Are you happy?

The rest of our walk to the paddy field of his farm was spent in silence and before we knew it, we arrived now. Just like what happened yesterday,  Phoenix grabbed the snacks from me and gave it to the farmers who were now on break.

They said they happened to miss something so they have to work extra hard today. After eating, they instantly went back to work.

"Now stay there. One two three, smile." I heard Phoenix muttering beside me and instantly, a flash from his phone was there. I was shocked when someone flashed in my eye. My mouth fell open and I gnashed on my teeth.   I turned to Phoenix to see him grinning while holding his phone.

I blinked at him,  "What's that Phoenix?"

"Uhm, isn't it obvious? I'm taking Instagram photos for you." He answered.

"Why?"

He put his hands on his lip, facing me, "Because you said you wanted to take a picture yesterday,”

"Oh, but that was only yesterday when I was in a dress. Not now, I don’t look today." Saying that, he chuckled at me.

"I think you look just fine now. I prefer this Sereia over the Sereia yesterday.”  He stated, “Now pose for me, c’mon.”

Sighing, I just did as he said and posed for the camera.

“Wow, yeah, that looks great. You should do this pose.” He said, now directing the “photoshoot.”

“You could be a photographer now, Phoenix.” I can’t help but say to him.

“Thanks, but my model is just beautiful.” He complimented me and I laughed at that. Just then, Phoenix stopped as he heard someone calling him.

"Phoenix!”

Phoenix turned around to see the woman from yesterday, "Oh Maria!"

Maria? Oh, she was his childhood friend...right.

The woman approached us and she embraced Phoenix into a hug.

I feel nauseous seeing them like that. Ew. They also acted like that yesterday, always hugging. I scoffed at the sight.

Is it really like that when they meet every day?

"Hi, Sereia!" Maria waved at me. I forced a smile on my face and waved back.

It was as if Phoenix read my mind so he raised an eyebrow at me, "All right, I’ll be back. I’ll talk to Maria first."

I nodded and they left and walked away from me.  I suddenly remembered the clothes I borrowed from her yesterday. I haven’t washed it yet. I guess I’ll return it next time then.

Since I couldn't think of anything to do, I just went close to one of the farmers and observed what they were doing. A farmer noticed me so she greeted me. "Hello, ma’aam Sereia!" I was surprised they still remember my name, but I’m glad. Judging from my view here, I think she's around 30 or so since she doesn't look that old.

I waved and smiled. "Hi." Clearing my throat, I asked her, "May I ask you a question?"

She paused from what she was doing and nodded, "Of course, ma'am. Ask me anything you want."

I smiled at her and asked, "How is your work here? And your boss?" I feel like I am interfering with her work but I should know this.

"Oh, Sir Phoenix is a very kind boss. He treated us like just friends. It's hard to be a farmer here but because he's our boss, he made it easier. He always gives us an allowance. We are aware that he’s very rich and famous, but he never let that affect him. He’s humble, and we admire him for that.”

I can see the sparkle in her eyes that she really is happy. She then continued, her eyes suddenly drooping in sadness, “ I only worry that he takes care of everyone around him so much that he forgot to take care of his own body.

Now that I know you are here, I hope you take good care of him." She beamed at me, trusting his boss to me.

"All right, I’ll be going now, we need to finish this today." She said her goodbyes and I watched as she went to where the other farmers were working.

I let everything she said digest in me, taking note of it.

I couldn’t help but glance at Phoenix’s direction. He was still talking to Maria. And I felt really guilty all of a sudden. He’s really doing his best for his farm and land, and one day, I came here to destroy everything he worked hard for.

I stayed quiet as the farmers were now finished with their work. Some of them came to talk to me, "Hello Ms. Sereia. I hope you take care of our boss, he’s very important to us farmers." One of them said. I recognize him as the one who was teasing Phoenix with me yesterday and I don’t know what to do except nod my head.

I mean, what should I say to them? They already think that Phoenix and I are together, despite the fact that I denied it yesterday.

"We can see how much he really loves this place so he’s taking care of us. I hope he doesn't get sick from overworking himself.”

They said a few more things to me about taking care of their boss and I couldn’t help but just nod my head at them. When they left, I felt my chest tightening, a lump in my throat forming so I swallowed. Why am I even here? I don’t belong here. I know it deep down that I don’t deserve this land.

Tears suddenly welled up in my eyes. I looked up at the sky to avoid the tears from falling.

No. This is not the time for this.

Why did I come here and force him to buy the land? That's why he rejected me so badly. If he had just told me, I wish I hadn't stayed here. Now I feel so guilty! It's like I just went to destroy his business and the lives of the farmers just for what I want. I’m the bad guy here.

"What are you thinking?"

I almost jumped at the sudden sound. Releasing a shaky breath, I quickly wiped my eyes and faced him, “What?”

He giggled at me, "You look like you're thinking something deep. Care to share it?"

I blinked at him. Oh, do I really? I looked around, seeing that Maria was nowhere in sight now. “Oh, where’s Maria? Are you finished talking to her?

He bobbed his head up and down, “Yes, I saw you alone and felt pity for you. You look lonely alone here.”

He stared at my eyes as if searching for something. His hands reached out and caressed my cheek, stroking on my hair. I shivered at his touch as he asked,  “Your eyes look red too. Did you cry?”

I wobbled, “No, it's my allergy reaction.” It was a lie, of course. I don’t want him to know I just cried. I then think of something to say just to change the topic, "Oh, by the way, my Instagram name is itsmesereia."

He smiled and wavered at me, "Got it. Do you still want to stay here?"

I stared at him, "I think I want to go home now."

Nodding his head, he took my hands and held it tightly, "All right. Let's go home."

He then dragged me away and I wanted to get away from his touch but he tightened his hold even more. I felt the fresh breeze of the wind blowing us as we walked home. When we reached home, we arrived at five in the afternoon. We were in the farm for two hours, but it felt like it was just minutes.

How fast time flies.

And by six o'clock, we had eaten our dinner. As usual, I offered to wash the dishes after chose to just hang out on the balcony when I finished.

thehandsomephoenix followed you

thehandsomephoenix sent you a message

My phone beeped at the Instagram notification. I opened it and was shocked to see Phoenix following me, sending me the pictures that he took earlier from the farm. He’s not even a Hollywood celebrity but he has over twenty million followers.

I shook my head. Of course, he’s famous on social media. He’s the famous bachelor in town. Instantly, news about him appeared about him hiding somewhere. His fans were sad and worried about where he might have gone but one of his fans also said that he left to take a vacation somewhere peaceful.

I clicked my tongue, reading the articles one by one. I guess the media really monitors everything they do. I wonder how the celebrities even survived this.

I looked at my pictures one by one, there was a picture of me that I was laughing in the air, others consisted of my serious face, the next thing was me staring badly at the phone.

Well, it’s a good thing I don’t look that bad at these photos even when I’m not ready. Deciding to check on Phoenix’s profile, I saw that he had 30 posts, but all of it was about nature, flowers, and trees. Not a single picture of his face could be seen but he earned a lot of likes.

"So have you seen it?" I heard Phoenix say from beside me, appearing out of nowhere like a mushroom. At this point, I’m not even surprised at his sudden arrivals. I somehow got used to it now.

I looked at him, "Yes. I look good in the photos."

"I can't disagree with that." He commented, sitting in the chair beside me as we watched the stars in the sky in silence.

The stars look brighter here in the province than in the cities. And evening here feels so peaceful and relaxing. It’s almost like I don’t want to come back home.

"Phoenix?" I broke the silence. I watched as he stared ahead of us, lost in thought.

He mumbled, "Yeah?"

I asked. “Are you happy?”

That made him turn to me, “Why are you suddenly asking me that?” I looked at his blue eyes, seeing them wrinkle as his smile reached his eyes. He didn’t seem to expect me to ask him that. He looked happy, but I saw something in his eyes.