A sigh escaped my lips as I once again toss around the bed. I am now at the guest room and trying to sleep but it seems like I've been trying for minutes already and the hour I ask from Sam is running out. I am a woman of my words and if I say I only need an hour of rest, it will be only an hour. The only things I said that I can't promise is five more minutes on bed. 

I frustrated sigh escaped my lips before sitting down on the bed and looking around. Their guest's room if so bland. All white, super minimal decorations, boring. 

I hop on my feet and started walking around the cold floor. There's really nothing. If I am their guest, I will be bored as hell. 

My head snap at the direction of the door when someone knocked. 

"Hold on," I said and walk towards the door, as I open it, Sam welcomed me with a smile. 

"I brought you some scented candles, incase you are having a hard time relaxing and resting. It says it will help you to rest." he said as he proceed on walking inside the room and placing the scented candle on the bedside table and lighting it up.

"Thanks, what time are we leaving?" I ask, after he lit up the candle, he faced me and smiled.

"Whenever you want to, I know the travel was tiring so you can rest as much as you want." he said with a smile, I rolled my eyes and sigh. 

"Don't be ridiculous, Sam. I can't do that or else we will miss our flight." I said and he chuckled before nodding. 

"Well our flight is at 2PM, and right now, it's 12:43 in the afternoon." he replied and I slowly nod. 

"Okay, I'll be down by 1PM." I said and he nods before turning his back at me. He's already at the door frame when he suddenly stopped which made me confused. 

I hear him took a deep breath, "I hope we get to know each other more on this trip. I am sincere when I told you I like you. It wasn't a joke or part of the whole arrange marriage shit." he said before leaving the room, closing the door behind him. 

My jaw dropped and stood there for seconds before closing my mouth. 

I swallowed the lump in my throat and just tuck myself on bed. But I didn't get to sleep. I was there, laying down and staring by the window. 

He really likes me? How...? How can he fall in love to someone who he just met because of arrange marriage? How can he fall in love to me, when we barely see each other? And how... do I deal with this when the real person I like is Inin? 

Just like what I said, by 1PM, I went down. We only spoke some few words before we head out of their mansion. My luggage is already at his car and my driver bid me a goodbye before I get inside his Rolls Royce car and head to the airport. 

We arrived at the airport by 1:38PM, I thought we are gonna miss our flight due to heavy traffic and Manila.  But gladly we made it in time. We waited in the departure for around 10 minutes then  we head towards the counter and got our luggage checked. Then to the custom and more. I found out that we are heading to Japan which made me excited. We head to the gates and soon our flight is called. 

Sam bought us a business class seats, he got a window seat and I got an alley seat. 

"Do you want the window seat?" he ask as he put his hand carry bag in the baggage cabin. 

I bit my lower lip as I play with my passport in my hand, "Well ahm... well... no, I'm fine." I said, he slightly squinted his eyes before slowly nodding. 

"Sure, as you say." he said before sitting down on his seat and I as well took mine. 

The take off was okay, it's not my first time having a flight. Naranasan ko nga na sumakay ng eroplano at young age na hindi iniintindi ng nanay ko. What more ngayonng matanda na ako? 

On the first two ours of the flight, I was asleep. Crews were handing some snacks that I didn't paid attention too since I am comfortable on my seat. But as I woke up around 4PM, I saw the sky at Sam's window. Sam is also busy on his iPad, watching some random videos. 

I remove the eye mask that is on my forehead and fixed my seat. 

"Sam!" I whispered shout to catch his attention. But who am I joking? He's wearing headphones. 

I look around first to see if anyone is looking before standing up from my seat and tapping Sam's arm to catch his attention. 

He immediately look up and removed his headphones, "Are you okay? Is something wrong?" he ask and I shook my head. 

"No, I just want to switch seats for now. I'll just be taking pictures of the sky." I said, he nods and stand up from his seat where I immediately sat and started taking pictures. 

Ali would love this! She always wanted to ride a plane and travel. I'll send these to her! 

After taking 20 or more pictures, I finally got satisfied and stand up from his seat. Upon turning around and facing my original seat, I didn't know he was just standing behind me which made our faces almost hit each other... and so are our lips. 

My eyes widened and immediately step back. 

"Ahm... you can go back here na." I said and made my ways to his side to avoid his gaze. 

Well that was embarrassing. 

For the rest of the flight, I am eating and using my phone to watch videos on the internet. When the plane finally landed at the airport at 6PM, I sigh in relief as I finally head out of the plane. We took are luggage and take our way to the hotel with a taxi. 

"Hello, I made a reservation for 2 rooms under Samuel Matias Ponce." he said to the receptionist. I am just standing behind him and listening to their conversation. 

Sam just had to show some of his ID and so is my ID before we finally got the keys. Some staff of the hotel took our luggage from us and help us bring it to our rooms. 

I stood in front of my hotel room and glance at him who's room is just beside mine. 

"Let's eat dinner after you finish unpacking." he softly said with a smile. I smiled back at him and nod before entering my room, the staff following from behind. 

"Thank you." I thanked them before they leave and close the door behind me. I also made sure the door is locked before I started unpacking my things. 

I also put on a light jacket since I can feel the cold weather striking. 

After an hour, I finally made it to finish unpacking. I sat down on my bed and pick up my phone to message Sam. 

to Ponce: 

I'm done unpacking, let's eat? 

I drop my phone on my bed and stared at the ceiling, a sigh escaping my lips. How come I am tired when I was just sitting down the whole flight. Or even  my travel from Tagkawayan to Manila? I don't understand how that works but it annoys me.

I was laying down for minutes when I didn't get a reply from Sam. Due to my lack of patience, I stand up from my bed and head out the room. 

"What the heck is taking him so long?" I said before knocking on his door. 

It's pass 7PM! I'm hungry already!

"Sam! Let's eat!" I shout at his door, I hear him scream 'wait' before hearing noises from inside. 

When the door opened, I saw him panting. 

My brow's furrowed, "What the fuck are you doing?" I ask, his eyes widened a bit before shaking his head. 

"Just... I'm unpacking... but I am messing things up." he said and my brows furrowed. I step inside his room and saw that his luggage is on the floor, clothes on the and some clothes are on the closet. 

I sigh, "I'll help," I said, he wasn't able to protest or say anything. And I am not asking for permission anyways. I am hungry and if he proceed on doing this by himself, it will take another hour or more. 

"See, it wasn't that hard, Sam. You're 19 and yet you don't know how to do this?" I scolded him as we, or I finished putting his clothe sin the closet. 

"I'm sorry, hindi lang ako sanay, I'm used on just tossing it anywhere then maids will clean it." he said and I rolled my eyes. 

"Well that... was a turn off." I said before facing my back at him and opening the door. 

"Louise, wait!" he said as he chase me outside his room. I hear him close the door and run after me.

"I'll be learning how to do those things, okay? Our next flight is to Korea. By that time, I will be able to unpack my things well. And also... I know how to do it. Natagalan lang talaga ako kasi hindi ako sanay." he said as we walk to the hallway. I didn't utter any word until we reach the restaurant. 

This will be a long holiday. 

For a whole week, me and Sam kept on going to places. We traveled a lot, none of us are running out of ideas where to go or what to do. On first and second day we traveled Tokyo. Then on 3rd day is Osaka, we ate a lot of street foods but even though we are almost eating every 30 minutes, I still want to eat every food I see. Then Sapporo where we went skiing and we had some beers where I remember Sam couldn't enjoy his drink because he's scared I might get drunk. But it's just a beer and I am pretty much confident I won't get drunk. And I didn't! We then went to Nagoya where we took a lot of pictures because of the architectural buildings. 

When we went to Yokohama, we just ate and ate Chinese foods since Yokohama have a large Chinatown where a lot of Chinese Restaurants and foods are available. We last went to Kyoto where a lot of Shinto Shrines can be seen. It is a very traditional place and we learned few things about the history of the country. 

When we got back at Tokyo, all I can feel is exhaustion and burnt out. 

I was falling asleep when I hear a knock on my door. A hiss escaped my lips before I forced myself to stand up and open the door for Sam. 

"What? I am so tired and let me rest please!" I whined like a kid, eyes half closed but I can see him smiling and holding his laugh. 

"Well... you can still rest naman, I just want to talk." he said, my brows furrowed. I scratch the back of my head and aggressively nod. 

"Fine, fine, just get inside." I said, he went inside and I shut the door for him and run towards my bed before jumping on it, making it bounce. 

I hear Sam giggle, "Careful, you might hit your head on the head board." he said as he sat on the edge of the bed. 

"Edi bukol." I said, eyes closed. 

He didn't utter any word for a minute which I am glad. But few seconds later he speak. 

"Where do you want to celebrate Christmas? We only have... 3 days, we can still take a flight to another country." he said, eyes closed, I shrugged. 

"I don't know, anywhere." I tiredly said, I hear him chuckle before the bed moves and soon I felt him at my side. 

"Any country, Louise. We will immediately book a flight." he said, removing some strands of my hair, away from my face. 

"Well..." can your bring me to Canada? Can you bring me to my real father? And help me find out why he isn't there when I was growing up? Why he didn't took care of me? Will he be a better parent? Will he be able to give me things I need? Or will he be just like mom? Or worse? 

"I think Japan is okay, then let's just... go to Korea for New year." I said and I hear him hum. 

I swallowed the lump in my throat, but as I swallow, I noticed the tightness of my throat, indicating my emotions is taking over me and any moment I might just cry and break down in front of him. 

Will I get to have a better life when I'm with my dad? Will he be able to give me a better life and living? Is he financially stable as well? Or is he financially unstable but he can give me the love that a child seeks? Will he love me? Something my mom cannot do. Does he even know about my existence? 

"Sam..." I called, tears slowly building up in my eyes. 

"Mhmm?" 

"Can you please sleep with me?" I asked, arms on my forehead as tears build up in my eyes. 

"What?! Louise we're too young for that!" he exclaimed which made me chuckle. 

"Silly, I mean just sleep, cuddle, just... leave." I said, opening my eyes and letting out a sigh. 

I sat up on bed and wipe the tears in my eyes. 

His eyes widened, "Louise are you crying?" he worriedly ask, 

I rolled my eyes, "Leave, we'll eat later 9PM, let me sleep muna." I said as I push him out of my bed. 

"Leave, leave, leave." I chanted like a kid while pushing him out. When his feet is finally out, I blocked the door. 

"I'm not mad, just burnt out, I need some alone time." I calmly said. He gave me a worried look before nodding. 

"Sure sure, take your time, just message me when you're hungry." he said and I nod. 

"Thank you," I said before finally closing and locking the door. I once again jump on bed and took a deep breath to stop myself from crying and sleeping instead. 

Around 9:15, I went out my room and ask Sam for dinner. We ate quick and none dared to speak about what happened awhile ago. But it was a good dinner, it was great actually. Their food never fails to amaze me. After dinner we head back to our rooms and head to sleep. 

The next days, me and Sam spend the days shopping. I, of course brought some clothes and shoes. We still have no idea how we will celebrate Christmas but I at least want to have a clothes to wear. I also brought a gift for Sam. I don't know what he wants but I just look back on what Theo would like, some Pokemon plushies. And since there's a lot of cute ones here in Japan. I brought some for my friends too. 

"What are we gonna do tonight?" Sam ask while we're watching a movies. 

Without looking at him, I faced his direction. 

"Well... eat? Then open your gifts." I said and I hear him hum. 

"Nothing special?" he ask, that's when my brows furrowed and look at him. 

I then had the urge to hit him with the pillow, "What special!? Huh?!!" 

"Louise, stop! I mean something sweet and special, not what you're thinking!" he said, dodging the pillow. 

"You were thinking of something else eh--"

"Louise, no! Why would I?!" I stopped hitting him when he got a grip of my wrist. 

"I would never do that to you, specially you're 18 and both of us are young. I was thinking of a date or something like that." he said, slowly letting go of my wrist. 

I glared at him, slightly pouting before facing the TV. 

"Lets go to the park, lets buy a lot of foods and eat there. We can watch a movie at the back of the car you rented." I said and his eyes lit up. 

"Sure! We can do that. Sounds fun!" he said and I nod and smiled, not looking at him. 

By 8PM, both of prepared ourselves. I wore the dress I bought from Chanel and the shoes from the same brand. Around 9PM, we started going through restaurants and started buying foods. Carbonara is first on our list, then fried chicken, then chicken barbecue, beef steak, baked mac n cheese and many more foods. Quarter to 12, few minutes before Christmas, we're already at the park. I set up the food and our mat on the grass while he set up the back of the car for us to watch another movie. 

"Sam! Merry Christmas!!" I started hitting his back when I saw that it's pass 12 and we're 3 minutes late to greet each other Merry Christmas at exactly 12PM. 

He faced mad confusedly while I smile at him. "It's Christmas, silly! Won't you greet me back?!" I ask, a smile grew on his lips. 

"Merry Christmas, Louise!" he exclaimed and my smile grew wider before I grab the gift I bought for him at the side. 

"Here's your gift! I hope you like it." I said as I hand it to him. 

"Wow, thanks Louise, I have one for you too." he said as he placed down the gift I gave him and he went to the driver's seat and came back with a small velvet box in his hand. 

What... the hell?!

"Here, Merry Christmas!" he said as he hand the square box to me. Well... it's big for an engagement ring so I doubt it's an engagement ring. 

"Can... I open it na?" I ask, he nods, "Sure, you may." he replied and I nod. With slightly shaking hands, I opened it. And to my relief, it's a necklace with a pendant written Louise. 

"I couldn't think of something else to buy as a pendant. You might find the heart one a bit too simple since I know you can buy a necklace like that. Well you can also just buy one with your name written on it, but what is actually special on that, behind the pendant is written 'Love S'." he said and my eyes widened before searching for the Love S he's talking about. And when I saw it, a smile grew on my face. 

"Wow! Thank you so much, Sam!" I said before taking a step towards him and hugging him for 3 seconds. 

"Let's eat?" I said as I pull away form the hug. He still looked stunned by what just happened which made me giggle. 

We started eating while watching a Marvel movie. It's nice to know that we have some few things in common and one of that is watching movie. Specially movies with fantasy or superpowers. 

We watch movies until morning, I even found myself laying down on his lap while still watching a movie of Marvels. The time we started cleaning is when people started passing by and the sun getting brighter and brighter. We made sure we left nothing in the park since we arrived there clean. 

When I arrived at my hotel room, the only thing I did is close the lights, make sure the curtains are closed, remove my dress, leaving me with my undergarment and falling asleep. 

I woke up with someone calling me. Due to my sleepiness, I ended up cancelling the call. But my phone ringed again which made me groan and answer it. 

"What--"

[Ssob! Merry Christmas! Punta ka dito sa amin! Ipinagluto kita tsaka may regalo ako sayo!]