They walked together towards the far end of the city. Away from the scenic spots and famous museums and from the noisy tourists. As they were walking, he told him his name was Takumi. He was from Japan and was visiting Paris for the first time. (Of course, these are all the information that the show told him to say)
While she shared that she’s from the Philippines and came to France to study. She enrolled for a 2-month cake and pastry lessons. She also said that she owned a small cake and pastry shop.
Since she was staying in France for 2 months, she rented a tiny apartment rather than stay in a hotel.
They reached her apartment building. It was a five-storey building. It’s quite old. The paint was already peeling, but somehow it added to its appeal. Its tiny balconies had flower planters, with colorful flowers spilling over them.
Her unit was on the 4th floor but since the building was old, it did not have an elevator. Together, they climbed the flights of stairs in silence. Her apartment was tiny. It did not have a living room. It only had a tiny bed, a small dining area, and a quaint kitchen. He saw a tiny door close to the kitchen, which he assumed was the bathroom.
“Sorry it’s quite cramped, but please make yourself comfortable.” She headed her way to the kitchen and made a quick egg salad sandwich and juice for him.
Ryo wondered where would he sit. There was no couch, and she did not tell him as well. He hesitated to sit on her bed. She might find it rude. So he walked to the small dining table and pulled out a chair to sit on. Once he resolved where to sit, she emerged from the kitchen holding a plate of sandwich in one hand and a glass of juice in another.
“Eat this first. I’ll prepare our meal.” She disappeared into the kitchen again. Forgetting his manners, he wolfed the sandwich and drank the juice. It was simple, and yet he felt like it was more delicious than a Michelin-starred restaurant meal.
“Better?” she asked as she walked towards him, wiping her hands on a white towel.
“Yes, thank you very much.” He answered her with sincerity. The gratitude he felt for the meal she provided does not need any acting. He only had a light breakfast before the start of the show, and it was almost dinnertime. She smiled, then walked away and busied herself again.
After a while, she came back with two sets of paper bags. “I don’t know which size would fit you. I bought these for my brothers, but you can change to anything in there that fits you.” Again, she smiled at him, then added, “Don’t worry, they are new. You can use the washroom first.”
He did as he was told. He washed his body, but skipped his face. Afraid that he might damage the prosthetics and reveal his identity. The two paper bags contained the same items of clothes, but of different sizes. It had shirts, pants, and even underwear. He felt comfortable after changing into a clean set of clothes.
The delicious smell of curry hugged his nose as soon as he stepped out of the washroom. She surveyed him. “So you are the same size as Claude, my youngest brother.”
“Are you still full from the sandwich or do you want to join me for a meal?” Without a word, he sat on one of the two chairs at the small dining table. As if on cue, she walked towards the kitchen to get some food.
“I made tonkatsu and curry. It’s far from authentic, but I feel you might want something that will remind you of home.” The food looked very appetizing. The pork cutlet looked very crispy and the brown curry contrasted with the white rice. Indeed, it warmed not only his stomach but somehow gave the familiar feeling of home warming his heart. They both ate in silence. From time to time she would look at him, but said nothing.
“Thank you very much for the meal.”
“No problem. You must be exhausted. You can sleep in the bed. I already changed the sheets for you. Tomorrow, I’ll go with you to your embassy.” As usual, she plastered a sweet smile on her face, revealing two tiny dimples in each corner of her mouth.
He looked at the tiny bed close to the dining area they were in. Then he looked at her. As if reading his mind, she said, “Don’t worry, I have an inflatable mattress somewhere. I’ll use that.”
He did not stand on ceremony and walked towards the bed. He underestimated the task they assigned him to do. He’s beyond exhausted.
He lied on the soft bed. Her pillows and blanket were soft and smelled of flowers. He closed his eyes to sleep, but he could not fall asleep immediately. Although she did not make any noise and quietly treaded on the floor, he could feel her movement across the room.
With squinted eyes, he watched her tiptoe around the house. She washed the plates, then got into the bathroom with all her clothes on hand.
After a while, she emerged from the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her head. Her scent filled the room. She took her laptop, plugged in her headset, and watched her favorite movie on the dining table.
Ryo felt that his mouth was dry, so he got up to get a glass of water in the kitchen. As he found his way to the kitchen, she saw her watching a movie. She seemed into it. She focused on the screen. She would sometimes break out into a smile. What is she watching? His curiosity got him. With the glass of water in hand, he approached her and peeked at her laptop.
Soon as he did that, a surge of anger enveloped him. He looked at her incredulously. But she’s glued to the screen and did not give him any attention.
“One step back, and you’re back in your comfort zone, assured of what each day would bring you. One step forward, and take a gamble taking a path full of uncertainties. Not knowing if it would give you pain or happiness.” Ellie could not help but shake her head. She gave Ryo the same choices two months ago. Who would have thought it boomeranged to her? She looked at her father with her bright eyes. The tiny dimples at the corners of her mouth deepened as her lips stretched into a smile. She took her father’s arm and made one step forward. His father smiled at her and assisted her as they walked further down the stone path. It felt like her feet were stepping on clouds. She could not feel her feet at all. Her mother waited at the end of the path, behind a closed door. She handed her a bouquet of roses and gave each of her cheeks a peck. Her eyes looked at each of her facial features with such adoration. “You l
It’s been a couple of months since the Academy Awards and Ellie has not heard from Ryo. For each day she has received no message or phone call from him, the heavier her heart felt. But then, didn’t she give him a choice? His nonresponse must be him telling her his choice. She’s fine either way but she hoped to at least spend one more day with him. One more day to look at him, talk to him, and engrave his presence in her memory. Because that day is all she’d have.It’s hard to believe that Ryo was her “the one that got away” because for the life of her, she wanted him to be the one. That one person whom she’d share her morning coffees with. But then, her pride and fear pushed him out of her life. She’s been through many breakups but none felt as painful as Ryo’s. She loved him dearly, and she loves him still. It’s hard losing somebody when you do not see it comin
“I am me and you are you. We could not change it. I wouldn’t change it. Our paths were not meant to cross, but they did. That must mean something, right?Now, I am putting us at another crossroads. We could spend one unforgettable night today and have a lifetime of certainty apart. Or we could have a lifetime together, making each uncertain night unforgettable. Ryo Matsuda, what does your heart tell you?”The camera panned to Ryo, displaying his face. Everyone in the venue and those watching at home could see his shock. But none of them felt the nuclear bombs detonating inside him. What does his heart tell him? Does he need to answer that? He looked at the vacant seat beside him and read the name written on it. Diwa Malaya. He does not know the name. But the words Director Nakamura read connected with him. It spoke to him. His head throbbed from trying
For the umpteenth time, Ryo surveyed his reflection on the full-length mirror before him. His stylists stood around looking at him, waiting for him to say something. The tailored tuxedo fit him like a second skin. The top half of his dark hair tied in a neat man bun at the back of his head while the rest brushed his shoulder. He looked fresh and gorgeous, like the true heartthrob that he is.Only when Ryo gave his smile and nod of approval did his stylists release their breaths. They’re already pressed on time and could not afford a wardrobe, makeup, or hairstyle change.As if on cue, Miyagi entered the room and signaled it’s time to leave. He turned around and walked out of his hotel room down to the parking where his team’s limousine waited. His eyes trained on the scenery outside the window. They’re on their way to the venue for the Academy Awards.The
Several months had passed, and Ellie’s life slowly returned to normal. Like every news in the country, a bigger news popped up and overtook Angelo’s death. The reporters who hounded her soon chased the bigger story and let her be. Social media bashers did the same. She and Diana had a talk months after the media frenzy. She’s still grieving, which mother wouldn’t but she chose to have her peace. After their long and heartfelt talk, Diana has forgiven Ellie. She also asked forgiveness for her son’s shortcomings. At first, it confused Ellie when Diana said the perpetrator’s family came forward and confessed. She said it was one of Angelo’s flings. The girl loved him so much and when he broke things with her; she committed suicide. The girl’s father could not accept her daughter’s fate and plotted revenge. Ellie kept her silence. It still amazed her how much influence Ryo’s family had. This time, they ma
“What do you plan to do, Ellie?” he asked as he stroked her back. They were lying on her bed, holding each other.“I don’t know, Ryo. Everything’s happening too fast. I’m overwhelmed.” She took a deep breath, then snuggled closer to him. “Part of me wanted to get away from all this. But another part of me forces me to stay, to face this. My conscience is clean, Ryo. It never crossed my mind to harm Angelo. I did not hire people to kill him. I couldn’t… I wouldn’t do that. And if I flee, it’s like I am saying I’m guilty of their accusations. I’m not.”Ryo felt her shuddering against him. Her tears wet his bare chest. The sobs she tried to suppress stabbed his heart. His jaws clenched, listening to her pain. How did things end up this way? Of everyone who has to suffer, why does it have to be her? She who had done nothing.