Eight: Do You Still Love Her?

*Jaco's POV*

A few weeks later, I found out Chloe came back from Canada. Now, I went to the city to visit my older sister, Jessica. She told me to meet up with her at Starbucks, I.T Park. It was the only nearest coffee shop you could find near her workplace.

I arrived at Starbucks, checked the time on my phone, and I was right on time. I looked around, but there's no Jessica inside the Starbucks. I ordered my drink before taking a seat where she could easily find me and texted her.

Hi Sis! I'm here at Starbucks.

Where are you?

You're late. :(

―Jaco.

Buzz buzz

My phone rang, I looked at my screen, and it was Jessica calling me.

"Hey, sis. You're late," I said in a bored manner.

"Hey, baby bro." Jessica greeted timidly. "Yes, I know. I'm sorry," Jessica whispered yell on the other line.

"Where are you?" I asked.

"Umm, about that, bro." She began. "I'm still at the office and almost done," She assured Jaco.

"Almost?"

"Yeah, almost. Around 30-40 minutes,"

"What? Jess, that's too long," I whined.

"Sorry, baby bro, it's important, and I have to finish my work," She explained. I sighed, "Fine, fine, but make it fast," I said.

"I will, Bye!"

Jessica ended the call before I could say anything to her. I drank my coffee and opened my Facebook app on my phone, but minutes later, I got bored scrolling and ended up taking out my earphones. I opened my Spotify app and listened to my playlist.

I was waiting for Jessica to arrive while enjoying listening to 'It girl' by Jason Derulo until someone tapped my shoulder. I looked up, and I surprisingly saw Sydney standing in front of me. I paused the song and removed my earphones. I stood up and greeted Sydney.

"Hey Syd," We hug briefly.

"Hey Jaco," She greeted back.

"What are you doing here, Jaco?" She asked.

"I'm meeting with Jess, but she's running late due to work," I explained. "What about you?" I asked.

"Oh, I'm just waiting for my boyfriend, Carl, and I got here pretty much earlier than I expected," She rolled her eyes. I chuckled.

"How rude of me. Please sit with me while you wait for Carl," I offered.

"Sure, I will. We have plenty of things to catch up on," Sydney eye me teasingly, "but I have to order my coffee first," Sydney grinned.

"Please, have a seat. I'll order it for you. What do you want?"

"Thank you for your offer, but I can manage it by myself,"

"I insist," I said.

"No, it's fine, Jaco." Sydney smiled before she left towards the counter.

I sip my coffee while I wait for Sydney to come back to our table. Minutes later, she comes back holding a tray with two coffees and muffins on it. Sydney placed the tray on the table before she took a seat across from me.

"How are you, Jaco?" Sydney began.

"I'm good," I smiled. It suddenly got awkward.

"It's awkward, right?" Sydney laughed, and I joined. "It's been a while we got to hang out like this,"

"Yeah, how long was it?"

My laugh fades away when I remember when was the last time I got to hang out with Sydney.

"Oh, I remember! It was four years ago," Sydney said excitedly.

"When Chloe and I are still together," Sydney smiled faintly.

"What about you, Syd? How are you for the last four years?" I asked, changing the subject.

"Never been better," She sips her coffee, "I'm just happy, Carl and I were able to keep our relationship strong and faced problems together over the years."

"Good to hear that, Syd." She smiled. "Honestly, you two are perfect for each other," Sydney chuckled. "Stop it, Jaco. You're making me blush!" We laughed.

"It's the truth. I always admired you guys as a couple even before,"

"Thanks, Jaco. It takes a lot of effort and trust to be able to stay in a long-lasting relationship,"

"Indeed," She smiled, and I sip my coffee.

"Do you miss her?"

I'm on the verge of sipping my coffee but got caught off guard by what Sydney says.

I froze.

Do you miss her?

Do I?

Sydney just boldly asked me about her cousin. Well, she's not beating around the bush. That's Sydney we all know.

"Who?"

I asked innocently and let her think I have no idea who she's referring to.

"Are you for real, Jaco?" Sydney rolled her eyes. "You seriously gonna ask me that?" She eyed me teasingly. "Don't give me that crap, Jaco. We both know who I'm referring to," She smirked.

I don't know what to say, or maybe I do, but I'm just scared to admit it to myself. I shrugged and exhaled heavily, "Yeah― I-I missed her," I averted at Sydney's prying eyes and gazed outside as I confessed.

"I've heard you two were able to catch up a little when she was in San Juan?" I turn my gaze at Sydney, looking surprised. "Yeah, we did," I was looking at Sydney, and I can sense she wants more to ask about her cousin, but she was hesitating. "Spill it, Syd." I let her know that it's okay to ask questions about her cousin. "What do you want to ask?" I chuckled.

I sip my coffee while waiting for her to speak. Sydney arch her brows. Like it was asking permission if I was hundred percent okay with it, and I nodded, signaling her to go on.

"Do you still love her?"

I smiled weakly. Do I?

"I still do… I really do, but…" I can feel a pang in my heart. God knows how much I love her. Syd gave me a confused look, "But, what?" She asked. "I'm with someone now, and we're getting married," She was stunned by my confession.

"What the hell, Jaco?!"

"Aren't you gonna congratulate me?" I teased.

"I-I mean, congrats on your engagement, Jaco! It's just that―"

"What?"

"Well, I wasn't aware you were already in a relationship now," Sydney explained.

"Now, you know," I chuckled.

My phone vibrated on the table, alerting the two of us that I got a message. I glanced at my phone;

"Is that her?"

I glanced at Sydney, but she was already looking at my phone.

I nodded.

I smiled at Sydney. I quickly reply to my girlfriend's message and turn off my phone.

"How long, Jaco?"

Syd's face looks like she was hurt and feeling betrayed. I don't blame her. She's been very supportive, Chloe and I's relationship from day one.

"Months after Chloe decided to break up with me for good," She gasped.

"Four freaking years?!" She whispered yell. The look on her face was sad and disappointed, but why does she look sad? Sydney should be happy that I found someone after Chloe. I mean, Chloe moved on, right? She broke things off between us. "I love my girlfriend, Syd." I blurted out.

"More than you love, Chloe?"

From that moment, it got me thinking hard. I sure love my girlfriend, Demi, but do I love her more than Chloe or the latter?

"I...I-I don't know, Syd."

I averted my gazes at Sydney because I was ashamed and embarrassed. I hate to admit it to myself or anyone, but I don't know. All I know is that I both love them.

Our conversation was interrupted when Carl arrived at the Starbucks. Carl and I both greeted each other and chatted for a few minutes while Sydney silently listened to us.

The couple decided to leave. Carl left first to get the car while Sydney stayed behind. She stood up, "Please don't hurt my cousin nor give her any false hope, Jaco." Her voice sound worried, and exhaled heavily, "I'm doing this because I love my cousin, and you're my friend,"

Sydney handed over a small piece of paper to me. I arch my brows, looking confused. When I didn't reach for it, Sydney forcefully placed it on my palm hand.

"I wish that by giving it to you, it will help you find the answer you were looking for,"

When I was about to ask her what's on the paper, she already left.

I exhaled deeply and eyed the paper. I was debating to myself whether I should open it or throw it away.

"Hey, baby bro!"

I looked up, and Jessica was standing near my table. I quickly hide the paper under my phone.

"Hi, sis!" I gave her a brief hug. Jessica placed her bag on the table.

"I'll order my coffee. What do you want? It's on me,"

"No, you stay here. I'll order it for you," I was trying to get up from my seat, but Jessica stops me. "No, it's okay. What do you want?"

"I'm good,"

"All right, there's a cute barista over there that needs my charm," She winks and leaves. I shook my head as I saw my sister walking towards the counter.

I drank my coffee in one gulp and got the courage to open the small paper that Sydney gave me.

Chloe Grace Montes

+639*********