CHAPTER TEN

- Erizza's POV -

The indigo-colored sky and the fresh wind welcomed us as we set our foot in the village of hotels. We're following the arrow signs that will lead us to the hotel that I booked for a week and it didn't take us a tedious walk when we saw its facade.

The chains of luxurious buildings face the Nasugbu Bay that's why I can feel the sea breeze coming from the bay. The place radiates exuberance because of the laughter that I can hear from people everywhere. There are kids and teens splashing water at each other on the large-scale swimming pools, outdoor dining area with glimmering boho lights above them and gazebos that can be occupied by many.

Just by looking everywhere, a feeling of enthusiasm filled my body. The place is so lively and energetic. I can now imagine myself swimming in the pools, grilling barbeques, and sipping some cocktails. And of course, meet new people. It's always written on my bucket list, by the way.

Once we entered the hotel, two porters welcomed us and carried our luggage. They accompanied us until we reached our respective hotel suite.

"Thank you," I heard Cassian say to them.

"You're welcome sir and ma'am. Enjoy your stay." The male staff replied and they finally left.

I excitedly dropped my sling bag on the sofa and ran towards the big glass wall where I can see the whole view of the resort that doubled the excitement in me.

However, I felt a tweaking feeling in my abdomen again. I clutched it with my hand and when I can't take it anymore, I hurried towards the bedroom.

I threw myself to the soft bed and lay on my back, my legs are dangling on the side of the bed while my upper body is rested across like a stiff statue. My abdomen started to hurt again which feels like a set of needles is being thrusted against it.

"Erizza," I heard Cassian calling my name.

"Erizza?" he called again.

His voice echoed but the pain is excruciatingly painful, unabling me to utter a word.

"Erizza? When do you want to--" the door is already open when Cassian steps inside of the room. When he saw me, he stops and assesses my current painful state.

"Hey are you ok?" He asked worriedly.

"What happened?"

I winced instead of giving him a reply when my abdomen feels like a twisting rope.

Cassian is surprised and quickly sits on the bed beside me. I lay on my front and stretched my arms above my head.

"My abdomen hurts but I can bear it," I said weakly, looking up at him.

"I know I look embarrassing" I deeply sighed and dipped my head on the sheet.

"No you're not," he said.

"Yes I am!"

"It's not"

"Then what?" I started to become irritated. I looked up at Cassian again.

Can he not see it? There's a lady in the bed looking like frozen asparagus except for the fact that she's not green. I am expecting a reply that is stranger than what I'm thinking but what I heard from him just doubled my irritation.

"You're cute," Cassian said and showed me a smile as if he doesn't care if the tone of my voice changes.

I glared at him and rolled my eyes. "You're lying," I countered.

Cassian just chuckled and leans in to caress my hair.

"Stay here and I'll get you a hot compress, ok?" he whispered.

He pulls his hands away then left the room without hearing a reply from me. The irritation I felt vanished when I felt his hand on my head. I admit that it feels good, but it made me pout for a while because he did it only just for a second.

A few minutes later, he is back again holding a hot compress and a white towel. He places them on the bedside table then puts his attention to me. I remained laying on the bed, unmoving. I suddenly feel Cassian's hands on my feet and noticed that he starts to unbuckle the straps of my flat sandals.

"How did you know?"

"Know what? "

"This hot compress thing?"

Cassian drops my flat sandals below the bed before answering me.

"I learned it from my cousin's wife" he answered.

"Oh, right," I said.

I asked him that because I was curious. I always thought that boys learn about this from their sisters (or any female figure to them). In Cassian's case, he learned it from her cousin's wife and not from her sister. He didn't mention that he has a sister at all but if he did, I might have known it already. He's the type of guy who tells everything honestly after all.

"Can you move?" I quickly looked back at him who's standing behind me.

"I'll try."

I slowly lifted myself up using my arms. Thank goodness because I can still move my body even though a part of me is hurting like hell. I pulled my legs with all my might to the bed and finally dropped the weight of my upper body.

"I can do it," I quickly said before he even makes a move to help me.

I reached for the towel and put it on my abdomen then I placed the hot compress on top of it. I took a deep breath and steady myself on the bed.

"They will bring our dinner here, just tell me if you can't move so I can feed you." He said.

"I'm not bedridden. I'll be alright." I said flatly.

"Are you sure?"

I turned my head to look at him and gave him a thumbs-up.

"Trust me I do," I replied. "And you've been so thoughtful to me, I'm afraid I'll get used to it," I said with a sarcastic tone.

"I was born to be thoughtful and it is something that not everyone could see." He said cooly.

"Whoah, why do I feel lucky?" I mocked.

"You are especially if you're with me," he grinned.

"Thank the gods that I'm glued on the bed because all the pillows will be flying to you by now." I threatened him but he just chuckled at the corner.

"Yeah, I thank them," he nodded with a naughty smile.

He sounds so self-confident, huh. Oh well, I like it.

"We drove for almost five hours. You need some rest." He said. "Ask me if you need anything."

I only nodded as a response. I am expecting him to leave but then he sits beside my feet. I don't know what he's planning to do but I am surprised when he carefully puts my feet on top of his lap. I thought he's going to pull me towards him but I was wrong. He touched my toes and envelops them using his palms.

"Hope this helps," he said without looking at me.

His hands feel warm and tender. I stayed still to let him massage my toes. He grips them gently and make circular motions down to my heels.

How come I didn't know about this way to relieve my cramps? My mom would always pamper me when they are worse to the point that it affects me the whole day.

Cassian must've know something more. He's caring isn't he? He is capable of providing me comfort and fun at the same time.

Somehow, what he's doing gives me sense of calmness and relief. My breathing suddenly became slow and deep. My eyes started to feel heavy and all I know is my body telling me to rest and sleep.

I let my feet rested on Cassian's lap. Finally, I tightly closed my eyes to bring me to the valley of dreams.

__

It was already 9:00 pm when I woke up. The cramps are already gone and I feel better now.

I removed the blanket that covered half of my body and swing my legs towards the cold polished floor. I did a quick stretching before I left the room.

When I reached the kitchen, a food was already served on the table. I noticed that it's just for one person. I sit on the stool and saw a note pasted on the wooden napkin holder.

'Can't wake you up because you're in a deep sleep. Enjoy your dinner.'

It's obvious that it's written by Cassian. His penmanship looks intelligibe and pleasing at the same time. How I wish I could also have his handwriting skills.

The food was delicious and now, I feel satiated. I didn't even realize that I ate almost all of the food that was served. I know that Cassian had his dinner already because I saw a plate with an amount of remnants in the kitchen sink.

I put my plate there and went back to the bedroom only to find that Cassian is already asleep on the other bed beside the bed I slept on. He is lying on his side while wearing only a white v-neck shirt and black shorts.

'He must be so tired too.'

I went to the CR and closed the door behind me. I saw that the bathtub is filled with running water. I touched it using my palm which feels the absolutely right hot temperature.

I didn't waste my time because I still feel sleepy. I quickly finished my bath and after that I went towards the closet. When I opened it, my clothes are already organized neatly inside the closet.

An impressive smile formed my lips. Really? Cassian did this for me? How thoughtful and caring he is.

I changed my robe and wears a pink silk pajama and a white cotton tank top. After that, I dried my hair using a blower and did my skin care routine.

Before I sleep, I slowly walked towards Cassian's bed and sit beside him. I made sure that I'm not making a sound so that I will not wake him up.

His eyes are tightly shut, his breathing is slow and steady and his hair is a bit ruined. Even though he is sleeping, he looks confidently gorgeous. He doesn't even look tired but I know he does.

But I'm happy that he's with me--I mean he is willing to spend his time with me for my one-month vacation.

We are in the process of knowing each other and even though we're still not delving into the depths of ourselves, I already feel trusting him completely. It's not hard for me to trust someone, but I don't have problems on feeling comfortable and opening more about myself towards him.

And it doesn't matter to me if we see each other's flaws too or our worst sides because it's just a part of knowing someone deeply: it shows that you really want to know him and accept him the way he is.

When I'm with him, I'm not afraid to be myself. And I like how calm, silly, thoughtful and caring he is around me.

A soft smile escaped my lips. I touched his forehead and wiped away the hairs that block it.

I slowly leaned in to him and gave him a gentle kiss on his forehead.

"Thank you," I whispered. I thanked him for the simple gestures he did for me. For making me feel cared and secured.

He didn't moved. He looks like he didn't felt the ounce of my kiss either. However, it's better that way because I don't want to wake him up after all.