The house feels empty with my Mom not around.
It was a Monday evening, I just got home after a long, boring day at work. Jack...or Florian, isn't home yet. I'm not sure if he'd be working overtime again but I'm slowly getting worried for his health.
Is he still sleeping? He arrives home late from the inn and wakes up early in the morning to go fishing. Once he's back, he would go to the market sometimes to sell the fishes. After that, he would then get ready to leave for his work back at the inn. A tiring cycle. Unlike me who's sitting pretty at the till 'cause whether I manage to sell a book or not in a day, I would still get paid the same.
I just finished cooking for dinner and I thought of bringing some packed food for Florian at the inn. He mentioned once that meals are not free in their workplace, meaning he's been eating late these past few days because of the overtime.
My lips curved into a satisfied smile as I finished packing the food
I inhaled deeply, trying to calm down my nerves. He’s too much for me. Every little detail about him is striking and screaming manliness. From his head down to his foot, there’s nothing you could put to waste. It’s not even shocking that girls would still line up for his attention even if he isn’t on the same level with the rich bachelor men of Willowvale. His physical looks were more than enough to attract them.I blinked profusely as I tore my eyes off his body.“I prepared your dinner-“ my words got stuck in my throat when he completely disregarded my presence and walked past me, heading straight to my bedroom where he’s been staying at these days. I even saw him roll his eyes!What’s wrong with him? He’s really gonna throw tantrums just because of that?!He slammed the door shut and I stared at it in disbelief. Oh, wow! I couldn't believe my eyes as I continued watching the c
I didn’t bother to question him anymore. He took a quick bath after we ate, determined to come along with me to the shop. He was already dressed when he got out of the shower.Wearing a simple gray shirt and black cotton shorts, he looked dashing when he sauntered to the living room while drying his wet hair with a towel. The shirt was a little fit to him and it highlights his muscular chest and biceps.“Where’s your cardigan?” His brow furrowed as his eyes scanned me again with disapproval. His eyes lingered to my shoulder and arms which are the most exposed part of me. I let out a forced cough.“It’s in my bag, I’ll wear it later at the bookshop when it gets cold. The air-conditioner was newly cleansed so the machine was working two times better these days-““Wear it now before we leave the house, Nina.”“Huh? I-I’ll wear it later-“ I bit my lower lip when
“What?” Florian leaned in on the counter with a smirk.It’s been two hours since Leandro left the store but this brute insisted to stay here. Up until now, I’m still shocked and mostly pissed at him. What if Leandro spread that word to everyone? I don’t even know what the hell is he talking about? Is he insinuating that we’re together? Hell no!Leandro didn’t respond to his remark. Instead, the guy smirked at us before exiting the store with a playful whistle. He even winked at me from a distance before he entered his car.I glared at Florian. “What do you think you’re doing? You’re spreading to everyone that we’re not cousins-““’Cause we’re not?”“Yes! But you agreed to this, right? You know how conservative and close-minded this town is.”He rolled his eyes. “I don’t care about other people’s opinion, Nina.&r
"So you and the ex-mayor's son, huh..."My forehead creased when I heard Jack behind me. I was preparing some soup for dinner when I felt him entered the kitchen to drink water. He probably just got back from the cove."Did you found Alicia's basket?" I faced him after switching off the stove. He nodded, his eyes watching me intently as he put down the glass on the sink."You and Leandro?" He reiterated and my brows knitted at his question. He seemed to be interested about my non-existing relationship with the brute man of Willowvale."Uh...that was a long time ago." I tore my eyes away from him. However, I felt his gaze remain on me."He's your ex-lover?""What? No!" I quickly denied. "He used to be a suitor.""Used to?" His brow cocked at me. "He's still hitting on you."I shook my head. "He already stopped almost two years ago. This was the first time we had an interaction since then. And why are you asking, by
Florian looked like he couldn’t wait to go in the funfair anymore so I agreed to just leave the dishes on the sink after we had our dinner. He also insisted that he’ll be washing them himself once we get back. I thought it’ll be awkward in the dining but no naked conversation was mentioned as we ate. Well, thank God for that.I threw on a plain black hoodie and I was surprised to see Florian wearing the same thing. It looks like we purposely pick the same clothes to pair up each other. I blushed a bit as I finally headed out of the door. He locked the house and trailed behind me.The cold wind immediately whipped past my face as we passes by the beach. Looks like everyone’s in the carnival tonight because the beach was almost empty.“Crap! I forgot my wallet,” I looked at Florian and smiled sheepishly at him. “Can you wait for me here? I’ll just go back to get my wallet. I’ll be quick!”He shook his head. “It’s fine. My treat.”“A-ah…you don
My shoulder sagged problematically when the cashier handed me the hospital bill. I have a few savings and I could still pay for it. Though, it’ll multiple or even triple if Florian would need to stay for another day or two in here. And of course! There’s the list of medicines the doctor also handed to me. I breathed harshly.I looked at Florian when I felt him moved on his bed. He’s been asleep for seventeen hours and I only had a three hour sleep. I’ve been going back and forth in the hospital since I needed to eat, take a bath, went to Diana and the inn to send an excuse for our absence and I also went to the nearby mall to cash out.Florian’s eyes fluttered open so I quickly stood up from the small bench to attend on him. We were on a shared room with another patient since I couldn’t pay for a private room anymore. His drowsy eyes landed on me before it wandered curiously around the room.“Let’s go
Instantly, we traveled to Sta. Rita that night after the news exploded on the television. I couldn’t stop my sobs as I sat beside Florian in the bus on our way there. He was caressing me on the back from time to time, trying to hush me off. His arm was wrapped protectively around my shoulder as I lean helplessly on his chest.This is too much. I refuse to believe it. Maybe they had put the wrong name on that list? It can’t be my mom, right? It hasn’t been a week since she left for Sta. Rita! I won’t believe it unless I see it with my own eyes!I leaned in closer to Florian. My body was desperately seeking for his warmth ‘cause I wanted to feel comforted. I felt him planted a soft kiss on my temple as his arm tightened around me. My tears were never ending; they’re like a waterfall streaming down my cheeks.The bus halted for a bit on the next terminal to let other passengers get it. Florian get off the bus quickl
Empty. That’s how I feel as the days passes by after my mother’s sudden death. I’ve been caging myself in her bedroom and surrounding myself with her scent. I don’t even want to wash the sheets just to preserve her smell. And her clothes, even when I was told to burn them down, I refused to. I’ve been hugging her favorite shirts just to appease the ache and yearning feeling inside my chest.How many days has it been? I don’t know. I honestly have no idea. Or maybe it’s been weeks.Due to my negligence, Diana sent me a letter yesterday saying that I was officially fired from the bookshop. I’m not even mad, and she wasn’t too even if I didn’t give her a single notice. She’s just desperate to have another employee to guard her store. And obviously, I’m not mentally capable to do that just yet. Or maybe even physically too. My body was slowly giving up since I’m neglecting the meals
Forever doesn't exist. But with you, I'm willing to prove them wrong."After all this time?" Dumbledore asked, stupefied as Snape's memories and buried feelings slowly unfold right in front of his eyes."Always," he answered.Always. Constant. Never changing. Like my feelings for you."Angelus! Follow me to my office." Sister Anna had said, her eyes as stern as always, as if telling me that I'd be dead if I fail to set foot inside her office in ten seconds. And so, I gladly followed. But of course, right after I excused myself to my fellow orphan friends. Especially to Gaston whom I was the closest with.A man, and I presumed his wife, were seated side by side in front of Sister Anna's desk. The old man smiled warmly at me while the beautiful, elegant lady remained silent and expressionless. Her eyes mirrored the chief nun's strictness. I couldn't lock eyes with her for too long 'cause I felt as if she's judgin
I remembered fainting right after I set foot inside the café, but I didn’t expect to wake up on the hospital bed with Ryan sitting on the small bench across the white alcohol-scented room. His eyes sparkled in relief when he saw my conscious state. But before he could even walk towards me, the door creaked open and Regina got into me first. “Nina! You’re awake. Thank goodness! How are you feeling?” She cried out, gripping onto my cold palms tightly. I forced out a weak smile. “I feel a lot better now compared to when I woke up this morning. Thanks for bringing me here.” Her face scrunched up in a chastising manner. “Why did you even go to work today when you’re perfectly aware that you’re sick?! You’re lucky Mom wasn’t there or you’d hear an earful from her!” She said furiously. “Nina, more than anything, we prioritize our employees’ health first. A simple text or email would do, you know?” My lips curled up into a smile. I do not have
Florian ring my phone nearly half an hour later but I was too drain to even answer him. I slumped down directly on the bed as I scroll through the messages he left after two missed calls.Florian :Sorry about that. Are you still up?Florian :Good night, baby. I'll call you again tomorrow, sleep tight."Good night, baby. I'll call you again tomorrow, sleep tight!" I mimicked in irritation. I threw the phone to my side before pulling the blanket over my hide with slight harshness. I was rolling my eyes heavenward underneath the thin sheet.The sun was up and the neighbor's chicken was already clucking loudly when I woke up from my long slumber. I was in a hurry since I only got an hour left before my work. I didn't even bother to dress up nicely anymore. After putting on a plain black shirt and a tight denim jeans, I hurriedly left the house and ran to the café.Agatha was already in there and en
I wiped them off quickly. The last thing I wanted for my neighbors to see is me walking home wailing as if I'm a high schooler who got bullied at school.I blinked back my tears and gritted my teeth to force them back inside my lid.When I got back home, I immediately shut my door lock and dashed inside my room. I slumped down my bed as my tears started wetting my pillow. The only consolation I could think of in this situation is that at least, he's not dead. At least, it's not as painful as when I lost my mother and my dad.Maybe I'm just going to pretend that I'm a wife who's waiting for her husband to come back home from an overseas trip. I dramatically sniveled on my pillow. Yes, maybe tricking my head into thinking that way would help.I sluggishly got up from the bed and walked towards the mirror. The little amount of eyeliner I applied on my lashes earlier already smudged.I can't behave this way! Who th
He didn't mention a specific time. Wether he's leaving straight after we eat, or he's staying at least one more hour to kiss and hug with me, I don't know. I'm not sure. And I wanted ask but I didn't want to ruin my mood at the same time.It's awfully agitating as I sat there across the two who's obviously enjoying their food with voraciousness. My eyes kept glancing back and forth to the big round wall clock hanging behind them, as if I'm guarding the time or I could do something to pause it.Florian brought us to a fast-food restaurant, as what Alicia wishes. He filled almost all the space in our big six-seater table. He ordered two buckets of chicken and doubled every meal for each one of us. It's as if it's our last supper as I'm gawking at the amount of foods on our table.Alicia clapped jovially as she started chewing on the chicken that she's been craving for. I shook my head before glancing at Florian. He's eating but his eyes were di
I am engaged.I couldn't wrap my head around that fact just yet when a few months ago, I was just planning to raise a cat alone and be single forever.It's easier that way. And although, I am not someone who was raised inside a non affectionate household, I still believe marriage is not for me. I believe in love, yes, as I grew up witnessing my parents' unconditional love for each other. But I don't know... I just feel like I am not destined for that.But Florian came. And he managed to bend all of those silent thoughts I used to have without lifting a finger.I exhaled happily. The diamond ring wrapping around my finger never fails to precipitate serotonin cells from me whenever I would take a look at it. Or even when I would just accidentally had my gaze on it.We headed back to Whale Bay after spending two hours of our time at the cemetery. Florian was planning to pick up Alicia later for a fancy dinner. He's been
"Based on a real event... huh?!" I stared wide-eyed at the screen as the movie ended. The names of the casts and production staff started rolling to herald its ending.Florian stood up to switch on the lights. We just finished watching a horror film and we had it done with the lights off to add up to the movie's eerie atmosphere. It was a good and superb movie! The plot and the acting was chef's kiss but knowing that something as disturbing as that was actually a real life event made my skin crawl."Florian..." I quickly shut off the laptop while he started cleaning up our mess. It was a fun movie night date! We bought so many snacks and he even ordered two boxes of pizza.I tugged his shirt and scooted closer to him. He raised his eyebrow at me."Sleep beside me," I pouted cutely, my grip on his shirt tightening as I move closer to him.He chuckled. "You look traumatized, Nina.""I am!" I crossed my arm
"Florian! Are you serious?" I gasped in shock after seeing the many paper bags scattered all over our living room. I just got home that afternoon from the café. Ma'am Elizabeth stopped by at the shop today to check up on us. I had to remove Florian's name at the staff list immediately and instructed the guard to post the hiring poster again. We have yet to find a replacement for him. Florian quickly rushed towards me. I gawked at him after I noticed he's only wearing an apron without his shirt on! His biceps and chest were popping sensually! "What are these?" I gestured at the paper bags occupying half of our living room. Some of the logos plastered on them are familiar brands of expensive products I usually see on television! He smiled curtly at me. "I went shopping while you're gone for work. I bought you some dress and shoes, you can them out." I mentally face-palmed. Just how much did he spent on these? I d
I looked at Florian in slight confusion when we stopped by at the waiting shed. He let go of my hand as we sauntered under the roof of the empty bus stop.“Sorry, can I borrow your phone for a bit? I just need to call my assistant for an update,” he said and I nodded in understanding before handing my phone to his waiting hand. I scooted a little farther to give him privacy.So Gaston is an assistant, huh? Is he like a secretary from their company? Like an executive assistant? Interesting.“Hello, Gaston…” his tone switched to being formal and stern. “Have you called the bank yet? I need an immediate access today… Alright, thank you so much. I’ll call again tomorrow. I need to go back home as soon as possible.”My heart sunk again as I mentally rolled my eyes at him. Why'd he have to mention that in front of me? As much as possible, I do not want to talk about his departure anymore. It'