A Valentine Interview

The N: Lovers alert! So, that very special day for them to get lovey-dovey, feeling mushy is tomorrow and…urgh! (Ran away, banged his head on the wall, cursing himself.)

Gabriel: I’m sorry. What he meant was that Valentine’s almost here so we gathered Emma’s guys for a short interview. We’re just gonna ask them some questions. Don’t tell her though. *wink*

Luc: Alright! I got them all tied up!

Gabriel: What? Hey, let them go, idiot!

Feeling uneasy after they were forcefully taken here, the guys looked at each other and shrugged. They don’t exactly remember why they were there nor do they remember how. Gabriel entered and released them from their binds, apologizing for his brother’s kidnapping them away.

Gabriel: I humbly apologize, gentlemen. I’m really, really sorry he brought you here in that manner.

Daniel: Never mind that. Why are we here actually?

Gabriel: Just to answer some questions we were curious about.

Daniel: (Turns to look at Caine, Jesse, Ivan and Adam) All of us?

Gabriel: Unfortunately, yes. The N and Luc will help me.

Daniel: The what?

The Guardian smiled and left. He beckoned Daniel to follow him.

*****

Gabriel took Daniel to the balcony and offered him a seat. Daniel was suspicious at first but to his own surprise, he found himself being completely at ease having Gabriel around. He took a sip of coffee and said, “When do we start?” Gabriel smiled.

Gabriel: Just some questions.

Daniel: Okay.

Gabriel: Since when did you knew Emma?

Daniel: Since we were kids. I’m only a few years older than her - wait! Is this about her? Cause I’m not really…

Gabriel: Did you got together or something?

Daniel: Err, no, almost but nope. Look, I don’t really want to…

Gabriel: Hmm…okay, since you’re hesitating you can give me your side of the story now.

Daniel: Huh? Well, I…we were still in high school and she was my junior. She confessed at church. I was shocked of course. It was odd for a girl to do so. Besides, she was trying to hook me up with her friend. I was wondering whether she was joking. After all, we are cousins. But she was sweet. I began to…care for her. Almost got together but the whole relative thingy bothered me. We remained as just cousins but we still flirt once in a blue moon. I do like her but we’re tied by blood. It’s either stay or leave.

Gabriel: That will do. Thank you.

Daniel left, still confused why it was about Emma. It was Adam’s turn next. The so-called interview went on for the rest of the day.

*****

Gabriel: Tell me your side of the story.

Adam: Well, I met Emma in elementary school. I used to tease her. She was…you know a tough girl. Back then, she’d stare at me as if she wanted to eat me. The other girls hated her actually. Poor her. They wanted me but I was busy goofing around her. She was good in English and I, Maths so there was a deal there, right? She hated me. Hey, hate is another kind of love, isn’t it?

Ivan: Met her in high school. I was the president for Society Club. She gave me a Valentine chocolate. It was a complimentary one. She accidentally bought an extra one so she gave it to me. Hmm, no feelings there. Neither from her.

Gabriel: False alarm…

Jesse: High school. She tricked me into liking her! Not exactly but I thought we were together when we weren’t… She was sweet and hard to get, how can I resist? I still like her, so much but she said I was young. People say age doesn’t matter. Bummer to believe that. It does matter. Guys younger than her is a major turn off…in her case of course. Not the world. And yes, I love her! I’d shout it if I can but she’d probably kill me…

Gabriel: Persistent…save the best for last then. Caine?

Caine: I don’t really have much to say. I care for her but I’m old for her - at least I think I am. I don’t want to rush things…I’m not giving any false hope either but…she’s slipping away, can’t you see? It certainly seems that her decisions are based on me but what if…what if she actually doesn’t care and was just asking for advice? What if all this while she liked me because I’m an anchor?

Gabriel: Err…I’m her anchor, Caine. sorry to say.

Caine: I…I don’t know. I don’t want to talk about this. Time will tell. Someday. Sooner or later.

*****

Gabriel reread his notes and passed them on to Luc. “I guess you were right when you called them jerks,” he said. “Burn those. Emma will be furious if she finds out.” The N nodded.

“Find out what?”

Emma was standing crossed-arm at the door. She had a smile on her face that gave her anger away. “I’d like to have a little talk with you guys…WHAT THE HELL DID YOU JUST DO?”