NAGISING si Aphrodite sa sinag ng araw. Hindi pamilyar sa kanya ang silid na bumungad sa kanya. The last thing she remembered was after she finished the food they bought in Jollibee last night. Did she fall asleep after that?
Inabot niya ang kanyang saklay na nasagilid ng kama at nagtungo sa bintana. Hinawi niya ang putting kurtina upang makita ang tanawin sa labas. She was caught in awe. It was like at the top of the world. It was a little foggy, but she could still see the mountains and the houses were like miniature. Binuksan niya ang bintana upang madama ang lamig.
This cold is different from Korea. It feels... strangely warm and cold.
Niyakap niya ang kanyang sarili. She was just wearing a dress but she didn't feel too cold. She liked the weather there.
Natigil ang kanyang pagmumuni-muni nang marinig ang mahihinang katok sa pinto ng silid.
"Ms. Aphrodite? Are you awake?" narinig niyang tanong ni Shi-An.
"Yes. Come in," she replied.
(In Korean) "How was your sleep?" tanong nito nang makapasok sa silid.
(In Korean) "Peaceful, I guess. How did I get in here?"
(In Korean) "Your prince carried you."
(In Korean) "Zane did?" She suddenly felt hot.
(In Korean) "You're blushing," Shi-An laughed.
Inirapan niya lang ito. "Any news from the king?"
(In Korean) "Oh. I threw all our gadgets last night."
(In Korean) "So this is freedom huh?" she smiled.
"GOOD MORNING, princess."
Isang magandang ngiti mula kay Zane ang bumungad kay Aphrodite paglabas niya sa veranda ng rest house ni Carl. Nakasandong puti lamang ito at shorts. Prenteng nakaupo ito sa mahabang kahoy na duyan habang umiinom ng tsaa.
"Good morning, my prince," nakangiting bati niya din dito. Umupo siya sa tabi nito. Sa di kalayuan ay magkasamang nag-iihaw sina Carl at Shi-An.
Ipinatong nito sa katabing mesa ang tasa ng tsaa at kinuha ang hawak niyang mga saklay. "Nice dress," anito habang nakatitig sa kanya.
Her heart began to rumble again. "Shishi prepared this for me. She has already arranged everything. I really can't live without her."
"Hmm." He sipped his tea and slowly moved the swing.
"Are you going to stay here as well?" tanong niya dito.
"You don't want to?"
"I actually want you here."
Naramdaman niya ang paglingon nito sa kanya.
"Ahm, baka ma-op kasi ako sa dalawang 'yun kapag naiwan ako sa kanila mag-isa," aniya na ang tinutukoy ay sina Carl at Shi-An.
"Hmm."
"Aren't you writing a novel?"
"I am. I brought my laptop in case ideas popup in my mind."
"What genre are you writing now?"
"Fantasy."
"With romance?"
