#gavinxmc

Gavin smiled in satisfaction, with such pride with his own self when he just got out from the bakery with a box filled with warm cookies in his hand. He took out his phone, scrolling until he found a name he was so familiar with. Gavin’s smiled got even wider when he imagined the one who would receive the cookies, smiled receiving the the little present from him.

You always liked cookies anyway.

For a certain bakery.

That always sold before noon.

Gavin felt the struggle he had to sacrifice for him to came really early in the morning to get the cookies would be worth it. Fortunately the bakery’s close enough to your shooting location so he walked to you. Gavin already memorized your schedule for that day. The officer would come when he had time to visit you. It was like a routine for him.

(I was walking down the street

When I saw your man

Yeah I saw him

I saw that my hunch was right

I told you he took off the ring you gave him

And linked his arm around someone

I’ll just leave it at that

I don’t wanna hurt you)

Gavin stopped when he passed with a couple beside him. He whipped around in an instant. Knowing the familiar man he just passed by. The girl link her arm to his, like a normal couple. But the thing was, Gavin knew too well that the man’s girlfriend wasn’t the girl who was walking with him right now. Even just for a split second, Gavin saw the man’s finger. The ring wasn’t there.

The ring that was supposed to be in his finger, the couple ring Gavin knew well.

Why?

Because Gavin accompanied you when you bought the ring. 

That man--Chandler, was your boyfriend. And the girl who was walking with him was not you. And Gavin knew too well the direction of that man and girl walked into.

Love hotel? Really? Gavin gulped down his own hatred.

Gavin’s mood turned sour and he hurriedly walk from the street to meet you as soon as possible, gritting his teeth and held the paper bag in his hand tightly.  How many times has it been actually? When you dating Chandler? Was it 2 years? 

(But you actually get mad at me

Why?

Saying that there’s no chance of that happening, sure you’re right

I became aware of you being upset

And I said I must have seen wrong

That’s right, I’ll lie for you

I’m sorry)

“You what?” you asked Gavin as you took the paper bag from him.

“I saw Chandler on the street, on my way here.” Gavin paused. “With a girl.” the older man said bitterly.

You crunched your nose as you bit the cookies. You shook your head. “No, that’s not true. You must see it wrong.” you took out your phone, showing Gavin the chat you had with the bastard--Chandler. “He’s out of town for a work and he just sent me a pict of him with his colleagues, preparing themselves for a meeting.”

Gavin’s eyebrow knitted in disbelief, staring at the lovey dovey conversation made him sick to his gut. That bastard, how many photos he had in stock to fool you?

“You must see wrong person.” you said again. 

But i haven’t told you that he took off your ring and walking to a love hotel at that.

“I’ll call him.” you said, dialing Chandler, putting it on speaker.

“Hey honey.” you smiled. Making Gavin’s heart boiled in jealousy inside the stoic face he had on his face. “Where are you right now?” you asked.

“I’m still at the meeting babe, i’ll call you asap okay?” Chandler’s voice sounded rough and whispery. “Love you.” 

The call ended.

“See? There’s no way Chandler would cheat on me, Gavin. How dare you accused him like that!” you folded your hand and glared at Gavin. You were upset, and Gavin felt bad about it.

“...You’re right. Maybe i saw the wrong person. I’m sorry.” Gavin surrendered.

Just this once, this once i’ll lie to you. Gavin exhaled. 

(You look happy when you talk about him

At least when you’re smiling like this,

You look good, i’m happy

You say that you really love him

That it’s going to last forever

You believing this

I don’t know what to say no more)

“And then we went to the aquarium. He was such a gentleman--”

Gavin took you out for lunch nearby your office since Gavin dropped by for one of your show and he was your guest. Along the way you talked about the date you had with Chandler. You were happy, ecstatic even, when you told Gavin about Chandler. The officer could see the spark in your eyes, the love you had for the man Gavin began to despise.

“It’s good to see you’re smiling like this.” Gavin said out loud, but he couldn’t take it back. You paused to stare at Gavin and the officer just cover his face because he knew that his face went red. 

“It’s because i love him, Gavin.” you said. “I really hope that we would go even further, you know? Like introducing him to my relatives. This way you don’t have to pretend to be my boyfriend anymore.” you added, smiling.

Gavin felt like his heart paused for a second.

“I always feel bad for dragging you like that. You must be uncomfortable when you had to meet my aunt and uncle.” you said, looking at Gavin with sympathy.

Gavin felt like there was a big lump in his throat that he couldn’t swallow. He never mind to pretend to be your boyfriend. He even enjoyed the company of your uncle and aunt. He always like it when they pat his back and asked him to come to their home at least once a year on lunar new year.

“I believe my big family will accept Chandler like they accepted you too. Who knows, maybe they even grant us their blessing and we’ll get married?”

Gavin’s heart sank. 

“I don’t know what to say.” Gavin’s tone turned sad. And you tilted your head, didn’t understand why.

(All of your friends know him well

Yup they know

Why are you the only one who can’t see what everyone else sees?

It’s you

They say love is blind oh baby you so blind

I beg you, please break up with him)

That one night, Gavin went to a bar with Minor after work. Gavin didn’t refuse as he needed a booze to clear his mind. Earlier that day he saw Chandler again. With another girl in his arms. They were lovey dovey and even kissed each other’s cheek on the street like it was nothing. The officer couldn’t even stop to catch the bastard since he was on his shift and he had to meet his superior in the police department. Gavin was still deep in thought until Minor dragged him to sit beside a group of girls.

“What should we do to make her realize?” Willow sighed as she drank her champagne.

“You can’t, Willow. Our boss is too blinded by love that he just dismissed all of our warnings as something offensive.” Anna waved her hand.

Gavin stared at Willow and Anna in disbelief. Minor sat beside those two and he nodded furiously, agreeing to what they just said. “Right?! You guys saw that bastard too walking with a girl on the street, right?!” Minor pitched in, clearly annoyed with their boss.

“Don’t you think so, Gavin? I know that you’ve been trying to warn her over and over.” Anna looked sympathetically at Gavin.

“What? Seriously? Even she wouldn’t hear to Gavin?” Willow said in disbelief.

Gavin finally responded, by a small shook on his head. “No, she was even angry to me when i tried to tell her last time.” Gavin said.

“This is ridiculous. And what’s more? She wants to bring that bastard to her relative’s house next week, to introduce him!” Minor added. All heads whipped to Minor, including Gavin, stared at his friend with almost his jaw dropped.

“What? How come you didn’t tell me?” Gavin asked.

“That’s why i drag you here with me, Gav! To tell you and the others about this!” Minor clenched his fist, followed by Anna’s and Willow’s sigh.

“I knew that guy was up to no good when i saw him walking with another woman. I even took photo of him but you know what? She dismissed it! Saying that girl was his cousin! I mean, what kind of cousin who would walk hand in hand like that?” Willow showed the photo on her cellphone for the group to see.

“She’s too blinded by love.” Anna sighed.

Gavin stared at the photo with his heart boiled inside his head. Like he wanted to explode, wanted to scream at you that Chandler wasn’t a good man. That Chandler was just toying with you. Gavin couldn’t even keep his feelings buried deep any longer. 

That night, Gavin closed his eyes, hoping that you would break up with him.

And that officer would do anything to make it happen.

(Oh I hate you for not knowing me

I hate this waiting

Please let go of his hand now

When you’re sad,

I only feel like dying, baby

What can that bastard do that I can’t?

Exactly why can’t you have me?

That bastard doesn’t love you

Until when are you only going to cry like a fool?)

Smack!

A slap landed on Gavin’s cheek. The officer stared at you in disbelief, he held his stung left cheek, hurt by your slap, hurt because you wouldn’t believe him.

Gavin was coming to your apartment. His sole main reason was when he was worried that you were sad these days. You told Gavin that you couldn’t reach Chandler these days, right before the day both you and him would meet your relatives. You also told Gavin that Chandler was being cold and distant. That you were crying because he could leave you hanging for days, which he never did before. So Gavin took the opportunity to tell you, again. 

That Chandler was not a good man.

That Chandler was never loyal to you like you do to him.

That guy had been hanging around with several different girls. One of those photo showed him kissing another girl at a bar.

Gavin asked Minor’s help to snap some pictures and here he was. Instead of finally listen to what he had to say, you slapped him. Even before Gavin could show you the photos he printed out for you to see. 

“You’re lying! There’s no way Chandler would do that!” you screamed at Gavin.

Gavin was silent, only staring at you as his surprised face calmed down. Almost at the point Gavin was angry, he was so fed up with you being like this. If he got a slap for telling you the truth, he’s rather have it. As long as you got the truth.

“I thought we were friends, Gavin! How would you badmouth my boyfriend? Why would everyone badmouth him!” you spat.

(Yeah

Expensive cars, pretty clothes

Classy restaurants

They suit you well

But that ‘x’ next to you really isn’t it

He does not suit you at all

In front of you, he fake smiles

He touches your cheeks and hair

But inside, he is definitely

Thinking of some other girl

How could he do that?

It’s like a sin)

“Because he is. He is bad.” Gavin replied, almost immediately.

You were taken aback by Gavin’s reply. “No! He wouldn’t do things to hurt me!” you said, in brink of tears as your eyes glistened.

Gavin took your hand, handing you the photos he kept in his backpack. “Until when? Until when you’re going to deny the truth? The proof’s right here. Everyone’s been telling you, warned you.” Gavin said, almost too calmly.

You threw the photos away and it fell to the grey carpet of your living room. You saw the photos scattered, showing that Chandler was walking with another girl, being intimate with another girl. You finally broke into sobs as you kneeled to the carpet. Gavin kneeled in front of you, slowly placed his hand on your shoulder. Seeing you cry always hurt him, but Gavin couldn’t take any more waiting.

“You deserve everything. You deserve happiness. Not this kind of betrayal. He faked everything and i’m sure...you got the hint of it  by how cold he is right now to you.” Gavin said.

“Please just leave, Gavin.” you said between your sobs.

Gavin frowned. Not this again. Not this ‘shutting him out’ attitude again. 

“Please.” your beg has finality in its own and Gavin couldn’t help but obey.

“If anything happen, you know you can always call me.” Gavin said as he patted your head and walked outside your apartment, felt heavy and so wrong for leaving you crying alone.

But

Please let go of his hand. The evidences are enough.

(As much as the tears you’ve shed,

I’ll treat you better baby

The pain you handle by yourself,

Will you share some with me baby?

Just look at me,

Why don’t you know that your love is me?

Why are you the only one who doesn’t know?)

“Hey, what’s up?” Gavin asked as he answered a call from you.

Silence.

“Hello?” Gavin could only hear rain sounds pouring heavily.

“Gavin…” your weak voiced made Gavin’s heart clenched. But the second he heard you crying, Gavin suddenly stood up. Eli, who was in Gavin’s house, looked at him confused as he browsed through the reports both of them had to deal with.

“Where are you right now? I’ll pick you up.” Gavin asked as he reached his coat rack and put on his hoodie.

“....i’m sorry, Gavin.” you said between your sobs. “I really am sorry.” your crying didn’t make anything better.

“Ssshhh. It’s okay, it’s okay. Now tell me, where are you?” Gavin asked as he reached his shoes cabinet.

“At the bus stop near your apartment. It-it’s okay, you don’t need to pick me up. I’ll be there in a minute.” you said weakly, which of course, Gavin didn’t buy it.

“No, it’s a storm outside, you’ll catch a cold.” Gavin said firmly as he caught umbrella and another coat thrown by Eli.

“Then...then i’ll wait here.” you said. “Okay, i’ll be there in a minute. Wait for me.” Gavin said as he hung up the call.

“I’ll take my leave as well then.” Eli said as he put on his shoes beside Gavin. “Don’t worry about the report, i’ll send you the rest when i’m done with my part.” Eli added.

“Thanks, Eli. I owe you one.” Gavin nodded.

“Treat me lunch tomorrow then.” Eli grinned. “Oh and, don’t take advantage of a broken heart maiden. I know you’re dying to see her after a week of her ignoring your chat and calls.”

Gavin muttered annoyed noise as Eli laughed, teleporting himself from Gavin’s apartment.

Gavin ran outside his apartment with umbrella in his hand, trying to searched for you. But his step stopped when he found you, sitting in the corner of the street while hugging your knees as tears poured down to your head. Your whole body was drenched by rain and Gavin could clearly see your shoulder shook as you sobbed silently. Like a cat abandoned by its owner.

Just like that, Gavin brought you back to his apartment. Gavin told you to use his shower so you wouldn’t get cold and gave you his clothes, which of course, too big for you to the point you could wear Gavin's shirt and boxer and it looked decent and cover your body just enough while you wait for the dryer to dry your soaked clothes. You were snuggling in his blanket like a burito, sipping the tea Gavin made for you to warm up your body.

Gavin watched you with a swell in his heart as he stared at you. Your puffy red eyes, disheveled hair from shower that you didn’t bother to dry properly. You looked thinner and hollow. Gavin’s mind screamed to him that he wanted to treat you better, to make you feel better, better than Chandler, better than any man that had been in relationship with you.

“I...i really am sorry, Gavin.” you said as you placed the mug in your palm, staring at the tea, didn’t dare to look at Gavin who was sitting beside you. “For slapping you, calling you a liar.” 

Gavin shook his head. “I understand that it was a lot for you to take in, after all you believed in him. But...i had to do it.” Gavin said.

“I’m sorry.” you apologized, again, as you hung your head low.

“Hey, it’s okay--”

“I broke up with Chandler.” You cut Gavin off. “I came to Chandler’s house to talk about our relationship, turned out he was making out with a girl when i walked in. So--”

Gavin was dumbfounded. Part of him was happy, glad that you finally let go of that bastard. Another part of him was hurt, to see the state you were in. How sad it must be for you. How hurt it must be. Without Gavin even realized he took away the mug from your hand and pulled you into hug.

“Gavin?” you called. “Gavin...i--”

Gavin was about to pulled away but when he felt that your whole body shook and a sob escaped from your lips, Gavin held you closer to him, hugging you. He patted your head as he let you cry. Your cry began to sound louder, clung to Gavin’s shirt’s sleeve tightly.

“Please, share me some of your pain. It’s okay to cry.” Gavin said.

You nodded, snaking your hand to hug Gavin back. “It...it hurts.” you said.

“I believed in him.” 

“I trusted him.” 

“Why? I tried so hard...to make our relationship work.”

“I..even dismissed my coworkers. I even said harsh things to them..to you.”

“I even slapped you, Gavin.”

“I’m sorry, Gavin.”

I promise, i will treat you better than any man.

No one is allowed to hurt you like this.

“It’s okay to let it out. It’s okay.” Gavin said as you turned to saying apologize to him over and over. 

“But..Gavin, I--”

“Take your time to heal. You’re not alone. You have me, you have your coworkers too.

Gavin inhaled his own shampoo on your hair as you sobbed uncontrollably in his hug. Gavin didn’t say anything, he let you cry, let you say anything you wanted to say. His hand only pulled you closer while he buried his face to your hair, without you realizing, kissing the side of your head, muttering something.

When you’re healed, please look at me.

I love you.