Secrets

Alexa took Gin's hand and suddenly felt this hand was very familiar, like Jodie's, but her gaze went to the magical place and forgot about the thought of her love. Alex is a little nervous and also shocked when there's no one in the restaurant, just Gin and her, the pianist and the waiter.

Alexa became conscious when Gin's eyes kept its focus on her, you are very beautiful, don't be shy!, Gin assured her and gave her a wink, so she breathed slightly and is calm now.

Gin pulled definitely like crabs, pasta and cakes???!!!I hope I am not wrong!. Gin added half-questioningly but looking at Alexa intensely. No, It's alright, thank you! I wouldn't know what to order anyway. I love staying at cafes or open spaced places with beautiful views more often than not in my room where I can think and write peacefully on my own.

Okay! I am glad. Gin added. Alexa then felt she's going to burst into a bundle of nerves when Gin still kept looking at her intently and, "Gin excuse me, I will just go to the powder room! Gin nodded. She is very nervous, I should lay low and keep her calm, Gin thought while thanking John the waiter for their wine.

At the comfort room. It's so weird I'm feeling this way towards Gin. Hmm! What's wrong Alexa? You can do this! I just met him, what's happening to me! Alex Alexa's chair for her, " I have ordered food for you, If you don't mind, because I feel you, ah! Ehem!, Alexa thought while freshening up. Looking at her, stunning self, in the mirror. You're going to be okay, Alexa, okay, you can do this! I said to myself confidently and went out ot the comfort room.

When Alexa returned, Gin was already standing in the middle of the room, his hand asking for hers, to dance. You are very beautiful! Pretty when you smile, dance with me! Gin said, offering his hand to Alexa. She accepted and they danced, Gin still looking at her fiercely but in a modest way now. Stop, please stop Gin. What!?, Gin added. You are so beautiful, so I can't stop looking at you! Dance? Oh no! I don't know how to dance, I said to Gin, but he was holding my hand now and positioning my hand where it needs to be.

And we danced to a mellow, romantic music, I think it's "Cool" by Dualipa but played in piano. The waiters, butler, pianist and other staff are there looking at us, but as if I felt Gin and I are the only ones in a magnificent ball room. White flowers surrounding us, roses I think. Like in a fairy tale. Wow! This Gin surely knows how to melt a girl's heart. And now I am totally melting but so happy, melting! To think that I am with the world's famous bachelor, a beautiful hotel, excellent people, like I am in an impossible dream. A dream that I don't want to end. But going back to me, my reality, I have Edmund in my life now! And I love him. Just as the song stopped,, my thought escaped me and went back to see this beautiful man in front of me. Gin escorted me back to our table and kissed my hand.

Dinner was awesome. Gin and I talked for hours and as if he was my lost friend of sorts. I remember Jodie and how she used to surprise me like what Gin did just now. As if Jodie was reborn but inside Gin. I wonder! Anyway, after dinner, Gin and I went to the nearest park overlooking the Eifel tower. We walked and talked about everything. Paris is so beautiful with the lights on and the fresh, cool, peaceful breeze I breathed them all.

Paris is so beautiful at night, I said breathing in and out. Yes it is!, Gin added. The Eiflel tower is surely magnificent with the lights on, wow! Looking at the tower so mesmerized by its grandeur. Yes, indeed it is very lovely!, Gin replied not really looking at the tower but at Alexa. Oh! Okay, haha!, thanks, Alexa added shyly, her face was burning in embarrassment but nodding in approval.

Alex, Alexa! Gin said moving towards her, holding her chin to kiss her.

But Alex turned her face away, Gin kissing her cheek instead. No, Gin!, I'm sorry if I led you on. I'm already engaged with Edmund. We can be friends!, if that's okay with you, she said worriedly. Oh! Okay, Gin cried as if embarrassed with what he did. Don't get me wrong, you are nice and handsome, but I'm loyal to my partner, Alex added honestly.

At the cruise ship. The sea seemed calm and friendly. But there had been reports on earthquakes in the pacific. Edmund's cruise ship is now near the Atlantic Ocean and head for the Carribean aboard Pearl of the Seas ship. With three thousand passengers on board, Edmund has a lot going on in his mind and his hands are tied, He doesn't need any distractions, especially women. Unless that girl is Alexandra. But since earthquakes have been happening in the pacific, tsunamis and tornadoes are pretty imminent.

Tall buildings like waves are possible due to quakes in the lands and the seas. What's going to happen next is what Edmund didn't expect ina a supposedly quiet trip to the Caribbean Islands. A storm surge came unexpectedly, a wave at about 30 feet formed in the middle of the sea. Edmund was trying to contact Alex and when he wasn't able to connect, he left a message instead. "I love you baby", I think I won't be coming home for a while. Kisses.

Remember me always," Edmund said when the line was cut off. Alexa is back in her room now and was just about to answer the call when the ringing stopped. Then she picked up the voicemail and tried to listen happily when she heard Edmund's voice, the background was full of noise, the crew were busy, like in a panic.

She heard Edmund, saying, "I wasn't able to contact you on your cell... I love you baby....Alexa was happy but her mood quickly changed and now tears are falling down her cheeks profusely. No!, no! Alexa turned on the television where the news flashed that the Pearl of the Seas cruise ship was swallowed whole by a 30 foot tsunami. The reporter says that no soul

survived including Captain Edmund Morales who has been sailing to and fro the pacific and atlantic for years now. Earthquakes have been reported to scatter near the pacific that moved to the Atlantic seas toward the Carribean. And during a surge, it created a tsunami so big that the ship weren't able to escape its terror. Alex was so devastated that after hearing the news, she no longer felt her heart beating. As if she was numb sobbing, so hurt, she just wanted to sleep and just die away at this very moment with Edmund, if possible.

Alexa said a bit relieved since she was uncomfortable wearing the sexy dress advised by her gay friend Alice (she just met about a year ago in a café in Paris when he picked up her coffee wrongly since his boyfriend's name is Alex too). It is a good thing no one's here, especially the band of women she bumped with in the shower room. Whew! Thank God! I am safe and would still live for the next day, Alexa saying to herself, smiling. Yes! Everything alright!, Gin asked looking at her strangely when she smiled. Oh! yes, thank you! I am happy you invited me in such a grand dinner experience. I am not used to this really!. But thank you, if I forget to tell you later.

Alexa tried her best to forget about what happened to Edmund and as if he is just having his usual cruise and will be back after six months after the trip. Yet it finally hit her when Edmund didn't come back the day he said he will be in time for their wedding preparations. Now Alexa is getting ready for her flight back to Manila for the funeral services for Edmund instead of the services for the wedding. This is another trial for her and Alexa couldn't think straight while organizing her personal stuff to travel back home.

Without Gin's help, she wouldn't be able to survive a day without thinking about Edmund. Gin even stayed in her room to accompany her since she's been having bad dreams every night for a week now. Gin booked their tickets to fly to Manila while he designated his trusted friend, lawyer and advisor, Mr. Hartman with his businesses in Paris and the U.S.

Back in Manila. We can see Alexa, Gin, Basil, Sanjay, Shane, Mr. & Mrs. Steele and Edmund's family seated together inside a church with Edmund's urn in front of them. All are grieving with his passing and every one gave their own experience being with Edmund, the fun and trying times with him. And when it's Alexa's turn she wasn't able to speak and just cried in her speech. A very gloomy environment and all are looking at Edmund's picture as a Sea Captain.

Alexa is silent. She's done crying and maybe because she no longer has tears to shed now.