Foretold by Fate

Chapter 17

Addison's POV

It was past 2pm in the afternoon when we reached our destination. I never thought that I would be here again, since the last time I went here, I was fourteen. I think that time and now, I am already twenty-one years old.

The first time I was in Baguio I was really happy because my dream finally came true, it was such a good feeling because it seemed like being in another country already.

The climate is generally more cold than the rest of the Philippines. I really enjoyed the fresh air, low temperatures, and the fog early in the morning. It is very rare to experience the fog ikn Philippines and unlike in the other countries we like to see the fog and its magic.

But Baguio is not just a cold place, it's a well known tourist spot mostly visited by Filipinos searching for the refreshing and little bit different environment that they are living in everyday life. The landscaping and all the plants and trees are making the place particularly picturesque.

The place itself and the nature are quite clean, farmers and local people are very hospitable to visitors and they do take care of the clean surroundings. If you are a more active type you can choose between many hiking trails or you can ride a horse,enjoy the Mines View, or even visit the strawberry farm and taste the fresh strawberries. Many couples will choose Baguio to take nice romantic photos.

As for the locals, they are very helpful and accommodating. and I must say, I have to give respect to their taxi drivers. Baguio City is one of the places in the Philippines where taxi drivers don't choose their passengers and give out the exact change without hesitation.

Overall, my Baguio experience has been very good and I advise first time travellers who just want to experience Baguio and its attractions to go there during off peak season so that they can follow their travel budget. Everything is cheaper during off peak, aside from the fact that you can visit their tourist attractions at a leisurely place.

"Hey! What are you thinking! We're already here! You are spacing out!" David shouted and I was shocked.

"Jesus! Why are you shouting! I am just thinking of something. What do you want?" I asked him.

"I said, we're already here and we should get out of the bus, look, we're the only ones left inside here, all of them are already there." He pointed out our colleagues who's already walking towards the hotel.

"Gosh! Did I sleep or am I just spacing out?" I asked him again while I was preparing my things. I stood up from my seat and looked at him.

"I don't know, maybe you're spacing out since I am just looking at you since the bus had stopped," he explained. "Anyway, it doesn't matter anymore, let's go, we have to get there, Sylvester might already be looking for you." I nodded and we went directly inside the hotel.

We are currently staying at Sunset View Ridge Residences but Sylvester decided to close this for other accommodations. Therefore, we are the only people who're using this hotel right now.

Maybe we can occupy any room here and even use the pool anytime we want?

"S-sir can I ask?"

He is just walking right now, and I am just following him because, he want me to be occupying the room next to him so I did.

"What is it?"

"You really accommodate this hotel just for three days without accepting any visitors?" He stopped from walking and turned his body in order to talk with me properly.

"Yes, and I don't want any people ruining my moment of vacation, after working and stressing myself out," he explained.

Wow! This man is really incredibly confusing. Anyway, he is just amazing on his own way. And I will never questioned how rich his family is, imagine he decided to closed this hotel just for three days?

"Okay S-sir, t-thank you so much," I said. "Anyway Sir? Can I used the pool later at 4pm?" I added.

"I owned this for three days therefore you can do anything you want," he replied. "By the way, if you want to see my abs you can sleep in my room." Then he walked again and left me dumbfounded on the things he said.

"What did he just say?" I said out of the blue.

I crumpled my hair because of that sudden thought he uttered. That man is really confusing as the day goes by, like legit. Something he is easy to read, and sometimes, he is hard to spell. Can someone tell me if a man is like that sometimes?

Anyway, after a couple of minutes of standing in the middle of the hallway, I continued to walk towards my room which is next to his. The moment I went inside I was amazed how things are arranged.

Inside the room, it is still filled with so much, plants even outside and I really love it. There is king size bed in the middle and which are covered with gold lining leaves. And the blanket is same also with the bedsheet. On the left, it is the lampshade and also the table is having a minimal plants. On my left side, there is the door towards the bathroom which is very accommodating and incredible for having plants also inside.

Meanwhile, on my right side, there is the terrace which the moment you open it you will see the swimming pool and also the beautiful view of the mountains. Very fascinating and relaxing. It vanishes all your stress and everything you feel, like just closing your eyes and feeling the coldness of the wind and boom everything feels right even though it's not. But what really matters even if it is just temporary, at least you feel safe for a shorter time.

Some of us then start to talk about endorphins and serotonin and how exercise can affect our happiness.

But what about that well known phrase ‘Just grabbing some fresh air’? Often absorbing this suspiciously clichéd recommendation, I have rarely stopped to think about how going outside might actually help me.

City dwellers know well that the purer, cleaner air we find in the countryside is better for our bodies. But only until recently have we begun to speak seriously about how the great outdoors can affect the state of our minds.

"What a beautiful place to stay! I hope every time I am stressed, this would be the place that I can see…" I mumbled and took a deep breath.

The wild can also provide solitude. Not to be confused with loneliness, solitude can have real positive impacts on our minds. Actually there is this writer Henry David Thoreau wrote his book Walden while living alone in the woods of Massachusetts, reflecting on his isolation. He stated the impact of nature on our well-being.

As a transcendentalist, he felt connected with the elements of nature – blades of grass, flowers, crows – treating them as equals, therefore finding himself in fact surrounded: not lonely at all. While this state of mind is perhaps a stretch too far for most, some of his other observations are much more accessible.

We are often significantly influenced – and made to feel anxious – by what and who is around us, what is said and what is done. We need time and space to think independently in order to reflect and be true to ourselves.

Of course, humans are inherently social beings and benefit enormously from cooperation and socialising. But allowing ourselves to be free from the shackles of everyday social pressures from time to time can be incredibly positive. What is more, time alone can make ensuing human connections more meaningful. Remember, finding solitude in the wild is for you and you only: you are away from the gaze and judgement of your surroundings.

After that thought of mine, I went inside the room again and I looked for the dress inside the cabinet. This clothes inside is being bought again by Sylvester. I mean maybe these dresses came from his own company.

After I changed my clothes someone knocked on the door.

"Wait…" I shouted

"Hey, let's go to Burnham Park, I already told Sylvester about it so you don't have to worry, okay? And you don't need to say 'no'." he said the moment I opened the door.

"Look, I am just wearing a white shorts and exposing my legs." He looked down on my legs and by that I got shy because his eyes were being stuck there.

"Hey!"

"W-what is it again?" he stuttered. "You can wear that actually, just paired it with a jacket if you have one? Don't wear that croptop thing, it is very cold outside," he added.

"Aren't we in a hurry right? Can you wait for me for a little while? I am going to change," I conveyed.

He nodded so I closed the door again and left him outside. I know he will understand why I do it, since it will take just a few minutes to change my clothes.

I looked for my yellow black hoodie, printed with "same chicks, different day," and also my white rubber shoes. After I wore them all, I quickly ran and left my room.

I received a text from David that he is already in the garage area. I just replied, 'okay' but before I actually went there, I knocked on Sylvester's door to check him out and to ask permission that I am going outside.

"S-sir?" I said while knocking on the door. I continued knocking since he is not opening the door yet.

After a couple of minutes finally he opened the door but again, he's not wearing a t-shirt and he is exposing his body. Automatically, my body turned.

"Can you face me?" he ordered. "What's wrong with my body and every time you see me like this, you always turn your back to me?" he added.

"C-can you wear a t-shirt first S-sir?" I requested.

"What if I don't? And if you're not going to turn your back again, you know what's gonna happen?"

I know it is kinda awkward and weird but for the sake of my work, I'm gonna turn my back again. The moment I turned my back to him, I was just looking down because I didn't want to see his yummy body. Don't tell him that I said 'yummy'.

"Why aren't you looking at me?"

I don't know, I didn't hear any trip on his voice, he is really serious right now. I slowly moved back because I saw him moving until I reached the wall and I didn't have any place to go.

I looked him in the eye and those hazel brown eyes again, that makes me shiver.

"S-sir?" I mumbled awkwardly because his face was very near.

I closed my eyes because he is slowly moving his face towards me. I don't know what's going on, but I don't like this.

"Why are you wearing that kind of outfit? Change first, don't wear short or else I won't allow you to go there," he grumbled with his husky voice.

The moment he opened his eyes, I didn't see him, and I am the only one left in the hallway.