Chapter 15

'So, you're saying your mother is a Filipina as well?" he asked after we exchanged some basic information about ourselves. 'Yes, she is," I replied. 'Wow! We do have things in common. I love coffee too, and now we have the same enemy that comes from the name of—" he paused. I didn't think he could talk sensibly at all. He looked rude when I saw him in Felicity's office that same day, and he seemed like he would kick anyone who tried blocking his way. He sighed, and after leaning his back into the chair, he stared right into my face with awe in his eyes. 'You know what, I still can't believe I'm going to meet you here in the Philippines, Elyana." He had said this several times already that night. 'Well, me too. With this big world, who would have thought the one who often competes with my ex-husband would be the one I will date tonight?" I paused and slightly grinned before I continued, 'Another thing I didn't expect is that you're a sane person even though you gave Felicity a headache this morning. You don't know how much you pissed him off." He suddenly chuckled. Some customers turned heads because he was too loud, but the way he laughed was something sexy. Could be the reason why they were looking. 'I'm not sure if that's a compliment or what." His remark after 'Well, it's more of a compliment and a bit of—sarcasm?" I retorted while smiling mischievously at him. 'I like how you answer," he replied with glee. The smile on my lips disappeared. Remembering what I came for there made me pause for a few seconds. It wasn't in my plan for the man in front of me to seem to enjoy my company so much. In the files, I had read about him. He had been with countless women, and tons of flings, but in the few minutes we had been talking, I didn't see him even once looking at me with lust or something that would bother me. Although there were times he tried to add some naughtiness, Just like this… 'Good. You know how to ride, huh," I uttered. I'm trying to praise him a little. 'I do know how to ride," he replied with a wink. I knew that had a double meaning for him. I do know how men's brains work. 'I'll jot that down," I just said. not on the list of things that are impressive about him. The night was still long. We continued our conversation. As time went on, it became awkward. Some things are off-topic, but I didn't want to make it look obvious that I was getting bored already. We decided to leave the restaurant after almost two hours. He took me for a walk to a public park not far from the restaurant. A few people were hanging around, and some were about to leave when we came. 'By the way, why did you seem annoyed this morning?" I started opening up another topic. Aside from that, I was curious about what was behind it. We found a vacant concrete bench, and before he let me sit, he took out a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe the bench. I frankly didn't expect that. 'Thank you!" That was so sweet of him. He sat next to me. He didn't wipe the spot where he sat at all. He returned the hankie inside his pocket after folding it on the other side to hide the dirt and moisture from the fog. I waited for his answer, but because there was none yet, I just looked around. I saw children in the mini playground giggling while they slid. Parents were following them to make sure they were safe as they played. Their laughter was like music to the ears. Our clothes were not suited to the place. 'I fought with my dad last night." Finally, he started talking. I turned my head to face him, but he was looking away. 'He said he's getting tired of understanding me, so I should get married soon. He also told me I was giving him so much stress, and it would be convenient for him if I got married because he would quit nagging me. Someone else would stand in his place in exchange," he explained. I laughed. 'S-sorry... " I apologized for doing so. I just couldn't help it. 'I know it's funny," he replied, and he cracked up with me. 'You're so stubborn, that's why he said that." 'I'm not! He's just too old and expecting me to settle down while he's still around. You know the elderly, they also dream of taking care of their grandchildren, to spoil them. My father is a sentimental and loving person, he likes kids, but he hides it by being strict and just shouts even when he's worried!" 'That's sweet." 'Yeah, but he's given me so much pressure these past few days." 'I understand. I'm also an only child, and both my parents are getting old now. Why does it seem like the issue here is always grandchildren for our in-laws and parents?" 'Yes…n–no! You too? No, he's just a fool for hurting you—" 'Let's leave that topic. It's just irritating." I stopped him in an instant before the topic went back to my ex-husband again. 'I heard you're a playboy, so how come until now you're still single?" I asked, just to change the topic. 'You already mentioned that I'm known as a playboy, and because of that, girls just approach me to play." My eyebrows met suddenly with the kind of answer he gave me. 'And none of them ever took you seriously?" I emphasized every word because that was unbelievable. He thought for a while before answering my question. I immediately had this kind of idea that maybe because there were so many women who got involved with him, he couldn't remember who they were or if there was anyone among those girls who gave him a real kind of relationship. 'There was one," he replied. I didn't expect that at all. I was thinking none—zero. 'So, what happened?" 'I stopped seeing her. That time I wasn't ready to commit. I was young, she was younger. I was naive, hungry for freedom, and searching for something extreme and fun." With the way he was looking away, it seemed he was reminiscing about old times. 'Do you know where she is now?" 'No, after we broke up, I heard from someone close to her that they already went to her mother's province, and that was the only thing she gave me. No other information, no address, or what reason there was. I thought maybe that was the best because I couldn't also face her every day on the campus after what I did." He talked more about the girl. For a few minutes, she was our topic. Unexpectedly, he still remembered a lot about her. He said he forgot about her name but not her face—not yet. We also talked about our dreams. We realized we wanted different things in life. Because I just want silence and a more relaxing lifestyle and environment. I was planning to buy a farm somewhere and stay there by that time. As for him, what he wanted was to stay in the city, in a noisy place, and still enjoy parties with his future partner. My brain and heart just want peace and healing, and speaking of peace, I still need to face Felix and apologize for my harshness. I just hope I won't forget. 'Being someone who just got out of a failed marriage, what advice can you give me, Elyana?" 'You know, the only thing I can give as advice is, always take time. Getting to know each other completely is the first step. Every emotion and body language each of you shows. Not only each other but also both families. Even if you say that it will be excluded because you would move into a separate house with your wife, both sides of your family will and will still interfere in all your decisions in life…" 'No matter what age you are, there are others who are just there to support you, but there are others who want to manipulate everyone. Make every day special. Women appreciate small things more than materialistic and expensive things. Time with each other is more important. Don't make your partner feel alone," I continued. 'One more thing, be patient on waiting. I trust Felicity's ability when it comes to matching people, so don't put pressure on him. I'm dating you now because she hasn't found anyone who matches you yet. He thought I would, even if not 100%, but I'm not into these things anymore. I'm just doing her a favor," I added. He smiled from ear to ear. 'Don't worry, I won't bother him. Not again just like this morning. I'll try to be patient enough, but—I'll be turning 40 soon, and my dad is using that as a reason to pressure me every time I have cells in my body." 'They say life starts at 40, who knows, maybe when you turn 40 she suddenly comes!" 'Your words are giving me a high amount of hope in this lonely life of mine. I'm glad I got to meet you. Even if this could be the last time we get to see each other, I want to take this opportunity to ask if we could be friends at least." I laughed secretly. That was my first plan. I won't be showing up after that night, but with the good conversation we had, I couldn't see any problems with staying friends with him. We exchanged numbers. I already called my driver to come pick me up, and while we were waiting, we took another walk, and when my driver arrived, I asked for a favor. 'Sure! I want to see the look on his face too once I told him I met you and dated you," he said. 'Thank you!" I smiled sweetly before turning around, and before getting into the car, I looked at him once again to wave goodbye. On our way home, I immediately took out my cellular phone. I need to update somebody about the date through text. I waited for a reply, but when we got to the mansion, I still didn't get one. I even tried calling Felicity's number because I was a little worried about him, but the number was out of the coverage area. 'Did something happen?" I asked while looking at the cellphone screen and hearing the loud beep tone from it. I typed another message, just telling him to call me as soon as possible because I had a lot to say to him. I tried calming myself down by whispering over and over again that maybe his phone was just shut down, maybe because there was no signal from where he was at that time. Hoping he was okay and nothing bad happened to him.