Winning The Magnate's Heart (#LTNI Book 2)

#WTMH Roll 7: Closure (pt. II)

Napatawa siya. "Loko!"

Binaba ni Hunter ang kubyertos. "About the condition..."

Nanigas si Marga at binaba na rin ang kubyertos para ihanda ang sarili. "Y-Yes?"

Hunter leans on his chair. "I want a date."

Napasinghap siya. "H-Hunter, a-about that... I would like to explain that there's a lot of things that we s-should consider. First is --- "

"You are engaged, and you don't want people see us, dating." His smiles widen.

Yumuko siya dala ng pagkakapahiya. "I-isa na-na r-rin yun."

"Relax. What I'm asking is a business date."

Napa-angat ang tingin niya rito. "B-Business date?"

He nods. "Yeah. Two people talking about business. On the set-up like this, sharing a lunch but discussing about your project. Also, I'd like to know more about Ireland. I'm thinking of putting up my airlines there." Sumubo ito ng karne at ngumiti.

"Y-Yun lang?" Napakurap pa siya.

"Of course! What else? Ohhhh... you're thinking bad stuffs, huh?"

Namumula siyang tumango.

"HAHAHAHAHAH!!" Malakas na tawa ni Hunter. "No, no. You are very beautiful woman, Princess Margaret. But I am dead-set faithful to Naomi." Patungkol nito sa asawa.

Mangiyak-ngiyak niyang ginagap ang kamay nito. "H-Hunter... you just don't know how happy I am t-today!!"

He smiles. "I can see it."

"M-May God bless you and your relationship!!!"

"God already blessed in the form of my wife."

Nanlaki ang mata ni Alban sa binahagi ni Margaret kinahapunan sa kwarto ng lalake. "W-What, c-come again?" Lingon nito kay Marga na nakaupo sa sofa.

Masaya siyang tumango. "He just wants a business date to know more about Ireland since he is interested to put up an airline there."

Umupo ito sa tabi niya. "T-That's great!!!"

"I know right." Di niya masara-sara ang labi sa kakangiti. It seems that odds are finally on her favor.

"So tomorrow..."

She nods. "Yup, tomorrow will discuss all the details about my project then his business intention as well."

"After that?"

Natigilan siya. "A-After that?"

Huminga nang malalim si Alban. "I-I didn't mean to do this behind your back, d-darlin'. But your grandmother called earlier."

At para siyang binuhsan ng malamig na tubig. "G-Grandma?" All her excitement and enthusiasm are gone in a snap.

"Yeah. I-I didn't tell her the details. She just wants to know your progress and I told her you got a sponsor. That's all."

Parang nanghihina si Marga na sumandal sa sofa. Parang nahihilo siya nang maalala ang buhay niya sa palasyo. The endless lessons, the strict etiquette... and her anticipated wedding to Joaquin.

"Darlin', I'm sorry."

"N-No, it's okay." Makakita man siya ng sponsor o hindi, di pa rin mawawala ang katotohanang uuwi siya sa Scotland at harapin ang mga nakaatang sa kaniyang responsibilidad. Approve man ang project niya o hindi, ikakasal pa rin siya kay Joaquin. Tanging konsuelo lang niya ay matatagalan pa ang paghahanda niyon kasi may aasikasuhin pa siyang proyekto.

An unavoidable fact.

"So, what's your plan?"

"I'll talk to grandma later." Hinilot niya ang sentido at tumingala sa kisame. "Tell her of my achievement and plan for my return back home."

How she wishes the Queen will stick to her bargain that she'll postpone the wedding preparation as agreed.

.

.

Matapos maligo, nakaupo sa harap ng salamin si Marga habagn tinutuyo ng twalya ang basang buhok.

> "And if you fail... wag ka ng maghanap pa ng problema at ibuhos mo na lahat ng atensiyon at oras mo sa preparasyon sa kasal ninyo ni Joaquin."

Pinilig nalang niya ang ulo. 'This is not the right time to get depress, Marga. You need to give your best shot tomorrow to impress your sponsor more.'

Nakausap na niya kanina si Nelson para ikamusta ang mga tao sa hospital. Medyo humupa na raw ang epidemya at may iilan ng umuwi sa kani-kanilang bahay. Thanks to Alban's connections, may pumupuntang fire truck sa Marchomont at Muirhaus para magdeliver ng tubig. Still, it needs to be boiled in order to be drinkable.

That is only a temporary resolution about the problem. Di pangmatagalan na solusyon.

Her project will be the answer.

She looks up the clock. 6:00PM.

Her time seems to be on countdown. She needs to do everything that needs to be done before leaving America. No regrets this time.

Kinuha niya ang phone at tinawagan si Baxter. "Boyet... nasa opisina pa ba si Isaiah?"

"Sir?" Silip ni Nadia matapos kumatok. "Uuwi na po ako."

Isaiah, standing with a pen on slid up his ear while reviewing a contract, nods. "Okay." Di na ito naka-coat. Nakasuot nalang ito ng puting long-sleeve shirt na nakabukas ang tatlong butones sa may leeg at nakarolyo ang mga manggas sa may siko.

'Busy nga talaga masyado...' Maingat nalang na sinara ni Nadia ang pinto.

.

.

Scribbling on the paper he is holding, Isaiah heard someone knocks on the door. Kanina pa umalis si Nadia baka may nakalimutan ito. "You left something?"

"Isaiah?"

Natigilan siya at nag-angat ng tingin.

Standing on the doorway is Margaret with a paper bag that he assumes is food based on the aroma that immediately filled his office. "What are you doing here?"

"Uhhh..." Ngiti nito sabay taas sa paper bag. "Came here to deliver this?"

"You don't have to. I can order anything." Niyuko uli niya ang binabasa. "Just leave it at the table." Naramdaman niyang binaba ni Marga ang pagkain sa kalapit na mesa.

Dumaan uli ang ilang minuto at nananatiling nakatayo lang ito. Tiningnan niya uli ito. "What?"

"Hmmm..." She plays with her fingers. "I.... I c-came by to say thank you." She looks straight at his blue eyes.

Binaba niya ang papel sa mesa. "For?"

Pahapyaw na tumawa si Margaret. "F-For rejecting my proposal. Weird, but yeah..." Nag-iwas ito ng tingin. "Because of your rejection, I found the strength to do anything to materialize my dream for my people." She smiles. "Therefore, I met someone like Hunter. A very good man. A family-oriented person that teaches me that life need not to be taken seriously." Yumuko uli ito. "I would also like to apologize for disturbing you the past few days."

He crosses his arms infront of his chest.

Tumingin uli ang babae sa kaniya. "I know that things are not good with us and I... insensitively push my demands on you. And for..." Paumanhin nitong ngiti. "...for invading your privacy. Please don't take it against Boyet. Gusto lang makatulong ng tao."

He remains passive.

Lumapit si Marga sa kaniya. She lends her hand. "It was nice seeing you, Isaiah." This time it was goodbye. After this, tomorrow, she'll be having a business date with Hunter. The next day, she'll be leaving America to go home to Scotland. God knows when she will meet him again. Or will she ever meet him again.

Baka kasal na siya noon o di kaya'y may sarili ng pamilya ito.

Thinking about him happy with another woman other than her hurts.

But this what she thinks was destined for them.

Apart.

Away from each other.

At least tonight, she'll close his chapter on her life. Masakit pero kailangan. They both need to release the chains binding them to each other's.

Isaiah just looks at her extended hand.

Minutes passed, Margaret slowly drops her hand beside her. It seems he doesn't want to touch her. Ngumiti nalang siya rito at tumango. "G-Goodbye, Isaiah." At tumalikod siya. Her feet are heavy as she walks towards the door.

The dreadful feeling is returns. Turning her back on him, leaving her heart with him. She swallows the lump on her throat, trying to suppress the tears stinging her eyes.

Isaiah sighs as he leans on the table, clutching at the table's side. "Stay." His deep voice resounds the place.

Na-estatwa siya sa kinatatayuan niya. "W-What?" Nanlaki ang mata niyang nilingon ito. "What?"

"You heard me."

Di mapaliwanag ni Marga ang sayang naramdaman sa kaibuturan ng puso niya. "N-No, I-I didn't hear it." She did but she just want to hear it again.

Enticing blue eyes looks straight into her. "Stay."

"W-Why?" Naninikip ang puso niya sa saya.

"You owe me date, Princess." Kinuha nito ang papel na hawak kanina at niyuko uli. "You agreed to it."

Napakurap si Margaret. "D-Date? S-Sumang-ayon ako? Huh? Kelan?"

HOURS AGO

Umupo si Hunter sa upuan kaharap ang mesa ni Isaiah. "So? What now?"

"What 'what now'?" Binaba ni Isaiah ang binabasa sabay sara sa laptop.

"It was my honeymoon week, man. I'm in the middle of cooking a delicious meal for my wife that night when Boyet called me, telling me you need me ASAP."

"And?"

"Ang sarap mong batuhin ng sapatos, alam mo yun?"

He manages a small smile. "I disturb the night you supposed to make your first baby?"

A naughty grin draws up on Hunter's lip. "Obviously."

"Asshole." Tawang iling ni Isaiah. "I already transferred 15 billion on your account."

"You really think I came here for the money?" Hunter plays a pen on his fingers. "Alam ko namang di mo ako tatakbuhan."

"Then what are you here for?"

"Hmm... a little enlightenment about what happened last night? Who is that woman to you, Isaiah?"

"I don't know who you're talking about ----"

"Princess Margaret Victoria Carolina of Scotland and Ireland."

Di sumagot si Isaiah.

"You let Boyet call me because of an emergency. Pasalamat ka malapit lang ang villa na ni-rent namin ni Naomi at agad ako nakarating. Now, you won't call it an emergency if it's not AN EMERGENCY. You want me to bid on Margaret on your behalf. Why?"

"Personal reasons." He taps his pencil on the table.

"If I'm not mistaken, when you are still Liam Emmanuel Allejo-Torres, Philippines' Nation's Idol... you fell in love with a simple girl that turns out to be a princess. Now, you want me to fill in the details?"

And Isaiah got no choice but to confess. "The same person."

Hunter smiles triumphantly. "Margaret and the girl in your past is the same person."

He nods as his mind drift off on the day his and her eyes met on the glass as she was watching a television on a*****e, eating cotton candy.

"Why are you hiding?" Seryosong tanong ni Hunter.

"I don't know." It's the truth. He doesn't know. As the bidding keeps getting higher and higher, his mind already made up the decision to not raise a bid yet his body pick-up his phone to call Boyet and order him to call Hunter.

"Isaiah, she's there. All you have to do is hold her."

Umiling siya. "I can't."

"Why?"

"Because if I hold her... I might not let her go."

Hunter didn't respond. Matapos kasi niyang umuwi kagabi at nilahad kay Naomi ang buong pangyayari, agad may kinuhang magazine ang asawa at pinakita sa kaniya ang full-page spread na balita roon na engaged na ang prinsesa at tinakdang ikasal na sa isang prinsipe ng Italya.

"Are you holding back?"

"The pain holds me back, Hunter." He winces as he exasperated a deep sigh. "She still has the same effect on me."

"And that is?"

"She makes me weak. Now, she's back and I know she can smash the wall I build to protect myself. Every. Single. Time. Even if she's not aware of it."

"Well, if you'd give her the hammer to break your walls, she will crumble it every time."

"What do you mean?"

"Isaiah, nasa sa'yo naman talaga kung pahihintulutan mo uli si Marga na sirain ang pader na pumu-protekta sa puso mo. If you decide not to let her back into your life again, there's no wall to be destroyed."

"And?"

"And for that to be possible... you need to face her. Talk to her. Closure, kumbaga. Maybe, you're still hang up on the issue of her leaving you. It's right time for you to move past it."

Tinitigan niya ang kaharap.

Hunter shrugs. "There's no point in running away. You and Marga are both public figures. Sooner or later, both of you will read each other's life on social media, tv, magazines. Masasaktan ka pag nabalitaan mong kinasal siya. Masasaktan siya pag nabalitaan niyang may dini-date ka. You will never heal. You'll keep re-opening scars and it's not healthy. Face it, man. That's the only way you two will mend each other's heart."

Nasopresa si Marga nang unti-unting naproseso sa utak niya ang sinabi nitong date. Napasinghap siya. "D-Don't tell me ---- "

He nods. "I bid the 15 billion dollars." At umupo sa swivel chair nito.

"WHAT?!" Sigaw ni Marga. "B-But I t-thought it was..."

"I can't bid using my name. You know why."

A Miller bidding a project headed by a Scott. Yes.

Nasapo nalang ni Margaret ang noo at di pa rin makapaniwala sa nalaman.

"What are you standing there for?" Tingin ni Isaiah sa babae.

Malapad na ngumiti si Marga na halatang di mapaglalagyan ang saya. "T-Thank you, Isaiah. Thank you! Thank you!!"

He just nods and resumes reading the contract.

Bago lumbas ay sumilip pabalik sa loob si Margaret. "Isaiah?"

"Hmm?" Tinaas nito ang tingin.

She points at the paper bag. "Eat that. I cooked it." Tsaka masayang sinara ang pinto.

Tiningnan niya ang paper bag at kinuha ito sabay nilabas ang plastic box sa loob. Binuksan niya ito.

"Vegetables, huh?"

.

.

"Yes! Yes! Yes!!!!" Parang nangingisay na bulateng nagsisipa si Marga sa kama niya. "YESSSSSSSSS!!!" Sigaw niya at mabilis na tinakpan ang bibig baka may nakarinig sa kaniya. Kinuha niya ang cellphone sa lamesa at nag-send ng message sa isang taong tinuring na niyang kaibigan.

Naomi closes the oven and turns to her husband's phone on the kitchen counter. "Hunter. You got a message." Saad niya.

"Can you read it for me?" He favors as he's chopping some potatoes.

"Hmmm.... It's from Margaret." Basa ni Naomi sa pangalan.

"What does it say?" Tikim ni Hunter sa niluluto nito.

"It says, 'You're a God sent. Thank you.'"

Napangiti nalang si Hunter. "I guess they already talked --- knowing it was his money and I only came there to represent him." Nilingon niya ang asawa. "We finally have the time all to ourselves, honey bunch."

Naomi smiles as she hugs her husband from behind. "And let our body do all the talking?"

He chuckles and kisses Naomi's forehead.

Napabalikwas ng bangon kinaumagahan si Margaret at agad tiningala ang wallclock. 8:00AM. "s**t! s**t! s**t!" Mabilis siyang bumaba sa kama at pumasok sa banyo pero lumabas uli para kunin ang paborito niyang body scrub sa katawan nang..

"E-Eh? T-Teka... anong oras kaming magkikita at saan?"

Last night, due to her intense happiness, she failed to ask the details about their meeting.

Sinapo niya ang noo. "Ah, Marga. Wala na bang kasing palpak kesa sa'yo?" Napatalon siya nang tumunog ang cellphone. Tinakbo niya ang lamesa at hinablot ang phone para basahin ang mensahe.

Nadia: "Good morning, Ms. Margaret. A car will be waiting for you at the entrance of your hotel at 8:30AM. He'll drive you to the location."

"8:30 --- " Binalingan ni Marga ang relo. 8:10 na. "s**t!" Di pa siya naliligo at ang tagal pa namang matuyo nang kaniyang buhok.

Tsaka pipili pa siya ng isusuot sa date nila!!

.

.

Ngumit si Marga nang pumasok sa kotse na nadatnan niyang naka-park sa labas ng entrance. "Did ------" At agad nasira ang mood niya. Si Boyet pala ang driver. "Ah... ikaw pala." Sakay niya sa backseat at nag-seatbelt.

Nawala ang ngiti ni Baxter sa labi. "Ouch ha! Parang diri-diri ka na makita ako."

Hinubad ni Marga ang heels at pinagpupukpok ito sa ulo ng kaibigan. "Diring! Diri! At Sukang! Suka!"

"Oy! Ano ba!!" Iwas nito.

Sinalubong siya nang isang maî·tre d'hô·tel sa entrance ng isang marangyang restaurant. "I'm Margaret Scott." [A/N: Maî·tre d'hô·tel - the person in a restaurant who oversees the waitress and waitresses, and who typically handles reservations.]

The old man smiles and lends his hand to follow him inside.

Pagkapasok ay nalula si Marga habang nakasunod sa matanda. "Woah, t-this is a very nice place." Puri niya sa vintage nitong dating. Dark and wide-red chairs and tables and shining gold chandeliers with hanging crystals give off a 1920's Great Gatsby feels. They crosses the main floor and into the back place of the restaurant where an array of doors welcomes them. "E-Eh?"

Lumingon sa kaniyan ang matanda at ngumiti. "Mr. Miller reserved a room for you. He's waiting in Room 1405."

Nanlaki ang mata niya at dinama ang dibdib para patahanin ang nagtatalon na naman niyang puso. "R-Room?"

"Yes." Tango ng matanda. "Enjoy."

Naiwan siyang tulala. "R-Room?" At nagsimula siyang naglakad sa hallway. As she passes every brown door, there are laughs and chats she heard inside. Ito yung klaseng reservation na may privacy or yung pamalakihan ang handaan na solely for friends or for family lang.

Her heels tap muffled by the red carpet.

Di makamayaw ng pagtibok ang puso niya.

Isaiah reserved a room for the them – to be alone.

"Ho!" Buga niyang hangin para kalmahin ang sarili. She looks at the room number. 1405. "O-Okay, okay..." Tiningnan niya ang sarili. Wearing a white dress embroided with flowers that shows of her shoulders and a nude two-inch heel, she hopes she's not overdressed for the occasion. Dinama niya ang buhok na iniwan lang niyang nakalugay niyang buhok. 'Sana p-in-onytail ko 'to.' She smells her breath. 'D-Di mabaho.'

For the last time, she drapes her hair on her shoulder as she opens the door.

Pero nagulantang siya sa bumungad sa kaniya.

Nagsitayuan ang mga tao sa loob at yumuko bilang paggalang sa kaniya. "G-Good morning, Princess Marga."

On the head of the table, Isaiah remained seated. Tapping his finger on his lips, he looks annoyed. She's an hour late.

"H-Hello." Yuko rin Margaret. "G-Good morning." Pilit niyang ngiti sa mga tao at umupo sa bakanteng upuan sa kaliwa ng lalake. "W-Who are they?" Pabulong niyang tanong rito. Nagsiupuan na rin ang mga tao na di 'ata lalagpas sa sampu.

"They are geologists, mechanical engineers, water technicians, architects and foremen whom I think are best in their fields to lead the project. Why?" Tingin nito sa kaniya.

Bahagya siyang nakadama ng paghihinayang. Akala kasi niya sila lang dalawa. Pinilig niyang ulo. 'Tumigil ka nga, Marga. Humaharot ka na naman. Business date nga di'ba? Anong gusto mo? Nagsusubuan kayo ng pagkain?'

Tumayo si Isaiah para simulan ang meeting. "Thank you for coming here, gentlemen, ladies. I called you here because I see you the best fit for the project. I sent you an e-mail last night to for you have an idea about it. It's a man-made lake. I believe, Mr. Uzoki here..." Lahad nito ng kamay para kilalanin ang Japanese na geologist. "...has an experience of making a man-made lake in Vienna, Austria."

Manghang tiningala niya ang lalake. His business aura is really... impressive and commendable. She smiles as she keeps looking up at him speaking. He always had this charm that draws people into him that makes them love and trust him. He smiles at them. 'Kelan kaya niya ako ngingitian ng ganiyan?'

"Marga?" Yuko nito sa kaniya.

Napakurap siya nang matauhan. "Y-Yeah?"

"Want to introduce yourselves to them?"

"Oh!" Tumayo siya at ngumiti rito. "Hello, I'm Princess Margaret, as you all know. I was the writer of the project, Mr. Miller sent you. I apologize, I really don't have any... technical or scientific knowledge about it."

Nagsingitian ang mga ito.

"So... look at me as the... business financier nalang."

At nagtawanan ang mga ito. Napatawa na rin siya at least di ito magdadalawang-isip na kausapin siya.

"I handle the budget that Mr. Miller entrusted to me. So I wish us a... fruitful and good working relationship. Don't worry about your accommodation in Scotland. I'll assure you have the best service there and of course," She wink. "A pretty host."

"Alright!" Hiyaw ng isang engineer na umani ng tawa.

"Since Muirhaus and Marchomont are situated far from the city proper, medyo problema ang travel doon pati na rin ang bibilhan ng mga gamit. But I ensure you that the royal services are at your disposal. We'll put up tent and portable comfort rooms to make our stay in that place liveable as possible. Just do your job and..." Tumawa siya. "Let me do the rest. Thank you."

Umupo siya at pumalakpak naman ang mga tao roon. She blushes and turns to Isaiah who is not... looking at her.

"Let's start." Tango ni Isaiah.

.

.

The whole day was very productive. Geologists professionally argue as they write their formulas and theory on the whiteboard. The water technicians thought of the worst-case scenario of what of there is water but not potable, so they discuss about chemicals and apparatuses and process to make it safe for drinking. The architects and mechanical engineers are working together as they laid out their draft blueprint in the table and talk about the foundation of the lake at the side and how they could make the land firm once introduced with water.

Marga is talking to the group of foremen. [A/N: Foremen - a worker/s, especially a man, who supervises and directs other workers.] She nods as she looks at their proposal about how many Scottish carpenters, masons, laborer they need for this project. "Oh, leave it to me." Ngiti niya. "I can find you the best carpenters in my country."

"Princess, we need to stock a lot of wood, nails, hammers..."

Margaret keeps nodding while listening. Boy, it was indeed a hard and nerve-racking project.

The waiter delivered snacks and later, their lunches yet only few bothers to touch the food because they are busy.

Marga pulls a hairband from her purse and pulls her hair up for a messy bun. Her hair keeps getting in the way as she looks down to check the architects' draft plan on the table.

Isaiah is with the water technicians. As a chemist himself, he imparted his knowledge on the problem of a possible toxic water and how to purify them. His eyes turn towards Marga busy pulling her hair up as her attention is on the blueprint on the table. Few strands of her red hair were left dangling, touching her bare shoulders and delicate neck. Lumingon ito sa kaniya. Agad niyang binalik ang atensiyon sa whiteboard.

Marga saw how professional Isaiah handles himself. With his black sleeve rolled into his elbow and the way he combs his hair with his fingers, he was indeed so dashing. His strong arms crossed infront of his chest as he listens to the discussion. Binalik nalang niya ang atensiyon sa blueprint.

.

.

Di nila namalayang dumaan pala ang oras. Hapong umupo si Marga sa upuan at uminom ng tubig. The sun is already setting on the horizon. 'Woah... it's 6:30 PM already.' Niyuko niya ang notebook niya na kahit siya'y di niya mabasa ang sulat niya. Masyado kasing mabilis ang mga ito magsalita. She looks at them still busy.

Kumuha nalang siya ng isang sushi sa mesa at sinubo iyon. "Hmmmm..." Ungol niya sa sarap. Pawang tubig lang kasi ang iniinom niya kanina. "Ang sarap..." Kaya siguro di na gumagana ang utak niya kasi kanina pa walang laman ang utak niya. Sumubo siya ng marami. "Hmm.. Sherep.. Hmm --- Ugh! Ugh!" Ubo niya nang masamid ang lalamunan niya.

Then she sees a glass of water being lend towards her.

Tiningala niya ang naglahad noon. It's Isaiah. Naisang lagok niya ang kinain at tinanggap ang baso. "S-Salamat..."

Tinukod nito ang isang braso sa mesa na halos makapaubo ni Marga sa iniinom na tubig. "How's your notes going on?" Yuko pa nito sa notes niya.

"Ah... eh..." Pasimple niyang hinagod ang mahapding lalamunan. "I-Information overload. Hehehe ---- " At nahigit niya ang hininga niya nang hinawaka ni Isaiah ang notebook at iniba ang mga pahinga. His arm close to her face.

"You don't have to take note everything that they said. You just need to think about what can you do with the budget and allocate it properly with their needs."

She nods. "Y-Yes."

Umayos ito ng tayo at bumalik sa whiteboard kung saan marami nang nakasulat roon.

She looks at his back. Looking very dependable and strong.

.

.

Margaret nods and shake the guests' hands as they leave the room. "Thank you, thank you." Ngiti niya sa mga ito nang isa-isa itong lumabas. "Thank you, see you soon."

Until the last person leaves the place, she breathes a sigh of relief. "Whew! That was intense." Lingon niya kay Isaiah na naka-harap sa whiteboard at pinagaralan ang mga formulas na nakasulat roon. "Isaiah?"

Lumingon ito sa kaniya. "Yeah?"

"Nakaalis na sila lahat."

"Oh." At naglakad na rin ito palabas sa kwarto.

.

.

Walking towards the main door, exiting the restaurant, the cool breeze of the night welcomes them.

Pagkalabas nila'y wala roon si Baxter kaya tinawagan ito ni Isaiah.

Margaret looks around to view the different night lights flickering the town. It's too romantic not to notice. She smiles when she saw a dancing fountain spurting from the marble floor of the nearby park that lights from red, to pink, to yellow, to green and blue. Little kids are having fun avoiding the water as it spurts from the ground. "Woahhh~" Nilingon niya ang katabi. "Isaiah." Kalabit niya sa balikat nito habang pilit kini-contact si Baxter.

Binalingan siya nito.

Tinuro niya ang parke. "Punta tayo doon."

He looks at her and after a few minutes, he cancels the call and nods. "Okay."

.

.

With her hands on her back, they walk beside the dancing fountain. Nakatingin lang si Marga sa mga batang nagtatawanan at umiiwas sa bumubulusok na tubig. She tucks her hair behind her ear as the wind blows softly.

Nakasunod naman si Isaiah sa babae. Despite the noisy background, his eyes are fixated on the back of the woman infront of her then to her side profile as her smiling eyes sparks the color of the fountain.

Trailing her, smelling her sweet scent... reminds him of their time together.

Her smile. Everything about her is the same.

Her soft heart will always be her weakness.

Will things be different if he's not a Miller?

Will things be different if she's not a Scott?

No one knows but tonight, one thing is for sure.

He misses her so bad. Pain slices through him of not touching the woman an arm length's away from him.

She stops and turns to him. He stops his track.

Now, their face-to-face, standing an inch away from each other. Their faces light up with different colors. Reminding them of their winter escapade at Switzerland – of the fireworks lighting up the sky as they both accepted each other as lovers.

Marga knew they both have the same thoughts in mind that moment. She heaves a sigh and bites her lower lip. "Isaiah..."

He keeps looking at her, memorizing every feature on her face.

"I-I'm going home to Scotland tomorrow."

He nods.

"T-Thank you very much." She smiles warmly. That's on behalf of her people. "So much." And that's for talking to her despite the pain she inflicted on him two years ago.

"You're on your own now."

"I know." She nods. "I can't do without you." Then a car honk from afar. Nilingon ni Marga ang pinaggalingan nito. Kumaway si Baxter. "Ow, andiyan na pala si ---- " Natigilan siya nang hinawakan ni Isaiah ang kamay niya at dinala iyon sa mga labi nito. Her heart skips a beat looking at him planting a soft kiss on her hands. Biglang bumigat ang dibdib niya. "Isaiah?"

His fingers feel her soft palms and slowly he drops her hand beside her. Blue eyes deep with emotion of pain, anger and... sadness. "Have a safe trip."

'I-Is this a goodbye?' She wanted to ask.

Isaiah looks at the car's direction. "Mauna ka na."

"I-Ikaw?"

"I'll stay here for a bit."

"Sure ka?"

He nods.

"O-Okay." Agad siya tumalikod at binagtas ang direskyon ng sasakyan. Her feet seem to have chains on them. It feels heavy. Her whole being feels heavy. 'Turn around, Marga' Her mind on her shouted. 'Turn around and look at him! This might be the last time you'll see him again.'

She turns around and sees him, looking at her.

She wants to run to him and feel him. But.... things changed.

Marga forces a smile and waves at him.

Isaiah didn't respond, instead he turns his back to face the colorful dancing fountain.

.

.

Pagkapasok na pagkapasok sa kwarto niya'y sumandal si Margaret sa pintuan at daklot ang dibdib na dumausdos pababa. "Uhhhnnnn...." A pained groan exited her mouth as she cries hard. "I-Isaiah..." Hinawakan niya ang kamayna hinalikan nito at dinala sa dibdib. "I-Isaiah...." Umiiyak niyang tawag sa pangalan nito. "Isaiah..." Dinala niya sa labi ang kamay niya at paimpit na humagulhol.

Will things be different if he's not the Miller's Business Magnate?

Will things be different if she's not a Scott's Princess?

.

.

On the park, his eyes are on the colorful water.

This was supposed to be their closure.

But why does he not feel freedom at all?

It's as if it solidifies his urge to take her back into his arms again.

[NEXT CHAPTER PREVIEW pt. 1:]

Iniwas ni Marga ang mukha nang nagtangkang halikan siya ni Joaquin.

[NEXT CHAPTER PREVIEW pt. 2:]

While feeding Chomper water from a bucket, she turns to the direction of the loud sound. 'Hmm? A helicopter?'

There's a helicopter slowly descending to the place near the excavated site for the lake