Martini Kisses (epistolary) ✔️

n a r r a t i ve

part 2

She's not on her side of the bed when he woke up. Startled, Kai gets up and searches for her. When he can't find her in the bathroom-or anywhere else-his mind jump starts, and he hastily washes his face and makes his way downstairs, carding a hand through his hair.

Whatever sleep's left on his mind are all gone, replaced by a strong sense of dread.

He drifts to the dining room where most of the activities are taking place as the staff prepare the table for breakfast.

"Si Milly?" he asks one of the lady staff, who's setting down the plates.

"Nasa labas po, sir. Sa glasshouse."

He doesn't know where that is, so she had to show him the way and lead him out. The back door opens to a vast garden, and the music reaches his ears even before he can step out.

The piano's playing. Blending in with the rustles of the trees and the distant crashing of the waves on the shore.

It's coming from the glasshouse smacked in the center of the backyard.

Kai takes a breath to collect himself.

It's early in the morning. Only half-past nine. He doesn't remember what time they fell asleep the night before-only that it took a while before Milly did eventually drift to sleep.

He doesn't even know if those few hours of rest were enough.

Kai slowly walks toward the source of the music. The rain from yesterday is now light puddles pooling on the grass and cobblestones. He avoids them carefully while keeping his gaze in front.

The air is salty, and the sunlight feels warm on his skin-but he's nervous.

He recognizes the piece she's playing, having listened to it more times than he can count since she told him it's her favorite.

Widmung by Schumann sings in the air. But what sounded like a shimmering romantic melody from before sounds like a lonely love letter through her fingers.

Kai keeps his steps quiet and steady as he stops in front of the glasshouse and sees her.

What they call as a glass dome is actually hexagonal solarium standing at an impressive height overlooking the sea, all glass and flowers and light. The white grand piano sits in the middle, and Milly's at the heart of it all, playing, crying through the notes.

For a moment, he double thinks if he should come in, afraid to disturb her. But his feet's already approaching her from behind before he can give it another thought.

The piano slows. Milly looks up at him when she notices his presence. A smile flicks the corner of her lips up. Not all the way, and Kai doesn't know what to feel.

Hair flowing across her right shoulder, black and unfamiliar. Eyes still swollen and tired. And a smile that never quite lights her face anymore, the way it usually does every time they'd see each other.

He knows she did it for him, not because it comes naturally to her. Like she's acting on autopilot.

"Hi. Morning," she greets, fingers still making slow dances on the keys. "Slept well?"

The floral sun dress she's wearing is in white and pastels, making up for the absence of multicolors in her hair.

"Anong oras ka bumangon?"

"Around seven. I thought I'd see the garden before it gets hot in the noon."

His hand falls to her cheek, and her smile softens, becomes more genuine.