Chasing Endless Sunsets

Chapter 23

Maddie invited me to their house after they moved in. She was so excited about it that even if they haven't done their house blessing yet, she already invited me. Sayang nga Clara wasn't here.

"Hi Kams!" Maddie waved at me when I was at the gate. She was standing by the double door entrance to their house.

"Mads!" I kissed her cheek.

"I'm so excited to show you around." She chuckled.

I laughed. "Mads, para namang hindi ko nakikita lagi 'tong bahay niyo ni Leon."

"Still!" She laughed a little.

"Hi Leon!" I greeted when we went inside. He was sitting on the couch.

"Our architect's here pala." He joked. "Hi Kayla!" He stood up and kissed me on the cheek.

After Leon proposed, he immediately asked for their house construction to begin. They wanted me to design their house so they even talked to the firm so that they could get me. Rush pa nga 'cause he wanted to move in right away after their wedding but that wasn't possible. The most he settled on is a few months after their wedding so we really had to double time. We had to hire more workers just to meet Leon's deadline.

"We really love the house, Kayla." Leon was sitting on the sofa. Maddie was beside him and she was leaning against his shoulder.

"Yeah, Kams! It's absolutely gorgeous! I love everything about it." Maddie smiled. "I love that it doesn't have that suffocating feeling. I love the high ceilings. And you really made sure the ambiance is cozy."

I smiled at them. "Of course! Anything for you guys."

Maddie and I were catching up in the living room while waiting for dinner. They insisted that I stay over and have dinner with them. I agreed since I didn't have any other plans. When we were on our way to the dining, Maddie turned her head to the door.

"Hi! I didn't know you guys were visiting too." Maddie greeted.

"We were in the area and Leon said we should drop by na." Ryver waved at her.

We had a quiet dinner and caught up. Their helper made really yummy food. We had buttered garlic shrimps, grilled squid, and baked salmon. I was so full by the end of our meal that I didn't have space anymore for dessert.

I excused myself and went to the garden to get some fresh air and walk off all the food we ate. I really loved the garden here in their house. The landscape person we hired really did a good job. The trees were a nice addition since it felt breezier.

I turned around when I heard footsteps.

"Hi," Xavi casually greeted and walked beside me.

"Hey," I responded.

"How are you?" he asked.

"I'm okay. Ikaw, how are you?"

"I'm alright." He nodded.

We walked around the garden in silence. I used to find silence with him weird because I was so used to us always blabbering to each other before. But these days, since we had seen each other again, I got used to the silence when we're together. It felt like the silence between us spoke volumes.

"Kayla," he uttered in a low voice.

I turned my head and looked up. "Hmmm?"

"I wish you'd stop blaming yourself for your past relationships. I hate that you had to go through that..." his fist was clenched. He stopped walking and looked at me. "You are an amazing girl. You have the most beautiful soul. You are gentle and very kind. And I really wish you could yourself in my eyes," he paused. He was staring into my eyes. "I love you, Kayla. I'm in love with you. I have always been in love with you."