Limerence (Dauntless Series #2)

Chapter 25

For my 25th birthday, we only did a simple celebration. Grand celebrations doesn't suit my age anymore. We will also spend the holidays in Galway but my family will have to go back to the Philippines to celebrate the New Year on our house in Tagaytay. That means I'll be back on being alone. It's okay. I'm already used to it.

My niece likes to stick around with me. I think we're best friends now. Nakakapagsalita na rin ito ng diretso at hindi bulol-bulol, which is very impressive for a one and a half-year-old kid. She's an active child who wants to be called Elsa all the time. Tulad ngayon, nasa garden kaming mag-anak at nasa kaniya ang atensyon ng lahat habang naglalaro ng snow dahil siya raw si Elsa. Maya-maya pa ay nagsimula itong kumanta ng Let It Go. My relatives are very fond of her. She's so active, sweet, and a very funny kid. I think everyone who would meet my niece can agree with me. Pawdrig and Sinead are indeed blessed.

"Someone's calling you," I was interrupted from my thoughts when my cousin, Lizzie, tapped my shoulders. Nilingon ko ang cellphone ko na nakapatong sa mesa. Tumayo ako at kinuha iyon. Napapikit ako nang makitang si Liam iyon.

"Hi?" I can hear him smile from the other line. He better has an excuse for calling me when I'm on leave or else I will drop the call immediately. Naghintay pa ako ng ilang minuto bago siya magsalita pero hindi naman siya umiimik. "If you don't have plans to speak up, I will just drop the call, Sir."

"No, no! I... I miss you, okay? When are you coming back in Dublin?"

"Maybe after Christmas. I am not yet sure."

"Oh, shoot," he groaned. "Would love to take you out on a date before I fly to France but I guess destiny is not on our side."

"It's not as if you'll never come back here."

"Does that mean we'll go out once I return?"

Napairap ako. "I didn't say anything..."

"Oh you sure love the chase, Saoirse. But don't worry, I won't give up until I have you."

Bumuntong hininga ako. Hindi ko talaga gusto si Liam. The guys who have been expressing their admiration for me doesn't affect me anymore. Wala ni isa sa kanila ang nakakuha man lang puso ko. Lagi pa rin itong bumabalik sa partikular na taong matagal ko na dapat kinalimutan. I should let Liam know that he has no chance for me. That he should stop pursuing me or whatever plans that he has because my heart beats only for one person.

I can say that I am living my life in peace now that I don't see Liam for how many months now. Sa France naman talaga siya nakabase, hindi ko lang alam kung bakit siya nagtagal dito sa Ireland gayong hindi naman mahabang proseso ang pagsign ng contract sa Paper Press. And I am not full of myself to say that he did stay because of me. Whatever reasons he has, I'm out of it.

I didn't know that he's a best selling author. I've never heard of his works before kaya wala akong kaide-idea na sikat pala si Liam. Siguro around Europe lang. Balita ko rin na ito ang unang beses na magppublish siya ng illustrated book. The moment we launched his book, people have been curious about it. It's sold-out in just one day. Malaki rin kasi ang fanbase niya rito sa Ireland.

"Congratulations, everybody! Keep up the good work," bumaling ang Chief sa akin. "Especially you, Mandeville. You proved that you are worthy to be trusted on this project."

He poured the beer on my pint until it's full. I thanked him. Just when I'm about to drink my beer, someone caught my attention causing me to spill some of my beer on the floor. Nilingon ako ng katabi ko pagkatapos ay sinundan ang tingin ko. Tulad ko ay nanlaki rin ang mga mata nito pagkatapos ay tinawag ang atensyon ng Chief. Tumayo ito.

"Thank you for lending your precious time to us, Mr. Arsenault. You could've been resting on your suite but you chose to join us."

Tumawa si Liam at umiling. "Don't bother mentioning it. It was my decision, anyway."