Chapter 4

His fiancé was always there for him.

"Time broke you. Time brought you sorrow but it is only you who can heal it." She hugged him and whispered, "I love you."

She is Grace Aquino.

Five years ago, Billy was wandering around in the Hotel Supreme, 111 Magsaysay Avenue, Baguio city. At the waiting area was a silhouette of a woman sitting on the couch looking vista outside. Billy approached and sat opposite to her.

"You're a participant?"

"Yes, you?"

Billy nodded.

She looked straight to the eyes, fierce. "What brings you here?"

Billy nervously uttered, "Just wandering …round."

She looked at him strangely.

"By the way, Billy Domingo." Smiled, reaching her hand.

"Grace Aquino."

"What a pretty name." Still clamped her hand.

Grace Aquino is an average heighted woman but there are more impressive about her, she has distinguished beauty: a gracefully stout, black long-haired, soft spoken woman. She achieved so much awards for determining, persevering in what she is interested to. And she went several places for being a good, excellent theater actress. She has done several international performances. And she loved writing. Writing, much to it…

…Grace felt uncomfortable. She pulled her hand and patted on her laps. She felt unusual. "Where're you from?"

"Here in Baguio but we have a farmhouse at Banaue, Ifugao, you?"

"Also here." Corner of her mouth turned up. She thought. She did.

She felt ease and light with him. And the conversation was lengthened. They talked a lot. Shared a lot. Opened a lot. Contact digits exchanged.

"We should be inside by now." Billy spoke gentlemanly.

That moment, friendship sprouted. But doesn't mean it'll end there. Mutual wants, understanding. Communication never stopped in phones. They both loved traveling, adventuring, food-tripping and writing. Loved a lot. Grace fell to Billy, unwantedly. She loved him more than he looked her. Camp John Hay was full of memories for them. Hangout there. Drafting goals. Writing poems. Through a poem, Grace expressed her feeling into him. She kept it. She lied.

"You like me?" Billy asked smirking.

"No, dickhead." Grace fixed her hair, out-of-focused.

Billy chuckled. He picked the pen touching her hand. Eyes met. Grace swallowed. Hearts hammered.

On the 12th day of April 2016, Billy thought of revealing it out. He tried to let it be but he need to vent out. Night of surprise. He set up a date at Camp John Hay, Grace unknowingly. That balmy flowers, scented candles, sweet music.

"What is this so romantic?" Grace amusedly asked. She wore her leather black shining jacket, fitted in a pair of jeans, as usual get-up. Smacked a red lipstick. There she goes.

Billy chaperoned her to the seat.

"What's all about these?" Grace asked smilingly.

"For you."

"What?"

"Grace, I like you." He could not control what his heart says and said it all. Finally, he reached and held her hand. Grace stopped breathing for a couple of seconds. And air release.

"I like you too, Billy." Grace expressed it sweetly.

Billy stood up and hugged her.

Night passed. Love began to spring. The beginning of responsibilities.