Special Chapter 1

—Back to London—

A few months after my graduation, processing and finishing all of my papers, I flew back to London. Hindi ko inaasahan na sasabak kaagad ako sa real world matapos kong grumaduate. I thought I would be spending my working life back in the Philippines for a few years to gain a lot of experiences kasi plano ko rin naman talaga mag-abroad right after, but then this happened.

Connagh happened and I guess, even though we haven't met, I can still make this dream happen at the right time—but then I met him, things and plans change.

Ang sabi ni Connagh, he's already waiting for me outside the airport. I've been here before and I already know my way around pero bakit ganito ang kabang nararamdaman ko? Para bang first time. Well, I've got a new agenda now.

Hindi na isang intern ang ipinunta ko rito. I'll be working in Connagh's company—he thought that would be the easy way for me to be able to get to London without processing too much documents. Iyon din naman ang naisip ko kaya pumayag na agad ako. I've never got the chance to work in Manila, halos preparation lang ang pinaggagawa ko at ngayon... I'm finally back and ready to see the royals—again.

But funny thing is, Connagh laid an option for me.

Marry me...

Mas mapapadali kasi ang pagpunta ko rin sa London with a fiancée visa. With the current visa, I have, finishing a contract with his company would also mean I have to go back to the Philippines. But that contract is good for three years and a lot of things could happen in three years.

But we may never know, maybe tomorrow I'm already Miss Macek.

Pagkalabas ko ng Heathrow Airport, the first thing I did is to look for him, but I did already nang walang kahirap-hirap. He's only a placard with my full name written on it so big that many people who get to see it would end up getting curious kung sino ba 'yong tinutukoy nito sa hawak nito.

He ran towards me saka niya ako ikinulong sa bisig niya. Napapikit na lamang ako habang naramdaman ko ang paghigpit ng pagkayayakap nito sa akin. The only thing I needed right now matapos ang ilang linggo na pag-aasikaso ko sa mga papeles ko. I think we've last for more than five minutes being held up in his arms. Halos dalawang buwan lang naman din ang nakalipas since nang huli kaming magkita at iyon ang time na pumunta siya sa Pinas for my graduation.

I wasn't really expecting him to show up there. Hindi ako umaasa na babalikan niya ako after all the things that happened. I thought we ended up things when I left London pero binalikan niya ako and he made me realized all the things I needed to hear.

"I miss you," he uttered, leaving kisses of traces on my hair.

"I miss you, too..." I whispered as my head resting on his chest. I've been wanting to be in his arms again.

Palagi na lang kaming magkausap on video call and sometimes we never get to talk to each other since the time difference is our enemy, but we still made it. Minsan siya na ang nag-aadjust na gumising ng madaling araw para batiin ako ng good morning. And he wouldn't let end the day without talking to me and saying good night before I go to sleep.

He's the sweetest. The fact that we've been struggling on how to keep our relationship stable—or if we're gonna push it through or not, we still find a way to reach the end because Connagh and I fell in love with each other.

He slowly parted away from me and he just went in kissed me on my lips. Paulit-ulit pa niya iyong ginawa hangga't sa pagtinginan na kami ng mga taong dumadaan.

Marahan ko siyang pinalo sa braso bilang pagsita sa pananabik niya sa akin. "Maghunos dili ka! Ang dami nakakikita, e."

Tinawanan lang ako nito. "I just missed my girl. Could you blame me?" Ngisi pa nito.

I shook my head. "Of course not. Me, too. I've missed you a lot. Those two months have been the toughest—well, college life is already tough for me, but I thought won't be able to get sort out all my papers. I was so scared they would decline my visa here."

"That's what I said you should get the fiancée visa, it's easy," pagpunto pa nito sa akin.

Itinaas ko ang kamay ko. "I don't see a ring on my finger. That would be questionable to them. Baka kung ano na lang ang isipin nila and how would I be able to defend myself. E, hindi ka naman talaga nag-propose sa akin. Though I'm not saying you should and that's not a requirement for you to do that. Ang mahalaga ay nandito ako."

"I should've done that two months ago," he muttered, smirking. "Well, in that case, welcome back to London, my love."

"Thank you, love." Hagikgik ko pa. "Totoo na talaga 'to, 'no? Hindi mo na ako intern?"

He laughed. "Yup. You're my employee in the office, my girlfriend back at home."

"Well, that's more I like to hear."

"And what are we still doing here? Let's go back to our place so you could take a rest and finally you could fix your stuff there." Connagh said and then he just went to grab the cart where all of my stuff are.

Ilang maleta ang idinala ko at may dalawang boxes pa ako na naglalaman ng mga kung ano-ano. Iyong ilan pinoy goods na pinadala sa akin ni mama. Siguro magugulat na lang 'tong si Connagh at kung ano-ano ang dalawa ko.

He would probably say na mabibili naman namin ang mga ito sa Asian market o kaya naman, he will look for it kung gusto ko talaga. He wouldn't stop until wala ako no'ng bagay na gusto ko, but everything I bought will remind me of home. Mami-miss ko ang buhay ko sa Pinas.

I've never had many friends there, but those who remembered and stayed with me are so happy with all the decisions I did. Lalo na ang family ko. They weren't expecting na gano'n kabilis ang paglipad ko sa London, but they were happy for it. Gusto nilang mag-succeed ako sa life at mabili ko lahat ng gusto ko.

If Connagh could provide, let it be, but I want all the things I want would result in the fruits of my hard work. Iyon ang gusto kong mapatunayan at hindi magpakasarap buhay which is not the reason I flew back to London.

"Akala ko may staff kang kasama," taka kong tanong nang makapasok kami sa loob ng sasakyan.

He shrugged off. "Supposedly, but I just thought to pick you up myself. And why are you asking? Don't you want me to do that for you?"

Nanlaki ang mata ko sa tanong niya saka ako umiling. "No! It wasn't that. Alam ko naman kasi kapag may ganap ka, you would have your staff para mag-drive sa 'yo pero hayaan mo na nga. We should just get home."

"This is special for me," he said. "I should be the one who picked you up here rather than anyone else. You'll be here for many years and to the first person who you've seen in the airport won't leave your side... well, I just thought of that."

Natawa ako sa sinabi niya. "Well, nasaan naman si Tita Gina? I was expecting she'll be here with you rin. Nandito ba siya sa likod ng mga upuan at may pa-surprise sa akin?"

Connagh laughed. "No, she's not there. She has work so she can't come, but she expressed her excitement. You should watch this."

He took his phone out of his pants and then handed over his phone na may video ni Tita Gina. Pinaandar na rin naman nito ang sasakyan saka ko pinanood ang video.

"Hello, pamangkin! Welcome back to London! Mabuhay-mabuhay! Parang kailan lang nandito ka na ulit! Sorry kung wala ako ngayon sa pagsundo mo dahil busy ang lelang mo. Kailangan ako ng amo ko sa bahay so kayod is life! But we'll see soon and talk soon! Sana all may jowa!" Natawa ako sa huling sinabi nito. Nag-flying kiss pa ito bago niya i-end ang record.

Connagh laughed. "She's still funny as hell. You guys like have the same energy and I couldn't even match it! But I'm happy for her, she gets to hang around with you again."

"And it's because of you!" Pag-point ng daliri ko sa dibdib niya. "This won't even happen naman kung hindi mo ako tinanggap sa company mo."

"You said you're not ready for the fiancée visa so I just laid another option for you," depensa naman nito sa akin. "I could've done that if you had no other option, but that's okay. We'll get to that matter."

"You're so persistent, Mr. Macek."

"Oh, boy, I am." Ngisi pa nito.

He played a music on the stereo and put his arm on the head rest of my chair. Inalis ko naman iyon at ibinalik ko ang kamay niya sa manibela dahil baka kung ano pang mangyari. If he's being so reckless, uuwi kaagad ako ng Pinas sa ginagawa niya.

"You know I'll be safe," he uttered.

Umiling ako. "Kahit na. Natandaan mo ba 'yong nangyari sa best friend mo no'n?"'

He nodded. "Yeah, but I must admit, what he did there was stupid. He almost died just for Cely, but I wouldn't let that happen. That's the difference between me and my best friend. I wouldn't dare to do that."

"Dapat lang," may paynalidad kong tugon. Humalukipkip pa ako para malaman niyang seryoso ako sa sinasabi ko. "Anyway, excited na ako makabalik sa apartment mo. I'm looking forward kung anong binago mo."

"E, just a little," he said. "First of all, you cannot have your own room since we'll be sleeping on one bed together. I've already secured your closet there inside the master bedroom so you won't have to worry about it. Lastly, you don't have to worry about going home late because at this moment, that'll be finally your home."

"Oh... such a sweetie, sana palaging ganyan, 'no?"

He chuckled. "I'll try!"

"Did Maurice put his flower shop back in the market?" I asked. "Kinda, but he stopped since he couldn't be there anymore to look after his shop. His daughter has other priorities so it's not. Why, love? Do you plan to build your own flower shop?"

I shrugged off. "Hindi ko pa sure. Maybe we'll see... marami akong naiisip na gawin, but I still have my adjusting period."

"Oh, bullshit with that, you've been here before for a few months and then gone just about a few months so care less about that. It's not something you should worry about."

"Okay, then I think I should worry about my employment in your company."

"Oh, easy peasy." He smirked. "I'll guide you with that."

"Ops, nope!" I wiggled my index finger. Napakunot naman ang noo niya sa sinabi ko.

"Why not?!" he sounds so offended.

"Okay, first of all, hindi mo na ako intern para i-guide sa mga gagawin ko. I know I'll have my own superior manager so I'll come and ask for help to that certain and not to you. You should take note of that, Mister Macek. I'm telling you, if you meddle with my work, I'll fire you."

Connagh laughed and raised his one hand up to surrender. "Okay, my boss. I won't."

"Promise muna!"

"What?! Are you a little kid?"

"E, pa'no kapag sinabi kong balik na akong Pinas?"

He immediately shook his head. "No, no. Don't do that. Yes, I promise you."

We locked our pinky fingers just to secure what we've agreed at this moment. Nauwi na lang din naman sa tawanan iyon hangga't sa natahimik kaming dalawa nang marating na namin ang tinutuluyan niyang millions of pounds na apartment.

He entered the parking lot on the basement and went to his designated spot. Nauna siyang bumaba sa akin para pagbuksan ako ng pinto. Isang staff naman ng hotel ang nag-aabang namin para dalhin ang mga gamit ko at ilagay sa trolley.

When everything is settled, tumuloy na kami sa elevator at hinintay na umakyat sa penthouse ang elevator.

"Siguraduhin mo lang na malinis, ha," pagbabanta ko pa sa kanya.

He was just smiling at me until the elevator rings as we've reached the top floor—the penthouse. Una kaming lumabas at sumunod ang staff sa likod namin. Connagh take his key card out and place it on the card slot that automatically opened the door for us.

He took the knob and push it slowly. "After you," he said, motioning his hand.

"Thank you, Mister Macek." I giggled.

As I got in, the staff stops just at the entrance and take my stuff out of the trolley until someone showed up, popping pop-up confetti in front of us, shouting, "Welcome back, pamangks!"

Nang makilala ko ang boses at agad kong sinalubong ng yakap si Tita Gina. Mahigpit na yakap naman ang isinalubong nito, pero akala ko nasa akin ang atensyon niya kaya naman nang tingnan ko kung kanino siya titig na titig. Huling-huli siyang nakatingin sa staff ng building.

"Gwapo, ha!" utas nito.

Of course, the staff is a British young guy—maybe around his middle twenty's. Nagkatitigan pa silang dalawa ni Tita Gina before he left the penthouse. Naghalumpisay naman sa kilig si Tita Gina kaya takang-taka ako na natatawa.

"Tita!" pagpigil ko sa kanya nang lumuhod pa ito sa sahig. "Remember, nandito ka para sa akin at hindi para sa staff, okay?"

"Ay, talaga ba?" aniya nang mapagtanto muli nang titigan ako. Tumayo ito sa pagkaluluhod at niyakap muli ako ng mahigpit at tumalon-talon pa ito. Napatingin ako kay Connagh.

He mouthed, surprise!

It was actually a genuine act from him. Hindi ko inaasahan 'to. A part of me is still surprised that he actually does all this for me. He opened his arms and I just hugged him so tight. I rest my head on his chest and I am breathing fine. I've missed this.

"Thank you..." I uttered.

He breathes in. "I'd do anything just for you."

I giggled. Hinampas ko siya ng marahan sa dibdib niya at saka ko inangat ang tingin ko sa kanya. We're just exchanging stares and with that, I could say that I finally found the right person for me.

"We've prepared something for you," Tita Gina said. Kinuha naman niya ang kamay ko at dali-dali niya akong idinala sa living room and there I found something more.

"Another surprise," Connagh said, giggling.

May bandiritas kasi nakasabit at naka-spell out itong welcome home. There's multiple decoration on the side and what made me happy, nang lingunin ko ang orasan na inayos namin no'n sa dingding ng sala, it's still there. My heart's smiling all the time.

There were also foods that's been prepared. Tita Gina said na gusto niya raw sanang magluto for me, but don't really have the time since she was caught up with her job sa bahay ng amo niya and that's totally fine for me. Pinagsaluhan namin ang inihanda nilang pagkain and Connagh couldn't stop putting food in my mouth.

"Kayong dalawa, ha? Subuan kayo nang subuan diyan. Baka mamaya iba na isubo ni Connagh sa 'yo, KC. Mag-ready ka lang." Tawa pa nito.

Napangiwi na lang ako habang sinabayan ni Connagh sa tawa si Tita Gina. But I've missed this a lot kaya kahit mang-asar pa sila sa akin all day, I wouldn't mind basta hanggang ngayong araw lang.

"What are your plans, KC?" tanong ni Tita Gina.

Napaisip naman ako sa tanong niya, but Connagh had something to say nang i-angat niya ang daliri niya. Both of us looked at him, creasing my forehead.

"I have plans for her," he uttered. "She'll be my wife and I will love her for the rest of my life."

"Well, that's your plan for her," sagot naman ni tita. "But it's so nice to hear those words from you. But hopefully, those just aren't your words, ha? We wanna see some actions. Like pwede mo na namang dalhin si KC sa kwarto niyo."

"Tita naman!" saway ko sa kanya.

Tinaasan niya lang ako ng kilay. "Ay, ano bang nasa isip mo, KC? Magpapahinga ka lang, that's what I'm referring to, ha! Medyo dirty na 'yang pag-iisip mo. Maybe that's the thing you should work out. Connagh, help her on that term."

Connagh chuckled, nodding his head. "Of course, I'll do my best."

"Baliw kayong dalawa." Ngisi ko pa.

Tita wasn't able to stay longer dahil tumakas lang din daw talaga siya sa amo niya. Ang sabi ko kasi, maghanap na siya ng jowa niyang Briton para hindi na niya kailangan pang mag-trabaho at mag-aalala sa oras ng uwian. And she jokes, sa tagal-tagal niya raw sa London, ako na ilang buwan lang no'n ay una pang nagkaroon ng boyfriend kumpara sa kanya.

But maybe I've met my person at the right time and the person for Tita Gina maybe isn't in London.

Nang maiwan kaming dalawa sa room niya, I was about to clean the stuff and the mess we made pero pinigilan akong gawin ni Connagh 'yon. He strained my hands from doing anything. Pinaupo niya lang ako sa couch at magpatatawag na lang daw siya ng room cleaner to do that. Of course, he can do that. Kaya naman kinuha ko na lang ang maleta ko, but he steps in once again and he's the one who carried my stuff on his room.

"Alam mo, hindi mo naman kailangan gawin 'yan," sabi ko sa kanya pero inilingan niya ako.

"I want to do this. I can do this all day for you," dahilan pa nito sa akin.

"Okay, sabi mo, e. But you have to let me do the unpacking alone. Baka malito ako kung saan-saan mo ilalagay ang mga gamit ko. Just tell me where I can put them and I'll take it over there."

"Sure thing," he said. "But if you still need some help, call me." Ngisi pa nito saka ako kinindatan.

I giggled when he does that.

When we finally got inside the room, inihilira niya ang maleta ko at isa-isa ko namang pinagbubuksan ito. He told me to leave it for now at magpahinga na lang muna. Though I've still got a week before I can actually start working, kailangan ko munangt mag-adjust since paniguradong tatamaan ng matindi ang body clock ko. I would probably miss my family, too.

But Connagh assured me that everything I needed will be given, I just have to say it.

"Come on, love, let's get you to bed first. I know you're absolutely tired because of your travel."

Tumango ako. "Yes, that was exhausting, but I still can carry it."

He let out a heavy, sharp sighed that's why my attention was immediately at him.

"What was that for?" I asked.

He grinned and shook his head. He then just jumped on the bed and make me come with him on it.

"Tapusin ko lang 'to," tipid kong sagot sa kanya.

But I guess he won't listen to whatever I'm saying. He just got up from bed and wrapped his arms on my stomach and as I was locked in his arms, he jumped on the bed and I was screaming at the top of my lungs as he did it, but he carefully do so and ended up cuddling me.

Hindi na kami gumalaw at umalis sa pwesto namin. Pinapakiramdaman ko naman kung anong susunod niyang gagawn, but he's just not moving.

"You know I've still got a lot of things to do..." I muttered.

He shrugged off. "I don't care... you've got a lot of time to do that."

"Oh... okay... but what are we doing now?"

"Sleep... just sleep..."

"I'm not sleepy yet."

"I am.... sleep with me."

"Oh, Mister Macek, what have you done to my Connagh?" I questioned, trying not to laugh.

He didn't respond, but make his hug on me a little tighter. I felt that even more. Mas isiniksik pa niya ang katawan niya sa akin. Like we've got a queen-size bed here and we're just cramming up to each other. But with each other's arms, it is warm and cozy. I like it.

"Okay, Mister Macek, I'll sleep with you..."

He smirked. "How about you call me Sloane?"

Napakunot ang noo ko sa tanong niya. "And why? Don't you like your first name?"

"A lot of people call me with that."

"Yeah, same with me on KC."

"Then let me call you my love." Ngisi pa nito.

I chuckled. "That's so corny, Sloane..."

"Oh, no, that doesn't sound right. Let's just go back with my first name. That sounds better."

"I bet it is," I said, laughing.

Connagh and I just spend the rest of our time in his bed—well, technically, our bed now. Tahimik lamang siya at ramdam ko ang bawat malalim niyang hininga and at some point, tinamaan din ako ng antok at pagod, and in his ams, tuluyang pumikit ang mga mata ko.

The next thing I knew I woke up with a big katamaran shed in my body. Pinilit ko na lang din namang bumangon sa pagkahihiga ko at saka ako lumabas ng kwarto. I immediately look for Connagh, but he's nowhere to be found. I tried looking at the other rooms, but he's not there.

"Connagh?" pagtawag ko rito. "May surprise ka na naman ba?"

But later on, I've smelled something that's coming from the kitchen. Then I've heard him calling my name. Agad akong dumiretsyo ng dining kung saan naabutan ko siyang nakasuot ng apron at busy magluto. I was literally confused about what he's doing.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

He chuckled. "Doing some dinner for us."

"Pero... may leftover pa naman kanina, a?"

"Yes, I know, but I don't eat leftovers," pagpaiintindi pa nito sa akin. "I'm cooking something I've been preparing for months."

"Oh... oh... oh! You've been preparing for this to this moment?"

He nodded. "Yup. It's true." I watched him prepared and set the table. "Please do take a seat, my love. You'll love my cooking."

"And what did you cook for me?"

Hindi niya ako sinagot kung hindi ay pinaupo niya muna sa dining table. He was just setting it all up for me.

"You did all of this by yourself?" I asked.

He nodded. "Quite surprised?"

I chuckled, nodding. "Yeah, you don't usually do this kind of thing."

"I know, but just like what I've said, in the past few months, I've been working hard to get to this moment."

"We're not getting married yet, Connagh. Don't pressure yourself!"

He laughed. "Well, it's best to do it early than late or never! And you don't have an idea when we'll get married so..." Kinindatan ako nito.

"Echos ka talaga. Anyway, I've noticed everything is clean na sa labas. How long I have been sleeping?"

Tiningnan niya ang relo niya sa wrist niya. "About five hours. That's enough, right? How was your sleep? Feel better now?"

"I did... did you sleep as well?"

"Well..." He smirked.

Inirapan ko siya kasi pinatulog niya lang talaga ako kanina. He was just making fun out of it. We turned our attention back to our food. He proudly presented his own medium-rare steak and at first, it actually shook me as I'm not into this kind of food that's why I just put my trust in him that it will be good—and it was.

"You look so happy," he muttered.

"Well, I just had the best dinner on my first night back here in London!"

He smirked. "I know, I know. It's the best. But you look so radiating," he said, staring at me like he's examining my whole face. "I'm happy you're finally here with me."

I giggled. "Well, I wouldn't have done this if it wasn't for you. And I'm happy that I'm with you today. I think this is just the best way to start my journey back in London."

"And I will make you continue falling in love with me," he said.

I sip on my glass of water. "We'll see that."

"What about that, huh?" He chuckled. "Drink some water after what I said?"

"We can always fall in love with each other," I reasoned. "We can do that... and oh! Naalala ko lang, I thought I'll be seeing Maurice earlier. I thought you set him up to be here as well."

"Oh, I did ask him," he said, wiping his mouth with the napkin. "I came by their home the other day and told him you were coming back. He's happy and excited for you, he wished to be there earlier, but he cannot so I understand. If you want to visit him soon, we can arrange that."

"Sure, that would be lovely!" I expressed my excitement. "Na-miss ko lang siguro 'yong flower shop nya."

"Yeah, well, I do, too... but they did everything they can. I hope it stayed, but I think that's fine..."

"Hopefully they could continue Maurice's flower shop legacy."

"Maybe you can have your own flower shop," he suggested. Napakunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya. "We can talk to Maurice about this and see how this will go. They can help us with if you want that."

"I think that's the best thing to do. Let's do that. Let's keep the flower business continue. We can sell Hyacinth there."

Tiningnan niya ako sa mata nang sabihin ko 'yon. Why would I ever forget that? I know behind those eyes staring at me is someone he misses and I won't argue about it. He has the right to miss him and I'm not gonna be jealous about it.

A smile slowly forming on his lips. "Yeah, we can do that... every flower, we can all sell them..."

"Absolutely... that would be wonderful..."

I know as much as he wants to forget about Rebecca, I couldn't argue about the fact that he fell in love with her first. And I know that was a long time ago and I'm here to be with Connagh... and maybe I'll just do what I can to make him stay with me.

On my first night, it was peaceful. Connagh was so clingy and wouldn't leave me alone. For the week, wala pa akong pasok kaya todo ang adjust ko sa lahat ng bagay-bagay. I think I'm much more stressed now than the first time I came here. The funny thing here, Connagh didn't go to the office, but he kept getting calls and calls so it always got his time. Though he said it was better rather than to leave me alone in the apartment. He kept me accompanied and give me what I needed—which I have no clue what would I be needing.

A day before I finally go to work, umalis ako mag-isa just to hang out with Tita Gina sa park. Of course, Connagh wouldn't let me leave alone kaya kasa-kasama namin siya. When he left us in the coffee shop to buy something else then I saw someone familiar who just got out of the coffee shop. Napatitig ako sa kanya... something change.

I stared at him that's why when he looked at me, he ignored me first and then gave me his second look with his most shocking face. Tinitigan niya pa talaga ako just to make sure.

"Kiersten?" he utters my name.

I smiled, nodding. "Berk."

Lumapit naman ito sa amin. Nagulat pa si Tita Gina nang makita si Berk, though it wasn't the first time they saw each other, but she knows what happened before so I guess that's what she still remember about him.

"You're here?" he questioned, creasing his forehead as confusion sets in his face. Hindi ko naman mapigilang matawa. "I'm confused. What are you doing here? Are you on a vacation or what?"

"No, Berk, I'm not on a vacation, I'll be working here..."

"Oh, I see..." he said, nodding his head as the realization hits him. "You're with Connagh?"

I nodded. "Yeah... he went somewhere else to buy something. He'll be back soon."

"Nice," tipid nitong sagot sa akin.

But I just couldn't help to notice how he really looks now. He shaved his hair, got a beard, and got a bit big.

"What's up with you, Berk?" I asked. "I didn't you're still here in London? I thought you went back to your parents? I'm not sure if I recall that properly... but how's life?"

"It wasn't great," he said. "But I'm doing fine, gotta have to. And yes, I was supposed to go and stay with my parents and look for a job there, but then before I could go, I landed a job here in London again so I thought it wasn't bad to stay. But I'm still doing pretty good. I've got a lovely girlfriend... we met in a pub."

"Oh... nice! That's nice. It's good to know you found someone for you."

"Yeah..." Ngisi pa nito. "I'm happy for you, too. Connagh must be happy you're back in London."

"He does," I giggled. "He really does."

"Nice... I'm not gonna held your time, Kiersten. I have to go now and I hope you'll enjoy London once again. See you around." As he waves and turned around at me, I'm kind of confused how it really went out for him these past few months and I'm sure he won't be miserable just because of me.

He's got a good career and life ahead, I know he change for the better.

"Berk's totally not over you," komento ni tita. Napakunot na lamang ang noo ko sa kanya. "Hindi ka niya matingnan sa mata. Para bang umiiwas, gano'n? Basta, feeling ko hindi pa 'yon."

"Gumagawa ka ng issue, tita. May girlfriend na nga siya. At least happy siya, that's what matters here."

Napakibit balikat na lamang si tita na para bang hindi sapat iyong sinabi ko at mga sinabi ni Berk kanina.

Later when it's about to leave, tita left to go back home while Connagh and I are heading back home.

"I saw Berkeley," panimula ko.

"Oh, really?" he muttered. Hindi ito lumingon sa akin. Diretsyo lamang ang tingin niya sa daanan. "Did you talk?"

"We do... just a quick one. I think he's trying to be somewhere else. But it's good to know he has a girlfriend now."

"Woah? Did he say that?" he questioned.

I nodded. "Yeah... he told us. Bakit anong meron?"

He shook his head. "He's lying. He doesn't have a girlfriend."

Napataas ang kilay ko sa sinabi niya. Nanliit pa ang mata ko. "How sure are you? Ikaw ba si Berk to say that?"

He shrugged off. "No, but that's what I know. What else did he say?"

"He said they met on a pub?"

Connagh laughed, shaking his head. "Yeah, that was a lie. Maybe he's just trying to get away with a conversation with you. Was he shook?" Tumango ako sa tanong niya. "Yeah, maybe that it is. And he never got himself a girlfriend since what happened before, but I wish he'll be fine. Berk's a good man."

"I really hope he does..."

Nagpakawala na lamang ako nang malalim na buntonghininga at napatingin na lamang ako sa bintana. I don't know why Berk would lie to me. Maybe things really change at wala naman akong karapatan to judge him. How he cope up with it is how he live with it. I just wish he would find his own person to love with.

When we finally reached back home, Connagh couldn't stop talking about my first day of work tomorrow. He then showed me what he bought earlier. He bought a dress I could wear tomorrow that's matched on his necktie. Natawa na lang din ako sa ginawa niya kaya pala ang tagal-tagal din niyang makabalik at ayaw pa kaming isama ni tita.

And as the night runs, hindi ako makatulog. Magkatabi na nga kami ni Connagh sa pagtulog at ilang beses na niya akong pinaalalahanan na matulog na dahil baka mapuyat ako at ma-late pa ng gising, and I know I would by thinking a lot of things in my head, but that somehow falter when Connagh kept me safe in his arms.

I know tomorrow will begin a new journey for me and I can't wait to explore a new different kind of environment. I know a lot of things have changed and I'm looking forward to meeting new people, make friends, and of course, continue to fall in love with someone who makes me so special.

But people may say, it's all because of him that I was here, yes, he does, but I know I came here for everything and I'm ready for that. Well, I'm crossing my fingers, hopefully, I'll create new kinds of best things here.

Once again, I'm here to fall in love with you London—like the things wedo before

end of special chapter 1

#FallingInLoveInLondon #SpecialChapter1FILIL #WTS4

Interact with me on Twitter >>> @Imjacobxoxo