After two hours, Ellie parked in front of a beach house. “Naomi, we’re here,” Ellie said as she shook her friend’s shoulder.
Naomi sleepily opened her eyes and looked around her. She smiled, then moved out of the car. Ellie and Ryo followed.
Once inside, Naya showed them their rooms. “You guys get ready while I get the boards,” she said, leaving Ellie and Ryo.
As soon as they were alone and their room locked, Ryo hugged Ellie and kissed her lips thoroughly.
“Ryo, let’s not get ourselves worked up.” She said, catching her breath. “We only have until ten in the morning before the water gets flat again.” Ryo groaned in her neck to complain. “Come on, change to your board shorts.”
Ryo let her go to do as she asked, but he gave her a pout throughout the exercis
“Vince, your brother called me to say, Angelo is out,” Naya said, looking at Ellie’s eyes from the rear-view mirror.Ellie stepped on the brakes, making Naya and Ryo move forward because of inertia. “What?!?” Ellie shifted her body to look at Naya.“Angelo, he’s out.”“What the…”“You did not press charges so of course, the Police had to let him go.” Naya gave her friend a disappointed look. “I still can’t believe you did not press charges,” she continued, shaking her head.Ryo gave Ellie a sideways look. His jaws popped as he clenched them tightly. He opposed Ellie’s decision to not press charges.“I kno
When the afternoon came, Naya gave some lame excuse to not go to her brother’s social night. Since Ryo and Ellie were already dressed up and they had also promised Collin of their attendance, they left Naya to sleep the day away.Ellie dressed in a flowy maxi dress, while Ryo once again wore one of her shirts and board shorts. The two drove to the restaurant at a more relaxed pace. They even stopped at the side of the road to admire the sunset.“Why do you like wearing my shirts?” Ellie asked, looking at the shirt Ryo wore. This one is a white shirt with a Mickey Mouse print. Ryo gave her a shrug for an answer. Ellie wrapped her arm around his waist and leaned her head on his shoulder. They leaned against her car and watched the giant fireball descend from the horizon.“I will miss you, Ryo,
The weekend passed like a heartbeat. Naya had to travel back to Manila for another event she needed to organize. After Naya and Ryo exchanged numbers and had another photo, Naya went in her car and drove away.Ellie waited for Ryo in the car. She’s looking at the orders from her phone when Ryo hopped in the car. “Ready?” She asked, putting her phone on the dashboard.“Yup!” Ryo said after buckling his seat belt. Ellie is particular with seat belts and would not start the car unless everyone’s buckled up. Ryo picked up her phone from the dashboard. “Can I?” He asked, waving the phone to Ellie.“Sure. 949581.”“What are those numbers?”“Library card number” she winked at him before makin
After the two-hour drive, Ellie cut off the air-conditioning and rolled down their windows. Baguio City’s chilly air welcomed them. Ellie inched her seat forward and focused on her eyes in the road as they drove to the thick fog that covered the city. Ryo did not distract her from her driving. He watched her from his seat, taking in as much as he could. Memorizing each feature of her face. They barely had a day left together and every second they lost the heavier his heart felt. Ellie smiled in his direction. “I might melt, you know,” she teased. “I love you, Ellie.” “I love you too, Ryo.” She threw him a sideways look. “And I miss you already.” “Ellie!” Ryo’s voice hitched and sounded more like a complaint than anything else. “Don’t bring it up. Makes me sad.” “Let’s make the most of it, OK?” She smiled at him. Her eyes like croissant
“Ellie, Ryo, come down now. Lunch is ready.” Claire called, knocking on Ellie’s door.“Coming!” Ellie screamed, which made Claire furrowed her brow. Is there a need to scream? She shrugged her shoulders and walked away from Ellie’s room.Meanwhile, Ellie couldn’t hold back from the pleasure she’s feeling. With head thrown back, her eyeballs rolled to the back of her head. Her lips sank in her teeth as she suppressed another scream.Ellie collapsed on top of Ryo after they climaxed. Both gasped for air. “Naughty girl,” Ryo said, slapping her bottom. It drove him crazy when Ellie took control. She’s a sight to behold, making it impossible for him to hold back.“What can I do? My boyfriend is so hot.” Ellie said, rubbing her face in Ryo’s chest. He chuckled at her answer.“Get up
Ryo and Ellie spent the night packing his luggage, making love and cuddling through the night. None of them wanted to let each other go.Ryo still slept like a baby when Ellie’s alarm rang. She picked her phone and turned it off. She then tidied herself and fixed breakfast for the two of them.The smell of freshly brewed coffee tickled Ryo’s nose, waking him up. He knit his brows when he saw the space beside him. He sat up and scanned the room with his sleepy eyes.“Get up, sleepyhead.” said Ellie, coming from the bathroom. Her head wrapped in a towel told Ryo she just had her shower. “You have an early flight to catch.”Ryo groaned, remembering he had to leave. He didn’t want to leave. He wanted to stay where Ellie was, to hold her and spend his time with her.With heavy steps, he got into the bathroom and took his shower.
All good things must end. In a wink, the week ended and Ryo and Ellie were tightly hugging each other at the airport again. Both unwilling to let the other person go. Their silence spoke the words their mouths did not want to say. They hugged and kissed until the PA system announced Ellie’s trip was boarding. Ryo gave her another tight hug, another torrid kiss. Ellie did the same. Both uncaring about the world around them.Ellie wiped the tears from her face with the back of her hand and looked at Ryo. “I’ll miss you, baby. Eat well and follow your nutritionist, ok?” Ellie said between sobs.Ryo nodded and pulled her closer again to plant a kiss at the top of her head. He sniffed her hair, taking in as much of her scent as he could. “You take care too, mahal ko. Call me when you get there.
“When will she come here?” His grandfather asked.Ryo swallowed hard at his grandfather’s question. Honestly, he does not know. “I don’t know yet, Sofu. She needs to sort out her store first before she can go anywhere.”“Hmm.” He nodded. “Managing a small business is more intense than a big one. I’m assuming she bakes everything she sells daily?”“Yes, she does.”“Hmm. And why did you need to get members of The Clan there?” He’d give it to his grandpa to switch topics without so much of a warning. The clan was an underground society of assassins and mercenaries his ancestors founded. Isamu Matsuda is the current head of the organization. Despite his age, he’s known to be ruthless.“His ex-boyfr
“One step back, and you’re back in your comfort zone, assured of what each day would bring you. One step forward, and take a gamble taking a path full of uncertainties. Not knowing if it would give you pain or happiness.” Ellie could not help but shake her head. She gave Ryo the same choices two months ago. Who would have thought it boomeranged to her? She looked at her father with her bright eyes. The tiny dimples at the corners of her mouth deepened as her lips stretched into a smile. She took her father’s arm and made one step forward. His father smiled at her and assisted her as they walked further down the stone path. It felt like her feet were stepping on clouds. She could not feel her feet at all. Her mother waited at the end of the path, behind a closed door. She handed her a bouquet of roses and gave each of her cheeks a peck. Her eyes looked at each of her facial features with such adoration. “You l
It’s been a couple of months since the Academy Awards and Ellie has not heard from Ryo. For each day she has received no message or phone call from him, the heavier her heart felt. But then, didn’t she give him a choice? His nonresponse must be him telling her his choice. She’s fine either way but she hoped to at least spend one more day with him. One more day to look at him, talk to him, and engrave his presence in her memory. Because that day is all she’d have.It’s hard to believe that Ryo was her “the one that got away” because for the life of her, she wanted him to be the one. That one person whom she’d share her morning coffees with. But then, her pride and fear pushed him out of her life. She’s been through many breakups but none felt as painful as Ryo’s. She loved him dearly, and she loves him still. It’s hard losing somebody when you do not see it comin
“I am me and you are you. We could not change it. I wouldn’t change it. Our paths were not meant to cross, but they did. That must mean something, right?Now, I am putting us at another crossroads. We could spend one unforgettable night today and have a lifetime of certainty apart. Or we could have a lifetime together, making each uncertain night unforgettable. Ryo Matsuda, what does your heart tell you?”The camera panned to Ryo, displaying his face. Everyone in the venue and those watching at home could see his shock. But none of them felt the nuclear bombs detonating inside him. What does his heart tell him? Does he need to answer that? He looked at the vacant seat beside him and read the name written on it. Diwa Malaya. He does not know the name. But the words Director Nakamura read connected with him. It spoke to him. His head throbbed from trying
For the umpteenth time, Ryo surveyed his reflection on the full-length mirror before him. His stylists stood around looking at him, waiting for him to say something. The tailored tuxedo fit him like a second skin. The top half of his dark hair tied in a neat man bun at the back of his head while the rest brushed his shoulder. He looked fresh and gorgeous, like the true heartthrob that he is.Only when Ryo gave his smile and nod of approval did his stylists release their breaths. They’re already pressed on time and could not afford a wardrobe, makeup, or hairstyle change.As if on cue, Miyagi entered the room and signaled it’s time to leave. He turned around and walked out of his hotel room down to the parking where his team’s limousine waited. His eyes trained on the scenery outside the window. They’re on their way to the venue for the Academy Awards.The
Several months had passed, and Ellie’s life slowly returned to normal. Like every news in the country, a bigger news popped up and overtook Angelo’s death. The reporters who hounded her soon chased the bigger story and let her be. Social media bashers did the same. She and Diana had a talk months after the media frenzy. She’s still grieving, which mother wouldn’t but she chose to have her peace. After their long and heartfelt talk, Diana has forgiven Ellie. She also asked forgiveness for her son’s shortcomings. At first, it confused Ellie when Diana said the perpetrator’s family came forward and confessed. She said it was one of Angelo’s flings. The girl loved him so much and when he broke things with her; she committed suicide. The girl’s father could not accept her daughter’s fate and plotted revenge. Ellie kept her silence. It still amazed her how much influence Ryo’s family had. This time, they ma
“What do you plan to do, Ellie?” he asked as he stroked her back. They were lying on her bed, holding each other.“I don’t know, Ryo. Everything’s happening too fast. I’m overwhelmed.” She took a deep breath, then snuggled closer to him. “Part of me wanted to get away from all this. But another part of me forces me to stay, to face this. My conscience is clean, Ryo. It never crossed my mind to harm Angelo. I did not hire people to kill him. I couldn’t… I wouldn’t do that. And if I flee, it’s like I am saying I’m guilty of their accusations. I’m not.”Ryo felt her shuddering against him. Her tears wet his bare chest. The sobs she tried to suppress stabbed his heart. His jaws clenched, listening to her pain. How did things end up this way? Of everyone who has to suffer, why does it have to be her? She who had done nothing.
“Why are you here?” Ellie asked after crying her eyes out. Her icy hands cupped his face. Last time she checked his calendar, he’s booked solid.“I heard what happened. I have to be here.” His tender eyes scanned her face. His finger wiped her tears away. The way she looked broke her. Ellie’s not always made up. Her hair always seemed messy. Lip tint and a faint blush were the most makeup she wore. But she always wore her sunny disposition. It never failed to light up the room. But now, the sun did not seem to shine on her. Fear replaced the brilliance in her eyes.Ryo tugged her closer and brought his lips to her. He wanted to comfort her and he did not know how to do it with words. His lips touched on hers with such tenderness and longing. “I’m sorry, mahal ko.”Ellie, who felt so caught in a
“Let’s go to the old mansion,” Ryo said as he stood up from the couch. Still in costume, he strode out of the trailer and into the waiting Bentley. Since earning his own money, Ryo rarely visited the old mansion. It lacked the warmth of a home he experienced with Ellie’s and her family’s. Soji, his grandfather’s butler, opened the main door for him. They were expecting him. It only means they’re already aware of what’s happening with Ellie.“Young Master, Master is waiting for you at the Clan hall.” Soji stated as he bowed his head.With long and steady strides, Ryo walked towards the fourth basement of the mansion. Yellow fluorescent lights illuminated the cold corridors. A metal door was at the end of the hall. A man used to guard this door, but with technology, various biometric
Ellie had been busy with the preparation for moving to Japan. First thing she did was to inform her family about her decision. Like she predicted, although they did not stop her, they were sad she had to move far from home. She assured her family she’d keep her communication lines open and will call them regularly.She also informed Beth and Maya about her decision. Both were there to see hers and Ryo’s love story and supported the couple. But then they were both breadwinners of their families. The money they earned helped in their family expenses. So, facing the possibility of losing a job disheartened them. They did not need to say it, Ellie knew this.The universe seemed to work in Ellie’s favor. Her friend who helped her source her coffee beans has put up a coffee shop. As a regular customer of her shop, he is familiar with Beth and Maya. So Ellie did not need to say much. The ladies’ work ethics have spoken for them. They will star