BUT ONLY LOVE CAN TELL

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Marinel's POV

WHEN I GOT HOME, Veronica greeted me with a look. I just rolled my eyes at her and waved at Enzo before his car finally disappeared from my view.

"You want some ice? Your eyes are melting," I teased Veronica.

"Ha-ha-ha!" she laughed sarcastically.

"What does it mean that he dropped you off, huh?" I sat on the sofa and took off my socks.

"We’re just friends. And besides, I’m helping him with my cousin. Turns out, Moana is his ex-girlfriend," I explained.

She placed the bowl of jampong noodles on the table in front of me.

"Really? And you agreed to that? I mean, you’re okay with it?" I nodded.

"Come on, Marinel! That kind of setup always ends up a mess!" she ranted, popping chips into her mouth.

"Why would it be a mess? I just want to help. It’s like repaying the favor he did for us, right? And I’m totally fine with it. I don’t have any feelings for Enzo. Why would I say no?" I defended myself.

She rolled her eyes at me.

"You don’t, huh? Well, I’m just saying—I don’t support what you’re doing. I just hope you won’t regret it. Because I'll be afraid if that day comes. You’ll be the one who’ll get hurt. That’s why I’m against it," she said with a long sigh and grabbed more chips. I winced at her rant.

"I just want to help," I replied and started eating the noodles.

"It’s not wrong to help, but not all help you give comes without a price," she added, rolled her eyes again, and walked into her room.

I sighed. Is it really wrong? Or maybe it’s just right? Ugh, I don’t know!

Calvin Enzo POV

"Busy fixing up, huh?" Andy suddenly greeted me.

I was putting on my t-shirt.

"We have somewhere to go," I said while tightening the laces on my rubber shoes.

"Nice! Is it Ms. Universe?" he asked, grinning. I frowned.

"Not her, it’s Moana," I corrected him.

He pouted and sat on my bed.

"What’s with that face?" I asked.

"Hmm? Nothing for you, but I’m affected, bro! I feel bad about the flowers you keep sending her. She just throws them away," he said.

I shook my head, sat beside him, and messed up his hair.

"I can’t give up on her, not now that Marinel is helping me. At least, I should try," I replied.

"Don’t worry about me. I can handle this," I assured him.

"Bro, seriously! Go live a happy life, not like this." I gave him a light punch on the shoulder.

"Haha! Yuck! Alright, I get it. I’ll be fine," I said with a laugh.

I stood up and lightly tapped his shoulder.

"I have to go."

I quickly went down from my unit and headed straight to my car. I dialed Marinel’s number.

"Hey Nel? Where are you guys?" I asked.

"Oh? We’re at the park right now. I’ll take care of covering for my cousin. She just went to buy something for a bit," she said on the other end of the line.

I smiled. I felt excited.

"Okay, I’m on my way now," I said and ended the call.

I headed straight to the park Marinel mentioned. I hope this will work out.

Marinel's POV

I quickly hid my phone in my bag when I saw my cousin walking toward where I was sitting.

"Problem?" she asked with a smile as she handed me the burger she bought from a nearby food stall in the park.

"Thanks," I replied shortly.

I was so nervous, I don’t even know why! I stood on tiptoes to check if Enzo had already arrived at the place we agreed on.

"Nel? Are you waiting for someone?" My cousin nudged me.

"Ah? Yes," I answered, my eyes still scanning the park entrance.

My heart leaped with joy when I spotted Enzo’s car pulling up right in front of us. It felt like time stopped and everyone around me faded into the background. The moment the car door opened and his foot stepped out, my heart started racing like a car in a race. Then he got out completely. He was wearing a blue t-shirt, cargo pants, and rubber shoes. His ridiculously handsome face just made my jaw drop. But his gaze wasn’t on me—it was on my cousin sitting beside me. My heart felt like it was being squeezed from the sudden sting. I shook my head.

"What is wrong with you, Nel!" I whispered to myself.

"Nel!?" Moana snapped me out of my daze.

"Huh?" I answered, still out of it.

"What the hell is he doing here?!" she asked sharply, trying to keep her voice down.

I calmed myself and pretended like I knew nothing about whatever history they had.

"Why? We just have something to take care of later after this," I lied. She seemed taken aback.

"Okay," she replied, unsure.

"Nel?" Enzo called.

I waved at him, and he quickly came over.

"Hi?" Enzo greeted my cousin with a big smile.

"Hi," she replied.

Her face showed that she was just forcing herself to be polite. And I felt like an i***t trying not to look at Enzo for too long. Maybe I really am going crazy. I straightened up in my seat.

"Enzo, could you stay here for a while? I just need to buy something," I said as an excuse to leave them alone.

I didn’t even wait for Enzo to respond. I immediately walked away. Once I was sure they weren’t watching, I hid behind a big tree. From where I stood, I could still see them. They looked a little awkward at first, but soon enough, they were talking. I leaned against the tree, trying to soothe the pain in my chest. It felt like I couldn’t breathe.

Then my phone rang, and I quickly pulled it out of my pocket.

"Oh? What made you call?" I answered. It was Veronica on the other line.

"How’s the matchmaker doing?" she asked teasingly.

"Tsk! Well, they seem to be doing okay," I replied, sneaking another glance at Enzo and Moana.

"Are you really sure about what you’re doing, Nel?" Veronica asked seriously.

"Of course," I replied briefly. I heard her sigh.

"Nel, I’m worried about you. You’ve never been through something like this. You’re not Wonder Woman. Did you even listen to the advice I gave you? Not all help needs to be paid back. Sometimes, a simple ‘thank you’ is enough," she said with a long rant.

"Nica, come on. Let me do this. I just really want to help," I defended myself. I could hear her stomping in frustration.

"Ugh! Fine. Take care over there. Go home early—you still have class tomorrow," she reminded me.

"Okay," I replied softly and ended the call. I let out another deep sigh.

I stood up and brushed myself off. I walked back to where they were.

"Nel, what took you so long?" my cousin asked.

"Veronica called me," I said.

"Come on. Let’s have some snacks," Enzo offered.

"No, but thanks. I’ll head out first," my cousin suddenly cut in.

"But…" I tried to object.

"I’ll go ahead, Nel," she said again and quickly walked away. I just let out a heavy breath.

"What happened?" I asked.

Enzo ran his hands over his face.

"We talked, but she kept rejecting me," he answered. I sat beside him.

"Is it okay if I ask why?" I asked gently.

I didn’t want to pry too much either. He nodded.

"She really doesn’t want me anymore, Nel."

I could see the deep sadness in his eyes, and it made me feel angry inside. What’s really Moana’s problem? I just couldn’t understand her. I patted Enzo’s shoulder.

"Let’s keep trying," I said encouragingly. He looked at me.

"Thank you," he said softly. Then he suddenly stood up.

"Let’s not ruin the day. Come on," he said and suddenly grabbed my hand.

I stood there, totally flustered, not knowing what to do.

"Wait a second, Enzo," I tried to stop him, but he just smiled at me.

I looked down, embarrassed. I felt awkward with what he was doing. I glanced around us. Damn it! Everyone here was in couples, and some even had their kids with them. I didn’t see any group of friends hanging out.

"Nel? Want some ice cream?" he asked while walking backward, facing me.

"Uh, yeah," I replied briefly.

He smiled and started walking properly again. I let out a sigh of relief. He was still holding my hand, and it was making me uncomfortable. I knew it was just a normal handhold, but it had a huge effect on me. I felt like I couldn’t breathe. A sudden breeze carried the strong scent of Enzo’s cologne.

"Nel, what flavor do you want?"

"Axe," I blurted out absentmindedly.

Enzo and the ice cream vendor burst out laughing. I frowned. Did I say something weird?

"Nel, are you sure? There’s no such thing as axe-flavored ice cream," he said, chuckling again.

"Cheese, purple yam, and chocolate only, sir," the vendor chimed in.

I flinched. Crap! Did I really say “axe”? I smacked my forehead and gave an embarrassed smile. I wanted to disappear into the ground.

"Chocolate, please," I muttered with my head down.

You i***t, Nel! Daydreaming again! Blame his cologne! That stuff is intense—it’s still stuck in my nose. He handed me the ice cream.

"By the way, Nel? My body spray is Axe," he added with a teasing grin that made me want to scream.

My eyes widened. I turned my back on him and shut my eyes tightly. Oh my God, how embarrassing!