Trust Fall

By Juvie Penohermoso

"Love could tear your heart apart and smash your trust in half but it's also love that

will bring it back to life."

"Love could tear your heart apart and smash your trust in half but it's also love that

will bring it back to life."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ukiyoto Publishing
• Release date: Oct 27, 2023
• ISBN: 9789361729423

Book preview

Chapter 1

Jules

W

e were still a few miles away from our destination when my best friend Miah said, Jules, I have to tell you something. I looked at her but her eyes were focused on the road.

We were on our way to my family’s rest house in Subic. We will be staying there until my older sister’s wedding on Saturday. We decided to go there seven days prior to help keep things in order before the wedding day.

What is it? I looked at her as I waited for her to speak.

You and Lucas were okay, right?

Lucas.

It feels weird to even hear his name after quite such a long time.

Yes. I lied. I mean, yes, we were okay but I don’t think I’m ready to see him again even though it has been 3 years since we broke up. Why?

I wanted to surprise Jill at her wedding so I invited Lucas.

Really… My heart pounds slowly by the thought of seeing him. Good. I faked a smile. I’m sure Jill will be very happy to see him on her special day. It’s been a while after all. I tucked a few strands of my hair behind my ear as my anxiety started kicking in. So, What did he say when you invited him? Is he going to come?

Even though I wanted my sister to be happy with Miah’s surprise, I wish that Lucas wouldn’t be able to come.

I’m so into the thought of seeing Lucas again that I didn’t notice we were in front of the rest house.

Whose car is that? I asked Miah when I saw a white sedan car parking in the driveway. 

I know that we put the house up for lease last year and changed our minds a month ago. Nobody has inquired with us since then so who could possibly be here right now? Miah stopped the car and picked up her phone.

It’s probably Lucas. I didn’t know that he texted me that he was already here. My heart beat triple times knowing that I’d be seeing Lucas now and not on the wedding day itself.

Lucas is here? I feel cold sweats forming at the back of my neck.

Yes. She said, smiling so wide as she removed her seatbelt.

He’s here…Does it mean he's gonna stay here with us until the wedding day? I asked Miah though I already knew the answer, It just wouldn’t sink in.

Yes. Don’t you like it? Yes. I want to say but she’s so happy and it was never right to make others feel bad for being happy over something.

I can already imagine what a stressful week it’s going to be. At least for me as his ex-girlfriend.

We’re going to spend a week with our friend we haven’t seen for quite such a long time. She shrieked before getting down the car.

I understand that we haven’t been with Lucas for quite such a long time and even though he’s my ex-boyfriend he’s still part of our friendship square (as we call it) but to be with him for a week under the same roof? I don’t know if I could last long. But what should I do? He’s already here and as much as I don’t want him to be here, I am not as evil as it is to kick him out.

Miah came down from the car to welcome Lucas but I stayed in the car.  I expected this thing to happen and I always prepared myself for this but I guess there are things we’ll never really be ready for. It will never be easy to face a past lover and the reason behind why I cannot be who I wanted to be anymore.

While inside the car, I watched as Miah walked to Lucas’s car and from there, Lucas came out and they hugged each other.

He still looks the same even if 3 years have passed. I think he just grew a bit taller and his body looks more fit now than it was when we were in high school but he still looks the same. He’s still handsome like before and still giving that Boy-Next-Door vibe.  His white pale skin still matches his jet-black hair.

My heart raced as I watched them walk in my direction.

Jules, Let’s go inside! Miah shouted. 

I took a deep breath before I pushed the car door open.

Hi, Jules! Lucas greeted me with his usual polite smile. Anyone would fall in love if they didn’t know what kind of a person he is.

It’s been years since I’ve  been this close to him. I used to love those brown eyes of his but now I hate it more than ever.

It’s been a while. I missed you. He said as he hugged me but I didn’t hug him back. I can’t even last long standing here in front of him, what more of being close to him.

It was nice to see you again. I hope you enjoy your stay here. I gave him a smile that only a fool would believe that it’s real. I’ll go in first. I walked past him and headed inside the house.

It has been 4 years since we broke up and I know I've already moved on but I can’t deny that I am still affected by his presence. I guess the saying first heartbreak can’t be forgotten was as true as the saying first love never dies.

I went straight to the kitchen to drink water. My dry throat suddenly craved for water, and I suddenly felt the crop top I’m wearing was too tight for me.  I tied my short-length hair into a ponytail.

When I saw Lucas, our memories together started rolling in like movie credits.

Jules? What do you want to eat? Miah speaks behind me so I turned around to face her. I didn’t notice that she followed me here to the kitchen.

I’m not hungry, Miah. I said with a smile not reaching my eyes.

I want to get mad at Miah for inviting Lucas but I can’t. Miah and our other friend Theo  didn’t know that Lucas and I were really not okay with each other and it was Lucas and I’s fault because we made a decision to pretend we were fine for the sake of the friendship square. I have to understand that my issue with Lucas has nothing to do with Miah wanting nothing but the best things for my own sister’s wedding. All she wanted was to invite one of the very few important people in Jill’s life to her wedding this Saturday. I am suffering right now because of Lucas’ presence. Not because of her but because of me.

What? But we haven’t eaten since we left Manila. She walks at me and clings onto my arm. Tell me, What do you want to eat? I’ll order any food you want. My treat. She said, flashing me her cute smile. I could clearly see in her black round eyes how happy she is right now and I couldn’t even be more happier for her.

I am not really hungry, Miah.

Are you sure? You don’t want pizza? Or Carbonara? That was your favorite, right?  If I am still the Jules he met 4 years ago, I’d be giggling at the fact that Lucas still remembers my favorite food but I’m no longer her now.

I’m really not hungry. I told Miah. Ignoring what Lucas said. Go ahead, buy yourself some food. Don’t worry about me.

Okay. She turned to Lucas. 3 boxes of pizza would be okay for us, right? Miah asked Lucas and he nodded.

Wait, Why 3 boxes? Are we still expecting someone to come? Now I’m starting to doubt if this house was really my house or Miah’s house.

We all turned our heads to the window in the kitchen area when we heard honking sounds. A black SUV pulled over the driveway just behind Lucas’s car.

He’s here! Miah said, then she excitedly ran outside to welcome whoever it was. She even bumped Lucas on the shoulder.

Who’s that? I asked Lucas even though I don’t want to talk to him. I just feel like he knew who it was since he didn’t seem to look shocked.

She didn’t tell you? She didn’t even tell me that you were coming. I almost say. It’s Theo. She invited her too to the wedding.Lucas answered me.

I thought that man didn’t know us anymore. I said in full sarcasm.

It’s been 4 years since we’ve last seen Theo. After our high school graduation, he left for college in London. We do have constant communication with him and he never missed to join our scheduled video call session quarterly for the past 4 years but he never opens his camera. He doesn’t have social media accounts too so we are all totally clueless of what he looks like now.

Don’t you want to go outside? It’s been 4 years since we’ve last seen him. Lucas asked me.

I slowly shake my head. Nope. You go. I’ll just stay here. Lucas left me and followed Miah outside.

From the window, I watched as Theo parked his car. I’m so excited to see him. I’ve been dying in curiosity of what he looks like now. Does he still have that bad boy aura? How tall is he now? Is his hair still dark blonde? I remember when he told me when we were in high school that he wanted to dye it to black because he wanted to maintain the bad boy look. Well, let’s see how much he changed.

I picked up the glass of water and drank from it while waiting for him to get down from his car. And as he got off, I almost threw up the water in my mouth. Holy moly! Is this guy I’m seeing right now with my own two eyes really Theo? My best friend Theo? When did he become…this sexy? He was wearing his complete pilot uniform and was wearing black aviator sunglasses. Oh God. He looks so handsome.

Jules! Theo is here! Miah shouted from the outside and I wanted to thank her for bringing me back to reality.

I didn't respond so they walked towards the house. My heart races as butterflies start flying in my stomach.

Where is Jules? I heard Theo asked them. When did his voice get that deep? It wasn’t like that 4 months ago when we had video calls. Or it just hits differently because I know how he looks like now? What other changes in him have occurred? I wonder if his feelings for me have changed too.

I think she’s still in the kitchen. Miah answered him. Lucas, join me for the pizza delivery outside. Miah said to Lucas and I saw them leave the house.

I heard Theo’s footsteps coming. I made myself busy so it wouldn’t be obvious that I’m waiting for him.

Hey. He greeted me with a warm smile. He leans on the door frame with his hands in his pocket.

He looked so good in his pilot uniform and he’s so freaking tall! Does he have his insoles on or is he really this tall now? And his eyes. I could clearly see his dark blue eyes even when I was standing here a few steps away from him. Those were the eyes that easily made the girls swoon back in the days and I believe still now.

Hi. Long time no see. I replied. Can’t he stop staring at me with those lovely blue eyes? It’s making my knees go weak.

It feels like he heard what’s inside my head, He stopped staring at me but he walked towards me and gently pulled me in for a tight hug. I can hear his heart beating and I find it endearing. I guess being 5-foot tall somehow was a good thing.

I missed you so much, Jules. He smells so good.

I…I missed you too, Theo. Why am I getting nervous around him? He’s your best friend, Jules! I told myself. Yes. A best friend that has been very vocal about his romantic feelings for me.

He pulled away from the hug and he put his hands on my shoulders. He leaned forward so our faces could be on the same level.

I was thinking…Did I really just grow so tall or you just didn’t grow at all? What he said made my mood shift 360 degrees.

I took his hands off of me. Hey, I was just joking. He let out a chuckle as he held my hand and gently pulled me again for a tight hug but I gently pushed him away.

I was about to tell you that you look handsome in your uniform but never mind.

He flashes me a radiant smile. I’m just joking. It doesn’t matter to me if you don’t grow tall, You’re still cute in my eyes. He held me in my elbow and gently pulled me again for a tight hug. This time, I didn’t resist. Who would? No. Who can?

Okay. I said in a cold tone just to end the topic. He pulls away from the hug. I felt sparks as our eyes met and I can’t be the only one that has felt that as he took a step backward.

By the way, I’ll just change to casual and then we’re leaving.

Take note of this, He’s saying those words while he’s taking off his coat and loosening his tie right in front me. Is he aware that he looks so hot while doing that? He must be informed about that so he wouldn’t do it again in front of anyone or else anyone would see that will be found lying on the floor.

Where are we going? I managed to ask despite getting distracted by the way he’s one by one unbuttoning his white polo. Seriously? Does he want me dead a week before my sister’s wedding?

We’ll all have our lunch outside.  Oh I want to thank the heavens for making him stop unbuttoning his polo after he successfully unbuttoned the first three buttons.

He turned around and walked out from the kitchen area to change his clothes in the room next to mine.

I have promised myself that I will never fall in love with my best friend again but I don’t think it would be easy if Theo was the best friend I was talking about. Lord, give me the strength to go through this week without breaking my own promise.

Chapter 2

Jules

I

couldn’t blame the people here in the mall for gazing at Theo as he walks by. The man is handsome as hell. He’s wearing a plain red hoodie jacket and black pants paired with high-top white laced-up rubber shoes. With his 6 foot 2 height, He walks like he’s the model and the whole mall is the runway.

When we found a restaurant, Miah asked me to stay on our table as she and Lucas ordered food for us. Theo excuses himself saying he’ll just go to the loo. I often forget that he’s half-British.

Our orders arrived shortly after Miah and Lucas had come to our table. Few minutes later, Theo came back too.

We were quietly eating when Theo placed a neatly folded tissue paper on top of the table. What is that? Lucas asked. I was about to pick it up but Miah was faster than me. She opened it and read in her eyes what’s written on it.

What does it say? I asked.

Phone number. Gosh, Theodore Cooper. Miah said as she crumpled the tissue paper.  Until now you still swept women off of their feet.

Wait! Let me have it. He asked Miah before Miah attempted to throw it away. We all looked at him.

Why? Miah asked in a stern voice.

Can I atleast text her that I couldn’t make it? She said she’s going to wait for me.