Tears of the Paradise (Isla Filipinas Series #2)

Chapter 35

After my conversation with Achilles we parted ways. I went back to the event and I went to meet up with my friends. Si Ish and sumalubong sa akin.

"What did he say??" Pagtatanong nito habang naglalakad kami palapit kina Mika.

"He said sorry," Sagot ko habang lumilinga linga para hanapin sana si Vince dahil kanina lang ay kasama niya ito.

"Is he forgiven??" He asked again. I stopped and thought of what I said earlier.

"Not exactly, he did not directly ask for it." I shrugged. "Besides, not all conversations need to end on a positive or negative note. Some just needed to... end." I stopped talking when I saw Vince approaching us.

"Ayan na ang kanina mo pa hinahagilap," Bulong ni Ish bago ako bahagyang itinulak papunta kay Vince.

Tumango lang ako dito bago kami sabay na naglakad patungo sa kung saan. Kanina nakita ko na ang mga kaibigan ko pero nawala rin naman agad sila. Napausog kaming dalawa ni Vince kasabay ng ibang tao sa gilid nang tumugtog ang slow music at nag announce ang emcee.

"Can I have this dance, Architect??" Inilahad ni Vincent ang kaniyang kamay sa harap ko.

Kasabay nang paglapat ng mga kamay namin ay ang pagpapalit ng ilaw. The place suddenly became very comforting, it looked like what a school prom's dance floor would look like as the slow subtle music is playing in the background with people slow dancing.

Most of the people dancing are the young architects, engineers, employees and staff. The senior staff are just watching on the side with a smile on their faces while seeing the young ones enjoying a memorable time of their life.

"I met you a little late that's why I didn't get a chance to dance with you at any prom," Vince chuckled as he circled his arm on my waist as my left hand was on his shoulders, his left hand is there holding and caressing my right hand.

"I would have danced with my boyfriend back then," I rolled my eyes at him making him laugh more.

"Do you want to know something??" He asked as his eyes explored my face. "I miss you." He said, almost a whisper. Like he did not want anyone else to hear it, not because he didn't want people to know but because he wants to say it me and let only me hear it.

"Hmm... Yeah??" Iyon lang ang nasabi ko. I can't help but laugh a bit when he was still staring at me like he was amazed. "I want to fix things, Vince."

He looked confused but he did not say anything. I, too, did not say anything else. It was not in my plan to ruin a wholesome moment with this guy. I just wanted to feel his warmth. God, what is wrong with me.

"Kahit anong mangyari, Natalie. Mananatili ka dito." He pointed at his heart. He caught me off guard when he gave me a soft on the forehead.

The slow music finished and it was changed into classical elegant music again. We went back to our table where our friends were. Mika almost choked on her drink when she looked down on our hands that were still holding each other.

Bumitaw na ako at nagtungo sa aking upuan at ganoon din si Vince. Magkasabay ako na siniko ni Ish at Mika kaya ay hindi ko alam kung sino ang lilingunin ko pero alam ko na either way ay pangungutya lang ang matatanggap ko sa dalawang ito.

"Hmm..." Nagtaas baba ng kilay si Mika habang sumisimsim sa champagne niya at si Kai naman ay may makabuluhang tingin. "Nawa'y lahat." She raised her glass at nag cheers sila ni Kai.