That Summer In Brooklyn

Chapter 25

25: Stay With Me

Max

MORNINGS with Bea is in between normal and weird ones but still the best. I cannot trade this for anything that the world can give to me. I want more of this, but we only have less than a month to spend together, and we choose to do it here in Los Angeles, the City of Angels. I covered my eyes when light coming from the window almost blinded me. Tumagilid ako paharap kung nasaan nakahiga si Bea pero wala na siya doon. All I hear is the sound of the shower coming from the comfort room.

She's awake, and it's too early.

Sunod kong sinipat ang oras at nakit na pasado alas otso palang ng umaga. Naalala ko na halos madaling araw na kami natulog dalawa kakanood ng bagong series sa Netflix. Pagkatapos namin mananghalian kahapon, nagpahinga lang kami at nag-umpisa na maglakad sa mga kalye ng Los Angeles. Walang kapaguran si Bea at mas nauna pa akong sumuko at mag-aya na umuwi dito sa Chateau Manmort. This is a long-term and short-term residence for celebrities, as well as a home New Yorkers like us here in Hollywood.

Sobrang namangha si Bea ng makakita ng artista na kasabay naming lumakad papasok kahapon dito. If I wasn't holding her hand when Ryan Gosling came in, she might be in jail for threatening a civilian. It's not that Bea is uncivilized, but sometimes her vast curiosity makes her unique and a little weird at the same time. She's smart, tattletale, and foxy, like I always say. Maybe one of these days, I will let her know these good things I see to boost her self-confidence. I firmly believe this girl of mine can be more, and I will be standing beside her as the man and the wind beneath her wings.

"Magandang Umaga, Nuno."

Nangunot ang noo ko ng marinig ang pagbati na iyon ni Bea pagkalabas sa banyo. I know the line and it comes from the series we both watched last night. Bea giggles and I just lightly slap my hands to my face. Dahan-dahan akong bumangon at binalot ang sarili ng kumot. The smell of her body soap lingers through my nose. Bea is not wearing anything but a bathrobe and a towel on her hair. I instructed her to come near me and she follows and had her sit on my lap.

"You and your jokes talaga..." Pumapalibot sa leeg ko ang dalawang kamay niya. My attention went to the gifts behind her. "The hotel has gifts for us, huh?"

Lumingon si Bea sa tinutukoy ko na mga regalo na may logo ng Chateau Marmont.

"Ah, oo! Ang aga-aga pinadugo nila ang ilong ko. Hindi sila marunong mag-english pero kahit naiinis ako nag-thank you pa din ako." Umalis siya sa kandungan ko at may kinuha doon sa ibabaw ng mga regalo. "May card pero spanish ang sulat." Binigay niya sa akin ang card saka muling naupo sa kandungan ko.

"¡Felicidades por su boda, Sr. y Sra. Lewis! Disfrute de su luna de miel aquí en Chateau Marmont." (Congratulations on your wedding, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis! Enjoy your honeymoon here at Chateau Marmont.)

I chuckled, which made Bea's forehead slightly creased.

"Anong sabi? Uso kaya mag-share, Max."

I continuously shake my head while laughing. I didn't notice that the hotel staff thinks we're newlyweds even if there's no ring on our fingers. Some teams recognized me because I always stay here whenever I have business deals in Los Angeles.

"They're congratulating us for our wedding."

"Ano?!" Bulalas ni Bea na nagpayuko sa akin. "Mukha ba tayong bagong kasal?" Inosente niyang tanong sa akin.

"Maybe? Yes? No? I don't know."

"Parang sira naman 'to."

I just hugged her tight and put my head on the crook of her neck.