Chapter 17

James was walking alone at the beach to clear off his mind, when he spotted a familiar figure. "Devon...." he whispered. Devon felt somebody staring at her. Thinking it was Ivan, she screamed, "Ivan, I know it's you," and then she laughed. When she heard no response, she turned around and got the surprise of her life. "James...." she said. "He changed... a lot," Devon thought. "His face looks so sad and hollow, and his eyebags are huge. What happened to him!?" Devon thought again. "She never change. Still as beautiful as ever," James thought. James approached Devon and sat beside her. "How are you," he asked, trying to break the tension. "I'm good. Never better. You?" she timidly replied. "Been better," ang matipid na sagot ng binata. "You've... changed," sabi ni Devon. "I guess I did..." he said. Nabalutan sila ng katahimikan.

They didn't notice, that a guy was watching them. Ivan's face was full of emotion. Pain, jealousy and anger. He wanted to approach them, but he felt that that would be selfish of him. "After all, I'm the guardian angel. I should think about her happiness first," he thought and left.

"You, you haven't changed," James said, throwing pebbles into the water. "Nah, I changed, you just haven't noticed it," she replied. "So... what happened when I was gone?" Devon asked. "Hmm... well, you probably heard about it but Sam and Lauren are engaged. I became VP of the company. How about in your life? What changed?" tanong naman ni James. "Well, I've opened up a business. And me and Ivan are doing well on our relationship," Devon said, without realizing that she's breaking James' heart with her last statement. "I see..." he replied. And both became silent again. "I missed you," James said out of nowhere. Hearing these words, tears welled up in Devon's eyes. She was suddenly angry, all the fury that has been building up inside her all these years came out. "If you think that I'm the same girl I used to be, well that's where your wrong! I will never, ever, give you a chance to hurt me once again!" she said her piece and then left, leaving a shocked James behind.

***
Devon was crying when she came back inside the house. Ivan, worried with Devon, came by her side immediately. "I... I saw James... I dunno, my anger just came out. I- I can't help it," Devon said. "Shhh..." Ivan comforted Devon. "You know, I feel sad when I see you sad... Don't worry about him. I promised you that I will protect you no matter what, remember?" Ivan said. Devon nodded. "Well have a little faith in me then...." Ivan said.

***
Ivan visited James for the second time. Anger are visible in his eyes. "I don't mind you talking to Devon. But if you ever made her sad or cry again, I will forget that you were my friend," Ivan said that with fury. It was the first time James saw Ivan that angry. "I never wanted Devon to cry. I love her Ivan. It might be too late to say it, but I do love her," James said, with sadness in his eyes. "I might sound selfish, but Devon is mine now. You can't just treat her like a toy that you leave when you got tired playing with and take back when you want to play with it again," Ivan said. "I've been with her these past years, and I don't want to see her like that again. I've never loved anyone as much as I loved her. You had your chance and you messed it up. Can you please let me have my chance?" Ivan said, his voice and eyes pleading. "This may be the last chance I will have with her Ivan..." James whispered. "Well....may the best man win," Ivan said firmly, he took out his hand for James to shake. "Yes, may the best man win," James said, shaking Ivan's hand.

And the battle begin!

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Hello everyone. Kasi you guys are all working hard sa pagvo-vote kaya I decided to give you guys another chapter as a present.

Thank you sa mga nag-comment last chapter :*

So about sa next story after this, I might write a SamVon fic... with JaeVon of course. And Bretzie kasi andaming nag-request ng BretZie.

This fic is about to be finished, around chapter 20 siguro na lang. I don't like writing super long stories kasi...maximum ko na ang 25 chapters ng Yesterday, Today and Forever (laughs).

So my next update is going to be next week. Holiday dito kaya nag-update ako \(^^)

So please drop a comment, and I promise the next chapter is going to be...heartbreaking!? or happy!？hmm... I'll make you guys guess :P

Lots of love,
Aya♥