Worlds Apart

Chapter Fourteen

"I think I am falling for you, Rielle. If at this moment you do not feel the same way as I do, I won't rush you; I am willing to wait; just let me love you, but I won't leave even if you ask me to." Rielle looked through his eyes, wanting to see his sincerity, but fear overcame her. She felt the same way for him, too, but she was afraid of getting hurt knowing they were worlds apart.

After their lunch, Hyun-Ki, in a concerting mood, invited her to dinner in a restaurant where they served the best Korean food. The Receptionist led them to a table with candle lights, lavender air spreading all over them, and a bouquet waiting for Rielle.

During their dinner, while eating Red wine was served; Hyun-Ki began to reminisce about his growing up years with his siblings here in Cebu and was so happy and nostalgic at looking back on his life then. Rielle was harmoniously absorbed in listening to his story. He abruptly suggested that they would not spend a day in a resort to see the beach that Cebu is proud of in the morning before returning to the main office in Manila. She fondly accepted the idea.

After their dinner, he led Rielle around the restaurant garden to take a stroll with him before coming home. He just wanted to be alone with her, engage in conversations, and learn more about each other. As they were having a good chat while walking, he slowly treads the pavement and stops, facing Rielle with a severe but tender gaze.

He held her hands; both eyes met silently; Hyun-ki spoke in all tenderness.

"Rielle, since I laid my eyes on you, I was initially attracted to you, which was confusing to me. Every time I look at you, it gives me a strange feeling that I have never felt this with anyone. I realized that this feeling is deep and serious, and that's why you seem so special to me."

Rielle was speechless, confused about Hyun-Ki's revelation. She can't look at his gaze in fear that he might see in her eyes that same feeling he had for her; and that her hidden and controlled feeling for him may give her away.

"I think I am falling for you, Rielle. If at this moment you do not feel the same way as I do, I won't rush you; I am willing to wait; just let me love you, but I won't leave even if you ask me to."

Rielle looked through his eyes, wanting to see his sincerity.

"I have this anticipation but also fear because I'm afraid of getting hurt. We are worlds apart, Hyun-Ki. If I accept your love, it may only leave us heartbroken in the end, and I sincerely believe deep in me I can't bear the thought of losing you."

Hyun-Ki felt joy and then took her hands, squeezing tightly with assurance.

"I love you, Rielle. I promise I'll protect you, stand by you, and never leave you."

"I want to be honest with you; I have these misgivings about loving you. You are too much involved with women who are always around you. And it would not be easy to say we both love each other; it is also because of our situation in life. It may only destroy us, and I can't help seeing both ruined and broken."

As he looked at her, his intent gaze made her heart beat faster, her insides seemed to tingle, and her whole body was as if electrified, making her weak in her thoughts and feelings.

Hyun-Ki broke the silence between them.

"Don't let your fears and doubts overcome your true feelings, Rielle. Please give me this chance to love you. So, what if our life situation is different, does that measure my love for you? Trust me, open your heart for me, Rielle, please!"

Rielle was on the verge of tears. Her heart is thumping like crazy; her feelings are like caged butterflies wanting to be free!

Hyun-Ki wiped those tears and, gazing into her eyes, slowly held her face by her ears and kissed her gently, first with closed lips. And as their lips touched, Hyun-Ki opened his mouth to kiss her more torridly, and Rielle gave in, slowly holding his arms, feeling so helplessly weak with filled-up emotions as her tears shed completely uncontrollable; her feelings were like a waterfall overflowing uncontrollably for Hyun-Ki seemingly like wanting to explode!

Then Hyun-Ki embraced her gently and tightly, whispering to her ears," Please don't cry, believe me, trust me, I will always be here for you, to stand up for you. I want to stay with you, Rielle."

That night back at the mansion, the guard at the gate informed Hyun-Ki that a guest was waiting for him. In a romantic mood, Hyun-Ki and Rielle get off the car, and upon entrance to the waiting hall of the house, Cynthia showed up; and the two lovebirds were especially surprised Hyun-Ki, that Rielle ungripped her hand from him.

Cynthia was also shocked, surprised to see Rielle holding hands with Hyun-Ki.

"Why are you here? I never asked you to be here." Hyun-Ki spoke in dismay.

"I can't wait for you, so I decided to come here instead," looking at Rielle with a deep glance.

Rielle went straight away from the two and found herself on the stairs while Hyun-Ki looked at Rielle with deep concern.

Cynthia frowned and complained, "Your lady butler doesn't want to move my suitcase, telling me to wait for you first because you did not tell her that there will be another guest arriving, ha?"

"It is a rule in this house; you should know that of all people! So, if you have no invitation, you will not be more entertained to be allowed inside this house." He said absolutely.

"You can leave now, Cynthia. You are not my guest here." Then called out for Ben.

"Bring Cynthia where she came from, Mang Ben. She has no room here to stay."

Cynthia was displeased and angrily complained, "You are asking me to leave at this hour, Hyun?!"

"The airport never closes, or you can check in in a hotel; please leave now. Mang Ben will assist you."

Ben carried her suitcase back to the car.

"How dare you, Hyun-Ki! How dare you treat me like this!" vexed Cynthia as she was led to the door by the lady butler, Rosita.

Hyun-Ki knocked on Rielle's door and immediately embraced Rielle as soon as she opened her door.

"Is something wrong, Hyun? How is it with Cynthia?" worrying.

"I make her leave the mansion. She is not welcome here." Somehow irked by Cynthia's unexpected visit.

"But why? Where will she stay?" asked worriedly for Cynthia.

"She'll be fine; she's used to traveling. Please, let us not talk about her. She's not my concern, but you."

Hyun-Ki hugged her and kissed the top of her head. "We're okay, right?"

Rielle nodded. Hyun-Ki held her hands and chirped, "Let's go to the beach tomorrow. Let's unwind after the tensions we had, let's have fun, how about that?"

"I didn't bring any swimsuit with me; besides, I have no intention of diving or paddling in the water. I am unsatisfied with that idea because I have not yet overcome my fear of the sea!" Rielle said with uncertainty.

Hyun-Ki was puzzled, "Why, why the fear of the sea? What happened?"

She said timidly, "I don't know, I just had that feeling, and it scares me." Hyun-Ki consolingly gazed at her.

"Not when you're with me. I am a good swimmer, and I won't let the sea eat you up!" acting like a monster with hooked fingers as if scaring a child. Rielle laughed out loud and hugged him instantly.

"Swimsuit will not be a problem. Let's buy your swimsuit at the beach store. Let's enjoy and have fun!" Hyun-Ki carried and swirled her around with excitement.

Rielle was thrilled by his excitement that she hugged him tight, and once more, both faces touched with eyes met that they couldn't help kissing torridly.