Love In The Spotlight (BL)

Chapter Nine

Dressed in a cream-colored long-sleeve shirt paired with matching cream pants and sleek black shoes, I stepped out of the resort room, my heart pounding in my chest. The cool evening breeze brushed against my skin, but it did nothing to calm the mix of excitement and nervousness coursing through me. Tonight, I was having dinner with Ethan.

The thought alone made my stomach do flips.

Was this a date?

I tried not to get ahead of myself, but the possibility lingered, teasing me with hope. Why would he want to go on a date with me, though? What did he see in me? My mind raced with questions I didn't have the courage to answer yet kasi ayaw ko maging assuming dahil magka-trabaho lang naman kami.

The soft glow of the resort lights illuminated the path ahead, and every step felt heavier and lighter at the same time. I could feel my palms getting clammy as I rehearsed what to say, how to act, how to keep my cool. Hindi dapat halata na kinikilig.

If this wasn't a date, I didn't want to ruin it by overthinking. But if it was and my chest tightened at the thought, I wanted it to be memorable.

And whatever tonight was supposed to be, I knew I'd never forget it dahil si Ethan na ito.

"Baka siguro dinner lang 'to para mas maging close kami," I told myself, calming down.

I took a deep breath and walked past the edge of the pool, heading down to the sandy shore. My steps were steady as I made my way toward the side where a few brightly lit restaurants stood out with their warm lights and intricate designs.

I kept walking, taking in the soft hum of life around me, the glow of the surroundings blending beautifully with the calm of the night. Along the way, I passed a few people from our group, their quiet chatter filling the air, but I kept going, drawn to the peaceful corner at the far end. Iyon ang sinabi sa'kin ni Ethan bago siya naunang umalis.

And as I approached the Bayside Restaurant, the sound of waves crashing against the shore became clearer with every step. The restaurant faced the sea, and the soft, cool breeze tousled my neatly styled hair. Yet, I couldn't help but smile, savoring the fresh salty air of the beach.

When I stepped inside, the place was quiet, completely empty except for the smooth, mellow notes of jazz music playing near the entrance.

Floor-to-ceiling glass windows offered an uninterrupted view of the ocean stretching into the night. The water sparkled under the glow of surrounding lights, with stars above reflecting like scattered diamonds on its surface.

It was serene, almost magical, and I found myself drawn to the peaceful beauty of the scene.

"Good evening, handsome."

The deep, smooth voice caught my attention, pulling me away from my thoughts.

I turned toward its source and saw Ethan standing at the edge of the restaurant hallway. He had just stepped out, his movements unhurried yet effortlessly confident. Napaka-gwapo niya.

He was wearing a black long-sleeved shirt with the top two buttons undone, revealing a hint of his collarbone. The fabric hugged his broad shoulders perfectly, while his black fitted pants showcased his lean, toned frame. The sharp contrast of his outfit made his fair, flawless skin seem to glow under the soft ambient lighting.

He leaned casually against the wall, one hand tucked into his pocket, exuding an aura of quiet allure. His jet-black hair, slightly tousled as if by accident, framed his chiseled face. Dark eyes locked on mine, his lips curled into a faint yet undeniably charming smile he has.