Mimi Turns Pretty - SOON TO BE PUBLISHED ✅

Chapter 13

Present Day

We get back to the beach after a few hours, nagkwentuhan pa kami sa boat niya. It was his speedboat as I've come to find out. He told me about his family, how he was chosen to step in after his father retired. He was never the favorite pero he was the son who was available kaya siya ang pinaghawak ng Company.

I've opened up to him a little bit, about my plans to take up masters in New York. He said he goes there sometimes and if I choose to leave, maybe we'll meet there. I don't know why he thinks I'm not going to leave after my month is up here pero parang ganoon ang ibig niyang sabihin. I might like it here more he says.

We head to the restaurant dahil pareho kaming gutom at sinalubong kami ni Ollie. He's holding a towel, "Why didn't you bring your phone?"

Nauna na si Chase sa restaurant and he tells me, "I'll go ahead and save us a seat."

Tumango lang ako sa kanya.

Ibinaling ko ang tingin ko kay Ollie, "Good morning to you too."

He looks at my wet clothes, I've put on my shirt and shorts back on and he wraps the towel around my shoulders, "Bakit hindi ka nagdala ng towel? Wala bang tuwalya sa boat niyang si Chase?"

Ngumiti ako, "Wala eh. Tsaka sanay naman ako sa lamig."

Pumalatak siya, "Hindi ka pa rin yata nag-breakfast."

I believe he really wants me to live a new life, a life na talagang pwede kong i-enjoy. Pero bakit parang may pagpigil sa mga kilos niya, like he wants me to enjoy but not too much?

"I'm confused." I tell him.

Namulsa siya, "Why?"

I cross my arms over my chest, "You said last night na it's not too late for me to live a normal life, so here I am. Pero I don't understand why you're suddenly questioning me. Are you not serious about what you said last night?"

Napabuntonghininga siya, "No. It's not like that, Mi. I'm just worried, you don't know him that well..."

Ayun. So si Chase ang problema.

"The only way I can know someone is if I spend time with them. I spend time with you, I trust you and I know you're a good guy, maybe if I spend time with Chase, I'll find that he's a good guy too."

He sighs, "Yeah. Sure."

Hinawakan ko siya sa braso, "And if he's not, I know you and Kuya will be there for me, right?"

He gives me sad smile, "Of course."

I look back sa restaurant and Chase is sitting there waiting for me.

"Tara kain tayo." Pagyaya ko kay Ollie.

He shakes his head, "Kumain na 'ko."

I sigh, "Si Kuya gising na?"

"Hindi pa yata. I looked for you when I got here." Aniya.

"Saan ka ba galing?"

"May pinuntahan lang." he gives me another vague answer.

"Sige, kakain muna ako."

I walk away without saying another word.

Pagdating ko sa restaurant, sakto ang dating ng kape namin ni Chase. May pagkain na sa table namin, ikinuha na niya ako, I smile as I sit.

"How do you take your coffee?"

Kinuha ko ang sugar pero pinigilan niya ako, "Let me."

Ngumiti ako, "One teaspoon lang."