memories

I quickly wiped away my tears when Maverick turned away. Shit. It's not the best time to be emotional right now. Even though what he said is something that I know I will remember in my whole life, it was still not enough reason for me to show weakness.

I sighed and got up and took the dishes to the sink to wash.

I stopped myself from replaying his words in my head because it only brings me back to that bitter past. That will only do no good. Sure, it hits her from the core but she promised herself that she will move on from it. No looking back anymore. I have to overcome this situation I'm in right now for me to completely get over this phase and move on to the other.

I have been suffering from the memories of yesterday for several years now and now that I have seen the light to get out of the situation that plagues me every day, I will do everything to make it all work according to the plan.

She just has to endure this one week with the man. After that, I will be free. With the money I will get from him, I will start a new life away from here, away from everything. I will return to the paradise I grew up in when I find the thing I have been looking for.

I felt Maverick enter the kitchen. He didn't say anything but based on the goosebumps on my nape, I knew he was staring at me. I continued washing the dishes and ignored his presence. I then heard his violent breathing.

"I'm sorry for offending you earlier. I didn't mean them," he started.

I dried my hand using the towels and faced him. I gave him a dismissing look and then shrugged my shoulders.

"I didn't get offended. Just a bit hurt. That's it. It's a natural reaction, isn't it? Anyway, let's just forget about it. What you said is the truth so I should just treat it as advice."

He did not speak. He just looked at me intently. Maybe he's trying to argue whether to believe me or not. He nodded eventually.

"Thank you."

I rolled my eyes.

"I cringed when you sounded so apologetic. It's not like you. I mean, it's just my opinion. Don't be angry again."

I passed by him and went into the living room. There are lots of paper bags and shopping bags scattered on the sofa.

I smiled and looked at Maverick who was leaning on the wall.

"This is what you call presents."

I opened a paper bag with the name of a famous brand. Actually all shopping bags are all coming from signature brands. Dos Gardenias, Gucci, Prada, Valentino, and Chanel. I whistled when I saw a pair of black seersucker bandeau bikinis. In fairness, whoever he ordered to buy it got a taste. I checked the contents of the other bags. Shirts, shorts, negligee, undies and two summer dresses.

"I can see that you liked them," he said and walked towards me. He sat down beside me.

"Every woman likes it when someone gives them luxurious products. If a man's best friend is a dog then a woman's besties are definitely clothes and jewelry. It's plural because the more, the merrier," I said without looking at him.

"I will go swimming. Wanna go with me?" I offered. "I don't want to waste the time I will spend here unless you want to..."

I glanced at his direction and caught him staring at me.

He quickly shook his head.

"I still have a conference later this morning. I have to set up my computer in the room. You can go enjoy yourself."

I nodded.

"Okay. Can I ask for another favor if it's okay with you?"

"Sure. What is it?"

"Do you have an extra phone? I want to take some photos. If it's okay with you."

I hopefully looked at him while waiting. A few moments came by before he slowly nodded.

"I have one. It's in the closet. First drawer. You can have it. I still need to make a call for my laptop."

Excited, I got up and walked into the bedroom with my bikini set in my hands.

"Fem?"

I stopped on my tracks after hearing him call me. I turned to him.

"Yes?"

It took a long time before he answered. He stared at my whole body and then stopped in my face.

"You look beautiful when you smile."

That caught me off guard.

"Come again?"

"I said you look prettier when you smile. Keep smiling. I might extend your stay here."

I shook my head in invigoration.

"No, thanks. It's the last thing I want. Don't worry. I'll stop smiling starting now."

Maverick laughed. "Just kidding."

I put my hands on my hips and tried hard not to show my smile. "I know."

He gave me a seductive look which I answered with a defiant one.

"I'm really sorry for telling you those words. I was a jerk earlier."

"You're still a jerk until now."

He smirked. "Yeah, I know."

I crossed my arms and eyed him. "I have a question, Fuentebella."

"It's Mav or Mab. Drop your Fuentebella barrage. There are tons of us in my clan."

"You're the only Fuentebella in front of me now. but okay, Mav it is. Mav, I have a question."

He put his left leg on the other.

"Spit it out."

"Why did you take me here? If we follow your logic, you can just always play with me in your house or in your condo in the city and not from whoever knows where this place is. There will be no hassle. And you can still do your work."

"Let's just say I have a weird brain functioning."

I didn't believe him. I mean, who will?

"Bad point and it doesn't answer my question."

He shrugged his shoulders.

"Well, who cares if it answers your question or not?" he taunted me by copying what I answered him earlier.

I squinted my eyes at him.

"I have a hunch that you will say that and I hate it. I hate it when I can follow your train of thoughts," I mumbled.

"Same thing. I'm starting to get a hang of you."

I crossed my arms over my chest and shifted my weight.

"I want to know your answer. Unlike your question earlier, mine is much more interesting and cogent. So please?"

"Wow. You said, please." He learned on the sofa and grinned. "Let's just say I want to rest and the city is not the place I want in mind. I have long been planning to take a vacation and you are just an accessory. Who am I to refuse when you're a very welcome distraction I needed?"

I thought for a moment. He's got a point.

"Okay. My curiosity is satisfied."

I stepped forward to continue entering the room.

"Hey, you're not playing fair. I answered your question now you have to answer mine," he called me out.

Instead of answering him, I raised my hand and waved it in the air.

"Five more days, Mav. You only have five more days left."

I heard nothing more from him so I opened the bedroom door and went inside. After immediately closing the door behind me, my smile gradually faded. My face grimaced in pain as I clutched my chest.

"Shit, shit, shit," I cursed silently. I put my hand over my mouth to keep myself from crying.

"Same thing. I'm starting to get a hang of you."

I shook my head violently to make Maverick's voice disappear. I stood up and paced back and forth to calm the throbbing in my chest.

"Relax, Fem. Relax."

I took a deep breath and forced myself to set aside what I had heard from him.

"I need the phone."

I opened the closet and knelt down to pull the first drawer open. There’s the cellphone he's talking about with a charger on the side. I turned on the cell phone. It's not registering any clue that it's still functioning. Shutdown.

I stood up and looked for a socket. After plugging in the charger I sat up in bed and buried my face in my hands. I closed my eyes and caught a breath.

"Okay. I'm okay now," I tried to pacify myself.

I stood up and picked up the fallen paper bag on the floor. I went into the bathroom and locked the door. I turned on the shower and let the water gush on the floor tiles. I sat on the lid of the toilet bowl and stared at the door. The previously threatening tears were already dripping all over my face. At this point I just let them make their way down.

"Shit, shit, shit!"

I banged my head against the wall while tears were still welling up from my eyes.

"Shit!"

The door of the room opened so I was a bit alarmed. He can't see me looking like this. I stood up and turned on the faucet. I washed my face a few times before being content with the reflection in the mirror. My eyes are no longer red. I tried smiling. Perfect. Back to normal. I looked at the bathroom door when I heard a knock followed by a Maverick's voice.

"Fem?"

"Yes?"

His voice rang through my senses.

"I'll be out for a while. Need to get my computer. You need something for me to buy?"

"No, thank you."

"Okay. Wait, tell me you know how to swim?"

"Of course, Fuentebella. I know how to swim. What do you think of me?"

I pretended that I'm annoyed even when all I want to do is just cry it all out.

"It's Mav for you."

"Whatever. Just get out and please, don't ever come back."

He laughed.

"If I don't go back, you'll be stuck here forever."

"Trust me, I know my way out."

"You don't even know where in this world this place is."

I sneered. "Can you go now already?"

He laughed again.

"You know I'm tempted to shower with you now. Hearing your irritated tone turns me on, Fem," he said in a low tone that is close to growl.

"You can't. I locked the door."

"I have a spare key."

"Fine, you won now. Thank you for ruining my day, Fuentebella."

"It's, Mav."

"Just get out!" I yelled.

And then he laughed again.

"I really love annoying you. Anyway, you don't want anything? Food? Any stuff?"

"I'm good," I refused.

"Okay. Be right back."

I heard his footsteps away and the opening and closing of the door. I breathed a sigh of relief when I heard the engine of a car in the distance. I undressed and put on the bikini. I love the fit of it on my body. I open the drawers at the top to look for sunscreen.

There's a bottle, thank goodness. I checked the expiry date. Can still be used.

I exited the bathroom and headed to the closet. There were a few more t-shirts on the floor. I picked them up, folded them, and put them back inside. I also took two large towels and slung them over my shoulders. Then I unplugged the cellphone and turned it on. It worked to my delight.

I left the bedroom and went to the kitchen to get bottled water from the refrigerator. And then I went out from the glass door into the cool breath of air on the beach. I laid a towel on the sand near the hammock and sat down. I pulled out the sim card I bought from Anna when she brought me dinner the other night. I poked a long nail into the side of the cell phone and took the sim card there and replaced mine. I dialed a number and waited for it to ring. A few seconds later, the familiar voice answered.

"Why aren't you picking up the phone?!" I greeted him.

"Who's this?" said a voice on the other line who seems to be that of a person who has just woken up. "Femella? Is this you?"

I scoffed. "The one and only, silly boy."

"Why are you only calling now? Where have you been? I've been waiting for your call for days now! Are we still doing this?"

"Of course we'll push through. There has just been some setbacks but we're going to do it."

He coughed in the background. "When will I get the money so that I can start now."

"About that, I have a proposition for you."

"What is it?"

I played with the edges of the towel.

"I'm agreeing to your offer."

"What do you mean?"

"You'll get a million from me."

"What's the catch?"

I laughed. The boy definitely knew me by now.

"Start the investigation now. I still have five more days to stay here. Start scouring for any information now. As for the expenses, do whatever you need to do. I'll pay you when I'm back. Do whatever you need to do to kick-start the investigation. I want a report days from now. And it better be a good lead."

The line went dead silent.

"Where are you? Want me to locate you?"

I put the cellphone on my ear while my shoulder was supporting it and reached for the bottled water. I opened it and took a sip.

"I don't know where I am. Don't look for me. I'll come back when it's time. Just focus on the job."

"What are you doing there?"

I put down the bottled water on the sand.

"Working to pay you. " I paused "So? What's your decision?"

"Call."

A grin crossed my face.

"Good boy. Just a reminder, don't call me. I'll be the one to call you. Understand?"

"Copy."

"Okay. I'll hang up now."