Chapter 9

Bert took Vangie to the side of Maricel’s house, where the guests' cars were parked.

“I’ll just take a tricycle,” Vangie said. She had been feeling embarrassed ever since her friend’s earlier comment. She trusted Bert not to do anything inappropriate, but she still felt uncomfortable. It was as if her friend had stripped her down in front of him and served her up like a delicious meal.

Bert shook his head. “I’ll take you home—”

Vangie shot him a glare, making him stop mid-sentence. He laughed.

“You’re so fun to tease. You look even prettier when you’re annoyed.”

Vangie rolled her eyes. “I already told you, didn’t I? I’ll just take a tricycle,” she said, frustrated, and turned away. She couldn’t believe her friend had betrayed her like that. But before she could leave, Bert grabbed her arm.

“You’re in a bad mood. Come on, I know exactly where to take you,” Bert said. “It’ll help you cool off.”

Vangie was about to refuse, but Bert pulled her toward his motorcycle and put a helmet on her. She sighed and let him.

“Where are you taking me?” Vangie asked. “I better be able to get home after this.”

Bert chuckled. “Why? Do you want to go to my house instead?”

Vangie pinched his side. “You really know too much!”

Bert laughed as he dodged her. “Just saying. I wouldn’t mind.”

Vangie glared at him again. Even though she acted annoyed, she couldn’t understand why her heart was beating so fast. She couldn’t deny that Bert’s little flirty remarks were getting to her. And for some reason, he looked even more handsome tonight. She didn’t say anything and just watched him hop on the motorcycle. She followed, placing her hands lightly on his shoulders and leaning away slightly, feeling a bit shy. But Bert took her hands and wrapped them around his waist. She didn’t resist.

Calm down, Evangeline, she told herself. Her heart was pounding even faster when she caught a whiff of his scent. It was masculine and strangely comforting. Maybe it was the alcohol. She’d only had two bottles of beer, but she was already feeling a little dizzy. At least she could still handle it—unlike Sheila, who was already causing a scene. Without realizing it, she leaned against Bert’s back and tightened her hold on his waist. This was exactly why she didn’t like drinking.

It had been so long since she last felt this way—safe because of a man. She missed it, in a way. She had been trying to ignore whatever she was feeling for Bert, but he kept getting closer to her.

She also realized something strange—when they talked about her breakup with Fredo earlier, it didn’t hurt as much as it used to. Before, she would have avoided the topic altogether. She wasn’t sure why.

“Vangie?”

“Hmm?” she murmured. Her eyes were already closed, and her face was resting against Bert’s back. Sleep was slowly pulling her in.

“I’d let you stay like that, but we’re about to enter the forest. I can’t hold you properly.”

Vangie’s eyes snapped open. She felt like she had just woken up from a deep sleep. That’s when she noticed that Bert had one arm wrapped around her waist from behind. She lifted her head and loosened her grip on his waist a little. She hadn’t even realized she was dozing off.

“S-Sorry. I had two bottles earlier,” she admitted.

“You okay now?” Bert asked, glancing back at her to make sure she was awake.

“Yeah.”

“Alright. Hold on tight, and don’t fall asleep yet.” He let go of her and focused on driving. “Too bad.”

Vangie frowned. “What?” She heard him say something, but his voice was too soft.

“Nothing,” Bert replied with a smile. He was secretly thrilled that Vangie was holding onto him. If the road weren’t so bumpy, he wouldn’t have woken her up.

Vangie gave him a curious look but didn’t ask further. She glanced around at the road ahead. They were far from the houses now but still within town. They passed by vast rice fields. Their area was like this—mostly forests or farmland.

After a while, they turned onto an unpaved road. So that’s why he woke me up, she thought. Now she realized he really would have had trouble holding her up. Too bad. She shook her head at her own thought. She couldn’t let herself get carried away like this.

Bert drove for about five more kilometers before stopping at a large farm.

“Can you open the gate, Vangie?” he asked.

“Huh? Okay,” she replied. She got off the motorcycle and walked toward the gate. She was amazed by how big the farm was, filled with different fruit trees. “Whose farm is this?” she asked. The gate wasn’t locked, so she easily opened it. Bert rode inside.

“Ours.”

Wow. Vangie was surprised. She had no idea Bert’s family owned a farm. She thought they only had a grocery store.

“Close it and hop back on,” Bert said.

Vangie nodded and did as he asked. As they drove inside, she saw rows of durian trees on one side and ponkan (tangerine) trees on the other. She smiled, amazed to see these fruits growing in their town. The farm stretched far beyond what she could see. More trees lined the distance, but she couldn’t tell what they were.

They drove further until they reached a two-story house with a flat roof, which looked like it had a rooftop.

Bert parked the motorcycle in front of the door. Vangie got off and looked around, taking in the view.

“This place is beautiful,” she said, admiring the scenery. The province had lots of trees and farms, but this one was bigger than the ones in her barangay. She loved seeing all the neatly planted crops and fruit trees.

Then she noticed a tree near the house and frowned.

“Wait… is that an apple tree?” she asked in shock.