Chapter 6: Spring

I woke up early the next day and went downstairs to help Manang Gloria preparing the breakfast.

But the truth is I never slept. I can't forget the scene that happened last night.

I saw Ellwood in his half naked body last night. Not just once, but two. And it's because of my stupidity. I also entered his room twice without knoncking. He might think that this is really my hobby. But he not locking his door either.

"Venice, that hot water is boiling!"

I jumped when I heard that voice of Manang Gloria.

"I'm sorry." I hurriedly turned off the stove.

"Are you okay?" She pulled out the kettle to transfer to the thermos.

Embarrassed, I stepped back and chose to sit in the chair there.

"Is there a problem? I noticed you were quiet?" She landed me a hot chocolate and pancakes.

"Nothing, I'm probably just a little confused." I'm lying.

"I was like that at first, you'll get used to it later," she said, then sat down at the table opposite me.

"Eh wait, aren't they looking for you? Maybe your parents are worried about you?"

My lips parted and I began to stir the breakfast she had cooked for me. How do I answer that question? How can I say that my parents are dead and I am completely orphaned?

"Breakfast looks good, doesn't it?"

We both turned to newcomer Ellwood. Thank God he's wearing a white long sleeve shirt and black trouser.

"Oh, are you leaving today?" Manang Gloria asked him.

"I'm early at the dock today," he answer sitting straight in the capital chair.

He glanced at me so I quickly bowed. I felt my two cheeks heat up because the scene I reached last night in his room came back to me.

"How was your sleep?"

Immediately my head lifted and my eyes rolled. "What, ah – okay!"

"Venice acostumized in her new room." Manang Gloria's groan.

I bowed more. My two cheeks grew even hotter in embarrassment.

"I'll just move to the guest room so I don't disturb you just in case."

My gaze rose quickly to him as my eyes widened. But he turned to me with a different look.

"I-There's no need, because it's my fault." I slowly looked away.

I didn’t hear him speak so I resumed tasting the pancakes.

I was stunned when he put the chocolate syrup and bottled butter on the table.

"It tastes better if you put it in it." He raised me a chocolate syrup.

Even before I nodded, he sealed my pancake.

"There you go, eat more so you can grow taller," he said in a mocking voice.

I frowned, "Why am I so tall?"

He shook his head and smiled a bit.

"A bit more," he said then focused on his food after. He didn't speak anymore and finished his meal.

"I'm leaving. Please tell Pia when she wake up I'll just pass by her at her condo later."

He stood up and then stepped closer to me. He bent slightly to peek at me from sitting.

"If you need anything, don't be shy to tell Manang Gloria."

I looked up him to trace the concern.

"When are you coming back?" I couldn't help but ask.

He chuckled a bit, "I don't know maybe on Sunday. I still have a lot to do."

I nodded. Even though I was against his decision.

"If you want you can come with me to the market later so you can meet this barrio of ours," said Manang Gloria.

I glanced again at Ellwood who smiled and nodded at me.

What if they Dolfo were there? Or the cops? What if they were already looking for me?

Maybe he noticed the fear in my eyes so he answered Gloria.

"Let her tour the whole Mansion first," Ellwood said.

"Anyway, I'll just take Issay with me."

I breathed a sigh of relief. Before leaving, he instructed Manang Gloria not to entertain anyone who would try to ask questions or enter the Villa.

I didn't do anything when he sailed away. Even though I didn’t like the idea of ​​him leaving I had no choice.

I just chose to always be at the back of the house where the back of the Villa is full of different trees.

There is also a lake there where the water comes from the mountain to the town.

But only one caught my attention. The well is not far from the Villa. It is close to the hut where I am sure the mountain climbers will rest.

I smiled as I stepped on the dry leaves from the talisay tree. At the same time the wind blows through the trees giving an enchanting sound.

I tilted my head into the well and found that it had water. But what caught my interest was the hanging wood on its side, while the terms were engraved.

"Make a wish and I will grant what you're truly desire

..."

I raised an eyebrow at what I read. Who would have thought of this? I shook my head one after another and decided to go back inside the house.

Manang Gloria and Issay had just arrived from the market.

"Venice, this is what Ellie ordered, your clothes. Check if it fits you, otherwise I'll return it tomorrow."

Manang handed me two bags of clothes and underwear's. Even though I was embarrassed, I accepted it.

I came out of the bathroom wearing denim walking shorts and a white blouse bought by Manang Gloria. Well, the clothes they chose were just right for me.

"The clothes we bought fit you," she said from the moment she saw me.

"Are you sure you're only 17? Your body is even slimmer than mine," said Issay who held me by both shoulders and looked at me from head to toe.

I nodded slowly and glanced at the dress I was wearing. My long legs were even more exposed in the dress. I think I'm 5"2 tall right now.

"You're also different, are you of Spanish descent?" Issay.

Maybe just because of my pointed nose and deep set almond eyes with pull lips.

"My mom is pure Spanish. She was born in France."

"Wow! It's great, that's why your skin is so pale." Her eyes widened.

I smiled sparingly at her. I’m not really used to being praised. I think I'm weird, especially when compared to Filipinas like Menchie my best friend who are really sexy in fact. Another thing I like is their brown colors unlike mine which seem to be almost yellow to super white.

"But I prefer your color, Issay."

He looked down at the brown arm and frowned, "What's so good about my color? They teasing me because my color is too dark," She said while laughing.

I shook my head and didn't comment. It's really like that, what you don't have is what you want to achieve, while what you have you still can't appreciate.

"Hey, you can't speak French?"

I shook my head.

"Because I grew up here in the Philippines.

"How did you meet Ellwood?"

I looked up at her and averted my gaze.

"Why do you ask so many questions, Issay? Just slice the vegetables for lunch." Manang Gloria interrupted our conversation.

"I'm just curious. I know that hasn't moved on with Emory yet, then there's Pia again, do you think they're getting back together?" It seems that Manang's pronunciation is unforgiving.

Emory? Is that the woman in the picture frame I saw on the ship?

"Sounds like I heard my name, ah?"

We turned to Pia who was wearing only a white robe. She looks straight at me with a different smile on her lips. I quickly averted my eyes and focused on the vegetables for slicing.

"You're awake. Come and have breakfast," manang replied.

"No, I'm going to a breakfast meeting. Where's Ellwood?"

"He's gone, maybe he'll be back next week." Issay replied.

I noticed she frowned after scolding Issay.

"He's just at the port, he seems to pass by you before going home."

"Can I have his phone number? So I can call him?" She sat in the center and pulled out a red apple.

"Oh? You don't have Ellwood's number?" There was sarcasm in Issay's voice as she spoke.

"It's none of your business, Issay." She answered calmly before biting the apple.

"I'm sorry hija, Ellie told me not to give out his cellphone number." Manang who seemed unaffected by the latter's frown.

Her eyebrows rose even higher before lowering the bitten apple and standing up.

"Fine, I'll just wait for him to come to my condo later."

"All right." manang replied.

She no longer spoke and turned her backs straight away.