14th Kiss

"Hey Arianne, what's that? It smells so good!" Aries greeted me, attempting to snatch the food I brought. I clung to the bag like it held the secrets of the universe.

"Just some food," I replied.

"Is that for us?" Chito asked, reaching for the bag, but I sidestepped skillfully.

"Nope, not for you," I said. "Feeling lucky, are we?"

"If it's not for us, then who?" Aries asked and he looked at me suspiciously like he already knew who it was but was just waiting for confirmation from me.

"F-for Joseph," I stammered, avoiding eye contact. I didn't want them to see me; I planned to avoid them, but Aries caught me. I knew they'd interrogate me once they found out I cooked for Joseph.

“Trying to have a 'together again' moment?" Aries teased. Chito shot him a glare, making him stop.

"Arianne, why would you do that? Are you back together?" Chito raised an eyebrow. Hell no! I muttered to myself.

"No, not at all. Just expressing gratitude," I said.

"For what?" Chito crossed his arms over his chest, scrutinizing me like a hawk eyeing its prey.

"B-because he helped me when my illness acted up," I explained.

"Ah, can we have some, please?" Aries asked with a puppy look. I shot him a disgusted glance.

"Aries, stop it! Seriously! This is just for him, and you do not look cute," I said. He rolled his eyes at me.

"I thought you were done with each other. Why are you giving him food?" Aries inquired.

"Why do you care?" I retorted. He acted as if I just hurt his feelings and dramatically reported to Chito.

"Chito, look! Arianne is being mean to me," Aries exclaimed as if tattling on me. Chito shot me an annoyed look, but I just ignored it. I rolled my eyes again at how dramatic Aries is.

"Come on, you guys have a shift today, right? I will all leave you be. I'm leaving," I said, heading towards Joseph's clinic.

"We'll accompany you." I was about to protest, but seeing how serious Chito was, I decided to keep quiet. He tends to get loud when he's annoyed. Hah! If only you knew how much worse, he yelled at me back in college. I thought back then that Chito hated me so much because I am

dumb, but it turns out it was his way of pushing me to do better in school, which, of course, did help. Well, I graduated college.

So, I had no choice but to walk with them. Aries was chatty, as usual. Where were Nina and Vicky? We were almost at the clinic when I saw Joseph. He was walking as if he had gone somewhere and just returned. He was still in his uniform, probably still on duty.

"J-Joseph!" I called out to him. He immediately stopped and faced me. His gaze shifted coldly to Chito.

"Oh, I think someone's in a bad mood," Aries whispered. I elbowed him, and he went, Ow! rubbing his side.

"What?" he said coldly. I swallowed nervously. What's with him? He seems overly delighted to see me, note the sarcasm, but I'm used to it by now.

"Uhm, Joseph, I brought some food," I said, holding up the bag I carried. He squinted his eyes and raised an eyebrow.

"It seems like he does not want any, Arianne. Come on. Let us go," Chito said, attempting to pull me away, but I stood my ground while Joseph maintained his infamous poker face.

"What's your deal, Chito?" I said, standing firm. Chito fell silent on the side.

"What's that for?" Joseph asked me.

"It's to thank you for helping me during-"

"I'm your doctor, Arianne. It's my obligation to help you," he interrupted. Why is he like that? It feels like he's rubbing it in my face that I'm just his patient, and that's why he's helping me, but I didn't let his words bring me down. I smiled at him.

"But it's not that easy to go to me when I was in pain. If not for you, something bad might have happened to me. Thank you for guiding Kevin," I said. His face twisted with confusion.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Joseph said. That stopped me.

"Huh?" I asked in confusion. "Because Kevin told me that I called you, and-"

"You called me, Arianne," Chito interjected. I immediately turned to look at him, and then the realization hit me. Kevin lied to me!

"W-why did Kevin say that?" I stammered, feeling confused. I'm on the verge of tears, and I can't fathom why Kevin would do such a thing. The nerve of that guy!

"Who is Kevin?" Joseph asked. I don't know, but I sense some emotion in his voice that I can't quite grasp.

"Kevin was the one who accompanied me here that night, Arianne," Chito said. My heart sank at the revelation.

"Oh, okay," Joseph said. I couldn't speak anymore. I was stunned and then angry! Why did I easily believe that jerk? Why did I-- How embarrassing! I never expected that Kevin could lie to me like that. I walked away. I heard Chito and Aries calling me, but I'm too angry right now. What I

hate most is being made a fool. Yes, I'm dense, but still... how can he do this to me!? And he acts like he knew what happened that night. I marched outside the hospital. Someone suddenly grabbed my arm; it was Chito.

"Arianne, wait!" Chito said. His eyes softened when he saw the tears in my eyes.

"Why? How could your brother lie like that? It's infuriating! He made me look like a fool and in front of Joseph!" I said, clenching my fists. I want to give him the thrashing he deserves.

"Kevin is really like that," Chito said, sighing. He shook his head, clearly disappointed in his brother, much like me. "You can never trust his words, Arianne."

"Joseph might have thought something else about what I did earlier. He might think I still have feelings for him," I said.

"Don't you?" I fell silent at his question and looked at Chito. He smiled sadly at me.

"C-Chito..."

"I always want to save you. For me, Joseph is a monster. He's a beast that is always trying to hurt you. Until I realize that, in my desire to save you from him, I fell for you," Chito said. There was something peculiar about him saying that. I know that something changed. I couldn't quite

pinpoint what it was. "And then I realized it's not just about saving you, but I want to keep you for myself. Isn't that how it goes? You're a damsel in distress, and a prince must save you, but I forgot there's also Beauty and the Beast."

It seems like I know where this is heading. I couldn't shake off the feeling that something had changed. His hug, usually warm and comforting, felt different, as if there was a layer of unspoken sadness. I pulled away and looked into his eyes.

"Hey, what's going on?" I asked, concerned.

He hesitated for a moment, his gaze avoiding mine. "Arianne, there's something I need to tell you."

My heart sank. The atmosphere suddenly became heavy, and I braced myself for whatever he was about to reveal. I let him speak.

"Something happened between Vicky and me, Arianne," he suddenly confessed. Then it suddenly dawned on me why Vicky was avoiding us.

"What?!" I exclaimed in surprise.

"A-Arianne, I didn't mean to," he said. I stared at him. Maybe he saw the kind of look I was giving him, so he felt compelled to explain. "Okay, maybe I did. But... but..."

I hugged him suddenly. Ecstatic at his revelation.

"Chito, I'm so happy!" I said to him.

"Huh?"

"You have no idea how happy I am for both of you. I thought you didn't like Vicky?" I said.

"Uh, well... I didn't know?" he said. It was like he was confused yet relieved that I was not angry. Why would I be? Finally, Chito is starting to get to know someone else, but then...

"Don't tell me you told her you like me?!" I said, my voice raising at him. He flinched. I gasped. Oh, no! He did not!

"Well, yes, I told her I love you," he said honestly.

"Chito!" I exclaimed.

"Is that bad?" he asked. I winced a bit. That is more than bad. That is terrible.

"You had to ask!" I said. "I know I'm not the type you'd go for, not someone foolish like me, but you just acted like a jerk to Vicky, and you should apologize to her!"

He sighed. This must be why he was quiet for a few days now. He must have messed up badly.

"Seems like that's true, but we're still best friends, right?" he said. I pouted.

"I'm officially in the best friend zone," I teased him. He chuckled and shook his head.

"I will always be here for you," he said, giving me a tight hug. I returned his hug with a smile.

"But what's the connection of Beauty and the Beast in what you said earlier?" I asked curiously. He playfully flicked my forehead.

"Don't ruin our moment. Just hug me," he said. I did, but I think I saw someone. Is it Joseph? Impossible. My vision must be getting blurry.