Chapter 2: Cookie

*Phone rings*

Please pick up the phone.

Please.

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“Yes, hello?”

Phew.

“Hey babe.”

“Hey, what’s up?”

“I was kinda in a difficult situation earlier. Can you somehow pick me up here in the bus stop near my workplace? I’m sorr---“

“Okay. I’m coming. Wait for me”

*Beep*

Yes, he’s coming! He’s the best. What did I do to deserve someone like him? We’ve been dating for years now but it still feels like new.

After nearly an hour of waiting, he arrived.

“Hey babe! Been waiting long?”

Chiselled face with an alluring brown eyes, firm body and shoulders, and fair-skinned.

“Nah, thanks for picking me up” I greeted him with a big smile on my face and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

“You know, I should really pick you up everyday”

“No babe. I can’t bother you. You still have work when my job is done. I’ll be fine.”

He smiled at me so sweetly and kissed me on my forehead. Sweet sugar candy. He still makes me feel butterflies in my stomach.

“Okay babe. Whatever you say. Just know I’m here for you when you need me.”

--The following day--

“Hey Cookie

, come here boy. Let’s take a bath.” I picked up my newly adopted puppy to have him cleaned up because we are going out today. Today is a very special day. It’s Saturday so no work! But aside from that, it’s Joey’s and I’s 5^th Anniversary. Time flies so fast, right? And we’re gonna celebrate it to my favourite hotel with their best foods. I miss their signature cheesecake there. Just thinking about it makes me salivate. Gotta prepare fast now! Don’t wanna keep him waiting.

I walked my way to the bus stop near my home to go to the hotel. You might wonder why I’m taking the bus. That’s because I have a surprise for Joey and I don’t want him to see it before we got there. So I convinced him the other day the he won’t be picking me up from my house. I’m so excited. Yesterday might not be the best day of my life, but today it’ll make up for it that I’ll forget it even happened. The bus arrived and I got in as I was carrying my puppy. I swiped my card and found a seat by the window. A few minutes later, I smelled something foul and quite strong stench. Then I checked my puppy. Oh no. It’s him. I’ll be scolded for sure. I forgot to even put on his diaper. Anyways, we’re close now to our destination. I’ll change my clothes in the hotel room and get him cleaned up. There’s still plenty of time left until my boyfriend will arrive. We came to our stop and I stood up to make my way out but I was halted by the driver of the bus.

“Ma’am , before you bring your dog around anywhere. Let him wear his diapers so that it will not bother other people near you. Especially in closed rooms. And you have to pay for the expenses for the cleaning of that chair your dog’s poop got smudged.”

Oh it’s him again. The driver from yesterday. The sea green eyes of his. And of course with his facemask on. Tsk. If only he didn’t have those eyes, I’d be raging at him for humiliating me this way.

“Alright. I apologize. Here’s the money.”

I made my way out immediately. I didn’t hear what the driver has to say. I have to get out there as soon as possible.

I went to the information desk of the hotel to ask which room Joey reserved for us. I got the keys and then I made my way up there. I immediately washed my puppy again and dried him off. I told him to stay still and behave because I’ll be taking a bath myself too. After I changed my clothes, I picked up the red ribbon from my bag and tied it around the neck of my puppy to make a little cutesy bowtie. He’s a Labrador with a milky white coat and has the cutest smile. He fell asleep on the floor. He’s so adorable. I decided to grab this opportunity to go downstairs to get us some snack. As I was strolling, I overheard some girls in fancy clothes talking.

“Hey, do you think Joey’s gonna do it today?”

My ears snapped by hearing my boyfriend’s name. But it got me thinking it’s not my Joey, I’m sure of it.

“We can never know. He loves surprises you know.”

“Yeah right! Just like how he surprised everyone including Ms. CEO for the sudden declaration of love.”

The girls giggled as they make their way to a large hall full of people. I didn’t even notice I was following them. Okay, okay, it’s not like I’m doubting my boyfriend. I’m just curious who this guy is. Just as I was done saying to myself that it is not my boyfriend, what my eyes saw betrayed me. Joey. He’s there. Inside the hall. Wearing a dashing suit. He looks so stunning. Just like the time in prom. Where I confessed to him and I can’t believe he returned my feelings. Even today, it feels so surreal that he’s mine. Just then he kneeled down in front of a beautiful lady in her very stunning red dress. My jaw dropped dead. No, it can’t be my Joey. After a few seconds, it seemed his proposal was accepted and they kissed so passionately in front of that crowd.

I hid behind the large door by the entrance to hide my flowing tears. I just felt my whole world came down crashing.

“Arf! Arf! Arf! Arf!”

Cookie? What are you doing here?

I picked up Cookie and ran away from the large banquet hall.

I ran my way back to the hotel room to pack my things.

Then I made my way to go out of the hotel just then someone grabbed my hand.

“Babe! Where are you going?”

I stopped in my tracks. This voice. Joey. It’s Joey. I can’t bare to face him right now. Not now, not ever.

“Babe, what happened? Look at me.”

I was forced to face him and I don’t know what to feel of what I had just seen. Joey’s not wearing a dashing suit. He's not even that sparkly at all. Just my simple Joey. Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe it’s just his look-a-like who happen to have the same name as him.

“Babe?” He caressed my cheeks while looking straight into my eyes.

Were my eyes playing tricks on me?

Was it a different Joey?

Was it really not him?