Heart Attack

LANCE POV

I left them in the restaurant and I went up in the rooftop. Not everyone knows that I live here, only Jam and Cole knows about it. If my friends know that I live here, then my place will be filled with drunk people every night. I just want to be by myself at home to have peace and quiet. I want my place to be relaxing where in you have nothing else to worry about when you’re here and there are no other people to disturb you.

With the kind of work that I do, I get to meet and talk to different people every day. I have to talk all day in our meetings in the office. Oh, I forgot to say, I’m also an Operations Manager of a computer brand here in the Philippines. I have been with the company for five years. I started as an office staff but because of my hard work and dedication, I easily got promoted in the span of five years. Now, would you still blame me if I would like some peace and quiet when I’m at home? I’ve been living alone for a long time since my mom passed away when I was 22. My Dad is in Davao managing our family business. It has been a long time since we’ve talked to each other and the last time was just a lot of arguing. I have a brother and he’s already engaged trying to start a new family.

I can’t help but think about what Jam and Cole said even though they always say the same thing again and again. But is it possible? I don’t think so. I think it’s impossible that when you first see someone, you would already know that person will be the love of your life. I believe that you have to develop your feelings towards each other first. I don’t also think that it’s possible that when you see that person, everything’s in slow motion and everything just disappears and you can only see her and hear your heartbeat. Also, they said that you’ll get butterflies in your stomach. These are all cliches and that’s why I don’t believe them. I think they’re watching too much romantic comedy movies.

They always say… “You know what Lance, you’re too serious when we ask for advice. You always say the right words. Why don’t you apply it to yourself using your heart?”

My automated response would be… “My heart? It has shut down for a long time already. It’s as hard as a stone and cold as ice.”

It’s a Saturday night and I’m about to take a shower cause for sure the bar is going to be packed tonight and a lot of my friends are going to come and party. My phone rang and I answered it.

“Yo! What’s up? Miss me?” trying to sound cool.

“Hey! Where are you?” Lara asked. She’s one of my close friends since high school.

“Home and I’m taking a shower! Want to do some FaceTime?”

“Shut up! You’re really silly! Anyway, we’re going to the bar tonight. I’m bringing my friend Natalie cause she’s got a blind date.”

“What? Natalie has a blind date? I thought Natalie is mine, what about me?” I was trying to sound surprised and hurt.

“Hey Lance! You’re on loud speaker and I can hear you. So, I’m your type now? Please be there and don’t be jealous with my blind date. I miss you!” said Natalie.

Well, I don’t like her like what you’re thinking. But actually, she’s my type… Morena, petite, and of course beautiful. Those are the physical features of my exes…. except someone. Anyway, change of topic. Natalie is just a friend and that’s all. I never have any romantic feelings for my friends.

“I don’t want to! I might get heart broken again.” I continued to tease Natalie

“My gosh Lance, if you would just court me and tell me you like me, then we can be together already.” Natalie continues.

She’s really hilarious. Well, a few months ago Natalie confessed that she likes me. Actually, she was straight when I met her. But since we were always together, she got confused and she wants to have a relationship with a girl. Not expecting that, I hurt her. I guess I gave her some hope and she thought that I like her. But it was just really friendship for me. And all my friends thought that Natalie could be the one to melt my heart, but that did not happen.

“Dream on, girl! Anyway, I gotta take a shower now so that you’ll drool over how good looking I am later when you see me and leave your blind date.” We laughed and hang up the phone.

I put my phone in the speaker and the song Tonight is the Night by Outasight is blasting in by bathroom.

After taking a shower, I feel such good vibes for tonight. I’m energized and I don’t know why. I was in here for about two hours and I guess my two best friends are already having a good time in the bar. And I guess Lara, her girlfriend, and Natalie are also there with her blind date already.

Lara is kind of the PR of the bar. She brings some new people over the bar every Saturday. I’m not complaining cause she always brings in beautiful ladies in the bar.

I went down through my personal access elevator. I’m the only one who has access on this elevator and it is encoded with a passcode so that no one would mistakenly come to my rooftop house. The access this elevator has is going through my office in the bar and the basement parking where all my car and bike collection are. I went through my office and went out to the bar, and I was right they are already here.

“What took you so long? The place is already crowded and seems like most are girls. I think it’s time to look for a new love.” Jam was shouting since the music is blasting around us.

“Is tonight the night? You’ll never know. Go!” said Cole.

My best friends are really crazy. They always have this mission… MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: Melt the Frozen Heart.

I went around the bar and saw Lara with her girlfriend and even Natalie is already there with her blind date. He’s a hot guy and Natalie looks really happy with a big smile on her face. But wait, I think I see another person at their back. Did Lara bring someone new again?

But wait… Why can’t I hear anything all of a sudden when I see her approaching? Where’s the music? Is the sound system broken?

Wait, where’s all the people? It was so crowded a while ago and now it’s like there’s just the two of us.

All I see is her.

She looked at me and smiled.

My stomach hurts. Feels like some butterflies are getting crazy and wanted to have a party in my stomach.

And… this has not happened for a long time…

After five years… I heard something really loud again…

TUG DUG TUG DUG TUG DUG TUG DUG TUG DUG TUG DUG TUG DUG TUG DUG!!!!!!!

Was that my heart? Why is it beating this loud again? What’s with tonight? What’s happening? Am I going crazy? Am I having a heart attack?

And who’s this girl?