Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

**Lisa’s POV**

Nine months of Archie’s contract is fast approaching. Since the time he left was basically normal, just work and home. But Luigi changed it all. It is good enough that Archie made sure to place a call whenever they arrived at a certain port. I am more than happy to receive his call knowing he gives me importance to his life. Though he cannot make his call that long because it was expensive. Nine months was not that long after all and I am not bored waiting for him because I have work to keep myself busy.

From his last call, he told me that he would be coming home after they arrived in Japan which is their discharging port. I was more than ecstatic because I got to see him again and Luigi would probably stop from pestering me. But I need to make sure if I decide to move our relationship to the next level. Sometimes people say calm weather before the storm. I just hope my situation with Luigi would not affect my relationship with Archie, and Archie would understand my predicament with Luigi. I just hope no storm comes to us that we cannot surpass. There is always uncertainty when it comes to relationships just like weather. I hope we are both open for a talk whenever things get rough between us.

The day of his arrival has come. He called me up after he just got down to the arrival area and it was so heartwarming to know that I am the first one he called immediately.

The next day he reported immediately to his office and saw me on the sixth floor after. He bought me some gifts which I appreciate so much. He also bought food for my office mates to share lunch with them. We were happy eating while having a conversation with Archie. But not all were happy, especially Lily who had been eyeing Archie ever since they met this morning.

“I thought you two are not a couple?” Lily asked sarcastically.

“Yes, we were not at first, but before I left I had already confessed my feelings to Lisa. Though I don’t get a definite answer from her, I am willing to wait until she gives me a definite answer.” Archie cleared Lily.

“So, Lisa, what’s the score between you two? Archie, do you know that one of the company Architects is courting Lisa and he is always sending flowers and food to her?” Lily stated addressing the statement particularly to Archie.

“Please Lily, don’t create a ripple to our relationship. He doesn’t know yet what has happened and let me tell him first and not from anyone who just wants to create gossip. And why are you so concerned about my answer to Archie? What’s it got to do with you if I answer him or not?” I was really annoyed with Lily for being sarcastic. “If you want, you can tell Archie directly to confirm what was really running in your mind.”

“I have just arrived and we haven’t talked about it and I will let you know if we have come to our decision, so let’s just enjoy the food first. And whatever there is with Luigi as you said, we can talk it out later.” That’s all Archie could tell Lily.

I have almost lost my control and appetite for Lily. I just remember Sheena who had the same intention as Lily. Archie just held my hand under the table. He felt that I am losing my temper with Lily. Lily looked at me as if she wants to murder me and squeezed life out of me to get what she wanted to know. After our lunch at the office, Archie told me that he is going to wait for me after office hours so we can talk.

After office hours, I have already seen Archie talking to Lily in the lobby of the office. I felt angry with what I saw. Lily is talking to Archie flirtatiously. Am I jealous? No, more like anger. Good thing that Archie saw me first. But I know Lily already saw me, but she was really ignoring my presence. So, Archie came to me and held my hand.

“So, there you are. Can we go now?’ he asked me.

“I just thought you and Lily have not yet finished discussing some important matter. You finished it first.” I answered him irritably.

“No, we’re done and we have nothing to talk about. So, we can go now.” Archie told me.

Lily looked at me as if she wanted to stab me. If looks could kill, I might already be dead. Archie entangled our hands while we were walking which made her angrier. I let her watch us while we were leaving the building. Archie and I went to a restaurant for dinner before he could take me home. This is also the time that we need to talk about ourselves.

While we were having our dinner, Archie opened up our situation. “What am I to you now, Lisa?”

“What do you expect?” I told him.

He just stared at me not knowing what I meant by my answer. “I don’t know what to guess or speculate about something that I may be wrong about. Just give me a direct answer Lisa.”

“I can only say, what you feel, I also feel. Only that, I was afraid to trust again. I don’t want to get hurt all over again. I have already told you what had happened to me with my previous boyfriend. It is you that I don’t know if you have a girlfriend or you have any previous relationship. I don’t want to get into a complicated relationship.” I told him.

“To be honest, I have many relationships before you which I am not proud of. But I don’t have a girlfriend now. If you accept to be my girlfriend, then it would be you now.” He mischievously said while holding my hands.

“How can I say no when you are already so assertive of my answer.” I answer him while smiling.

He was happy to hear my answer, so he transferred to a seat beside me and he embraced me. He was about to kiss me but I put my palm to his lips. He removed my hands and held it tight. “I am so happy to get your answer. So that means you are now my girlfriend?”

“What more answer do you want?” I asked him.

“Thank you for trusting me.” That’s all he uttered while embracing me. Then he whispered to my ears, “Can I kiss you?”

“Not here please. I am not a fan of public displays of affection. Maybe later?” He just smiled as I told him.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“I will claim later what you have owed me.” He whispered again to my ear. “By the way, who is this Architect Luigi that is running around my back?” He then asked.

“I will tell you everything that you need to know regarding Architect Luigi. And it is up to you if you trust all that I have to say.” I told him everything from the time I met Luigi and his constant sending of flowers and food to me. His awkward phrase of ‘to see is to believe’, including our agreement and the manner he said my name.

He looked at me through my eyes and held my chin with his finger while rubbing my lips with his thumb. “I do believe you love me, because I trust you with my life. Whatever his intention with you, that is not beyond me. As long as your heart belongs to me.” Then he softly kissed my lips and electricity ran through my spine and he looked at me admiringly. He holds my chin and rubs my lips again with his thumb. “Now you are paid what you owe me.” He mischievously said while smiling.

I could not say anything but looked him in the eye. I am questioning myself what have I got into? I am happy that we have cleared our relationship now, and I have cleared myself from Luigi’s issue, we can now move on to the next level of our relationship. I hope we can surpass the test of time to keep this relationship forever.