Leonardo

I did not head back in the hotel, dumiretsyo ako ng airport and I think this would be the best choice.

He cannot chase me there. He won't know.

As I arrived at the airport, ang iniintay ko nalang don ay sila Mr. Lim. I'm so dead. Why am I feeling this now.

In the middle of my plans. Why does he bother?

May kumatok naman agad sa bintana kaya binuksan kona ang pinto. "Ma'am we're s-

Natahimik si Mr. Lim nung niyakap ko s'ya agad. "A-Are you alright?" He asked but I did not response so he caresses my back.

"Take me to Bahamas... Please." I said and I feel him nodded. "If you please, do not go there. I want to have some time for myself..." I pull away at mukang hindi sangayon ito sa pinapabor ko.

"I'll be back after a week. Please tell Aldrin that and to my friends."

"Ma'am have fun..." Sabi n'ya kaya ngumiti lang ako sa kanya saglit at lumakad na papasok ng private jet.

×××

Glad they have these in the plane.

Later on, dito na mismo sa resort nakaka hiya sa mga bumabati sakin... Ne di ko man lang sila nababati pabalik.

Sa may pinaka dulong banda ako kumuha ng kwarto kase wala pang masyadong tao sa bandang yon at mas malaki ang kwartong iyon. O katabi lang yon ng kwarto ng may ari ng resort na to.

Mas malaki syempre ang rest house non, so anyways, here in the resort house, naglibot ako sa bawat kwarto and it was perfect for me to stay on.

I opened my phone and damn, ang daming messages. Bago kopa mabuksan message mula kay Mr. Lim ay bigla na lamang tumawag si chase.

I decline the call at bigla s'yang nag message.

'Can I talk to you real quick?'

'Ok. But through text.' I replied

'Mas madali sa call. Please.'

'If I'll accept the call you might track me and see me.'

'I promise I won't. I've made up my mind so let's talk.'

I smirk and just ring him. Agad naman s'yang sumagot so I sigh and enter in the bathroom.

"Cinderella?" I did not response, I just wait him to speak. He sighs "Good Morning... If you're listening... Thank you..."

Sumandal ako sa may tub at ni loudspeaker nalang yon. "So... I've made up my mind... Yes... U-Umm... I won't stop seeing you... Not like dating you or whatever... Simple lang talaga ang gusto ko... And I hope you agree with it..."

Hindi padin ako umiimik, papatapusin ko s'yang mag salita. "Fvck please talk also. I damn missed your voice already."

I sigh. "I just want you to finish your statement before I interrupt. I'm giving you a time to talk and you also want me to talk?" I sarcastically said. "Okay fine. I heard you I'm already good with that."

Luh bat parang galit ka din sapakin kita?

"Gusto ko lang na nakikita kita, just contact with the eye pero I promise not to speak with you in public..."

"Let me get this clear with you. So ang gusto mo lang talaga i-point out is makita lang ako and nothing else? No touch or speaking and whatever? Makita mo lang ako ayos na sayo?"

"Oo... Hindi ka naman papayag kung MWF tayo na mag bond diba?"

Ugh. He never gave up.

"I'm doing this for you to continue your normal career like what you've said. I know I am an annoying person and you also know that I'll do anything just to make it possible so-

"Yaaa. Fine whatever. Fine. Fine. I'll deal with you with that." Putol ko with a groan. "Promise me you won't leave the city. Just bring back that old days of yours."

"Yes. I promise." I tiredly said. Like duh gusto ko din ba?

"Nothing would be affected if we'll go with this plan of mines. maybe... Yung magkikita tayo araw araw sanayin mo nalang sarili mo don."

"Fine."

"But let's do that next week. I-I need to leave the city for business matters."

"Whatever. You don't have to inform me on what would you be doing."

"But I wanted to. So you can't stop me. So, good bye. Have a nice day." I ended the call and stood up.

And I only have a week also to pamper myself! Finally!!!

Lumabas muna ako ng kwarto at nag gala gala with a tour guide at pagtapos non, I am on my own for now.

Nag didinner lang naman ako sa may sea shore kasabay yung mga may ka date. But I am a strong and independent woman. Kaya kong kumain mag isa.

But why do I feel so alone- oh please xey, enough with that and just be happy.

Alam kong makakaramdam ako ng lungkot so pinairal ko ang kapokpokan ko at nakiusap sa isa sa crew na kung pwede mayaya nila ung owner ng resort na makipag dinner sakin.

So now I am waiting the owner. Matanda man or whatever bahala na.

Maya-maya nagtaka ako na kung bakit may nag land na helicopter sa area pero feeling ko ayun na yata ung may ari kasi sabi nila ngayong araw na daw dadating ulit ung may ari ng resort after a few years.

Glad that man still save this resort while leaving it for years. It's a good resort pa naman.

They told me that he needs a rest so bumalik na ko sa kwarto ko at nagpahinga na din.

Kinabukasan medyo bangag ako. Kase sino ba naman makakaayos ng tulog sa iyak ng bata nung may ari ng resort na to.

Nandito ako ngayon sa may balcony sa may duyan at sibusubukang mag relax. Buti naman tumigil na yung iyak ng bata.

But real shit. Naboboringan ako bat ganon? Ngayon lang ako na boringan na maging mag isa... Iba talaga yung feeling ng madami kang kasama no?

Someone called me mula sa labas so I stand up and walk towards the door. I look at myself first baka kasi medyo revealing kase naka robe lang ako and underneath it is only just my night undies.

I opened the door "Good Morning! Welcome to the Paradise!" nagtama ang aming tingin at tila ba nagulat ito nang makita ako.

"Who are you?" I asked. He has this body builded type of body, with full of tattoos and his face doesn't look like so manly like his body. He was cute and at the same time manly. I can't explain what his built like basta cute s'ya.

"I am Leonardo, the owner of this paradise." He introduced himself and let out his hand so I shook that hand. "Cinderella."

He smiled and I don't know why did that send shivers on my spine. Lol why did I have that feeling. I pull away and lean on the door frame.

"So, I heard that you wanted to take me out on a dinner last night but unfortunately I just got here last night and I'm a little tired so my apologies." He bows and damn, he got that british accent.

"Are you free right now?" I asked and he nods. "As the owner of the Paradise, I would always be free for every guest in the resort."

I smirk. "I'll see you out, I'll just change my clothes." I said and he nods then walk away kaya ako sinara kona ang pinto at nag bihis.

Why not?

I leave my room and walk towards Leonardo's room. I was about to knock but sakto na sa pagbukas n'ya ng pinto dala ang 2 bike.

I raise my eyebrow at him and help him out. "Where are we going?" I asked and he just smiled at me.

"Can you ride this, ma'am?" He asked and I nodded. "But I prefer riding a motor, have one?" I asked "I have one but we are not allowed to use that with our guests to avoid accidents."

"What about the people who can't ride a bike hmm?"

"You can't ride a bike? Let me teach you." I smirk at him and we bring our bikes on the road.

Nagiinarte lang ako. Marunong ako syempre. Pang ubos oras lang naman to.

"Hop in, don't worry, I'll hold the bike." He said so I sit on the bike but he face palmed kase umupo ako sa upuan dun sa may likod.

"Don't teach me, let's just go." I said kaya sumakay nalang din s'ya angkas ako.

I wrap my arms around his waist and I smiled because of the breeze that I am breathing in. It's so relaxing.

We went on a small village at natuwa naman ako. "Nobody steal bikes here so let's go and walk around this small village." He parked the bike next to a tree pero nauna na kong maglakad.

Nakisabay nalang s'ya, habang naglilibot tingin ako at hinila n'ya ko sa isang souvenir shop.

"They have a lots of clothes here also!" Okay I lost his first sentence because I was mesmerizing the look of this shop.

Tila kaming mga sira dito dahil sa pagsuot namin ng damit at sa pagpatong patong na shades at sombrero at kung ano ano pang scarf na nandoon.

But I am actually having fun.

"Glad you are back Mr. Leonardo! It's been a while !" Sabi nung cashier sa kanya and she glanced at me.

"Who is she Mr. Leonardo? Is she your wife?"

Napatawa kami pareho ni Leonardo. "I am just a guest-

"She is beautiful, you should date her Mr. Leonardo!" Nagulat ako sa nasabi nito. "Oh no, Mae, she's just a guest."

"But out of all the ladies who's also alone from your resort, she's the only person you show around." She grins and I glance at Leonardo.

"Sweetie it's the confidence of approaching him." Singit ako so she looks at me. "I don't think so, Mr. Leonardo always been approached some of the ladies, but none of them are being entertained."

"Palaban ka alam mo yon?" Medyo naiinis kong saad pero nakangiti ako sa kanya. "What?" She asked and so Leonardo hold my wrist.

"Mae, thank you for the little chat, but we have to go."

"Why? You just got here Mr. Leonardo? Where are you going?"

"I still need to show her around. Let's talk soon. Bye!" Hinila na ni Leonardo kamay ko palabas at agad s'yang napahinga ng malalim nang makalayo kami doon.

"Why didn't you stop her from talking?" I asked so he looks at me. "I don't want to hurt them by telling them to stop."

"But sometimes you should know how to say-

"I know. I know... Let's just go! I need to take you here!" Higit n'ya lang saakin but I just let him.

Tanghali na kaya dinala n'ya ako sa isang maliit na kainan. Ang cute naman dito, hindi s'ya ganong kayaman tignan, it's like minimalist Beach style.

"Hey, sorry if I to-

I gestured him to stop so he slowly sits down across me. I was still looking around the store, after that I glance at Leonardo.

He pushed the salad tray with the water to me and I smiled at him. "Thanks." I said at nakita ko order n'ya. "Are you sure you're okay with your order?"

"To be honest with you, I lost my appetite but I still want to force myself eat something so I won't pass out as we roam around this Island." I said and lean on at kumain nalang.

Tahimik kaming nakain hanggang sa nagsalita s'ya. "Can I ask you? If it is okay to you?"

"What is it?"

"Sorry to ask, but are you okay?"

I looked at him "Sorry, I just stopped smiling coz' I'm tired."

"You smile like you don't mean it. Your smile looks... Sad... Are you fine?" Natahimik muna ako sandali at tinitigan s'ya sandali at ibinaba ang tinidor as I hold my hand together.

"I wanted to share this but I can't.  You won't understand."

"I'll try to unders—

"Don't you get it, I can't understand what am I feeling also. So don't tell me that you would understand and I don't." napagtaasan ko s'ya ng boses sa di inaasahan. He just gave me a blank expression.

I sighed. I didn't meant to. " I-I'm sorry Leonardo... I'm trying my best to act it up but I guess I'm really bad at it." I apologized and stood up.

"Where are you going?" Tumayo din s'ya "I-I need to go back... I can't take it anymore." Madali kong saad at kaya tumakbo palabas ng shop pero nahabol ako nito.

"Leonardo p-please. Let me go..." Sabi ko kaagad sa kanya pagka harap ko sa kanya. Natahimik kami sandali at kaya napatingin ako sa kanya. Dahan-dahang hawakan ni Leonardo ang aking pisngi at pinunasan ang namamasa doon.

Fvck. Did I?

"Y-You're... Crying..." He said at agad akong umatras at pinunasan ang luhang tumulo saaking pisngi.

"I'm just tired. Thank you...Go—

"I'll take you back." Pigil n'ya saakin kaya hinayaan ko nalang s'yang ihatid ako pabalik.

Sa pagbalik sa resort n'ya walang tigil akong dumiretsyo sa paglalakad pabalik sa rest house ko at alam kong nakasunod lang si Leonardo.

I don't know what's happening to me. I can't act strong right now. Maybe it's because I've been strong enough... Maybe I needed some rest...

I need to give a break for myself I guess, and try not to endure this confusing feeling.

I stepped in my room but before shutting the door behind, napigilan ni Leonardo ang pagsara ng pinto ko.

"I'm sorry... I just... Can't let my guest... Feel... Alone... Mostly in this kind of situation... Please C—ma'am... Let me... You can trust and talk to me..." Pakiusap nito as I glare at him.

"Would sharing this fvcked up feeling help me to stop hurting ?" I asked and he slowly nodded. "Don't you have any plans?"

"Please. Just let me help you..." He smiled at me kaya napatingin ako sa taas and sniff as I let go of the door and walk directly to the balcony.

"I appreciate your kindness Leonardo, mostly earlier. You kinda' reduced the sad feeling. But to be honest with you, I'll eliminate you this instant if you dared share this to anyone."

"About what?"

"About me, sharing why I cry over a man that I don't deserve to fall in love to me."