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CHAPTER 17: Day Six
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The Secret Island CHAPTER 18: The Confession
“Hey, Martin, hello! Are you stressed again? Stop it, don’t think about anything that could be a trigger!” Celine gave him encouragement. He wasn’t in a mood to fully enjoy the moment because of the doubt about her motives for befriending him. After he pointed out the truth about her healed foot, she walked around normally. “When did you know it’s completely healed?” He asked her while we were sightseeing. She walked close to him and hugged his arm. He started to get used to being close to her. “Well, you caught me. I wrapped more gauze on this morning, and I think I couldn’t feel much pain anymore.” She smiled broadly after the confession. “Why did you lie to me saying it hurts?” He probed. He wanted to give her a chance to explain because everything might not be as he suspected. “It is difficult to say.” He halted his steps as soon as he heard that. He didn’t know what games she was playing, but he was not a willing pawn.
The Secret Island CHAPTER 19: Day Seven
Martin heard loud noises from the kitchen after he went back from jogging. He hurried to the scene, hoping it was not some sort of robbery all over again. What he found was a timid Celine cleaning up splashes from the floors and tabletop. “What are you doing?” She was surprised to find him there. She acted like a child being caught and ceased all motions. “Hmm…omelet. But it was harder than I thought.” He looked around and saw eggshells behind her. He sighed and helped her clean up. “You could have waited for me to come back and make breakfast.” “No, I just wanted to make you breakfast….” “I thought you couldn’t cook.” “Yes, that is true, but I want to try to make some for you. You said you would teach me, no? Then teach me.” She smiled at him gleefully. Yesterday, after the bar, after he agreed to give her a chance, she asked him out for dinner. The girl was still tipsy and laughed and smiled all evening. She nev
The Secret Island CHAPTER 20: A Date
Martin was always proud of himself for being a master of all situations. But today was not the day. “Martin, hold my hand! You can’t just let me hold your hand, and you are reacting or doing anything.” “Hmm, yes, sure.” He tightened his grip. Her hand was in his, soft and delicate, and he didn’t know if he had done anything wrong. This was just handholding. He was not in kindergarten. There was no need to be this innocent about something so small. His behaviors were strange to even himself. He wasn’t this clumsy if it was someone else. Although he hadn’t gone on any date for a while, once he was on one, he was sure not this awkward. He was quite angry with himself for not being in control. He didn’t need to spend much brain power to contemplate for any reason for long—it was clear that she was the first that declared her intention and feeling so deliberately. Her stance on our relationship was so deliberate that he felt guilty. He felt guil
The Secret Island CHAPTER 21: A Kiss
They were holding hands during the walk home. Martin took a casual stroll and even asked Celine to appreciate the view a bit more. He had never been this observant of nature for its beauty before. But the moon was full, the sky full of stars, and all of the heavens reflected in the ocean surface. He wanted her to see all of it. Not much was said during this stroll home. No words were necessary, he felt her warm body beside him, and that was enough. Once they reached home and Martin closed the door, he couldn’t help himself but ask, “So you are rushing to bed so early?” For some reason, the thought of her being feisty and retorting with her quip during dinner was still on his mind. He didn’t want to be the man who was lost in a conversation, especially with her. It might be his pride, it might be his ego, but he didn’t want to be a timid man on a date. “Yes? You know this is usually the time I go to bed. It’s late.” She seemed confused about his chan
The Secret Island CHAPTER 22: The Therapist
At a clinic for psychological therapy. Five months ago. “Good morning, Martin. Nice to meet you. I have read your file. So, since this is the first session and our first-time doing therapy together, I need to inform you that there is nothing to worry about. I want you to tell me more about what you are feeling, just like you are talking to a friend or writing a diary. Everything you said here is completely confidential.” A female counselor sitting at an upholstered chair in front of him began the conversation. This was not new to him, coming to see a therapist. In fact, she was the first person he talked to in a while.She looked relaxed and slightly moved her glasses as she waited for his reply. Martin didn’t look at her. He was busy reading the many diplomas behind the counselor. She was a professional therapist, alright. He didn’t doubt her expertise. But he doubted his own sanity. He never knew anyone that sought out helps from therapists, at least to his knowledge. Maybe
The Secret Island CHAPTER 23: Good Morning
After last night's date, Martin woke up feeling refreshed, like he hadn’t felt in a long time. Last night was the first night Martin didn’t have a nightmare. He remembered he even had a good dream; what a strange blessing.For many months, even if there was nothing under his control, but at least for now, for just this short moment, Martin didn't care about anything else. How could he think of anything else when her soft kiss on his lips still occupies his every thought?While humming and tying his shoes before heading out for a morning run, the door to Celine’s bedroom opened, and he was surprised to see a sleepy Celine woke up unusually early. Normally, it would be at least another two hours until she wakes up.“Martin…” Her eyes opened wide. She must have been flabbergasted by meeting his eyes the instant she opened the door.“Good morning. You woke up early today. Are you interested in going for a run with me?” He gave her a broad smile, but she only looked at her hands.
The Secret Island CHAPTER 24: Bang, Bang.
Celine must be confused to open the door to see him sitting in silence and stressed out alone. After hanging up the phone, he tried to read a book to relieve stress, but nothing made him feel better. “Martin…” She called out softly, and Martin looked up at the young woman who was like a light in a dark tunnel to him. In his dark world, that was what she was…hope. He hoped to be happy like everyone else. Martin forced a smile at her. His brain ordered out a smile, but his mind was too fatigued to follow through. “I only went into the bedroom for a short while. Has anything happened while I was gone?” She asked with genuine concern, but he felt too miserable to reply. Celine walked slowly towards him and hugged him. “No, please don’t do this. Is there anything I can do for you at all?” She hugged him and gently patted his back to comfort him. Martin hugged her back. He buried his face against her thin shoulder and whispered softly.“Just
The Secret Island CHAPTER 25: The Deal
Summer love refers to love that occurs in a short time during a vacation or holiday. It has meaning for memories. But in the end, it will eventually be over. Celine wasn’t sure whether she was experiencing some sort of summer love syndrome; she was fascinated with the tenderness of Martin’s kiss and the warmth of his embrace. Everything that happened was challenging to understand. He didn’t tell her much about the incident unless he had recurring nightmares from it. No elaboration was offered, and he wasn’t on the stage that could tell her more. She didn’t know what to ask out of respect for his privacy. Being a stubborn person, she insisted on staying with him, staying close to him. She loved being near him, at least until our time together was over. She vowed not to care about his past if he didn’t feel comfortable sharing. And no matter how curious she was, she would keep all the questions to herself.Yesterday, she knew a little more about him. Even if i
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The Secret Island CHAPTER 96: Any Worry?
“Celine, why are you so quiet tonight? Talk to me, will you?” Martin spoke out, breaking the silence. They were back to his room after dinner with her friends. And she couldn’t find words to say anything. She could only sneak a peak at him. Instead of saying anything, she walked to hug him. “What is this all about?” He chuckled and hugged her back. She decided to sleep over at his place tonight. Soon, he will move to a condo she helped him choose, a new property he will buy. It took a while for the deal to go through. Martin wasn’t the bossy one. To Celine, when it came to big purchases, he seemed to be too casual about it. She saw through the deals and negotiated the price for him. It was also not a coincidence that the condo that Martin bought was precisely in the design and style that Celine loved. “I just do what I want to do.” She replied, referring to her hold on him. She wouldn’t let go so easily. Martin chuckled at her strange action and kissed her f
The Secret Island CHAPTER 95: Her Friends
When Celine and Martin sat at the table with Celine’s friends surrounding them, she knew the source of her nervousness. The CEO sat still and observed the conversation exchanged between Martin and her friends. Her friends shot him question after question, but Martin was no longer a man of few words. He smiled and put on all his charms. He got to know her friend one by one. There was Jessica, a hotel heiress, that Martin expertly discussed the business of the F&B industry with. Kimberly, an up-and-coming model, with whom Martin got into an intense debate over the trend of fast fashion ethics. And then there was Marie, a real estate heiress and socialite that seemed to like Martin a bit too much. She just kept looking at him when he told her what he knew about the real estate market. Before coming here, her friends teased her that they would question him to the point that he might run away or be afraid to have dinner with Celine’s friend group again. That didn’t see
The Secret Island CHAPTER 94: The Recovery
Celine had worked with countless executives and talented individuals, and she found out that after working with different types of people, there were people who were considered great workers because they knew how to work smart. Another type is people who are naturally gifted, and then there is Martin. He deserves his own category. Celine knew prior to deciding to partner with him that he was a capable man in every sense of the word. But after one month from the day that he agreed to sign the contract with her, everything happened so fast. Everything that Martin did exceed her expectation. Since that day, he asked to spend two weeks traveling to her factories, met her designers, and called in a marketing consultant. He even flew to Paris and then Japan and also Dubai to meet up with retailers and suppliers. He studied the market and came up with a plan for business expansion as well as product ideas that would fit different markets. He reviewed all of the company’s
The Secret Island CHAPTER 93: The Business Partner
“Oh, c’mon, we have taken our relationship to this point. We shouldn’t have anything to hide from each other. Just tell me, Martin.” Celine stared at the man in front of her. He was visibly nervous and clearly in search of the right words. But there was no right word. She knew he might not tell her anything at all. “Martin, please. I deserve to know.” Her voice was soft. She didn’t force him. She was just pleading for the truth. Martin hesitated. But in the end, he relented. “I…I am afraid I will mess it all up.” He confessed. And she frowned. “Messing, what up?” “Everything. Everything here…” He looked around the room. Martin was worried and refused to look at her. “What do you mean? Like messing up the business? You will singlehandedly bankrupt me? Is that something on your mind?” Celine tried to elaborate. She wanted to say that that was utter nonsense but reserved her words. “Yes, exactly that. This is your dream. This
The Secret Island CHAPTER 92: The Interview
Martin was looking at the white wall and the decorations inside his ‘interview room’ for today. He smiled at what he saw. How could he not like the room when it was he who designed it on a piece of paper and handed it to her that day on the island? The idea materialized into reality because of Celine. He thought of his life as he waited for Celine to finish her online meeting. He didn’t know what his life would become without her. She had always been caring and prioritized his issues as if they were her own. He really didn’t know what he would become without her. Even though this aspect of his life he thought would never overlap with her, his career, she still offered to help him with it.He gave her an answer yesterday. And today, Martin intended to do the same.He had every intention of denying her generous offer.Yes… yesterday, he denied her offer. But Celine being as stubborn as she was, asked him to at least go through an interview, to really talk through the details and let h
The Secret Island CHAPTER 91: Our Collective Dreams
“Do you think Celine would know if we are spying on them?” Celine’s parents were lurking in the corner of the room, observing their daughter and her boyfriend from a distance. From this angle, it perfectly gave them a clear view of the couple. It was also a rare occasion for Celine to be in the kitchen at all. They knew that she was a terrible cook. No matter how many compliments they had given to her burnt toast in the past, they knew in their heart that her being in the kitchen was also a risk of a fire that could break out at any time. “I think she knows, but she doesn’t care. You know how she is. She does whatever she wants.” Celine’s father, who pretended to read the news on his tablet in case his daughter looked his way, said. He knew Celine well. She never cares much about others’ opinions if she sets her mind on something. It didn’t take long for their small chitchat and spying that Celine’s mother yelped in excitement after seeing someth
The Secret Island Chapter 90: Cooking Session
After Martin stood still for a while and let Celine hug him, she let go of him and helped out with other jobs of this cooking task. Martin was quite dumbfounded when it came to the matter of cooking. He hadn’t cooked good food for himself for years, so it was not surprising that it took him longer than expected to prepare the ingredients. He did look up the recipe on the internet and tried to go slow. But he completely lost his confidence when it came to performing a task that produced an outcome. He felt totally out of place and even felt weird holding the pot and pan, and utensils. Celine was always by his side and helped him. She was no great chef, and she admitted it, but Celine still enjoyed the process, definitely a lot more than he did. The pasta was something Martin thought was the easiest menu to make, but even so, he overcooked the pasta, boiling it too long that it became too soft. He just could not time it right. We had to redo the whole thing again. It was strang
The Secret Island Chapter 89: Casual Supper
Celine came back to Martin’s place around 7 PM. Once she arrived, the first thing she asked of him was for him to shower and dress well because she was taking him outside. She told him that she wanted to take him somewhere. She didn’t tell him where no matter how many times he asked. Celine smiled at him tiredly. She must have a lot of work and responsibility to handle. He felt guilty for making her worried this morning, and the whole incident took some time out of her days. He really wanted her to rest a bit more. Once Martin got in the car, he saw several bags in the backseat. He was a bit curious about its content but thought to pass it. His curiosity didn’t matter. He kept quiet and asked about other things. “How’s your day? A lot of work to handle? Are you tired?” He turned to see that the woman in the driver's seat was smiling in answer. “Seeing you are looking so contented today, I am not the least bit tired,” Celine answered him. That smile
The Secret Island CHAPTER 88: Because You Are, I Am
Martin was on the balcony of his condo and staring into the bright blue sky that was considered rare for London. Once he got a chance to confess what happened and explain everything that he faced in life, he felt as if the grey clouds that surrounded him were disappearing.Celine told him she wanted to spend time with him all day, but her business was expanding, and she had meeting after meeting and not to mention the documents she had to review. Even though he wanted her to stay with him all day, he was the one that asked her to go to work as initially planned. He had no business disturbing her work schedule. Celine was an executive and had responsibilities to take care of. She had no time for this. Martin was still confused over what had just happened. His brain returned to the event that took place earlier this morning. His hand kept massaging his temple and his eyes fixated on the vast blue sky.Martin abruptly ceased all movement when he finally realized that he had told Celin
