Whirlwind Romance with the Boss

Going Solo

Before that momentous separation, we had a planned trip to Boracay due in three months, which was also my birthday month. I texted him if he would still be going. There wasn't a reply so I went back to my bathroom cleaning chores when I heard a beep. I rushed to my phone hoping it was a text from him. To my amazement, it indeed was from him. But my long disappointed face quickly replaced that short delight when the message displayed a big NO only.

Since everything was paid for, I didn't mind proceeding on my own. I let him know that I would still go just in case he showed up with some hot chick probably and caused a rather awkward situation for all of us.

Come the day of our supposed travel, while fully engrossed in my deep thinking, I suddenly came to my senses that I was already late for boarding time. True enough, I was hearing my name being called as one of the few remaining passengers who needed to get on board. I was sincerely apologetic towards the ground crew as I passed by them and walked briskly as I could to the plane bound for Boracay.

After an hour, I was inside the Boracay airport waiting for my luggage in the conveyor. Not long after, I got all my bags and headed out to look for the hotel personnel who would pick me up. I saw a guy holding a piece of paper bearing my name on it. I approached him and he helped me with my belongings.

He introduced himself as John. He was polite enough to ask for my bags and placed them inside the trunk. "From the airport to Caticlan Jetty Port, it would only take us roughly a five to ten minutes ride," he said. "Afterwards, we would take a ferry to the island proper for about thirty minutes and another land travel for around twenty to twenty-five minutes to the hotel," John explained.

"Ok", I responded. And thanked him for the assistance so far.

A few moments later, we were on the ferry. I turned to look at him, he was about to ask something but was reluctant.

"John, you might be wondering why I was traveling alone. Unfortunately, my company did not make it due to an urgent situation. It was too late to cancel all reservations so he asked me to proceed instead." I said,

"It's fine, ma'am, I was just told there were two people I would be picking up today. But glad that you're here and certainly hope you will have a good stay" said John.

I smiled and said, "Thank you."

It was my second time on this island. Unlike five years ago when I was with Jake and some friends. As a matter of fact, this was also the same place where he asked me to be his girlfriend. We were introduced by a common friend and after a few months of courtship, officially I said Yes to him on this beautiful island. But this time around, it's going to be me, myself, and I in this memorable place.

En route to the hotel, my mind was preoccupied with a lot of things while looking outside the window of my service vehicle.

For the past months, I was feeling quite upset, irritable, uneasy, and unhappy most of the time. Eventually, I told my friends about what happened. They were physically there to comfort me and cheer me on. They would make time to go watch a movie with me. However, they felt it was a wrong move that they invited me over to watch The Fault in Our Stars because the film itself didn't have a happy ending story, where the protagonist had to leave his loving girlfriend behind as he succumbed to death due to cancer. I told them it's okay. The movie was still great nonetheless. It didn't just have the kind of ending we all wished. And that was the sad truth about it.

Thinking about that movie again, somehow brought me back to my failed relationship. Not that my ex-boyfriend died, but he had gone MIA all of a sudden. Come to think of it, if he would have that same fate as the movie's lead character, it would be so unfair for me to be treated like I was a nobody in his life. I was deprived of a basic truth that I deserved to know first and foremost.

Hence, I removed that eerie thought from my head. Although he was my ex-boyfriend and he deserved to be punished for his indiscretions, I never would think of him dying so soon.

Moments later, John and I arrived at the beach area that was so enticingly beautiful because of the sparkling clear waters and powdery white sand under the intense heat of the scorching sun, attracting foreign and local tourists alike.

Needless to say, Boracay beach was definitely a sight to behold, and at par with the famous beaches in the world, one of the best I presumed and would be forever one of my favorite places, I murmured to myself.

I would be staying at the Astoria hotels which were located in the most laid-back part of the white beach, Station 3. The other Astoria is also a front beach accommodation in a much-crowded Station 1. Astoria Current, although built a few years back, was designed and styled with relatively modern interiors that are equally cute, unique, and playful in all the vibrant color mix and matches. From the facade of this luxurious hotel was the welcoming and equally captivating White Beach. On the other hand, the large indoor swimming pool was as clear as the Boracay waters. Its light also changed into different hues at night transforming the entire pool into a beautiful oasis and romantic den for lovers and swimmers alike.

The staff who helped me with my bags gave me a quick tour of the hotel and a few introductions as she ushered me to my room.

My suite was a Deluxe PoolSide Room that allowed me easy access to the swimming area. Before the staff handed me the key to my room, she further explained all the other amenities available in the hotel and my preferred schedule for the spa visit, for example. She handed me a hotel brochure in case I would have other questions and some discount vouchers I could use in exchange for the hotel services, from food and beverage at the bar to spa treatment and fitness center use. Glad to know that I wouldn't need to shell out such a huge amount to enjoy a delightful stay and the luxury that came with it. Apparently, my ex-boyfriend paid for all the other services I might need beforehand. He really knew how to think ahead.

So for the next four days, I should give myself the much-needed relaxation and pampering, all at his own expense. Although I was feeling guilty, I couldn't let the good opportunity go to waste. After all, some time alone was what I needed to probably recuperate and move on.

I immediately searched for my phone and texted Jake for a thank you message. If all these were part of his supposed birthday gift for me, I should be truly thankful for the gesture. He's a nice person after all, kind and thoughtful. He was also a self-made man but he wouldn't mind spoiling me with so many presents and allowed me to live lavishly during this short holiday.

Even if I refused and explained that I wouldn't need many things in life, he'd be displeased and would tell me it's just his way of expressing his affection towards me. Then I would argue with him saying he should better know my love language properly, so he wouldn't have to spend so much on anything. Up until we broke up, he did not realize that I would rather have quality time with him than all these luxuries combined.

I really hated to admit it but I kinda missed him. In three months that I knew nothing about Jake, let alone heard from him, I was clueless like a boat that lost sense of direction and went adrift on the sea. Indeed, I felt lost, unanchored.

I looked at my phone, as expected, there was no reply but the message was delivered and he most likely had read and seen it. He better knew I was really grateful.

I unpacked my clothes and put them inside the cabinet, settled all my other belongings before I laid down on my bed for a quick nap. I was hoping to witness the sunset so I set my alarm at five o'clock.