Chapter 5

"Eric!" I hugged him as he held still in place. I am very happy because he is back finally. He is gone for a few months. He haven't even been to my birthday.

I heard him chuckle lowly. "How are you Ysa?" Still hugging him slightly, I stepped back. A bit ashamed of my action.

He smiled at me and pinched my cheek.

"Ysabelle!" I heard Nana Sela's yell which made me get back to reality. I turned around and saw her looking at me with dagger eyes.

"I told you already." She said in gritted teeth. "You look real messy right now." She even whispered so low, I could hardly hear her, as she neared me.

"Good afternoon sir Eric. It's nice to see you again." She greeted him and held my arms and slightly pulled me towards her.

"It's nice to see you too, Nana Sela." He smiled and looked at me again.

I would love to excuse myself now but Nana Sela seems stunned by Eric's smile too.

"Please excuse me for a while Eric." I said and bowed my head. I pulled Nana Sela with me.

I rushed to the bathroom to wash up a bit. I was in a rush at rubbing and cleaning myself. I am staring at nothing at one second then I continued showering.

After a while, I was dressed in a nice peach dress. Nana Sela said it was tailored right after my 19th birthday.

Nana Sela then combed my hair and pulled it out in a half ponytail.

"Please be nice to Eric, Ysa." She warned me.

"I am always nice, Nana Sela." I said and put on my sandals.

We went downstairs after applying perfume on. I saw Eric in the living room with my grandma happily eating in front of him.

He stood up which made grandma stopped talking. She smiled at me and urged me to come closer.

"Ysabelle, dear." She said. "Come sit." She motioned the seat beside Eric. He gestured me with his hand to sit beside him too.

I nodded and made my way there.

"It's so nice to finally see you again, Eric." She remarked happily.

"It's nice to be back too Doña Isabela. I am very sorry for not being here in Aunt Sally's funeral." He said and bowed a bit.

Grandma nodded. "It's alright now dear. Nothing to worry about."

“I am sad by Sally's passing. She has been a very good daughter-in-law. Since Yñigo passed, she became the master of everything in the house.” I saw grandma wiped a lone tear that fell from her eyes.

I looked down and looked at my hand. I, too, am very sad about it. Mommy was my best friend while growing up. She gave me everything that I wanted. Daddy died while I was very young. I don't really know what it feel like having a father by your side. I saw how she was sad when I started going out with Eric, yet she doesn't say anything about it. A few months after my 19th birthday, her health started deteriorating really bad. She has been going in and out of the hospital. Until she can't do it anymore.

It's nearing my 20th birthday but I don't have plans about it. Mommy was the one leading everything, from the preparations, the food, decorations and everything. Oh how I missed mommy.

“Are you okay, Ysa?” Eric asked me when I fell silent. I looked at him and nodded a bit. He knows me well enough. We were going out for only about just a year, yet he knows me when I fell silent.

I remember one time when we were at the beach. I was enjoying the water while he watches me from the shore when suddenly someone approached him. She was wearing a white and revealing one piece bikini. Her beautiful tanned skin glows under the sun. I looked at my arms and I was a complete opposite. I am porcelain white. Pale as a paper.

I don't understand the rage that I have within me. I am not really an angry kind of person. I am actually very kind and composed because that is what my mom taught me.

Getting fed up, I stood up and approached them. “Eric.” I called. He looked at me for a bit but then she nudged him to let him look at her. She was even laughing while a small smile was plastered on his face.

I called him again. Louder this time. He now looked at me longer, yet again, the girl held his forearm and pressed her breast on his side. My eyes grow round at her boldness.

Getting enough of the girl's advances, I walked past them. I heard him called for me but I grew deaf with his call. I marched through the sandy front of the hotel with heavy steps.

I directly went to the shower and prepared the bath tub. I need to wash up. I filled it with bubbles. Then I dipped in the warm, lavender scented water. I heaved a sigh and played with the bubbles. The scent of lavender somehow helps my nerves calm down.

I heard Eric knock and called for me outside but I grew deaf from his calls. After a while, he seem to get tired knocking since it grew silent.

I rose up from the tub after a few minutes. My hands are saggy from too much soaking.

I wore a bathrobe and went of the bathroom while rubbing my hair with a towel. I was stunned for a minute to see Eric sitting on the bed. In my room.

He stood up and went near me. I am suddenly nervous which made me step back. But before I could do that, he held on to my forearm and pulled me closer.

“What’s wrong?” he asked. I shook my head and bowed down. I don't really know what caused me to react like that. Now that he stood in front of me, giving me his attention, I can't seem to contain my own demons.

“Did I upset you?” I shook my head again.

“Why did you walk away? Why didn't you wait for me?” his questions kept coming but I just held my head low. I don't know what to say or how to explain what I feel.

“Do you get upset when I talk to somehow else?” he inquired again, now holding me by the elbows when I try to step away again. “How can we fix this if you are not talking.” He said in a low voice.

“I-I’m sorry.” I said quietly.

“Why are you sorry?” He said and held both my elbows now. I shook my head again. I heard him sigh heavily and let his lips rest on my forehead.

“I’m sorry, baby. She was a college buddy. We haven't seen each other since I went abroad to study. I won't leave your side anymore. Okay?” he said in a growl while rubbing my back.

A tear suddenly escaped my eyes. When he saw it, he wiped it away and smiled a bit at me.

“Don’t cry now. I'm sorry.” I sniffed and nodded. His smile grow bigger. He got the towel from and started to dry my hair. I don't know what to feel about how he is to me. I just know, this is the first time I feel this way.

“I'm fine Eric. I just remembered mommy. I miss her so much.” I sighed and held both my hands together. Trying not to cry.

“It’s fine dear. It has just been months since your mother passed away so it is understandable if you are still mourning.” Grandma sighed too. “I know she is happy where she is right now. She is now with my sweet Yñigo.” She smiled at me. Hearing that, it somehow made me realize that maybe, this way is better. She doesn't have to feel pain. I will miss her so much but her memories live with me.

“Anyway, how long are you going to stay here Eric?” grandma asked Eric.

“Maybe a couple of months madame. Since I don't have new projects yet.” He said and looked at me. I beamed at him. Happy to hear that he is staying longer.

“Well, that's good. You can continue where you stopped before.” Grandma said nodding.

I see Eric look at grandma intently then his eyes went to me. I see pure concern and longing in his eyes.

“Can I take Ysa for a walk?” he asked grandma. He doesn't really need to ask that since my grandma trusts him.

“Of course, Eric.” She chirped. He stood up first and held his hand for me. He tilted his head a bit.

“Enjoy yourselves.” Grandma said with a huge smile.

Now where could we possibly go.