Chapter 4

CHAPTER 4

MYCA'S POV

Allison and Jilo worked together to tease me. I don't know but I just laugh because of what they both say. I know they're both just happy that I'm interested in dating anyone. I am only doing this for my future life's sake. I have no other motive other than that. Jilo left when he was worried because of his flight. I'm sad that I didn't even drive him to the airport because he insisted that I should not go with him. I even tried to delay him for a while because I don't want him to leave. That's why I went down to my room in the afternoon to stay in the office until late at night.

I was about to turn to the left side of the corridor to enter my office when I saw the man in front of the lobby that the girls were messing with. He is filling up the form on the reception desk while girls flock to his side just to stare and admire his handsomeness. He doesn't seem bothered though. He seems to be very used to women acting like that in front of him. I just shook my head when it looked like it was Wallace Tessimond, Ian's cousin that Allison was referring to earlier, better known as Ace. I still thought that Alli was just kidding me to ride Jilo, but, indeed, this man is here.

"Ms. Fortezo, do you know that man?”

I almost jumped in shock when Gigi spoke behind me. It looks like she just came from upstairs. I clutched my chest because of the force of my heart's pounding. I'm really surprised.

"Yes," I answered her while calming myself down.

"I was looking for you earlier because he has asked about you that's why I went upstairs but you came down here first. Shall I call him, ma'am? You're already here, so just let him stay in your office." She was about to walk in Ace's direction.

I stopped her. I shook my head. There is no way I am going to accompany him at this hour. I might get issued here or something. It's a shame for Ace to be here just to take a vacation and relax if I will just give him stress. Also, is it true that Allison gave her my number? Maybe he is asking me from Gigi because he is aware that I am the owner of this resort. Ace is a kind person so it's normal for him to ask me from my staff because he knows me.

"Not that fast, Gigi. We only know each other but we are not close to each other. And one more thing is that he is a customer here," I replied to Gigi and turned to enter my office.

I spent my time reading the written report from one of the maintenance personnel of my resort in Palawan. This is the best way to track the progress and the state of my resort while I am away. I'm also renovating our rest house in Palawan because it looks like one of my aunts and uncles who just came from another country will be staying there first.

I leaned my back in my swivel chair. Only then did I feel tired when I felt my neck hurt. I also finished the design I am doing for the villa on my private island in Palawan. I just bought it a month ago. I thought of naming my resort in Palawan after it so that people would be interested. I'm going to make it a great place for newlyweds who want to get away on an island so I can rent it out for a week when it's finished. I still need to find a good engineer and a good architect. But I want to design what I'm going to renovate myself, so it's good that I finished it today.

I didn't realize the time, it was nine o'clock at night. I haven't taken my dinner yet because I was so focused on finishing my design. So I thought I'd just go straight to the mini restaurant because we're always open for night customers who are checking in. I picked a simple and light meal. It is because my stomach hurts when I fall asleep right away and the food I ate hasn't been digested properly.

"Hi. May I join you?”

I was about to start eating when someone next to me spoke and placed his tray on the other side of the table. I looked up at that person and saw Ace's smiling face. My eyes widened.

"I-It's fine... Sit down," I answered him a bit shyly.

I was surprised that he was here. I thought he was with his cousin or he was in his room to relax. Surprisingly, he will eat his dinner late too. We started eating in silence. I glanced at him because I noticed that he was looking back and forth at me. It's annoying. This is my first time eating with someone I am not close to.

"You already know me, right? I am Ace, Aamon's cousin. We have hung out before in Washington. I know you're Tatiana's best friend, right?" he said to start a conversation.

I nodded my head and took a sip of my water. "Yes..."

"I haven't seen you around this afternoon, are you busy? Tatiana said I should go straight to your resort because the view here is beautiful and that you will tour me around. Thank you. I was looking forward to it…” He flashed a simple smile.

I suddenly blushed because of what I heard. I don't know if I should think about what Alli did first or answer Ace first. I am not ready for this. It's a bit embarrassing for me to brag in front of him, about the date thing. I used to have more ideas even if I accompanied tourists to walk around here before. But now I feel ashamed.

"I'm sorry about that. Alli did mention that to me. I was too busy with my work so it slipped my mind. That's why I'm having dinner late tonight," I apologized.

He laughed softly. “Kidding. I know you are busy so I understand. But I hope you'll treat me for at least one day. I'll only be here for a week because I'll be going home to America soon."

"Yes. Sure. Tomorrow I can." There was a trace of nervousness in my voice but he didn't seem to notice it.

I don't know what to do, that's the truth. I haven't accompanied someone like him. It's like it's hard for someone like him to be satisfied with just by looking at his face. Is that the same case with other men? I seem to have forgotten what will be the first thing I'm going to offer him so we will go to do it tomorrow. What about scuba diving? Snorkeling? Island hopping? Or surfing? I don't know what to offer first. It seems embarrassing to be the first one to speak.

I ate my food and immediately finished it so that I could leave there immediately. I felt the heat all over my cheeks. I don't know but what Alli and Jilo said earlier is going through my mind so I can't help but blush. I'm wondering if I can admit to him that I want to try dating. I suck at this so I don't know what to say! Do I have to be the first one to talk and say anything? But Ace has no other intention but to enjoy his days here. Can I just choose another man? Someone who doesn't know me and someone I don't know that much so it's not too awkward for us when we talk to each other. But where can I find him?

I was spacing out for the whole minutes I am walking towards the elevator that's why I couldn't stop myself from bumping into someone. I hurt my forehead because it hit his chest. It's tough! I caressed my forehead a little. Goodness, it's like a wall. I think my forehead just turned red.

"Sorry," I apologized because I was the one who wasn't looking at what I was passing by and I didn't look to see who that person was.

He had just come from the elevator so it was still open. I tried to go in there so I could go upstairs and plan properly but I felt a hand that grabbed my elbow.

"I'm sorry about that. Is your forehead alright?” a man asked using his husky voice.

It seemed automatic and my eyes looked up to make sure that the person I knew owned that voice was right. My face went cold as Ian's face appeared to me.

"Does it hurt?" he asked again referring to my forehead.

I saw the ghost of a smile on his lips. I was immediately annoyed when I saw his smiling face. He looks like he is mocking me! I remembered again what he said to me earlier.

I glared at him. “Yes! Make sure you are looking in front of yourself! It will surely hurt anyone if you bump into someone because your chest is as hard as concrete! Don't get in the way!” I said with my annoyed tone.

I removed his grip on my elbow and rolled my eyes to show my irritation before entering the elevator. I heard his laugh when the elevator door closed. How dare he laugh at me! That's why I'm in a bad mood again just like that. My head was hot the whole time I was thinking of something good to do tomorrow with Ace so the result was that I couldn't think properly so I just went to sleep.

The next day, I woke up early to get ready. I received a text from an unknown number but the name of the sender is indicated in the last part of his message. It was Ace. He said that we will have breakfast together so that we can leave together later. I immediately agreed so I took a shower to get down to the hotel. Since I haven't decided on what activities we will be doing today, I am going to ask him instead. What if he wants us to just walk along the beach while I want us to go scuba diving or maybe snorkeling. Then our ideas contradict one another. Does he like to fish? I wonder if he likes goldfish or any tropical fish. But he grew up in America so maybe Ace doesn't like any kind of fish either.

"Good morning. Sorry, have you been here for a while?” I greeted him as I sat in front of him.

I kind of find this unbelievable. Everything seems to be fast. Is this what normally happens? There is probably no malice in this. I am just going to accompany him because he is a customer and Alli asked me to do this. Maybe I'm just overthinking.

"Not at all. I ordered us some food already. I hope you are not picky about food," he said.

"Nope. I am not a picky eater. Thanks for choosing my breakfast.”

I looked around to see if anyone was looking at us. But it's good and it seems like this is normal for other people. I breathed a sigh of relief.

"By the way, I haven't mentioned that Ian will be joining us today. He said he was alone so I just asked him to come with us. There are only two of us in total, so I think it's more fun when there are more of us," Ace said, making me laugh.

He had just mentioned his cousin's name when I saw Ian enter the mini restaurant while smiling widely and looking directly at us. My jaw dropped open. Oh no, this is not a good idea because he can surely ruin my mood without even trying! And how can I ask Ace to go out just the two of us if Ian is with us?!