Three weeks had passed and I've been inspired to work since then. I visited her on my rest day as she changed hers too. We spent the whole day going to nearby places or staying in her cottage and binge-watching movies.
Whenever I visit her, I brought her favorite white roses and I've got to get to see her flushed face every time.
I also met Mrs. Ana Villacarlos, the one she told me that had helped her. She's sweet and caring and she knows about us, too. She told me one time, that I should never break her daughter's heart or else she'll ban me in her resort for laugh. She laughs as she looked at my stunned face. But she added that she's not joking so I assured her that I will never hurt Keirstine and that my intentions are pure.
Nick and Aya got tired of asking me about where I've been in my every rest day because I have never told them a thing. I just don't want to tell them about us yet because we never been official. I am still courting her and I told her that I am not in a hurry so she can take her time.
Today is Friday and we are going back home to Louisville. We had already received our certificate of completion and other documents for our internship and all is settle. We are going home but I felt heavy-hearted in leaving. I wanted to go to Keirst before we depart but they insisted on leaving today. So I made a deal with Aya.
I'll tell her everything when I got home in Louisville if she'll convince Nick to leave without me.
"That'll be hard!" she said in a whisper. We are currently loading our things in the car and Nick went to the unit to fetch something he left.
"It's just simple. You just need to make him drive home. You won't even notice that I'm gone from behind." I explained.
"What about my things?"
We saw Nick coming down with a phone in his hand.
"Act angry and transfer your luggage. Now!" she seems confused but she gasped as she realizes what I mean.
"I hate you! Don't talk to me ever again!" She pushed me hard and got her luggage from my trunk. Nick stood her confused as Aya went inside his car. "Nick, let's go!"
"What the hell happened?" he asked me. I shrug in response. Less talk, less mistake.
"Nick, come on! Let's leave that insensitive person behind!"
"What did 'ya do, man?"
"I don't really remember." I blurted.
"'Aight, see you then. Just follow behind," he said and went in his car.
I followed behind them. I drove slower at some point to fall behind them further. When I can't see Nick's car upfront, I decided to pull over and sent a text to him.
I opened my inbox and Aya's message pop up.
I told him that I pleaded you to open the window throughout the ride but you declined.
And I got mad at you for being insensitive.
He didn't buy that, god!
I have to tell him that I'm on red days. That shuts him up.
Your part of the deal, don't forget!
I smiled as I read her messages. I composed a message to Nick saying that I forgot something and I have to make a U-turn. I turned off my phone after sending the message and turned up the engine.
I arrived at the resort and went directly to the resort's restaurant in the hope that she's there cooking. I asked the one behind the counter and said that Keirstine is currently in an event on the beachside.
I went down to the beach while holding the bunch of white roses in one hand. But I was surprised to see what event is going own. White clothes draped all over the place and flowered adorn the post. A wedding.
I scanned the whole area and saw Keirst in the front wearing a white cocktail dress with her curled hair adorned with a pink flower crown. She's not wearing her glasses like usual and she's so beautiful.
I walked closer and the moment she noticed me she gasped and ran towards me.
"Ash! What are you doing here?" she smiled widely at me. I handed her the flower I am holding. "Wow, these look pretty! Thank you."
"You look beautiful,"
"I know right!" and she laughs. "But these lenses are killing me. God! Why did I even wear these." She blinked a couple of times.
"What's going on?" I asked while looking around.
"A friend's wedding. The reception is pretty rushed actually that's why I never had a chance to tell you. You see that woman..." she said while pointing at the one wearing a simple wedding gown. "...she's my best friend from the culinary school I studied. She kept on insisting to cast me in her wedding but the venue is too far and I have a work here. She contacted with Tita Ana instead. I only knew everything after five days ago! A little devil she is!" she acted angrily but I just laugh it off, she's too cute.
"I'll introduce you to her, come!" she dragged me across the venue with lots of people wearing their best dresses and suits while I wore just a shirt and pants. I felt out of place.
"Keirst! Ohh, what do we have here?" her friend asked with a teasing smile as she watched our intertwined hands. Keirstine just glared at her but her friend just laughed. A man beside her also laughs, the groom. "You got yourself a little romance, I see! Thank God!" he said.
"Oh, shut up!" she tried to pinch her friend but the latter evaded it. "Anyway, this is Ash a friend of mine in Louisville. Ashley met Alysza and Dan, my friends."
"Hi," I offered a handshake.
"Hey, dude. It's nice to meet you. We never really heard of Keirstine's dating stories but I'm glad she has one. I'm afraid she's gonna steal my girl from me." he burst out laughing as Keirst started throwing punches at him.
"I'm straight, dude!" Keirst shouted.
"Yeah, it is really hard to persuade her to date. You know what, I set her up to a lot of guys but she never had interests at all." Alys said and Keirst just rolled her eyes.
She seems so close to them as I heard a lot of stories from them. The couple excused themselves only when some of their other relatives came. The place became full of guests. The wedding had started earlier at dawn because the couple wanted a sunrise wedding by the beach that's why some of their guests are unable to attend the ceremony.
Keirst and I decided to stroll the beach. She leads the way while still holding the flowers I gave her. I watched her from behind and the view really suits her well so I decided to take out my phone.
I took a shot while she's staring out the calm sea but she heard my camera's shutter sound.
"Hey! You didn't inform me," she pouted. I laugh hard. I thought she's gonna get mad but instead, she posed for me.
"Let's take a photo together." She handed out her hand as I am still looking at the screen with her face. I held her hand and said,
"I got the best view." Her face flushed as I took another photo of her. I indeed got the best view I ever wanted.
We took a couple of photos together before we decided to join the reception party. The whole event ended at around four in the afternoon but there will be an after-party tonight.
I wanted to join the party but I am tired and I need to travel back tonight, so we decided to hang out in her cottage instead.
We were sitting on the sofa when I think of something. I fidget through my phone and played a song.
As the instrumental played, I stood up and ask for her hand. She looked at me laughing lightly as if I am doing something absurd.
"Come on," I said and she accepted my hand. I held her tight as I started swaying slowly to the beat.
Heartbeats fast
Colors and promises
How to be brave
How can I love when I'm afraid to fall
But watching stand alone
All of my doubts suddenly goes away somehow
One step closer
She leaned her head on my shoulders. We're feeling each other's warmth and hearing our heartbeats. We stayed swaying to the slow version of the song 'A Thousand Years' in the middle of her living area. Calm and peace surrounding us and this feeling of contentment as I held her in my arms.
"I have loved you for a thousand years." I sang as the song came to an end.
"I'll love you for a thousand more," she sang as she looked up to me and our eyes met. She closed her eyes and I am slowly drawn closer to her as I closed my eyes too and felt the softness of her lips.
***