Five

He's tired and he need a break. Four years had past. Today is here thirty first birthday, his friends brought him in that place to enjoy. Because he's been living his life like hell for the past years and for the sole reason that he didn't find her. Candice must be good in hiding. He thought. She succeeded in hunting his life. He lived with celibacy, and his organ didn't function well.

" Feel free to choose what you want, bro! " It was his noisy friend Jake. Like him he was still single at the aged of thirty-two and he seems enjoying playing with girls. He was once like that before not until he met Candice.

" Nah, I'll just stay here, man. Thanks for the offer. " Brandon said weakly.

" Okay, got to go. "

" Sure. " Brandon answered.

He was enjoying his martini when a woman entered the vicinity of Martha's Hotel and Resort. The woman with red bikini captured his attention. She looked wickedly sexy with her outfit. And he couldn't take his eyes off her. When she turns to face him, Brandon's mouth hung open. Candice! She wave at him. She stood immediately hoping that she was waving and smiling at him. But his hope shattered when a man went to her direction and hugged her tight as soon as he was near her.

He felt a tightening of his chest. She has a boyfriend or a husband? He was speechless. The woman he wanted to see again for very long now was already taken. His eyes landed directly at her ring finger. His eyes lit up when he noticed her wearing nothing in her ring finger. The man was not her husband yet. She need to talk to her.

He walk towards them. He can't wait to see her up close. She didn't wear her nerdy eye glasses and she looked like a boxer-dropping in his eyes.

" Zach, could you please get me some iced tea?"

" Sure, I'll get one for you." The man headed to the bar counter of the pool. It was his chance to get near her. Her back was facing him. He can't hide his adoration to her beautiful body. She got the same flawless white skin and an eye catching bumpers. It would be sexy if he bang her from behind. Damn!

What's with the green mind, Bran?

He cleared his throat to get her attention.

" Excuse me. " He said. Automatically she turned around to face her. " Candice. " It was not a question but a confirmation. " How have you been this past years? " He couldn't control himself to asked her.

" Excuse me, do I know you? " She looked at him from head to toe, as if he was a specimen in the microscope.

" Of course, you do. You are my girlfriend back then. " He didn't faltered. He tried to hold her hand but she moved back.

" I swear, I will call the guards if you try to touch me. " She said panicking.

" Hey, I didn't came here to hurt you. I just want to talk to you. " He raised his arms above. " See? "

" No! I don't know you! " She was alarmed. They were far from others. She deliberately denied him awhile ago. Because she didn't know how to act in front of him. She couldn't beleive it with her own eyes that the only man she love was standing in front of her.

" Don't try to deny it, babe. I know you are my Candice. You have the same eyes, nose and lips except of course for the body. "

" You perv! " She slapped him in his face. " How dare you insult me! " His hand get hold of her arms and pulled her towards his body.

" My eyes didn't lie, Candice. I'm sorry for hurting you back then. I realized that I love you but it's too late because you already left away from me. I wanted you back in my life, babe." She was stunned. How can he said those words to her when from the very beginning he despised her? Is he making fun of her again?

" Let me go, perv! " She struggles to get away from his gripped.

" Come back to me, babe. I love you so much." His hand hold her head firmly to steady her. And lowered his mouth to hers and captured her lips for a passionate kiss. Her struggling stopped as he deepened the kisses they've shared.

" Brandon. " She moan his name. He felt triumphant inside his heart. Her hands automatically wrapped around Brandon's neck for a support. She responded to him wantonly.

" Candice ! " They heard a crashing sound of glasses. The two suddenly separated as if electrocuted. It was Zach's voice. They both turned to see him.

" What did you do to my woman, huh? " He asked and pulled her near him. Brandon who was smirking at him.

" Zach, let's get out of here. " She interrupted her friend. Her cheeks reddened after the kissed she and Brandon shared.

" I'm the actual boyfriend here, man. " He pointed himself. " I'm Brandon Garcia. And I also knew you are not Candice's boyfriend. She will not respond to my kisses if you said was true. " He said a matter of factly. Candice's eyes widened. What was he thinking saying those words to Zach? Heat suddenly travelled from her head down to her toe. She was embarrass by Brandon's bluntness.

" No! You're not my boyfriend ! How dare you assumed ?! " She can't helped but rebuke him. She hastily pointed Brandon. She will not admit to this asshole what she truly felt inside her heart. " Com'on let's get out of here, Zachy. " She grab his hand and pulled him to the exit area of the resort.

Brandon's eyes followed them as they are heading to the exit. He must know where she was living? They need to talk and patch things up before he will go back to the city. He'd been looking for her for the past three years and a half but all the PAs he hired didn't find her.

It was he who found her in an unexpected place and time. Guess his birthday vacation will not be boring after all!  He noticed that his heart was beating fast. Then, he remembered the kissed they've shared. He knew that Candice was lying. It was not only his imagination that she responded to his kisses and even mentioned his name.

He took the phone from the pocket of his summer shorts he was wearing and dialled the PA's number. Immediately it was answered.

" Hello, I'd like you to come in this place right away. Meet me at Martha's Hotel and Resort. "

" Copy that, sir. " 

He stared at the phone in his hand before deciding to head to the reception area of the resort. 

The moment he arrived there, he immediately ask the receptionist.

" Excuse me? " He excused. 

" Yes, hello. What can I do for you, sir?  " The receptionist greeted him with a smile. He nodded at her. 

" I would like to ask if you know Candice Villanueva? " He gave her his panty-dropping smile. The woman was stunned for two seconds. She wasn't able to answer him because she looked like a starstruck teenager  to her idol. 

" Miss? " He catched her attention. She managed to act professional after that. 

" Ahm, yes sir. I know miss Candice Villanueva. She is the owner of Martha's Hotel and Resort. If you don't mind my asking, may I ask what's your business with miss Candice? " His left brow arched. Ah, a typical gossiper! 

" By the way,  I'm Brandon Garcia.  I just arrived today, and I really need your assistance." 

" Sure, sir Brandon. What is it? " She excitedly asked him. Her smile didn't even fade from her lips. 

" Can you give me the address of my girlfriend?" He tried to sound sweet but he looked like who just ate a sour mango. 

" Yes of course, sir! Just a moment I will write miss Candice address. " 

A victorious smile plastered in his face. 

" Here's miss Candice address, sir. " She handed him the paper where Candice's address written. He gladly accepted it.

" Thank you so much! " He thanked her. 

" Would that be all, sir? " 

" One last. " He signaled his forefinger. 

" Go ahead. " She encourage him to say. 

" Who was that man with her? " He tried hard to control his emotions.

" You mean, sir Zach? " Her eyes widened and her face turns red. He frown seeing her reaction. " They are just best of friends, sir.  " She continued. Yes!  His mind thought of a plan. He knew from the start that Candice was lying to him. 

" Thanks again. I have to go. " He said goodbye.

" You're welcome, sir Brandon. " She wave her hand  to him. 

He smiled meaningfully to himself. 

No sweat! At all. 

¤¤¤¤¤

At Hacienda Villanueva.

" Why did you allowed him to make a pass on you? Do you still love him, huh Candice ? " It was Zach angry voice scolding her since they arrived at the ancestral house. 

She felt embarrassed with his words. Maybe he was just overprotective of her because she is his friend. 

" H-he's stronger than m-me" She cannot meet his gaze. She felt guilty for lying to Zach because he's been her confidante for the past four years. A shoulder to cry on, her advicer aside from her mom and dad. It was just  awkward to admit to her friend that she really like Brandon  kisses. 

She wasn't expecting to see Brandon again in her existence. She went away, didn't she? But she felt her heart skip a beat the time when she heard his baritone voice awhile ago. And if Zach hadn't come, maybe it's not just a kiss that will happen to them. Maybe..Stop it Candice!  She scolded herself. 

" I hope so, Candice. I hope you are telling the truth. I hope the past will not come yo hunt you again. " After Zach finished what he said, he turned to leave. 

" Zach, wait!  " She called him. But he didn't bother to stopped. She was left  by Zach with confused mind. Did she hurt his feelings? What do you think Candice? She asked herself.

Maybe. 

She start to cry. She can't be enemy with her best buddy. She just can't.