Trip to the South

Chlea's Point of View

'Chlea, calm yourself down.'

I let out a deep sigh, placed my bag on the floor, and sat down on my soft bouncy bed.

Among all people, I know for myself I should not be feeling this way because... I am bound to be married to someone after all. I mean, it's not that I have feelings for Vaughn but there is just something in his eyes when he looks at me. I can't decipher what it is though.

Is it pain? Loneliness? I don't know, I can't seem to figure him out. His eyes speak out so much I can't understand what it's trying to say. He's happy on the outside but I get this weird feeling he is trying to mask something. Only if could tell him to stop looking at me with those wistful eyes, because it awakens the woman in me.

I paced back and forth inside my room endlessly until I felt dizzy. I decided to go to my walk-in closet to prepare the things I should bring for our trip tomorrow. A small travel bag would do since we would only be staying there for two days and one night.

I placed three bikinis inside, a pair of pajamas, underwear, bath essentials, medicines, and towels. Zipped it immediately and brought it outside the closet. I crossed my arms and sat down at the edge of my bed. I can't help but remember what he said before we left the café earlier.

"Can I fetch you tomorrow at five?"

I was out of my mind, I should be avoiding him because I have a fiancé! But instead, we exchanged numbers. He got my address and will be fetching me tomorrow because he will be driving as we are travel together in his car. Hyolyn and Brook will be together in their car while I will be with Vaughn. What a perfect plan. I can sense Hyolyn planning these all beforehand. Geez, she knows my situation better than anyone so why is she doing this to me?

I put my head in both of my hands in surrender. I have so many things in my mind as it is and this will add up eventually. Hyolyn is really making things harder for me! Ugh, seriously.

Speaking of the devil, my phone rang on the bedside table and reached it, it is Hyolyn.

I put my phone on my left ear and said nothing when I took the call.

She giggled, "Hello my dear cousin!"

I flashed a poker face because she is obviously up to something I am unaware of.

I rolled my eyes, "Stop laughing. Seriously, what are you up to? I know you're planning something. I have been so kind to you these days I always do whatever you tell me, why does it seem like you are pushing me towards Vaughn?"

"Wait wait wait, I am not! He will be lonely if he travels alone for three hours tomorrow. So I think it would be better for you to join him. Geez, Chlea stop overthinking, will you?" She teased.

"Whatever, I am not dumb. Play whatever you want to play, you know I don't have time for that. Bye."

"Hey wait!-.." Hyolyn was about to say something but I ended the call immediately and laid down on my bed with open arms.

"Seriously. I admit Vaughn is attractive but I am not out of my mind yet! No way!" I closed my eyes firmly and shook my head.

He is a perfect package I must admit but he is way too good. I kept on contemplating these things until my eyes grew heavier and heavier.

*KRINGGGG*

Struggling to open my eyes, I reached for my phone and saw it has been 30 minutes already when the alarm started. Oh, how tired must I have been!

I hurriedly unlocked my phone and there are 3 missed calls from Vaughn! I should call him back!

Ringing... Shoot, he answered!

Eyes tearing up, "Vaughn I am so sorry! Did you already leave without me?"

With a sleepy voice, he replied. "No I haven't yet, it's okay at least I got to sleep more. I am outside your house right now."

I stared outside at my window and indeed, a car is waiting. "I will be there in five minutes!"

Running as fast as I could, I went to take the shortest shower of my life. After that, I wore a simple floral dress with a puffed sleeve and wore the comfiest sneakers I have. I know, I am that girl. Dress and sneakers is life.

Gosh, I did not even have the time to blow dry my hair but I have to go down as fast as I can! Grabbed my bag and went down the stairs like lightning.

Heavily panting, I saw a dark blue Banchetta sports car parked outside. Goodness, only three of those were manufactured worldwide! With my head hanging low, I gently knocked on the car's window.

Vaughn, who is crossing his hands while his eyes shut woke up instantly. He got off the car, took the bag from my hand, and placed it in the backseat. He then opened the front seat for me and then went back into the driver's seat.

I immediately wore a seatbelt and made myself comfortable. This car could run so fast! I am envious.

I just can't help but bite my lower lip due to embarrassment, "Vaughn, I'm sorry once again."

"It's okay, really. You should have taken your time. Anyway, it's not that long since Brook and Hyolyn drove off." He gave me a reassuring smile and wore a balck sunglasses that suits him perfectly. Vaughn put his hands on the steering wheel with eyes fixed on the road.

It is still very dark outside at dawn. His car is probably the cleanest car I have ever seen and it smells like fresh lavender. It's very calming I almost dozed off. I looked at every detail of the car and it is so cool! I gently glided my hand on the car's window and I can't find even a single speck of dust. Just wow. I now thank Hyolyn for this arrangement. I could not ask for more.

I cleared my throat to break the dead air, "Uhm Vaughn, I can drive so... Tell me if you want to rest, okay? Don't worry I have a professional driver's license, I won't damage your car. Just saying."

"It's alright but thank you, I'll let you know." He looked at me for a split second and wait, did I see the corners of his mouth rising? It did!

He then shifted to fixating his eyes intently to the road. He looks so serious and dependable. With every move of his hands on the steering wheel, his arms flex their strong muscles. He is a skilled driver I must say. Even though the road is not that good, never did I feel a sudden break or anything in the car.

After almost two hours of driving, he finally spoke.

"I bet you didn't have time to eat earlier, let's stopover for a while. I know a really good place for breakfast." He said softly.

I am so touched I could cry, I am so hungry but I did not bring any snacks with me. He's like an angel!

We pulled over and took his seatbelt off. So did I. I moved my waist-length hair to the other side of my shoulder and fixed my dress before heading out of the car. As I was about to open the door, he already did and waited for me outside.

We headed inside together, he opened the restaurant's door for me like his natural habit. Seriously, what a well-mannered man he is. I am literally crying inside.

This restaurant is not a typical one. The walls are built out of bamboo stylistically placed on top of another diagonally thus having that diamond shape. A lot of people were eating already and a rich aroma of foods filled the air inside.

"This is called a carenderia." He said while we are on our way to the counter with a wide variety of foods to choose from.

I faked a laugh, "I know."

"Obviously, you don't." He grinned while looking back at me.

He continued, "A cafeteria offers delicious foods at an affordable and reasonable price. I

In a nutshell, it's a local spot we can say. They serve the best sinigang here."

I nodded in surrender.

Sinigang is a refreshing sour soup mixed with vegetables. It can be meat or fish. You can literally make sinigang out of anything. My Mom used to cook it for us. It's my comfort food.

"I know sinigang! I love it" My mouth almost drooled.

Vaughn ordered two rice for us, of course, an Asian meal would not be complete without that. He also got stir-fried beef, mung-beans soup, adobo, and calamari. The food arrived and our table is literally screaming Filipino!

"I'll pay for this. To make up for making you wait earlier." I suggested while looking for my wallet.

He looks like he was about to disagree but he sort of restrained himself and nodded.

"How much is the total for this?" I asked the waiter.

"350 Pesos, Ma'am." He politely replied.

I gasped, "Really? For all of these foods?!"

I looked at Vaughn in disbelief and he just winked at me laughing, "I told you."

I gave the waiter 1000 PHP and told him to keep the change. Seriously, it could have cost us more if we have not eaten here so I feel happy.

We instantly devoured our meals and then went on to the car.