Love Deferred

chapter 27: hide and seek

After a month of continuous gestures and messages through flowers and meals, Andrei found himself longing to see Faith in person. Despite the uncertainty and mixed signals, he felt compelled to take a bold step. He decided to fly to the United States to finally meet with Fides, hoping to speak with her face-to-face and perhaps find a way to bridge the gap between them.

However, fate seemed to have a different plan. Just as Andrei arrived in the United States, he learned that Faith had flown back to the Philippines. The news was a blow to his hopes, leaving him feeling a mixture of disappointment and frustration. He had taken a leap of faith, only to miss the opportunity to see her.

Andrei stood at the airport, contemplating his next move. He knew he couldn't force Faith to meet him or change her plans, but he also couldn't ignore the determination that had brought him there. He decided to reach out to Faith, sending her a message to express his regret and his desire to talk whenever she returned.

 I've just arrived in the States, hoping to see you. I've heard you've gone back to the Philippines. I understand if now isn't the right time, but when you're ready, I'd like to talk. Take care." - Andrei

As he sent the message, Andrei felt a sense of helplessness. He realized that despite his efforts and intentions, some things were beyond his control. He could only hope that Faith would understand his sincerity and be open to reconnecting when the time was right.

Andrei's return to the Philippines was marked by a deep sense of disappointment. He couldn't shake the feeling that fate was playing a cruel game of hide and seek with him and Faith. As he settled back into his routine, the absence of Faith weighed heavily on his mind.

Days turned into weeks, and Andrei continued to send daily gestures of flowers and meals to Faith in the Philippines, maintaining the routine he had established. Yet, with each passing day without a response from Faith, his frustration grew.

One evening, as Andrei sat alone in his apartment, he couldn't help but vocalize his feelings. "Is this a game of hide and seek?" he muttered to himself, the words heavy with longing and uncertainty. He stared at his phone, hoping for a message that would bring clarity to the situation.

Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Andrei, Faith had returned to the United States. She, too, found herself caught in a whirlwind of emotions. Despite the distance, Andrei's gestures continued to reach her, a constant reminder of his presence in her life. She appreciated his efforts but remained hesitant to fully embrace the idea of reconciliation.

Faith spent her days focusing on her work and commitments, trying to make sense of her feelings. She knew she needed to address the situation with Andrei, but she also needed time to process everything that had transpired between them.

Faith found herself immersed in the fast-paced world of modeling and business once again. Her days were filled with photoshoots, meetings with clients, and managing her various commitments. Despite her hectic schedule, she couldn't help but think about Andrei and the persistent gestures he continued to send her way.

Each morning at her working studio, Faith would find a fresh bouquet of flowers waiting for her, accompanied by a thoughtful note signed simply as "D". The gestures, while appreciated, also stirred up a mix of emotions within her. She admired Andrei's persistence and the effort he put into showing his care, yet she remained guarded, unsure of how to proceed.

During lunch breaks, she would receive gourmet meals from Foxtrot Restaurant, a reminder of Andrei's thoughtfulness and his desire to ensure she was well taken care of. In the evenings, upon returning to her condominium, another bouquet and a meal from Cloche Restaurant would await her, each accompanied by a message of goodwill and care from "D".

Despite her reservations, Faith couldn't deny the impact these gestures had on her. They were a constant presence in her life, a reminder of Andrei's sincerity and his desire to make amends. Yet, she struggled with the weight of their past and the uncertainty of their future.

Andrei, on the other hand, found solace in continuing these gestures. Despite his busy schedule and the demands of his own work, he made it a point to personally select the flowers and arrange for the daily deliveries to Faith. Each message he wrote was carefully crafted, expressing his hope for reconciliation and his unwavering love for her.

As he went about his day, Andrei found himself longing for a response from Faith. He understood her need for space and time, but he couldn't help but hope that each gesture would bring them closer together. He believed in the power of persistence and was determined to show Faith that he was willing to do whatever it took to earn her trust again.

Weeks turned into months, and the routine of flowers and meals continued. Andrei's messages became a source of comfort and reassurance for Faith, even as she navigated her own emotions and uncertainties. She appreciated his efforts and the consistency he brought into her life, yet she remained cautious, unsure of whether she was ready to let go of the past and embrace a future with Andrei.

One evening, as Faith returned home after a particularly exhausting day, she found herself lingering over the bouquet and meal from Cloche Restaurant. The note from "D" read:

"Good evening,. I hope your day was manageable. Take some time for yourself tonight." - D

She stared at the message for a long moment, the words sinking in. 

Faith read Andrei's response with a mixture of emotions—relief that he was open to meeting and apprehension about what the conversation might bring. As she composed her reply, she decided to address the underlying uncertainty about the gestures she had been receiving: I have to ask—are you the one sending me flowers and meals every day, Drei?"

She sent the message, feeling the need to clarify this before they proceeded any further. It was important to her to understand the intentions behind these gestures and to ensure that they were on the same page moving forward.

Andrei received Faith's message and paused for a moment. He knew this question would come eventually. Taking a deep breath, he responded honestly:

"Yes, it's me sending the flowers and meals. I wanted to show you that I care and that I'm here, even from a distance. I hope it didn't make you uncomfortable."

He waited anxiously for her response, hoping that his sincerity would shine through and that it would pave the way for a productive conversation when they finally met.

Faith read Andrei's response, her mind swirling with a mix of emotions. His honesty touched her, yet she couldn't deny the complexity of her feelings. She appreciated his efforts and sincerity, but a part of her still struggled with the past hurts and uncertainties.

Taking a moment to gather her thoughts, Faith replied:

"Tthank you for being honest. Your gestures have been thoughtful, and I appreciate the care you've shown. I've been hesitant because of everything that happened between us. Let's meet and talk. I think we both deserve clarity."

Sending the message brought a sense of relief. She knew that meeting with Andrei would provide an opportunity to address their history and determine if there was a path forward for them.

Andrei received Faith's reply with a mixture of hope and nervous anticipation. He was grateful that she was willing to meet and talk, recognizing it as a significant step toward potential reconciliation. He responded promptly:

"Let me call you again Fides, please.... thank you for understanding. I agree that we need clarity. When and where would you like to meet? I'm flexible and ready whenever you are."

He hoped that their meeting would bring them closer together and provide a chance to heal the wounds of the past. Andrei waited anxiously for Fides's response, eager to finally have the conversation they both needed.

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