The Dream Guy
By: Jocelyn A. Uy
My name is Marita Teresa* Velasco** Gonsalves*** Chan****
McCarthy***** Imaoka******. (*=Middle name **=mother's maiden name ***=last
name ****=1st marriage *****=2nd marriage ******=3rd marriage) I am a pure
Filipino who has been divorced twice: once from a Chinese guy and once from
a Scottish guy. All of my friends call me "Mary" or "Mare" because it is
easy to remember. My love life was pretty bland. I had lots of boyfriends
in high school, but they didn't last a long time. My first husband was a
Chinese guy named David Bruce Chan. I met him in college. (I went to Cal
Poly Pomona.) For me, I believed that it was love at first sight. We got
married soon after we graduated, and we moved to Chicago. It didn't last too
long, and after about a year we were divorced. I didn't date for a couple
years after that. Soon, I found a job in downtown Chicago working for a
fashion designer. I was in charge of selling clothes in his store. His name
was Angus Ian McCarthy. He wanted to bring Scottish fashions to America. He
was about 5 years older than I was, but he looked young. He moved to Chicago
about a year before I married David. Angus had a very thick accent and very
thick hair. He was a very traditional Scot. On special occasions, he wore a
kilt! I worked for him for a couple of months before we actually "fell in
love." When we did "fall," it was on Christmas Day. We got married a year
after we "fell in love." We closed his business, because it was failing and
moved to my old town in California. There, we found jobs in a mall. He was a
manager of a shop called "Fudder Clutter." It just so happened that I worked
next door in the Hallmark store. We were married for quite some time, but we
didn't have any children. Then one day he didn't go to work. He told me that
he felt sick. I got curious and asked someone to fill in for me that day. I
followed him around to see what he was up to. I thought he was planning a
surprise for me, so I was excited. I ended up following him to an office
building. It looked like the real estate agency we went to buy our house.
He entered and then I entered. He walked into a door and he shut it behind
him. I put my ear on the door. I heard people smooching! I thought, "Oh, my
husband walked in on a couple making out!" I wanted to surprise him, so I
opened the door. I could NOT believe what I saw. My husband was hugging,
kissing, and making out with our real estate agent! I yelled, screamed, and
punched him in the face. I went back out to my car, a navy blue Hudson
Hornet with black interior, and drove straight to the courthouse to get
divorced from Angus. The trial was quick and we went our separate ways. I
went back and lived with my parents for a year, then I got my own apartment
in L.A. I found a job working at an outlet store in South Coast Plaza. While
I was in my building, I had a lot of presents because it was Christmas time.
I needed a ton of help. I felt like a bag lady. I was trying to get in the
elevator when all of a sudden this EXTREMELY fine guy puts out his arm and
grabs half of the gifts while saying, "You need some help?" I was in shock.
I just stood there and nodded my head. We went in the elevator and I pushed
my floor button. He told me he lived on that floor too! Actually, he lived
right across from me, and I didn't even know it! I invited him in for some
hot cocoa. (I hate coffee!) I found out that he was born and raised in
Hawaii. His name was Leonardo Brandon Imaoka. His father was 75% Hawaiian
and 25% Filipino. His mom was a 50/50 mix of Dutch and Chinese. This mixture
of ethnicities made a FINE structure of a man. He had moved to his apartment
a couple years after he graduated college. (He had a B.S. in Chemical
Engineering with a minor in Computer science. He went to U.S.C.) He was
planning to go back to college, after he had settled with a family, and get
either a master's or a doctorate. All I did was get a B.A. in Communication
with a minor in Occupational Therapy. I did not want to think of college at
all (David). We talked for about an hour when I realized, I was falling for
him. I'd only known him for a couple of minutes, and I felt I was falling
in love . . . AGAIN! I didn't want to make a mistake, so I decided to ask
him out on a date. Just a simple dinner and a movie. He refused me. I was
completely surprised! He told me that he had just broken up a relationship
with his fiancee. He still was a little uneasy about dating. Explaining to
him that I knew how he felt, I led him back to his apartment, I told him
that if he ever needed a friend, I would be here for him. The next day, I
finally began my Christmas vacation. My entire apartment was decked out with
lights, garland, and holly. I was going to have my family over for Christmas
vacation. I invited Leonardo over so he could meet my parents. I was just
about to go out and buy some groceries, when my doorbell rang. I answered it
and it was my first ex-husband, David Chan. I was a little surprised and
confused. We began talking about our lives after the divorce. I told him
that I got married AND divorced again, while he told me how he found me. He
started working down the street from my building with a friend of mine that
lives in my building. He told me that he dated a year after our marriage,
but nothing serious. He was in the vicinity of the building when he decided
to visit me. He felt miserable about losing me so early. I was kind of
confused about what he said. But then, I saw his hands. He had a wedding
band on his finger. He had remarried. Then I asked him when he got married.
He told me just recently. I also invited him and his wife to my Christmas
dinner. I didn't know what he had planned for me. Finally, the big day had
arrived: the Christmas party! I was decked out in my best dress. Leonardo
came first, and HE LOOKED GOOD! He helped with the hors d'oeuvres. We ended
up trying to grab the same plate. We touched each other, and I felt a tingle
shudder through my entire body. We leaned in closer and closer until we were
practically breathing on each other. Then . . . DING-DONG! My family had
arrived! I almost tripped while trying to get the door. I opened it, and
there were my parents and my little brother, Michael Darian Velasco
Gonsalves. He goes to U.C.I. He's a freshman. Well, I introduced Leonardo to
my family, and they treated him as if he were my husband. Another ding-dong
came and it was David and his new wife, Lisa Danielle Chan. I told everyone
to sit at the table while I brought out the food. My parents were impressed
that I actually cooked food! We ate and then afterwards we opened presents.
(This night was Christmas Day. We usually went to Mass at night.) I gave
Leonardo a box of Preferred Stock cologne stuff. My parents gave some
keys . . . to a new car! The Hudson I had was inherited from my grandfather.
The new car was a 1997 Dodge Prowler. It looked good when I picked it up.
After my family left, Leonardo stayed and talked to David's wife. They just
happened to know each other from high school. David asked to talk to me
privately. We went into the kitchen and he started looking at me funny. I
felt really weird, and I wanted him to leave. He came up close and asked me
if I still loved him. I told him no, but I liked him as a friend. He didn't
care what I said, and he tried to kiss me! I slapped him in the face and
stormed out of the kitchen. David actually wanted to cheat on his NEW wife
with me! Talk about a confusing situation. I asked him to leave, and he did,
as if nothing had happened. After they left, I started crying. Leonardo
wondered what was wrong, and I told him. He got so angry and asked if I
needed someone to talk to. I told him yes and we sat together in front of
the television and began watching "It's a Wonderful Life." When the end of
the movie came, I didn't realize it, but I had my head on his shoulder. I
looked up and he looked down at me. We stared at each other for a while
until finally we kissed each other. After about a minute or two, we broke
off. We both were a little startled about the whole thing. Then Leonardo
said he had to go back to his apartment. I agreed with him and told him I
had to clean my apartment. After he left, I just looked up at the ceiling
and started mouthing, "Thank you, God! THANK YOU!" Okay, now that you know
how we started to hit it off, here are his STATS: He is 6'2", 185 pounds.
He has short blackish-brown hair that can be slicked back if needed. He is
into basketball, tennis, and running. He goes to the gym every week, 3 times
a week. He looks very muscular, but not so that it's overwhelming. He has a
beautiful smile and perfect teeth. He also part-time teaches an intermediate
Kung Fu class twice a week. This guy was a catch! Over the next few days I
was trying to contemplate "the kiss." I was afraid that I was moving too
forward or he didn't like it! I wasn't sure if he'd act the same way! I
really wanted a relationship with this guy, but I didn't want to spoil it.
While I was at work, I kept on thinking about what he thought. I was so in
tuned with my thoughts that I sometimes started "going off into space" while
ringing up a customer. I almost got fired! The boss let me off with a
warning and then said I had the rest of the day off. Then I went back to my
apartment. On my door was a little note. It said, "Need to talk. Meet me
across the street at Spago's at 7:30 P.M. Wear formal dress! Signed, Leo."
So, he ended up asking me on a date! Of course I was going to go, but I
wanted to do a good gesture for him. I bought him a bouquet of flowers.
(Hey, isn't the GUY supposed to do that?) When I got to the restaurant,
Leonardo was already there. Man, he looks good in everything he wears! He
was wearing this spiffy Giorgio Armani suit that looked like it was off the
cover of GQ! He had already ordered for me and while I was about to sit, I
gave him the flowers. He was touched. We acknowledged each other on how we
both looked and sat down. We began talking about what happened on that night
before. He asked me if I wanted to pursue a relationship with him. Of course
I said yes! So at that moment, we were officially boyfriend and girlfriend.
After dinner we went to a movie. We saw "Titanic." When we finally got to
our apartments, it was about 1:30-2:00 A.M. It was one of the best nights I
ever had. I wanted to move slowly due to the many mistakes I had made in the
past. He agreed and said he'd see me in the morning. Then he looked at me
with piercing eyes. I felt like jelly. I swear he could have done anything
to me and I would have been helpless! All he did was give me a most heavenly
kiss on my lips. Oh, what a kisser! We said our good nights and entered our
own apartments. I closed my door and I felt so good! I didn't feel sleepy so
I started up some popcorn and looked if anything was on T.V. The next day I
went to work, and who did I see shopping in my store? Why it was my ex-high
school sweetheart, Terence Hiroshi Kashimura! He was a hybrid of a black
woman and a Japanese man. A lot of people made fun of him for that. We were
the best of friends before we became sweethearts. We actually kept in touch
even after graduation. He told me he just got his doctorate in psychiatry at
Notre Dame the year before. He now was Dr. Terence H. Kashimura. I had not
seen him in years! The last time I saw him was at our reunion and we still
were in college! We got to talking. He married 5 years ago and he had two
kids: 1 newborn and another that was 4 years old. We talked for a few
minutes and then his beeper went off. He had to go and I told him that he
could come over to my apartment to talk. After work, I met Leonardo in front
of our building. I told him about my day and who I met. He said he wanted to
meet him as well. Terence gave me his phone number so I called him and told
him and his family to come over. He said fine, but he needed to finish with
a patient of his and call his wife with his kids. I made some lasagna
because I remembered Terence liked pasta, and I set the table for 5. I had
an old baby high chair my mom gave me, "just in case." I set it next to the
table. Leonardo came over dressed in a really, REALLY nice "necktie-less"
suit. I had some wine chilling in the fridge. Leonardo starting watching
T.V. while I worked on a story I was trying to write. It was about a senior
in high school who likes to write poetry and stories, and all of the ups
and downs in her life. I didn't know what to name her, but I knew that it
would start with a "J." Anyway, I heard a ding-dong and the Kashimura family
had arrived. Terence, with his wife, Janice Caitlin Smith (completely
Caucasian) & children (baby Jasmine Yvonne & 4 year old Terence Hiroshi Jr.)
came in and sat down. I introduced myself to his family and I introduced
Leonardo to them. He was great with the kids. I told them my story of how I
got married and divorced, and married and divorced again, and how I met my
present boyfriend, Leo. Then I asked them to sit at the table and prepare
for dinner. I brought out the lasagna and the wine and we all began eating.
Janice fed her baby some formula while little Terence Jr. was eating his
lasagna very slowly. We just started talking about what had happened over
the years. Before we knew it, it was time for them to go. I bid them goodbye
and told them I'd see them later. When they left, Leo and I cleaned up. We
were in my apartment at night, alone, and we were in love. What else would
come next . . . we started kissing very passionately. My head said "stop"
but my body said "go!" I didn't know what to do! That was until my
conscience stepped in. I held my arms out and told him that it was going too
fast. I said if we took our time, then it would be better. He agreed, with a
little frown, and said he'd go now. I kissed him good night and he went back
to his apartment. I went to sleep dreaming about Leo and seeing if we could
take our relationship further. Leo and I ended up being a very serious
couple for about 2½ years. Then the moment came. It was a beautiful moonlit
night. We were in a very classy and expensive restaurant. I was wearing
probably the most expensive dress I owned and he was wearing his most
expensive suit. After we had our dinner, he took me to an open grassy area
so we could look at the stars. Then all of a sudden a big electronic blimp
flew over our heads! The screen turned on and it said, "Will you marry me,
Marita?" over and over again. I was completely speechless. Leonardo had paid
a lot of money to have this guy fly over with this blimp! I was so touched
that I had to say . . . YES! I told him yes, and he was extremely happy. He
gave me a BEAUTIFUL platinum and diamond ring. It was so wonderful! I kissed
him over and over again! When we got to our apartments, I called my parents.
I told them I was getting married . . . AGAIN! I told them that this was the
one. This was the one that would last forever. I ended up calling everyone I
knew, except for David and Angus. Leo called everyone he knew. We planned to
have our wedding in the spring so it would be nice and sunny. We wanted to
have a big, romantic wedding with all our friends and relatives. He agreed,
with one exception: we have a small wedding in a church 1st with only
witnesses, then we have the big gala. I said that was fine. So it was
settled. I was going to be Marita Teresa Velasco Gonsalves Chan McCarthy
IMAOKA! Wow! Try to say that 3-times fast! I was going to wear my mom's old
wedding dress. The first 2 times I got married, I got new dresses. Those
were mistakes. I thought if my mom used this dress, and she's still married
to my dad, I should do the same! We decided to have a traditional Filipino
wedding. You know, the 13 gold coins, the cloth with the chain, etc.
Finally, the big day came in June! We had already been legally married under
the eyes of God the day before, but now it was time for the fancy stuff.
Everything was perfect. The church, the flowers, and all the guests were all
completely perfect! I was so happy. Then it started. All the other people
processed in with a uniformed manner. Then the song came on, "Here comes the
bride . . ." My daddy was with me and we walked up the aisle very slowly. I
saw everyone there! Then I got right next to Leonardo. HE LOOKED GOOD! He
bought, not rented, his own tuxedo. The wedding began. We were about to
exchange our vows when Leonardo went over to the piano. He sat down and
started playing and singing the song "You are My Lady" by Luther Vandross. I
started crying. I was so touched. Finally, the vows came and we were married
in the eyes of our families. We gave each other a very lovely kiss on the
mouth and we walked out. Now we have been married for 5 years and we have
been around the world. We had our honeymoon in Europe. We also went to Japan
and the Caribbean. It was a great time. We already have 3 glorious children.
Our oldest son is 4 years old and his name is Leonardo Brandon Imaoka Jr. We
also have a 3-year-old daughter named Angelina Marita Imaoka. And our
youngest child is a newborn baby boy. He is Dean Terence Imaoka. He is
approximately 8½ weeks old. If I never met Leonardo Sr., my life would have
never been the same.
THE END!
(
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