Whirlwind Romance with the Boss

The Seatmate

I woke up before my cellphone rang so I just set the alarm off. I was contemplating what I would do for the rest of the afternoon and in the evening. After that short nap, I felt relaxed and reinvigorated, and hungry. My stomach started to rumble already

I stood up from bed and started to prepare. After half an hour, I was done and ready in my boho-inspired look and outfit. As soon as I was fine with everything else, I hurried off to the shore to get a glimpse of the golden hour.

The bright red, golden yellow, and orange color with traces of indigo was a truly magnificent panorama of the sun in its slow disappearing act over the horizon. I couldn't agree more when they said sunsets are proof that endings can be beautiful too. And every sunset brings a promise of a new dawn. If I put my mind on that perspective, I would be able to learn to let go, to forget these ill feelings, and to embrace a new beginning, a new life, a new love eventually.

When I loved, I poured my heart out, no reservations, no holding back. I would be willing to give more than I could take. Jake was my first. Despite the lack of experience, but in terms of love and care, I did more than I could ever do in my life.

But loving someone to the fullest was never a guarantee that he or she would stay. In the end, he still chose to leave me.

As I embarked on this trip alone, I vowed to accomplish three things: forgive, forget and love.

How could I possibly achieve those goals in a jampacked, busy, and rowdy place like Boracay? I should have gone to the mountains instead? I laughed at my own joke.

Nevertheless, Boracay was still a happy place. This island screamed fun and enjoyment, swimming, sunbathing, meeting people, making friends, family bonding, eating, partying, drinking, lovers cooing and making love, and more.

The sun had finally set. In a while, it would be the moon and every star's turn to bring glow across the night sky.

I stood up from where I was seated, dusted off the sand particles from my dress, picked up my things, and started to walk toward Station 2 where most hotel staff were busily preparing for alfresco dining set up near the shore with lighted candles on each table to complete that romantic vibe.

Since I was quite familiar with the place, I knew some restaurants which served the best food, at least to my liking. But that was five years ago. I was in awe that there had been lots of changes already, more restaurants, more gimmicks, and several food choices. I spotted the buffet restaurant which Jake and I frequented the last time we were here. Their dishes were all delectable and tasty, and the prices were relatively affordable.

However, I decided to eat at another restaurant. I just spotted a rustic-looking one with shabby chic interiors. The place was entirely filled with people minding their own matters as I walked in and scanned for a seat.

I was led by the attendant to the only vacant seat at the corner. Not bad, I thought, because it provided me a panoramic view of the whole place. While waiting for my food, I couldn't help but admire the rustic theme of the restaurant, the barnyard looks, and a saloon reminiscent of the Wild West period in a mix of beige and brown colors from cushions to accessories and lighting fixtures creating a sense of warmth, earthy feels, and coziness plus the fact that they served the best steak in town as what their advertorial proudly displayed.

A few meters in front from where I was seated were a couple and one male companion. As I turned to them, I caught the guy also looking in my direction. He somewhat looked familiar, my instinct was telling me that I already saw him before. I just could not figure out when and where.

A few minutes later, my food was being served by an equally pleasant and nice-looking attendant. He was smiling while putting my food on the table and politely asked me if there's anything else I needed before he turned away.

The meal was sumptuous. Like a food connoisseur, I couldn't be easily pleased. I specifically have indulgence when it comes to steak and wines. Thank Heavens! The food they served me did not disappoint. My filet mignon was medium done such that its savory and buttery tastes matched perfectly well with the Cab's medium sweet taste and rich aroma of dark fruits, mint, and eucalyptus flavors."Delicious," I told myself.  It had been quite a while since I had a satisfying meal like that. When I was finished with the main course, I called on the waiter and asked him to serve the dessert I asked for.

The guys in front of me were done eating so they stood up from their chairs. The third-wheeling guy was walking in my direction as the other two were heading out of the restaurant.

"Hi, I was looking at you earlier because you looked rather familiar to me. As far as I could recall, you're my seatmate on the plane. Small world indeed. It's quite a surprise we bumped into each other right here. Andrew here, nice to see you again" He was saying as he extended his right arm for a handshake.

"Yeah, I was actually thinking about the same thing. So, you were my seatmate. Good recollection, huh. Anyways, nice to see you again too, Call me Eli." I flashed a light smile as I shook his hand.

"Pardon my intrusion but I didn't see anyone with you so I surmised you're on your own, might I ask if I could invite you later on. I heard there's some party going on at one of the clubs here. I could pick you up at your hotel around nine o'clock if you're ok with that?" Andrew continued saying.

Since I had nothing else to do that night, I agreed to his invitation. He didn't look scary at all and was decent enough to ask me properly. He probably was feeling out of place wherever he was with his friends thus looking for somebody he could also hang out with. And I happened to be the willing one, I thought to myself.

I told him where I was staying and just asked him to wait for me in the lobby. I would meet him at the agreed time. After thanking me, he left and joined the couple who were waiting at the entrance door.

I finished my dessert and went back to the hotel to rest a bit and prepped up for the party.