Freedom to Love

Chapter Four

THE NEXT few days were super busy for me and Janice. The Amsterdam Fashion Week started as we continued doing photoshoot for a few brands. It was pretty exhausting but very fulfilling on my part. "Miss Luiza, we have a meeting tonight for the endorsement shoot tomorrow," Janice reminded me.

We were on a break so I had the opportunity to browse my inbox. I smiled as I reached Javier's messages. He was telling me to take care and enjoy my shoot, which I always do.

To Javier:

[I will be getting a few drinks tonight at the vault bar. See you there, Javier! ]

"Janice, can we recommend the vault bar for that meeting?" I asked.

"I'm sorry, Miss Luiza. But I don't think we can, they are already setting up the place," she said.

I understand because it would be a very short notice if we recommend it.

"Are you going to the vault bar later?" she asked."Yes," I smiled and said no more.

"Miss Luiza," Janice called my name again to get my attention.

I put down my phone and gave her my full attention.

"Do we have a problem?" I asked.

"Wala naman po but..." she stopped for a moment to let out a sigh. "Tomorrow is our last schedule here in Amsterdam."

Javier's face flashed in my mind the moment she told me that. I knew about my schedule but I never thought it would be difficult to leave Amsterdam. I don't think I am ready to leave yet.

Janice with a troubled face was patiently waiting for my answer. She seemed very hopeful about something. I knew that just like me, she was still not ready to leave this place yet.

"I still have more than a week to stay here, right?" I asked.

"Yes, Miss Luiza. Your London schedule will start 10 days from now," she told me. I smiled at her, "Okay then, we still have more than a week to stay and do our personal business here," makahulugan kong sabi.

Her smile reached her eyes and I knew it was a combination of happiness, excitement and relief.

"Thank you, Miss Luiza!" she chanted excitedly that made me smile even more. It is really refreshing to see people who are happily in love. Oh, love, you really make people very happy.

I went straight to the vault bar after the meeting. I was still wearing a dress and my photo shoot makeup so it was really expected that I would get attention from the other tables.

Mabilis ding lumapit si Javier sa akin nang makita akong umupo.

"Good evening, Miss Luiza," he greeted.

"Good evening! I am here to drink, I guess?" I said. He chuckled a bit and shook his head.

"May photoshoot ka pa bukas, mas okay na bukas ka na lang uminom," paalala ni Javier sa akin.

I suddenly remembered my only brother, Cean Jorge. I miss his protective side. Siya rin ang nagpapaalala sa akin ng mga bagay na maaari kong pagsisihan sa huli. "Sige na nga!" I said like I was being forced to, when in fact I didn't even want a drink. I just wanted to see and talk to him.
"So what am I going to do here then?" I asked."Gusto mo na bang magpahinga?" malinaw sa mukha niya ang pag-aalala. Bakit napakamalalahanin ng lalaking ito? "I think I can do a short conversation naman," I said. Napangiti ang lalaki at umupo sa tabi ko."Kanina pa rin naman kita hinihintay. Hindi muna ako nagbreak time para magamit ko kapag dumating ka na," paliwanag nito sa akin.

Natuwa naman ang puso ko sa narinig pero hindi ko pa rin maalis sa isipan ko na baka nagpagutom siya sa kakahintay sa akin.

"Hindi ka gutom?" tanong ko.