BACK TO THE CITY I

The next day, Kaye woke up late in the afternoon. She was so exhausted from the last night's activity that she gave in to a deep slumber.

"Yeah. We'll proceed as planned. Just ask Eva for some matters. I had given her the detail for this proposal. You know how important this is to me. I want it perfect for her." Ivan's low voice was coming from the terrace. The discussion seemed to be private but the words didn't escape Kaye's hearing.

She was shocked to know that he was actually planning to propose to someone. 'Not to judge, but something happened to us the night before and now, he's talking about proposing to someone else like what we did never happened.' Kaye was feeling hilarious at herself.

"Right. I told him I would never blame him." Kaye whispered with so much pain but when Ivan came into view, she adjusted her mood immediately.

"How are you?" Ivan asked her looking so worried but Kaye just smiled. "Kaye, last night, I..."

"Stop." Kaye interrupted him suddenly. "Whatever it is that you wanted to say, don't say it. I won't blame you or anything. Let's just forget that it happened."

Ivan's eyes darkened upon hearing her. "Get dressed. We have to go back to the city. My family left this morning already but they left us a car." His voice was dripping cold, each words were like daggers to her heart.

"Just give me a minute." Even though she was still aching on her lower back, Kaye bit her lips to endure the pain.

"Do you need help?" This time, Ivan's voice contained some warmth. Nonetheless, he caused her that pain.

"No need. I can manage." Kaye waved her hand to stop him. She wrapped the blanket around her body before going to the bathroom.

She didn't take so much time to get dressed and pack her things. After half an hour, they were already at the reception desk to checkout their stay.

They didn't talk much and even the people around them could feel the tension that they emitted.

After Ivan settled everything, he took their things and walked towards the place where the car was parked with Kaye following behind him.

"Wait here for a while." He instructed Kaye after letting her slipped into her seat. He fastened her seatbelt before going off somewhere.

"Why do I feel like, every time we go on separate ways, we ended in a fight." Kaye murmured to herself. While waiting, she decided to check on her phone and see if there's anything new.

To her surprise, she was tagged on a photo that she never expected to surface in any social media platform.

It was a photo of her and Ivan when they ate last time. It was taken after they watched the turtle hatching eggs. In the photo, they looked so sweet and loving. You could even see the sincerity in Ivan's eyes.

"I'm happiest when I'm with you." Kaye read the caption which many people discussed in the comment section.

"This was the woman that our boss brought in the office. Told you. Something was brewing between them. So cute." A comment with so many likes came at the top.

"No wonder boss was on vacation. They look so good together." It was another comment from one of his employees.

"Besh@Kaye, when's the wedding?" It was a comment from Jess who saw the post as well.

Kaye was blushing from reading their comments. She wanted to ask Ivan why he did so when people would misunderstand them easily. However, the object of her interrogation was nowhere to be found.

It wasn't until 15 minutes later that Kaye saw him coming with some paper bags on both hands. He opened the car's door and slid into the driver's seat.

"Where did you go?" Kaye asked as she put her phone away.

"Why? Did you miss me?" Ivan retorted back in question with a cheeky smile on his lips.

"Just wondering." Kaye didn't probed him more since he didn't want to tell her. She had decided that things should be ended once they're back in the city. They couldn't even stay as friends anymore.

"Here. I went out to get this." He handed her the paper bags which contained foods for both of them. "You haven't eaten today."

"Thank you, Ivan." Kaye's emotions were choking her and she suddenly wanted to cry.

She wanted to tell him how she's feeling but she's afraid of rejection, knowing that he's preparing to propose for the woman that he likes.

"I'll be driving so you have to feed me." It was meant to be a joke to lighten her mood but Kaye didn't mind doing it.

"Okay." She took a sandwich and fed Ivan so that he could drive with both hands.

"Say, your birthday is next month. What gift do you want me to give you?" Ivan asked to bring up something that they could talk.

YOU. Kaye wanted to say this word but she stopped herself before committing such huge mistake. "Nothing in particular. I don't even want to celebrate my birthday." Kaye answered before taking a bite on her own sandwich.

"I don't think auntie would allow that." Ivan responded as he maneuvered the car to turn left.

"Will you be there if I'll hold a celebration?" Kaye asked nonchalantly, but honestly, her heart was hopeful.

"Yes.." of course Ivan can't go. He has other plans for that day, but he couldn't tell her that. He finished the bread in his next bite.

Kaye sensed the hesitation in his word but she didn't dwell on it. After all, he'd probably be with his girlfriend already.

Ivan didn't know why she was feeling really low. Ever since she woke up, she never smiled at him truthfully. Her laugh and smile were all superficial.

"Kaye, I have a huge surprise on your birthday. It might even ruin the relationship we have now, but on your birthday, I'll tell you my biggest secret." Ivan spoke to her, but when he turned to face her, she was asleep again while facing the window.

"I'm not really good with timing." Ivan chuckled as he continued to drive back to the city.