Chapter 4 - My Love Language

Some people say that everybody has a different love language. It could either be physical touch, giving gifts, acts of service, quality time, and/or words of affirmation.

Initially, I thought mine was physical touch and words of affirmation until I realize that I show my love through acts of service and quality time.

"You can stay the night." He uttered quietly as he stayed by the door frame.

I look over my shoulder and saw his soft expression. I instantly regret looking back as I look down to hide the aching pain in my chest. "You only have one bed. I can find a motel for the night."

"Where will you stay?"

"I don't know. I'll try reaching out to some of my friends. Maybe one of them will open their doors for me until I leave."

"It may be over with us but I'm not turning you away. You're welcome to stay for as long as you need." He stated.

"This is your apartment. I will not have you feel differently about this place because of my presence. Don't worry I can handle it." I said, still refraining from looking into his eyes.

"Alright, but I do insist on you staying the night. You take the bed and I take the couch."

Drayce likes to sleep in the dark. He doesn't have any lamps on his nightstand. I used to not mind the darkness despite my fear of the unknown. Tonight is a different story.

I didn't mind it back then because I felt safe and secure in his warm embrace but laying on his bed alone, the fear starts to come back along with the pain I feel.

Not being able to bear it anymore, I write a note telling him I decided to leave. After making his bed one last time, I quietly left. Before closing the door, I finally let myself look at his beautiful face one last time before closing the door completely.

3 years ago

I knew I wanted to see him but I never dare ask. I still would not have if it wasn't for the predicament of my housemate Jack who needs to return the pants he bought. He won't be able to be off for a few days and he needs to hurry to return them before the return policy expires.

Somehow, for some reason, my mind decided to think of something I never would have initiated to do. "I can go do it for you. I'm off tomorrow so I could do it for you,"

"You sure?" He asks.

"Of course. I have nothing to do anyways."

"Omg, thank you so much! I'll hand it over to you before I leave for work tomorrow." He said before hurrying out to go to work.

I wanted to see him so maybe this time, I should make a move. As I text him, I started to realize how embarrassing this might be for me if I wasn't so comfortable around Drayce. I have always wanted to run errands with a significant other.

When he replied, a smile suddenly crept up on my face.

Drayce: Sure! Love to do it. Let me know when to pick you up.

After giving him details, it didn't take long before he arrived. As I was waiting in the kitchen for his texts, my friends suddenly crowded the window as if seeing something amazing.

I went to their room with curiosity and ask. "What's going on?"

The girls were all gasping and giggling as they look out the window.

When I got closer, I saw a convertible parked right outside the house.

For Americans, seeing a convertible is nothing. Just a normal vehicle for them to either see or own. For Filipinos like myself, however, seeing a convertible is just amazing.

You would rarely see one in the Philippines. Probably because it's dangerous to own for anyone can steal it and two, regular sedans and SUVs are expensive enough as it is. Also, the weather is too harsh in our country that low vehicles and convertibles are just a thing we normally see in international movies.

I suddenly got a text from Drayce.

Drayce: Hey, I'm parked right outside your house.

Rushing outside, I saw that Drayce was in fact the owner of the convertible the girls are fawning over.

He smiled at me before opening the passenger for me.

I reluctantly went inside as I see the girls still looking out from their window. Drayce, however, didn't seem to mind. In fact, I think he liked the attention his car has gotten.

As we head out, I spoke as I placed the paper bag in between my legs. "You have two cars?"

"Yeah." He smiled. "The weather is nice so I decided to take the convertible instead. I saw the girls seem to like this one better than my corvette."

I chuckled. "Yeah, probably because it's their first time seeing a convertible in person."

"Oh yeah? Why is that?"

"I'd like to think people are not to be trusted with things that can easily be stolen in my country. Also, your car is basically useless in most areas because of our horrendous traffic."

As we get past the border of Georgia and enter Florida, I realized how awful it is to ride a convertible when you have long hair and skin that can easily tan.

I can feel the sting of the sun on my skin but I'm too busy holding my hair so it wouldn't fly everywhere.

Apparently, it is easy to drive around through the freeway Drayce managed to notice my predicament. He took off his cap and gave it to me. "Sorry, I don't have a hair tie."

I gratefully took it and adjust the cap to fit me after thanking him.

When we arrive in St Augustine, I prioritize going to the store to bring the items to be returned. When everything is done, Drayce and I decided to eat a late lunch.

Both of us agreed on pizza and I found out that his favorite flavor is pepperoni as well.

After eating lunch, the two of us decided to sit a little longer.

"Thank you for this. I'm really happy you're free to do this errand with me." I said before sipping my drink.

"Sure. I have honestly been thinking of an excuse to see you. Glad you found one before I did."

"I don't have anything else to do after this so what do you want to do?"

He looked around and outside the stores before looking back at me with a smile. "Well, we are in premium outlets. Might as well look around"

After that, we went out and look around the outlet stores.

Drayce's long legs provided long strides that I am unable to catch up. There's something about his form that attracts me to him. Maybe it's the way he carries himself.

He always walks around with purpose and it's so attractive.

As he walks ahead of me, I decided to take a photo of him walking on my phone before placing it back in my purse. After a few seconds, he realized that he went so ahead of me that he chuckled and apologized.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't used to walking with someone smaller than me."

I laughed. "It's fine. I'll try my best to catch up."

We went and look around some more then we head back to my place. Before getting off, I took his cap off of my head to give it back to him when he spoke. "Hold onto it for me for a while, would you? I'll get it back next time."

As I lay on my bed, I look at the cap that now hangs on the wall. The cap suddenly became an excuse or a promise for us to see each other again.

I smiled and take one last look at the cap before heading back to sleep.