“Nothing, I just read articles about you. Most of it is rumors.”
“Well, I’m used to it.” He answered, chuckling. “I’m mostly the womanizer bad boy type according to the rumors. Reading them just entertains me now.” He assured me, then he paused, turning serious now. “If it's happiness you’re asking me, I love it here. I can be myself here with no care in the world.”
I nodded, wanting to change the topic now as the mood in the air turned sullen. "Hmm ... Are we going to the farm again tomorrow?" I asked.
"Nope. I’m afraid I have to attend a business meeting about the farm’s affairs. If you want to visit there again, then go.”
Oh. A meeting? I pouted. "I don't want to. I don't know anyone here."
"Don’t know anyone? What do you mean? I can see you adjusting here just fine. How about Maria?”
He raised his eyebrows at me and continued
"N-No .." Why is she asking me that? "Why?""Oh, nothing. I’m just curious." She said as she released a relieved sigh.Hmm…something smells fishy. I just brushed it aside for now.Thank goodness, she decided to drop it and started to ramble on about her and Phoenix’s childhood.I felt my ears ringing from hearing her tiny voice talk the whole time. I was happy when we finally arrived at our destination."Hey, Maria!" A farmer yelled in greeting at us the moment they saw our figure from afar.Maria approached the farmer "Mang Kanor! How are you?""I’m still alive, still kicking!" The farmer, who I realized is Mang Kanor, replied. "How about you? How are you?""Well, here I am, still beautiful.” She answered with a tiny laugh and stopped, “Wait, where's my father?""Oh, I think he’s there." He pointed from afar. "Take care of your father Maria, it's like he
I almost stumbled at what he said. I looked at him. Seriously?He’s really narcissistic and arrogant for thinking that way."Keep dreaming, Phoenix,” I replied, rolling my eyes at him. “You’ll have to eat everything before that will happen.”He sighed. "Then I’ll just have to eat everything in my rice farm."I chuckled at his joke, smiling at his silly expression.Really, I can’t seem to know what’s in his mind.****The next day, I woke up early and went down the stairs. I saw Phoenix sitting on the sofa while reading a book and sipping coffee.He looked very fresh now, with his wet hair that I guess he just took a shower, and he was wearing a clean white shirt now with denim jeans and his Rolex watch on his wrist.I can’t help but stare at the sight. It looks like he just came out of a magazine cover. No wonder all the girls and his fan
I crossed my arms in front of me, and looked at him oddly, “Why are you taking pictures of the sky in the middle of the night?”"Why are you still awake?” He repeated his question as if avoiding my question“I just saw a light flashing in the sky so I came here to check.”"Okay." That was all he could reply to. He then continued pressing on his camera, and I quietly watched beside him. Silence followed and I decided not to ask further."Every time I can't sleep, I go here and take a picture of the stars. I love astronomy, and I love taking pictures." He started to speak up and I nodded. Phoenix stopped and glanced at me. There was something in his eyes, an unknown emotion but he quickly hid it and offered to smile at me.He showed me his camera and the pictures on it. All of it was just nature and the sky.Honesty, it looks amazing. He really has a talent. "Wow. That's...amazing."
I gasped at that. How did he know? Is he hiding something from me? I didn't reply.“Yes,” I answered honestly because it really bothered me. I bit my lip. “She asked me if it would be okay for me if you court her someday.”Phoenix nodded at that, pursing his lips, “And? What was your answer?”I shrugged, “I don’t know. I told her it was up to you.”“I see.” He heaved a sigh and I felt his hands reaching to stroke my hair. "Sereia, Maria is just my childhood friend."I gritted my teeth and pushed his hands away from me. "Oh, you don’t need to explain to me. I’m not your girlfriend or anything. It’s normal. She's a girl, and you’re a boy. And both of you are available.”I don’t know why but I feel betrayed and disappointed. He got me with his looks and his constant teasing. And I’m really affected by this.&n
He first saw Phoenix and greeted him with a handshake. When he saw me, his eyes changed.His eyes glued on me, “Sereia? Why are you here?”Phoenix looked at both of us, sensing it. “Why? She’s my girlfriend.”Eion looked at him, “She’s my cousin.”Phoenix gave me a look, not believing it. I gave him a nervous smile, “Oh, sorry, I forgot to tell you this. You didn’t tell me we were going here.”Believe me, I really didn’t expect it. Who knew that my cousin would be his business partner. Such a small world.“Why are you here? I thought you were busy with your girlfriend in America?” I said. “Remember? You didn’t even answer my phone calls and she suspected that I was your other girl.”“She’s now my fiance.” He said. At that, a beautiful woman with brown hair and eyes with fair skin and had forei
I gulped. Oopsie. Right, my cousin doesn’t have to know…“Everything was sudden.” I reasoned out.He didn’t seem to buy my excuse and just nodded, “I see, I hope your actions won’t bite you back in the future, Sereia.”I sighed, sipping on the coconut juice in front of me, “Yeah yeah. Stop giving me a lecture, I’m here to enjoy.”“What are you two talking about?” Phoenix asked, now paying attention to my conversation with my cousin.“We were just catching up. This guy really kept a lot of secrets from me.” I replied and Eion just shrugged.“Phoenix, I’m warning you. If you ever do something bad to my cousin…” Eion said, threatening Phoenix. I smiled a bit, feeling a bit safer with my cousin her. He may be annoying sometimes, but he treats me like a little sister.Phoenix wasn’t e
"There. Happy now?"He took a glance to make sure I was covered now and finally calmed himself. "That’s better. Let’s go. They’re waiting for us.”He then held my hand as we headed to where the boat was waiting. I glanced at Phoenix’s figure, trying not to gawk.He was wearing black shorts only and shirtless ... My eyes trailed to his lean body. He wasn’t that bulky, and at the same time, wasn’t also that thin. Just perfect.“What are you looking at?” He asked, raising his eyebrows at me suspiciously.“It’s not fair for me to cover up when you’re here tempting me too,” I mumbled but he somehow heard it and asked again."What?" He looked at me. I quickly shook my head, realizing the words I uttered.Damn Sereia, you’re digging yourself to your own grave. It’s best if you keep your mouth shut before you say some
“Really? You’re asking that to me, Dax? How many times have you cheated on me but I'm still here, staying with you."I can’t help but gasp at that.“I already made it clear to you. That girl last time was just a friend. I never cheated on you. And now, you're jealous of Phoenix's girlfriend?”“That’s not the point. You’re always too friendly for people.” She trailed off. She sounded a bit calmer now, but her voice sounded so hurt. "It was like you're flirting with her. Right in front of your girlfriend. Do you still love me?"I saw Dax running his hands on his hair in exhaustion, "I do. I love you, babe. I was just trying to welcome her but I didn't notice you were hurt. I'm sorry it won't happen again.""You even liked her cooking too much…""Oh, is this also an issue for you? I just appreciate her effort. Even though she's new to us, she offered to make that din