Escape

A FEW HOURS after the wedding, guests went straight to the Pavilion de Saavedra, where the reception will be held. I decided to sit in a corner that was not too crowded as I quietly sipped the wine in the glass I was holding.

“Why don’t you join them?”

I suddenly turned to the source of the voice. Lawrence stood beside me, holding a glass of champagne. I sipped my wine instead of answering.

“Don’t drink too much, Margaux,” he reminded me.

I frowned at him and took another glass from a passing waiter.

“It’s just wine, Lawrence,” I answered sparingly. I was about to drink again, but he snatched it and drank it straight. I just felt sorry for him for what he did.

Then he suddenly took off his coat and covered it on my skin.

“Thanks,” I murmured.

“You look pretty as always,” he said in his husky voice.

I looked up at him. He has a pleasant expression.

“It’s getting colder here.” He gently took my hand and guided me out of the pavilion.

But we stopped because of the couple coming in.

“Lawrence!” the woman called him happily, then kissed him on the cheek.

“I’m glad you’re here, Sarah. I’m sure Carrick will be happy to see you!” Lawrence said.

My attention was drawn to the woman’s maternity dress that could no longer hide the swelling of the abdomen.

“Ah, brother, I’d like you to meet Lester, my fiancé,” her introduction to the man next to her.

There was a long silence between the four of us. The two men stared at each other. Lester was the first to avert his eyes and look at Lawrence and me, who were holding hands. I swallowed and averted my eyes. I still feel the pain of what he did to me, but I will get used to it. I just have to pretend that I already accept what happened between Lester and me.

“By the way, this is Margaux Collins, my date for tonight,” Lawrence said.

I looked at Lawrence in shock, then at Lester. I saw the shock in Lester’s eyes; it made my eyebrows raised. I want to show him that I am not miserable even if he leaves me. I want to show that I’m capable of accepting that he belongs with someone else, and someday I will be someone’s everything.

I closed my eyes tightly as they said goodbye to Lawrence. I took big steps when I started walking. I could also feel the look of some visitors on me. My heart wanted to explode with anger because Lester explicitly exposed the woman he traded for me in public.

Until I heard Lawrence’s voice beside me. “Take my hand.” Then he quickly grabbed my palm.

We remained silent the whole time even though we had already left the pavilion and continued walking.

Until we stopped at the ancestral house.

“Why are we here?” I asked him curiously.

“I just need to unwind.” His voice melted away my insecurities and hatred.

We stepped inside. I can’t help but admire the old style of the house. It is obviously kept clean because there is no noticeable dust or dirt around it. I walked towards the large veranda and inhaled the fresh air.

“You can breathe here,” he said before raising both hands on the ledge and looking away.

“I can’t thank you enough for what you did,” I sincerely said.

“I just did what I had to do. I also do not want to have a conflict between Sarah and me,” he admitted.

I glanced at him before nodding.

“You can stay here for as long as you want. You can also sleep here tonight,” he told me.

I did not answer. It was nice to stare at him from this angle. He looked so handsome with the way he clenched his jaw and furrowed his brows. When he turned to look me in the eyes, my heart pounded erratically, so I quickly averted my eyes and adjusted myself.

“Are you enjoying the view?” he asked softly.

My lips twitched. I did not know what he wanted to point to in his question, so I chose not to answer.

“When did you meet Sarah?” I couldn’t help but ask.

“Sarah is Terris’s younger sister. There’s nothing special about her,” he said. He glanced at me. “You need to rest. The air is a bit cold,” he said as soon as we settled down.

I agreed with him when he invited me inside to rest. He also left immediately because he received a call from Carrick. I was not surprised when I noticed pajamas and undies on the bed. After I took a bath, I went to bed to sleep.

***

I WOKE UP early the next day and found breakfast on the table. There was also a dress there that I think is for me. I wondered how he knew my taste in clothes.

I happily went to the veranda and ate breakfast there to see the beauty of San Simon. When I finished eating, I went out for a while.

I walked to the beach with a smile on my face and picked up some shells and beautiful stones as if I was a child. I even tasted the fresh air because I could only smell all the pollution and dust when I returned to Manila.

While walking, I saw Terris coming out of the resort. She seems to be leaving based on the shoulder bag she’s carrying. She was followed by Lawrence, who was wearing white long sleeves, bleach jeans, and sunglasses.

I couldn’t help but think of what the two of them were up to. At the very least, he said that nothing was going on between the two of them. But I can’t help but think that they slept in the same room last night.

My heart moved, and gasped heavily. I continued walking and chose to sit on a rock. My feet are also drenched in saltwater, which gives them a tingling sensation. I fill my lungs with glassy air, slightly reflecting the sunny sun.

I was in that position for a few minutes when I felt someone approach me from behind.

“Lawrence?!” I said in surprise. I thought he was with Terris?

“Let’s go. I’ll take you home,” he told me. He helped me stand up, but I lost my balance because of the slippery rock. Fortunately, he quickly supported me and pulled my hips closer to him.

“Be careful. The rocks here are sharp,” he whispered. The warmth of his embrace and the scorching heat of his eyes made me tremble.

“Uh, thanks.” I slowly walked away from him.

But he quickly followed me, and he even opened the door for me.

“Thanks,” I uttered again before choosing to ride in the shotgun seat.

On our way, I could not help but admire the farms and streams we passed. San Simon’s beauty has become more apparent to me.

“May I ask you something?” He barely glanced at me then looked back at the road.

“What is it?”

“As for the anniversary of the Collins’ hotel, I would like to take you for the event,” I timidly said to him.

He did not answer at first. I think he is hesitant now because I refused his offer then.