"Where are we going?" she asked.

"Just hang tight there, love... you'll know it soon."

Cory unconsciously wrapped her arms around my stomach. She was holding behind the bar and when I tried to drive faster, later on, I felt her arms around me holding tightly for her life. I don't mind, just to see people around seeing me with someone in my back seat looked surprised.

It didn't take us too long, it could've walked, but I decided to stroll her around.

I let her get out of the backseat first before I hopped out. Inalis niya ang helmet at inabot sa akin para ayusin ang buhok niya.

"We're near the... what's that? Port ba 'to?"

"Not really, we're near the bay," paliwanag ko. "We're just around the Coron Town Proper. The place we went the other day."

"I wouldn't forget that. Iwanan mo ba naman ako?" she squinted her eyes on me.

I laughed. "I wouldn't forget that as well. Over there would be the Coron Market and I don't think you'd like to hang out there so we're going to pass on that one. Medyo malayo-layo rin naman. But here we are, we're at El Kuvo in Roxas St. Would you like to come inside?"

"I am famished so let's go check out inside and see what you think is special in this place..."

"I feel like you'll love it..."

We were greeted by staff and they welcomed us so accommodatingly. They let us choose where we sit and I let Cory do that for us. She looked around to scrutinize whatever she wants to say. I sat across her on this two-chair table. She then looked back at me when she was done looking around.

"This is nice..." she commented.

I smirked.

She furrowed her brow upon getting that reaction from me.

"I just thought you'll hate this place as it seems like you're the type of person who likes fancy stuff."

"This is fancy," she added. "Look around. It might not look appealing outside, but it's wonderful what was inside. I believe a person doesn't get to judge someone else on the way they perceive that person. You're doing that and you're about me."

I raised both of my hands.

"You don't even know me personally, Douglas..."

I leaned forward as I put my elbow on the table. "Then let me get to know you more... well if you're willing to do so."

"Hmmm..." she hummed while her eyes are squinting. "Let's just set that aside at this moment and call them so we can finally order our food. Ano bang specialty nila rito?"

I called the staff and immediately come to us offering their menu. They've got a lot of varieties which surprised Cory. I've been here once and I liked the food. They offered us some of their best-seller such as the Watermelon Sinigang. I've never tried it and so is Cory that's why it was one of our orders. Most of the dishes they offered are seafood, obviously.

"Should I get a cocktail?" she wondered.

I looked at my watch. "It's six, yeah, I mean... you can have cocktails all you want."

"But I don't want to drink much. Gusto mo hati na lang tayo?"

"That might not suffice you. Get their Mango Margarita instead. That'll be nice for you."

"Hmmm... I think I will. Hindi naman siguo ako malalasing 'no?"

"I don't think you will."

"Okay, I'll order one and nothing for you since you'll be driving me back to the hotel at ayokong malasing ka because of me. Let's keep you sober for tonight, but do you drink naman, 'di ba?"

"I drink, not often."

"Cigarettes?"

"I don't smoke."

"Same," she said. "Good thing you don't smoke. I hate smokers."

"I haven't tried it and I don't think I will. My father does, but you know... it's their life. What they wanted to do, it's what they want in life."

"I agree... I like what you're thinking tonight, ha? Para kang naka-inom, but sober."

I laughed. "You don't know me yet, Cory."

That put a smirk on her face as well as I copied what she said earlier. 

While waiting, she took her time taking photos of the food place. She was asked by the staff if she was some kind of vlogger or reporter, she wasn't one of those they mentioned, but she said she works for a travel company. Cory was so pleased by her interaction with them and thought would be a great addition to the piece she was writing.

"How's your stay here so far?"

"It'll be one week for me tomorrow and everything has been great so far," she started. "You know, I wouldn't lie, if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be able to figure out what else to do here. You showed me some wonders and I appreciate it."

"My pleasure, Cory..." I smiled. "But it's not all the wonders yet, there's more to show to you..."

"And that's why I called you earlier because we'll have a flight na tomorrow papunta PPS."

My eyes widened. "Wait. I just told my boss earlier about it, but I haven't told him that it'll be tomorrow."

"Oh, I forgot to tell you?" she sarcastically said. "Well, find a way to tell your boss about it or the ticket would be gone to waste."

"I'll text him for a quick second, I'll do it now..."

Boss,

'Di ba sabi ko sa 'yo kanina I would be on leave to go to PPS.... 'wag kang magagalit pero bukas na 'yon. I just know it now and she already has us some ticket. I guess... I'll be back on next or next next week?

Thanks, boss!

"Okay, done!"

"Anong sabi mo? May reply na rin ba siya."

After a moment, I received a message from him.

"Yes... and he said... okay, 'yon lang."

Natawa si Cory. "Sure ka ba na pagbalik mo ay may trabaho ka pa rin? It seems like pinapakawalan ka na ng boss mo."

I quickly shook my head. "I don't think he'll let me go. I'm one of his best divers... and this is actually the first time I'll be away since I started working for them. Perfect timing actually."

"Well, good to hear that dahil ayoko naman maging dahilan na mawalan ka ng work dahil sa akin. You know, I can still go to PPS by myself and look for another Douglas do'n."

"No, no," I shook my head disagreeing. "You wouldn't be able to find another Douglas there. Unique 'to. You'll only find him in Coron and you're sitting right in front of him. You've got special access to me so 'wag mong sayangin."

"Special access? Ang dam mo talagang kalokohan."

I chuckled. "Maybe expect more from me?"

She grunted and rolled her eyes. "I feel like tama na."

Later on, isa-isa na ring dumating ang mga in-order naming pagkain. I got some barbecue and rice for myself while she had some pesto pasta. She said she didn't want rice dahil diet kuno siya and she just wants to sip on the hot soup of the Watermelon Sinigang.

"I've been here once, but I've never got to try this Sinigang. We've only had the catch of the day at that time. Do you like it?"

She nodded as she took a sip from her small bowl. "I do love... it actually balances the sweet and sourness. I've never had this... good pick for a food place here in Coron."

"You've got the perfect person to tour you around so you're lucky you have me."

She smirked and didn't say anymore but at the back of my mind. She couldn't lie I'm giving her the best time for her in Coron.

After a little while, a large group entered the premises and was attended by the staff. I didn't bother myself since I was focusing on what I'm eating and then someone called me from that group.

She smiled and waved in my direction. Cory swiftly turned her head around to see who that person was.

I waved at them since I just recognize that this group is the same group who come to our beach earlier. Their table was put in altogether so ten of them can fit into one long table. They were just sitting a few tables away from us.

"Sino sila?" tanong ni Cory.

"They were our guests earlier," I answered.

"Really?" she queried and I nodded. "Ba't parang 'yong babae kanina na tumawag sa 'yo, I feel like she was into you?"

"Why would you say so?"

"The way she looked at you, it clearly gives out. You flirted with her no?"

I quickly shook my head. "No, but she was the one who come to me."

She scoffed, shaking her head.

"Why? Why is that your reaction?"

She shrugged off. "Nothing."

"You're getting defensive."

Tumaas ang tingin niya sa akin at natigil sa pagkain niya. "I'm not defensive. You were thinking that by yourself."

"Maybe you're jealous."

"I am not... why would I?"

"You wouldn't react like if you weren't," I said. "We're not boyfriend-girlfriend."

"And I wished not to. 'Wag ka assuming, Douglas. Let's just finish our food and drive me back to the hotel para tapos na."

But I stall around at binagalan ko ang pagkain ko. Hindi na niya ako pinansin and she was just eating and eating.

A moment later, that girl came to our table asking for me.

"Hey, Douglas... do you want some cocktails, beers, or anything on the menu? Sagot daw nila for being a good teacher kanina sa diving."

"Hello! I don't mean to be rude, but Douglas cannot drink alcohol," sabi ni Cory and both of our attention shifted to her. "Naka-motor kasi kami and it wouldn't be wise for him to drink. Even just for a sip."

"Oh... okay... mag-jowa kayo?"

"Yes, we are," Cory said abruptly. "Why do you ask?"

She smiled and shook her head. "Wala naman... you looked like a nice couple po. Sige po, balik na ako sa table... thank you ulit, Douglas."

I smiled at her and then when she walked back to her table, my attention fell to the person right in front of me.

"Magjowa, a?" I chuckled.

She rolled her eyes at me. "Just to get you away from these people... hindi mo ba ramdam? She's clearly trying to flirt with you. Mabuti na lang talaga at naka-motor tayo or else—"

"Or else, what?"

Umiling na ito sa akin. "Wala, Douglas... nevermind."

After a while, when we finished our food, I was about to pay the bill for our food, but she paid for everything. She reasoned everything will be reimbursed to her account as this travel is paid for by her company. Hindi na ako pumalag. Sometimes, free dinner makes the night better.

Before we leave the place, this group called me again if we could take a group photo as they said they might not be able to see me again around the island. Cory waited for it to end and then I met her waiting next to my motorbike.

"Tapos na ba mangampanya ang isang Douglas?"

I chuckled. "More to come."

She rolled her eyes at me. Isusuot na niya sana ang helmet, but I helped her to put it on her head and fixed the strap. I get on the motor and help her hop on the back seat.

"Are you good?" I asked.

"Yes..."

The night ride back to her hotel is a quick one. Mabilis kaming nakarating and all throughout the ride, Cory was quiet.

"Ang lamig," she said as she handed over the helmet to me. "Thanks for the ride... 'wag mo kalilimutan bukas, ha?"

I nodded. "Sure, ma'am. You should have received the itinerary na naman sa email mo so you'll know, but if you haven't checked it out, you should... anyway, I'll go inside na."

"Do you want me to walk you to your room?"

She shook her head declining my offer. "No need na... basta tomorrow ha."

I watched her walk inside the hotel and then vanished in front of my eyes. Bago ako umalis, tinawagan ko si uncle.

"Douglas, napatawag ka?"

"'To, may biyahe ka ba bukas?"

"Meron, bakit?"

"If you can drive me and Cory tomorrow sa airport dahil pupunta kami ng Puerto Prinsesa, kung pwede lang?"

"Walang problema sa akin dahil sa airport lang din naman ang biyahe ko bukas."

"Thank you, 'to!"

Well, tomorrow starts a new journey for me and this girl from Manila. What could happen? I'm not sure, but let's just hope the skies shine brighter.