. Georgia gave me a questioning look. I could sense her annoyance, too. But thankfully, she did not say anything.
“Oh, alright,” Mom said. “Another time then.”
We finally parted ways. Once alone in the car, Georgia turned to me with a peeved expression on her face. “What was that all about? Why did you make up that lie?”
“You’re buying too much into this whole charade,” I said without hesitation. “You don’t know my parents like I do. They’ll just use you and squeeze out everything they can from you.”
“So what? Isn’t that my decision to make?” she said, raising her voice. “It’s for my ultimate dream, Drake. Don’t you get it?”
Before I could answer, she went on, not being able to control the anger that was fast building and pouring out. “Oh, wait. You don’t get it at all because you’ve never had dreams like mine. You don’t have to dream because everything’s just handed over to you on a gold platter!”
Ouch. The way she said it was way too painful. It wasn’t just a huge slap on my face, but I felt like my heart had been sliced into pieces. I was riled up. Without thinking, I said, “Okay, just do whatever you want. Maybe this was all part of your plan the whole time, huh? You wanted this connection to get closer to your dreams. Well, congratulations!” My tone was dripping with bitterness and fury, yet I was still somehow trying to keep control.
Georgia looked totally hurt, and that’s when I realized I had really crossed the line. But my pride got in the way of an apology. I wanted to take back what I said, but when I opened my mouth, nothing came out. “Look I…” I started to say in an attempt to clarify what I meant, to make up for the harsh words.
“Just shut up, Drake,” she said through gritted teeth.
I kept quiet. She looked like she was about to explode with anger and pain, but she chose not to say anything anymore. We were both silent until I dropped her off.
“Thanks for the ride,” she muttered before getting out. I looked straight ahead, a part of me wanting to run after her and embrace her and apologize. Before I could act, though, she turned around and walked back to me. The window of my car was open. “By the way, you’re absolutely right. I just used you to get what I wanted. Congratulations to me.”
Double ouch. I knew she was probably just being sarcastic and spiteful, and yet her words still hurt like hell. There was a possibility too that perhaps she was that driven to make it big, that maybe when we hit it off during the convention, she saw a glimmer of opportunity for her to sidle up to my family.
I didn’t say anything anymore as she stomped away. I was still brooding with fury, frustration, and helplessness. I had no idea it was going to be the last time I would see her.
CHAPTER 18
GEORGIA
There were several times that I almost contacted him while I was at the airport. Was I really going to just leave without saying goodbye?
Two days had passed without him trying to reach me. I wasn’t sure if he was just cooling down, too proud to make the first move, or perhaps pissed enough to never want to see me again. My pride had also gotten the best of me, so I forced myself to keep busy instead of pining away or waiting for a measly text message from him.
I certainly had no intention of making the first contact. However, when his dad’s executive assistant had informed me that my papers have been processed in a jiffy and I had to leave for London at once, I suddenly began to have second thoughts.
My parents were very happy for me, of course. This could be the breakthrough I’d been waiting for. It will carve out a significant milestone in my career, no doubt about it. But then, this time it was different. I had Drake now to consider. Or did I? Was he even worth worrying about? I can’t believe he had the nerve to assume I had used him to get this grant from his father!
I was seated in the plane, waiting for it to take off, squirming in my seat and thinking about Drake. I hadn’t even had much time to prep myself emotionally, much less pack all my bags and have a heart-to-heart with the only man I ever loved.
If he’d reached out before this, I probably would have requested for a later flight. But I wasn’t going to turn down this great offer. All my life I had dreamed of this prestigious London grant. Falling in love was never in my plans. Besides, as Lauren had pointed
out, if Drake truly cared for me, he wouldn’t have let even a day pass without talking to me. And if he loved me, he’d patiently wait for me or make a way to visit me there.
To my surprise, a tear rolled down my eye. I quickly brushed it away. I should just focus on the exciting things ahead. It was going to be a fantastic year for my career, with or without Drake in my life.
Finally stepping out onto the lovely streets of London city, I felt as if I’d been zapped into the romantic flick Notting Hill, one of my best friend Lauren’s all-time favorites. It wasn’t mine, obviously, because I had never been the hopeless romantic she was. But being here in the midst of it all, my thoughts suddenly went back to Drake again. How beautiful this entire experience would have been if he were here with me, or if we were at least on good terms.
“Are you ready to settle into your apartment now, Dr. Hill?”
I snapped around, forgetting that there was someone with me. The man who stood behind me was some sort of personal assistant that Mr. Walton had hired for me. He was maybe a little older than me, and was actually quite good-looking now that I got to have a good look at him.
“Sure, uh…”
“Tim,” he finished. “It’s Tim Patel. I work for Mr. Walton in the U.S. but I’m just here for a vacation.”
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