Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

**Lisa’s POV**

In my excitement of what will come this evening, I arrived at the office early to see to it that I would be leaving early for the dinner set for tonight. To my astonishment, Lily entered my office as if I had committed a crime and accused me of stealing something from here.

“You’re so selfish Lisa. You have got a good job, a lot of suitors and yet you seduced Luigi as well as Archie.” She accused me.

“Woh woh woh! Calm down, who you said I seduced? I have not seduced anybody, if you are referring to Luigi, you better ask him if I seduce him. And for Archie, maybe he already made it clear that you are nothing to him, and he is not interested with you whatsoever, so stop assuming things that you can’t prove. I know you feel something for him, but that is beyond me to tell. You asked Archie if he feels the same way as you feel for him. I know he already cleared things to you, but you just refused to accept it. You and Luigi should go together, because you are in the same boat. Now, if you have nothing to tell me other than work related, you may leave now. And stop accusing me of seducing people without any basis.” I reiterated.

Lily left slamming the door of my office that created a loud noise from the same floor. How can they accuse me of something I never did, I was so tired explaining things to these people, out of their desperation, they accused me of something to get what they want? Is that how they plan to destroy me and Archie? Oh, my precious Lord. What have I done to get into so much trouble? What have I done in my previous life that I need to suffer today from the consequences? I have already cried a lot when Leon left me for the second time, and now these people have already been on my neck and making my life miserable.

I left my office and went to the wash room and started to cry. I cannot hold it anymore. I cried until there’s no more tears coming down my eyes. Then I went back to my office and kept myself busy. I know what Lily has told me will start gossip like fire, because that’s what she really wanted to destroy me with Archie.

Archie arrived late in the afternoon, so that his waiting time for me would not be that long. At the same time, he wanted to avoid meeting Luigi so as not to further their conflict.

After that morning of Lily’s accusation, my day has been fine though sometimes I don’t feel good and I just wanted to go home and see Archie outside of the lobby. After office hours, I was about at the lobby when I heard commotion and shouting. I walked faster to the lobby to see who was making some commotion. To my shock, I saw Lily and Archie bickering with each other. Archie saw me and he ran to me and held my hand and pulled me out of the building. But Lily blocked our way.

“You need to listen to me Archie, Lisa is seducing you and Luigi. She doesn’t love you. It is I that really loves you.” With desperation in her voice. And to my shock, I wanted to entangle my hand from Archie, but he never let me go.

“I wanted to listen to you Lily since you don’t have any shame to admit that you really love Archie. Does he promise you anything that you assumed that he loved you or you were just assuming it? Now Archie, tell her who do you really love? I don’t want to be the third wheel here, just clarify it in front of her, NOW!” Archie was shocked with my demand and talked to Lily.

“Lily, I have already made it clear to you time and again that I love Lisa more than my life, and as much as you wanted to know who you really are to me, you are just nothing Lily. I have not even said a single word that you would expect me to like you or even love you. I love Lisa and she will only be the one I will love. Regarding what you said that she seduced me, well I allow her to seduce me because I also seduce her to be with me. So don’t speculate that I have feelings for you, because there is none. You stop your shameless act because there is nothing between us and there will never be. I hope you will stop this shameless act of yours.” Archie cleared Lily, while everyone was watching. I pity Lily but she is so shameless to bring this thing up in the open, instead that we have talked this out privately.

I have seen Luigi at the lobby and he is one of the spectators of the scene created by Lily. I don’t know what was running into his mind. I know he’s that creepy and being aware of his threat to us, we need to be careful when dealing with him or we will fall into his trap. We left the lobby and walked hand in hand and the spectators watched us leave. I am not the one to be ashamed, though sometimes people could just judge you by just merely hearing the gossip not the truth behind it.

We need to cool down a bit to release the tension from our heart. So, Archie suggested we need to take a breather at the café. So, we entered the café and ordered.

“I thought you would listen to what Lily said about me. I have no relationship with her nor do I have feelings for her. I have always avoided her as much as possible because I know she feels something for me. But I have always said to her that I wanted no one but you.” Archie explained to me.

“I do understand you, and also thank you for not believing that I seduced you and Archie.” He just laughed.

“It is so funny that she accused you of seducing me, while I am the one seducing you. If I don’t seduce you, I am still waiting desperately for your answer and Luigi might have the chance of stealing you away from me.”

“Would you allow that to happen?” I asked him.

“Of course not! Over my dead body!” He answered angrily.

“Then we should not be comfortable thinking that we have already taken them away from our path. Let’s still be aware of our surroundings. Ok, then we need to go home. My parents are waiting for us.” I told him.

We arrived at home earlier than expected, though the dinner was already prepared. My father is already in the living room waiting for us. As soon as we enter the living room, I introduce Archie to my father as well as my mother. My father shook Archie’s hand as well as my mother. My mother already showed a sour face to Archie but I disregarded his action. The most important person to me is my father, because he is a more reasonable person to talk with.

“Where do you both meet?” My father asked Archie.

“I bumped her sir in the office where I am following up for my scheduled departure. Since then, I have been waiting for her at the office lobby to get to know her.” Archie told my father.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“So, you’ve been stalking my daughter ever since you bumped her?” My father stated.

“I would like to clear that notion sir. To be honest sir, I was already smitten by you daughter so I have always made a point that I could see her even from a distance. And I never distracted her from her work or became desperate for my action. If she says no, it is a NO, and I never persisted. My intention to her is sincere, and I would not make her cry.” Archie clarifies.

“Did she ever tell you that the same word her previous boyfriend told me? He also told me that his intention was sincere, then he left and never came back. My daughter is precious to me and I don’t want another hurt to come upon her. I cannot control her heart because I’m not a heartless father. I just wanted her to be happy and never go through another heartache and frustration. If you cannot promise me that, you should already back out.”

“I’m sorry sir if she went through a lot before I came into her life, but I just wanted to assure that I will love her faithfully and as much as possible never make her cry. I cannot promise a bed of roses for her since I was just beginning to save for the future. But I wanted you to know that she is my future. My line of work is travelling outside the country, and wanted to assure you sir that the communication between me and Lisa will always be open.” Archie brought out his heart and soul.

“Well then, since you two have an understanding already, I will not be a hindrance to you two. But be sure Archie that my daughter will be safe by your side all the time. Did I make myself clear?” My father cleared himself to Archie.

“Yes sir, and thank you very much for understanding and accepting our relationship. I cannot promise anything sir, but I would put my life for her safety and happiness. Thank you, again sir.” Archie promised to my father.