"The past is never where you think you left it." ― Katherine Anne Porter

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I waited till the waiter left us. I stared at her beautiful and delicate features as she talks cheerfully to the waiter.

I watched as her glossy bow-like lips moved as she talks like it was the most mesmerizing thing in the world. I've tasted that lips before and it tasted better than how it looks like. I saw how that lips pursed like a furious rose when she's mad, too and all the same, it gives me a chill down my spine that no other woman did.

My eyes darted to her honey brown eyes that twinkle like a star when she's happy and dark as the dark cloud when she's furious. And her lashes, it is unbelievably long, adorning her almond shaped eyes. Who needs a mascara anyway, when you have that thick and long lashes. It seems like it was dip into a mascara paint.

Beautiful.

She smiled to the waiter and uttered thank you and her set of dimples showed making me sigh deeply. Her dimples only gave more level to her exquisite beauty.

I grab my wine and made a tentative sip as I watch her watch the back of the waiter. I hate to see her giving him that sweet smile while I hardly see it since we arrived here at Roadhouse restaurant.

When she look at me, I saw nothing but coldness in those honey brown eyes. She looks like she wasn't into this dinner and, I kind of felt like I was forcing myself into him.

Am I too late?

"I hope I'm not boring you," I said as soon as I found my voice again. Sometimes, I just love to stay silent and watch her. I love watching her and would never get tired of her face. She looks effortlessly stunning in a cotton weave high-waisted soft purple mini skirt and tucked crisp little pin-striped white shirt and completed it with purple patent pumps. Her accessory is subtle that goes perfectly with her outfit.

Stunning.

She looks at me skeptically before she opens those sweet tasting lips. "I'm not. I'm sorry, I'm just exhausted," she sighed then gave me a tight smile. It wasn't the smile I want to see, but for now, I will accept it in a heartbeat.

I never thought it would be hard for me to get her back. I'm not even sure if I still have her heart. She looks so awfully happy talking with Deshawn this morning and I felt like she just being polite to talk to me. I don't feel like she wanted me to be there, intruding their privacy.

I felt that tightening of my chest and I could literally feel my tear ducts excreting moisture. I ignored that pain and welcomed the positive thoughts.

Nothing can be done with perseverance.

And no challenges I ever turn my back on.

"Frankie is nice," I said to try to make a light conversation.

"Yes, she is," she agreed.

"Did she work at the Vogue before you?" I asked.

"No," she shook her head, "she was new like me," she flashed a small smile.

"I see," I muttered as I grab my wine again and made a sip. I wanted to slap myself for being so slow. Why can't I think of something to talk about. I was racking my head to come up with another topic, but I was never the good entertainer. I was always the quiet one. Among us, it was Nicolai or Alexander who was a chatterbox.

"How is Cassie?" she asked. I suddenly stared into her eyes, looking for something in those honey brown orbs. She looks neutral. Her voice was neutral as well. I don't know if this is a good topic, but I responded anyway, this time, I was honest. I don't want to hide anything from her, and I tend to keep everything open to her.

"I never talk to her after you left. I cut the connection because I realized, you are right. I didn't directly chose her, but my actions showed I did," I said with all honesty.

"Do you feel guilty?" she probe. She leaned back and made a successive sip of her wine.

"No," I answered shortly. "When you left my car that night and decided to leave the next day, I felt all the guilt," I told her, locking my eyes with hers. She places her wine down on the table and I saw her eyes flickered something but it's hard to tell.

"What do you do this weekend?" I asked trying to drop the topic. My heart starting to feel heavy as the sad memories flashed back in my head. The tightening in my heart kept increasing as I think of all the past.

"Oh, Deshawn is throwing a party in his condo tomorrow night," she said. She sounded excited and I felt like she's slipping away completely.

That Deshawn guy is seriously attractive and they look perfect together. I saw that adoration in his eyes as he stared at her and that seriously alarmed me. I was so very jealous this morning and even lied because I don't want her to go out with him. I felt so jealous just thinking of them together.

"You're going?" I asked. If she goes, I have to find a way to go. I'm not gonna let her go alone.

"Yes," her eyes twinkles again like a star in the sky at night, and I kept my opinion to myself. I don't want to take that happiness in those eyes.

"Well, I hope you have a good time," I said, forcing myself to smile like I mean it. I could literally taste the bitterness on my tongue as the words rolled out of my tongue.

"You can go," she said. My eyes stared at her intently. Did she really mean it?

I guess she sensed that I'm not letting her go alone.

"Can I?" I asked again, wanting to make sure she really mean it.

"Of course," she nods her head. "Deshawn always throws a big party and it's open to all," she explained. Her enthusiasm when talking about parties just goes up and it's contagious. She's the only one that sounds parties like this were so much fun. "Well, only if you're not busy," her voice lowers and she stared at me.

"I'd love to and besides, you will need a driver in case you got wasted," I grinned, happiness suddenly fills me. The heaviness in my heart decreases and I felt alive again.

"I can control myself now," she crinkled her nose and pouted. I love it when she does that. I just want to close our gap and kissed her pouted lips.

"I didn't mean that. I meant in case you guys got wasted," I corrected and stifles the happiness overflowing in me. She snorted as I said it and I just smiled.

She looks a lot comfortable now than a while ago. She was tense and so am I. The tension was palpable too and could be cut by a knife.

"You think I still party a lot?" she scrunched her forehead as she leaned forward and rested her elbows on the table unladylike.

"I didn't mean that either," I said all too quickly. I know I thought about it, but I'd rather kept in my head. I don't want to aggravate her more. She looks upset again and I felt alarmed. "I'm sorry, I really didn't mean it that way, Vi. I really do," I said and leaned forward to and copied her position. My elbows resting on the table while waiting for our food that seems too long to come.

She rolled her eyes. "So are you sure you want to go? This is the kind of parties you hate!" she gave me a pointed look.

"But the only woman I love loves it. So, I love it now," I smiled at her sweetly trying to put my charm into work which I'm hoping it was still as efficient as the day I was born.

She snorted showing unconvinced but that didn't deter my conviction to win her back.

"Since when did you become a romantic guy?" she rolled her eyes heavenward as she leaned back again, crossing her arms.

"Since I realized I don't want to lose you completely," I said without blinking, staring intently at her.

"Seriously, I'm still surprised until now. I can't believe you are doing this, Xandrous," she shook her head incredulously.

"I'm sorry for the long wait, Ma'am, Sir," that waiter interrupted and place our food in front of us.

"Thank you," she smiled to the waiter. I just nod at him.

I'm still surprised, too, how she became too polite and how easily she flashes a sweet smile to anyone. It's not typical Victoria.

She silently eats her food and so I started digging mine. We didn't talk as we eat, and I occasionally watch her as she cut her piece of chicken and pop it in her mouth. It looks so fascinating to me.

She took her time to eat her little piece of chicken. She only ordered a grilled chicken and salad. I want her to eat more.

"I think you need more than that piece of chicken," I couldn't contain my opinion and just blurted it out.

She looks at me, placing the fork and knife down, she grabs her wine and made a sip. "I need to keep my weight under 130 lbs," she explained briefly.

"But it's not really healthy, baby," I shook my head. I don't want to entertain the negative thought of what might turn out of this food deprivation.

She really needs to put more weight. She's 5'9 and she should weigh more than that, but I didn't say it.

"I know," she said softly after gawking at me like I grew two heads. Her eyes soften.

"Do I look like a skeleton to you?" she suddenly asked and I stared at her with furrowed forehead. Where in the world did she get that idea?

"Of course not!" I objected furiously. "You look hot however your weight is. I just don't want you to get sick," I said and she nodded her head. "I might get sick too if you get sick," I rambled grabbing my wine and downed the last content.

"Like love-sick?" she queried, cocking her eyebrow. Then, she shot me another inquisitive stare.

I want to say yes, but instead, "because my heart is connected to yours," I said briefly and she rolled her eyes.

"Lame pick up line!" she snorted and I chuckled.

The waiter approached us again to asked if we need anything and we ask another wine. Just as she was done, a man who was not far from my age approached us and greeted her, looking so surprised to see her.

"Victoria!"

Victoria smiled broadly when she saw the guy and she stood up to meet the guy and hug him. I watch as the two reciprocates pleasantries then Victoria led him to our table as they talk.

"I can't believe I'll see you again!" he exclaimed too excitedly.

"I know. I'm sorry I was too busy I didn't contact you and Margaux," she said sheepishly.

"Drew, I want you to meet my friend, Alexandrous Mailov. Xandrous, this is Drew Singly," she introduced. I stood up and took his outstretched hand, his blue eyes scrutinizing me and I gave him a neutral look, not wanting to be rude and embarrassed her. The guy is fairly handsome in his own ways.

"Nice to meet you," I said drily.

"He was Margaux's best friend. Margaux was my roommate and Drew became one of my closest friends, too, at Crawford High," she explains and I nodded. I don't like the fondness in her tone, but I kept it in my head.

"Are you alone?" Victoria asks him. I sat back on the chair and watch them converse. Sipping occasionally with my wine.

"No, not really," he said as he looks behind him.

"Oh," Vicky's voice morphs into a tease. "Who are you with?" she teases.

Drew's face turns a bit red and I was amused to see a man blushing. Well, with Victoria in front of you, it's no wonder.

"Daddy," a boy came running to Drew's direction and then hug his one leg, then a blonde girl following the boy towards us. Her green eyes swelled with adoration as she watches her son then she looks at Victoria.

"Margaux?" Victoria said surprised.

She suddenly looks at me alarmed and I smiled at her. I don't know why she looks like tense suddenly. The girl was beautiful, but she looks nothing like her. Victoria looks spot on even if you mix her with a lot of beauties. She will always have my heart and my approval.

"Victoria!" she stops for a second like she was surprised, too, to see her, then a wide smile broke out on her lips and open her arms to hug her. The two shared a hug and I stood up to meet the girl.

After they hug, the girl took her son and introduced it to her. "Vi, this is Ruel, he's three," she said, smiling too sweetly.

Victoria carefully squatted to his level so they were eye level. "Hi. I'm Victoria," she introduced. The boy stared at her with awe. "It's nice to meet you, little guy," Vi said sweetly.

"You are so beautiful," the boy said awe-struck and we laughed.

"Thank you!" Vi smiled enthusiastically, then she ruffled his hair gently as she stood up.

"Margaux, this is Alexandrous Mailov. Xandrous, this is Margaux," she briefly introduced. For some reason, I felt she's tense, but I ignored the feeling. I probably just hallucinating.

"So you and Drew finally got married?" Victoria asked her friend astonished.

Margaux nodded her head sheepishly as she stood beside Drew. "Oh my God, I can't believe you two ended up together, but I'm so happy for both of you!" she exclaimed enthusiastically.

The boy was just staring at us. At that moment, I wish a boy like him too.

How does it feel like to have our own kids?

I suddenly felt the desperation of winning her back and start a family with her and have our own mini me and mini her.

I felt my lips tugs into a smile.

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A/N: Here you go, guys. It is short but I hope it's enough to make you smile. I'll try to update again, soonest.