Get You Back [Completed]

Chapter 17

This morning was peaceful. Aling Nena prepared a bountiful breakfast by the beach. Nandoon sila ngayon sa open patio sa beachfront kung saan masarap ang simoy ng hangin. Paulo was out building sand castles near the shore kung kaya't tinawag at sinundo pa ito ni Pavel.

Katerina was sitting on the table facing the shore. Nakahain na sa harapan nila ang masasarap na pagkain pang-almusal. Pavel and Paulo were walking towards her. But it was only Pavel that she could see.

Matapos ang nangyari sa kanila kagabi lamang, she couldn't shake the thought of doing it again with him. She felt like falling for his trap.

"Mama, I saw a starfish!" masayang balita ni Paulo sa kanya habang patakbong lumapit. 

"Talaga? Where?" sagot niya, matching the kid's enthusiasm.

"There," Paulo pointed somewhere in the sea. "It's blue, Mama!"

"Sit here, kiddo," Pavel said, while carefully steering his son to sit on a chair beside him while he sat beside Katerina.

"Bacon!" masayang wika ni Paulo ng makita ang nakahain. 

"Yes, your favorite," Katerina replied and started putting some bacon strips on his son's plate. 

Paulo started munching happily kung kaya't nabaling ngayon ang atensyon ni Katerina sa asawa. He wasn't eating at all. He was just staring at her.

"Do you want anything?" tanong niya rito, offering a bowl of fruits.

Umiling lamang ito. "I'm good. I had coffee already."

"Okay," she said, dropping the bowl of fruits.

"We'll be attending a birthday party," bigla na lamang anunsyo nito. 

"What birthday party?" she asked, serving herself some kiwi.

"Alyanna and Konstantin will be flying here in three days. It's Alyanna's birthday and she wants to celebrate it here. The whole Family's going to be here."

"Here? As in in the resort?"

Tumango si Pavel. "I've kept you hidden for long. And so far, only the Family will fly here so I wanted to show them this place. If that's okay with you. I haven't mentioned anything to them but I was thinking of offering the place as a venue."

"Yes!" masayang wika niya. "I've always wanted to talk to them and see them again. It's been so long. I mean, a weekend visit would be nice especially if it's to celebrate a good friend's birthday. And it's your place. Your allowed to invite whomever you want."

"Great," Pavel replied. "I'll confirm with Konstantin. Would you need anything for the party? A dress?"

She smiled at his thoughtfulness. "Yes, sure. One would be nice."

"And a make up artist?" he probed.

"Well, I don't really need one-"

"You'll probably do. Natasha's going to be there. She'd probably kill me if I didn't hire one for you." 

She just laughed and shrugged her shoulders. "Well, whatever you say."

She didn't know why but it has been three straight, boring months for her. But finally seeing Pavel here and living life with him again made everything... a little bit better.  What has she been worrying about in the first place?

****

"Looks like this place has healed you... and your relationship with Pavel." Natasha was lounging by the pool of the resort at sinamahan niya ito dahil matagal-tagal na rin nang huli silang nagkita. 

She was the one who helped Katerina during the time when she needed a friend the most.

Katerina sipped on her iced tea and smiled.  "Well, it's the beach. Who doesn't love the beach? I think even the most tormented souls get healed by water and sun."

"You're right," she admitted and smiled. "But it looks like love is in the air this time around. So what changed?"

Umiling lamang siya. "I don't know. The freedom? I've always felt restricted. I didn't want to go back to Italy and rejoin that... life. It's not for me. But Pavel made a way to compromise for the sake of our son. And I... appreciate him for that."

"That's a good start for romance."

"No, it's not like that," she tried to deny but the pinks in her cheek showed her real emotions. She has missed him during the time he was gone. And now that he's back, she never felt more alive.

"Katerina, sooner or later, you will have to decide. The man is obviously in love with you-"

"No, he isn't!"

"He was willing to marry you, for Christ's sake! I don't know any man who would want to get tied to a woman he doesn't want."

"He was doing it to legitimize our son."

"Keep telling yourself that!" Natasha said. "As far as I see it, it's more than that."

Just then, a maid interrupted their conversation. "Hi, Ms. Katerina, dumating na po ang designer at make up artist na pinadala ni Sir Pavel para sa inyo."

She nodded. "Okay, thanks. Pwede sila magsetup na sa suite na pina-reserve ko para sa kanila. I'll be there in a while."

Umalis na ang katulong at iniwan muli sila.

"What time will you get ready?" baling ni Katerina kay Natasha.

"Probably in a bit. You can go ahead. I'm still enjoying the sun. And Alyanna's party is not until 3PM anyway."

She nodded and stood up. "Okay, I'll see you later."

****

Katerina entered the suite where she had the designer and make up artist set up their equipment and display their available couture. She saw stunning gowns in different colors.

"Hi, Mrs. Pavel Dostoevsky-Sokolov," magiliw na bati ng make up artist nya na ngayon ay nagse-setup ng make up chair at tools nito. 

"Hi," Katerina greeted back, wanting to correct her na hindi pa siya asawa ni Pavel. But she was caught off guard to see a familiar face. "Hannah?"

Hannah smiled back at her. Ito rin ang nag-ayos ng make up niya during her supposed wedding with Pavel. Her ex might have really taken a liking to her. Ito na naman ang kinuha nitong make up artist para sa kanya.

"I'm glad you remembered me, Katerina," she smiled warmly. "I'll make you look so beautiful your husband will come take you away the moment he sees you," she promised.

"Oh, sorry. The wedding last time didn't push through," pagtatama niya rito at umupo na sa make up chair nito, facing a huge, lighted mirror. 

"Oh, sorry to hear about that. But why?"

"Oh, it's complicated. But we're here again for a different celebration."

Hannah just shrugged. "I hope to be your make up artist again if ever you plan to push through with the wedding."

"Sure," Katerina replied, non-committally.  

"But for today, I'll give your that radiant, fresh look. Are you OK to start with a freshening mist?" Hannah cared to ask.

"Yeah, sure! Let's start." Katerina smiled in front of the mirror as the mist was sprayed softly on her face. At first, it smelled like flowers... like a garden. And the next second, she felt sleepy all so suddenly. "Hannah, I feel a bit..."

Hannah was just silent beside her as she continued to spray all around her face and neck area.

"Hannah," Katerina softly called out to her... before losing consciousness.

****

A/N: Happy weekend, sizzies!!! Kamusta naman yarn? Ang bilis ng April no? May na bigla. Tapos sobrang init pa.  El nino is real. Stay hydrated, mga siz. <3 Comment below kung ano sa tingin nyo ang role ni Hannah sa story na to. WAHAHHAHAA