Grandmother

Once they reached the bathroom door, he placed her down in the bathtub and turned on the faucet to fill it. He placed the soap and shampoo beside her so it would be easy for her to grab and also placed the towel beside her.

“I’ll grab some clothes for you. Just tell me when you’re done, I’ll wait outside.” He instructed before leaving.

She was left alone with her thoughts now, feeling empty. She stared at the wall, trying to make out what happened. From excitement to pain. It went all too quickly.

Snorkeling was fun, yes, but she was stupid today. As much as she wanted to blame Reagan for taking her to someplace to snorkel, it was her mistake too since she went further deeper and away from him…

No one expected this to happen so she has nothing to blame but herself.

She washed and tried to make this quick, all the while avoiding her wound getting wet. As she was finished, she put on the towel Reagan placed and she called out for Reagan and he came in instantly.

He was closing his eyes, careful not to invade her privacy.

“Why are you closing your eyes?” She asked teasingly, although knowing it all too well his reason.

“Just being a gentleman. Why? You want me to open my eyes and see you naked?”

She cleared her throat and he

chuckled at that. She pulled her towel closer as he approached.

“Relax, I’m not going to do it.”

He then went to the sink and gave her clothes. She noticed it was him and not hers. “I thought my clothes were all dried up? Why are you lending me yours?”

“I prefer you to wear my clothes, this is much warmer.”

He said simply and left without opening his eyes.

“I prefer you to wear my clothes, this is much warmer.”

He said simply and left without opening his eyes.

He stumbled for a bit by the door and managed to get himself out of the bathroom. Aurora grabbed the clothes and put it on. She was about to stand up but then grimaced at the little pain and numbness from her right leg. She sighed, calling out for Reagan again.

She hates to be this weak and can’t even do anything. Damn, her pride will never shut up about this… Reagan came in again and this time, with his eyes open knowing she’s fully clothed.

He grabbed her hand gently and carried her outside and onto her room. All the while, Aurora was just staring at the floor, not wanting to meet his eyes.

“My clothes suit you more than that swimsuit.” He commented as he placed her down on her bed. “Shouldn’t have brought that swimsuit. Next time I’ll buy you some rash guard and will be careful not to let you swim anywhere.”

“Relax, it’s not your fault.” She spoke up, which made Reagan’s mumblings halt and he looked at her with wide-eyed gaze

“Is it real? I thought you were going to blame me?” He asked, making it sure.

“Yes, it was my fault I swam further and away from you.” Although hating the idea of admitting it, she just felt like sharing her thoughts.

Reagan’s lips curled at that, his hand resting on her head and lightly patting it. “Thank you for not blaming me, but I would still feel obligated about it…After all, I promised your parents to take care of their daughter.” He said, winking.

She rolled her eyes, realizing that the proud Reagan is back again. Where is the caring Reagan just a minute ago?

“Then I’ll leave you to rest up.” Saying that his hands reached her nose and booed it like she's a little kid.

Aurora lay on her bed, closing her eyes. And she didn’t notice that she fell asleep when she woke up from the sound of the yacht stopping and almost hitting something. It shooked a bit until it became steady.

Reagan appeared minutes later in her room and carried her outside.

“Where are we going?”

She asked, now alarmed.

“I had stopped the yacht in the city.” He replied, looking ahead and walking gently enough not to harm her. “I’ll take you to a hospital to get your legs checked.”

She blinked, not expecting him to be this considerate.

Aurora just let him do his thing as they got out. Reagan spoke to some guy who looked like some staff in here and he gave his yacht’s key to the man, instructing him carefully to take care of it.

Aurora was a bit blinded by the lights coming from the lamps from the poles. She didn’t notice it was dark outside as the moon was enveloping them, offering some lights along with the stars from the sky. She looked around the busy crowd, still on Reagan’s hands. There were a few more ships and yachts beside them too, and some fishermen gathering their harvest of fish for the day.

“What city is this?” She asked, not sure. She noticed the people were tanned a bit and had black hair and hazel eyes, much like Reagan’s…But from the crowd, Reagan still stood out.

“We’re in Gensan in the Philippines, my parents’ place.” He simply replied. It took her a few minutes to realize it.

“What? We’re in the Philippines?” She asked again, wanting to stand up and struggling in Reagan’s hands but he gripped her tightly, not wanting to let her walk on her own. “You should have docked in Felix’s place!” She exclaimed. Goodness, Gensan, Reagan’s place is just six hours away from Samal where Felix’s parent's resort is, where she wanted to come from the very start!

Reagan noticed her disappointed expression, “Oh, you want there? Sorry, I wanted to just stop by our farm first. You’ll get accommodated there and will receive the best treatment.”

Aurora nodded, still feeling a bit disappointed by this.

Reagan sighed, giving in, “ If you want, after you are healed up, I’ll drive you to Felix’s resort, it’s just six hours anyway.”

She smiled at that, mumbling a little “Thank you.”

Reagan nodded and continued carrying her towards the area where a few taxis were waiting.

Aurora could sense the stares of people at the time, wondering what was happening. She cleared her throat, hiding her face and looking at Reagan, “People are staring at us.” She informed him, and Reagan just smiled at her.

“Let them,” and he grabbed one taxi, putting her in the backseat carefully and he went to the passenger seat to talk to the driver to tell him the address.

They passed by the city for a bit until they reached the countryside full of coconuts and greens. It was dark outside as they got deeper into the place, and the lamp posts got fewer. There were only a few houses here.

It took then half an hour to get there, and she could feel her stomach growling. Right. They didn’t have dinner….

“And we’re here,” Reagan announced as they stopped by the biggest house in the countryside. Reagan paid for the driver and got out to assist her.

The place looks a bit familiar to her as she might have gone there when she was a child, she’s not sure but she could faintly just remember.

Reagan carried her towards the gate and he pulled the doorbell, alerting the people inside.

Just then, a loud exclaiming voice came out from inside.

“Reagan, my dear!”

An old lady came out of the house, walking quickly to open the gate as her eyes shone so bright from excitement. She was wearing a beautifully simple white dress and a few pieces of jewelry on her neck, and some slippers on her feet. She had brown hair tied up and her hazel eyes that matched Reagan’s were twinkling in the night. She looks like she was in her sixties with the fine wrinkles on her face but she still was strong enough to walk quickly toward them. She looked simple and elegant overall, and somewhat familiar.

“Lola, didn’t I tell you not to walk like that? You’re old, you should just sit on your chair and ask them to do chores for you.” Reagan said, scolding the old lady.

The old lady pouted, “Don’t you dare scold me after not visiting me for years! And I’m still strong! I can open the gate for you!” She said, “You should have called me you’ll come so-“ her eyes then fell on Aurora’s figure, who was still in Reagan’s arms.

Her smile turned into a grin, “Oh, hi beautiful girl.” She greeted her.”

Reagan sighed, “Lola, this is Aurora, daughter of my parents’ business partner.” He introduced and looked at Aurora, “This is my grandmother Lola Nanding.”

Aurora offered a polite smile at Lola Nanding and she returned it with a smile also, “Oh yes I remember you. Your Isleen and Aiden’s child, Aurora!” She looked at her up and down and smiled charmingly, “Wow you’ve grown up so much. But why are you carrying her in your arms? Is there something wrong?” She asked worriedly.

Reagan sighed, “Lola, can you let us inside first? I’ll explain later, we’re both hungry now.”

Lola Nanding giggled, chuckling in embarrassment.

“Oh yes, silly me. Come, you two lovebirds.”