NO POV

Anne is in the hallway wiping the vintage portraits and painting one by one that is hanging on the one side of the wall when suddenly she heard someone scream

"AAAAHHHHHhh" then she heard a heavy footstep running closer to her direction

"AAaaahhhh mouseeee" As he saw a lady outside his room he immediately go behind her and hide like a kid who just saw a ghost

The frightened guy pointed to his room "There's a mouse" he said like asking for help from her mother

"Mouse?" Anne asked while holding her laughter she can't believe that this ill-tempered grouchy boy is afraid of a mouse

"Ye...e... ye-s there's a b-ig mouse be-e-hind the do-oor" Gennrei told her stuttering with a frighten voice

Anne handed the towel she's holding, take a deep breath and went inside the room

After a short while she walks out from the room holding a very cute little white mouse in her palm "Sir is this the mouse you're talking about?" as she step closer showing Gennrei what she is holding

"Get that away from me" Gennrei step away from Anne with his eyes closed

Anne shake her head left and right "oh okay" then she put away the little mouse with a small smile

She went back to Gennrei "Sir Do you know why there's a mouse in your room?" Anne asked

Gennrei move his brow together and wait Anne to continue explaining

Anne look at him closely "Is because all you do is lock yourself in your room" Gennrei just look at her

"Do you like to stroll around? I could tour you around" Anne said with a very huge smile

Gennrei looked at her "Stroll around?" he asked

she NODS as she answered still smiling "Yeah, I know a lot of beautiful place here"

_ _ _ _ _

Gennrei is driving a bicycle with Anne sitting at the back when they arrive in a grassy land "Sir, Sir stop" Anne told him while poking his left shoulder

"We need to stop and left the bike here" Anne said

"What?" Gennrei put his eyebrow together

"The bike can't go through to that area" Anne said shortly

"Wait, where are we going? My foot hurt already you make me drive for like an hour" Gennrei complain

"we're close and beside if we go back now it will be more difficult for us now" Anne said with her beautiful smile and started walking

Gennrei can't do anything but to follow

After walking for like 10 minutes

"Woooooooooowwww, so beautiful" Genrei said as his eye sparkle on the scenery he is now seeing

They are now looking in a field of flower that is amazing to look, it has so many kinds of beautiful flower with different colors. The cold breeze gives more relaxing feeling plus a little warm from the sun gives it a balance.

"Yes, this is one of my favorite place here" Anne answered happily

"It looks like a rainbow, so magical" Gennrei said as he turns around to look at Anne who is just standing near him make them face each other close

It feels like the time stops for them as they look into each other's eyes, the moment is so perfect... so romantic and beautiful

Gennrei lips curves into a smile and without him noticing he slowly brush Anne's hair softly that made Anne cheeks turn into red. She shyly look away to hide her burning cheeks and look back in the Rainbow of flower and smile secretly.

They spent the whole day together teasing and playing around. Gennrei feels comfortable in Anne's company and so was Anne to him, she even sing a song for him that he found very lovely to his ears.

"Look I catch a lot butterflies" Gennrei said proudly as he show Anne the Net containing many butterflies

Anne smile "Ah Sir Gennr.." she said but Gennrei cut her

"Rei, Call me Rei don't be too formal it makes me old I'm only 12 like you" for the first time Gennrei gave her a very Bright smile

Anne smile "Rei..." she laughs softly

"Hey are you laughing at me?" Gennrei ask Anne immediately after hearing her chuckle

"No I'm not" Anne show her beautiful smile "I'm just happy, You know a day without laughter is a wasted day for me"

They let the butterfly free and watch smiling as it fly away.

* * * * *

Its 10'oclock in the evening and there are two people feeling very alive while talking over the phone for 2 hours already, they are laying in their own bed fully awake enjoying each other's company sharing their thoughts and each other's experience and also exchanging information.

They we're laughing when someone asked "May be you can tell me now if you already have a family" she patiently wait for an answer

She pause as she remember something "No I don't, but my soon to be husband is coming already" the smile seen on her face faded as she answered bitterly

Hearing that made her twist and turn in the bed "So you are engage already?" The one in the other line wants to confirm what she heard

"Ahmm you can say it like that" she answered sadly

"Why, you sound so sad, aren't you happy?" she asked with a very concerned voice

"You would know in time why I'm not happy" she sigh and continue "Ge-an can we change our topic, it is so heavy for me to talk about it" she said with full of emotion

Ge-an felt that heavy feeling from that voice and make her wanted to hug the person in the other line, "only if I could" she said to herself "Okay, so for you not to know that you are not alone in your loneliness let me tell you something Maric's" she tried to change the subject of their conversation

Maric's get up from her bed and asked "Why, are you getting married too?" that question from Maric's made Ge-an smile

"No, no. It's about an old woman who saves me and she is still in the hospital" Ge-an explain

"Oh, so how did she save you?" Maric's asked curiously

"I'm walking my way home from the church, I should be hit by a car when she suddenly pushes me away and got hit instead. She's still unconscious and in critical condition" Ge-an said full of guilt and sadness

Maric's felt what Ge-an felt "what is her name? I'll pray for her" she said full of concern and sincerity

That brings warmth to her heart and made her smile "Thank you. Her name is Jasmine, Jasmine Cu"

"Jasmine Cu... I will pray for her that she wakes up soon, so..."

"Wait, why don't you give me your number so that I can call you, you know so we're not like this always accidentally wait for timing" Ge-an asked

"Sorry but I cannot give you the number here at home, Papa might get angry when he found out that someone is calling for me and besides I believe that we are always destined for the perfect timing to be able to talk to each other"

They both smile as they slowly drop the phone.

They both sleep hugging a pillow in their arms thinking about each other.

* * * * *

PORT AREA

MARIA'S POV

As the days and weeks pass I got to know Ge-an more and more she is very sweet and caring, I feel the strong connection between us even though we only talk to each other over the telephone. I can feel that I already known "her" for a very long time. Yes "her" I already know, she already told me about her identity on one of the conversation that we had I wasn't shock with her revelation and it doesn't matter because I am happy, she made me feel happy and special. I can't stop myself from smiling as I think of her.

I sniff the fresh air that crushes my face and close my eyes "I do not know what is the reason why I have met Ge-an but I am very thankful that she came into my life... she gives color to my darkest night, she gives me warmth in my coldest days. sometimes even if she says something really small it fits right into this empty place inside my heart" I pause and slowly open my eyes "And Please God Heal and wake up the woman who saves Ge-an life to lessen her burden" I pray to him faithfully and sincerely as I laid my eyes on the sunset standing beside the dock when my Papa called my name

"Maria, Gaston is here" he pause "Maria if these is against your will.." I did not let him finish because it just might change my mind "I will do this for you Papa, for us" I said it emotionlessly and tried to give him a little smile

A man with average body size in Black long-sleeved polo wearing an arrogant smile approaches us and shakes my father's hand

Papa gives him a smile and said to me "He was in America the other day and went directly here from manila" he then turns his head back to the man "How's your trip Gaston?"

"It's exhausting but now it's all gone after seeing Maria" he said smiling, I do not know but I think it's like an evil smile

He step closer to me and continue "after 10 years and your more beautiful, how is my Queen? The incoming Mrs.Gaston Kirat" he said in a very conceited manner

I just stood there frozen as he hug me.

* * * * *

After Gaston left and went his way home, I went to my room and clean myself

I put on my white night dress, I check the clock it's 10:15 in the evening already but I still not feel sleepy so I went to my veranda, I look above and saw the moon shines so bright, the stars sparks beautifully but why I can't smile seeing that beautiful sky. I remember what has Gaston said.

"We will come back next week for Pamamanhikan" the exact word he said to me

(Pamamanhikan is the event when the guy/groom's family comes to the home of the girl/bride's family with the purpose of "asking the girl's parents' permission to wed the affianced pair." A Philippine tradition that shows respect and honor for the girl's parents before getting married.)

My mind is in battle because of the things that I should do even my heart is against it, I am messed up...

I do not know what is exactly I feel, It's like I feel sad and helpless but I need to be okay

I need to be strong even though I feel so weak

I feel so trapped but I need to accept the fact, I should do this it is the right thing to do...

For my Papa... For My Mama...

This will save our family business. I should not be selfish, this is the least that I can do to help them and beside Gaston might be a good person too, I have known him when we are little he seem to be a spoiled naughty kid before but now he is become a responsible person too. He told me he started helping and learning their business when he was 16. He might sound so arrogant and very proud of himself but maybe he just wants to impress me?

"Arggghh" I can't stop making this sound as think about that guy! I need to convince myself that he would be good so that maybe I could like him even a little

Things are not only about me, Yes! This is for my family. I should be thinking about them so that I can be happy that I can do something for them.

I went inside my room with a heavy footstep; I sit on my bed and turn on the radio that is placed on top of a small table beside my bed. I lay down in my bed as I heard a song Play

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32c1KaqI-ww

(You can play the video while reading)

Picture perfect memories,
Scattered all around the floor,
Reaching for the phone cause, I can't fight it anymore
And I wonder if I ever cross your mind
For me it happens all the time

Oh it's a new song, it's very beautiful but it sounds so emotional and heartbreaking...

It's a quarter after one, I'm all alone and I need you now
Said I wouldn't call but I lost all control and I need you now
And I don't know how I can do without, I just need you now

Picture perfect memories,
Scattered all around the floor,
Reaching for the phone cause, I can't fight it anymore
And I wonder if I ever cross your mind
For me it happens all the time

Oh it's a new song, it's very beautiful but it sounds so emotional and heartbreaking...

It's a quarter after one, I'm all alone and I need you now
Said I wouldn't call but I lost all control and I need you now
And I don't know how I can do without, I just need you now

There's this One Person that comes into my mind as I listen to the song,

I miss her jokes, I miss the laugh that make me laugh too... I miss hearing that voice

Another shot of whiskey, can't stop looking at the door
Wishing you'd come sweepin' in the way you did before
and I wonder if I ever cross your mind
For me it happens all the time

Ge-an... Just thinking that name gives me a warm feeling. Oh I need to hear her voice, the voice that can make my heart feel safe even for a while.

It's a quarter after one, I'm a little drunk, and I need you now
Said I wouldn't call but I lost all control and I need you now
And I don't know how I can do without, I just need you now

I wish you are here...

Guess I'd rather hurt than feel nothing at all
It's a quarter after one, I'm all alone and I need you now
And I said I wouldn't call but I'm a little drunk and I need you now
And I don't know how I can do without, I just need you now
I just need you now

Oh baby I need you now

I can't stop imagining what she would be like as her voice play inside my head repeatedly, I think she has good looks. Just like her voice her looks would be something can make anyone under her spell.

Why do I feel this? I ask myself hundreds of time until I fall deeply into my sleep.

* * * * *

Author's Note: Hello! Sorry for the slow updates, hope you guys have patience, Thank you for continue reading. And ooh I changed Grandma's Name from Daisy Cu to Jasmine Cu, sorry for the changes I made. I just need to do it. J I'll try to update again tomorrow