Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

**Lisa’s POV**

After that day of meeting William, he often visited the office. At times, I almost rejected his presence. It has become annoying to me. Though he was so gentleman in every way. One time, he told me that he was into a group of bands and saxophone is his instrument. They were playing at bars and hotels sometimes and I am eager to watch him play his instrument with the band.

“Can I invite you tomorrow tonight? We have a show at one of the hotels in the city. If it’s ok with you?” As if he is pleading.

“I would like to, but I don’t know if my father would allow me to attend.” I told him.

“I would ask for your father’s permission if you are willing to attend.” He insisted.

“Ok, you can talk to my father tonight and ask his permission.” I told him.

“So, I can send you home tonight, then I can talk to your father to ask his permission.” He gladly said.

“Ok, as you wish.” That was the first time I allowed him to send me home. I was just curious about him playing with his band. He sent me home that afternoon using his car. Luckily, my father was at my mother’s house, so I didn’t need to call him to come.

I introduced him to my father and my father was eyeing me curiously all that time, as if asking me questions. They talked a little longer and then he opened his intention of why he was here at our house.

“Can I invite Lisa to the Hotel where we will be playing?” He asked with ardent prayer that my father would say yes.

“Is she willing to come?” My father asked. Then my father directed his question to me. “Do you want to go?”

“It depends if you would permit me to come.” I was a little shy to answer.

“Well, you’re old enough to decide for yourself, so I guess you know what is good for you.” I was so confused about what my father answered.

“Rest assured sir that I will take good care of Lisa and I will send her home early.” He assured my father.

But my father reiterated. “I wanted her home early in the evening, not early in the morning. Do I make myself clear? If you broke this one rule, then there would be no next time.”

I wanted to burst out laughing because of what my father said. But his face was really that serious and William was blushing.

He just answered. “Yes sir, I will.”

Then it was set that he will pick me up tomorrow night at 8 pm because their performance will be at 10 pm. Since we have no office tomorrow, it will be ok to be late at home, but not later than 12 midnight. That is the rule. My father’s rule.

After William left, my father talked to me. “Is that your decision to go with him? Are you already in a relationship with him? Just be careful whom to trust again. I don’t want you to get hurt again. I might kill that guy if he does. Do you get me Lisa?”

“I understand father. I am not in a relationship with him and I just wanted to enjoy it since he invited me to watch their performance at the hotel where they work. I am not that easy prey to be lured into their trap again, I knew better. And thank you for caring for me.” I got teary eyes.

“Just a reminder and do take care of yourself, ok?” He said with a reminder.

“Yes, father I will.” I embraced him while crying.

The night had come and he came on time to fetch me to their performance at the hotel. I dress just right for the night with a wrapped around black dress that is above the knee. With heels that are comfortable to walk. My hair lay down freely just below my shoulder with light makeup. I really don’t want to apply makeup, because it makes my skin itchy. Just looking good was enough, no exaggeration to look better.

The performance was calming especially when he plays solo with his saxophone. I never knew he played that well.

After their performance we stayed for a while to talk with his bandmates. They playfully teased him about who I am and how I know him. I was shocked when one of his bandmates asked him how I numbered his previous girls. I just look at him with questioning eyes. I just don’t want to ask because we are not in a relationship, we’re not even friends yet, just a companion to the show. I want to laugh at myself for telling that to myself, who I am fooling with.

We left his band mates and went to the terrace of the hotel, and he was sorry for his bandmates for saying something offensive. In fact, I was not offended, it was he was being offended by his bandmates.

“There is no need to be sorry, besides it is not offensive. I guess they are directing it to you. I just wanted you to know that we are in a friend stage and we have no relationship at all. If ever that would come, I guess not sooner.” I cleared it for him.

He could not say a word but he just listened. “Does that mean I don’t stand a chance in your heart?”

“I don’t mean that. But I am not ready to get into a relationship this early. Besides, I have just known you for a month and that was not enough to get to know you. I don’t want to get hurt again.” I explained to him.

“How does he hurt you?” He asked.

“He cheated on me. He was my boyfriend in college.” I told him with sad eyes. He didn’t say a word.

He just looked at me and held my hands and told me, “I won’t make the same mistakes as he does.” That’s all he said.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

I just hope so. But I don’t want to rely on what he said knowing that he is a playboy and messing around with lots of girls, how would I believe that? I would be fooling myself again.

After some pep talk, we looked for his bandmates who would be staying in the hotel and left for home before my father got himself to the hotel. He always has the urges to follow me whenever I don’t come home as agreed. He’s that protective ever since, and I love him for that.