Thank you for reaching the final chapter with me. I truly appreciate all the votes, comments, and support. 

I know that my book has grammatical and typographical errors. I'm still trying to edit those. I also know that this book wasn't the reader's taste, but I was that inspired and bored. TPIL is really that special to me and also the upcoming series. I hope you will support those too!

Thank you again for reading this story. Anyways, the Epilogue is the next one. Enjoy!

——————————————————

" That's all," He gave me a small smile from far away. " I'm glad that you listen to me now."

My knees suddenly got weak that made me sat on the sand. I'm still trying to process everything and I just let out a cry.

" Why?!" I sob while crying. I am hating myself for not hearing his side. I'm being selfish all the time! Maybe that was why all the chains wrapped around me were still not breaking.

I felt immediately a hug from my back while I am sobbing and crying.

" It was really hard for me to let go of you," I admitted to him and wrapped my arms around my knees. " I hate myself for doing that."

" Shh! Don't blame yourself. Alam kong may rason ka kung bakit mo 'yun ginawa. At least, I am here now. I can now serve you the best version of myself. I can now protect you. I can now be with you all the time."

We were silent the whole time. Still processing all the things that happened and he made me calm. The sound of the waves helped me too.

He was now beside me and his eyes were still not looking everywhere. He was still looking at me.

" You know..." He gulped. " It's hard for me too. It's hard to walk away still loving you."

" When I was high school, isa lang naman talaga 'yung plano ko. Ang maka-graduate sa inaasam kong eskwelahan. No plans to have relationship and all. Until you came," He gave me a small smile. " At 'yon, naging dalawa na rin. Is that to love my darling at all cost."

" I'm... sorry." I interrupted him and my eyes starting to become a pool of tears again.

" No... you don't need to say sorry." He caressed my hair now.

" I need to. It's that because I'm that selfish when we were in high school. I'm... sorry for not finding a way to fight for our love even though there are many reasons to. I'm sorry," He tried to wipe my tears, but they kept falling. " It hurts me a lot to accept the fact that I need to leave you even... even if I still love you. I'm so sorry."

I looked at him in the eyes and he seemed really mature and stronger than before. 

"D-Do you know how I can contact her?" I bit my lip... realizing all the mistakes I did. If will I fix it, will everything be back at normal?

"Wait?" He curiously asked. 

"So my heavy heart could be faded, I need to start from where it began," I whispered to him. My voice was slowly fading, I'm getting tired of my tears... Even to myself. I gazed at him, pagtataka was forming to him. 

"You sure 'bout this?" he slowly took his phone and dialed a number on the keypad. After he gazed at his phone, he looked at me sincerely. Owning my eyes, taming the waves inside of me.

I just replied with a nod. "I'm Natasha Shane after all." 

He slowly gave his phone to me. "I'll be here if you need me, alright? I love you. You'll be fine." 

I looked at his eyes as I took the phone. I put it on my ears... It was her. I can hear her voice. The voice that was hunting me. "Uhm..." I initiated it.

[Hello! Gilbert? I'm sorry. I'm busy preparing for my baby!]

My brows met each other. "Pardon but this is Natasha!" I immediately said. "Should I call you later on instead?"

[Natasha? De Verra?]

"I am. Yes!"

[Oh!] I heard her frank laugh. [Why did you call suddenly? How are you ba? Where is he?]

"I just want to say... I'm deeply sorry. I know it's already an old story but I think you're affected as well. I'm just sorry about how I acted... on how I handle the situation without knowing the other side." sunod-sunod kong sabi. A tear fell from my eyes and I immediately wiped it. "Anyway, I'm happy now. Happier with him."

[That's... great news! I'm relieved now. He found his home to you. And you found him.] She said. I was just looking at the waves that were reflecting with blue lights. [Best of luck to you both! I'll be watching you on the aisle.]

 "I think this is enough for tonight. Masyado nang malalim ang gabi and we need to wake up early." He said to me. He took the phone I'm holding and turned it off. My brows met each other. I didn't even have the chance to say 'Good night' or maybe 'Good luck!' "I'll be just sending your greetings via text later on."

" Uhm... Gilbert." I called his name while he was looking at the bright full moon. " Thank you for being with me all the time. Thank you for not leaving by my side. Thank you... thank you for handling my drama, my anger, my cries. Thank you for handling me. You have no, no idea how much it means to me. How much you mean to me. Thank you."

He gulped and gave me the biggest smile that I will not forget. I may be not have read his mind, but I can say that he was that grateful.

" I said that is enough for tonight." He shook his head and he even pinched my nose and start to run away when I was catching him.

" Fuck you!" I shouted while running at him continuously.

I was already calm when we were inside the lounge area and we took both the same elevator. When we arrived in the corridor of our hotel room, I was still running out of breath. I also noticed that they were a lady who was in a maroon uniform, holding an invitation card and they were also standing in front of the door.

When we were there, they bowed and handled a card. " Captain. Villaflor, the owner of this private hotel, wants to give you this."

I glanced to Gilbert who was looking unknown and I went back my sight to the card. I was shocked that inside of it has a key and a letter!

'To: Flight Attendant De Verra,

Idk where to start but my wife was saying that you're mad about what happened earlier. Take this key as a peace offering. UGH! I love you, sis. I'm still very sorry.

ps: not a mastermind. he knew about this ;).

From, Captain. Bro'

The lady butler assisted us going to the upper place and they left as they opened the door. I was still shocked about the message until I saw where we were.

" This is awesome!" I chuckled as my hair was freely flowing from the cold breeze here on the rooftop. I looked my sight to the left and there I saw a dinner table with scented candles that made it romantic.

" See! He was tripping you." Gilbert suddenly replied and held my waist as we went there.

I went to the cliff where the barrier wasn't there so I can feel everything. As my hands were freely placed in the air, I felt a hug that gets tighten and tighten as seconds passed. I don't know why I couldn't remove it, and I felt the beat of my heart that only he can do that. The butterflies were flying inside my tummy and I can't help but smile. He always makes me feel better, and this time, I don't want this scene to be broken.

" It's nice up in here, is it?" He asked me while his head was resting on my shoulders.

" Yeah!" I giggled and raised my head to feel the cold breeze coming from the sea. As I closed my eyes, feeling everything, my tummy lost the butterflies flying and I opened my eyes, seeing no hug was there. Where did he go?! UGH!

Things happened like a slow-motion. My eyes went back to the place where the dinner table was, where the candles were light up, where a big, white, made in cloth, a tent was there, and where my happiness was.

He was holding a guitar now, I don't know if someone helped to do this fucking event! Or... wait! I immediately remembered the card! My brother wasn't the masterpiece of this! He knew about it! UGH!

I don't know, I couldn't run. It looks like my feet were glued here. The full moon was shining that brightly to see his handsome face. As he strummed it, the sound of the waves added to the music, the stars that twinkling in the background of him, everything was magical this time. Every single thing. And I don't want this to end.

" Lift your head... baby, don't be scared..." 

He started to sing the song. The song that noticed what we've all been through.

"Of the things that could go wrong along the way..."

My lips were starting to form a smile as I heard his warm voice. I still wanted to hear that everywhere I go.

"We'll get by with a... smile..."

As he sang it to me, I can feel everything, I can remember anything starting when we met because of my stupid goddamn bottled water. And I just vibe him also and starting to sing with a low voice. I walked slowly, going of his front to continue the song.

" Now it's time to kiss away those tears goodbye."

The last lyric of the song after he brought down his instrument and he gave me a bouquet. A felicity bouquet composed of Carnations, Gerbera, and also Chrysanthemum. As I said, everything that happened at this moment was magical. Even he and I didn't notice that a tear fell from my eye. This was the first time that I didn't cry because of the pain, hatred, and anger. But now it's because of the happiness that I will forever treasure.

" He-hey!" He immediately wiped my tears and I just chuckled because he looks like it was his fault why I cried. I mean, it's his fault though! Also, there was a trace of concern on his face that made me completely chuckled.

His face was serious now, and I can feel my heart that beats so fast as he mentioned, " Can you be my darling again?"

My eyes were locked on him as he mentioned that. I was just suddenly met his lips. I can feel the warmth of his mouth that sent me a current running through my body. In a few seconds, he held my waist to deepen the kiss. I wrapped my arms around his neck so I can feel the pleasure more.  His tongue finally entered mine and we exchanged. I sucked on it before I let him go. Breathless of what was happened and I could say that this was so awkward.

I glazed at him as he was wiping his lower lip using his thumb.

" Water?" He suddenly asked me as he took it on the dinner table while I was still breathing hard.

" Fuck you!" I rolled my eyes and took the glass of water and drank it.

He chuckled. He even took the same glass and poured cold water into it and drank there that made me snatched from it.

" Fuck! I'm sorry!" I immediately took a clean cloth when the cold water spilled on his shirt to wipe it. He just gave me a small and just took his dress shirt off. Good thing that he has an undershirt.

He arranged my seat and I sat to it and he was now in front of me. The feeling was still awkward after the things happened! UGH!

We were now eating a steak. I just asked a question and forget what he questioned me about earlier. I think I'm still not ready to say yes, and I can say that he can understand that.

" Uhm... What's your relationship with Ms. Avie?" I sipped on my wine glass and didn't have a glance at him.

He let out a cough first after he mentioned, " I don't know. I just met her last team-building. I mean the last team-building of mine with your... company mates. Katabi ko siya sa bus and nagpakilala siya sa akin and pinakita ko sa kaniya yung ID ko na may guest kaya Mr. Guest tawag niya sa akin. Nothing to worry about. I still have respect for her. And the guy who was beside on her earlier, It's Kuya Jah, his boyfriend."

My brows furrowed. " Why did you know, huh?"

" Social Meds." He replied. I just gave him a nod and I sliced.

" Can I ask?" He questioned me that made me stared at his eyes. I can see the reflection of the light. And I gave him a nod.

" When we were high school. Why were you distancing? What did I do? Or--?"

" I just want you to give space that time since you were already taking your senior years," I answered and wiped my clothes feeling uncomfortable.

I think he just felt it and he retreated any questions about the past. About our past.

It was silence until I remembered the card. I want to be happy this time! I want to forget all the things we've done.

" Can we just focus on what was happening right now?" I placed my hand on the top of his. " Please?"

He nod and gave me a chuckle.

" So?! How did you know about this?" I removed my hand from the top and took the card on the top of my lap.

" We just talked about that when we were at the aircraft." He laughed at me.

I just shook my head because he really fucking knew about this!

" Did you like it?" He asked me now and he was hoping to me that I'll say yes.

" I love it!" My lips formed a smile and replied with excitement. " I love every single thing, Gilbert!"

" Well... I think that's great!"

We were already in our hotel room because we need to wake up early as the program will start in the morning and my mum told to me that they need my presence there.

I took a shower, brushed my teeth, and had a facial routine.

When I came outside of the bathroom, I saw him behind the glass wall, staring at the night skies, resting his arms on the rail.

I changed my clothes into comfy ones, I even used a blower to dry my hair and decided to join him outside to breathe some fresh air coming from the island.

" Why aren't you sleeping? It's already late. " I asked him who was still staring there. My arms were wrapped around his chest and my head was resting on his shoulders. I was looking at the waves while they were crashing into the sea.

" I can't sleep, " He replied to me and stared at my eyes. " I thought fuck me, huh?! Why are you hugging me?" He asked me now and I remembered that earlier.

" I just want to rest here. Don't be a devil peasant." I mentioned in a low calming voice.

" Then, let's sleep. Together." He mentioned to me that made me smile. This was the first time we were doing this but I felt excited! I just answered a nod to him. 

He suddenly changed his position. His face was now in front of mine while I was still hugging his chest. He cupped my chin and he kissed me softly.

" I'll take shower first, okay?"

" Okay."

I continued to blower my hair because it was still kinda wet that time and he went now outside with his towel wrapped around his waist that left him topless.

I didn't notice that I was staring that long on his well-built. Maybe he was doing a gym that was why he's muscular too.

He just shook his head and went to his built-in wardrobe closet to change.

" Saw you staring that long." He whispered enough so I can hear it. I immediately crossed my fucking arms and rolled my eyes on him. I saw that he furrowed his brows, curious, why my mood suddenly changed. Why did he really need to emphasize that! I hate him. UGH!

I immediately entered my body to the comforter, went to the side of the bed, and closed the lampshade.

Minutes passed from being angry, I immediately felt a soft hug on my back. " Sorry na nga," He whispered with his cold breathe that was touched my neck.

" Mad?" The last thing he asked me was when I fell asleep. I even heard a kiss on my forehead. That asshole!

————————————————————————————————————
♡