Arriving at Pearl Farm Samal Beach resort, we directly settle in each of our rooms. I'm staying with Lea as we requested while the others have their rooms. Our Samal suite has a private beach which is accessible using our private stairs. The interior of the room was a distinctive design of Samal culture.
It's my first time staying in a luxury room, and I'm amazed at how the staff treated us like royalty. Extra special with so many amenities that go with the luxury room we get to enjoy, just for Lea and me alone.
"Oh my God, beautiful. Lea, look, our private beach," I said, removing the curtain. At the glass window, the beach is viewable. Even at night, the water shimmers to the light reflection.
"Wow, Angel, this is a dream come true for me."
"For us, this is one of my dreams too. Isn't it incredible that our first vacation together is in a luxury resort? Let's make the most of this holiday," I said, jumping up and down. Lea joins me; we jump up and down, holding hands like we are innocent children.
Mom and I have had our vacation for almost two years since we had a tight budget last summer. All thanks to Maddox for bringing us here. He was so kind to get us here to have a breather.
We stop jumping up and down and watch the glimmers of the light reflections on the water. The satisfying waves on the shore and the stillness of the night are so fascinating to observe.
I can see how happy Lea is from the glow in her face and in her eyes. I wrap my arms around her.
"Lea, I'm so happy to have you here with me now."
"You have no idea how grateful I am to have a friend like you and, most importantly, for having a rich boyfriend who can treat us to places like this."
Oh, God, my shallow best friend. I chuckle and pull her in a tight hug.
"That's one of the reasons I love to have you beside me. You lighten up the room even in a lousy mood."
Speaking of Maddox, I can't wait to experience the sunrise and sunset tomorrow as our hotel room overlooks east and west. It will be perfect for a couple like us to witness it together. I feel butterflies in my stomach thinking about having Maddox beside me while watching the sunrise in the morning and sundown in the afternoon.
"One more thing, thanks to your mom for allowing us to come here."
I slap a hand in my mouth, thinking about mom.
"Speaking of mom, I need to give her a call."
"Okay, Angel, I'll have to prepare for our dinner later. Maddox told me we would be having dinner in a Maranao restaurant. Take your time."
I nod at Lea and then dial mom's number. Mom picks up the phone immediately; she is obviously waiting for me to call.
"Good evening, mom; we're here."
"Finally, I have been waiting for your call. How was your trip?"
"Everything went well. Mom, I wish you are here. The island is incredible from the views, accommodations, and the staff's royalty treatment."
"Oh, Angel, how I wish I could leave my job that easy. But anyway, I'm happy that you all arrived well on the island. Don't forget to take care of yourself there."
"Mom, don't worry about me; I'm old enough to handle myself. You have to take care of yourself as well. Have you taken your medicine?"
"I will, after dinner. After this call, I'll have my dinner and take my meds."
"Alright, mom, we will have our dinner as well. I'll call you again tomorrow. I love you, mom."
"I love you too, sweetheart. Take care!"
I realize I miss mom even though we separated for only a few hours, knowing we are in different places, miles away. I heave a sigh, trying to comfort myself, and then get my stuff to put on the wardrobe. I fixed myself a little for our dinner tonight to look not too haggard because of the trip.
"Hey, Angel, when did you start having all these kinds of stuff?" Lea asked, lifting the pink lip gloss I got from mom.
"I got that recently from mom. She said she's not using it; it is still new when I got it from her," I answered while facing the vanity mirror while putting on eyeliner. Lea made me realize there are a few changes in me after having Maddox in my life.
"Well, to be honest, this is long overdue. You should have started glowing up when we were in 7th grade. Anyway, your prince charming is so lucky to have a natural-looking girl beside her."
"Lea, please," I glared at her.
"I'm not putting this anymore; I can't. This is my first time trying this on by myself," I said, wiping a tear in my right eye where I tried to put on eyeliner.
"Yeah, never mind about that. Lip gloss is good enough. You are the most beautiful in Maddox's eyes, no one else. Come on now, I'm starving."
Lea pulls me in my arms as we head to the door. As agreed on, we meet in the Maranao restaurant for our dinner arranged by Maddox. Sam and Luke are already there waiting for us.
"Baby." I look back to where Maddox called out my name. I didn't realize he was just following Lea and me. Glenn was with him all the while.
"Hey, I didn't notice you guys are following us."
"We secretly followed you two so that nobody could snatch our girlfriend," Glenn answered in a nasty smile.
Lea gives Glenn a kiss on the lips and then hugs him. "Baby, that is so sweet.
"Oh, God, Lea, isn't that too much of a PDA?" I said, shaking my head in disbelief.
Maddox walks close to me and gives me a kiss on the cheek; he places my hands on his neck and wraps his arms around my waist.
"What are you doing?"
Maddox pulls me close to him even more. "What? I'm not allowed to give some love?"
"You are, but it's uncomfortable for me here outside."
"So, later, we can give each other so much love in my room?"
My body heats upon hearing Maddox; I don't know what he was implying. Should I just take it as it is or the double meaning of it?
"Baby, what do you mean?"
Maddox laughs like he is satisfied with my facial expression. I squeeze his face hard as his punishment. I hear Glenn and Lea laugh at our backs, which is why I entangled my hand from Maddox's neck.
"I was just teasing you, baby; I'm sorry."
I glare at him and continue walking to where Sam and Luke are sitting. Lea and Glenn follow, and of course, as well as Maddox. Maddox places his hand on my shoulder and gently squeezes it, trying to get my attention.
"I love you," Maddox whispered.
I can't help but feel butterflies in my stomach hearing his soft voice in my ears. He helps me sit on my chair as we get to our table.
"What takes you so long? We've been waiting for at least 15 minutes," Sam complained.
"Don't ask me, Sam. Ask the boys," I said, shifting to Maddox and Glenn. Both of them have nasty smiles on their faces. They seem to get along so well.
Lea is giggling by my side and looks entertained when I'm a little mad at how they acted earlier. I heave a sigh when Sam and Luke seem to get it. They must have seen what Glenn and Maddox did a distance from the table.
"Baby, that's enough; I got your favorite pasta," Maddox said as he trailed a finger on my cheek.
"That is so sweet," Lea said, and then I heard her chuckle.
When will she ever stop teasing me? God, give me patience.
We have settled on our table, and every dish is served when a familiar figure appears not so far from our table. Lea pokes me on the shoulder when she notices the same. We stare at each other in confusion.
Tension covers the place the second Cassy and her friends come close to us. Everyone freezes on the verge of starting their delightful dinner. I know that Cassandra and her friends are on the same island, but I didn't expect to see them having dinner in the same restaurant.
"Good evening, guys," Cassandra greeted. She is standing before us with her friends and the other four boys who look familiar to me. They are probably from Harper School as well.