Whisper in the Ashes of Us

Chapter 12: New Start

“Good evening, Celestine,” bati ni Azrael, ang malalim niyang boses ay tila punong-puno ng kumpiyansa ngunit may bahid ng pag-aalinlangan.

“Good evening din,” sagot niya, kasabay ng pag cross arms. “Anong ginagawa mo dito? May kailangan ka ba na urgent para sa business? Sabihin mo na para maisama ko sa listahan.”

“Wala,” sagot ni Azrael habang bahagyang ngumiti. “I just want to talk with you.”

Napakunot ang noo ni Celestine. “Talk? Ano naman ang gusto mong pag-usapan? Hindi ba’t maliwanag ang usapan natin strictly business?

Tumitig si Azrael sa kanya, seryoso ngunit may kalmadong aura. “Gusto kong magsimula tayo bilang magkaibigan, Celestine.

Hindi agad nakasagot si Celestine. Ilang segundo siyang tumingin sa mga mata ni Azrael, pilit binabasa kung seryoso ba ito o isa lang ito sa mga laro niya.

I’ll think about it first. And I think you should rest, alam kong may jetlag ka pa. We’ll talk about it tomorrow, Mr. Ziferano,” Celestine replied, her tone polite but firm.

Azrael stepped closer, his deep gaze locking onto hers. “Too formal, Celestine. If you like, just call me hottie,” he said, a playful smirk tugging at his lips as he leaned slightly closer, his voice dropping to a teasing whisper.

Her cheeks flushed, but she rolled her eyes, trying to brush it off. “Goodnight, Celestine,” Azrael said, his voice softer this time, almost tender, as if savoring the way her name rolled off his tongue.

“Hay naku, napag-iwanan ng panahon. Anong klaseng banat 'yan, Mr. Azrael? Ang jologs at cringe! Practice more, HAHAHA!” Celestine burst out laughing, trying to mask the warmth creeping up her face.

Azrael chuckled, clearly amused by her reaction. “Jologs? Cringe? Hmm, I’ll take that, but if you keep laughing like that, I might just have to try harder to impress you,” he said, his eyes glinting with mischief.

“Good luck, Mr. Ziferano,” Celestine quipped, smirking. “You’re going to need it.”

“Challenge accepted,” Azrael replied, his gaze lingering on her a moment longer before finally turning away. “Sweet dreams, Celestine,” he added, his voice laced with a promise that made her heart skip a beat.

As soon as he walked away, Celestine let out a shaky breath, her hand unconsciously touching her chest where her heart was racing. “Hay nako, Celestine. Huwag kang mafall it just part of his game always remember about the dream…” she whispered to herself, though a smile had already formed on her lips

Kinabukasan, maaga siyang ginising ng kanyang glam team and this time a french people who knows how to speak and understand Filipino or Tagalog

“Rise and shine, Miss Devereux!” sigaw ni Sophie, ang makeup artist niya, sabay bukas ng kurtina.

“Sophie, 5 a.m. pa lang!” reklamo ni Celestine habang tinatakpan ang mukha ng unan.

“5 a.m. is a luxury in your line of work, darling,” sabat naman ni Theo, ang hairstylist.

Napailing si Celestine ngunit bumangon na rin. Habang inaayos siya ng team, nagkukulitan ang lahat.

“Miss Devereux, you’re glowing today,” komento ni Theo habang hinahawi ang buhok niya. “Care to share the tea? Baka may dahilan?”

Nagtaas ng kilay si Sophie. “Oo nga, mukhang extra-happy si Madame Celestine ah. Spill!”

Napangiti si Celestine. “You guys are so nosy. Wala, okay lang ako.”

“’ Ganyan ba dapat magsalita maem? and Okay lang ako’ means may dahilan,” hirit ni Theo habang pinipin ang buhok niya.

“Sophie, pakisabunutan si Theo” biro ni Celestine, dahilan para magtawanan ang lahat.

Meanwhile, Azrael kept himself busy reviewing documents in the sleek confines of his rented office in Paris. Despite being miles away from his Manila headquarters, his sharp focus didn’t waver. That was, until he glanced at the time.

“Almost done,” he muttered to himself, standing and grabbing his coat. He had made a promise, and he intended to keep it.

Azrael arrived to pick up Celestine from the studio. He leaned casually against his car, a sleek black luxury vehicle that gleamed under the Parisian sun.

He saw Celestine approaching, wearing the perfect outfit that looked like it came straight out of a fashion magazine

Uy, kaya pala ang blooming!” biro ni Theo habang kinikindatan si Celestine.

“True! Yung skincare niya yata, isang hot and handsome na CEO billionaire with moisturizer na katas ng 12 inches” dagdag naman ni Sophie, kasabay ng tawa.

Namula si Celestine, pero sinubukan niyang magpaka-kalmado. “Hoy Tumigil nga kayo! Baka marinig pa niya,nakakahiya kayong dalawa lumubay nga kayo.Anong katas ng 12 inches magkaibigan lang kami.Ang dudumi ng utak niyo” aniya, na pilit na hindi tumitingin kay Azrael.

"Ganyan ba dapat mag salita ang guilty at defensive maem?" pangaasar ulit ni Theo

Ngunit bago pa siya makapagprotesta pa, ngumiti si Azrael mula sa kanyang kinatatayuan, tila alam ang pinaguusapan. “Shall we?” tanong niya kay Celestine, ang mababang boses nito ay nagdala ng kakaibang kilig sa hangin.

“Let’s go,” sagot niya, pilit itinatago ang kanyang ngiti habang nilampasan ang mga asar na tingin nina Theo at Sophia.

"Bye Madame Disney Princess!" sabay sabi ni Sophie and Theo

Celestine had decided to take Azrael on a personal tour of her favorite Parisian spots before flying to Amsterdam.

First stop: Montmartre.

“This,” Celestine announced dramatically as they walked along the cobbled streets, “is where the magic happens. Artists, performers, dreamers it’s all here.”

Azrael raised a brow. “And you call yourself a dreamer?”

“I’m a realist with a hint of sparkle,” she shot back, sticking out her tongue.

At a quaint café, Azrael tried his first crêpe Suzette. His reaction was priceless, his face contorting as the orange liqueur hit his palate.

“It’s… unique,” he said diplomatically.

“You can just say you hate it,” Celestine teased, laughing so hard she almost spilled her coffee.

After that they decided to go in Amsterdam, and the city’s charm was undeniable. They visited the Van Gogh Museum, took a canal cruise, and even rented bicycles to explore the city.

“Try not to fall,” Celestine teased as Azrael wobbled on the bike.

“I don’t fall,” Azrael declared confidently just as he hit a bump and nearly toppled over.

Celestine burst into laughter, clutching her stomach. “You were saying?”

As they strolled along Amsterdam’s canals in the evening, the city lights reflecting off the water, a comfortable silence enveloped them.

“Celestine,” Azrael began, his tone unusually soft.

“Hmm?”

“Do you ever think about what your life would’ve been like if you hadn’t moved to Paris?”

Celestine pondered the question. “Sometimes. But I think I was meant to be here. Paris shaped me. And now…” She glanced at him, her voice trailing off.

“And now?” he prompted.

She hesitated, her eyes meeting his. “And now, I think I’m starting to figure out that life isn’t just about where you are. It’s about who you’re with.”

Azrael’s gaze softened. “That’s a good realization.”

For a moment, they simply stood there, the world around them fading into the background.

“Azrael?” Celestine broke the silence, a mischievous glint in her eye.

“Yes?”

“Don’t get too used to me showing you around. I have a busy schedule, you know.”

He chuckled, his deep voice sending a small thrill down her spine. “Noted. But for now, I’ll take whatever time you’re willing to give.”

As they walked back to their hotel, their conversation flowed effortlessly, laughter punctuating the night air. It was a bond that neither had anticipated, but one that felt undeniably.