My Puppy Love (COMPLETED)

CHAPTER 4- Meeting my Fiance?

I closed my eyes trying to forget what happened last night. I filed for indefinite leave through e-mail in my office. Good thing I had lots of unused leave credits for the past years. I badly need my parents now. I opened my eyes and looked at the sky from the plane's window. I'm flying back to my province now to fix the misunderstanding back home and to forget the horror I had in Manila. 

I automatically opened my eyes when the pilot announced that we've finally landed at Legazpi airport. I informed my parents just hours ago so I told them not to bother in fetching me, but knowing them, I know that they sent someone to escort me home. I waited for the other passengers to deplane first before finally deciding to stand up and join them. I pulled out my suitcase from the overhead bin.  I put on my sunglasses before finally joining them. I'm wearing a plain white long sleeves shirt tucked-in on fitted ripped jeans paired with short cut cream boots. I ponytailed my long curly hair letting some strands fall down my face.

When I finally got out of the plane. Fresh air welcomed my face. I inhaled it deeply to savor its refreshing mist. A genuine smile formed on my lips as soon as I saw the majestic Mt. Mayon, the pride of our province. I took out my phone to take a photo of it. "Hello there daragang magayon!" I uttered to myself referring to the beauty in front of me. Oh, how I missed this feeling. I returned my phone to my bag then proceeded to the arrival area. I looked around trying to find familiar faces in the crowd waiting for their relatives to arrive but none of them seems to be familiar to me. Well, this is a good thing. Meaning my parents didn't send anyone to pick me up. I walked towards the taxi outside but before I could approach one of the taxi drivers, a man wearing a grey polo called my attention. Did my parents hire another driver perhaps?

"Excuse me, Ms. Leila Valerie Lopez?" He said as if to confirm my identity.

"Yes, I am." I slightly smiled.

"I'm Mang Leo the driver of Mr. Alexander." He introduced himself respectfully. I wondered how Alex knew about my arrival today, oh well, my parents. I rolled my eyes to myself. "This way Mam." He helps me bring my luggage and I followed him, he stopped in front of the red SUV. He opened the door in the back seat. And there I was my fiancee busy reading something with his eyeglasses on. He's wearing a navy blue polo shirt rolled up and beige pants. I was stunned. I wasn't expecting him to come. He removed his eyeglasses and greeted me with his warmest smile flashing his perfect set of white teeth with his chinky eyes. "Hi Leila." I just stood there for I don't know how long. I just stared at him. 

"Well, won't you get in?" his smile becomes bigger now. Amusement is all over his face. That awakens my sleeping soul. Oh god, how can I embarrass myself like this? He's just Alex for god's sake. "W-well, I-I will." Why the f**k I'm stuttering?! I get in in such a hurry that I almost fell on the ground. He was very alert to hold that he was able to hold my arm refraining my body from falling. "Ahw!" I  hissed as soon as he had a grip on my arm. He automatically removed his hand. I stroke my arm to somehow ease the pain. I was right, I had a bruised on my arm now because of that bastard last night. But I can't tell him that, I will never. "What's wrong?" He moved closer to me maybe to check on my arm but move away when he tried to reach for it again. Oh my golly! Now I can even smell his very manly scent. Concern is very evident now on his handsome face. What? handsome?! I really can't believe it now. I became more uneasy.

"Nothing." I avoided his stare and gave him a very timid smile. He seems not to buy it but maybe choose to let it pass. Good thing I'm still wearing my sunglasses. He cannot see my eyes. I sat properly then the driver closed the door on my side. He set aside the papers he was reading a while ago, maybe to focus his full attention on me.

"How was your flight? I'm glad I'm having a meeting around here when Tito Fernando called me." He asked while we're traveling. I'm glad that he chose not to push any further his questions about my arm.

"It was good. But you don't need to pick me up really. I can take care of myself." I removed my sunglasses then smiled at him sincerely.

"Nonsense. I'm your fiance. I can't let you go alone." He reached my hand then squeezed it. My body tensed. I felt a jolt of electricity flowed in my body that I almost pulled off my hand. Why is it so hot inside this car? Your fiance? It's echoing inside my head.  I really need to talk to him about this right now!

"Alex I need to talk to you about---" I was cut off when we heard his phone rang. He checked who's the caller. 

"I'm sorry I have to take this."  he said apologetically. I nod then I mouthed it's okay. He gave my hand a gentle squeeze before answering the call. I almost forgot that he's still holding my hand. I decided to focus my eyes outside the car. Watching the trees dancing with the wind as we pass them by.

"That's not possible okay. I'll be there right away." I heard him said before ending the call. He seems so serious now.

"Everything's okay?" I can't help but worry. Even if I'm planning to end our engagement, we're still friends right? So I can still worry about him.

"Yes. I can handle this. Just some dirty tactics from the other camp." He massaged his forehead using his other hand the closed his eyes tightly. He seems troubled. He opened his eyes after a while then turned his head to face me.

"I'm sorry about that. You want to tell me something right?" He has this very gentle voice that could melt any heart. I can feel now how tired he is. I don't have the heart to tell him now obviously. 

"Some other time maybe. It's nothing important." I lied. He smiled again and held my hand on his chest before closing his eyes again maybe to relax for a bit. Without a warning, my hand reached to touch his face. I've never seen it coming. My hand froze, he opened his eyes meeting mine. I was shocked by my own action. What the f**k have I done?! I was about to remove it from his face, but his other hand was to swift to stop it. He held my hand to stay on his cheek. And there is the jolt of electricity again. I can feel the butterflies having a blast inside my stomach. He just stares at me.

"I love to feel the warmness of your palm on my face." he said full of sincerity in his eyes. Then, my heart started pounding abnormally. What's wrong with Alex? He has never been this way before? And most importantly, what's happening to my body?! This spells disaster.

"Sir, we're here." I was able to finally pull away my hand from his hand. I'll remind myself to thank Mang Leo for that later.

"Let's have lunch first before I bring you home." 

We entered our favorite restaurant in Legazpi. I can still remember coming here with our parents before. They serve authentic Bicolano foods here.

The waitress handed us a menu as soon as we're seated. Looking at the menu made me so hungry. It is only now that I realized how I missed this place. Since I cannot seem to choose from all the delicious foods, I let him ordered our food. 

I was amazed when our food arrived, everything is my favorite. My eyes almost popped out when the waitress the pili ice cream! I MISS IT SO MUCH! I was about to reach for it when a hand moved it away from my reach. I gave Alex a deadly look! He just laughed.

"Later okay? You have to eat something else first. You really never changed." He pats my head like I'm still that young kid before. My forehead creased even more. Mang Leo smiled at us. Yes, he asked Mang Leo to eat with us. I started eating my meal so that I can finally have a taste of my favorite ice cream!

"Slowly. I can't believe that you eat like that but you still have a very thin body." I ignored him. I just enjoyed my food. When I glanced at him, he seems to enjoy watching me eat to my heart's content. I felt self-conscious, I put down my utensils and drink water. 

After our lunch, he brought me home to rest. He wanted to stay but he has lots of works to do at the moment. My parents are not home too since they're also busy campaigning for my dad. I decided to sleep first and rest. Tonight, I'll talk to my parents.