Tú Eres Mi Sol

XXIX

I didn't expect the reactions on the last chapter.  I'm sure you are reading this story because it's A&M and to see such passionate reactions to a story like this, A&M are very very lucky to have people as passionate as you, supporting them. I love the intensity.

Do not believe everything that you see. Remember that salt and sugar look the same. 😉

I'm sure you've already figured out, chapters in italics are flashbacks.

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Dei just left for Switzerland for good, his friends were worried for Richard. They hadn't seen him in weeks. 

After much badgering, he gave in, they went for movies, sometimes played at the arcade or went out of town. 

They also set him up for various blind dates which proved very disastrous for Richard. 

He took one girl out for dinner but the girl didn't want to eat, he asked if she wanted to move to another restaurant, the girl said the restaurant wasn't an issue, all she had was water, Richard kept on asking if they should try another cuisine if this didn't suit her, after much prodding the girl answered that she didn't want to eat because food had calories and she wanted to maintain her figure.

There was another time that Sam set him up, he said this girl, she's pretty and decent head on her shoulders. So he went. He thought it would just be the two of them, we'll it was until her friends started to trickle in, it was maybe 20 people and she wanted everyone to know that she was dating Richard Faulkerson. When the bill came, she said he should pay for everyone's share because he was wealthier than them.

He didn't want to go on another one but Jerald insisted. They went to a bar to meet her. Apparently, it was the girl that Jerald was dating who insisted that he bring Richard to date her best friend. Jerald left immediately after introductions. The date went well at first, but as the night progressed and more alcohol consumed, Richard was becoming ill at ease. She was dancing more seductively and was groping him. She was clearly inebriated. He called Jerald and his date to come immediately. He told Jerald and his date to should take her home, he volunteered that they use his car as Johnny was around. Johnny later picked Richard up from a nearby coffee shop.

After that, he vowed never to go on blind dates again. He abhorred blind dates.

***

It would be in one of Rose's charity events that Richard would meet Camille Tensengco, a year after Dei left. You wouldn't think at first glance that Camille came from a wealthy family, though not as wealthy as the Faulkersons or the Mendozas. She was very simple and didn't wear a lot of jewelries nor branded items. When people would speak to her, they would find her very articulate and classy.

When Richard met Camille, he took an immediate liking to her. Richard pursued her like he has not pursued anyone else previously. He did go on dates before that, many dates with other girls but this one, was elusive. He could not find her and he thought that she actually tried her best to hide from him until one day, he was able to follow her to a soup kitchen somewhere in the north. 

After a few more months of Richard's persistence, she finally relented and agreed to be his girlfriend, which made Richard really happy.

Camille and Dei became fast friends, they shared a love for travelling and European architecture and quickly bonded over certain tv shows.

The Faulkerson household loved Camille, she was well-mannered and could see how happy she made Richard even Rose and Yaya Virgie were won over. Richard's friends were fond of Camille, too. She was kind, down to earth and just a person you wanted to be around with.

They even had double dates with Dei and Christian when the latter visited the Philippines, they went on a day trip to the beach. The two girls bonded like they were long time friends.

***

It was about a year into the relationship, Richard was blissful, he was doing well in school and his life was pretty much great. 

He was surprised to find Camille in his flat after school. He knew that she wasn't allowed by her parents to go abroad unaccompanied, she said so. She wasn't even allowed overnights, so their dates would usually be during the day.

"Babe, this is a surprise, who came here to Singapore with you?"

She run to Richard and went hugged him. 

"Babe, my cousin's in Orchard shopping. You know I don't like shopping, can I stay here with you?"

It has been two days, Camille enjoyed her time with Richard, she would cook food for him, ensured that she packed a sandwich when he went to school and she also went grocery shopping across the street so that she could prepare his favourite dishes. 

It was the first time that they spent nights together and Richard didn't want to take advantage. They literally just slept next to each other cuddling and even though it was just that, it made him a happy man. 

Richard told himself that this could be a picture of how happy his married life could be, how he now looked forward to waking up next to her every morning or rushing back home so they could have dinner together. 

It was a Wednesday afternoon, Richard vividly remembers, the professors gave them a free cut in the afternoon. He was excited, he could properly take Camille out to visit the touristy sights of Singapore. 

"Babe! Babe!" he called but there was no response. He checked all the rooms, she wasn't there. He called her number and nothing. He called friends and people he knew but no one seemed to know where she was.

He went into the bathroom and there was a note taped on the mirror addressed to him.

"My dearest Richard, Honey,

By the time you read this I'm gone. 

There has only been two things that have made me truly happy in this world, one was when I discovered helping in the soup kitchen and the other was meeting you. 

I never thought I could be this happy, that it's possible to be this happy. When I would read stories about love, it was all foreign to me, it was just a concept, an idea. I have never experienced love, how to love or how to be loved, until I met you.

I have never been a demonstrative person nor expressive but you have brought me back to life. If there was one thing I would be always proud of is that at one time, I was a part of your life. 

I have never felt so intense, so strongly about anyone until you. I love you.

I am sorry for doing this. Please don't go look for me.

 My dear Richard, please take care of yourself. You are a rarity in this world. You have so much potential and please continue to be a light in this dark world. 

You will always be in my heart.

- Camille"