“LOOKS like you can’t erase that smile on your face.”
Astrid didn’t seem to realize that she has been smiling ever since they arrived at the resort hotel that afternoon. Martha sat next to her and placed her glass of orange juice on the table. It was almost sunset and they were ready to go around the island.
“So, do you want to tell me about it?”
“Tell you about what?” Astrid adjusted the knot of her sarong around her waist and put on her sunglasses.
“That smile. What’s behind that smile?”
She just took a sip from her orange juice and smiled. What’s behind her smile? The truth is, Martha didn’t even have to ask that because she knew that her friend already knew the answer to that question.
Martha just shook her head. “Oh well, if you don’t want to tell the story, then don’t.” Her friend gave her a sullen glance and bot
“WOW.”That was the first word that came out of Astrid’s mouth when they reached their table at the beach.Bonfire dinner.There were less than five tables around the large fire pit, with chairs and a guitar nearby. Their spot was perfect for the sunset.“Isn’t it amazing?”She nodded as she looked around. The effect from the fairy lights hanging from the tree as well as those that decorated the tables was amazing. It was enchanting that she just had to take a photograph of everything.“Of course, it’s Valentine’s Day! It’s our Valentine’s Day, my dear friend!”She couldn’t help but hug Martha. With so many problems in her life, Martha was always there for her and because of her, she was able to forget her worries even for just a while.“Thank you for this, Martha. You really know what makes me happy.”“Of cou
FROM where he’s sitting, he could see Astrid talking to a man. He has seen him a couple of times at the coffee shop and he’s quite sure that whatever he’s whispering to her was funny because her laughter was heard all over the room. He was taller than him and in just one glance, he’s certain that the man came from a well-off family. He didn’t have to ask his name and what’s his role in Astrid’s life because every time he comes at the coffee shop, he talks to nobody else but Astrid.He’s just a few feet away from them and he knew that Astrid was aware that he’s just there, watching. He could see how sweet her smiles were for the guy and he could hear her infectious laugh.Damn, she’s doing it in purpose, he thought. Just a couple of months ago, they had shared the best Valentine’s dinner together and now, it’s as if she didn’t want to give him the time of day.He
“SEE? You are jealous.” Bullet laughed. He could clearly see the redness on her face and she looked as if she’s ready to slap him in the face. “I know that feeling because I feel the same way, Astrid. I want to work all day and all night, exhaust myself just to avoid thinking about you, about where you are and what you are doing...Sometimes I just want to die rather than think about you being with someone else, you know. Hell, I can’t imagine someone else is hugging you and kissing you -““Please Bullet, leave. And don’t come here anymore. You’ve gotten yourself a pretty little girlfriend anyway so please, leave me alone.”“Tatianna is just a friend and that’s all. Honest.” He cupped her face and tried to look into her eyes. “We used to go out and that’s that. The kiss that you saw was nothing. It was just a spur of the moment thing. It meant nothing, Astrid.&rdqu
BULLET didn’t give her any chance to react. Without thinking, he kissed her. He was ready to accept her anger because of the audacity he did but it was the other way around as he immediately felt her respond to his kiss.“I missed kissing you like this,” he murmured against her ear. He left out a soft moan when he inhaled her sweet scent.“This is breaking all the rules, Bullet...”“Fuck the rules. I’ve been going crazy thinking about you...about kissing you...” He shoved Astrid against the wall and placed his hands on the wall, imprisoning her. He kissed her again on the lips, just like the hot kisses they used to share. He has been imagining this scene many times over and now that it’s really happening, he felt as if he’s going out of his head. Bullet felt Astrid’s longing. Her every breath was deep, her every moan, pleasing to his ears. He felt her hand gripped his hair, someth
ASTRID gently wiped her tears when she heard the door slowly opened. She calmed herself and stood up to meet him.“Hi, sweetheart,” he greeted softly after kissing her cheek. He handed her his suitcase, as well as his coat and tie. “I’m sorry, I’m late. There was an emergency meeting at the hospital and I couldn’t leave.”She just responded with a smile, something she always does whenever he forgets his promise. Just like that night. It’s almost one in the morning and she’s been waiting for him for almost six hours.It was supposed to be their 4th wedding anniversary. She took the day off just to prepare for that special night. She even made an effort to cook his favorite dishes because she wanted to make everything special for him, as always.But just as the same, he forgets.“Why are you still awake? It’s already late.”“I’m actually waitin
AFTER a quick dinner meeting with a new client, Bullet went straight to his favorite acoustic bar along Session Road. It was eight in the evening and that night was colder than the usual because of the slight drizzle all day. Christmas vacation has just began and he had a hard time finding a spot because the place was packed with natives and tourists alike. Good thing that the bartender knew him enough to help him get a vacant seat not far from the bar.It has been a tough and crazy week for him. He had to go from one place to another for business deals and meetings and he was just so relieved that finally, he could take a break from it all even for just one night. Bullet scanned the place while drinking his favorite beer and while people watching, he couldn’t help but remember the very first time she met Astrid at that very same bar.It has been years since they last saw each other. He wanted to fight for his feelings for her but he knew that it
“AREN’T you gonna answer that?”Astrid smiled and at last got her phone from the table which has been ringing nonstop. But instead of answering the call, she shove it inside her shoulder bag. Her eyes crinkled and a smile played on her lips as she gazed at him.In the passed years that she hasn’t seen him, nothing has really changed in him, apart from his new hairstyle. He’s now donning a clean-cut style, which just highlighted his chiseled jaw. He took off his jacket, which she wished he didn’t because his blue shirt just revealed his toned body. So she just focused her attention to the falling rain outside the window pane because to stare at him was the last thing she'd be doing at the moment.The coffee shop was located on the ground floor of a small inn. It was cozy, with a lot of wood and native decor. She’s been around Baguio a number of times but it was her first time to visit the place and if it
“SO, girlfriend?”“No girlfriend.” It took him a while to answer. They’re still at the coffee shop, sitting in front of each other, with empty coffee cups on the table.“Since today?” Astrid folded her hands under her chin and stared at him as if studying him carefully.“Since two years ago.”“Why do I feel like you’re not telling the truth?”“Fine,” he smiled. “I dated a few. Just dating, that’s all.”“Why?”“Actually, I’m not sure. Maybe no time?” Bullet shrugged his shoulder. “No interest.”“Wow, ‘the’ Samuel Blake Ortega, no time and no interest for girls? That’s something.”“I’ve matured,” he joked, smiling. How could he tell her that she’s the sole reason why he doesn’t have time and interest in da