AFTER lunch when Jenny arrived in Baguio City. She rented a nice cabin for her two-week stay plan. But just like what her mother Rowena said, there is no problem if she wants to extend her vacation. With that thought, a simple yet beautiful smile tore Jenny's lips.
"Thank you," the young lady to the elderly woman who handed her the cabin key.
"If you need anything, just come to my house," she said, pointing to a house not far from the cabin she rented.
The woman nodded while staring intently at her face so Jenny's smile widened even more.
"All right," was her sparing answer again.
“I'm sorry sweetheart, you are so beautiful that I can't stop myself from staring at you. But you know, your face looks familiar. I just can’t remember when or where but I'm sure I've seen you,” she said in a tone that seems to be very sure of what she was saying.
Jenny just shrugged her shoulders at what the woman said who she thought was just a few years older than her mother. Because of that thought, she suddenly missed Rowena.
“Oh that’s interesting,” Jenny said unable to hide the exhaustion in her voice. Whether it is because of the long driving time or the reason why she decided to go up to Baguio, she is not sure.
It was then that the woman smiled at her before opening her mouth to speak. “All right. By the way, your first meal here is free. Malou will just deliver it to you,” the landlady said. "Before I forget, you can call Mama Loida," she introduced herself and then extended her hand to her.
"Jenny," the young lady replied then accepted the handshake.
*****
JENNY immediately surveyed her vision inside the cabin when she entered.
Clear and beautiful but simple.
Well, she already saw that in the picture when she booked it using a booking app. But it still feels different when you are in the very place already. She could feel the good ambiance of the place that is why she is having this feeling that it will not be difficult for her to move on.
It's just a small cabin that is perfect for couples. There are a small living room and kitchen. Complete with necessary appliances and furniture. She entered and then pushed the door shut.
In the bedroom, she continued. The beautiful four-poster bed of medium size immediately greeted her. By the window, there is a coffee table set. While a built-in closet is near the bathroom door.
Jenny took a nap and then she started arranging her clothes in the closet when she woke up. After that, she went to the bathroom to take a bath. She had just come out when she heard a series of knocks on the door.
Jenny glanced at the watch hanging on the wall of the room. It was too early for dinner time because it is only past five o'clock so she thought that is not the free meal that Mama Loida was telling her.
"What is it?" she immediately asked when she opened the door.
A woman greeted her who she thought was just a few years younger than Mama Loida. She carries a tray. In the tray is a cup of hot coffee.
"Good afternoon, I'm Malou, Ma’am Loida asked me to give this to you," the woman smiled sweetly at her.
"Wow thank you so much," she said and then accepted the tray.
Malou nodded first before speaking again. “Later I will deliver your dinner. What Ma’am Loida said was true. You are very beautiful and polite, that may be the reason why she liked you right away,” Malou said in an admiring tone.
Jenny's cheeks warmed quickly at the compliment by the woman in front of her. "Thank you," was all she could think of to say.
Malou just smiled then left her.
Again, Jenny was left alone. She went inside and sat down in a love seat made of narra then laid the tray on the center table. She quietly sipped the coffee given to her by Malou and then smiled when she tasted its deliciousness.
When she was in college, she took a Hotel and Restaurant Management course. But when she graduated and had enough money to support herself, she also studied cooking and baking so she got the title of a chef. It was for the bakery that her mother Rowena used to support her.
Over time, she and Rowena were able to develop their small bakery. And she dreams of building its branches when the time comes.
There are many more reasons for her to continue her life despite all the bad things that happened to her because of what Ryan did. But that will not happen if she will not help herself.
*****
“THE next day is my birthday but why are you still not coming home? What's your plan? Do you have no plans to celebrate with me?” Jason's mother's sermon was loud on the other line.
Jason smiled because of what his mother said. “Of course, I will be home for your birthday. I am just finishing something at work so I could not leave here in Manila yet,” he explained then picked up the mug of his coffee.
The young man immediately shook his head when he realized that his coffee has gone cold. From being seated in front of his working table Jason got up and left his room to brew a new one.
“Then why didn't you call? If I hadn't contacted you, I would not have known your plan?”
The tone of his mother Loida did not change, so this time Jason could not stop himself from laughing softly.
“Mama, I’m sorry. I'm just really busy. You know it is not easy to run a business,” he admitted in a more soft and tender tone that he knew could relieve the annoyance his mother feels.
Paul was one of his classmates and friends when he was in college.
At first, he was not close with him. His first college best friend was Daniel. But because Daniel turned out to be his rival to Ara, he chose to put a space between them, so he had the opportunity to meet Paul.
They both started as engineers in Uncle Robert’s firm, Paul’s uncle. But because of the dedication that they both did and showed, Uncle Robert decided to sell to both of them half of the business.
And since they have enough savings, they both did not miss that opportunity. Until Uncle Robert fell ill. Then his family decided to take the man abroad for treatment. And since neither of his two daughters took an engineering course apart from the fact that they had no interest in the business, Uncle Robert resold the rest of the firm to them.
Uncle Robert is now a cancer survivor who lives happily in Canada with his family and grandchildren.
“Oh, you and your friend Paul are the same. So, what if you get really rich? Do you still have no families? What are all your efforts for?” upon hearing his mother say that Jason quickly seemed to wake up from his deep thought.
"Mama, Paul has a girlfriend, I'm the only one who doesn't," he said softly then poured the newly brewed coffee into his cup.
“Nonsense! The good thing for you to do now is to come home here! For what else that you became the boss if you could not tolerate me with simple things like this?” in the tone of his mother he knew he could no longer refuse.
"All right, I'll tell Paul," he said with a smile while returning to his room to finished his work.
“If you want to invite him, bring him. This house is big, or if he wants, I can give him that vacant cabin for free,” with what his mother said Jason felt that she probably is missing him so much.
He does not often return to Baguio. They are actually from Manila and the house he is staying in now is the old house that his father inherited from his parents which is still a Spanish-style house. It was just taken care of so it was not completely damaged and so far, that is what he is still doing.
"It looks like your business is going well," he told his mother.
“Yes, only one cabin is left vacant. Oh, by the way, I hope you could meet our lady guest here. She is so beautiful and you two can be a perfect match!” he even sensed the intense admiration and excitement on his mother’s tone.
That would be the second time he heard Loida say that so Jason couldn't help but be amused. The first time was when he was in college. When he showed to her the picture of the girl he was dating, Jenny.
Jason smiled bitterly at the memory as the delicious caress of emotion that deep inside him is still, as before, seemed permanent.
"All right, if you are that excited to see me, this afternoon, I will be leaving for Baguio City."
That's true. But other than that he knew he had another reason why he suddenly able to decide so quickly. But that is something that he could not determine either.
TACTICALLY, Jenny chose to free herself from Jason's tight embrace. And she didn't have a hard time doing that because when Jason probably felt her attempt, his embrace with her loosened. "How are you?" Jason immediately asked her as soon as their eyes met. He even held her hand in such a way that it seemed as if he did not want to let go of it. A shy smile tore at Jenny's lips. But despite the way on how she feels. There is this strange nervousness that the young man had been gradually giving her since earlier. "I'm good," her sparing answer then decided to withdraw her hand that Jason is still holding. Jason's eyes glistened with so much joy. In different circumstances, perhaps if nothing bad happened to her and if nothing bad happened between the two of them then, she thought that she might be pleased with what she sees now. But maybe because of everything she goes through, it seems that nothing is completely sinkin
JENNY is immediately taken aback by what Jason told her. "Really?" she did not force the sarcasm that penetrated in her tone of voice. A sad smile tore at Jason's lips at that moment. "Are you still mad at me?" the young man asked her. "What do you think?" she asked him back then took a sip on the coffee in her mug. Jason just shrugged his shoulders with that question. “So you are a chef now? I am happy for you.” Jenny felt his words in his tone. But she did not know why she felt like bitterness. "You know what? I'm not in the mood to listen to your lies and sugar-coated words. I am going through something that is why I thought of taking a vacation,” was her irritated answer. "What? I'm not lying and not fooling around," Jason's prompt correction of her misconception on what he said. A bitter smile broke Jenny's lips. "Thank you for this coffee but I'm not really in the mood to have a conversation with
“LOOK at your reaction? Is it hard for you to believe what I'm saying?” she laughed and then turned her gaze back to the pine trees she had been watching. It took a while for Jason to respond to what she said. But eventually, he did say something. "Where did you met that guy and why on earth did he manage to do such a thing to you?" Jenny could even sense real anger in the young man's tone. Maybe if they were in different circumstances she might be pleased with what she had heard from Jason and the sympathy that she could see in the young man's eyes. But she does not understand why something slips out from her lips. “Look who’s talking? He did make me a mistress without my knowledge, yes, and you? Well, you just used me to cover up your feelings for my best friend. Now let me ask you, what is the difference between you two? Nothing, right? Because you are both users, you two made me look like a fool!” she said sarcastically then glared sharpl
"HURRY up they are downstairs already, waiting for us," it was Ara who finished packing her things."Are they in a hurry?" she may not even admit it but her chest began to throb abnormally but she tried to ignore it."It doesn't matter anymore, I'm very hungry," Ara said rather.Jenny just laughed softly at what she heard then stood up. As they walked down the stairs of the building she tried to calm herself. She tried to normalize her actions and somehow she did it. If there was anything she could not control, it was the strong thump of her chest. And it intensified even more when she finally saw the man who for her is the most handsome of all she had ever seen."Hello, sorry if we made you wait," Ara said when they approached Jason and Daniel.She saw Jason's eyes immediately on her and she shuddered there. The seems to be a magnet in his eyes is different. And she even has this feeling that even if she doesn't sleep,
PRESENT DAY...“YOU still have the courage to show up here, don't you? After what you have done to my daughter?” Rowena spoke furiously to Ryan."Please listen to me, I love your daughter very much," he said.He knew he had done something wrong.He has been married to his wife for a long time but he has not yet felt the kind of happiness he felt with Jenny. That is even though nothing happens to them other than simple kissing. But he still has to admit to himself that he has this intense desire for Jenny.Jenny is very beautiful beyond words. She has very smooth and nice skin apart from the fact that she has always been fragrant. That is the reason why every time they kiss she awakens his libido. He is easily aroused."I do not want to hear anything from you and it would be much better for you to leave now. My daughter doesn't need you anymore. Go back to your family, they are the ones who need m
JENNY sighed violently because of that. The seems to be a flow of electricity that spread all over her body is so delicious that in fact, it was just a simple kiss from the young man to her. When Jason released her lips she still could feel the intense warmth of her whole face. She knew she is blushing during that very moment and she was not mistaken because what Jason said proved it to her. "It seems like the same reaction you had when I first kissed you ten years ago," Jason said then bent down again and kissed her on the lips for the second time. Like what he did a while ago, that kiss was just quick. But Jason is right, and just like what he said a while ago, it was indeed the same reaction that she has even if it has been ten years ago. It was then that Jenny felt a great deal of embarrassment, not only for Jason but more than for herself. And that is why she did not say a word and left the young man to return to her cabi