CHAPTER 3

“So, what do you plan to do now? I mean, where do you want to spend that vacation? ” He straightforwardly asked.

“Uhm… I don't know yet. Maybe I will go back to the province to be with my family.” I replied.

Suddenly, I was surprised that my companion changed his aura. I could feel it. I didn't know if I had said anything that he didn't like.

When I turned to him, there was no emotion on his face and looking in the distance. "Is there any problem?" I curiously asked..

He turned tome before shaking his head and then smiled at me sparingly. “Nothing. I just remembered something." He answered then turned his gaze back to the road.

We are now walking to my apartment together.

“Can you tell me what that is?”i asked.

He turned to me again. "I'm just jealous of you.” He answered.

"Why?"

“Because you still have your family.”

I frowned slightly in response. "Don't you have any family with you?" I asked sharply.

A few seconds passed before heshook his head. I noticed his hesitation in answering my question. “I wasn't able to know them when I was young. My uncle who adopted me said that my real parents just left me with him. He said that they will come back to me, but until now, they still haven’t.” He said and then smiled sparingly. I looked at him straight in the eyes, they had no emotions. Not even showing sadness. His eyes don't show a reflection of his feelings.

Or maybe he’s just good at hiding his feelings. My mind said convincing myself.

I was wrong to ask that. "I'm sorry."

"It’s fine. No worries.”

I stopped walking when my companion suddenly stopped walking and then turned around.

"Why?" I asked him.

“Don’t you live here?” He asked while pointing his finger behind me.

I turned around then laughed awkwardly. “Oh, of course. Pardon me.”

Kiel was about to speak when my phone suddenly rang. I immediately snatched it from my pocket and then looked at who was calling.

"Wait a minute." I excused.

Kiel just nodded.

I stepped back then slightly moved away from Kiel before answering the call.

“Hello, Jean? What now?" I asked in a low tone. I am getting irritated with this woman.

"This is the last offer. Will you come or not?” she asked authoritatively.

I sighed weakly. I has a guilty conscience. I doesn’t know how to refuse anything but I really can’t spend money just for a vacation. In fact, I can just work the days that I will be spending there. I thinks I will just be wasting my time and money for just a few days of vacation.

“Don’t you think it’s good for you too?! I'm telling you, Vendas Island is very exclusive. You can do whatever you want there without anyone interfering or judging you. You are free to do whatever you want in that place.” Jean said.

I sighed weakly again. “When is that?” I asked.

"So, are you coming?"

"I do not know. When?"

"Hayst!" I can hear that she is also annoyed. “It's on saturday. It will only be a day from now so hurry up with your decision. I have no intention of offering the gift card to others.” She said before turning off the call.

I immediately put down my phone and then quickly turned to face my companion.

However, as I turned forward, I suddenly seemed to stop breathing and was suddenly deafened by the noise around me. It was as if the world had suddenly stopped spinning. I could feel my heart beating fast.

I could not move. It was as if my whole body was suddenly paralyzed. Kiel.

Our faces and lips were only about inches apart. It was vry close.

We are looking at each other’s eyes. And then, out of nowhere, my eyes landed on his heart-shaped lips. It's as if I wanted to lean on him and stick my lips to his.

For some reason, it was as if something had awakened inside me.

I did not know why my body reacted like this.

A few moments later, someone suddenly sneezed from behind me. I quickly turned around and then took a few steps back from Kiel.

It was my landlady.

"I'll just ask if you want me to clean your room today?" The old lady asked.

I turned to Kiel again. He didn’t take the look away from me. I was not comfortable with hus looks. I quickly turned to our landlady then shook my head.

“No need. I can do it." I answered. I bowed slightly to my companion. "I’ll go inside now. Bye." I said to Kiel then quickly walked inside.

I didn't look back because I was ashamed of what happened even though I really had nothing to be ashamed of.

When I entered my room, I immediately put my hand on my chest. I could still feel the strong throb of it.

I quickly lowered the basket I was holding and placed my laundry basket on the side of the door and then took big steps to make my way into the kitchen.

I immediately took the jug of water from the refrigerator and quickly swallowed it. I didn't even use the glass. Suddenly my throat went dry.

When I lowered the jug of water to the table, I immediately wiped my mouth with my palm.

I still could not understand why my heart reacted like that to what had happened earlier.

Maybe I’m just not used to being that close to anyone especially if it's a man. I convinced myself.

"Maybe that's just the way it is.” I whispered.

***

Late at night, while cooking my dinner, my phone suddenly rang.

O immediately left what I was doing then dried my hands with a small towel and approached my phone on the table.

Jean is calling again.

I wouldn't have answered that because I already knew what she would say, but I didn't want to be rude to my friend.

I answered the call then put it to my ear. "Hello, Je--", I didn't finish what I was going to say when the person on the other line suddenly screamed loudly. The call was on a loudspeaker so I quickly frowned and put the phone away from my ear.

My ears suddenly hurt because of that scream.

“Liahhh!! Oh my f*cking Gosh!!!” Jean shouted loudly. I could hear it even though the cellphone was already far from my ear.

"What? Why are you shouting?” i shouted back, I still didn't put the cellphone to my ear.

“Girl!!! You can now join us on Vendas Island. My Goshhh!!! Girl, get ready! We are leaving on Saturday.” She then shouted again but not so loudly.

"Ha?! What?" I frowned and asked in a confused tone. "What are you talking about? I still didn't agree, remember?!"

“Girl, listen! Believe it or not, an angel from heaven suddenly approached me. Then he said that he knew that I had three gift cards for vacation on Vendas Island. Actually, he’s a staff member from that island. Then, he said that the gift cards were updated and that means, all expenses are free on our whole stay on that island. OMFG !! I still can’t believe it!” Jean said and then suddenly screamed again.

"Are you still drunk?" I suddenly asked.

Jean grunt. She’s irritated at me. “Don’t change the topic. And I'm telling you, I'm not drunk, I'm just tipsy. I sounded drunk earlier so that I could have an excuse to escape from my friend.”

I suddenly thought of what she had said a while ago.

If I goes on a vacation, I might be just wasting my time.

But I also thinks that this vacation will be good for me because I will be away even for just a little while from the responsibilities and pressure that I carries with my back every day.

Maybe the person on the other line felt the sudden silence of me so she suddenly spoke. “Hey! Oy! Oy! Don’t say you’re still not coming?! It’s all free, are you still having second thoughts?! Oh, come on. Remember, if you won't come with us, as long as I breathe, I will forever ignore you." Jean added.

I sighed. "Okay fine! I’m coming. Is there anything else I can do?! This is it, we will start packing.” I said with the hint of sarcasm and then rolled my eyeballs.

“Great!! See you tomorrow night ‘cause our flight to the island will be on evening. Oh my gosh! I’m so excited! See ya there, frenny. Bye-bye.” She then quickly turned off the call.

“Hayst! That woman is really born persistent.” I then smiled and shook my head. I suddenly felt excited.

For the first time since I escaped from my complicated past, I will be able to rest even for just a week or more.

I am grateful that my vacation has become free. I really doesn’t want to spend a large amount of money just for myself. And I really loves free trips. Who wouldn't love a free vacation, though?

I has spent many years working tirelessly to help my family who helped me slowly forget what happened to me from the past.

Maybe, even just now, I will be giving myself a break from everything. I deserves it anyway. I have been through a lot. As in, a lot.

I almost lost myself after the multiple attempts to end my life due to those loatheful experiences that almost destroyed my whole system.

I am too weak to endure all the pain. But, I was glad that I was able to meet the people who helped me out. And I am still paying that debt of gratitude in my own way even if they sometimes don’t want to accept it.

Suddenly, my phone beeped so I looked at it.

An unregistered number is texting.

Hi! Good eve.

I frowned when I read the text.

Uhm… Who’s this? I replied quickly.

This is Kiel. I’ll see you tomorrow. Good night!

I was suddenly stunned, looking at my cellphone while my brain is trying to process what I just read. I couldn't believe it.

That was fast.

"How did he get my number?" I asked myself in a low tone.

I was about to type a reply when the number suddenly called.

I was hesitant but I still chose to answered the call and then gently put the cellphone to my ear.

“Hey! Am I bothering you?" Said the one on the other line.

I became silent and didn’t respond.

“Hello? Are you still there?” A baritone voice asked again.

I suddenly turned to my senses. “Y-Yeah. W-Why did you call?!” i asked nervously. I also didn’t know why I am nervous.

“Nothing. Just saying good night. By the way, this is my number.” He said. "Sleep tight. It is bad to stay awake late for someone as beautiful as you.” He added.

I was slightly amused by his bubbling.

"You're a joker. I see." She said.

A wide smile plastered on my lips.

"I'm just stating a fact." He said.

I smiled even more. "I'm going to sleep after I eat. Go to sleep as well. It's fun to talk to someone who’s undeniably handsome.” I jokingly said. I heard a slight laughter from the other line. "Good night!" I added.

“Good night! Sleep well!”

I was the one who ended the call.

I am smiling as I saved Kiel's number on my cellphone.

I was so happy with what he said that I forgot to ask how he got my number.

I then proceeds on what I am currently doing.

I am smiling like an idiot the whole time.