Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

**Lisa’s POV**

I feel the excitement of Archie’s voice from his call from me this afternoon. I just hope everything is fine with his relatives. Now I realize that he has a lot of relatives and I have to please them. I am more excited to meet his great grandmother, it is very seldom we can see people of her age still that strong and kicking. I just wish I could introduce him to my parents as well after he arrived from his province.

Work has been flowing smoothly, but with little disturbance from Luigi from time to time. Though he stopped sending flowers and food, he did not stop from pestering me. I don’t know what’s his problem, always complaining about the program. Sometimes he told me that it has some error but once I run it and asked him where the problem is, he can’t pinpoint the error. I am guessing that he is just creating some nuisance just to get my attention. He’s so creepy, we do make an agreement about being just friends, sometimes I just can’t disregard his actions. Whenever I am in their office attending to his complaint, he is always standing behind my back and touching my hair or smelling my hair. I always had goosebumps and all the hair on my nape rose. He’s really so creepy. If only I could avoid him, I would have done that. Only that I need to see to it that the program I created will be running perfectly and give him assistance or repair the program if ever needed.

I don’t inform Archie about the creepiness Luigi is making. I don’t want to bother him anymore. I knew he was having a battle with his relatives in the province and I don’t want to add some more problems to his plate. As much as I can avoid Luigi for his advances, I have been doing it with caution. I wish Archie’s one week in their province is over and he would be coming back already.

I would like to let my parents know about my new relationship with Archie, but I was in a dilemma which one to prioritize. Archie’s great grandmother is so eager to see me, though I need to let my parents know first about my relationship to Archie so I can ask their permission to come to Archie to their province.

I planned once Archie arrives, I would like to introduce him to my parents so he can freely enter our house whenever he sends me home from the office. I hope my parents would accept him just like Leon who has now disappeared.

As soon as Archie arrived from the province, he immediately came to my office and gave me a hug and a peck on my lips which was so PDA. I couldn’t say more, that was an instant and intimate action from him. I was surprised when I saw Luigi on the door looking sharply at us. Maybe he saw Archie embracing me and kissing me at the same time. I would like to say that he is jealous, but we were not in any relationship for him to get jealous. “What can I do for you Luigi? Is there any problem with the program?” I immediately asked him while he was shooting daggers looking in our direction. Archie was looking more possessive while wrapping his arms around my waist.

“No, the program is running just fine. I just passed by your office going to the president’s office to consult something. I just don’t expect Archie to be here. Ok then, good morning to you two.” All the creepiness that he shows, Archie was apprehended for his action.

“Is he doing that every day to you? Is he stalking you every time he passes by your office? Is there something that I should know that you are not telling me?” Archie felt my fear so I told him what Luigi did every time he called me to his office.

I was so fearful of what Archie might do to Luigi. I don’t want Luigi’s action to create trouble for me or Archie from our work. I know that Luigi is a relative of the owner of the company and it would be easy for us to be dismissed or fired from our work if it would create trouble for us. I just pray that Luigi is sensible enough to accept the fact that I am Archie’s girlfriend and he needs to back off from our relationship.

**Luigi’s POV**Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

The first time I laid my eyes on Melissa was in the conference room, I cannot concentrate on the topic that we are discussing because I was so distracted by her beauty, especially her eyes. I was so mesmerized by the color of her eyes. It is somewhat black but dark blue on the side. I thought she was wearing contact lenses, but she wasn’t. She is also intelligent because she can answer any questions thrown at her. It is seldom that you see this kind of woman. Most of the time I was staring at Melissa, that’s why Rigor always got my attention at the meeting. I cannot wait to get to know her.

After the meeting, I introduced myself to her not waiting for anyone to introduce myself, since we were working for the program needed by the President to facilitate the costing and the payroll of the workers. I took all my chances to talk to her and made some conversation to get to know her more. I started with the project that we needed to accomplish. Later it became more personal, though I feel she became aloof to answer some of my personal questions her. I don’t normally invade others’ personal spaces, but Melissa is different. I wanted to know more about her. I asked her what color her eyes were. She herself doesn’t know what eye color she has. She only knows that her eyes are black and she and her father have the same eye color. She even tells me that she is the replica of her father, only that she is the female version of her father. Maybe they have a foreign lineage as I can see from her a prominent Spanish feature. She has smooth brown skin and nice smelling black hair which has some curls that reach down her waist. Oval shape face, pouty lips, nice pointed nose and hazel shape eyes. What can any man ask for their woman if all what they wanted is already in Melissa. How could I just say forget what I fell for her. Not a chance, I will try my best to win her heart even though Rigor said that she was already committed to someone.

It really breaks my heart that the first woman I have ever loved has already been committed. If I have come earlier, maybe I have the chance that me and Melissa will be in a relationship instead of Archie. I also learned from Rigor, that Melissa has a lot of admirers from the ground floor to the sixth floor of our building. I don’t doubt it, because she’s beautiful inside and out.

I know I feel that Melissa is avoiding me because of my persistence. Archie is just her boyfriend not her husband. I was really hurt when I saw Archie kissing and embracing Melissa, while I am imagining myself that I am the one kissing and embracing her. I never lose hope, and I can still fight for my feelings for Melissa. What would I do to remove Archie away from her life? This is the first time I was thinking bad for anyone because of love. I am selfish, I know, but can you blame me? I want Melissa and I love her. I don’t know what will make me change my mind not to pursue her. Just thinking about it already makes me feel like I’m dying. I don’t know how bad I can be, but forgive me, I can’t let her go with any man, only ME.

**Archie’s POV**

I saw how hurt Luigi was when he saw us at Lisa’s office when I arrived from the province. I can’t help myself from embracing and kissing her because I missed her a lot. I know how persistent Luigi can be, and I can also see that he’s not the kind of man that easily accepted his defeat. I am just afraid of what he could plan to create havoc to our relationship. I know he is that crazy guy that could do anything he pleases just to attain his goal.

I wanted to talk to Luigi personally without telling Lisa, but I don’t know what will be the effect of this on our work and our relationship. I have to plan ahead before Luigi makes his move. I don’t want to lose Lisa and her work as well as my work.

I have been seriously guarding Lisa from Luigi. I always made sure that I was there every lunch break and after work to send her home. My friends and Lisa’s office mate were teasing me that I have already been fencing Lisa from other men. Yes, I admitted that because that is the truth especially when it comes to Luigi. I know he is up to something not good for both Lisa and me.

I took the chance to talk to Luigi when he came to the office in the middle of the day to attend some meeting with the President. I asked him if I could talk to him privately. He probably knew that it had something to do with Lisa. At first, he was hesitant to answer, but he gave in to my request. We went to a nearby café and I ordered some drinks.

“What is it that you want to talk about?” Luigi started the question.

“It is about us, you, Lisa and me. I wanted you to stop making any moves on her and, please leave her alone. I am her boyfriend and she is not comfortable whenever you are around.” I told him.

“Melissa is not yet your wife and I still have the chance to steal her from you. Why are you so afraid that she will change her mind? Instead of marrying you, maybe she would marry me and she will become my wife. You see Archie, I have not given up Melissa to you and I never lose hope that I would win.” I was shocked with his answer. I wanted to punch his face but I controlled myself for the sake of Lisa. I have never encountered such a person who is full of himself.

“Well, that is your opinion, but I am warning you, don’t hurt Lisa in the process of whatever your plan is. I know we both love Lisa, but it is just so unfortunate that she loves me instead of you.” I reiterate to him.

“Maybe she loves you for now. But let’s see how that love will survive for the coming days.” Luigi countered. I can feel that it is a threat. I cannot back down because of what he said. Lisa loved me and not him, and I will do anything to protect our love for each other.

Luigi just stood up from his seat without saying a word and proceeded to the office. I can see the anger on his face when he left. I followed him just to be sure that he won’t be going directly to Lisa and talked rubbish about our meeting. I already planned to tell Lisa that I initiated to talk to Luigi about his conspicuous move to Lisa. I just waited until her office hours are over and we can plan to stop Luigi from pestering her.