Direct Me, Rhein (Epistolary)

57

Narration

Ellie throws her phone on her bed and buries her head in the pillow she's hugging after rejecting Rhein's invitation. She screams, punches, and kicks the bed in frustration and disappointment with herself. She wanted to accept his invitation but she didn't want to be seen as an easy woman.

She gets up and decides to go outside after her tantrum. She needs a breather.

She sighs. What would she do at this hour? She finds herself walking towards their garden pond, where her ducks live. This was her favorite spot in their house because it was specifically made for her.

But instead of her favorite ducks, she was greeted by the back of a man gazing at the moon's reflection in the pond.

"Y-you w-what... Anong ginagawa mo rito?" Ellie exclaimed, surprised.

"Seanna," Rhein called out in surprise as he turned around to see who's talking. He stuttered, "I just... si Eisha." It surprised him to see his Seanna at this late hour. But why was he flustered? Isn't this Ellie's place? So seeing her here is natural. "Hinatid ko si Eisha," he said immediately, gathering his senses.

Ellie simply shrugs and smiles in her head. Isn't this great? There will be no paparazzi in the area, they will not be featured in the entertainment news this time, and she will be able to freely converse with Rhein.

Ellie asked casually, "Akala ko busy ka, tito Rhein?"

Truthfully, the reason he volunteered to bring Eisha here is because he wanted to see his Seanna. He wanted to be certain that whatever he felt was what he thought. And looking at her, he realizes what he truly feels. It's love.

The way the moonlight reflected off her skin made her glow brighter than anyone he'd ever met. When did he fall in love with her? Was this the time when his Seanna used to pay him a visit on the set? Or when they lost contact and he longs for the days when Ellie pestered him? Or was it when they were both involved in a dating scandal that he wanted to keep her hidden from the public eye? He had no idea.

She wasn't his type at all. But when exactly did he start paying attention to her?

"I was never busy for you," he said quietly.

Ellie didn't hear him and asked him what he had just said. Rhein, on the other hand, did not respond and simply smiled.

"Since nandito ka naman, come here," Ellie said excitedly, changing the topic. The flustered girl he had seen earlier had vanished. "I'll show you my ducks," she said, only to realize there wasn't enough light for them to see her ducks.

"Wait! Tatawagin ko si kambal para ma-open 'yung mga ilaw dito," she said, dialing Sean's number.

She excitedly showcased her ducks when the lights were fully turned on. She introduced everyone to Rhein, who is listening intently. He was staring at her while she was telling him the names of her ducks.

"How do you know who's who?" Rhein asked in amusement.

"I just know! Because I'm their second mami!"

Rhein smiled lovingly. So, this is why Eisha advised him to visit the garden pond.