LATRICE's P.O.V.
THE moment we got into the hotel, we did not head toward our room yet. Rather, Manuel led us down the garden.
We strolled under the dazzling moonlight.
We walked at a snail's pace and no one had the courage to break the silence.
The view around us couldn't be more perfect --- colossal pine trees on all sides of the manor, a manmade waterfall cascading on a miniature pond which is situated at the center of the mini park, a pavilion set on the polar side of the pond, an open playground on the other side, and 4 gazebos that are set apart from one another.
We stopped by one of the gazebos and sat together.
He occupied one of the two rocking chairs that are positioned on the corner, so I dwelled on the other rocking chair beside him.
He was very quiet.
I fell on a deep thought.
Honestly, I did not know what to do or what to utter during that moment. There was suddenly a strange affection in me due to what happened earlier in the restaurant. I just couldn't give it a name. It was hard for me to determine since I haven't felt such towards anybody, most especially towards him, before.
Could it be that I am a-t-t-r-a-c-t-e-d to him?
Manuel did not look presentable just because he was rich and could adorn himself with expensive clothing, but he really got the looks.
He was good-looking.
He was attractive.
He has gotten a very fair complexion, stood 5 feet and 9 inches tall, and he was very manly to look at.
He had been a perfect gentleman.
When we were college students, most of our friends used to tease us. They were expecting Manuel and I would end up together.
Moreover, they kept on telling us that we have a remarkable resemblance to each other, a sign when two people are meant to be a couple.
We never entertained any of them, but we used to answer them that we look like each other because we were truly meant to be best of friends forever.
"You are always together."
"You look good together."
"Why are you not with Manuel?" "Why are you not with Latrice?"
"Where is Manuel?" "Where is Latrice?"
"Did you ever consider dating?"
"What if you'll end up together?"
"I wonder how cute your kids would look like."
"You're a perfect match."
"I bet you'll make a happy family."
Those were just some of the comments we had frequently heard from the people around us. However, we just let those passed through our ears.
"Dr. Marquez mistook Latrice as your girlfriend." I remember Ate Celestine, Manuel's older sister who is a doctor, told us one time we fetched her from the hospital she was working in.
Though Manuel and I both chuckled, we never expressed any remark.
"She is Manuel's girlfriend." Again, Celestine teased when I first met their parents. Manuel neither disagreed nor agreed.
__*__*__*__*__*__*__
THE cold breeze of the air got me back to reality.
Few minutes later, he broke into the stillness of the setting.
"I almost forgot to inform you about Ate Celestine's wedding. Benedict finally proposed."
"They're finally tying-the-knot!" I spoke in exhilaration. "When is it set?"
"October next year. They picked the day of their 9th anniversary. You're one of her set of entourage."
"Does she want me to be the flower girl?"
"And I'd be the ring bearer," he amusingly uttered.
I smiled. He would be too tall for a ring bearer, while I would be perfect for a flower girl with my height - 5'2.
"Seriously, you'd be one of the bridesmaids. I'd be your partner."
"Won't you be the best man?"
"Certainly not. Niccolo, Benedict's younger brother, would be the best man; and our sister Elena would be the maid of honor."
"Alright. I would send a text message to Ate Celestine one of these days."
"By the way, Sophia is getting married too."
"Your cousin? Dr. Sophia? The last time I checked on her, she didn't have a boyfriend. I don't understand."
"None other. Her best friend proposed to her early this month. Their nuptials would be in October."
"Wow! Seriously? I thought she was a lesbian."
"At first, it was hard for us to be convinced as well. We've seen it coming though. They were adorable to look at whenever they're together. They would always look like a couple."
"One of a kind." I commented. He just smirked.
"What plans do you have for tomorrow?" I changed the topic.
"We'd go church visitation in the morning. It's better if we'll leave here early in the morning so we could visit at least 5 churches until lunch. I would be fasting until we finish, but you could bring yourself some snack so you won't starve."
"I would go fasting myself. However, can I bring bottled water with us?"
"Sure. I think we should leave the hotel by 6AM."
"It's fine with me. Therefore, we have to go upstairs now." I stood up and started walking.
"You love it here, don't you?" He asked behind me.
"You bet!" I answered and grinned.
In my heart, I know I would treasure this moment.
__*__*__*__*__*__*__
THIS time he had his turn in the bathroom only after I had taken a shower.
He was on his bed, watching; I was at the couch beside my bed, listening to my playlist.
When it turned midnight, I already advised him to sleep.
It would be so much better if he would not utilize most out of his energy, so he could rest his mind well.
I stayed on the couch and waited for him to fall asleep before I hit the hay.
It didn't take him some time to finally doze off; it was then that I turned off all the lights in our room and let the beam of light from the post outside brighten us.
I fell asleep the very moment I hit my bed and closed my eyes.
Xxxx
Any suggestion on the turnabouts of Manuel and Latrice's story? :) Feel free to key them in. Thank you guys!
