"Claire, do you want to have a quick getaway? Gusto ko ng pahinga from work," I asked Claire. She shifted her seating position towards me before closing her laptop. We were communicating with our eyes and I knew that she knows what I am planning.

"Come on," I said when I saw a hint of disapproval from her face. "I'll book a villa and we'll stay there for two nights and one day. Hmm?"

"Sino ang magbabantay sa Blossom Apparel?" Tanong niya sa akin and I sighed before standing up to walk towards her—massaging her shoulders.

"I'll close the shop for as long as we are on vacation. Ako ang boss, kaya wala kang magagawa," I glared at her and she shrugged before standing up and nodding at me.

"Yes!" I jumped out of excitement. "I'll call the girls," I said and she just walked out of our office to inform our employees that they'll have a vacation off of work.

I called our group chat at halos sabay sabay lang din sila sumagot. [What does Anathasia Fleurienne want with us? Aren't you busy with work?] Bungad ni Alliyah sa akin at sumunod naman sa dulo ng linya ang boses ni Glen.

[How are you, Rienne? We heard what happened from Kaito.] Tangina, narinig ko na naman ang pangalan ng putanginang iyon. Halos dalawang araw na rin kasi ang nakalipas noong na-ospital ako dahil sa hangover ko and since then, Kaito and I didn't get the chance to iron things out.

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang nangyari sa kaniya. Imposible kasi talagang walang nangyari dahil hindi iyon magbabago ng ugali in just a span of a few hours. Tabi pa kami matulog no'n e!

"Are you guys free in the next two days?" I asked and they all answered a yes to me. Yey!

[What are you planning, girl?] Meila asked.

"So, I want a break from work. How about we go to Bataan for two days? I'll be the one to pay for the villa, you guys pay for the food and transportation," I told them and all of their voices overlapped and I was forced to lower down the volume of my phone for a second.

When they eventually calmed down, I spoke. "Are you guys down?" I asked and they all said yes.

[When will we leave?] Mia asked and I grinned.

"Tonight. Meet me at Claire's house at 12 AM." I said and my smile grew wider when I heard their panicking voices. I knew that they would freak out because they were going to rush packing their clothes.

Kaya na nila 'yan, it's literally a two day trip! It won't even take them an hour packing their things.

[I'll see if I could rent a van tonight, if not, we're going to ride a bus.] Jaidene said and we all disagreed with what she said. Hindi ako laking mayaman pero ayaw kong makipagsiksikan sa bus para lang makapunta ng Bataan 'no!

"See you tonight, girls!" I dropped the call and I went outside the office to check on Claire. She was already taking down the stocks that we have up on the shelves and racks and I chuckled before giving her a look. Noong nakita niya ako, she rolled her eyes before continuing to do what she was doing.

"Akala ko ba ayaw mo mag-bakasyon?" I raised my eyebrow at her and she didn't respond.

"Sino'ng may ayaw sa bakasyon, Rienne? Siyempre wala!" She said and I shook my head before going back to the office to tidy things up para diretso sara na lang kami mamaya ng shop.

Pagkauwi namin, it was already 8 PM. We both took a shower before packing our things. Our estimated arrival at Bataan if we leave at 12 AM is around four or five. If we sleep during the ride there, we can have energy to watch the sunrise.

Noong ayos na ang gamit namin, tinawagan ko ang may ari ng beach house na rerentahan ko ay sabi nila na ready na ang villa para sa amin. I actually planned this a few days ago, kaya mabilis lang nangyari ang downpayment transaction.

Noong magkakasama na kami, may kasamang van si Jaid at Meila. Siguro one of them are going to drive papunta roon sa beach house.

"Who's going to drive?" I asked and they all pointed at Glen. I nodded before loading in my two duffel bags in the van. Tabi kami ni Claire sa loob ng van and I was getting ready to take a nap.

"Rienne, before you sleep, send me the full details on where we are going to." Agad ko naman binigay kay Glen ang details.

I quickly dozed off to sleep because of the tiredness and soreness of my body.

"Wake up, girls!"

I opened my eyes and I saw that the sun was almost up and we're already at Bataan. Nakita ko na ang white beach! I took out my phone and took a video the view and pointed my camera at my friend's direction para makita ng mga tao kung bakit sarado ang Blossom Apparel ngayon.

We checked out the villa first before going out again to watch the sun rise.

We were all seated in front of the beach house, in the sand while talking about our lives.

"So, how's everyone lately?" I started a conversation and they all responded to me one by one. Meila said her modeling career was still thriving. Sinabi niya sa amin na marami siyang kailangan na gawing photoshoots next week kaya aalis na agad siya sa Pilipinas after our spontaneous beach trip for Germany.

Si Mia naman ay may planong bumalik muna sa Vancouver to celebrate her parents' anniversary. She said she wanted to spend time with her relatives so that she could have some time to breathe before the hectic schedule comes back.

Glen would be spending time traveling with her boyfriend as well as Jaidene. They said they'll be finding places where they could get married with their soon to be husbands. Nakakainggit na nga sila e! Lagi na lang pinapamukha sa akin na single ako!

Kasalanan ni Kaito ang lahat! Kung hindi niya ako binibigyan ng mixed signals e 'di sana masaya kami ngayon na nag-la-loving loving?

"How about you, Rienne? How are you?" Alliyah asked and I gave them a blank stare before looking out at the sun slowly rising up. I sighed as I played with the sand we were sitting on.

"Well, for starters... Kaito and I haven't talked to each other for about two days now. We had an argument." I said and they all just stared at me, waiting for me to continue the story. "Well, it all started when he decided to act differently after the night we got drunk. After that, everything went downhill to the point where he suddenly got mad at me for such a shallow reason. I don't know, I just can't seem to understand why he's been like this."

They all took a while before the information I said was processed in their brains. "You know what? You should post a thirst trap on your Instagram story to get him back into your games," Glen winked at me and I chuckled before shaking my head.

"Yeah, and put on a caption that says your loss or just an emoji, that shows teasing!" Mia suggested and I nodded before standing up.

We all decided to go back to the villa to take pictures before changing into our bikini. We would like to go to the beach this early to feel the vitamin from the sun.

I tied my hair up in a messy bun and wore a necklace so that my neck wouldn't look bare. I was wearing a royal blue two piece which is very revealing and yet I love how the bikini fits my body. I took a few selfies and mirror shots before joining the girls at the cabana.

We all took photos of each other and group photos. Lumublob na rin kami sa tubig and I was enjoying every single moment with them! They all are my comfort people and I appreciate them so much for making me happy in ways they didn't think they could.

"Rienne, look fierce. Position your left foot forward and put your hands close to your face so that when people see the photo, their eyes will be fixated on your body. Remember, you're doing this so that Kaito would want to be jealous of guys wanting you!" Jaidene said and I quickly followed her instructions. When I saw the satisfied look on her face, alam kong nagawa ko nang tama ang inutos niya.

"Ooh! Lie on the sand, Rienne." Bigla namang sambit ni Meila noong nakita niyang hindi na ako makahanap ng bagong pose. I gave her a glare before speaking.

"Don't make me look like a fool lying on the sand, Meila. I know that you're the one who has a modeling career here but not everyone can imitate you," I rolled my eyes and she scoffed.

"You look more of a model than me, Rienne. Now get your cute ass lying on the sand and copy me," pambobola niya sa akin and I sighed before copying her. After our photoshoot, we enjoyed running around the beach and we took a video of that for us to post in our social media accounts.

"I love spending my time with you, girls," I said with a genuine smile.

"You guys are my lost sisters! I love you all," Alliyah said and we all hugged each other.

Noong bumalik na kami sa pool area, nag-chill na lang kami under the shade and I scanned my photos. They all turned out so good!

I picked four photos and collaged them and captioned what you're missing out ¿¿ in the middle of the post so that he won't miss it. Pagkatapos noon ay kumain muna kami bago lumangoy ulit sa pool.

We even played hide and seek sa villa namin dahil sobrang laki niya! Maybe even one of us could hold their wedding reception here sa sobrang laki nito.

Noong chinech ko na ulit ang cellphone ko after two hours, I saw Kaito reply to my story.

R.Kai: I know what you're trying to do.

I just rolled my eyes before going back to mingle with the girls. We swam a little more until the time we all were waiting for, which is the moment when the sun kisses the sea.

It was so peaceful and serene. It was everything. But I still hoped that Kaito was here. He would know how to maximize everything here and help me reach the peak of my happiness. Or maybe he's the only one that could reach that certain point.

After dinner, we went back outside to feel the cold breeze. "Rienne, did you bring a lighter?" Tanong sa akin ni Meila and I nodded.

"Ah, yes. It's in the back pocket of my bag," I told her as I pointed to the direction where my bag was. Agad niya naman iyon kinuha sabay sindi sa bonfire na ginawa ni Glen. They told me we should have a bonfire to take aesthetic pictures for our Instagram stories. Naguguluhan nga ako dahil wala namang may gustong makakita ng mukha ko dahil hindi naman ako gano'n kagandahan pero sabi nila pasado raw ako sa pagiging model.

Hinahayaan ko na lang sila bolahin ako para tapos agad ang usapan. "Why do you have a branded lighter?" She asked at doon ako natulala noong inabot na niya sa akin 'yong lighter. Tinitigan ko iyon hanggang sa maalala ko kung bakit nga ba ako may lighter.

"You really hate seeing me smoke, do you?" He asked when he suddenly pulled out the lighter from his pocket as he placed the cigarette stick in his mouth. He ignited the stick and I was just staring at him blankly.

"Sino naman ang may gustong makita ang isang tao na sirain ang baga niya? 'Di ba wala?" I sarcastically replied to him and he chuckled before gripping on to my shoulder to pull me in. Agad naman ako umiwas dahil ayaw ko noong amoy ng sigarilyo.

"Sorry," sambit niya noong nakita akong hindi komportable sa posiyon namin ngayon. "Hindi mo gusto amoy?" Tanong niya at tumango naman ako. Kinuha naman niya ang sigarilyo sa kaniyang bibig at saka binitiwan sabay apak doon para upusin ito.

I saw him give the lighter to me and I unconsciously took it and placed it in my pocket. Agad ko naman siya tiningnan at nakita kong nilabas niya ang vape niya. "You have a vape naman pala, bakit hindi na lang iyan gamitin mo?" I asked.

"It just doesn't give me the same feeling when I smoke a cigarette stick. Regalo 'to ng kaibigan ko, I always just put it in my pocket but don't really use it. Pero ngayon, dahil ayaw mo... I'll switch."

I squinted my eyes at him, "Sigurado ka? I can just wear a mask," I told him and he shook his head before putting his hand on my head to caress it.

"No. I'll switch for the sake of your health. I know that you have so many dreams or ambitions kaya hindi ka pa dapat mamatay dahil sa pag inhale ng second hand smoke ko. Besides, I'd like to see your face whenever we hang out. Maganda ka e."

My face heated when he said those last three words. Maganda ako.

"Oh and keep that lighter. It'll serve as a souvenir from me. Para kapag hindi na tayo nasa iisang landas, maaalala mo pa rin ako kapag nakita mo iyon," he told me before having a puff from his vape.

It was a curse. Kasi naaalala ko nga talaga siya.

"Someone is knocking on the door," Jaidene said when we heard loud knocks. We were lowkey scared because this place is a secluded area, no one else can go in the vicinity.

"I'll go get it. It's probably just housekeeping," Mia said and we all nodded. After a few seconds, narinig ulit namin si Mia. "Rienne! Someone is looking for you, come out to the porch."

Pinagpagan ko ang buhangin sa may puwetan ko bago maglakad pabalik sa loob at saka pumunta sa front door. When I opened the door, agad nanlaki mata ko noong nagtama ang mga mata namin.

What was he doing here in Bataan? He's not supposed to be here.

"You're not supposed to leave me delivered for almost five hours, Fleurienne," he said calmly but I know that he was pissed. I rolled my eyes at him.

"Wow, who are you to tell me that? You gave me a cold fucking shoulder and treated me differently when I was in the hospital so I have every fucking shitty right to leave you on delivered!" I shouted and he scoffed before trying to hold my hand. "Don't even think about touching me, Kaito Ren." I warned him but he disregarded what I said and still risked touching me.

Pero noong hinawakan na niya ang kamay ko, lahat ng galit ko sa kaniya biglang naglaho dahil nakita ko na konti na lang luluha na siya. Was he finally going to tell me why he was acting differently?

"Rienne... My l-love," his voice broke at mahahawa na rin yata ako sa kaniya! "I'm sorry," he started. I swallowed the lump on my throat before trying to hold his face. Agad naman niya ito pinatungan ng kaniyang kamay bago pumikit.

"Hey, don't cry, Kai."

"Marami akong dapat sabihin sa iyo pero hindi ko alam kung sapat na ang oras na mayroon tayo ngayon para masabi ko lahat ng nasa isip ko," he said. I gave him a soft and assuring smile so that he'd know that I was no longer mad, and now ready to listen to him.

"Nine o'clock pa lang naman. Marami pang oras," I told him before placing down my phone near the window.

"Noong umagang wala ako sa tabi mo... Hindi ko 'yon ginusto." Pero bakit mo pa rin akong nagawang iwan? "My father is here in the Philippines... And you know how possessive he could be. I couldn't say no when he asked me to come to his office before the sun rose. We discussed... Things that could affect my lifestyle."

"Which are?" I asked and he shook his head.

"That is not important right now because I came for a different topic to talk about," he told me and I glared at him. "Don't give me that look," he said with a scoff and I crossed my arms and gave him a blank expression. "Okay, fine. Dad said I would... lose everything if I..." Mukhang nahihirapan talaga siyang sabihin ito sa akin. I sighed before shaking my head.

"Fine. If you can't tell me what your father want from you, just tell me what you have to say."

"This is also somewhat connected to the reason why my father threatened my life..." He closed his eyes to think about what he was going to say—he even looked very hesitant to even tell me his thoughts. It's like... He became like me, when he wasn't yet around.

"Anathasia Fleurienne, the only girl that convinced me to stop smoking and live a better life," he started.

I chuckled, "Where are you going with this, Kai?"

"I like you." He finally broke the ice. I was stunned by those words. With all the things he made me feel, I was already expecting. But why was I surprised? Maybe I just didn't think that he'd be telling me this anytime sooner.

"Okay the silence is killing me. But, I've been keeping these thoughts to myself for a long time now. Ever since I came here from Japan, I knew exactly my intentions for you and I figured I wanted to express my feelings for you. I couldn't just tell you everything because you were in a bad spot at ayaw kong dumagdag sa mga iniisip mo."

Huminga muna siya ng malalim bago magpatuloy sa sinasabi niya, "I'm ready to take a leap into the unknown, my love. With you, everything feels different. You make me feel alive in a way that no one ever has. I'm not hoping for you to feel the same way, kailangan ko lang talaga ilabas muna ang mga ito kasi hindi ko na kaya."

Natagalan ako bago sumagot, "Kaito... You know what we have right now is special, but we can't—" Before I could even reply to what he said, he hushed me before holding my cheek.

"Stop, Rienne. Wala kang kailangan sabihin. Basta ngayon alam mo na nararamdaman ko sa iyo," sa mga salitang binigkas niya... Lahat ay tila nawala sa utak ko noong hinawakan niya ang aking bewang sabay hagod sa buhok na naka-harang sa mukha ko.

I felt his lips pressing on mine and I enjoyed the moment while it lasted.

He immediately left after the kiss and I was standing under the front porch light.