Love in Separation

Chapter 10 - Passed Time

Dropping Maralin again to my Aunt's feels heavier than the other day.

I haven't seen Drayce since I saw him in the park but every time I go out, fear looms over my heart.

Seeing him reminded me of everything I have tried so hard to bury deep within me. A man like him is difficult to ignore and forget despite my hardest for 6 years. I was able to suppress myself from even uttering his name, and I don't want to falter.

Still unable to find a close and good daycare for Maralin, I decided to clear my head and went to the hotel.

Serene hotel is a 5-star hotel chain in the world. I was lucky enough to be extended an invitation after working for 5 years in one of its branches in Manila.

They have been inviting me to move to this country for a while but I couldn't leave my mom behind then. I wonder if things didn't go as they did, would I have still taken this opportunity?

"Ms. Ibarra!" Someone called. I turn to my left and saw a man walking towards me. His smile is professional and his gait is as approachable as you want to be. Smiling back at him, I went closer to meet him halfway. "Hello, my name is Nigel Stone. I'm the acting manager of this hotel until you officially begin." He continued as he offers his hand for a handshake.

I gladly took it and smile back. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Stone. I'm sorry for dropping in, I was around so I figured I should take a look around since I have time."

"Of course. You are welcome to look around. I'll gladly show you the hotel."

"That's amazing, thank you so much."

This branch in New York is a lot bigger than I expected so it took a bit of time before he was able to finish showing me around.

"I'm glad you decided to stop by the hotel. Unfortunately, I need to step back into the office now. I'm looking forward to working with you tomorrow."

"Thank you, I am as well."

When I went out, I decided to walk toward the last daycare on my list. I really hope this one's good. This is my last day before I work.

Finally standing by the door, I didn't waste any time and opened the door when I heard his voice once again.

"Cristine?"

I stop in my tracks upon hearing his voice. Unlike in the park the other day, his voice sounded closer and I know there is no hiding from him anymore. With my heart racing inside my chest, I slowly turn my head to face him.

His glorious form stood meters away from me. Unlike his stoic intimidating face the other day when he didn't see me, his lips flashed a smile before me. "Drayce?"

His smile grew wider as he nodded in affirmation. "It's been so long. It's nice to see you."

"N-nice to see you too." I stuttered. I have always imagined the moment when we will see each other again. When it was still a distant future, I always thought that I would welcome him with a warm hug.

Now, standing in front of him, my hands feel so cold, my stomach fluttering and my heart kept racing but my whole body could only hold steady where I stand. Too nervous to move.

"How have you been?" He asks. I have known him for years and I can tell that the way he looks down meant his disappointment when I chose not to come closer and hug him

"I-I'm good. You?" I said, still stuttering.

"Good as well."

"That's good," I said, feeling awkward about everything.

We were quiet for a few seconds before I had to clear the path for other people passing through the entrance. "I'm heading to get some coffee. Do you want to join me?"

"Oh, um. I still need to head out here." I said pointing at the daycare.

"I can wait."

"Are you sure? I mean, I don't know how long I will be—"

"It's been so long since I last saw you. Please let this man wait for you so we can catch up afterward?" He said, cutting me off.

Sighing in resignation, I nodded. His smile finally came back before I head inside.

It took a half hour of talking before I was able to get out of the daycare. I wasn't expecting him to wait that long for me so when I came outside and did not see him, I expected myself to not feel disappointed.

As I head by the sidewalk ready to call myself a cab, I suddenly called him calling for me. "Cristine!"

When I look at him, he is holding two coffee cups in each hand. "I thought you have already gone."

"What? No. I said I'd wait for you so I did. I figured maybe I should get you the coffee while you were inside. Here, I put lots of sugars and creamer in there."

He gave me the coffee to me which I carefully take. "Thanks, I didn't think you'd remember," I said as I take a sip.

"You underestimate my memory. Of course, I remember. I still know you, Cristine Ibarra." He tease as he winks at me.

"Alright, but I don't think I'm the same person as you remember."

"I'll be the judge of that." He said as we continue to walk.

We went back to the coffee place so we can sit. "Out of all the places to see you. I didn't expect you'd be in New York. I thought you loathe this place."

"I mean, I still do. I just have something to take care of here. Which reminds me, you're back here! Another J-1?"

I chuckled at the mention of the visa. "No, that's a privileged visa granted for students, Drayce. I was invited here for work."

"Oh wow. That sounds amazing! Where do you work?"

"In some hotel. I've been working in one of their branches in Manila then they suddenly offered me a promotion so I took it. By the way, does this mean you got the thing for the military?" I said, suddenly remembering our last conversation years ago.

His aura quickly shifted in a second before he masked it with his smile. "Yeah. I successfully got out. It came with perks as I said."

"That's great. When did you come back?"

"4 years ago."

"I'm happy you got home safely."

As I sip my coffee, I couldn't help but notice that what happened to him must have been grave. He's being closed off about it like he did before he mentioned the grueling experiences he had with the submarine when we were still together.

"Thanks. I'm sorry. I know you can tell." He said without meeting me in the eye. "It's just something I couldn't verbalize yet."

"I understand," I said, smiling sweetly at him. "It must have been a difficult memory for you. I'm sorry I asked."

"N-no. It's not your fault. You know how I am. I'm not good with sharing things about me."

"I know. I guess you're still the same. Somehow, I feel relieved."

He looked up at my eyes, and his face showed a softer expression that ultimately made me feel better.

As I took another sip of my coffee, I noticed that our hands are so close to each other. If only one of us moves even an inch closer, our hands would immediately meet.

I can feel him trying to move closer until my phone's ringing made me lift my hand away from the table. "I'm sorry, I have to take this," I said after seeing the caller ID to be my aunt.

"Hello?" I answered as I face my side.

"Hi, Apple. I'm sorry to bother you but have you finished looking for a daycare?" She said, her voice sounding a bit worried, making me nervous all of a sudden.

"Yeah, I'm just meeting a friend. Did something happen?"

"Maralin's crying. I'm sorry, the kids were just playing and she was having fun. Until she suddenly burst out crying and calling for you. I talked to the kids if they did something to her or if she was hurt but they said she just suddenly cried. She hasn't stopped crying and I'm so worried."

"I'll be there."

"Okay, I'll let her know."

When our call ended, I look up at Drayce with an apologetic look. "I'm sorry, I need to go home."

"Oh yeah sure. Can I give you a ride?"

"Oh no, it's alright. I can just take a cab." I said as I stood up.

"It's no bother."

"But you hate traffic," I said, trying to come up with an excuse for him to let me go alone.

"I insist." He said as he smiles.

Sighing in resignation, I nodded in affirmation. After all, it is rude to deny him after he insisted. I know he'll just use it later to get back at me for something else.

"Wait here, I'll go get my car."

As he hurried away, I stood by the sidewalk and placed my hands in my jacket pocket. Somehow, this feeling seems so familiar and calming. I used to wait for him to get the car too when we were still dating.

As soon as the memory and thought entered my mind, I immediately shake it off of my head and try my best not to reminisce. Just because we saw each other again doesn't mean our lives are going to go back to how it was.

It has to be it.

Suddenly, a yellow corvette pulled over to my area. The driver's seat window pulls down revealing Drayce and his wide green. "Hop on."

As I get in, I looked at the state of Candace, the car we named after this c5 z06 yellow corvette. "I can't believe you still have her," I said as I run my hands through the leather interior.

"Of course. I made a promise to you that I'll keep her."

"Did you replace the leather?"

"No, it's still the original. I have her taken care of when I was away." He said with a smug smile on his face.

I laughed. "This is amazing. I can't believe she still runs and feels so great."

"Well, I have updated most of her engine though but apart from that, she is still the old Candace that you know."

This feeling again… why does it keep pestering me?

I can feel my cheeks reddening so I decided to look away to hide it.

After a while, we got into my Aunt's house fairly fast. Though Drayce kept his cool on the road, I can tell he just decided not to blurt his road rage because his neck grew red the whole trip.

When we arrived, I immediately went out. I lower my face so I could look at him. "Sorry, I need to head inside. Thank you for the ride!"

I wasn't even able to hear him say anything for my mom's instincts kicked in. I ran towards the door and ring the doorbell. When the door opened, Maralin jumps in front of me. She was still crying as I carry her.

Forgetting everything, I look behind me and saw that Drayce's car has already left, which greatly relieved me.

"Why are you crying, sweetie?" I cooed as I brush her back to calm her down.

"Mama… I thought you…left me…" She said in between hiccups.

"What do you mean?" I ask worriedly.

I pull away to see her face. My heart breaks as I see her all red from crying. I wipe her tears gently and patiently wait for her to respond. "You said… when this hand and this hand points here, you'll be back." She said, pointing at my wristwatch.

It was then that I realized what was going on and immediately kiss her forehead. "Mama's sorry. I didn't mean to be late." After hearing my apology, she immediately hugged me tightly but she managed to stop crying. "You know, Mama will always pick you up no matter how late it is right?"

I waited for her to respond but realized that she has fallen asleep. I apologetically look at my aunt who only smiled at me with understanding. "Here are her things. I'll help you hail a taxi." She whispers.

When we got home, I carefully placed her on her bed and wipes her body with warm water with a bit of soap. Afterward, I changed her clothes to her pajamas without waking her up.

Looking at her sleeping form, I began to wonder whether Drayce has seen her or not. Deep within me, I hope he didn't. I don't know if I should. I'm still too scared to be disappointed.

There is still a massive possibility that he has already moved on. I didn't want her to meet Drayce only to be not welcomed because he already moved on.

She has already been through something tragic when my mother passed. I don't want her to go through anything that will hurt her again.