Ge-An POV

I was sitting by the window near my bed, hearing her voice. The voice that sounds like music to my ears, the best sounds that I have ever heard that can make my heart melt. Ooh hearing Maria's voice makes my heart jumps I missed her so much even though it's been only a day that we didn't talk because of Gaston's arrival, that fiancé of her. Arggh Gaston! That name makes my blood boil.

"Relax" I tell to myself I take a deep breath and sigh deeply. Why do you care if it's her fiancé, I shouldn't

"Hey Ge are you okay?" that worried voice snap me back to the reality

"Ah yeah yeah, I'm fine. It's just, uhm.. Ah anyway what are you saying again a while ago" I asked cause I didn't notice what she's been telling me few seconds ago due to my floating mind.

"Ahm well as I was saying they will be come next week for the pamamanhikan" she said. this sentence that I heard from her makes my knees shake and weak.

(I already explain the meaning of the word Pamamanhikan in chapter 3 i hope you remember)

"You shouldn't agree with it" I answered as I disagree with the idea, "hey!" I shouted to myself you should be saying good stuff for them not disagreeing

"I should Ge-an, it is the right thing to do." She said firmly "I grew up like this, there are certain things that I must follow, a lot of things that I needed to do" it's like she just needed to follow an order instead of doing what she wants

"What if it's not the right thing? What if you don't follow? What if you don't do it? I asked continuously and worriedly, I don't know why but I can't stop to feel worried.

"Then I would be rebellious, I would be an ungrateful daughter to them" I heard her deep sigh "I don't want to hurt my parents" I can feel the sadness in her voice it makes my heart sink

"Why don't you talk to them?" I asked full of sympathy and concern

"I don't know" She answered hopelessly and it makes my heart ache

"May be if you tell them what you really feel, it would make them understand you, it could change their mind" I told her with a soft warm voice

"No, I don't think so Ge-an" she answered me shortly

I pause for a while "Do you want to regret something in the future because of a wrong decision?" I asked and I know it made her think for a while, hearing no response I continue "What if you ran away? Go to someone you know, don't you have any relatives that you can stay with? I know this is not a good idea but that is the only way to escape the problem that could ruin your entire life" I told her calmly the best idea i think and the only one that could help her situation.

   _ _ _ _ _   

Maria's POV

what is happening to me!? Her question made me think more crazy

"What if it's not the right thing?" no it is

"Do you want to regret?" it is for my family

"wrong decision" no it's not

"what if you ran away" thats insane

"Could ruin your entire life" how can it be?

I have to answer questions repeatedly to convinced myself. I was so lost because Ge-an's words hit me in the face very hard but no, It should be the right thing to do. This is for my family, I cannot let them down.

 _ _ _ _ _ 

Ge-An POV

After talking to Maria I decided to grab my camera and started to walk around to lessen the tense that i am feeling. I walk around the house and I found something parked in the back garage covered securely, I step forward to take the cover off and my jaw dropped seeing a beautiful vintage car, it is a Black Packard 180. On the side you can see the art-deco influence in the fenders and spare-wheel covers. I try opening the door and get inside after. The interior is clean and also shares the same art-deco touches as the exterior. "This 180 is a time capsule" i told myself because they are a reflection of the styling influences that were prevalent at the time.

after my 20 minutes car inspection my foot brought me somewhere. I look at the signage "Fountain Garden". As I walk on the grass I saw a small bridge, it looks old but the beauty is still can be seen. There are trees in the surroundings and you can see a beautiful fountain in the middle of the pond. I focus my camera took some photos of the surrounding in different angles.

I fell in love with the place I saw then Maria come's into my mind, An idea pop up into my head that made me smile "maybe someday I could meet her here"

* * * * *

NO POV

Gaston sitting on the drivers seat while Maria's is sitting on his right and Luz at the back they are on their way to the city to buy some of Maria's painting materials. Gaston insisted to go with them that Maria can't argue anymore.

Gaston hold onto Maria's right shoulder and said "It's a great car your father bought, Packard 180 this is fast with a 5.8-liter eight-cylinder motor that ha an Output whopping up to 160hp" Maria just look at him blankly

"why do you look so anxious?" Gaston asked with his brow almost touching each other

"huh?" the only word Maria could say then look on the window

He just ignore the weird reaction of Maria and said "By the way, after we get married I want you at home taking care of our kids and serving me. That how woman supposed to be just like my mother." he said with his eyes on the road

Maria looks at him "I want to study in Manila, I want to take fine arts" she said

"what?" he asked disappointed and turn his head to Maria "It's just a waste of your time, and fine arts is not even a course you cannot use that in taking good care of family. Just forget about studying" he said without thinking about Maria's feeling

"Gaston" Maria shouted while pointing to the road

Gaston turn his head back to the road and hit the break hard as he see someone on the road. He immediately get out of the car and went to the Old Man, Maria and Luz follows as well.

"Hey you dumb!" Gaston yells the Man just repeats what he said and laugh like a kid

Gaston snort with disgust "crazy guy " then he hit the Mans head

"Gaston stop" Maria pleaded "Don't engage with him, he is just like a child in mind" Maria look worriedly to the Man that is now crying sitting on the floor like a kid lost in a game

"I'm gonna tell my mother about you" the Man said while sobbing

Gaston kicks him hard while Maria and Luz tries to stop him "I'm gonna broke this bastard son of a !" he said agrily

"Gaston stop" Maria push him a little to stop him from kicking the Man

with a devil eye look "Your ruinning my day" he yells to the man before going back to the car

Maria and Luz went to the man to help the up "Maria lets go!" Gaston shouted from the car she look at Gaston and then look back again to the guy worriedly "Maria!" he shouted again louder

Maria and Luz cannot do anything but to follow and get inside the car.

  * * * * *  

Maria's POV

sitting on my bed I said "I am shock of what I have seen, I asked myself if this is the one I am going to marry, he is a very violent man" with a astonishing voice

"If he is like that to other people then isn't that a bad sign? Are you still willing to go for it? would you still marry that kind of person" i heard a very soft concerned voice very far from Gaston who seem so arrogant all the time

"I think I'm changing my mind" I answered honestly

"While you still have time" she said that make me confused

"Time for what Ge-an?" I asked a little confused on what about she is pointing at

"Time, time for..." she answered hesitantly so i push her with curios tone "for..? for what?"

i hear her take a deep breath before she says "let's meet, you know I really really wanted to see you" I can't stop my self from smiling after hearing that

I stand up from sitting "meet... where?" I asked feeling the excitement all over my body

I started to walk "Do you know the Fountain Garden?" she asked

"Fountain Garden?" I repeated "Yeah the beauty with a lake and bridge, you know that right" she said and  I can also hear the excitement from her voice

"Yes, i will wait for you" I says full of sincerity as I look out of my window

"Tomorrow 6'o clock in the evening" I hear her say

I nod as if she can see me"Sure" still with a huge smile on my face

"Okay, Good night" The last word she says before dropping down the phone

I am going to see her tomorrow just the though makes my heart beats faster, I can't help it but to squeal.  I grab my pillow in my bed and put it in my face as I scream my excitement. I lay down in my bed and smile like a lunatic.

Ge-an POV

After putting the phone down, I immediately raise both of my hands in the air with my fist and eyes closed as a victory and i shouted "Yes" I can't help it but the joyfulness i feel eats me that i started to dance like a lunatic, when i realize what i was doing I stop and bite my lips and smile at the idea of seeing Maria. I lay on my bed with the happy thoughts and sleep happily.

    * * * * *   

I wake up with full of energy and in a very good mood. I was nearly half of stairs when i started to hear Lei talking with all his might, I shake my head with a smile as I step closer to them.

"You know whats great, I'll be working with a lot of big names in the industry both from New and old generation like Aranya Namwong and Apasra Hibgsakula will be a guest and there is this comeback Love team that everyone is waiting for i heard" Lei says proudly of himself

Gennrei just give him a small smile while listening to him attentively

"Who?" I asked curiously as we all sit on the dinning area to eat breakfast, Gennrei sit in my front left while Lei sit next to him

"ahmm Di.. Ti-" He snap his fingers "Ti-aom, yeah thats it"

"Really? Tina and Aom will be in your movie?" We all turn our head to look at Anne pouring Juice in our Glass looking really amaze

"ooh" she said covering as she realize we are looking at her "sorry for interrupting" biting her lips

"it's alright" Gennrei said smiling then turn his head to Lei "are you sure your not dreaming you're part of it?" he said joking

Lei look at Gennrei "Yeah, you should join we still are lack of cast. it will definitely fit you" Lei said with a small smile

Gennrei just look at him "really? what would it be then?" he asked uninterested

Lei smirk "What would you like, a monster or a beast? he said teasing Gennrei back

And surprisingly Gennrei laugh instead of being grumpy "I don't think so, look at this face" pointing to himself

"Wait a minute" Lei pause for a little while then continue "Why you seem different today, you look happy and cool. Your not irritable as usual"

I smile yeah his right this past few days Gennrei seems to maintain his cool and not that snappy

Gennrei laugh a little and said "Maybe I just woke up in a good mood just like when we our home"

"Maybe but I think its because you met someone" Lei said grinning while making his eyebrow up and down

"What are you talking about" Gennrei answered defensively while Lei just give him a teasing smile

"Anyway, How is the old lady that Jasmine Cu?" Lei changing the topic

I finish chewing the bread I'm eating before answering "She is still in a coma, I think it will be for the best the she got transferred to Manila when she is stable" I said sadly when i remember her situation

"Let me tell you this, You don't have responsibility to her it is not your fault she got hit. In fact you are already doing so much for her, you are paying all her bills, you are giving all the support she--" I interrupted him before he could finish

"Hey that Old woman save my life, I am here very well and alive because of her while she is laying in the hospital dying, do you understand that?" I told him looking upset then I stand up to my sit and leave them. i can't believe him, he might be only thinking about himself about his comeback movie.

- - - - -

I walk in my room and started to prepare myself, it only took me 20minutes to finish everything then I went to the hospital. After 3 short knocks I went inside the room and find Maric's mom sitting beside the bed of the old lady,I greeted and handed her the bouquet that i brought on my way here.

"Thank you"she said as she puts the flowers on the vase "The Doctors said her vitals sign shows improvement even though she is not yet awake" she told me nicely

"I'm  really sorry it is because of me why this happened, if I could just do anything" I said feeling the guilt and sadness seeing her laying on this bed

"No its okay, Thank you. We both didn't expect this to happened, I just got worried about Marics because she got affected with her Grandma's condition" She explained sincerely "And I want to say sorry on about how I acted the other day, I been rough on you its just because of my worries for my mother"

I smile at her brightly and nod "It's okay, I understand. Ahm can you tell Marics that I drop by, I will be going now" I bow my head and turn around but before i could make the first step

"Ge-an" she called me so i turn to her again "Are you not going to wait for her?" she asked

"Ah yes I could, is she coming anytime now?"" she smile warmly with my answer 

"Yes she will be here anytime. You know, Your face looks really familiar she even told me that she thought that she already meet you. Anyway there's a lot of people who looks a like' she said laughing and can't stop but to laugh too then Maric's showed up and greeted us

then she  went to her Grandmother and give it a kiss on her forehead,

"Hi Mamang, how are you today?" she asked and i could see she wipes her tear away. She really is got affected a lot with her grandma's situation

 We where walking in the hallway, Maric's insisted to accompany me outside when I say goodbye to them.

"Maric's"  I called her name

she turns to me with a smile "hmmm?"

"I am the reason why this things happen, I feel so guilty" I told her honestly as I look deeply into her eyes

"Don't blame your self, Just like what my grandma always tell me Everything that happened is part of our destiny" She told me as she return the gaze in me

I nod still looking to her "ahmm, would you like to go out tomorrow? let's just have coffee? maybe you could enjoy a little" looking at her with my puppy eyes , I want to at least lessen the sadness she is feeling because of me 

"Sure" she said with a smile

I feel relief "I'm gonna pick you up here tomorrow, around 6'o clock, is that okay?" i asked while I scratch my nape

"You stay in the MSD Garden right?" she asked, off course I already told her about it when we talked the other day and she remembers

"Yup" I answered short

"I just go there, it is on the way" she said with her low voice

Okay, tomorrow, 6'o clock" I reminded her before riding my car, we already reach the parking lot so I have to say goodbye already.

* * * * *   

I park the car in the garage and walk my way to the Fountain Garden, I sit in a bench near the lake just after the bridge. I look at my watch its 5:00 in the afternoon. I grab my phone and put my earphones,"I'm gonna play some music while I wait" I told myself smiling but I feel so nervous and terrified.

I could hear my heart beats louder and lounder in each and every minute that past. I Look at my watch again Its 5:45pm already, 15 more minutes and I feel so much in my chest that I can't understand.I hear the next song play.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFwO39fZWx4

(You Can Play the song with this link)

You by the light
Is the greatest find
In the world full of wrong
You're the thing that's right
Finally made it
Through the lonely
To the other side

(This song makes my heart more nervous i told my self and I cannot stop it)

You said it again
My heart's in motion
Every word feels like a shooting star
I'm at the edge
Of my emotions
Watching the shadows burning in the dark

And I'm in love
And I'm terrified
For the first time
In the last time
In my only...

(Yeah this is the 1st time in my entire life I feel this way, Is this love?)

This could be good
It's already better than that
And nothing's worse
Than knowing you're holding back
I could be all
That you needed
If you let me try

(I closed my eyes and smile)  

You said it again
My heart's in motion
Every word feels like a shooting star
I'm at the edge
Of my emotions
Watching the shadows burning in the dark

(the only thing I see in my head is Maria's Name)

And I'm in love
And I'm terrified
For the first time
In the last time
In my only
I only said it 'cause I mean it
I only mean 'cause it's true
So don't you doubt what I've been dreaming
'Cause it fills me up
And holds me close
Whenever I'm without you
You said it again
My heart's in motion
Every word feels like a shooting star
Watching the shadows burning in the dark

And I'm in love
And I'm terrified
For the first time
In the last time
In my only life...
Life...
Life...This could be good

It's already better than that.

Thisfeeling is so overwhelming, I try to shake it off. I remove my earphone and stand up to look  around the area, It's starting to get dark, I turn on my flash light and points it to different direction and I stop when I hear some noise coming from my behind, I turn immediately and point my flashlight.

"Maria" I said as I turn my head towards the direction.

Author's Note: Hi Guys, Is my update that long? Sorry I been stuck with work. Thank you everyone just send your comments and idea, I appreciate it.