Monica's POV
30 mins earlier...
I've already done my hair and make-up; all I need to do now is choose a dress. Unfortunately, I brought outfits and neither of them suits me. I completely forgot that I am three months pregnant and that all of my clothes are fitted. I just have two options: I either go to Phoebe and Rachel's and ask if they have any extras, or I can wear what I wore yesterday but it's already sweaty.
I went to the other side of the room and knocked before going in. Phoebe and Rachel are already dressed and look stunning; their clothes accentuate their bodies' curves, making me self-conscious about mine.
"Hey, Mon. Why aren't you dressed yet? We're leaving in about 15 minutes, and the boys will be here shortly," Rachel remarked.
"Uhm...I don't think I'm going," I said, and they gasped, "Why?!!"
"I hoped we'd be able to find some guys there," Rachel sadly said.
I made an effort not to giggle at her reply. There aren't any guys there, but after hearing Chandler telling Phoebe and Rachel that there are a lot of guys in his father's show, I couldn't help but join in his prank.
"I just don't have any dresses," I explained, "and the ones I brought were all fitted."
Rachel chuckles, "Oh, Mon, don't worry. I have a lot of clothes that will fit you and your bump "I smiled as she gently caressed my stomach.
She reached into her luggage and pulled out a red loose-fitting casual dress. She handed it to me as I touched the fabric. Rachel is really excited to have the opportunity to find a guy tonight that she packed this beautiful outfit.
Somebody knock on the door and it was Chandler. "Hey guys, are you all good? let's go,"
"Wow, you really dress up good!" he exclaimed, attempting to hold back a laugh as he looked at Phoebe and Rachel. "Of course, you said there'd be a lot of guys there" Rachel explained, "so we're taking a chance."
He smiled at them and then turned his gaze to me, his brows furrowed as he looked at me up and down, "Why aren't you dressed yet? are you not coming? Is there something wrong?" He asked with concern in his voice.
I chuckle, he's really cute when he gets anxious, "Don't worry, Chandler. I'm getting ready right now, but it might take a while, so I suggest you guys go first, we'll catch up." I said and the girls' groans.
"Okay, see you there then," He said, then leaning forward at me, "Don't tell Phoebe and Rachel about our secret," He whispered into my ear. He touches my bump, and I can't help but bite my lower lip as I close my eyes and chuckle, "Okay, bye guys. See you there!" He said bidding his goodbye to us and giving one last mischievous look before closing the door.
I shake my head as I stare at the door where he exited. When I turned back, Phoebe and Rachel were staring at me with an unusual expressions. "What?" I asked, clutching the dress to my chest.
"Uhm Mon, quick question, how come you and Chandler are not together yet?" She questioned, clearing her throat out.
I let out a sigh "Rache, stop it. You already know why, don't you? "I stated. "But Mon, does it bother you that you two have mutual feelings for each other?"
"No. It doesn't bother me because we've agreed that nothing will happen between us, thus I don't let myself bother it, "I said.
Rachel looks at me as though she doesn't believe what I'm telling her.
"Let's say Chandler started dating someone. What do you think you'll react?" Phoebe popped the question out of nowhere.
I went quiet for a moment. I can't even imagine Chandler being with another woman. I'm not sure how I'll react, but it makes me nauseous just thinking about it.
Of course, he will start dating someone because we have agreed that nothing will happen between us, but I don't want him to date someone else. What does that even mean? Oh my God, I'm being selfish, aren't I?
"Monica!" shouted the girls as I snapped back to reality. "What?" I asked.
"You've been zoning out for a minute there. Are you okay?" Rachel asked. "Yeah, No. I'm good...—Anyway I'm going to change now so that we can arrive early at the show." I excused myself and went to use the restroom.
I lean my back against the back of the door and let out a breath of relief. How will you react? I shake my thoughts away and took a deep breath.
Of course, I'll be upset... he's my best friend.
We took a cab and gave the driver the address and he's familiar with the place too. Chandler's dad is really popular in Vegas. His both parents are popular and they're both happy about what they are doing, while Chandler, on the other hand, doesn't know what to do and can't quit his current job. I know how his love for passion in writing is, I know that he still wants to pursue that but with the baby coming along he put that aside. I just hope he doesn't pressure himself through work because of this.
We now stopped at the place, Rachel and Phoebe take a glance around the room, searching for a guy but all they saw was boylesque. I attempted not to laugh at them but looking at their oblivious face, cracks me up. We walk towards the door where the show is starting and I already hear someone's singing from inside.
"Oh my gosh, they're already starting! I should've come along with Chandler earlier," Phoebe whine and I glared at her.
"Don't worry, we're only late for a couple of minutes," I said. "Wow, Monica Geller being late for the first time. That's new," Rachel tease making Phoebe chuckle. "Hey! Technically we've only been late for 5 minutes and we could be in there for 3 minutes without this minute talk!" I exclaimed. Rachel rolled her eyes, "Can we now please go inside?"
I softly groan and opened the door to the room. I take a glance at the room and when my eyes fall into the stage, I saw Chandler standing there. Singing.
"Am I dreaming right now or do I actually see Chandler singing on the stage?" Phoebe said, stunned about his best friend singing with many people in front.
"So, take my hand
Take my whole life too
For I can't help falling in love with you," He sang it with his angelic voice. My breathing stop and I feel my eyes start to glisten.
"Woah, Mon it's like that song meant to you," Phoebe said, nudging her elbow at me. I didn't reply to her back as I focus myself only on him. My heart starts to pump loud and furiously. I notice that his eyes are closed and I want to know what he is thinking right now. Is it about me? Please don't tell me it's me? He knows that we can't... Why is he doing this?
"Like a river flows
Surely to the sea,"
Suddenly, he open his eyes and the first thing he caught was mine. I flinch back slightly, my breathing becoming shallow.
"Darling, so it goes
Some things aren't meant to be"
One tear came out from my eyes when I notice that he change the words of the lyrics. I grip my hands tightly, knowing what the next line of the song is.
"But Take my hand
Take my whole life too
For I can't help falling in love with you~"
I swallowed as more tears came out of my eyes, "Mon are you okay?" Rachel whispered.
"For I can't help falling in love with you~"
"No, I'm not. I need to go," I said as I hurriedly leave the room at the same time the audience starting applauding for him. I wipe my nose as I ran away from the room. I can't do this, I'm sorry Chandler.
It's been 10 minutes since I left that room, and I have a strong feeling that the gang is looking for me. I lie down on the bed and cupped my hands around my face. My eyes are bloody red, and the beat of my heart is exactly the same as it was earlier. As I stare at the ceiling, I simply wipe my cheeks using the duvet.
Why is he doing this to me? He's supposed to be my best friend, I can't... I can't fall in...—
My heart begins to pound rapidly once more, and I place my other hand on my chest, patting it gently while I take deep breaths.
Why am I hurting? Isn't love supposed to be tender but why is it mines like it's been stabbed by a thousand knives? and the one who is doing the stabbing is me... what does that even mean? I'm confused. Confused about everything.
Life is usually confusing and constantly complicated which is why I don't let myself get into it.
Suddenly, Rachel burst into the room, huffing. I quickly sat up on the bed, wiping the tears away, "Rachel, what are you doing here?!" I asked, surprised to see her here.
"Thank God you're here. We've been looking all over for you," She said as she walks over to me and tightly embraces me. She sat down on the edge of the bed, breaking the embrace, "Why did you leave, Mon?" she asked, tucking the strands behind my ear. I can feel myself starting to break down into tears once more. I clutch my dress tightly and tried to open my mouth, but nothing came out.
I look at her in the eyes for a moment and suggested something instead, "Can we lie down for a second, Rache?" My tears strolling down my face when I asked that. She looks at me sympathetically, wiping the tears and softly nodded, "Okay, honey."
I lay down on Rachel's chest as she strokes my hair reassuringly. I hug her tightly, needing some company for now.
"Please, tell me what happened Mon..." She whispered. My fingers grip the cloth of her dress, burying my face into her, "I don't know what to do Rache," I mumble, "He's... he's my best friend,"
"I thought I'm your best friend," She joke, trying to lighten up the mood. I chuckle at her as I brought my head up, laying it to the pillow underneath me, "Of course you are my best friend too, Rache,"
"I know... I'm just kidding," She chuckles, she continues to stroke my hair, "Mon... are you in love with—"
"I don't know," Cutting her before she could say the whole sentence, "I'm confused. I don't know what to do," I said, sitting up on the bed, hugging my knees.
"Where are you confused at?" She asked, she sat up too beside me.
I took a deep breath, "Everything! I'm confused about everything!" I exclaimed, "I don't know what to do about this. It's getting more and more uncomfortable between us because of these stupid feelings!" I huffed.
Rachel rubbed my arms, trying to calm me down, "Monica, breath. Breath Honey," As I closed my eyes and breathed in and out.
"Mon, these feelings aren't stupid. This is how you feel about that one person and it's genuine. you can't control what you feel." She said, rubbing my back reassuringly, "It might be confusing but...— follow what's on your heart not from your mind. You think too much about what if's that you become In denial. If you truly care about that person, don't let your fears hold you back." She stated.
I stop sobbing for a while and stared at her. I don't know why but her sayings made me think about it. It's true, fear holds me back and suddenly I remember what my mother said: "If we deny love that is given to us and refuses to give love because we fear loss, then our lives will be empty,".
"Mon, are you there?" Rachel asked, stroking my arm. I flinch back slightly, "I'm here... I'm just thinking,"
"About Chandler?" She asked, I chuckle softly. I can't believe she's eager to know about this. I softly nodded.
"Is it a good thing or a bad thing?" She asked. I thought about it for a while, is it a good thing or a bad thing? After hearing what Rachel had to say, my doubts slipped away, and now I'm ready to try the whole "follow your heart" thing and to be honest I'm completely, utterly in love with him and I want to give this a shot.
"Monica? tell me!" She demanded, shaking my body strongly. I smile between sobs and I nodded, she looks at me confused for a minute and I told her, "It's a good thing,"
She shrieked loudly and I covered my ears with my hands, "Oh my gosh! Don't tell me you're giving this a shot?" She asked, can't control her adrenaline. "I think I'm going to give this a shot," I said and she shrieked once more, "Rachel, don't be loud," I said.
"I'm sorry, I'm just happy for the two of you. Oh my god, Monica, you two are going to be happy with each other," She said happily.
I shrugged my shoulders, "I don't know..."
"Oh please, you two love each other," She said and I gave her a look, "How do you know he's in love with me, he didn't even say it,"
"He didn't say it but he did sing it," She said and I blush. "Look at you being in love." poking my sides, I rub my face trying to remove my blush across my cheeks, "Anyway so when are you going to tell him?" She asked.
Oh. I never thought of that. That'll be hard, what am I going to say to him? Oh my god, thinking about it makes me nervous. I did not think this through.
"Oh. I don't know. What am I going to say, Rache?! Oh my gosh, I didn't think about that part, I just thought the part that we're going to be together and that's it. Oh my God. Oh my God!" I started to panic and Rachel holds my sides, "Mon, breath, breath, breath," She said and I inhale and exhale in front of her, "Good, Don't worry about it Mon. This'll be easier since you two like each other. You can do it," She assured.
"Okay. okay, but I think, I should wait for a week about this and find the perfect timing. What do you think?" I asked and she agreed.
Once again, I went back to my good mood. Earlier I was crying, my heart was hurting but now, it's starting to thump normally again and it's all because I agree with it. Rachel was right, "Follow your heart, not your mind," I'll keep that phrase forever.
"Thank you, Rachel. Forgoing back here and comforting me. I feel much better now," I said, hugging her. She accepted it and smiled, "Don't worry, I'll always be here for you and I came back here because there weren't any guys there," She joked, "kidding, of course, the others are looking for you you too and you don't know Vegas that much so this is the first place that I thought of you,"
I smiled. It's a blessing to have good friends.
A/N:Please accept my apologies if the chapter took longer than expected; my schedule was just a little crazy. Anyway, this is the second chapter of Vegas, and I made a connection between Monica and Rachel because their best friends.
Tell me your thoughts on Monica's feelings for Chandler and take a guess about what will happen between them.
Hope you enjoyed reading it, tell me what you think!!
