Martini Kisses (epistolary) ✔️

epilogue pt. 1

MARTINI KISSES

epilogue

How nostalgic.

She can't remember the last time she visited WYLD with him. It feels so long ago when the proposal to be their partner first came up. So many things have changed since then.

Milly sits at the stool, eyeing the empty bar.

WYLD is closed for the night. Holiday off for the staff to give them a break. She's visiting to make sure everything is in order before she travels to Baguio with Kai for a much needed rest.

Lately, he's been busy starting up a new business with Kuya Evan, and shockingly, with Lorenzo Vallejo. How that came to be is still a mystery to her, but nothing about Kai was ever predictable.

Like now. It hasn't been that long since everything broke down but he's already back to rebuilding his life, throwing himself into more work like the stable rock she sees him as. He's preparing for their future, he said.

Their future.

Together.

The thought still makes her feel fuzzy each time she thinks about it. Her gaze flits back to the one who's taken her life for a ride like a storm. He's there behind the counter, busy making her drink. Her favorite martini.

"Baby?"

Kai hums in answer and glances at her attentively.

Milly places her chin on her hand, gazing upon him lovingly. "I think... I may have found a new dream. I know it's late for me to have any now, but I think I have one."

It's a dream she never thought she'd have, but thanks to him, to this man that gave her hope and more, it keeps growing and expanding in ways she'd never have imagined if she was still who she was years ago.

Kai puts the glass down momentarily and looks at her with interest. "What dream?"

She straightens up, a thoughtful expression settling on her face.

"I think I want to lead our foundation. Since Lolo's passing, Kuya Henri and his dad have been asking me to join the company. I refused them because that's not for me and I want to prepare for our wedding. But I think... I think I want to take over the foundation. To help more people. There are so many children out there who are still unreached. I want to have more capacity to help them. And..." She smiles, remembering all the days she spent in Baguio poring over her sheet music. "I want to do what Maestra did for me. She cultivated me. It's way too late for me to build a career out of my piano now because that's no longer aligned with the life I want to have. But I think I want to cultivate future talent and help support their dreams like what you did for me. What do you think?"

Kai walks around the counter and slides the glass of Martini over to her, one hand holding his own draft beer.

He takes the stool next to hers. "Bakit ba 'di na ako nagtataka na pati ang pangarap mo, kasing mapagmahal katulad mo? Kung 'yan ang gusto mo, bakit hindi? Pero ayaw mo bang ituloy ang pagpa-piano? You can go back to the stage again. 'Di ba sinabihan ka ng maestro mo na pwede ka pang tumuloy?"

She shakes her head. "That's an old dream na. I'm already happy having you as my audience. Besides, I'm planning to build a future with you. I can't do that if I'm not present. If I'm meant to be back on the stage, that will happen. But for now, I want to pursue this new dream I have. Sometimes I can't sleep just thinking about it. I get excited just imagining those little children playing music, you know?"

Kai smiles, brushing the hair away from her eyes. Her chest warms at the tender touch. "Kung 'yan ang gusto mo, sige, susuportahan kita. Isasabay mo ba 'yan sa pagpapatayo n'yo ng bagong cafe?"