Chapter Eleven: Getting To Know Each Other

Gaby woke up early. No matter how wakeful she was, she used to wake up early. She left the house and went joyfully toward the beach. She took a deep breath and drew near the water, where her foot was wet. The saltwater was warm, so her body relaxed.

“Thank you, Lord!” she cried out. “Whooohoooo!”

Gaby opens wide her two arms and lets the air envelop her entire body. It was the most relaxing since she went back to the Philippines. In Canada, she was right at home; sometimes they would walk to get some air. But she prefers it here. It’s all-natural when she’s here. She feels better.

“Thank you, Lord! Wake me up again tomorrow!” She shouted again, then laughed as if there was no tomorrow.

Gaby was so happy. She could not do so in their apartment. She can only wake up her housemates. But on the beach, she can shout as loudly as possible. Gaby was so grateful and extremely happy.

Clark just got into a bath. He woke up early because he couldn’t sleep after drinking last night. His roommate was still sleeping. He even laughed a bit when Riki and Matt hugged each other. Clark immediately picked up his phone from the side table and took a picture of them. He stopped laughing till he got out of the room. It’s only 5:00 a.m., so the entire neighborhood is still quiet.

He frowned as he heard the door open and ran down the stairs to see Gaby leave the house. He followed her, and she didn’t even feel or notice him.

Clark’s staring at her. Clark smiled as she danced like a child along the beach path. Then she sat briefly in the hut and stepped on the water again so her feet got wet. Then she shouted. And Clark was stunned as she smiled. She opens both arms and lets the cold air envelop her body while her long hair flies freely.

She’s alive in her mind. Gaby cried out again after five minutes. Clark could not bear it. He walked next to her, which surprised the girl.

“It’s early in the morning, but you’re loud! You preceded the rooster crowing!” said Clark.

The girl looked at him in shock. She frowned for a moment, then smiled.

‘God, she’s an angel!’

“Good morning, grumpy!” said Gaby.

“Can you stop calling me grumpy?” said Clark.

Gaby giggled. “Why are you so grumpy, huh?”

“It doesn’t help you grow up to know why I’m in a bad mood all the time, so you don’t need to know more,” said Clark.

“Maybe that’s the effect of the expired milk that your Mom fed you. Nasty!” said Gaby.

Clark smirked but did not speak. Gaby secretly smiled. “Do you want us to go for a walk?” Gaby asked.

Clark didn’t answer but started walking, so Gaby went with him. His two hands went into the pocket of his shorts as they walked. Clark doesn’t speak and looks around, sometimes getting caught looking at her.

‘He’s so handsome!’ Gaby thought

Gaby couldn’t help but look up at this guy. The perfect shape of his face, the enviable curve of his nose, his face has no pores, and it’s clean because it has no hair. His lower lip is quite thick and reddish. Her body’s not that big, which is perfect for a basketball player. He was tall, about over six feet, Gaby thought. It was not impossible that many women pursued him, as she imagined he was a Greek god in the books she read. She smiled a little later.

“Are you interested in me?” Clark asked.

“I’m just looking at you. Why would I be attracted to you? Is there a difference between you and Mr. Bean? Nothing, okay?“ says Gaby.

Clark frowned and looked at her. “You’re comparing me to Mr. Bean?”

Gaby smiled. “Yes! The guy with a stuffed bear! He was my favorite. He’s just cute.”

“So you’re saying I am cute?” said Clark, smiling.

“Hell no! Mr. Bean is cute and not you!” said Gaby.

“But you compared me to Mr. Bean, saying he is cute. Stop using an indirect message; admit it, I look cute to you,” said Clark.

“Why do I say you are cute? You are teaching me to lie,” said Gaby.

“Tss!” said Clark.

Clark stopped talking and just looked at the sea and sometimes at where they were going. He looked at Gaby when the girl wasn’t looking. It was unavoidable for him not to look at Gaby. She’s walking back towards him. The wind carries her hair over her face, but it does not cover her beautiful face.

“Tell me a story!” said Gaby.

“What story?” Clark asked.

“Anything about you, I’m fine with that,” Gaby said.

“Why should I tell you about me when we’re not close?” Clark asked.

“Let’s be close,” Gaby said.

Clark just shook his head and then turned to the sea. He stopped walking as Gaby held her chest as she faced him. Gaby smiled at her. She was very close to him, literally close.

“Is it okay for you to be this close?” Gaby asked him.

Because he is tall here at 6’1”, and he estimates that the woman is around 5’7” or 5’8”. Her lip is almost just the opposite of his chin. He was slightly surprised at what she did, so he was stunned while staring at her.

Clark felt his heartbeat faster again. He was not nervous, but he could not explain why he reacted in such a way to the woman in front of him. He heard her laugh without realizing that they were away from each other.

“You know what? You’re so cute! Didn’t you notice you’re blushing?” Gaby said, giggling.

Clark’s forehead furrowed. “Of course not.” He refused, even though he felt he was blushing.

“Why should you be affected by me? I’m not attractive to you, am I?” said Gaby, smiling.

‘I’ve lied!’ Clark thought.

Gaby approached him again and stared, one of her hands brushing his other cheek. He could not move.

“Am I still having no impact?” Gaby asked.

“Stop teasing me. You might be sorry!” said Clark.

“Why are you teased by what I’m doing?” Gaby asked.

Clark didn’t speak. He just avoided looking at the woman. She had already removed her hand from his cheek.

“Maybe not,” said Gaby. “After what happened to me, maybe a lot has changed. A lot has changed in me. ”

Clark stared at her. She was walking ahead of him. He watched her as they walked. He was not familiar with this woman. But why is his heart -beating so fast when she’s around?