Chapter 16 Back To Manila

Going back to Manila... It's already midnight. They will probably land at 1 Am then. They have the same flight as usual. Perfectly arranged by Mr. del Fuego's secretary...

Echo and Teacher Maria rested while onboard. He held Teacher Maria's hand and she didn't refute. They've just waited for the airline to land at the Airport. Teachers can't explain what's their relationship. Echo is acting like her real boyfriend before the conference and it looks like they are mutually in a relationship now even though Teacher Maria hadn't heard his offer yet. She is confused about herself too.

Upon arrival at the Manila Airport, the Teacher received a message from her mother on her mobile phone, "Hi, how're your teachers Your teachers you arrived already?"

Teacher Maria replied," It's great. Thanks. Just arrived at the airport," she replied but felt guilty. She seemed to forget her parents when they were at the conference. Echo occupied most of her time when they were there.

"Okay, take care," her mother said.

Teacher Maria was walking along with Echo and he just looked at Teacher Maria while chatting over her phone. He is pulling their luggage and both heading to the Airports departure area.

"Let's have our morning snacks first over there," Echo said to Teacher Maria pointing at the dining area on the second floor. It's already 2:30 Am.

"Okay, I'm quite starving also," she said.

They went to The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, which is Teacher Maria's favorite dining especially when it comes to coffee and breakfast sets.

Echo ordered Omelette and Turkey Bacon Ciabatta with Hashbrowns and Small Size Chai Latte for him and Egg Mayo Croissant and Caramel Macchiato for Teacher Maria.

They both enjoy their breakfast together. Teacher Maria ordered some take-out meals for her snacks at her boarding house when she got home.

"By the way, how can you go home? Who will fetch you here and send you home?" Echo asked her with concern.

"I will just rent a cab to send me to Batangas," she said.

"It will be expensive then and you are not secured to travel alone at this hour," he said.

"If you want I can send you home first. My car is at the Park 'N Fly only. It is a pay parking wherein travelers do check in their cars for more than 2 days. We will just get it over there," Echo said.

The teacher said," Okay. Thank you. I'll grab the offer since it's quite late and you are right, I am not safe traveling alone." She felt how concerned and sincere Echo is.

Echo reached her hand and held it over his lips," I worry a lot if you will travel alone. It's my duty to send you home and make your safety secured." he is quite intimate with her lately as Teacher Maria observed his action.

They both ride in a cab after they left the airport and head to Park n' Fly where Echo's car has been parked the whole journey they were in Cebu.

When they picked up his car, "Here's your car keys Sir. We also bathe your car for your convenience. Have a safe journey, and hope you like our services," a staff from Park N' Fly approached them.

Echo is very satisfied with the services of their services he also gave some tips for this staff aside from paying for the rate of his parking fee. "Thank you," he said.

Echo loaded their luggage in his car's compartment and he started its engine already.

"It's my first time to experience here at Park n' Fly. They do have a nice service here all their employees are very polite," she said while Echo is driving out of the building already.

"Yup. I used to park here every time I have a trip abroad or to the countryside. I'm very satisfied with them," he replied to Teacher Maria.

He approached Teacher Maria to check her seatbelt and recline her car seat. Teacher Maria was frozen, it is as though Echo is going to kiss her. She almost smells his mint scent breath in front of her, she closed her eyes then. Echo smiled at her and pinched her cheek then go back to his steering wheel.

Echo looked at Teacher Maria while she is pretending to sleep. He knew that she is faking it and he smiles. He just controlled himself to kiss Teacher Maria a while ago when his face is so near to hers. He smelled a soft feminine scent, a natural fragrance scent that soothes his senses. He reached for her hand and hold her while driving. He is driving at 100kph speed since it is already dawn and there were few vehicles on the road. He can drive Manila to Batangas in less than 3 hours.

Teacher Maria felt an emptiness when she opened her eyes and found out that Echo was in his position of driving already. She felt embarrassed with her thoughts. "Teacher Maria, you are assuming too much," she reprimanded herself while pretending to sleep. She doesn't want to look nor talk to Echo for now. She is so embarrassed.

Teacher Maria fell asleep then. She is so exhausted from their three-day Teachers' Conference and has a jet log too making her deepen her sleep. She is now sleeping with a soft sound that makes Echo smile. He looked at Teacher Maria then sleeping with her lips slightly open. Echo touched her soft lips with his index finger. He is falling in love with her every hour she is with him. He wants her to bring in his condo. He has a condo at Rosario as well and Teacher Maria didn't know about it. He just bought his condo two weeks ago. He is decided to send and fetch Teacher Maria every day and that's the reason why he invested in a condo near her place. He will guard his woman.

He is also planning to invest in a farm lot in Baybayin, Rosario, and Batangas and have a rest house there. Another reason for him to be in Rosario at all times. He loves the place as well. Rosario has s nice farm lot to plant some vegetables and fruits as well. Another business opportunity for him which his mother wanted too. To have a farm where she can harvest some fresh food,

Seeing Teacher Maria in deep sleep, Echo plays his song for her in his car MP5 player... Born for You by David Pomeranz...

"Too many billion people running around the planet

What is the chance in heaven that you'd find your way to me?

Tell me what is this sweet sensation

It's a miracle that happened

Though I search for an explanation

Only one thing it could be

That I was born for you

It was written in the stars

Yes, I was born for you

And the choice was never ours

It's as if the powers of the universe

Conspired to make you mine until the die I die.

The song continues, and the lyrics penetrate Teacher Maria's dream while being in deep sleep.

None of them seem to matter when I look into your eyes

Now I know why I belong here

In your arms, I found the answer.....

Teacher Maria suddenly opened her eyes half and look at Echo then smile She closed her eyes once again. She is having a nice dream indeed making her senses half awake...

.... I was born for you and that you were born for me

And in this random world, this was meant to be...

.... I bless the day that I was born for you.

She smiled while sleeping and Echo smiled also upon seeing Teacher Maria's reaction. This woman never fails to catch his attention in many ways.

Echo continues driving while playing this music once again.

When they reached Teacher Maria's apartment, Echo didn't wake up her. He reached for her bag and looked for her door keys which he found easily. He opened the door first before he came to carry Teacher Maria who was already fast asleep in his car. He carried her to her room. He doesn't want to disturb her in her sleep.

Echo put his jacket on Teacher Maria before carrying her in his arms and bringing her inside. He goes upstairs straight to Teacher Maria's bedroom and lays her soft body on her bed. Echo tucked her inside her quilt and arranged the hair fiber touching her face. He stared at her beautiful face as if looking at his beloved precious woman. His face gradually approached Teacher Maria's face and kissed her soft pinkish lips. "Mornight my Angel!" he said.

After seeing how peacefully slept Teacher Maria is, Echo then turned around and started to leave her room.

He went downstairs humming the sounds of Born for You. He is very happy and can't explain his feelings toward Teacher Maria. He might fail this time. He promised himself before that he will just win her and let her be one of his collections. But it seemed that he wanted to make her his own now.

He will spend his night at his condominium unit in Rosario, Batangas. It will just take him a 5 minutes drive.

He smiled while thinking about their three days together in Cebu, It made some changes to his plan for her.