Did you miss me?

I nodded, “Yes.” Really, mom was famous here. I guess it's a small town. Everyone knows everyone.

She gently smiled at me as her eyes lit up as if remembering something,  “I think I remember you, dear. You were running around here when you were young. Time really flies by so fast, you grew up so beautiful like your mom.” I laughed nervously at that, not sure what I should reply.

“That’s why I was sad when your family moved from here. Can I ask where she is now?”

Phoenix interjected, “Aunt Gabriela is back at our mansion for a visit. And Sereia here came to check on things, right Sereia?”

I nodded.

A farmer near where we were standing whispered in Phoenix's ears. "Boss. Is she your girlfriend?"

"No."

"Yes."

We said simultaneously. I glared at Phoenix as I saw that there was a silly smile on his face. He then attempted to put his arm on my shoulders again and I discreetly pinched his side, making him frown.

"Hmm..looks like you'll be busy with your love life now boss! When's the wedding?" Another one asked, and I almost choked on my own spit. Wedding? Goodness.

Phoenix laughed beside me, somehow enjoying this, "That’s too soon to think about. We’re still enjoying each other’s company." He replied, winking at me. He’s not even bothering to deny that I’m not his girlfriend!

I cleared my throat, “I’m not his girlfriend.”

The farmer who asked this nodded, smiling apologetically. “Oh. you two just look good together so we just assumed. So sorry about that.”

Phoenix put his hands on his pockets, sighing, “Well, relationships start from friends right? Who knows in the future.”

I cast him a side glance, faking a smile. “Oh, that won’t happen. I promise.”

Really, I am serious. I’ll make sure we won’t reach that level.

The farmers finished taking a break and they excused themselves, “Well then, we better head back to work.

”Do you do this every day?” I asked Phoenix as we were now left alone. He was now putting away the wrappers from the snacks we brought in here and fixing the mess.

He paused at my question, turned to look at me, and furrowed his eyebrows questioningly, “Do what?”

I tilted my head to the side, pointing at the fields of his farm. “Giving them snacks personally? It’s really rare to see this. You’re a billionaire.” I said, blurting out what I was thinking for a while now. “If I were in your position, I would hire someone to do this.”

His blue eyes twinkled at that, “Trust me, princess, you’ll see more of me soon than just a simple rich billionaire. You won’t regret staying here.”

“Well, I’m not rich like you, I have to work sooner or later. I could only stay here for approximately two weeks.” I said, grabbing a nearby stick to play with.

“So, how is it? Still, want to buy this land? I have created a bond with the farmers here. They like me.” Asking that, I couldn’t miss the cocky grin on his face. He looks like he’s really enjoying teasing me.  "It's good that you came here this summer. It's harvest time now."

I look around. The wide paddy field is fine. Looks like there's no problem ... Well, I hate to admit it, but he’s right. It looks like everyone adores him. They were too happy at the sight of their boss. Their work environment is good. If I suddenly buy this land and replace Phoenix, then would that change the way they treat me?

"It's okay. But you need improvement." That was all I responded to, my pride not letting him win.

He just stayed quiet. "Soon, it will be lush too. Wait for it."

"Okay. But when that time comes, it's mine."

He pouted at me. "Why do you always insist on that? Just enjoy it?"

I sighed. "I have my reasons, Raziel."

He scoffed at that,  "Then I have mine too. I won't let you do what you want."

“Let’s just see. I’ll still prove myself.” I answered and he snorted at that.

“Tsk, so stubborn. Very well then.” He said. "All right, tomorrow, I'll take you here again."

“Thank you,” I said, smiling.

The rest of the minutes were spent as we silently watched the farmers continue on working.

“Can I ask, what is the real reason why you left the city?” I asked him, breaking the silence.

He cast a glance at me, “Like what Lola Nanding said, I want some peaceful surroundings and away from the media.”

I raised my eyebrows at him, “Is that all?”

He shrugged as if it was the obvious answer in the world. “Yes. Why?”

“Oh, nothing. Don’t mind that.” I feel like there’s much more than that but I guess I’ll just let it slide for now.

When the farmer finished their work, they finally said their goodbyes to us. “Bye lovebirds!”

Phoenix waved at them, and I faced him. “They still think we are together. You should really clarify it.”

“For what? We never know what the future holds.” He winked at me.

I cringed in disgust at that. “Why do you keep on flirting with me? Weren’t you just driving me away yesterday?”

He then shrugged, “It's fun teasing you, princess.” Saying that, he paused, “Unless you have a boyfriend?”

I averted my gaze to the ground, feeling my cheeks flushing, “No I don’t have one at the moment.”

He smiled at that, “See? You don’t have one... Wait, you really don't have a boyfriend?"

I nodded, "I have priorities. And my parents aren't cool with it, especially my dad,” I responded before changing the topic.

“What about you? Weren’t you the famous bachelor of course you have a lot of girls around you?"

There was a playful smile on his lips now, “I agree. I am too handsome for the girls that they all throw themselves at me.” He then leaned in and whispered,  “And I don't want that. I want something challenging. Something dangerous... like you.”

Raising my hand, I was going to hit him but he walked to where the farmers were working earlier which was very muddy. He folded his pants up to his knees so that they wouldn't get dirt on them.

Phoenix playfully stuck his tongue out at me, "You can't reach me here."

I shook my head at him disappointedly, not expecting him to do this. He’s really childish.

“What are you, five? Come back here!” I yelled at him.

He shook his head, “No! You’ll hit me.

Oh, so this is what he wants, huh? Smirking, I held my dress higher to avoid getting dirty and ran towards him. Phoenix gasped, seeing that I was following him so he ran further away from me.

I stepped on the mud and my sandals got buried, lost my balance, and fell down. I almost fell face-first on the mud when a pair of strong arms instantly grabbed me.

He carried me bridal style and since the lower part of my dress got dirty, Phoenix’s clothes were also affected. I bit my lip as he continued on walking away from the muddy part and went to where his carabao pet, Brownie was chilling.  Laying me down carefully against the tree, he waited for me to say something.

I blinked, staring at my clothes now, and chuckled, “Oops, now I’m dirty.”

He heaved a sigh, “I just want to play around, sorry. I should have been careful.” He said and continued, “Why did you even follow me there?”

I wanted to blame him for this but I guess it was my fault. I shouldn’t have followed him. Now, look at me. It looks like I bathed in the mud. “What should I do now? My dress is dirty….”

Suddenly, I felt tears starting to form in my eyes. Wait, why am I crying just because of a dress? I muttered a curse, Damn. I fight the urge to cry as I look away so that Phoenix won't see my state.

You are really annoying, myself! What were you thinking?

"That’s okay, we’ll fix it, I’ll think of something. Let’s sit here first." He said, now sitting beside me and leaning on the tree behind us.

I just nodded, not in the mood to argue anymore. Silence fell as we sat on the grass.

I glanced at Phoenix, he was looking far ahead, as if in a trance. Playing with the grass, I mumbled, " To think that I was planning on taking photos today." I said out loud.

"Then give me your phone, I'll take a picture of you." He offered and I shook my head no.

“No, just next time." I’m not in the mood now.

He just nodded and cleared his throat,

We just stayed like that for a minute or so ... I don't know exactly how many hours we just stared at the wind, breathing in the fresh air of the countryside and sitting on the grass, enjoying the moment.

Just then Phoenix suddenly stood up and faced me.

“We should leave now. The sun is going to set soon.” He announced, now standing up.

I turned on my phone to check what the time is now and saw that it was only five o'clock. “But it’s still five o’clock? I asked.

“Did you really live here when you were little? People living in this province make sure to come home before the sky turns dark.” He replied. “You’ll never know the monsters are going to strike you.”

Oh right, I remember that. Most people here are very superstitious.

“Then what about my dress?” I asked again, pointing at the dirt on my dress.

"Hmmm ... I know someone. Maybe they can help us." He walked ahead of me and went to the tree where Brownie was tied. With Brownie's rope in his hand, we walked until we reached a house.

"What are we doing here?" I asked. It’s not even the mansion and Phoenix was not explaining to me.

"I'll borrow some clothes for you from my friend." He answered. "Aunt Nora?" He called out, knocking on the nipa hut's door. Looking around, I noticed that the house was simple. I could hear chickens and pigs in the cage near us.

When Phoenix called out again, the door opened and there was a woman greeting us with a confused look before recognizing Phoenix. She looks like she’s around my mother’s age, in her late fifties. "Oh? Phoenix?"

Raziel said she’s his friend and that made me think that he really knows a lot here...from the farmers to the citizens...

"Good Afternoon, Aunt Nora. Can I borrow some clothes?” He then pointed at me, “My girlfriend fell from the mud so her dress got dirty.” He said,  holding my hands for the show. Gosh, this guy ...

He really goes around saying I’m his girlfriend.

The old woman looked at me with a smile on her face before opening the door wider, " Oh really? All right, I'll just take Maria. Come in.”

"It's okay, we'll just wait here, we don’t want to bother you further. ..." Phoenix said and instantly, another woman appeared from the door. She looks like she’s almost around our age. Seeing Phoenix, she blinked, surprised to see Phoenix.

"Phoenix! What brings you here!" She exclaimed. Reaching Phoenix into a hug, "Did you come here because you missed me?” She winked at him.

I stared at them. Her voice was very high pitched and it’s like she’s forcing herself to sound cuter. Ew.