CHAPTER 3

LILIANA POV

I felt ashamed after Xavier caught me last night, looking at his phone. He just laugh and made fun of me, he said my expression was very funny. He teased me instead. He was like this to me, all the time. Every mistake I make, he will just smile and laugh. My husband was such a happy person. He told me, I was so cute while looking at him last night, with his phone in my hands. I was just shocked by his dad's message. I felt something creepy about that.

He explained that his Dad was still against our relationship until now. Mr. Blaze revealed the truth in his message as something that Xavier did in the past. Xavier broke the rules of my parents and even compete with them in the business because he tried to prove to my family that he was capable of everything. He was trying to convince my parents that he was the man for me. I knew about my parent's disagreement in our relationship. I can't remember anything, I just believed everything my husband told me.

My parent's died a few years ago, Xavier showed me their pictures. My heart broke to know that they were gone. How I wish, I could remember all the memories I've spent with them before.

It is morning now, I woke up alone in bed. I had a great night with my husband, to sleep beside him in the bed was real heaven.

The sun welcomed me as I opened the door and walked to the balcony. The fresh air soothes my skin. The view from where I am standing was almost too perfect. There were lakes nearby, connecting with big rivers and the small hills covered with green were just incredible. This is my paradise, I love to live in this place together with my husband.

I am enjoying the beautiful scenery in front of me when I felt two strong hands around me. He kissed my neck and I giggled.

"Good morning love!" he looks so fresh early in the morning.

"Good Morning Xavier," I turned to look at my man, he was too handsome for me.

He gave me another kiss on my cheeks. And pulled me to a small table inside the room.

"Time to have breakfast love," he said.

"I am too busy looking at the beauty outside. I didn't notice you came into the room. Are you the one who prepared all of these?" I asked.

"Yes, love. I want our breakfast as husband and wife to be very special. That is why I woke up early today and cooked for you," he smiled.

He was like this most of the time. He will do surprises, or sometimes, he will cook delicious food and serve it on the table. He was too caring and very responsible.

"What is your plan for today?" he asked as he served me some food.

"I think we need to check on our business today, Xavier. We need to look into other amenities we can add to the resort. There are many resorts built recently in Da Lat, we still need to be on top. We need to attract more visitors this month," I stated.

He smiled at me. He was so cute when he smile like this.

"You are so serious all the time love. We just got married yesterday. Now, you want to get back to work." He munched the food on his plate.

Despite being busy with his food, he never fails to place some vegetables on my plate. He wants me to eat a lot, especially vegetables. He was concerned with my diet all the time.

"How about you come with me to the City of Phoenix Flower?"

I stopped drinking water, the name of the City seemed nice and captivating.

He laughed.

"When you were in college, you would love to see the fire tree blooming in the Philippines. I would love to bring you to those places. The fire tree blooms weeks before your birthday. I know how special the tree is to you. You told me before that you always feel connected with the fire tree," he narrated.

"I want to remember Xavier, how I wish I can remember. But I can't," my heart breaks, knowing whatever I try, I can't remember even a piece of memory.

"Don't be sorry love. I told you, one day, you will be able to remember everything again. I have faith in you. During those days that you were blind, we never gave up. We should not lose hope on this, I will do everything I can just for your memories to come back again."

Xavier is my strength. He always pushes me and encourages me not to give up.

"So, going back to that City of the Phoenix Flower, ahm... where is that?"

He showed me pictures on his phone.

"It was in Hai Phong City love. Look at these pictures. The place there was beautiful. You will like it there. I've prepared everything, we can visit the place today."

He gave me my medicine and water. This is his routine every time we finish our meal. He will let me drink my medicines.

I felt excitement rose within me.

"Thank you, Xavier. I hope, when I see those trees with red flowers in Hai Phong, I will be able to remember something,"

I felt his warm hands touching mine. I feel at home and safe in his touch.

"Stay positive love. In the perfect time, you will get through all of these," he kissed me on my forehead.

It took me almost two hours to prepare. My husband owns a private plane. It was a plane his dad gave him as a gift on his birthday last year.

It took us almost two hours on the plane before we finally reached Hai Phong.

I am loving the climate in this City. There are many tall buildings in some parts of the city and some areas are populated. But Xavier told me, there are areas in this city that are very beautiful and I will surely like them.

We stayed in a hotel for a while to rest and eat.

I am now in a car with Xavier. He rented this car a while ago.

He said he wants to drive for me today. Together with us is a tourist guide who is Vietnamese. We are new to this place, so it is better to have someone with us.

It took us a few minutes before we reached a place where the Phoenix flowers bloom in red. I felt a different kind of feeling as I looked at every tree and flower. It is a little cooler in this place. The cold breeze touches my skin. There is an emotion I cannot explain, as I see the flowers and the leaves dancing with the wind. I hope these flowers will remind me of a memory that will help me in my healing.

"Do you like it here?" Xavier spoke.

I spoke and I caught his blue eyes staring at me.

I nodded and kissed his cheeks.

"Thank you for making me happy, Xavier," I am just grateful for every second of my life. It was great spending this life with him.

"Come let's try to walk and see the place," he pulled my hands and we both enjoyed the place.

There were few people in this by this time. Some are with their friends and their family.

This place is perfect for relaxation and taking some good pictures.

It was located on high-rise land. From here I can see the tall buildings in the center of the city. The bay separates this place from the center, and in between are the boats sailing so calmly.

I turned to look at my husband who is also enjoying the view.

"Xavier," he turned to look at me with a wink. That was so cute, I laughed.

"You are my everything. Thank you for coming into my life," I want to be sweet and romantic this time.

He touched his temple and bowed as if it is his way to hide his smile. I know I just caught a space in his heart today.

He stood closer to me and cupped my face.

"I am lucky and blessed more than anyone in this world Lily because I have you," he said.

I reached for his lips to kiss him. I want the world to see how much I love this man in front of me.

"Mr. Blaze?" I heard a voice behind us.

We both turned to look who it was. It was an old man in his late 50s.

He was with a young girl, maybe it was his grandchild.

"Mr. McKinley," Xavier responded. I know my husband didn't expect to see someone in this place. This man is not a Filipino. I guess he was, an American.

The man looked at me with surprise on his face. I was confused by his expression.

He even moved closer to look at me from head to foot.

"This woman, I thought she was dead." The man said.

I was surprised by his words. This man thought I was dead.

Xavier dragged me closer to him. What does he mean by that?