Inamorata's Ascent: The heir and the Pauper

CHAPTER 15

Day at the beach

Saoirse’s POV

The sun streamed through the windows of the café as i bustled about, taking orders and making sure everything ran smoothly. It was another busy day, and i was grateful for the distraction. Just as i was starting to feel the strain of the morning rush, Leon walked in, his presence immediately lifting my spirits.

“Hey, Saoirse,” he greeted with a warm smile, rolling up his sleeves. “Kailangan mo ng tulong?”

“Nako, oo,” I replied, smiling back. “Thanks for coming in.”

With Leon by my side, the work seemed lighter. We moved in sync, our familiarity with each other evident in our effortless coordination. By the time the afternoon lull arrived, we had everything under control.

As we wiped down the counters and prepared for the next wave of customers, Leon turned to me. “How about we take a break and go to the beach? We could both use some time to unwind.”

The idea of escaping the café and relaxing by the ocean was too tempting to resist. “Mukhang tamang oras nga ’to para mag unwind, sige, tara.”

We arrived at the beach just as the sun began to dip towards the horizon. The waves gently lapped at the shore, and a cool breeze ruffled our hair. We found a quiet spot to sit, the sound of the ocean providing a soothing backdrop.

Leon sighed, a heavy weight seeming to lift from his shoulders. “I needed this,” he admitted. “My parents have been putting so much pressure on me lately. They want me to take over all the responsibilities that were supposed to be my brother’s.”

I listened as he poured out his frustrations, the tension in his voice palpable. “They expect so much from me, and sometimes it feels like i can’t breathe. They won’t even consider looking for my brother anymore. It’s like they’ve just given up.”

Hearing the pain in his voice, my heart ached for him. Without thinking, i leaned in and wrapped my arms around him, offering what comfort i could give. It was the first time we had hugged, and the feeling was both unfamiliar and incredibly right.

Leon seemed taken aback for a moment, then relaxed into the embrace. “Thank you, Saoirse,” he whispered, his voice tinged with emotion. “I didn't realize how much I needed that.”

As we pulled apart slightly, his eyes met mine, and something shifted in the air between us. Before i could process what was happening, Leon leaned in and kissed me lightly on the lips. The touch was gentle, almost hesitant, but it sent a jolt through me.

When he pulled back, his eyes searched mine. “Saoirse, would you like to go out with me? For real, I mean.”

I was momentarily stunned, my heart pounding. Then i smiled, a warmth spreading through me. “Yes, Leon.”

We sat there for a while longer, watching the waves and talking about everything and nothing. The pressures and worries of the day seemed to fade away, replaced by the vibe the waves had given us.