CHAPTER 06

“Kuya Gab!!!“ Ysabelle shout out loud to wake him up.

“What the f*ck Ysa!“ he yelled at her and covered his face with blanket.

"Hey! Kuya Gab, it's getting late already. We're ready now to go to the airport. Do you really want me to cancelled our flight?" she grab his hands and pulled him up. "It's your fault, why you're sleeping very late?"

she fixed all his things inside the luggage.

“Shut up and leave my room now!“ yelled her again out of irritation.

“Fine! We will proceed now to Roissy Airport if you don't want to get up. Just go on with your sleep, kuya Gab." she leave him in his room.

"Sissy, where's Gabby? We're getting late to our flight if we're not going to leave immediately." Dennise complain to her.

He woke up late already that's why he's hurrying now fixing himself and when his done, he immediately got out from his room while carrying his 2 luggages. Both ladies are frowning already since he woke up late this morning. He glance at Dennise whose quietly sitting at the couch waiting for me.

“Shall we go now?“ he gently tap her shoulder and she was shocked looking at him. 

"Okay." she answered and quietly walked out directly to the garage.

“Hey! What happened to your face sissy? Haven't you sleep lastnight?"   Ysabelle asked to her and he check her reaction at the rear view mirror.

"Ahhmmm.. I tried to sleep but--"

"I guess, both of you are sleepless. Where have you been lastnight, sissy? And why you used my pinka baby? Don't you dare lying to me?!" she immediately raised her eyebrows.

"Sorry, sissy. I went out lastnight for a stroll at Eiffel Tower and reminisce our happy memories there with Justin." she started to cry but Gabriel glared at her.

"Don't tell me because of Justin again? Do you still love him, Den?" Gabriel asked seriously.

“Yes! Ah.. I mean no! I will always missed my life here in Paris and my memories with him."

"Gotcha! You admit it that you still love him. Oh, c'mon sissy forget all your memories with him."

"Of course, I will do my best to forget him. Please sissy let's not talk about him." she close her eyes and gently massage her forehead.

“My God sissy enough for your crying time, okay? Let’s just enjoy our new life in the Philippines. Tagaytay City is a perfect place for a new beginning."

“Yeah right Sissy. I will erased him in my heart and mind even in my phonebook, everything will be deleted from now on."

“And you need to change your number as well, when we will arrived in the Philippines.“ he commanded.

"Fine, I will boss!" 

"Good girl, sissy."

"Are you alright, Den?" he glanced at her. "You better sleep for a while and I'll wake up when we arrive at the airport."

"Kuya Gab, is right sissy. Let's go back to sleep." 

"Don't worry ladies, just take a good nap," he smiled at them and then focused back to the road.

An hour after, they arrive at Roissy Airport (Paris-Charles de Gaulle). So, he wake up Ysabelle and Dennise who fell asleep during their travel. Tata Bert, go out first in the car to drop off their bags and luggages with the help of Nana  Lucia.

"Nana Lucing, I'll be missing your great cooking. It seems that I don't want to go at all," Ysa hugged her nanny.

"Just take care of your health, Ysang. Don't forget to be back home dear." she hugged her back and cried.

“Enough for your dramas, Ysa. We need to check - in our luggages first. Thank you, nana Lucing and Tata Bert please take care always and don't hesitate to call me in case of problem and emergency."

"No problem boss Gabriel. Goodluck and happy trip."

"Thank you." tap his shoulder. "Let's go ahead Den and wait for Ysabelle at the check - in counter."

"Okay, bye nana Lucia and Tata Bert." she waved her hands before he followed Gabriel.

"Hey, do you still want to go with us in going back to the Philippines? You still have time to back - out Den, while we are still here at the airport."

"Me? Why should I'm going to back-out? It's a no..no.. Gabby because I'm  now ready to explore again my homeland, Philippines," she keep her voice livelier.

"Good!" Gabriel help them in carrying luggages going to check-in counter.

“Thank you, Gabby! I'm wondering why you're so kind and gentleman today? Do you have high fever?" she asked and blurted out with a laugh.

“I let you this time so don’t you dare abused my kindness, Dennise!“ I smirked.

Ysabelle, hugged nana Lucia and tata Bert before she proceeds to the check - in counter. But she's surprised when she heard them arguing about little things.

"Hey, you two. Stop being annoying to each other. Hmmm.. I smell something fishy." 

After we have check - in our baggages, we went to the passenger's waiting lounge inside the airport while waiting for our flight schedule. We still have an hour to wait, that's why I tried to sleep while the two are busy talking.

“Hey, sleeping beauty wake up!“ Gabriel gently tap her shoulder.

“What?! Are we going?“

“Yes, so you better stand up."

She immediately stand up and followed them in going inside the airplane. She's so excited now to walk through life in her homeland. But there's always a reason to be back in Paris because of her parents.

“I miss you both.“ she burst out into tears.

“Miss, you okay?“ asked by a Korean national who sit besides her.

“Don’t mind me sir, I’m alright.“ she faked her smile and tightly close her eyes to stop the tears. 

“Okay.“ he smiled at her sweetly.

After a long hours of travel, we just landed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport. It's a different environment from cold to hot weather, a great smell of Philippines.

"Sissy.. I'm so excited to roam around the City of Tagaytay." she whispered to Ysabelle to avoid hearing it by Gabriel.

"Shall we eat first or we'll go directly to Tagaytay?" Gabriel asked to them.

"I guess let's eat first kuya Gab. I'm already hungry." she pouted her lips.

"No, sissy. Let's just eat at Tagaytay because according to my research bulalo there is yummy and delicious. So, we better taste there specialty. C'mon, vamonos!!" Dennise scream for excitement.

"Fine. Shall we go now ladies, i'ts a long road to go because of heavy traffic." Gabriel agreed for her suggestion.

"Ayeeehh! Let's go sissy." she drag Ysabelle going to their service car of the hotel where they are staying.

"Kuya Gab, are we going to stay now at Tagaytay Elite Club?" she whispered.

"No, not yet Ysa. But I'm temporarily booking at Taal Vista Hotel just nearby TEC,  while waiting for our chances to be invited inside the club. I’m working now with Brandt James Salvatierra, that’s why I have an access already."

"Don't worry kuya Gab, there's still modelling agencies that are affiliated to our agency in Paris and we will visit them next week. But for now, can we just enjoy our vacation here in Tagaytay?"

"Wow!! Amazing, Tagaytay City?? Well, I'm already excited to be at Tagaytay Elite Club! It's gonna be more fun and interesting view." Dennise shout out loud when they entered their hotel room.

"Let's go sissy, I'm very hungry and kuya Gab is waiting for us outside." 

“Okay!" she answered with excitement in her eyes.

We are already downstairs, when I saw someone familiar to her, based on his looks. And she's not wrong on her perception because it was Brandt James Salvatierra for real. His back defines itself how handsome he was in personal.

“Oh my gosh!! I know it's you Brandt, so please turn around a little…" she wished for him to glance at her even for a while.

"Hey, sissy! What are you doing? You're stalking for someone?" Dennise asked out of curiousity.

"I can't believe, sissy, that Brandt is here. Look at that guy who's talking to the guard," she pointed to the guy she saw earlier but he's gone.

"You know what sissy, that's obsession already for Brandt. Or shall I say you're very hungry and your mind can't think well. Shall we go to the Veranda and wait for Gabby there?"

"Okay, I'll text for kuya Gab to meet him at the Veranda." 

When they arrive at the Veranda, they're both amazed on the buffet table, for sentimental and harmonious vibe, having sumptuous feast in their wide variety of International and served authentic Local cuisine.

"Just get the food you like to eat." 

"Oh gosh, Gabby! I'm on my diet but how could I say no to them?" she smiled sweetly and lick her lower lips.

"Well, thank you kuya Gab. This is a real feast of Filipino delicacies." 

They all enjoyed the food and dessert they have ordered for their early dinner. After they ate, Gabriel went outside the Taal Vista Hotel to meet his new business partner. While Ysabelle and Dennise went back to their hotel room to take a shower and grab some sleep.

He's alone at the Lobby Lounge  in order to unwind while waiting for his new business partner Brandt James Salvatierra. But in his silence a girl approach him.

"Hi handsome! Can I join you in your table?"

Before I answered her, I look around but a lot of vacant tables, so definitely I said. "No!"

"I felt sorry for this guy, he's handsome but so rude."

"Yeah, right. Tsk. Let's go somewhere else beshy."

"Will you please mind your own business, ladies! I don't care  just go!" he said with irritating voice.

"Chills, Venturri!" Brandt call his attention.

"Hello, Brandt! Please have a seat."  he gestured his hand to the vacant chair in front of him.

"Glad that you're finally move here in the Philippines, Venturri. What do you think about Tagaytay?" he asked seriously.

"Well, the view are great except those women, whose damn aggressive!"

Brandt laughed out loud because of his reaction about women, then gently tap his shoulder and whispered.

"That's the advantage of being a TEC member. Just enjoy even if your not yet a member of the club."

"Well, I'm not interested Brandt." 

"Oh well, see you around and discuss our matters some other time. But for now, I need to go because my wife is waiting for me at home."

"You're under by your wife, Brandt?" he said bluntly.

"Of course not, Venturri! But my wife needed me most because she's pregnant and need more care and attention."

"Fine. Congrats, Brandt!"

It's been a while since Brandt left the Lounge but Gabriel felt so alone. Thinking of what he said. He's now thinking about her beloved Athena, maybe they could live life happily. But everything was changed when Emmerson Rafique ruined our relationship.

"I miss you a lot!" he whispered to himself. He felt tipsy already after he drunk 2 glasses of brandy.

"So, you're feeling alone?" he immediately look up to her.

"What are you doing here D-Den?" he asked.

"Well, that's enough Gabby! Let's go back to your room." she get the glass from his hands.

"Please, I want to be alone. I missed her so m-much," he burst out of tears.

"Will you please stop your iconic drama, Gabby! Until when you should suffered from pain and guilt? How many times, we should tell you that it's not your fault?!"

"Who are you?! Don't you dare yelling me like that because you don't even know what I felt, Den!"

"Gabby, don't you ever think that you're alone. We are here for you, so stop this nonsense  and better rest in your room. "

"Okay."

Dennise helped him to stand up and assist him in going to his own room but Gabriel tried to keep her hands off from him.

"Fine! Just walk properly or else I'll push yourself to ground."

"Don't worry about me D-Den I can walk straight." he laughed and slowly walk going to the elevator.

She immediately press number 3 and close button while Gabriel lean on the wall. When they reached to the 3rd floor she hold him for balanced and Gabriel let her do it this time until they have reached his room. She just drop him into his bed and then turn her back but Gabriel hold her hand tightly.

"D-Den please stay here. Please don't go." he said before he totally close his eyes and fell asleep.

She fixed him on bed and put on a blanket before she got out from his room and back to our own room. Ysabelle was already sleeping on her bed but she can't sleep right now. Part of her was worried for Gabriel's state of emotion and at the same time my own emotional state for my heartaches because of her break up with Justin.

It’s been a while since Justin and I broke up but it feels like yesterday, the pain was still there. 

“Why?! Why he easily chose that girl over me?! What did I do to him?!” she started crying. She always been like this right after they broke up. Always blaming herself for his reason of leaving her for someone else.

Sometimes her friend Ysa called me already "crazy!" Sometimes she's talking to herself and even crying though nobody died.

At this moment, she's watching tv when the commercial of famous undergarment that is being endorse by Justin was aired. She just stared at the monitor and reminiscing the past memories of him.

"Yes, he’s also a model, like us way back in Paris. This is one of the reason why I can’t  move-on easily. I always saw him in unexpected time and places. Mostly in tabloids, news, magazines and commercials of his endorsement."

"Well, he’s known as one of the famous top International model and foorball player by profession. Even seeing his billboards anywhere, it seems like he's torturing myself for not moving on easily."

She smiled seeing him while smiling on TV screen and I missed his cute dimples but out of the blue the TV screen was  turned off. She really thought of having a sudden brownout.

“What the fuck! It's brownout?"  she said while wiping her tears.

“Stop Crying for nothing, Dennise! How can you move on if you're still watching his ads and following him on his social media accounts?" 

I almost jump out from the couch when Gabby suddenly sermons me while holding the remote control.

"What the hell you're doing Gabby? Why you turned it off? Can't you see, I'm still watching him?" she got irrated already.

But instead of caring to answer all her questions, he suddenly thrown the remote control anywhere then drop the packs of burger and fries from Jollibee into her lap. Without saying anything he turn his back away from her.

“What's wrong with you, Gabby?” she asked him. But she ignored it and smiled when she started eating her burger and fries.

“Wow..infairness, he really knows my favorite. You're so rude at me but still you cared."

“Hmmm...It's delicious!" she swallowed it first before shout out loud for Gabriel.

“Thanks, Gabby!!”

He's coldness softened her heart for him and can't even think straight whenever his around.

"What if I fell in love with him?"