YOUR FIRST LOVE IS YOUR FUTURE

PART 14 - Close Enough to Hear Your Heart

"I have to go now, Jun."

Alexine was already standing near the doorway, holding her bayong and umbrella.

"But why?" Jun protested. His voice was slightly husky, as if he was trying to convince her to stay without sounding too desperate.

"I still have things to do at home."

Rainier had been quiet the entire time.

But before Alexine could take another step, the words finally came from him.

"Couldn't you stay a little longer?"

Alexine stopped.

She slowly turned around and looked at him.

For a moment, Rainier looked almost embarrassed by his own question.

It was such a simple sentence.

Yet coming from someone as quiet and reserved as him, it meant something.

Alexine's heart fluttered.

"I... I can't," she answered softly. "I have to finish the laundry and some chores at home."

She smiled apologetically.

"I'm sorry."

Rainier nodded.

"Okay."

Just one word.

But Alexine could see the disappointment in his eyes.

She bit her lip before finally opening her umbrella under the bright afternoon sun.

Kristee had heard the entire conversation.

She watched Alexine walk away, then glanced at Rainier.

There was something about the way he looked at Alexine.

It wasn't the way he looked at everyone else.

And for the first time, Kristee felt a small sting of jealousy.

That night, Rainier couldn't sleep.

He lay on the bed inside the old mansion, staring at the ceiling while the sound of crickets came from outside.

Every time he closed his eyes, he saw her.

Alexine.

The way she smiled.

The way she looked at him.

The way she quietly said she wanted to see him.

He could still remember how she stood in the afternoon sunlight, holding that simple umbrella.

There was nothing extravagant about her.

And maybe that was exactly what he liked.

She was natural.