CHAPTER 4

ONE YEAR LATER

The exterior looked old, and yet it was magnificent. Grey bricks were used to construct it, and the grey embellishments matched perfectly with the entire design. Its overall aesthetic was enhanced by large and rectangular windows that have been placed in a symmetrical pattern. The property has a modest kitchen and five bathrooms. It also featured a pleasant living room, five bedrooms, a modest dining area, a library, and a large storage room.

The roof was high and pyramid-shaped, and it was covered with red roofing materials. Large, skylight windows gave plenty of light to the rooms below the top, and the home itself was surrounded by a lovely garden, including a hanging grapevine, a pergola, and a fountain.

Flowers and shrubs surrounded a lovely grassy area. A pergola with an outdoor kitchen stood in the garden’s front left corner. The flower beds have no boundaries, and there wasn’t a single weed in sight. A short picket fence winded its way around the garden, giving visitors a view of the nicest areas. Grass, roots, and vines kept each other in check, but they were all hungry for additional space. The pergola was the garden’s primary focal point, and it was built mainly for that purpose. In short, the flower garden was commendable.

Bellcana Resort was understaffed, but I couldn’t hire an additional workforce because of our unstable income. Although the resort was located in the South, particularly in Moalboal, we usually have fewer guests than our competitors.

For several times, I attempted to copy their way of doing business, but I couldn’t afford the cost, so I had no choice but to stick to our old ways. If only I could meet the expenses for the renovation cost, the procurement of stylish furniture, or additional staff, I believed it was possible.

Another sigh escaped from my lips when I strolled towards Alice, my childhood friend who worked as my daughter’s nanny. She carried my baby outside to get some sunlight and fresh air. Curly and light brown hair clung haphazardly to a pretty face. Deep into their sockets, darting brow eyes gazed smilingly towards the little bundle of joy in her arms. A tiny dragon tattoo, proudly displayed on her arm, served as a taunting reminder of her famous splendour. Alice Mondragon was a sight to behold among our neighbours. Despite her tiny frame, she was average in comparison to other women her age. Other people tend to keep their distance from Alice while others loved to be with her…just like me!

Even from a distance, I could tell how much she adored the infant, who quickly gained some weight after I changed her infant formula. Breastfeeding my child was the first option, but I couldn’t produce a lot of milk to satisfy her hunger, so I did what was necessary.

“I am suspecting that the baby’s father is a celebrity,” Alice said as soon as I approached them.

“A celebrity? Why do you think so?”

While waiting for her response, I narrowed my eyes at Alice Mondragon. Why the hell was she curious about the identity of my child’s father? After she insinuated that a celebrity had impregnated me, I saw his face in my imagination again. Supposedly, for a one night stand, I should try to forget about him and move on. But how? How could I forget those dancing blue eyes and his lean body? How could I forget his strong hands, which kept me in place while we did it on the sofa? Or the way he breathed into my ears? Oh God, something must have been wrong with me lately because I have been thinking about him most of the time.

Was it because of our daughter?

Inwardly, I prayed that our paths would never cross again. It would probably feel weird to see him again after what we shared that night.

“First, you refuse to reveal his name, and second, she’s so cute with her chubby cheeks and a set of dimples. Hmmm, a few months from now, I may have to match her face with any of the male celebrities with dimples.”

“How many times did I tell you that he was just an ordinary man who flirted with me that night? Come on, Alice. Let’s move on already and focus on our present situation,” I told her, then I took the baby from Alice. “I’ll put her to the crib, and then we can have our breakfast.”

“Then, I should set the table now,” she said.

“Go ahead,” I said to Alice, but I followed her immediately. “Hopefully, we’ll receive a booking today. It’s been a week that Bellcana is empty.”

“Perhaps, we should step up on marketing the resort,” Alice suggested.

“Such as becoming visible on social media? How are we going to do it when none of us is talented at taking IG-worthy photos? We don’t even have a restaurant!”

“You are right. However, who needs a restaurant when you can feed them based on their cravings? We can serve personalized meals, and no other resort could do that in this area,” she explained.

“Good point. Anyway, we will discuss it after breakfast. Right now, I am starving!”

“Sure,” Alice agreed.

I strode with a purpose towards the bedroom, and I couldn’t but smile upon looking at my daughter. She had no idea how much trouble I went through to conceive her! Luckily, I didn’t have to find another man to give me a child because a month after I had a one night stand, I became pregnant.

Initially, I believed it was just a so-so to bring on with the pregnancy thing, but I realized that it wasn’t easy at all! Yes, I wanted to have a child, but I was not delighted with my pregnancy. My nose had grown hypersensitive to smells, and my stomach was always upset every morning. My appetite had changed as well, and I was no longer interested in having my favourite food. In short, I became a picky eater that losing so much weight caused Alice to worry about my health.

Besides Alice, I got a lot of support from Khloe and Amelia, and they were so generous and supportive during my pregnancy. However, things changed when both of them applied for an overseas job right after delivering my baby. They were not able to attend my daughter’s christening. Since they worked outside the country, we seldom talked to each other because they were still adjusting to their new environment. Of course, I understood them, and there would be no issue about it.

When I placed my daughter on the crib, her tiny fingers held tightly into mine. If only I could skip a meal, I wouldn’t dare to leave her alone in the room. I kissed her chubby cheeks before leaving. Fortunately, I found a light bulb with a camera, and I synced it with my phone. As long as my phone was connected to the wifi, I could always view my daughter, who was soundly asleep in the room. A sigh escaped from my lips when I joined Alice in the dining room.

“Just relax, Krystal,” Alice said when she noticed how bothered I was about leaving my daughter alone.

“I just can’t help it,” I replied.

“Stop thinking about negative things and focus on gaining a little weight. My God, you look terrible in your clothes! How can you attract a man in that state?”

“Alice, I just lost some weight, but my beauty remained as is, remember that,” I countered before serving myself with garlic rice and fried boneless milkfish. The sunny side ups looked perfect, and of course, there’s a cup of smoking hot chocolate to complete our meal.

“My friend, in case you have forgotten, I am prettier, but no one dared to approach me, so I conclude that beauty will be enough.”

“How about Eleazar? He is greatly interested in you,” I teased her about Eleazar, and she glared at me. “Why? What’s wrong with Eleazar?”

“Everything is wrong with that guy! My God, I can’t imagine myself to be with him!”

“What about Growee vitamins? Do you think it will still work on him?” I teased her some more, and her nostrils flared while describing the man. “Plus, he has a kind heart. We both know he’s kind since kindergarten.”

“Growee for his 4’11? No, I don’t think so! His height is hopeless, Krystal, so please, stop pairing me with him!”

I was about to tell her that height would certainly not matter when the telephone rang, and since Alice was so consumed with anger and irritation because of Eleazar, I volunteered to take the call.

“Wait!” Alice called, so I stopped walking towards the front desk.

“What is it? Don’t tell me that you have changed your mind about him,” I jested.

“No, it’s not about him. I forgot to tell you that someone booked a long term stay in Bellcana. You were still sleeping when he called earlier,” Alice mentioned.

“Great! Finally, we have a guest coming! Wait, I’ll take this call, and hopefully, it’s another reservation,” I said with excitement, even if Alice didn’t mention more details about the guest.

“He availed the exclusive use of the entire resort for six months,” Alice continued.

In a snap, the feeling of being excited was replaced with disappointment. “Exclusive use for six months? There’s no doubt it was a prank call,” I told her.

“Hmmm, he asked for your bank details where he could send the payment,” Alice added, and I arched my brows in response.

“We’ll see,” I said before dashing to the front desk to take the call. “Bellcana, good morning! How may I help you?”

“I need your help,” the man said on the other line, and I furrowed my brows while trying to remember where I heard his voice because it was familiar to my ears. “Where is Bellcana located? I tried asking the locals, but it seemed they never heard about your place,” he added.

“Perhaps, are you interested in reserving a room?” I asked politely, but the man muttered many curses on the other line, and I narrowed my eyes at the flower vase in front of me.

“Do you mind passing the phone to your colleague? I talked with Alice regarding my booking, but she ignored my calls!” He continued to complain, but then my eyes widened as soon as I recalled my conversation with Alice about the guest who booked for the exclusive use of the resort.

“Hold on,” I said. Then I immediately opened the online banking app installed on my phone to check if money was transferred to my account. “Oh shit!” I muttered in surprise, and my eyes blinked several times to double-check if what I saw was real!

“Did you curse at me?”

OMG! I almost forgot about the caller because my mind was occupied with the money. “I am sorry, sir, but Alice is currently eating her breakfast. Do you mind telling me about the estimated date of your arrival in Moalboal?”

“Today, so do you think you can help me with the transport from Panagsama to your resort? I have booked a place here, but it’s too crowded for me,” he complained.

“Yes, of course! Just tell me your exact location so I can ask the driver to pick you up,” I assured him.

“I’m here at a souvenir shop near Sumisid. Will that be enough?”

“Hmm, you have to tell me the colour of your shirt so that he can recognize you right away,” I told him.

“I am shirtless and just wearing a board short and a slipper. Black cap and black sunglass.”

Did he have to include the fact that he was shirtless? I took a deep breath while trying not to imagine his overall appearance at the moment, but I could sense from his voice that he was handsome. “He will be right there in less than ten minutes, sir,” I promised, but I knew it was going to take the driver more than ten minutes to pick him up.

As soon as the call was ended, I rushed back to the dining room, and Alice was surprised to see me breathless. Then, her reminders to gain some weight rang in my ears again.

“What’s the fuss all about?” She asked.

“It wasn’t a prank call,” I told her.

“So, he called again. His voice was pretty amazing. Do you think he’s attractive?”

“Maybe, but listen! You need to call Eleazar right now!”

“No way!”

“Alice, you have to! The guest was waiting in Panagsama, and I told him that Eleazar would be there in ten minutes. Can you call him now?”

Alice frowned, but she had to do what was necessary when it came to business, and Eleazar was someone they could trust. “I’ll try,” she said and then she went to the sink to wash her hands.

While Alice talked with Eleazar on the phone, I drank my hot chocolate to calm down a little bit. The amount I received on my account was overwhelming, and since I arrived in Bellcana, it was the first time someone had paid in advance for his six-months stay.

“So, what did he say?”

“I hate you,” Alice said, and I frowned at her in confusion.

“Hate me? But why?”

“He said he will do it as long as I’ll have dinner with him tonight.”

“Shit! I didn’t imagine him to be clever! Anyway, thank you so much, Alice. Wait, I have to show you something. Tada!” I said as I showed her the screen of my banking app, and just like me, Alice was astonished.

“That’s a lot of money, Krystal! Wow! But wait, if he’s coming now, we have to prepare the pantry!” Alice panicked at the thought that our pantry was almost empty and a guest was coming.

“Oh right, I forgot to ask him about his name. Did he tell you when he made the booking?”

“Yes. His name is Logan. Logan Lopez,” Alice replied, and my mind suddenly became blank.

“Logan?” I asked her for a confirmation in case she had misheard it, but Alice nodded. Then, I shook my head in denial that it was the same man I had a wild encounter with before. I was positive that was several Logan Lopez in the world, and who knew if that guy lied about his name at the bar?