“Macky!” I quickly chased the man in front. He turned slightly away from our distance, but that wasn’t enough for me to see his face completely.
    The light was so dazzling that I didn’t know where it probably came from.
    “Hey, what! This is exhausting! Wait for me, oh!” 
    I never stopped running, even though I had tripped a few times and almost dropped on the road.
    I felt a lot of headaches but I didn’t take it. I was determined to chase the man; I was determined to catch up with him.
    “What are you doing?” He quickly mimicked when the two of us were face to face. I can’t see his face. . . It was dim and dazzling, but I heard in his voice how annoyed he was. 
    “Here. . . it’s yours! ” I don’t understand, but I gave him a picture. I don’t know and I can’t see it properly but I force the man to accept that as if it was essential for us. . . something that can never be lost.
    “Avery. . . Avery! ”
Sweating profusely and terrified, I bounced back from bed when I woke up again that day. Cormac was already in front of me, who seemed to be worried about me as well.
    I could not understand the dream. I couldn’t understand why it was repeated, and it never left my mind.
    “Avery, talk to me. Are you okay? Do you need something? ”
    I dreamed of the unknown man again. It wasn’t the first time, but I still couldn’t see its face properly.
    “I. . . I need my memories. . . Cormac, I need my memories! ”
    My tears flowed, one after another. This thing just happened again and I would lie if I didn’t say I was scared.
    There is something about the dream. . . as if I could not accept. Whenever that man is the one I dream of, I am always trembling with fear.
    I don’t know him — or maybe I don’t remember him, but why am I so scared?
    I hugged the man who is in front of me tightly, still trembling with fear.
    Cormac sighed quickly. I know we don’t treat each other well, but this isn’t the right time to think about my pride.
    If only my brother is here. . .
    “Mommy. . . Daddy!” I cried.
    I didn’t think about anything exactly, but my fear remained.
    “Avery, calm down. . . please? ”
    His voice was very calm now. It was weak, but the voice of concern did not penetrate me. “You’ve been through a lot. . . because of me, ” he added.
    I did the usual. I shed tears. I released all the disappointment, as well as the frustration, at what happened.
    Somehow, I calmed down. I quickly broke away from the hug, causing Cormac to follow my gaze.
    “I. . . I’m sorry, Mr. carter–” I couldn’t even continue what I was saying when I suddenly felt his warm lips. The movement was slow and careful then, as if it was calming me down, telling me I don’t need to be alone this time.
    I bit my lip so hard, then looked straight into the man.
    I was almost deafened by the beating of my heart. In the next few seconds, I could keep up with that movement. His kisses became aggressive, which caused me to use my hands to keep my body from falling on the bed I was sitting on.
    “Cormac. . . ” I said in between our kisses. No matter how much I wanted to control myself, I could do nothing but follow the movement of his lips.
    For a moment, I felt how addicting it is.
    “I miss you–” He stopped kissing and then caressed my cheek. “I miss you so much. . . ”
    I quickly raised my eyebrows, frowning. I feel like I’m being eaten up by shame because of that kiss now. “Cormac–”
    He no longer waited for me to finish what I was saying. He slowly stood up and put his hands in his pockets. “When you’re done, we’ll have our lunch and then we’ll go to work.” He even looked straight at me before turning around and walking out of the room.
    My hand immediately landed on my mouth to stop those giggles. “What was that? His ear is so red!”
    I also readied myself to follow what the man said. I quickly texted my parents, said hello and also updated on what the plan was today.
    I know Kuya Jac is worried but I’ll have to put up with this first. This project will also be completed somehow.
    “Where are we going?” I asked the man next to me a few minutes after getting into his car. We ate lunch first without talking to each other. We didn’t bother to about what happened in his room.
    “Where are we going to do the shooting?” he said, then started the car.
    I picked up the cellphone and typed a message for Ma’am Cassandra. I will update it on what can be done today. He will take care of the big boss and the team.
    “We’re going somewhere,” he added.
    “And where’s that?”
    “Batangas.”
    I almost fell into my seat in panic. “Batangas?!”
    I would be really doomed. I should start praying that we’re not going to Pagkilatan because I’ll be roasted by my relatives there. I would never go there with a man, especially since they are always curious. That will be the end of me when I see Tita Cris.
    “Why are we going there?”
    “I’ll tell you later.”
    I should just let the man go. There is nothing I can do if I panic now. Another thing, Batangas is enormous. There are many places to visit. 
    No. We would never go there.
    I even typed a message for Ma’am Cassie that we were going to Batangas and I immediately got a go signal.
    In that super awkward and quiet drive, I fell asleep again. I just opened my eyes forcefully as Cormac shook my shoulder, telling me we’ve reached the place.
    I smiled a lot when I confirmed that what he was saying was true. I know the breeze in Batangas very well. Most of them are dying to feel this. 
    When I got out, I still had my hands up. It was so relaxing that I got back to the place where I grew up and became matured. Well, it not that satisfying because I don’t remember a single thing that happened in this place.
    We also went there with the family a few times, trying to somehow help me bring back my memories, but nothing happened. 
    I was fifteen years old back then, but now here I am, still sorely lacking.
    My system almost collapsed when I saw a familiar place — the Monte Maria Shrine. 
    Cormac’s got to be kidding me!
    “Cormac! Cormac, where are we? ” I dramatically faced the man. I wanted to cover my face because my relatives might actually see me. “Cormac!”
    He turned his watch before saying, “Pagkilatan.”
    My eyes widened, and I hurriedly opened the car door, then squeezed myself inside. What are we doing here?