Nine: Trouble in Paradise?

*Jaco's POV*

Few days before Jaco called Chloe…

Buzz buzz

I checked my phone and I got a message from Andrew.

Dude, where are you?

Popoy and Dexter invited us to play basketball, wanna come?

I replied to Andrew's message.

At home...

Alright, what time?

Seconds, later, Andrew replied to my message.

4 p.m.

We finished playing basketball, and we went to our separate house. After Andrew changed his clothes, he went to my house to hang out.

Knock knock.

I heard someone knock on the door. "Mama, can you please open the door? It might be Andrew, thanks!" I said. I know Mom was in the living room watching tv with my other siblings.

"Good evening, Tita," I heard him greeted. "Is Jaco in here?" He added. I quickly changed my clothes and went out to my room.

"Dude!" I called. We both gave high five to each other.

"Have you had your dinner?" I asked.

"Nope," He says. "Alright, come join me," I offered. "Why are you the only one who hasn't eaten yet?" He asked. "They had their early dinner, and when I got home, all of them were almost finished eating," I casually said. We both went to the dining area and had our dinner together.

"Dude, let's go to the shore," Andrew suggested.

"Dude, how about we hang out at the shore?" Andrew suggested.

"Now?"

"Yeah,"

"Alright, give me a sec. I'll have to inform mama beforehand," I went to my parent's room and informed them where I was going. Lucky me, they allowed me to go out.

Andrew and I arrive at the shore. Minutes later, we are sitting on the sand while facing the sea and appreciating the waves. It was only the two of us staying at the shore at this hour. Andrew didn't bother to invite our friends to join us here, and I'm thankful that he didn't because I wanted to talk to him alone about something that's bothering me for quite a while now.

"Dude, I'm confused," I blurted out.

"Huh? Confused? For what? He asked non-stop and looked puzzled. I eyed him before I continued. "Chloe and Demi," I confessed and exhaled heavily.

"Dude," he tapped my shoulder. "Chloe's your past, while Demi is your present, why would you get confused?" He asked, sounding amused by my dilemma.

"Chloe's my first love. You know that." I reminded him.

"So, what if she's your first love? You guys broke up years ago, and I'm sure she moved on by now." He sighs, "You should focus on Demi," He added.

"Yeah, but―"

"Dude, don't tell me you still love, Chloe?" Andrew asked, looking amused. I eyed him. "You even know already. Why do you sound so surprised?" I annoyingly said. "Seriously, dude. I have no idea, and besides, I'm not Jaco, but you are," He said defensively. I shook my eyes.

"You know, sometimes I really wanna punch your face," My voice sounded annoyed, and he chuckled.

I shook my head.

"Dude, you have only seen Chloe one time, but you didn't even talk that much, so why are you confused?" Andrew asked curiously.

"That's the problem, Drew," I sigh, "I myself don't know too," I confessed. "I've been thinking this lately. I wanna see her again, maybe talk to her and make sure that I don't have any feelings for her."

(Andrew 'Drew')

"Then talk to her," He says. "Your problem is so easy, dude. You only make it complicated," He added.

"But what if Demi finds out? Drew, she'll be furious once she finds out what I'm planning," I said worriedly.

"Dude, Demi won't be furious nor get upset if you don't tell her," Andrew suggested.

"So now I'm gonna lie to my girlfriend?" I looked at him in disbelief.

"No, you're not lying to her. You only didn't inform her of that piece of information," Andrew explained.

"Sometimes, your advice worries me, dude," I muttered while he chuckled.

"Wait," He began.

"How will you talk to her? You didn't even know her number, and you blocked her on Fb as far as I can remember," He asked. I shook my head. "Who told you I didn't have her number?" I grinned.

"Really? You have?" He sounded surprised. "Chloe? You mean your ex, right?" He was looking at me, amused by what I just told him. I shrug.

"Technically, I didn't have it at first, but then Syd and I accidentally met at Starbucks," I said.

"Sydney happened," Andrew furrowed his brows, looking confused.

"I have known Syd since we were kids. Why would she give her cousin's number? We both know how much they adored each other. She wouldn't do that to her cousin without any reason,"

Andrew has a point. Sydney won't just give Chloe's number without reason. I sighed. I guess I have to tell Andrew about it.

"I kind of― mentioned something about her that I shouldn't have done in the first place," I confessed. Andrew eyed me warily.

"What did you tell her?" Andrew's voice sounded in a threatening manner. I scratched my head shyly. "Er… erm," I sigh, "I sort of― told Syd I was getting married to Demi," I confessed.

"What the hell!" He exclaimed. "Wait, wait―" He looked at me confused.

"You already propose to Demi?" He asked.

"No, not yet," I buried my face in my two hands. "You just fucking lied!" Andrew exclaimed. "I don't even have the ring yet," I confessed. "Dude, are you even serious about proposing to Demi? Do you see yourself getting married to her for the rest of your life? Marriage is a huge decision to make," Andrew explained.

"I know! I'm so screwed," I said, looking frustrated. "I don't know why I said it to Sydney in the first place,"

"The hell, Jaco!" Andrew exclaimed. "Why would you say something you aren't sure of?" He questioned. I removed my hands to my face and looked at Andrew. "I panic, okay?" I reasoned.

"Dude, that's the lamest excuse I've heard from anyone," He remarked. "You fixed your shit," He stood up and walked away, leaving me behind.

"Dude, where are you going?" I asked. "I'm leaving. Get your shit together," He said without looking back, and I shook my head.

"Great," I mumbled. Andrew's pissed at me.

Andrew's right. I should fix my problem by myself, and the first thing I'll do is talk to Chloe. I have to sort my feelings for her before it ruins my relationship with Demi. I'll talk to Chloe with or without Demi knowing.

It's now or never.

*Flashback*

Jaco Russ Davis is online on Facebook.

Jaco: Chloe

Chloe: Yeah?

Jaco: How are you?

Chloe: Good, and you?

Jaco: same.

You know, I still love u. I think I couldn't find another girl like you.

Chloe: Stop that Jaco, you're making me cringe. LOL.

Jaco: It's the truth. :( I decided I won't be having another relationship for now after ours, I'm scared it might be the same situation as we have before.

Chloe: Wow. You? Not in a relationship? Are you making me laugh? :P

Jaco: Yeah, I know it's hard to believe. I'll wait for you.

Chloe: If I find out you have a new relationship a few months later, I'll let you see this conversation to remind you what you said to me. LOL

Jaco: You have a new boyfriend?

Chloe: Nope. lol

Jaco: Liar! Btw, I saw you and James exchange comments on your post. I'm jealous!

Chloe: HAHAHAHAHAHA

You, saw it?

Jaco: Yeah, I did. I got worried after I read it.

Chloe: HAHAHAHA

You should comment on it. kidding!

Jaco: I was gonna block you, but.. nevermind.

Chloe: You're cute, but you're overreacting haha.

-----

Jaco: How are you?

Chloe: I'm fine, why?

Is it your birthday today?

Jaco: I just wanted to check on you, you might be not okay.

tomorrow's my birthday.

Chloe: Why? Am I not okay? haha

Jaco: I saw your post haha. Anyways, I just wanna get your attention. I saw you awhile ago then I realized how much I miss you. :(

Chloe: Liar!

Jaco: It's true. Why did you call me a while ago? Haha When I turned around for the first time, I saw… is your smile. When I saw you, I lost it... I couldn't think straight after that.

Chloe: Well you avoided me. Whenever you pass by Nana's house you avoid looking at the veranda haha. I was messing with you when I called you a while ago.

Jaco: Lol. I wonder why all of the sudden you called me. Then, when I look at where we had a date near the shore last year, I couldn't help but miss you more.

Chloe: You won't even talk to me whenever we see each other in San Juan. You avoided me like I'm some kind of plague haha.

Jaco: If I tried to talk to you, you might get scolded by your Dad.

Chloe: Yeah, you're right.

Jaco: I didn't see you at the Flores de Mayo in San Juan?

Chloe: Aweee! You were looking for me? haha

I have worked... my internship.

Jaco: Of course! Ever since we broke up, I couldn't find another girlfriend.

------

"Jaco?"

I looked up, and I saw Stacy, one of my group of friends, standing near me.

"What are you doing here" Stacy sits beside me. "Just thinking,"

"Trouble in paradise?" She teased.

"Sort of,"

"Do you want to talk about it? I'm a good listener," Stacy offered. I shook my head, "Thanks for the offer Stacy, but I'll just keep it to myself for the time being," I smiled faintly.

"Alright, I understand," She smiled.

I don't usually open up to my other friends. They know who I'm dating, but they really don't know what I'm feeling. Only Andrew and Dave know, after all, they're my best buddies.

I was standing ready to leave when Stacy spoke.

"Is it about Chloe? I've heard she's back."

I froze but quickly recovered from what she said. "I'll see you around, Stacy,"

I left her at the shore without answering her question.