David’s P.O.V. So, after the picture taking, we did random sightseeing and swimming, then dinner. After that, nagkayayaang mag-bonfire sa may tabing-dagat. Actually, it was bonfire, games, and vodka. All was here, except for Cloud. Maaga itong nakatulog pagkatapos naming kumain ng hapunan. Napagod daw sa pagmamaneho. Hinatid pa raw kasi nito ang girlfriend sa airport bago dumiretso rito. As far as I heard, his girlfriend was an OFW. Isa sa mga bagong bayani ng bansa. Iyon nga lang, parang napakahirap pumasok sa relasyon na kung tawagin ay LDR. About bonfire, not all beach resorts in Batangas allow it—so before we could have start gathering twigs and leaves, I called Kuya Liam and made sure first that lighting a bonfire was allowed here. Pumayag naman siya, tutal ay isang beses lang naman naming gagawin. It was a good thing na hindi ko siya naistorbo d

David’s P.O.V. But I sighed in so much relief when Derek just held Athena’s hands and kissed both of her knuckles. Kung gahibla na lang ng layo ang mga labi nila sa isa’t isa ay baka kung anong nagawa ko sa kanya! Baka wala sa oras na mahila ko palayo si Athena. “As promised, Athena. I’ll kiss your knuckles every time we ran into each other…” Derek shyly said. “Tang-ina, pre! Napaka-babaero mo sa DGC, si Architect lang pala ang magpapatino sa’yo!” kantiyaw ni Rafael na nambato pa ng maliit na kabibi kay Derek. “Hindi ganyang Derek ang kilala ko—sunggab agad ‘yon sa lips! Ngayon, anong nangyari? Where’s the thrill? Wala ka pala eh!” panggagatong naman ni Terence. “Like, duh? Wala namang seryosohan ‘to, dare lang… so I guessed, Athena wouldn’t mind. I

Athena’s P.O.V. When you’ve had always wanted to be with that special person—the only person you would want to be with for the rest of your life—dreams were far better than the reality. It was all because you already knew that the kind of reality you had been longing for—for seven years already—would never ever happen. David cupped my cheeks and that alone automatically sent me to a stunning bed of roses. What he did was so unexpected of him, and my heart clearly stopped from beating. His touch was warm—and there was this sudden slow motion—until my heart could no longer stop from screaming. Every part of me was unsettling. Contradicting to what I should do here, he was the one who initiated our kiss. But the bed of roses that was so indulging from the world of my fantasy, all the hopes that were too high, all the anticipation

Athena’s P.O.V.                                         Nagising akong nasa loob na ako ng kuwarto naming dalawa ni Nadine na matatagpuan sa ground-floor level ng resort hotel. It was a spacious deluxe-cabana room that has a large balcony facing the sea. It was undeniably well furnished, consisting of two queen-sized beds. Although my eyes were still drooping low, I checked the time on my bedside table and figured that it was already seven o’clock in the morning. Nadine’s bed was empty, and she was clearly nowhere to be found. She might have joined the rest of the team on having a sumptuous breakfast. Like Ate Paula, Nadz had always been considerate to other

David’s P.O.V. Gusto kong alalayan si Athena mula sa pag-akyat niya sa yate, katulad nang kung paano ko siya inalalayang maka-akyat noon pataas mula sa waterfalls ng *Lischer Garden. Iyon ‘yong mga panahong inakala kong ibang tao siya na kailangan kong iligtas. Sinampal pa nga niya ako noon at inakusahan ng manyak! It was when I first experienced the snow in Europe. It wasn’t that remarkable, but what made it extra special was the fact that I was with her. But now, I had no other choice but to support Melissa’s body while she was making her way to the yacht. Sa paningin ni Athena, ibang babae na ngayon ang dapat kong alagaan. Damn memories! Memories na kailanman ay hindi pinahalagahan ni Athena. Memories na kagaya ko ay tinapon lang niya na parang basahan! But why am I still holding on to that? Why would my mind still want to remember those scenes from the p