Love Is Second Best — Chapter 39: DECISIONS

Carmella assisted Hope as they went inside their room. Carmella has no choice but to also get fine arts as her course because she wanted to support her half sister. Even if she wanted to be a lawyer in the making, she respected her decision since she has to give her care and support.

After all, she owed Hope her own life and happiness. It's now time to bring back all the favor her sister gave to her freely. She’s also assisting her in all the possible ways she could. From whatever personal concerns she might be needing up to the smallest details of that physical life she’s now limited of doing.

"Sis, have you experienced being in love?" Hope blushed as she asked her. She smiled as she pinched her cheek.

"Nope. I have to study. You know, priorities." She reasoned out, wanting to hide Adrian from her.

"Well, I have someone I liked the most when I had my sight way back then." She started. Carmella didn't understand the way her heart beat very fast. She's like never wanting to hear from her of what she wanted to say.

"Wow...so who is the lucky guy?"

"I haven't got his name dear. But I remembered he had a basketball game at school last time. He was the tallest member among the players." She said as she giggled.

Was it Adrian that she meant? Why, of all guys, why is it that it was Adrian?

"Hmmm...describe him to me. I might help you meet him, who knows?"

"Wow, really?" Her face lit up and she held her hands.

"Of course, sis. Kara had a lot of spy friends at school the last time. She could get a lot of information about that guy, you know."

"I will be very happy if I will meet my crush at last, Carmella!"

Hope was the happiest as she told Carmella about some details of Adrian. So it was really Adrian that she described after all. For the first time, after the author of their favorite book, it was Adrian whom she fell in love with. Why do they have to like the same guy at once? It's way too unfair for her to feel the same to the only guy that she loved the most for almost a year ago.

----

"Gosh, girl! Really? Why is it that my cousin is really a handsome guy? There are a lot of girls who wanted to meet him."

"Yeah...I guess I can't do anything about it."

"So, what do you plan to do?" Kara frowned as she looked at me. I wanted to cry in front of my best friend but I am just stopping myself. They were inside a coffee shop and it was so crowded someone might see her crying for no reason at all.

She's too hurt about what she had discovered. She thought that Adrian was the only one who could be with her when she felt all alone in life. But then when Hope came in, it was changed forever. Yes she has the sight but she could feel a deep hole inside her heart. She could feel that she's incomplete with the way situations could happen. It's as if everything is not liking her as a person, even her existence.

How she wished that she's a whole new different person. So that she could freely live her life without anyone or anything to worry about.

Kara followed what she instructed her to do. She gathered all the possible information about Adrian. She started to tell it to Hope. She could see that it made Hope very happy and excited day by day. While her? She's crying herself every night for the unfortunate destiny that she is experiencing. As days passed, she started to let go of every feeling she has with Adrian.

If father Leonard and her mother will know that she let go of Adrian for Hope, they will praise her for doing a great job. For considering the feelings of her half sister and for being selfless enough to let go, even if it is very hard for her.

"Carmella, you never know how happy I am because of what you're telling me." She giggled, almost gasping for air because of too much happiness and excitement.

She felt happy somehow that she caused this feeling to her half sister. She knew it's the least that she could do for her.

She is only stopping herself from crying so hard because of the decision that she's about to do. If Hope did not think twice about her love for her when that earthquake happened, then she has no right to think twice letting go of Adrian for Hope, too.

"I will do everything I can for you, sis." She hugged Carmella after what she heard from her.

"Thank you, Charm. It's the first time I ever felt this happy. All thanks to you, dear."

"I will always do what you want, dear. I will always be there for you because I love you."

"I love you too." She looked afar as if never meaning what she had said. However, Hope could not see her eyes. She knew that she couldn't even see her crying so hard at the moment. She knew she would make a decision that will change her life forever.

----

"Girl, Adrian told me that he will see you at your favorite restaurant." Carmella looked at her and said nothing.

"Can you hear me?" Kara added and she sighed with a heavy heart.

"Y-Yeah."

"He has a bouquet of roses, dear." Carmella looked at her as if she was analyzing what she said a while ago.

"Bouquet of roses?"

"Yeah, girl. That effort of my cousin. He's someone who wanted to show affection to someone that he liked so much."

"Alright. Please tell him I will see him there. Same time." Kara nodded and left. She took a deep breath and looked at her reflection on the mirror in front of her at that corner of the coffee shop.

She learned that they will be seeing each other at exactly four in the afternoon. She got ready. She put on her favorite dress and shoes. She made sure she would look good on their last date.

Yes. She promised herself that it will be the last date with the love of her life, Adrian. It's time for him to appreciate the love of Hope to her instead of what she could offer.

After all, it is impossible for her to be happy with Adrian when she knew to her conscience that Adrian is the only one that Hope also wanted in her life. Her father even mentioned to her that Hope didn't have any relationship even if they were in the states because she's also too busy and focused on her studies.

Now, it's her turn for her to give her what she wanted the most in her life, and that is Adrian.

----

"Hello, Charm..." Adrian cheerfully greeted her with a smile. Yes, Kara was right. He has a bouquet of Hopes with him. She could feel that this day is a bit special because she noticed that the food in front of them is a bit grand compared to their usual menu when they were dating.

"H-Hi," She answered in a timid manner. Adrian couldn't help but chuckle.

"What happened? How are you? Are you feeling alright?"

"Yeah. I am. Please don't mind me." She smiled at him.

Deep down, she could feel that she's the most beautiful and luckiest girl in the whole world because he's very handsome. She can't even believe why she's the only girl he's giving attention to.

"You know what, you looked more beautiful today. Your dress suits you very well."

"Thank you so much for the compliment. I thought you would not like it."

They looked at each other as if their eyes understood what their heart intended to tell each other.

"I invited you to this date because I have to tell you something."

"You're always telling me a lot of things. What's the difference now?" Carmella chuckled. Adrian held her hand and grip her tight as he looked into her eyes.

"I want to tell you and our plan about us."

"What?"

"You heard what I say, right?"

"Adrian, you know that I don't want to be in a relationship unless I am already a college graduate, right?"

He looked down and she could see his face suddenly got sullen. It's as if she never expected it for her to answer.

"Really? Don't you love me, Charm?" He finally dared ask.

She swallowed as she clenched both of her fists under the table. If only he knew she's been stopping herself from the possible breakdown that might happen. She has to be strong and tough not for herself the most but for the happiness of her sister.

She knew that if she refused him and his love, she could give Hope a chance to meet him and let him feel her love more than she could offer herself.

They ate in silence. Adrian even sends her to their front gate without Hope's parents knowing it.

"I'm so sorry. I guess I was just being unfair to you. I will not ever ask for it again."

"I could only offer friendship to you, Adrian. Hope you understood what I felt."

"Yeah. I am so sorry once again. This will be the last one."

As his car went away, Carmella couldn't hold her tears any longer. The things that happened today are too much to handle. If only she could have a choice of her own, she would gladly accept her offer. She would gladly accept his proposal to be his girl even for a lifetime. He was her first love and her first heartbreak as well. I guess nothing beats every first.

"I love you Adrian. If I will have to have another lifetime with only us, I would be glad to choose you again and again. I love you goodbye."