Austin's POV
Today is our trip to Zambales, because today is the feast in the town where Faith is. I've been busy with preparations for several days. My meetings have been left and right. I've been signing documents non-stop. I don't want to leave any pending work.
I've already left instructions with my secretary on what needs to be done. If there's any document that needs to be reviewed, just send it to my email. I'll check and study it there.
I'm with my friends who are like family, all of them are excited. For them, this is a long vacation. For me, my mission is different, and they know that.
Faith, I don't know what kind of encounter will happen. I'm not even sure what feelings I should prepare. But I know that moment will come.
It was getting dark when we arrived. My cousin, Mayor Angelo, told me to go straight at the plaza, where the main program of the feast is being held. He knows we're coming tonight, and as usual, their home is open to us.
When we got to the plaza, I immediately looked around. In the midst of the lights from the bulbs hanging on the stage, I saw the long table with a white tablecloth. Where the town officials seated, and in the middle was my cousin, the Mayor, who seriously listening to a speaker. When he noticed us, he immediately guided us to the assigned seats for us and hung a garland around our necks.
"Ladies and gentlemen," said the emcee, "before we start the performance, we would like to recognize our honored guests, the donor of our new school building. Please welcome, Mr. Austin Garcia, CEO of A.G. Company, along with his friends: Mr. Casniel Lapara, Mr. Greg Angeles, and Mr. Hero Bautista. Let's give them a warm round of applause." They introduced us. How excellent, my cousin must have already given our names to the emcee.
As the people clapped and shouted with joy, we sat in the assigned seats at the front. From my seat, I had a direct view to the center
And there...
There I saw her.
Faith was standing.
"Faith…"
Softly, almost a whisper that only I could hear. But in my heart, it was like a shout of a long-hidden emotion. Her face showed traces of surprise, which she couldn't hide. I know she didn't expect this. I know she didn't expect us to meet again, especially here, especially tonight.
After a moment, a woman approached her, if I'm not mistaken, her name is Charie, who was the reason I found where Faith was. She talked to her, perhaps noticing that she was uneasy.
And then the music played.
Along with the dancing lights, Faith started to dance. Accompanying each of her movements was a piece of our memories, every wave of her hand seemed like a brush on the past, every turn of her body like sharpening every grudge from the past. But she didn't look at me again. She didn't glance back. It was as if I wasn't there.
But me? Amidst all the dancers, I only saw her.
Only Faith.
No one else.
I was like hypnotized by her presence.
Her curly hair following each of her turns, the simple smile with a hint of hidden emotion I couldn't fathom.
I wanted to hide her in my pocket. Because almost all the men were looking at her with undeniable admiration.
"Wooh!" Hero exclaimed, while his eyes almost popped out. "Charie is even more beautiful in person. She's so sexy, bro… fuck!"
"Yes, she is, bro…" he swallowed.
I cleared my throat, but my response was absent-minded, because my gaze was elsewhere.
"Who?" Glen asked.
"Faith. Faith… she's become even more beautiful, bro."
I felt a smile form on my lips, even though I didn't intend it.
"Have you guys choosing now?" Hero asked.
"No, I don't want a teacher, bro. They're always busy with school and work. I might not get any time with her. Poor me—and my sex life," Casniel replied, sighing dramatically as he even touched his chest.
"You're really crazy. Sex is still on your mind," Hero laughed. "Just make her quit teaching if she becomes your girlfriend. Or better yet, build her a school—so she can control her own time… and you can control her."
Laughter again.
"Is that your plan for Charie, bro?" Glen asked with a sparkle in his eye, as if he was planning some mischief.
"That's not on my mind yet," Hero answered, sipping his juice as if it were brandy.
I just quietly listened to them while watching my Faith.
When they finished dancing, I followed her with my eyes until she sat next to Charie, and then a man approached. Soon, they left Faith alone. I was about to go to her when my cousin Angelo suddenly spoke to me.
"Austin, how's Tito Greg?" he asked about my dad. He still hasn't woken up from his coma due to the car accident a year ago. A year has passed, but I haven't lost hope that Dad will wake up, even though my mom wants to give up on him.
"Still the same, kuya. But the doctors say his body is responding to the medicines they're giving him. So we're hoping he'll wake up very soon."
"Oh, I wish Tito would wake up. Dad misses him too," Angelo said, his voice heavy with sadness.
Angelo's dad and my dad are siblings. There's always a certain weight in every conversation when it's about family.
"I wish that too," I replied briefly, sighing.
"I'm glad that one of the schools in the area I oversee is the one you chose to donate the school building to."
"Yeah… because I have another agenda here, kuya."
He looked at me, clearly waiting for the follow-up. I only met his gaze with a meaningful smile.
"What is it?"
"You'll find out soon, kuya."
I turned away for a moment, glancing at where Faith was. I saw her sitting, holding a cellphone. She received a call, and after a few seconds, she stood up. Her movements were quick. Clearly, she was in a hurry.
I stood up, said goodbye to Angelo and the others. I didn't explain why. All I knew was that I needed to follow her.
I walked quickly. Then I saw Faith, also walking hurriedly, so she didn't notice the woman who subtly tried to trip her. A malicious trap born of envy.
"F**k!"
I exclaimed as I rushed toward her.