Phase 3: Fall In Love Again

"Perfect!" Red exclaimed.

Napangiti si Terenz. There is pride sa sarili niya upon seeing Red's reaction. It's her happiness to see that the clients accepts her creation. In this case, masaya siyang gusto ni Red ang prinopose niyang perspective. No other meaning, she's proud to say na nagustuhan nito iyon.

Instead of a modern mansion, she decided to build a castle-like structures para sa magkakaibigan. It was magical and passionate indeed. Besides, the Warrior Five are like lowkey Kings. They exceed in everything -wealth, aura, and face value. That's why madaming taas ang kilay nang ligawan siya ni Red noon.

"We can start on the dock area heading towards the island center. or we can designate a team of people per space para mas mapabilis ang work," she said.

"We are in no rush. As long as everything is perfect, I can adjust my schedule," ani naman ni Red.

"We'll that's your job. I'm just your humble assistant in this project," turan naman ni Terrenz.

"But still I want you to personally supervise this. Ikaw ang creator, you must decide everything." Red wanted her to realize that he's giving her the authority to take this project by heart. Besides, para iyon kay Terrenz kahit hindi pa niya sabihin. But Terrenz didn't realize it yet. Somehow she's in denial sa mga pasimpleng parinig at paramdam ni Red. She wanted to maintain the professional atmosphere between them.

Napabuntong hininga na lang ang dalaga kahit pa nasasanggi ni Red ang mga alaala nila ng nakaraan.

Napasulyap si Red sa suot na wristwatch. "It's past 7pm. We need to eat dinner. Nagpaluto ako sa caretaker kanina, let's eat."

Terrenz was drown in her desire to finish the perspective. Hindi niya namalayang nakapaghanda na pala ng hapunan si Red. Napasunod din siya kay Red when Red headed inside their cabin.

The food was already in the table. It was a delectable sight. And kahit ayaw niyang sumabay ng kain kay Red, isinantabi na niya iyon. Naramdaman niya bigla ang gutom.

"Wow! This is bountiful! Sayang naman ang food, dalawa lang tayo kakain."

"We will just get what we can eat then let's send them sa workers. I asked them to come pero mga nag-iinuman na daw muna sila. Work starts tomorrow," ani Red.

Nagsimula nang kumuha ng pagkain si Terrenz and started eating. She realized na gutom na gutom talaga siya. Hinayaan lang siya ni Red sa pagkain and he smiled upon seeing how Terrenz eat with so much gusto. As always, Terrenz loves to eat. She would make any food appetizing to taste by just watching her chew on it. But then, she's a slow eater. Red loves to watch her eat like before.

"It's surprising that you didn't gained weight kahit anong takaw mo sa pagkain," ani Red as Terrenz take another spoonful.

Natigilan si Terrenz at napatingin kay Red. Pinapanood ata siya nito ngumuya. But instead na mahiya, she just continued eating habang binato ng matalim na tingin ang binata.

"You better eat too. Instead of panoorin mo lang ako sa pagkain. Baka sisihin mo ko pag nagutuman ka," aniya na medyo nagtaray. Red just smiled as he made his first spoon.

"There are caretakers in this island?" tanong ni Terrenz in between eating.

Tumango naman si Red. "They were actually living here when we bought this. But instead of asking them to leave, we decided to give them jobs. So kahit na idevelop namin tong lugar na 'to, the people will stay as caretakers. I think there are about 3 families here. Not so much but enough to have someone take care of the island."

"Ano bang plano niyo sa Island na 'to? Just your rest houses?"

"That's one of the plan. But syempre, as businessmen we would like also to make it profitable. So we will put it out in the market as for rent. That's why I like your plan to have it recreational as well."

"Hindi naman masyadong mahirap na pagandahin yung island. It's naturally beautiful. And I'm sure people will love to come here just to relax and enjoy."

"It's also a gift to our wives," turan ni Red na hindi lumilingon sa kaniya.

Muling natigilan si Terrenz. 'Wives? Engaged na ba ang Warrior Five?' Bulong niya sa isip.

"A-are you all engage?" hindi niya napigilang itanong.

Nilingon siya ni Red with slight grin on the lips. "Buboy is married. But the rest of us are planning to settle down din naman. We are not getting any younger."

Medyo nalabuan si Terrenz sa sinagot ni Red. It's unclear kung yes or no ba ang sagot sa tanong niya. But then, she doesn't want to sound as if interested sa status ng relationship ni Red. Besides, hindi niya sure kung magugustuhan niya ang isasagot nito.

She continued eating but somehow tila nabusog na siya sa usapan nila ni Red. Wala na siya sanang balak ipagpatuloy yun but Red continued talking.

"I know that it is not my right to ask or pakialaman ang personal na buhay mo, but I just want to be clear. Baka lang may boyfriend na biglang susugod sakin dito knowing na may kasama kang gwapo sa cabin na 'to." He tried to joke it out to ease the tension. Somehow alam naman niya kung ano ang isasagot ni Terrenz.

For five years, malayo man siya rito, he persistently knew what's happening to her. With the help of his friends, hindi niya nilubayan si Terrenz. He had to fix complicated things in his life pero hindi niya kinalimutan si Terrenz. He made sure that Terrenz will still be his in the right time.

Call it stalker or possessive or obsession but what they have was Red's most treasured memory. And he cannot love any other woman bukod kay Terrenz.

"I don't want to answer that. I don't want to give you the idea na hinintay kita or whatever. But to be clear, hindi ako committed at this time."

Red smile widens kahit pa pataray ang pagsagot ni Terrenz. Masaya siya sa ideang hindi nabigo ang mga kaibigan niya gwardiyahan ang bukod tanging makakapagpaligaya sa kaniya.

"Mabuti nang sigurado," Red said in grinning smile.

"Eh ang fiancée mo, baka sugurin ako dito," turan naman ni Terrenz trying to squeeze out na makatanggap ng diretsong sagot kay Red.

Red shrugged. "This island is a gift for her, remember? She didn't need to know now or else it won't be a surprise."

Tumuwid ang expression ng mukha ni Terrenz. Is that a confirmation that he is truly engage? Hindi niya alam kung alin ang mas masakit. Ang katotohanan na engage na ito o ang regalo nito sa mapapangasawa. Kahit na dinesenyo niya ang project na iyon bilang architekto aminado siya sa sariling part of the design is her dream. She poured her heart in it. She's giving out her dream to someone else.

But then she had to hide the pain. She smiled weekly. And finishes her meal. Tuluyan na siyang nawalan ng gana. She put down her utensils and stood up.

"I'm full. If your done as well, I'll help you pack para maibigay na lang sa workers," mabilis na tumalikod na si Terrenz kay Red.

Red sensed the gloomy feeling Terrenz have displayed. Hindi man nito aminin she was hurting somehow. And it did made Red happy. Honestly, he was just trying to confirm if kahit kunti Terrenz still have feelings for her. And she have shown him that. He may be hurting her now but he promised to make her happy in the right time.

Tumayo na rin si Red at nagsimula nang tulungan si Terrenz sa pagliligpit ng pagkain.