A Little Crush

IVOR

I admit, I was nervous. But I know there's no way to turn back now. I have the money in my bag, the guts and motivation on my mind. Three of the things I need on this new venture. It won't be easy, I am aware of that. who knows, I can even fail on this.

However, that's not the point. The main point here is that I am willing to be subjected to this risk. I'm thinking of this as a jump that only the brave does. It's something I know would give me a lesson someday. Deep down, I also know that if I don't do this now, I will only regret this later in my life. So I better jump.

I looked at Peter across my seat. He was eating hungrily as if he skipped breakfast this morning. The red spicy sauce was dripping on the right side of his mouth. I flinched for a second and then I found it to be amusing. One thing I can appreciate about Peter is that he never leaves. He already gave me his word that he's gonna be with me in this one but I still want to ask him. A confirmation of some sort.

"Peter… man, are you with me on this?"

He paused eating and placed the half-eaten chicken wing back on his plate. It landed on his pile of rice.

"what? Do you have any doubts now?"

Yeah, he already told me yes last time.

"nah. just… jittery?"

He laughed.

"don't be. I'm with you on this. I'm so in."

We did a fist bump with the chicken wings we were eating. That makes this a little bit lighter then. Because I am sharing it with someone. Not just someone, but with my best friend.

There was a television at the center of the place, it was huge and it was showing the news. Because the place wasn't crowded on that day, the sound of the television was heard all around the place. Looks like there was a rich people's gala of some sort in the city. Oh, at ManchesterVille Hotel and Events. There was a red carpet behind the newscaster, laid out for the elites to walk on. She was narrating what was happening there and I found out that it was an event for the biggest businessmen and women in the country. A bidding event for an orphanage. Hmm. That's sweet. At least these people may give their money for a good cause. Or maybe they have too much that they run out of ideas on what to do with the spare?

I was only absentmindedly looking when a familiar face zoomed in. Her. It was her. The woman I met on that beach trip. Dana. Wow. She looked… She looked gorgeous. Her silver dress hugged her body in the right places. She was smiling and waving at the camera. Isn't she the most beautiful thing on Earth? I was stunned. I can look at that face the whole day.

"who's that?" – Peter said, perhaps noticing her beauty as well

"that's… that's my inspiration, Peter. Someday I will be as successful as her."

Peter laughed. He must have forgotten the picture I shown him by now.

"you should hear yourself right now. I mean, I don't doubt you but man, the way you say those words…"

"what? I met her one time. this girl… she was amazingly beautiful and confident."

Peter realized something. At last.

"Oh, wait… right… that was her?! The one in the picture you keep ogling on?"

I nodded and smiled shyly. Ogling is such an overstatement. I wasn't ogling at her. I was admiring her beauty and strength. It's rare to find that in a person, especially to a rich girl. It was like finding a gem. She's also too admirable doing those things she does and excelling in them.

"that's her, man. And I will meet her someday."

"Whatever, Ivor. Just focus on your chicken."

Peter doesn't believe me but I will prove him wrong. Someday Dana and I will meet again. He'll see. As what he said, I focused on the remaining chicken wings on my plate. As what we've expected, it was flavorful and come in different flavors. The spices and herbs were exploding in my mouth.

"anyway, thank you for bringing me here, bro." – Peter said out of a sudden

"of course, who else would I bring?"

"right. your family's too far from here. lucky for me." – Peter was kidding and we both laughed.

We already consumed almost 5 platters of chicken when the television was shifted to the same channel a while ago. It was back to that event. this time, the reporter was already inside, narrating what was happening for the people. I guess this event's one of those huge and important ones. Why else would it be televised like this on public media?

"Ten dresses would be open for bidding for these businessmen and women! Check out all the hot bits from our channel, don't leave. So many exciting things are about to happen."

The woman in the place got the remote and was about to shift the channel when I suddenly stopped her.

"no, wait!"

Peter shushed me. I guess I said that too loud. I didn't mean to raise my voice though. The lady looked at me with a frown, and then put the remote down to the top shelf at the side of the door.

"thank you… ma'am."- I said, embarrassed but not sorry

"what's wrong with you?" – said Peter. It was barely a whisper.

"nothing… I just want to watch."

He gave me a confused look. If I were him, I would be doing the same. I don't know why I reacted that way too. I just… as what I said, I just wanted to watch.

And I did.

The camera was placed fronting the stage. The view was on there, and I watched it all. Until the amazing moment when she offered a dress for P100,000 and bought the other dresses as well.

Wow. That's all I have to say. Wow.