Fascinated by you

Chapter 6

They did what Mr. Choi said and visited one of the beautiful beaches in the place. They didn’t intend to have an overnight stay, they just wanted to enjoy the cool breezes blowing from the sea and walk on the sea. Bella seemed to enjoy the sea water as she paddled her feet.

“Charles, can we stay a little longer and wait for the sunset?” Bella asked Charles a favor.

“Sure, as long as you’re happy,” Charles said, looking at Bella’s face. It was his first time seeing Bella wearing this big smile of hers. As Bella was amazed by the fascinating scene of sunset, Charles was also captivated by her. Charles took pictures of Bella while looking at the sunset. They were about to go when a hotel receptionist greeted them.

“Good evening, Ma’am and Sir! I am from La Carolina Beach Resort and we are happy to inform you that our resort is celebrating its 10th year and we are looking for 10 couples that will be joining us. All you need to do is to register your name as a couple and you’re in. You are entitled to an overnight stay in our suite room, an intimate dinner and breakfast,” the receptionist discussed the resort’s program.

“Sorry but,” Bella was about to add that they were not a couple when Charles interrupted her.

“I think it’s late already to drive. Why not join, Babe?” Charles said while looking at her blushing face.

Bella was shocked. Babe? I love it. I would love to hear those words again. Please. Please say it one more time.

“What can you say, Babe?” Charles asked his girlfriend.

Did he hear me? Did he know that I would love to hear those words again? No way.

“I- I think it’s not a bad idea. Sure, b-babe,” she answered Charles. She feels like she was a teenager.

“In addition, if you are chosen as the ‘sweetest couple’ you can win a 2 days and 1 night staycation at our resort anytime you want to,” the receptionist said. “This way please,” she added.

While following the receptionist, Charles holds Bella’s hand tightly as if they were really a couple. She was waiting for Charles’ explanation but he didn’t say a word.

Okay. Let us enjoy the night, Bella.

One of the resort staff approached her and said, “Ma’am, would you like to change your dress? We prepared something for our guests.”

“Okay. Thanks,” Bella said to the resort staff. She excused herself for a while. Charles smiled back at her.

In the dressing room, she meets the other girls. She chose the white knee-length halter dress. She has natural curly hair, so it wasn’t hard for the stylist to do her hair and make-up. Her make-up was simple yet she stood out with others. The first part of the program is a dance number.

All the couples were on the dance floor except them. She was a little bit late. She hears the music playing (can’t help falling in love with you) but she can’t make a step until she notices that Charles is going in her direction. Charles held her hand and whispered to her ears, “You’re so beautiful, Bella,” he said. Bella hears his masculine voice.

If only it is true. If only your mine. If only…

It was too late when she felt the hot tears falling from her eyes. She can’t hold it anymore. She tried her best to hold it this morning but now she can’t. Whether she admits it or not, she’s in love. She’s in love with Charles. She’s in love with a man who will be with her for the next one month and has ‘Honey” waiting for him in the US. Why is life too hard for her? She once fell in love but was abandoned and now, even without starting anything, the end will come soon.

“What’s wrong, Bella? Did I say something to make you cry,” Charles asked Bella. His eyes were worried.

“No. I’m just happy,” she wiped her tears and said, “Let’s dance.” The song playing right now is ‘Beautiful in White" by her favorite boy band- Westlife.

They were dancing as if no one was looking at them. They enjoyed the song. Charles gazed at Bella’s eyes and kissed her forehead. Bella did not say anything. She doesn’t care if it’s true or not. She doesn’t care if it will only last for hours or a night. She’s happy and that is what’s important.

Charles was surprised that Bella did not say anything, so he decided to confess his feelings. People may think that he’s too forward, but it is his true feeling.

“Bella, I-,” Charles would like to confess his feelings when the light spotted their direction. And the next thing they noticed was all of the people were looking at them.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, we have already chosen our ‘sweetest couple’ and they were Mr. Charles and Ms. Bella,” the emcee announced their names as winners.

People are teasing them. They are all shouting and requesting a kiss.

“Can we request a kiss from our ‘sweetest couple’,” the emcee cheerfully asked them.

“Can I kiss you, Bella?” Charles asked quietly. Bella did not say anything but replied with a smile. Charles held Bella’s cheek and gently kissed her. It was a soft and sweet kiss. This single kiss is the best way to tell Bella how much he loves her.

She doesn’t know how that scene ended. The moment she realized what had happened, she was sitting beside Charles in front of a bonfire. There was a wine bottle and wine glasses. She wanted to ask Charles but a part of her didn’t want to wake up from this dream. Charles was drinking a wine and was staring at a red flame coming from the fire.

“Bella?” Charles asked.

“Yes,” Bella answered.

“I wanted you to know that you’re special to me. I have never felt this feeling before. If you give me a chance, I’ll make you happy,” Charles whispered.

He was expecting an answer but he noticed that Bella was sleeping on the chair. Tonight, he learned something new about Bella and that is she has a low tolerance for liquor. He carries Bella to their room. There was just one bed inside the suite, so he slept on the couch.

They had their breakfast early because they needed to go back to Manila. They thanked all the staff for the wonderful experience they had.

“Ma’am, here is the gift certificate for your 2 days and one night staycation at our resort anytime you want,” the receptionist said while giving the gift certificate.

“Thank you very much,” they both said to the resort staff and went to the car.

Inside the car, Charles was about to talk but Bella stopped her.

“I know that what happened last night was just an act. Don’t worry; I won’t ask for an explanation from you. I had a great time. It was fun that we were chosen as the ‘sweetest couple’. Well, in fact, they were not a real couple. I just feel guilty about that…there are more couples who deserve it,” she explained, as she was scared of his explanations.

After explaining, she gets her earphones and starts listening to songs, and falls asleep.

Charles was quite disappointed. She did not give him a chance to tell his side. But she cannot blame her.

They needed to freshen up before going to the office. He dropped Bella at their house and said he'd pick her up in an hour. Bella prepared herself because she would be meeting another investor. But this time she will be with Ms. Carmen.

Bella is waiting outside her house when she receives a call from the office. There was a sudden change in her schedule. Instead of a luncheon meeting with Mrs. Green, it was changed to an early coffee meeting at the company. She called Charles's number but she couldn’t get a call. She can’t wait a minute longer. She knows Mrs. Green is strict with time. So she grabbed the first taxi that she saw.