I wait for her to say she would stop by at the café later, but she does not say anything. So, I walk back to my truck, disappointed. I actually expected her to have a man already. I don’t know why I feel this way like I didn’t see this coming. I did.
Gary walks inside the café, surprise draws across his face. On Saturday, I informed him that the café would be closed for a week, and I told him the reason as well. He’s probably wondering why it’s opened.
“Hey, man, what’s wrong? Isn’t the café supposed to be closed?” he questions, walking towards me.
“Yeah, well,” I shrug.
“What happened?”
“Another man was there with her. So,” I shrug again.
“So? It could be a random man.” Gary raised his brows.
“I don’t think he is. They talked about her mom and all that. Look, I expected this. It always ends like this, but yeah, we are still friends,” I explain to him.
“Talking about her mom with him still does not justify they are in anything together. You should ask her if you want to know. Dominic, I think you are just scared. A coffee and a donut, please,” he taps my shoulder before walking to his usual space.
Gary is right; I am scared to ask her. I don’t want to hear it from her. I prefer to assume she’s in a relationship than to confess my love to her and be rejected. But I like her, I like her so much. I want us to continue being friends, even if we can’t be anything more. I’ve faced too many rejections from women; I don’t ever want to experience it again. It sucks. Judging from what I saw, it looks like something is going on between them. I hope I’m wrong.
I walk to drop the coffee and donut on Gary’s table.
“So, are you just going to let her go based on your assumptions?” he questions me again.
“I don’t know. What am I supposed to do? She’s going to be busy soon, and I am a busy person as well. I can’t always see her all the time. And the man is there to assist her. So, what do I do?”
“Ask her if she’s in anything with him. If she’s not, tell her how you feel,” Gary suggests.
“And if she is?”
“Man, one rejection won’t kill you. If she is, you move on.” He takes a bite from his donut.
I shake my head from left to right before walking away. It’s not so easy. If Rose rejects me, then I’m not sure I’d be able to fall for another woman again. It feels like my heart is worn out and tired. I’m not going to tell her how I feel to have her reject me, no. I’d just keep it to myself; I’m sure if I don’t act on this feeling, it would gradually leave.
Eight
Rose
It’s the fifth week, and my BnB is all set and ready. It has been a long and stressful journey so far, and I need a lot of rest because the stress is getting the best of me. It’s great because the stress has finally paid off. I’m glad about how the cabin turned out – beautiful.
“Argh!” I groan before collapsing on one of the chairs that’s in front of me. Looking outside, I’m happy to see how this place finally turned out. I’m most thankful to my mom and her fantastic suggestion, and I’m thankful to him as well. He inspired me to do this. But he has been busy, and I have been busy as well. He only stops by sometimes to say hello, and most times, Simon was always here assisting me. I appreciate Simon’s help, but he is not my type. My mom keeps telling me about how Simon is a great man; of course, he might be a great man, but he does not meet my speculation. The only man I’ve met that meets my speculations is Dominic.
He makes me feel some type of way. I’ve been so occupied these past few weeks that I only went to the café a few times. When I go there, he’s usually occupied, we don’t get to chat much. Just a few words and I return back to my business too. But I miss him, I miss him so much. I miss our chats. I’m not sure he feels the same way, but it is how I feel.
“Hey,” I look outside when a voice breaks in my thought.
“Hi, Tess,” I greet her with a smile. She’s one of Dominic’s friends that I met a few days ago at his café. She has a good spirit.
“Wow, this place is beautiful!” she exclaims as she walks inside.
“Thank you,” I offer her a seat.
“You are welcome. My fiancé’s family is coming here next week for business. I will tell them about this place,” Tess says.
“I appreciate your support!” I express it happily.
“So, how’s it going with Dominic?” she starts.
I squeeze my forehead, wondering what she’s saying. How is what going with Dominic? Does she think we are dating? Wait, did Dominic tell her we are…
