You’re Still My Man – English

GINA

“Grrrr… it’s really annoying when your car breaks down again.”

That’s the word she’s always been saying these past few days. “Why did it take so long to repair my car?” She asked Ace as he drove her to school.

“Because your car is very old, the mechanic said. He said he’ll just call us after he repairs it.”

“Am l not bothering you with your constant driving me to school?”

“Not really.”

“You probably won’t be able to run because you’re coming home too late from school.” Ace looked at her for a moment. “It doesn’t bother me.”

“Well, it bothers me.” she grumbled in response while slouching in the passenger seat. “Why don’t you let me rent a car while my car isn’t repaired?”

“Because I’m available to pick you up.” He sighed. “All this togetherness is–”

“Driving you crazy?” She stumbled because she didn’t know what would be the answer of Ace. Does he think she’s not having a hard time with their situation? This man is really numb. “I can already see that you’re like my bodyguard who’s always close to me now. You didn’t even let me walk alone. But at midnight, you’ll just leave me alone. Do you think I didn’t know that you go out every midnight? Now, tell me. What do you do outside at midnight? Or shall I say, at dawn?”

“I am developing my own business right now. So, I go out at midnight or at dawn because it’s the only time I can meet my business consultant.”

“Who is that business consultant of yours? And why do you have to meet at midnight or early in the morning?”

“He is a regular customer of ours at the restaurant and he is a member of the club.”

ACE

Finally, Brando Nicolas was finally cooperating after two or more aborted attempts to meet. Even if he only sends his staff to negotiate with them, at least, that’s the beginning.

He glared at Gina, and he also stared at her critically.

“Is that so? Just make sure you don’t meet other woman.” She said softly while looking out the window.

The words hit him hard. “What did you say? Is that what you worry about every time I go out at midnight?”

“Well, it makes sense. It’s not normal for us to be together as a couple, so I thought–”

“How can you even think of it?” He said, while he pulled into the drop-off area in front of the campus and turned off the car’s engine.

True, their marriage was not normal, so he really wanted to finish this mission. He didn’t want to be pampered by her because he might just get used to it. Yes, he was her husband in fact, but not in deed. Despite what she thought, he wasn’t superhuman. “I never thought that my honor would be in question.”

GINA

“I didn’t mean to offend you.” She apologized. “I’m sorry for what I said to you. But I really appreciate your effort in bringing me to school everyday. I only know a few men like that.”

“And you think I’m one of them?”

“Maybe,” she replied, while eyeing him speculatively. “And I also know very few men with guns. Unless he’s one of the–”

“I don’t get what you mean, Gina.”

She raised her hands and started counting with her fingers. “Would you like me to list my fears, Ace? First, I’m worried about why you have a gun. Second is my safety. Third is Brando Nicolas. They’re all tied together somehow. I just don’t understand why at night you operate the business you call. Tell me the truth, did Brando Nicolas have anything to do with it?”

“And why did you think Brando Nicolas had anything to do with it?”

“Because more than anyone, you’re the only employee in the restaurant assigned to the club famas, and somehow you’re also a member there. You already know the businessmen who are members there and especially Brando Nicolas. So, is he the regular customer you are referring to that you are asking for business advice? because honestly, I don’t trust what he says.”

ACE

He angled toward Gina and touched both of her shoulders. “Do you know that Brando Nicolas is more angry with me now because I take you from him? In fact, we don’t like each other, and that’s pretty obvious.”

“So, it’s just a male territorial thing? Because I understand feeling territorial. All women do.”

He grabbed Gina’s arm to stop her. “Please don’t.”

But Gina just removed his hand, and kept opening the door of his car. She didn’t go out the car immediately, and instead she turned to him as if to say something.

“Just answer my question, Ace. Are you working for Brando Nicolas?”All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

When he didn’t answer, Gina was about to get out of his car. Within an instant, he grabbed Gina’s arm and spun her toward him.

“Did you know Brando Nicolas runs a massive prostitution here in the country. And do you think I’d want to work with that kind of person?”

Gina struggled to get out of his grasp. Frustrated though, he let go of her hand to clench the steering wheel and look out the window.

Gina finally got out of his car, and she quickly took her bag which she put on the dashboard.

She did not leave yet, and instead she returned her gaze to him. “I think, when you trust someone,” Gina said in a calm tone. “You have to trust him completely.”

“I also think you might be late for your class.”

He winced as she slammed the door. He just hope she believes in his little alibi.

His gaze still followed Gina, until she entered the school building. He saw Agent Phoenix standing there, and he saw him in a geek disguise as he waved at him. So that’s when he calmed down. He started now the engine, needing to figure out where he can go from here.

*****