I am currently enjoying my breakfast here in my small apartment located at a small avenue here in Almond Street. I was lucky enough to find this cheap but very accommodating place to stay in, while I'm working my butt off to earn money so I can go back home.

My apartment is composed of one white bed and bathroom. It has a vintage interior design. It is mainly designed with green vintage wallpaper and some white furniture with gold accents, that surprisingly I really like.

Well hindi ka makakahanap ng ganitong klaseng apartment sa mababang halaga sa Pilipinas di ba?

Another thing that I really love in my apartment, is the big window right beside my bed where I mostly pour my time in reading books. It is overlooking the beautiful buildings here in my street and during night time, I have the glimpse of the body of the Eiffel Tower.

"Bakit kasi ang dali kong maloko. Niloko na nga ng jowa, nabiktima pa ng scammer. Ako na siguro ang pinakamalas na tao sa buong universe." I sighed deeply as I stare out from my window pane.

The truth is, I went here in Paris to escape my messy life in the Philippines. Pero hindi ko naman inakala na mas gugulo pa ang aking buhay dahil sa letseng scammer na iyon. Pero hindi lang naman siya ang may kasalanan. I know from myself that I have a mistake on that part too.

"Ang kapal ng mukha talaga ng mokong na iyon na lokohin ako with my co-worker. Kung mambababae din naman siya ay dapat yung sa hindi ko kilala. Hindi yung may pasundo-sundo pa silang nalalaman sa babaeng panget na yon," I bitterly said as I reminisce that moment.

I forgot to say that I am the Head of the Financing Department in my friend's company and the girl he cheated with is my secretary.

Stupid right?

What a bunch of assholes. Well it's his loss. Palibhasa hindi ko siya nasipot sa date namin.

What a childish act to do

Being a Department Head is not easy you know. Kaya hindi na ako nagtaka na humanap siya ng oras sa iba.

Hindi naman siya gwapo, baka dati gwapo siya kase boyfriend ko siya. But now that he is my ex, I already considered him as nothing. Mas madami kayang gwapo dito sa Paris.

Right after I caught him cheating. My gut told me to get out from that hell hole and find a place that I know, I will feel at ease. The first place that popped out from my mind is Paris, France. I was planning to go here in April but things got messed up.

So I talked to my boss which is also my friend and filed an indefinite leave. Gladly he approved it. After that, I booked a flight and a package tour with accommodation. I didn't really went through the details, at yon ang isa sa pinagsisihan ko ngayon.

Kaya imbes na mag-enjoy ako sa aking vacation, I have no choice but to earn money until I have enough to buy myself a plane ticket back home. Hindi kasi sapat ang pera na natira sa akin. Hindi naman ako makagamit ng credit card kasi kasama yon sa nawala kong bag.

"Hmm, the weather is nice. Makapunta nga sa park, para naman hindi ako mabored dito. At least kahit nagtra-trabaho ako dito, ma-aachieve ko pa din na libutin ang engrandeng lugar ng Paris. Hindi man ito ang nasa plano ko pero mas mabuti ng sulitin ko na ang bakasyon ko dito. Baka makakita pa ako ng gwapo" ngiting sabi ko habang humahagikgik.

"Ano ba naman Alia! Di ba broken-hearted ka. Ang landi landi mo talaga" sambit ko sa aking sarili habang papunta sa aking bathroom para makaligo at makapag-ayos na ng sarili.

Hindi ko naman talaga dinamdam masyado ang panloloko ng ex ko. I just made it an excuse to push this vacation. At least I can say to myself that I have a valid reason to go out of the country. One year with him is enough to endure his boastfulness. I'm wondering, if I really love him or I was just caught on the idea that I was in love with him.

Oh well, let's just not talk about it anymore.

After taking a bath, I rummaged through my suitcases to find a decent outfit that will fit the fashion trends of this City. I decided to wear a cream coloured trench coat, partnered with my black fitted turtle neck blouse paired with fitted jeans and also a belt.

"Sassy,"sambit ko habang tinitingnan ko ang aking sarili sa salamin. Matapos ang ilang pang paikot-ikot sa harapan nito ay kinuha ko na ang aking backpack.

Before I left, I wore my black boots and sunglasses, you know fashion. I also took the key with me and locked my apartment door.

While going to the park, I can't help but to look around my surrounding. Along the streets are cafes and restaurants. As I walk pass them, I can smell the aroma of the patisserie or the pastries. Para akong tanga na may paamoy-amoy pa sa hangin.

"Bukas na lang ako kakain sa labas,"sambit ko sa aking sarili habang tinitingnan ang bawat pagkain na nakadisplay sa mga cafes.

Minutes has passed before I reached the park.

"Wow,"mangha kong sambit habang tinutunghay ang paligid.

I heard that Jardin des Tuileries, is one of the famous parks here in Paris. As I am finding a bench to sit on, my eyes keep on wondering around the formal garden. I also noticed that unique gravelled paths that I am walking in and also the well maintained lawn.

Finally, my eyes caught a vacant bench near me. I walked towards it and made myself comfy. From my position. Maraming mga bata ang naglalaro sa maliit na playground habang nakabantay naman sa gilid nila ang kanilang mga magulang. Mayroon din akong nakita na mga foreigners na gumagala.

"Sana ganito na lang lagi. Wala akong masyadong prinoproblema sa buhay." Sambit ko habang nakapikit.

"Bon jour! Can I sit beside you?" I heard someone say to me.

I opened my eyes and I felt my surroundings went into slow motion. I found myself being drowned by a set of beautiful brown eyes.

I was lost for words

For the very first time.

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unedited