"Hey! Hey! Hey!" I was awaken by a noisy voice and the sound of the splashing of water.

I rubbed my eyes as I opened them, then looking around, forgetting for a moment where I am. I got up from the hammock and did some stretches before bringing my eyes to the woman who was waving at me. It was the one who introduced herself yesterday and who also claimed that we met at Milena's fashion show. I think Aubrey Madison is her name.

I waved back at her and forced a smile.

"Come swim with us!" She shouted, then gesturing her hand.

Though I wasn't really planning to swim, her invitation changed my mind. Swimming might clear my mind especially that I'm starting to overthink again.

I went inside the bungalow and changed into a black bikini. The color made my fair skin pop.

My eyes went down to the belly, then caressing the small scar from the stitches I got from my operation years ago. It's not that evident and it can be fully removed through laser but I chose not to. This is the only remembrance I have of my pregnancy and who knows if it will happen again.

I went back to the pool area and saw that the woman is still waiting for me there. I carefully went down the ladder and waded into the water, then walking towards her.

She smiled at me, her hair glowing under the sun as they were dramatically blown by the wind. I smiled back at her.

"You can call me Maddie. I stay at the bungalow next to yours," she said, then pointing to her place. Pinapagitnaan nilang dalawa ni Martell ang tinutuluyan ko. "I'll introduce you to someone, come on," aniya at hinila ako habang sumisigaw siya.

"Oliveira! Oliveira! Come here and swim with us! Stop hiding!" Maddie screamed at the top of her lungs. Her voice is deafening and she's like a human megaphone.

I was too distracted with her that I only realized that we were already in front of Martell's bungalow! I looked at her, horrified. I wanted to swim back to my place but she was holding my arm and there's no point anymore because Martell is already standing on his own poolside while crossing his arm.

"Don't worry, I know him." She waved her hand dismissively and even winked at me! Damn it! Ba't sila magkakilala? Umiiwas nga ako tapos dinala niya pa ako rito! "I'll introduce you to him. He's nice."

Anong introduce?! Ba't niya ako ipakilala eh ex ko 'yan! Malaki ang galit niyan sa akin!

Napapikit ako ng mata at napayuko. Hindi ko kayang tumingin sa kay Martell lalo na't kahit umagang tapat pero ang dilim-dilim na ng kaniyang tingin.

"You are so noisy! No wonder my cousin doesn't like you," sigaw pabalik ni Martell sa kaniya. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang pinag-uusapan nila pero hindi ko mapigilang matawa dahil biglang umasim ang mukha ni Maddie.

"Hey! Don't laugh at me," ani Maddie at sinamaan ako ng tingin bago ibinalik ang atensyon kay Martell kaya napatingin din ako sa kaniya. "Come and swim with us!"

"No, thank you!"

Akmang tatalikod na si Martell at hihilain ko na sana papalayo si Maddie nang bigla siya ulit sumigaw, mukhang ayaw tantanan si Martell. "Why not? Don't tell me you guys know each other and—"

Before Maddie can finish her sentence, Martell was already walking towards the ladder while taking his shirt off. I didn't want to look at Martell for I might drool so I looked at Maddie instead and saw a satisfied smirk on her face.

"Damn those ripped abs," she said in a whisper before turning to me. "If only I don't like someone else, I'll probably go after him too," she added while gesturing at Martell who's now topless and on his way to us.

I gave him a quick scan but I immediately turned away when I saw him raise a brow. Though the water is cool, I felt my cheeks burn and so did the entirety of my body.

Kahit sandali ko lang siyang natingnan, nakita ko pa rin ang mas nadepina niyang katawan. Muli akong sumulyap sa kaniya at napalunok na lang ulit. Nasa harapan na siya namin at mukhang hinihintay lang ang gustong mangyari ni Maddie dahil katulad ko, mukhang napilitan lang din siya.

"Wow, your abs look unreal!" Maddie exclaimed with a chuckle. "Can I touch?"

Napakagat ako ng labi, pinipigilang tumawa. Hindi ko kaya ang kakapalan ng kaniyang mukha. Ni tingin nga hindi ko magawa pero itong si Maddie humingi pa ng permiso na humawak!

"Hey! Don't be shy," Maddie said again, almost shouting even though we're just beside each other. "Take a look! Sights like this is a blessing!"

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at saka bumaling sa kaniya. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin pero humalakhak lang ang feeling close na 'to.

Walang hiya! Hiyang-hiya ako dahil sa mga pinagsasabi niya.

At isa pa, ilang beses ko na 'yan nakita. At isa pa, sobra pa nga sa hawak ang ginawa ko sa mga iyan noon eh— wait, what?! Mariin akong napapikit dahil sa mga naiisip.

Damn it, Galaxy! Anong nangyayari sa utak mo?! Nagkita lang kayo ulit, ganiyan na agad ang mga pinag-iisipan mo?! Huwag kang malandi at malaswa!

"But, seriously, they look unreal, right?" She said, then pointing towards Martell's abdomen. Napalunok ako ulit at hindi kinaya ang init na nararamdaman kaya tinaas ko ang tingin at nagtama ang aming mga mata.

Hindi ko mabasa ang kaniyang expresyon pero mukha siyang naiintriga. Naiintrigang galit kumbaga dahil hindi pa rin nawala ang malamig niyang titig sa akin.

"Yeah..." that was all that I could muster.

I smiled sadly when I remembered the time when I said the same thing.

See, Martell? I told you. Your abs look edited.

"You look sad," Maddie pointed out. Hindi ko alam kung matutuwa ba ako sa babaeng 'to o maiinis. Parang hindi ko maintindihan ang kaniyang ugali. Parang nakakainis na hindi.

I turned to Maddie and shook my head. I might be imagining things but I think Martell's icy glares faltered. I guess he just gives such look to me to let me know that he despises me.

"Let's just swim, Maddie," Martell said in a serious voice and started swimming, his back muscles flexing as he expertly sliced through the waters.

Maddie shrugged, then pulling me towards the deeper part of the waters and we started swimming. We stayed at the beach for quite some time until Maddie offered to treat us with some refreshments.

We were sitting on the shore, waiting for our order. Sa kabuhanginan kami nakaupo at iyong mesa namin ay iyong katulad ng sa mga K-drama na pandak na mga lamesa. Magkaharap kami ni Martell at si Maddie naman ay nasa isang gilid.

"Do you know each other?" Tanong ni Maddie at saka bumaling kay Martell. Inalis niya ang malamig na titig sa akin at saka bumaling kay Maddie, biglang lumaho ang kalamigan sa kaniyang titig. "Like before I introduced you two?"

Wala ni isa sa amin ang sumagot at tinaasan lang siya ng kilay ni Martell.

"Why are you guys giving me that look? I'm just asking because you two are so awkward," aniya pa at saka humalakhak. "Don't tell me you guys know each other and have a thing? Like you fell in love but one left the other?"

Maddie continued to laugh at her own statements. It was as if she found the idea impossible while Martell and I looked at each other for a moment before looking away.

I heard Maddie sigh as she raised her hands in defeat. "Anyways, how's Malia?"

Tumaas ang kilay ko sa narinig, naintriga kung sino ang tinutukoy niya.

Who's Malia? Is it his wife? My eyes went down to check Martell's fingers. But I don't see any wedding ring. Maybe his girlfriend? Or his manager? But then, why would Maddie ask about his manager? Maybe they're related?

Damn! Why am I so outdated about him?

"She's good," maikling sagot ni Martell.

Mukhang may gusto pang sabihin si Maddie ngunit dumating na ang order namin. Hindi ko alam kung ano-ano itong mga in-order ni Maddie dahil rinig ko kanina na iyong tatlong bestsellers ang pinili niya.

"Here are our bestsellers, Mam," anang waiter at isa-isang nilagay ang mga inumin sa lamesa. "Strawberry yogurt milkshake, frosted lemonade, and blackberry spritzer."

Maddie was about to take what the waiter said to be the yogurt milkshake but Martell was quick to take the other drink and handed it to her while simultaneously pushing the milkshake to my direction.

I felt a tug in my heart because of what he did. It's the first time since I left that I felt this way. I looked at the drink with a small smile, then bringing my eyes to Martell. And for the first time since we saw each other, he wasn't glaring at me. It's like he turned back into the Martell from years ago. The one who gives me that soft look with his innocent-like eyes.

But then it only laster for a second because his hostile look reappeared. It was as if he forgot for a while that he's mad at me.

Maddie continued chatting with us while I was trying to avoid Martell's eyes. I don't think the two of us were paying attention to Maddie since she had to repeat her question twice before we can answer her and I think she noticed it too.

"You know what? I'll just be silent here so you can continue your staring contest," Maddie said with a grunt and gave us a mocking smile.

Buti na lang at biglang nag-ring ang phone ko kaya hindi ko na kailangang sumagot sa kaniya dahil hindi ko rin alam kung paano ko tutugunan iyong sinabi niya. I don't think she has an idea about what happened to Martell and I.

"Oohh! Babes! Is that your boyfriend?" Maddie asked in an intrigued tone while looking at my phone. Martell, on the other hand, raised a brow at me before continuing with his drink.

Kinuha ko ang phone at saka nagpaalam sa dalawa. Patapos na rin naman kasi kami kaya wala naman sigurong problema kung mauuna akong umalis. Nakakatakot din iyong mga tanong ni Maddie sa amin at baka kung ano-ano pa ang sunod niyang tatanungin.

"Hoy bakla! Na-book na kita ng flight," ani Babes sa kabilang linya. "Kaloka ka talaga, ano! Kahit pa hindi ka mag-book at dumiretso na lang sa airport ay hindi ka pa rin mahihirapan!"

Habang nagsasalita siya ay naglalakad ako pabalik ng bungalow. Aniya raw na may flight na ako pabalik sa States ngayong hapon. Pagkatapos ng tawag ay naligo ako at saka nag-impake. Tinawagan ko rin ang driver at sinabihan siyang magpapahatid ako sa airport.

Bago umalis, kumatok ako sa bungalow ni Maddie at saka nagpaalam sa kaniya. Hindi man kami close pero kahit ganoon, naging kasalo ko pa rin naman siya kahit papaano.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome onboard Flight 1J3 with service from Malé, Maldives to Boston, Massachusetts..."

Ever since I left years ago, this is only the fourth time I will be flying to the States. I have been avoiding such place for seven years with the thought that I might bump into Martell.

The first one was when London went missing in action and we all got worried so I went to the States to check on her. The second time was when I visited Mama Celestina. And the third one was just recently when Sugar got into an accident which is also the reason why I went here because I saw Martell in the same hospital she's confined at.

It was a long flight and we had a stopover at Dubai. When I arrived, it was Milena and Babes who were waiting for me. The whole time we were on our way to the hotel, Milena was convincing me to collaborate on this new project of hers.

"Come on, Gazella! Don't let your modeling skills go to waste. It's time to bring back the supermodel in you."

Of course I'd like to say yes to her but then she's based here! So if I'll agree to this proposal, it would also mean that I'd have to stay here. And me staying here would also mean more chances of bumping into Martell. Plus, he and Milena are in the same circle so there's really a great chance that my life will be entangled with his' once again.

"Just this one, Gazella," she continued persuading me. "I also found out that you still have no upcoming flights or whatsoever. Perks of being a stockholder, eh?"

"I'll think about it, Milena."

Milena and Babes had to leave when they dropped me off at the hotel. I instructed Babes to go check on my friends while I stayed in the hotel room for a while.

Babes and my friends are all staying in the same hotel— in Orion's hotel to be exact. I still have the card he gave me for my birthday which I haven't used even once. Gustuhin ko mang gamitin iyon, hindi naman ganoon kakapal ang mukha ko na gamitin ang card na iyon para libre ang pag-stay ko sa kaniyang hotel gayong iniwan ko ang pinsan niya.

Kaaksaya nga itong mga niregalo nila sa akin dahil libre pa naman ang mga iyon sa mga mamahaling lugar ngunit katulad ng sa ngayon, mas pinipili ko na lang lumayo sa mga tao at bagay na may koneksyon sa kay Martell maliban na lang kay Milena.

Kahit pa may dahilan ako, mas matindi pa rin ang hiyang nararamdaman ko sa pag-alis noon. Feeling ko, wala akong mukha na kayang iharap sa kanila. Hindi ko nga alam kung paano ko na-survive ang dalawang araw na magkasama kami sa iisang isla ni Martell.

After showering, I tried to sleep but couldn't. I slept the whole flight so now I'm feeling energetic and restless. Plus, I also can't stop thinking about Martell. It didn't help when I remembered about that "Malia" Maddie asked him about.

I got curious about her so against my better judgment, I looked her up.

Hindi ako nahirapang hanapin siya dahil pagka-type ko pa lang ng "Malia" ay samu't-saring suggestions na ang lumabas.

Maliaxinne Barbara Quintero is a French-Colombian model, pâtissier, and businesswoman. She is the heiress of a well-known family of restaurateur in Europe and is the owner of Q-Confections which was awarded as one of the World's 50 Best Bakeries by Vanity Fair.

I then clicked the image panel and I couldn't help but feel insecure as I browsed through her pictures.

She resembles Gisele Bündchen with her golden brown hair and her aristocratic nose. With her high cheekbones, even jawline, and expressive eyes, there's no wonder that she's a model. She has prepossessing features and has curves in their right places. That, together with her success in her career, makes it not impossible for Martell to like her.

I continued stalking her on social media but this time, I typed both of her's and Martell's name. There were plenty of pictures ranging from the ones taken on interviews, balls and galas, and stolen pictures. Most of the stolen pictures are taken outside the country which can mean that these pictures were taken while they're dating.

I read some articles about them but none confirmed that the two are in a relationship. I felt a little hope spark inside me. It's like a part of me is rejoicing that Martell's not in a relationship.

Maybe they're keeping it a secret. A part of my mind said.

Nanlumo ako dahil sa naisip. I tried to shrug those thoughts off when I noticed myself being too occupied with Martell and his alleged girlfriend.

Kahit pa may karelasyon pa si Martell o wala, hindi na dapat ako nagpapaapekto dahil hindi na ako parte ng kaniyang buhay. Wala na akong magagawa kahit ano pa ang ginagawa niya dahil tamang tingin na lang ako sa kaniya. In short, I'm just a mere spectator of the life he shares to the public.

I looked at one of their photos together again. It's a mirror selfie taken on a gym and two looked like they're working out. Maliaxinne is wearing a red, two-piece, legging set and her hair is braided in two. She's the one holding the phone while Martell is beside her. He's not looking at the mirror nor the phone but rather on Maliaxinne.

He has this gentle and soft smile on his face and his eyes gleamed with awe as he gazed upon her. It was the smile he used to give me. The smile I used to see on his face as he looks at me. But now, he's smiling the same smile that makes my heart flutter to another girl and all he ever gives me now is that cold glares of his.

My heart ached at the thought.

Maliaxinne is pretty. She looks kind and she makes Martell smile. I want to hate her because she's everything I'm not and she's with the man I want to be with.

But then, how can I hate the woman who makes him happy? How can I hate her when it seems to me that she's his new happy pill? How can I hate her when she did nothing wrong? How can I hate her when it is I who is the reason why Martell and I fell apart in the first place?

I sighed and turned my phone off. This is the reason why I reduced my screen time. Kung ano-ano lang ang nakikita ko sa internet at sumasama lang ang loob ko.

Kaya ayaw kong mag-social media dahil alam kong may makakasalamuha talaga akong balita tungkol kay Martell. Ito ang ayaw ko.

I heaved a deep sigh again and decided to go to the hotel's rooftop bar.

Nag-order ako ng inumin at habang naghihintay, tulala lang akong nakatitig sa mga naglalakihang mga gusali. As always, the night life here in Boston is exuberant as ever.

I felt a sudden rush of nostalgia as the times when Martell and I, together with my friends and his cousins, attended parties as well. From the conversations to the drinks and to everything in between.

I miss all of those. I miss them. I miss Martell.

Napailing na lang ako sa mga naisip. Mahina akong natawa sa sarili nang maramdaman ang kung anong basa at malagkit sa aking mukha.

"Crying alone in a bar, you must be heartbroken," a familiar voice said.

I looked up to the man who was standing beside me and couldn't help but feel another rush of nostalgia. His eyes were focused in front before he looked at me with a smile.

"Long time no see, Gazella," the man said with a hint of amusement in his voice.

Gabriello looked dashing and expensive as ever. He smirked at me before taking the seat beside me. If I don't know him, I would probably think that he's trying to flirt with me.

"Hey..." naiilang kong bati. Gusto ko man siyang kamustahin at kausapin, hindi ko naman alam kung paano. Ang alam ko kasi, huwag dapat akong nakikipaghalubilo sa mga kaangkan ng ex ko.

Pinanliitan niya ako ng mata at mukhang sinusubukan akong basahin. "You seem awkward. Different from the confident woman my cousin fell for."

Biglang uminit ang pisngi ko dahil sa narinig. This really feels like the old times when I used to get teased with Martell. Feel na feel ko ang panunukso na iyon noon... hanggang ngayon pa rin naman... ang pinagkaiba nga lang ay may history na kaming dalawa.

"Why are you here?" Tanong ni Gabriello.

Bumaling ako sa kaniya at saka nagkibit-balikat. "Why are you here?"

Ngumisi siya at piniling hindi sumagot. Binalot kami ng katahimikan hanggang sa dumating iyong in-order ko.

"Hmm... Hine Antique..." anang katabi at seryosong tinitigan ang inumin ko. "That's a good drink. But have you tried Martell?"

"Yes— I mean what?!" Gulat kong tanong at nanlaki ang mga mata ko habang tinitingnan ang katabi na nakangisi na naman.

"I'm talking about the drink... Martell Cognac..." Gabriello said in an amused tone, not even bothering to tone it down. "We're talking about the same thing, right?"

"Mhmm..."

Iyon na lang ang itinugon ko at saka hindi na pinansin ang mga nakakatuksong tingin na binibigay niya sa akin. Mabuti 'tong taong katabi ko pero minsan, katulad ngayon, parang ang sarap niyang bigwasan.

"You know, if you're worried to see him, don't be," Gabriello said. I turned to him and saw him chug his drink while his eyes were focused in front. He glanced at me with a small smile. "It's been years... he's moved on from you."

I smiled bitterly on what he said. I focused my eyes to my drink before finishing it in one gulp.

Itinuon ko ang tingin sa harap at sumulyap sa katabi na nakatingin na pala sa akin.

"That's good..." I said with a nod. "Really... that's nice to hear..."

Nakataas ang isang kilay ni Gabriello at may kung ano sa kaniyang expresyon na nagsasabi na hindi siya naniniwala sa akin.

"Good for him... really..." I said, trying to convince Gabriello even though in reality, the one I'm convincing here about Martell having moved on being a good news, is myself.