bringing you home, love (1)

She was so busy taking care of her grandfather's funeral. She was without any sleep and she felt so lonely now that the only person who cared for her already left her. He was diagnosed with cancer 2 years ago and since then, he was already in and out of the hospital.

All her savings from working as a ramp and commercial model was already used up. But he was so important to her so she accepted as many works as possible in order to provide for them and support his medication.

Her manager, Charlie was with her since this morning after her grandfather was declared dead. He helped her settle the hospital bill and arranged the wake.

It was already dark when they got home, she decided to hold the wake of her grandfather at home. There were already a few friends and neighbors at the wake, thanks to Charlie who posted it on her social media account. They expressed their condolences to her, some of them are familiar to her but most of them she hadn't met before.

"Have some rest, you look so tired", Charlie said leading her to the sofa.

"I'm alright, don't mind me", she said. Her heart is aching as she looked at the picture of her grandpa on top of his coffin. The tears that she has tried so hard to hold suddenly fell. She whimpered but soon it became a wail. Charlie held her in his arms and kept on caressing her back. She leaned on his right shoulder as she can no longer hide her sorrow.

She stopped crying after a few minutes but kept her face buried on Charlie's shoulder. She was not aware of two piercing eyes that were fixed on her. The owner of the eyes stood there for a minute, threw a dagger stare at her and left hurriedly.

Funeral. The funeral was held after 2 days. Necrological service was attended by a few of her friends from the modeling agency and some neighbors. Most of her grandfather's friends are either dead already or too old to attend the funeral. But at least some of them were able to visit him at his wake. It was a gloomy afternoon and it started to rain when the funeral service was over.

Christine was left standing at his grave after everybody has gone away including Charlie who has an important event to attend to tonight. He said she can have a break for a week but she insisted to work after a couple of days.

Her finances are not good. She has debts to pay and she needs money to live.

She felt so alone, she was so consumed by grief and the heaven sympathized with her as the rain continued to pour heavily.

She felt it pouring over her….but it suddenly stopped. Startled, she looked to her side and saw someone holding an umbrella for her.

She was scared and wanted to walk away but he wrapped his left hand around her waist while the other hand was still holding the umbrella.

"Who are you? ", she asked while looking up at him. It was already getting dark so it was hard for her to recognize him. But he seems familiar and his eyes, like an eagle's eye, met hers. Their eyes locked, her heart started to beat faster. How can she forget those eyes? Those eyes that have haunted her for all these years?

"I'm sure five years is not enough for you to forget me", he said still holding her close to him. She had to look up to see his face.

"You?, what are you doing here?", she asked with a mixed feeling. She can smell his manly scent and his fresh breath fanning her face.

"We have to go now before you get sick" and he took her to his car which was parked not far away from the grave. She tried to wiggle free from his hold but he won't let go of her. He tightened his arm around her waist. He opened the door of the backseat so she can go in before he closed the door. A few seconds later, he opened the other door and went inside. He took his jacket off and gave it to her.

He then told the driver to go. She just stared at him, speechless. How...why...is he here?

It has been five years since she last saw him. He sent her away so that his family will be at peace. She cut her ties with them, even with her father. She let them live in peace and she went on with her life. But she can't deny that she longed for him. She could not forget him which is another reason for her to work day and night. She wanted to forget everything and just focused on her work and on taking care of her grandfather.