Let Me Save You Then

PALAWAN

HARRIET's POV // Present.

It's finally their semester break, and after months of grinding– doing school works, activities and exams, they're finally having their vacation. It's only for two weeks, but nevertheless, it's still a vacation. And everyone badly needs that after being stressed for a few months.

Harriet is now walking towards her mother's office, Anne had called her earlier when she was having an early lunch with her friends, and asked her to come in her room. She knocked first before she twisted the door open. Harriet immediately saw her mom sitting on her table, piles of papers almost blocking her face. Her mother looks a bit tired. Harriet let out a sigh before clearing her throat, her mother then looks up– tiredness visible in her brown eyes. Worry instantly consumes her.

"You alright, mum? You look tired" Harriet walks to her mother and hugs her for support, Anne hugging her back

"I'm alright, baby. Just very busy, a lot of paperwork to do" Harriet lets go and went to the fridge to get a bottled water for Anne

"Here. Do you need anything? I can help you sort that" She offered.

Harriet wants to lesser the burden of her mother who had been working nonstop eversince. If she hadn't helped out for the last three years, Anne would've already fallen sick.

"Thank you, baby. I'm fine, these are just the documents from our company in London and US. They need me to sign this for approval, and some are stocks and sales for the past three months" Anne let out a long sigh. She's clearly tired and resting sounds like a great idea, however there's loads of works to do.

"Have you been sleeping properly?" Harriet ask as she stared at her mother's eyes. There's already a bag underneath it.

Anne chuckles. "I slept late last night because I had to do a conference meeting with the investors and shareholders in London" She went back on reading the papers and documents. Harriet ran a hand on her hair, looking at the papers scattered in the table also makes her drained

"Oh yeah, why'd you call me in for?"

"Oh right. Thank you for reminding me" Anne stood up from her chair and walked towards one of the drawers and pulled out two envelopes. Harriet stared at it when her mom handed it to her

"I want you to go back to Palawan. I need you to monitor the progress of the constructed building and maybe do some renovations, and also check the monthly stocks and sales of the resort. And oh, kindly check also the hotel and the cabin please? Selene called me the other week and informed me that they had an insect infestation in one of the cabins."

"What? Have they sorted that out?" Harriet was worried. A fault like that can cause a major problem if not taken care of immediately, and it might leave a bad review for their guests and potential clients.

"Hm. Selene said they've already contacted someone to remove it, they had to momentarily close the cabins and had to move the guests staying to the hotel because they had to further inspect all of the cabins to make sure it hadn't affected the other ones"

Harriet is getting frustrated. How come she hadn't notice that problem when she was there? She should've monitored and checked it thoroughly.

"Alright. I'll go there today and try to sort everything out."

"You'll be staying there for two weeks"

"Huh?" Two weeks?

"Hm. Since it's already your break, why not take a vacation too? You can take your friends with you"

"But mom, what about you? I can't just leave you here with all of those paperwork" Harriet protested. She's worried that her mother might not get enough rest because of all these works she had to do. And leaving her for two weeks only added up to her worries.

"It's okay, don't worry. I've already done most of the works anyway, and Eleanor is here. So you have nothing to worry about, yes?"

"But–"

"No buts, pumpkin. I know you're also tired, that's why I want you to have a vacation. Try to relax and unwind before your class starts again. And your friends being there will help you relax and have fun"

Harriet is still hesitant. But seeing her mother's determined face, she knows she had no choice. So with a defeated sigh, she agreed.

"Fine. But I'll call you from time to time to check up on you. I'll also call El just to make sure"

Anne just laugh. Harriet can be so overprotective and she worries too much.

"I'm alright, love. Now up you go. You should pack your things for the trip and inform your friends too. I'm sure they'll get excited. Neesha had been pining me about visiting Palawan" She she laughing. Yeah, Neesha and Zarri had been wanting to go to Palawan for awhile now. The last time they've been there was on Christmas

"Fine. I'll see you when I get back then" Harriet stood up and gave her mother a tight hug a kiss in her head

"Try to get some rest too, mum" She added before she went out

"You too, darling. You guys take care" Harriet wave her hand at her and walk back to the elevator.

Fifteen minutes later, Harriet found herself ringing at Neesha's room. She had contacted them where they were when she left her mother's office. So now, here she is, walking inside her friend's living room as soon as Zarri opened the door.

She saw both Louise and Neesha sitting on the floor, in front of the table where three boxes of pizzas were sitting. They were playing Super Mario Kart. Harriet sat next to Zarri on the sofa who was now reading a book, while glancing at the duo playing.

Seconds later, Zarri turned to her. "So, how was the talk?"

Harriet leaned on the table and reached for a slice of pizza but instead of answering Zarrina, she nonchalantly shrug her shoulder and just said,

"Hm? What do you guys think of a two weeks trip in Palawan?" She said it in the most normal way, trying to stifle her laughter when three pairs of eyes simultaneously look at her direction.

Two of the three eyes supporting excitement in it, while the other one held curiosity. Harriet acts as if she hasn't just said something while biting on her pizza and looking at the tv. Secretly glancing at the three.

It was Neesha who broke the silence, making her giggle when the latter suddenly move on her side, abandoning her game console.

"Palawan? For real? We're going there?" The Irish lass asked question after question. Neesha had been bugging them constantly, that's why it's understandable where her excitement is coming from.

Harriet just nodded making her squeal. She explained to them the reason for the sudden trip and both Neesha and Zarrina can no longer contain their excitement. Already planning an itinerary for their trip. Louise on the other side was just sitting silently, listening to them attentively. Harriet knows she is curious, so she spared her the curiosity.

"Do you want to come, Louise?" The girl turned to her shyly. There was a brief hesitation on her eyes. And before she could say anything, Neesha beats her to it.

"Of course she's coming. We won't leave her here behind, you silly giraffe" Neesha pinched her cheeks.

"I was just being polite by asking" Harriet rolled her eyes and turned to look at Louise again

"Uhm, I've never been there before" She said truthfully, making all of them look at her surpringly

"Really? Then the more reason why you should come then! I promise you, you won't regret it"

After a long minute of convincing, Louise finally gave in. Harriet stared at her, excitement now can be seen on her face as Neesha filled her in on what to expect in Palawan.

"So when are we going?" It was Zarrina. She was now also eating a pizza, her book already been put away. Neesha and Louise also looked at her expectantly.

"Today. Our flight is in 3 hours" She answered as she looks at her watch. All three looks at her like she just lost her head

"WHAT?" They said in chorus. Harriet had to cover her ears.

"Yeah. We've already got the tickets" She showed it to them, and gave them their respective tickets. Harriet found out about it when she was skimming through the envelope. Looks like her mom had really thought about it

Harriet was confused when Neesha stood up and pulled them one by one

"Come on, get out. We've got clothes to pack, chop chop" They had no choice when Neesha threw them out of her room and shut the door at them.

"Rude." Louise commented while Harriet and Zarrina laugh. They were already used to it, since she would always act that way every time they would go out on a trip

"Alright, I'll just see you guys downstairs then. I have to talk to El before we go"

"Oh, you're done packing?" Harriet nodded. She already did that before she went to them. "Alright, see you downstairs." Zarri added and went to her own room

"Then, I'll go pack my stuffs too then" Harriet nodded at Louise and was about to walk away when she called her name. "Thank you, for inviting me" Louise smiled at her sweetly before she too walk back to her room.

An hour and a coffee later, Harriet finally saw her three friends walking at her direction. Carrying bags on each of their hands.

"You guys ready to go?" She asked them. Letting go of the magazine she was reading. Harriet already talk to Eleanor about watching over her mom, and to call her if something comes up. She also bid her good bye to her mother. It may just be a two week trip, but because of the massive paperwork she saw on her mom's table, she became wary leaving her. But both Anne and El already assured her.

All girls nodded their heads and they all went outside towards where Steve was waiting. When he saw them, he helped them put their bags in the back compartment of the car. Harriet sat in the passenger's seat, while the three sat at the back.

"The drive to the airport will at least be an hour and a half. Might as well stop over and go grab a snack, yeah?" Harriet said while looking down at her phone. She was looking for a better route to not get caught in a traffic in her phone's GPS, and when she saw it's only a thirty-minute ride, she showed her phone to Steve and they immediately drove.

"Alright, let's stop at a convenience store and buy some snacks". And that's exactly what they did. Around 15 minutes into their drive, they saw a convenience store and made a quick stop. They bought snacks and drinks then continued their drive to the airport.

2 hours later, they finally arrived at the airport after getting caught in a short traffic. Steve helped them unload their things again. Once they got their bags, Harriet reminded Steve to give her a call in case there's an emergency.

All four girls are now walking inside the airport, they still have to wait for another 30 minutes before they board their flight so they just decided to just sit and eat their snacks while they wait. Neesha and Zarrina were telling Louise about their itinerary and how excited they were that she got to come with them in this trip. Meanwhile, Harriet was just looking at them with a soft smile on her face. She feels happy that Louise was added in their circle. It was like she fills a hole no body expects was there. Louise fits perfectly.

Suddenly, Louise glanced at her making her gasp. Especially when the latter smiled at her, eyes wrinkles as she does before she continued conversing with Zarri and Neesha.

Harriet looked around the airport. There were still a lot of people waiting to board their flight like them. And at that moment, she realizes that this was exactly the place where she first met Louise three months ago. And everything drastically change since then. Even though it's only been just three months, it feels like they have known her for a very long time. They've gotten pretty close in that short span of time.

Harriet's train of thought halted when she heard a woman's voice announcing their flight. Immediately, all four girls fixed themselves and grabbed their bags. They walk towards the boarding area and lined up with the rest of the travelers going in the same flight as them. Harriet was already feeling excited, it had been almost a year since she and her best friends last traveled together. And now, there's an addition to them. She's got a feeling this two week trip will be one for the books.

When the plane landed in Palawan, Neesha excitedly ushered outside, tugging Louise with her. Zarri and Harriet laughing lowly at them.

“She’s really excited for this trip. And now that Louise is here, Neesha has someone to pull around whenever she wants to do something” Zarri said as they got down the plane.

As soon as they got out, cold air welcomed them. Harriet momentarily closed her eyes as she savours the feeling.

“Hey come on, let's go!” She heard Neesha's voice from a far. When she opens her eyes, they were already way ahead of them. Zarri pulled her and they made their way out.

There was already someone waiting for them outside the airport once they got out. And a sign with her name was written on it.

“Mang Pedro! Kumusta?” (Uncle Pedro! How are you?)

Mang Pedro is their driver before Steve came and replaced him. Her mother sent him off to Palawan since she bought an island there so someone could drive them whenever they come to visit.

“Ma'am Harriet, Ma'am Neesha, Ma'am Zarrina, long time no see po. Mabuti naman po nakabisita kayo ulit dito” (Good thing you guys came to visit again) Mang Pedro said while grabbing their bags. And when he came across Louise, he was surprised and halted on his step

“Hm mang Pedro, she's with us. She's Louise, our friend. Louise, this is mang Pedro” Harriet introduced them to each other. Louise offered her hand for a handshake

“Oh! Nice to meet you, ma'am Louise! Welcome to Palawan po!” Mang Pedro cheered lively as he took Louise's bag. He was happy a new face has been added in their circle

“Tara na po? May hinanda na kaming pagkain para sa inyo. Tinawagan kasi ako ni madam Anne kanina na darating daw kayo kaya hinanda na namin lahat pati ang kwarto niyo” (Let's go, Ma'am? There's a food prepared for you guys already. Madam Anne called me earlier and informed me that you guys are coming, that's why we prepared everything. Including the rooms you'll be staying at)

“Iyan ang gusto ko sa inyo, Mang Pedro, laging handa! Tara na po, gutom na ako” (That's what I like about you, Mang Pedro, you're always prepared. Come on, I'm already starving) Zarri, Harriet and Mang Pedro laughed at Neesha's, while Louise was sat staring at them. Looking so confused yet amazes at their conversation.

“Ikaw po ba, Ma'am Louise? Kumusta ang biyahe?” (How about you, Ma'am Louise? How's the travel?) Mang Pedro asked as he glances Louise at the rare view mirror. But Louise just stared at him with a questioning look. Zarri took pity on her so she speaks

“Mang Pedro, Louise is new here in the Philippines. She just moved here three months ago, and she's still a bit adjusting. So please bear with her” She explained as she patted Louise's shoulder.

Realization hits him making him smile and look at the ladies he had been serving for the last 3 years.

“Hm. Just like three people I know” Mang Pedro said mockingly while glancing at them. The three laughed at him because it's true. The first time they've met, mang Pedro was battling for his life because he's not that good in English while Neesha, Harriet and Zarri couldn't understand Tagalog. Harriet smiles at her thought.

Although now that all three of them can understand and speak Tagalog, there was still an accent lingering in their tone.

They continued their journey while happily conversing. They would switch language from time to time so Louise won't feel left out. It's only a 30 minute drive from the Airport to the port where a yacht is waiting for them. And another five minutes going to the island.

Harriet felt warm inside looking at the scenery outside. She always gets this feelings whenever she's in Palawan. Maybe because it's far from the noise of the city? Or maybe because she feels serene whenever she's near the ocean.

After that short drive, they finally reached their island. All four girls stood looking mesmerized as they stared at the view. She can hear Neesha and Zarri muttering their appreciation to the island even though they've been here quite a few times. And Harriet can see Louise's reaction, she was too stunned as she takes in the beauty in front of her.

With a relaxing breath, she roamed her eyes around before Harriet looked back at Louise. A wide smile plastered in her lips.

“Louise, welcome to Palawan”