Unending Love 7

2nd Chance
Catague, Rizza Palamine
Prologue Steph: hmmm? What did you say again? Emmer: do I have a chance? I ve said this many times already Steph: huh? Sorry I just don t believe it, that Emmer: that? The famous badminton captain is asking you to answer me? Steph : yes < blushing > Emmer: you know I like you very much Steph: but not much beautiful compared to Maurisse? I know dawn, that s why I can t le you court me in the first place, your legacy would be ruined if they ll know your courting a cheap gal like me Emmer: shh... I don t care about my legacy and remember this you re more beautiful than Maurisse Steph: okay but I can t answer you now Emmer: so that s settled. Steph: I m going to my class now Emmer: sure I ll escort you < Steph is just a junior student while dawn is already a senior > Steph: < at her classroom > thanks. Emmer: you don t have to thank me Steph: I mean it okay, now off you go or you ll be late Emmer: okay < held her hand and kissed the back > Steph: < shocked >hey.. < get her hand > Emmer: < smile > I ll go now see yah later. < Next day > Senior: hey pretty are you going home? Steph: actually I m waiting for someone Senior: your boyfriend? I m glad to accompany you while you re waiting < asking seducely > Steph: < stepping backward > no thank you Senior: why? <Touching her hair > Steph : <avoiding> please don t <Steph has been cornered> Steph: help help Senior: no one will help you Steph: please stop this nonsense Steph: Dawn help Emmer: <punch the senior> how dare you leave her alone Senior: well, well, well, the famous captain is saving this pretty girl where s your girlfriend? Huh Emmer: she s my girlfriend <punch him the second time> Steph: Dawn please stop it Emmer: go away senior Senior: we re not yet done captain Emmer: <hug her> are you fine? Steph: thanks dawn Emmer: come I ll send you to your room < at her room > Steph: I don t know how to repay you by saving me Emmer: <hold her hand> you don t have to it s part of my proving how I really love you Steph: and you ve proven much of it. About the moment you ve said I m your girlfriend, do you really wan to? Emmer: you mean? Steph: yes Dawn I also like you <hug him> Emmer: yes < jumping> Steph: hey stop it you ll wake the other girls Emmer: go take rest I love you Steph: okay<kissed him on the cheeks> take care <next day, at the school gate> Janna: hey you look stunning Steph: I m not Janna: look its captain Steph: huh? Emmer: hai guys how are you? <stand beside Kaye> Janna: hey what s going on? Don t tell me you two are on? Emmer: you said it Janna: you go girl Steph: hey its not much Emmer: come on its time <holding hands with her> Steph: you re too possessive Emmer: I can t help it At their room Janna: ahem, I ll go ahead Steph: what? Why are you looking at me like that? Emmer: nothing bye see you at lunch For almost everyday they meet, they expressed their feelings much and the whole campus know about them,

Emmer saw it; he thinks Kaye is kissing with someone and decided to go until he heard her scream> Steph: somebody help me please <crying> Emmer: <startled> Kaye?

everyone accepted it except for one that is really jealous, Maurisse, the senior cheerleader of the basketball team and of the Badminton league and has the ultimate crush on Emmer. Emmer s championship game practice Emmer: hmmmh Steph, I ll be going late you can go first if you re bored Steph: I will not, I ll stay here, now you go Emmer: <held her hand and kiss the back> okay enjoy At the other side Shyna: Maurisse is that Em s gf? Stephanie? Maurisse: oh that gal wait here Shyna: what are you planning to do? Maurisse: watch and learn. Steph: yes? What do you need? Maurisse: well, isn t it the famous captains girlfriend? Steph: ahmm, what do you want from me? Maurisse: you have something that is mine Steph: I don t know what you mean. Dawn: capt. Is that Maurisse and Steph up there? Emmer: hmmmh yah, maybe they re just chatting Dawn: I don t think so Maurisse: will you stop being so innocent Steph: I m not acting it Maurisse: I want my boyfriend back Steph: I don t have your boyfriend Maurisse: liar, you stole Em from me, because of you he break-up with me Dawn: Em look I think there fighting

Emmer: sure? Now take a rest <kiss her at the red face> Steph: ouch you did it on purpose Emmer: sorry here <kiss her on the other side> Steph: it s too much, you re abusing Emmer: <hold her shoulder> Steph? Steph: what now? <he leaned to kiss her until > Steph: <she faced upward and made the first move> <she kissed his forehead instead> : there that should be enough <then laugh> Emmer: yah thanks goodbye Janna: hey.. what took you so long outside? And Steph don t lie to me.. what happen to your face? Who slap you? Steph: Jan, I m okay don t worry about it Janna: okay is that what you get for being committed to that captain Steph: Jan, I m okay Maurisse just get envy, I think now lets go to sleep For many days Steph and Emmer did not see each other because of Em s championship game practice Steph: hmmhm . Excuse me, may I know where Emmer is? Dawn: ow? Steph? I m Dawn by the way <offer his hand> Steph: nice to meet you Dawn: I think Em is at the shower room refreshing . Steph: thanks Dawn nice meeting you again Dawn: sure take care <Steph proceeded to the shower room, she noticed someone outside the room, two of them were kissing> Guy: get off me <pushes the girl> Girl: Em, pls love me again Emmer: Maurisse, I love Steph and I beg you please stop bugging me Maurisse: Em please. Okay I ll leave you alone in one condition <Steph is close enough to see their reaction and what they are talking about she is now crying> Emmer: spit it off Maurisse: have one night with me, I night only, no strings attached, after that I ll leave you and Steph alone Steph: NO NO NO . <then run away> Emmer: Steph? Wait Steph I ll explain <run after her> Maurisse: Em what about me? Emmer: go to hell Maurisse . At the fountain he caught up with her then hold her hand and pull her toward him . Steph: leave me alone Emmer: Steph listen to me, Maurisse and I have no relationship . I am not cheating on you Steph: and that s what I think before I saw you both kissing <then slap him> you know? Someone sent me a picture of you on that flirt hugging, I did not believe on it because someone can edit it anyone can fake it until that scene Em everything is clear to me now Emmer: I m not kissing her, she kissed me

Steph: stop this nonsense I m going to my room Maurisse: <pull her arm> wait a minute I m not letting you Steph: get off me and remember this, I did not stole Em from you Maurisse: <slap Steph> Emmer: Maurisse, why did you do that? <hug steph> Maurisse: <pulling Em> she started it Steph: I did not Maurisse: how could you leave me Em for that no one <acting and crying> Emmer: <pushing her> she s no NO ONE Maurisse and for you to clear it up, there s no us anymore. C mon Steph <shout> practice over> Players: yes Captain At her room Steph: bye I ll go inside now Em: wait, about what happened a moment ago I hope it s clear to you that Maurisse and I are no longer together Steph: yes, I understand Em: are you okay now? Your face is red Steph: I m fine

Steph: and you let her do it? About her condition you will say yes right? <punching his chest> tell me Emmer: <silent> Steph: I hat you . <run away> Emmer: stop <hold her arm> Steph: you re hurting me Em.. Em: I m sorry <let her go> lets talk about this Steph: okay lets talk, I WANT BREAK-UP NOW . Emmer: what? Steph: you heard me right? I want to be free, I want to be away from you . Emmer: Steph please don t do this to me you re killing me you re taking my life away . Steph: don t be pity fro your self Em you can have Maurisse if you like <then walk away> Emmer: <no longer follow her> And their relationship not just stops there

Emmer: suite your self Steph <smile> Steph: I ll go ahead I have a lunch meeting you can visit the Hotel and I will expect you on Tuesday for the opening bye Emmer: hmmhm wait here <pass his business card> call me if anything comes Steph: <received> thank you and here I give you mine Emmer: thanks see you soon <Tuesday Dawn at 4:30 AM> Steph: <singing> <chopping> : still you have a beautiful voice Steph: Em? You re here it s too early <look at her watch> Emmer: hmmhm I want to look at the ingredients and look for good menus Steph: hmmhm good maybe I can learn something from you Emmer: you mean what? Steph: I m a chef too Emmer: a chef? And owning a hotel too? Wow Steph: I don t know about running a hotel, my Godfather gave it to me when I graduated HE in college Emmer: and you will run your business? Steph: my brother Ezo? Remember? He graduated HRM Emmer: yah I remember him Steph: ouch Emmer: hey you alright? <at her back, at the sink> Steph: it s only a cut.. Emmer: cut is a cut, what if it get worse <as get her finger and out in his mouth and sipped out the blood> Steph: Em, <blushing> Emmer: there, wrap it with a band aid, lightly only Steph: thank you Emmer: can I look at the stock room? Steph: sure this way <head bow>

2nd Chance begin..

Steph: <breathing> okay.. <knock the apartments door> I should have not done this, I better go now. _____: wait coming Steph: oh, no he s here _____: <open the door> yes? May I help you? Steph? I m surprised, you re here Emmer just go out from the bed with his bare chest and pajama pants he looked so stunning, still after five years Steph: I m sorry, to wake you up.. hmmhm I ll be back if you re dressed up may be at nine? <with head bow> Emmer: no please wait at the sofa while I ll change I ll be fat promise <opening the door for her> Steph: thanks Emmer: hmmhm Stephanie you want something? Steph: nothing I m here to discuss business with you I heard you re a chef Emmer: yes I am Steph: I want to hire you to be my chef on the opening of my hotel, If you don t mind, ahmm temporary only <I know your busy> until I found someone new Emmer: ow a hotel you say? Steph: yes if your schedule is full its alright <stand up> I ll be going now He hate to see her walk again from me she still look beautiful and now he remember again how he feel in love with her Emmer: wait I don t talk business on my roof want to grab breakfast or coffee? At the nearby restaurant Steph: okay Steph: so? You say? You accept the offer? Emmer: yes I think it would be fun working with you Steph: <stand up and offer her hand> thank you Mr. Rio Emmer: <shake hands> stop the formalities Em Steph: <she hate this struck of electricity in her when their skin touch> ahmm Emmer should do it <drop her hand>

Emmer: nice and it s complete<stepping outside the stock room> Steph: I hope you will be comfortable cooking here hmmhm if you want to change anything here just tell me and if Emmer: Steph, I m okay your kitchen is beautiful Step: thanks Emmer: <starting cooking> hmmhm Steph? Where do you live? Steph: I have a condominium just a distance walk from here and if I m too tired to go home I have a private room here Emmer: huh, I still don t see your brother Steph: he is coming today Emmer: so you really did graduate HE Steph: you? I thought you dream to join the NBA? Emmer: about that, I choose cooking so that I can meet someone special to me again <then looked at her> and I really did Steph: is it a she or a he? Emmer: she Steph: is she your girlfriend now?

Emmer; I m still single and available, how about you any boyfriend? Steph: just the last two days Emmer: <stopped> you mean you just had a break up? Steph: yes Emmer; you cried? Steph: of course not, I will never cry just because of a guy, not anymore Emmer: oh <hurt and guilty> Steph: you? Any previous girlfriend? Or anyone you re courting? Emmer: yah I see 5 years ago? And I d tell you I m still available Steph: <feel guilty> hmmhm I ll leave you here, I ll wait for Ezo at the reception area <leave> Emmer: stupid Em, stupid

Emmer; wait <hold her arm> Steph: yes? Emmer: mind if you come in? Steph: <eyes widen> Emmer: only for a chat Steph: sure, I ll come over after I change clothes Emmer: ok I ll wait <30 minutes later> <knock at the door> Emmer: <open> sorry to keep you waiting I d just get off the shower <wearing only his robe> come in Steph: thanks <stepped inside> Emmer: you want dinner? I ll call for food Steph: I m still full <sitting at the sofa, taking off the jacket, wearing only a pale blue shirt and short shorts and slippers> Emmer: < she looked damned good> can you wait? I ll just change clothes Steph: just take your time please Then he gave her a last glance before proceeding to his closet <minutes later> Steph: hmmhm what do you want to talk about? Emmer: maybe about you or about me? Steph: I don t get your point Emmer: just want to say your still beautiful Steph: <blushed> I ll take that as a compliment Emmer; it s not just a compliment, it s a confession, you really are Steph: then I should thank you Emmer: your welcome, you want wine? Steph: please no, I hate drinking when I m alone with someone Emmer: someone that is a she or a he? Steph: either Emmer: why? Steph: my mouth talks everything when I m drunk and I also do foolish things Emmer: like? <staring at her> Steph: like hmmhm breaking glasses, or sometimes falling unintentionally to someone/ something and the fell into consciousness until morning Emmer: you already experience that? Steph: not yet, only in my dreams Emmer: so why don t you try id its true? Steph: I wouldn t Emmer; so anything I can offer you? Steph: none, you told me to chat how about it? Emmer: seems fine with me Steph: okay you said you have no offer girlfriend why? Emmer: nothing, I just still love you, I mean her <staring at her> I also cant find someone to replace you, mean her..i can see you had move on, the boy you have 2 days ago is your? Steph: 2nd boyfriend <avoiding his stare> Emmer: how long? Steph: two weeks or less than that

<hotel opening Started> Visitor 1: hey, your food taste good Steph: thank you, wait here I ll call the chef Steph: c mon someone wants to talk to you Emmer: who? Visitor 2: Mr.? Emmer: Rio sir Visitor 1: Mr. Rio your food taste good Emmer: thank you madam Steph: excuse us, someone would like to meet him Visitor 2: sure

Steph: Emmer? You re here? Staff: ma am? Chef Em is at the lobby Steph: thank you <at the lobby> Emmer: ow your looking for me? <at her back> Steph: <face him> oh hi I just want to thank you for today. The opening was very successful Emmer: thank you too for the job hmmhm I tasted your pastries there good Steph: thank you by the way your going home? <look at the time> it s late, why don t you get a room here? Free of charge of course Emmer: please I m okay, I can drive Steph: please? Emmer: fine if you insist Steph: yes <smile> come I ll get you a room <at his room> At the same time they hold the knob his hand over hers. Then he just let her open the door for him Steph: here you go Emmer: thank you Steph: I ll go ahead

Emmer: oh I m sorry Steph: you don t have to Emmer: since you say that you re available, do I have a chance to court you? Steph: Em? What s got into you? Emmer: I still love you Stephanie, please let me court you Steph: sorry, I m leaving <walk through out the door>

<hotel> Waiter: ma am flowers Steph: thanks <look at the card> Waiter: excuse me Steph: Emmer? <dialed his phone number>

:yes? Steph: thanks for the flowers I appreciate it Emmer: I m sorry last night Steph: please don t, I understand Emmer: you mean you ll let me court you? Steph: since were both available, why not? Emmer: really yes Steph: where are you? Emmer: I just come home, just this dawn, I m driving now Steph: ow sorry, just see you here maybe you ll met an accident there, bye <end of conversation> Steph: <smiled> <reception Area> Receptionist: morning sir Emmer: where s Steph? Receptionist: at the kitchen sir, she want to tell you to bring tomatoes before showing up to her Emmer: thanks <kitchen> Emmer: so what s with the tomatoes? Steph: good morning you brought it, thanks Emmer: what do you think about me working here permanently Steph: <faced him> are you damned serious? Emmer: yes, since I don t have a permanent job, it just came to a thought working here with you if you like to Steph: of course, I love to, I just can t wait to tell Ezo about it Staff: ma am Steph? Steph: yes? <smile> Staff: Mr. Nicholson is looking for you Ste ph: <shock> really? Okay please tell him to wait at the conference room excuse me Em Emmer: <to the staff> wait, who s that Mr. Nicholson? Staff: he s ma am Steph s ex boyfriend Emmer: really? Staff: yes, excuse me Chef <conference room> Steph: tell me directly why are you here?

Nicholson: I want to apologize, please come back to me Steph: after all those things you had done to me? Do you think, I will go back to you? No way Nicholson: that s why I m apologizing Steph: I can forgive you but I wont forget and I don t want to be with you <then Em come> Emmer: excuse me hmmhm Steph? Phone? Steph: thank you Em, you can go now Nic <kitchen> Steph: <got the phone> From the other line: are you okay? Steph: Emmer? Emmer: I know you hated talking to him so I just helped you out Steph: where are you? Emmer: at your back Steph: <phone down> what got into you? Emmer: <phone down> nothing I like helping you out and of course I don t want any strangers come between us Steph: there s still no us Em Emmer: not yet but soon Steph: <laugh> hahah Em <conference room> Steph: what do you think about it Ez? Em will be a great asset to our hotel Ezo: are you sure about him? Steph: please our past has nothing to do with this, I m just telling you he is a great loss if we let him go Ezo: but I m just thinking about you Step: I ll be fine okay? I think it will be fun working with him Ezo: I don t know, what to do with you, just don t blame me when got in love and hurt again with him again Steph: hmmhm there we go again how s Jane by the way? Ezo: she s fine but this few days her morning sickness is worsen Steph: it would be alright, it s normal for pregnant women why don t you take a leave go and comfort Jane I cant wait to see my niece soon Ezo: are you sure your fine here? Steph: yes, brother go, go, go Ezo: take care here Steph: yah, yah, yah <kitchen> Steph: hi Emmer: how is your meeting? Steph: you got your job Emmer: really? <embrace her> thank you Steph: Em <laugh> Staff: ahem, excuse me ma am a client wants to talk to sir Ezo Steph: <pull away> he s out, can you tell the client to come back tomorrow? Staff: I m sorry ma am, she demanded to talk to anyone, urgent preparation for a wedding Steph: a wedding of course I ll talk to her

Emmer: can I come Steph: of course since your part of the staff Steph: <to the staff> can you please guide her to the conference room? We ll be there for a minute : <to Emmer> don t do it again Emmer: <laugh> what? Steph: no hugging okay? Wrong impression may come to the staffs clear? Emmer: yes ma am lets go , don t let the client waiting <conference room> Client: good morning Steph and Emmer: you? Client: well it s a small world isn t it? Steph: yes, it is you re here for a business right? Please take a seat and well talk about your plans; I heard it s a wedding Emmer: well Maurisse long time no see Maurisse: yes, Emmer I can see now that you are still on right? Steph: of course not we ve been long off 5 years ago so about this wedding Maurisse: really? But Em, what are you doing here? Steph: can we please go on with the plan, or if you want to, you can go to the hotel caft and get a table so that you two can talk? <standing up and was going to leave> Emmer: Steph Maurisse is our friend and a client we should show her respect, and of course its normal for her to ask questions Steph: she s just a client to me never a friend <leave> Maurisse: I think I better come back tomorrow instead < stand up> Emmer: wait, how about a chat for a while lets go to the hotel caft Maurisse: sure <Hotel caft> Emmer: tell me about this wedding who s the lucky guy? Maurisse: Jake Jake Stanas Emmer: Jake S. the model? Maurisse: yah we ve been committed for 3 years already and decided to settle down and get married this Sunday next week Emmer: so am I invited? <laughing> Maurisse: of course I d been looking for your number but Dawn don t know Emmer: yah Dawn, we re not seeing each other for a month now Maurisse: I ll be going now and please tell Steph she s also invited huh? Tomorrow then <stand up. Emmer: <stand up> <shake hands> see you then and congrats Maurisse: thanks <leave> <kitchen> Emmer: where s Steph? Chef 1: I think one of the rooms above a friend of hers just came Emmer: okay thank you <two hours later> Emmer: ow Steph

Steph: <silent> Emmer: Steph talk to me Steph: for what? Cant you see I m busy? Emmer: <faced her> what are you being angry about? Steph: nothing Emmer: Maurisse invited you for the wedding this Sunday this coming week Steph: I m sorry I ll be going out of town that day with Nic, he invited me out Emmer: Maurisse will ne coming back tomorrow Steph: she can talk with Ezo then I have a date with Nic tomorrow Emmer: The next days are you busy? Steph: I m out with Janna, and for the next I m going to visit Jane Ez s wife she s preparing her labor and then again I have a conference to attend at Baguio Emmer: at Saturday? Steph: taking a rest preparing for my trip with Nic Emmer: <hold both her arms> why are you always mentioning Nic? I thought you don t want him back to your life? Steph: and you? Why are you talking about Maurisse? Get off me Emmer: <tighten his hold> are you getting jealous? She s getting married Steph: <shout> she s getting married and you re still flirting with her Emmer: <smile> are you jealous? Steph: I m not leave me alone Emmer: your jealous <let her go> <laugh> Steph: it s not funny get out Emmer: Steph you re so cute when you re jealous Steph: <punching him> I told you I m not <cry> Emmer: <hug her> it s okay I m sorry <kissed her> Steph: <stepped away> why did you do that for? Emmer: because I love you... you now that Steph: no you cant do that Emmer: and why is that? Steph: because because I don t know Emmer: why? Steph: <watery eyes> I don t know just don t do it again Emmer: if I do? Steph: you re fired Emmer: I don t care <kissed her again> please don t go Steph: what are you talking about? Emmer: don t go with Nic, instead go out with me Steph: I can t dot that <pull away> I promised him> Emmer: then I think I should leave then <going out> Steph: where are you going? Emmer: you had fired me right? I think I should go now I already know the risk bye then Steph: but Em Emmer: <faced her> yes? <Sad expression> Steph: nothing <head bow> Emmer: see you then <leave> <MX Bar> Dawn: what happened? Emmer: don t want to talk about it

Dawn: she bus ted you, didn t she? Emmer: hmmhm <drunk> it looks like that Dawn: so what are you planning? Just leave him alone with him? Emmer: maybe Dawn: are you dumb? You re letting her go? Emmer; isn t it called love? Letting the one you love and be happy? Dawn: but how about you? Emmer: wait for the right woman to love me? <Gulp> Dawn: stop it <get the glass> I have the ticket for tomorrows conference at Baguio I think you need it more than I do she is going there right? Emmer: no you should go Dawn: I am giving you the chance idiot go home now and you have a flight to catch up tomorrow Emmer: are you sure? Dawn: yes, go, go, go Emmer: thanks Dawn you re the best <Baguio conference, Zhejiang Hotel> Receptionist: Good morning, sir how may I help you? Emmer: Emmer Aito, I am here for the cooking conference <show her the ticket> Receptionist: do you have reservations sir? Emmer: not yet can I ask if Ms. Stephanie del Rio had checked in? Receptionist: a second sir hmmhm yes sir just last night I see she is attending the conference too Emmer: Yes, she is can I ask a room next to her? Receptionist: how about across hers sir? Her companion already took the vacant room next to her, I say Mr. Nicholson Emmer: oh really? Okay I ll take the room next to hers please Receptionist: okay sir here is your keys enjoy your stay here sir Emmer: thank you Receptionist: your welcome sir < Zhejiang conference hall> Blah, blah, blah Speaker: after this conference everyone are invited to witnessed the live cooking of one of our very own Mr. Emmer Aito, know for his original recipes all over the world All: <applause> Steph: what is he doing here? Nic: I think he was good I tasted his cooking s very original Steph: but, I know he is not invited Nic: why are you worried so much? C mon Emmer: <after cooking> : Ahem everyone can I have this honor to let one special someone to taste my newly invented recipe the Poajang of Love <coming near to Steph> Steph: <look away> Emmer: Ms. Stephanie del Rio, will you? Steph: what are you planning? I'm not buying it <look away>

Emmer: I'm just letting you taste it nothing else Steph: fine <have a taste> Emmer: what? Steph: what is this? <take the ring out of her mouth> Emmer: a ring<take it from her> Steph: what do you mean? Emmer: I can't live without you I can't risk more years without you will you marry me? All: wow.. .how sweet <applause> : say yes, yes Steph: but Em, I thought Emmer: I realize I need you in my life I can't take it please if you will be away again.. I will not take it <kneel in front of her> I love you very much will you marry me? Steph: Nic? Nicholson: go.. I know you still love him Steph: <silent thinking> Emmer: Steph? Don t you love me anymore? Steph: Of course, I do and of course I will marry you I'm just waiting for you to say that Emmer: really? <wear the ring to her finger> I love you Steph: I love you too All: <applause> congratulations

Thank you for supporting my stories Watch out for the next series of Unending Love Secretly In Love Rizza Palamine Catague