A Rose, A Ring and A Promise

Chapter 15

            “Hey Amanda, where's your brother?” Sapphire excitedly sat down on the sofa beside Amanda,who was watching a TV show.

            “Probably at the office. Why? You miss him already?” Amanda teased.

            “Eh?! Well, I'm sure he's the one missing me,” Sapphire grinned.

            Both of them giggled.

            “Seriously though, why are you looking for Kuya?” Amanda asked when their laughters have subsided.

            “Amanda, what do you think about a trip to Cebu?” Sapphire asked instead of answering Amanda's question.

            “Huh? I think that would be cool! It's been a while since I went there, come to think of it.”

            “Great! Let's go to Cebu!” Sapphire declared.

            “Yes, let's do that!” Amanda did a high-five with Sapphire. “But wait, my OJT starts this week. I can't go somewhere that far,” Amanda sulked.

            “I guess Cebu is out huh?” Sapphire sighed.

            “It's not! Why don't you go with Kuya?” Amanda suggested and then something dawned on her mind. “That was why you were looking for him!” Amanda giggled. “And you even tried to hide it by asking me first. It's not like you to be so shy.”

            “It's not like that! I really want you to come but well, I wanted to come with Bryce too.” Sapphire protested with a blush.

            “Oh stop it Sapphire. It's not like I'm not rooting for you two. It's alright.” Amanda's grin said it all.

            “I said it's not like that!” Sapphire pouted. “Besides, he's always busy; he won't have time for something like this.”

            Amanda gave her an encouraging smile. “Something tells me he won't say no if you're the one to ask him.”

            “Really?” Sapphire's eyes shone in anticipation.

            “No.”

            “But why~?” Sapphire whined. She was inside Bryce's office.

            “Because I'm busy,” Bryce simply said.

            “No. This week-end you're not! I asked your secretary. He said you don't have anything scheduled this week-end.”

            Bryce turned to his secretary, Carl.

            “Carl, would you mind telling me why you're telling anyone my schedule without my permission?”

            “Um, I'm sorry Sir but...”

            The poor secretary just looked back and forth at his boss and at Sapphire nervously. He was already trying to remember which companies needed a secretary.

            “C'mon Mik-mik, don't scold Carl,” Sapphire pleaded.

            “It's okay Carl, you can go. I'll take care of this,” Bryce said calmly, much to his secretary's surprise. Usually by then, Bryce would be mad and whoever caused that anger would be fired on the spot.

            “I promised that you wouldn't get involved, right?” Sapphire gave Carl a wink.

            Carl looked at her like she was an angel before going out of the room.

            Smitten by her. Bryce thought. Unfortunately for him, I have no intention of sharing my Sapphire. “And what makes you think you have the authority to promise something like that to my employee?”

            “You're right. I don't have that kind of authority,” Sapphire agreed cheerfully.

            Bryce covered his face with his palms in frustration. “I don't have time for this, Sapphire.”

            “Lately, you don't have time for anything,” Sapphire pointed out. “I didn't want to be clingy or to be a burden to you but it's been a week since we last talked to each other properly, Bryce. Besides, it's not just me you're ignoring. Your sister, your friends, you've been neglecting them.

            “It's because I need to– ”

            “What we both need,” Sapphire interrupted, “is a vacation. And if you continue to refuse, I would just keep bothering you here.”

            Bryce knew better than to argue.

            A day after that, Bryce and Sapphire arrived in Cebu by private plane. Bryce hired a car and a driver to drive them wherever they want to go while they are in Cebu.

            “Hmm, this place is not really that different from Manila,” Sapphire commented.

            “I've been telling you that but you wouldn't believe me,” Bryce said.

            “I'm sure we'll find something interesting! Oh, I know! Let's go to Mactan Cross first!” Her attention was caught by the churches they passed by. “Look Bryce! There are a lot of churches and some looks so old!”

            The driver of the car they were in laughed. “Your girlfriend is so energetic, Sir.”

            Bryce looked at Sapphire. “Her energy surpasses her tiny frame.”

            “But she must be quite an energy booster for you, Sir.”

            “That, she is.”

            After a few minutes, they passed by Sacred Heart church, where a marriage ceremony was being held.

            “Can you pull-over for a while, Manong?” Sapphire asked politely.

            “Is anything wrong, Sapphire?” Bryce asked.

            “No, nothing's wrong.” Sapphire looked at the bride who just came out of the bridal car. “I'm just a fan of people in love ending up with each other.” There was wistfulness in her voice.

            “Nowadays, people get married for a lot of different reasons other than being in love.” The driver clucked his tongue in disappointment.

            “Not this one. Did you see the girl's face? She was glowing. You can't fake that kind of happiness,” Sapphire said with conviction.

            They were silent for a minute as they watched the bride enter the church and eventually disappear from their line of sight.

            “Speaking of happiness...” Sapphire said.

            Bryce and the driver looked at her.

            “I would be really happy if we'll go to Mactan Cross right now. I need to have a picture there. For my profile pic on FB.”

            The driver guffawed while Bryce shook his head but a smile crept to his face.

            Really one hell of a unique girl.

            So on to Mactan Cross they went.

            Sapphire asked the driver to take a picture of her and Bryce with the Mactan Cross as their background.

            At first, Bryce refused to pose for the pictures but one look at Sapphire's pleading eyes and his resolve quickly faded. They ended up having pictures together with the plaza there too.

            After that, they went inside the Basilica Del Sto. Nino.

            “I wonder where we can go next?” Sapphire said out loud.

            “Why don't you go to the Top? You can see most of the city from there. The view is magnificent,” the driver suggested.

            “Really? Then let's go!” Sapphire said.

            When they reached the Top, it was already night time but the place was illuminated by the flickering lights of the stars and the translucent glow of the moon.

            “From here, it feels like I can easily touch the sky!” Sapphire enthusiastically stretched her arms up the sky.

            “You look like a kid, Sapphire,” Bryce said, amused. “On the other hand, that's not something new.”

            Sapphire laughed heartily, a laugh that was uninhibited, and filled with youthful happiness.

            Bryce couldn't resist but to smile at such a lovely sight.

            When Sapphire noticed Bryce's smile, she smiled back.

            Just then, a sudden gush of wind made Sapphire shiver. Bryce came closer to her and hugged her from behind. “Cold?”

            Sapphire leaned more to his embrace and shook her head. “Not anymore.”

            “You know Sapphire, everything seems more beautiful when you're here.”

            “Wow! You know how to flatter people! What a suprise!” Sapphire said playfully.

            Bryce laughed softly and hugged her tighter. “It's not flattery Sapphire. It's the truth.”

            They stayed like that for a while. Every now and then, Sapphire would trace constellations with her finger and talk about it. Bryce patiently listened to her.

            “Um , I'm kinda hungry,” Sapphire said sheepishly after a while.

            “Alright, let's go eat,” Bryce said indulgently.

            They returned to the rented car, hand in hand.

            “Manong, where's the nearest place that sells Lechon here?”

            The driver looked at Sapphire in suprise, “You eat Lechon, Ma'am?”

            Sapphire gave him a confused look. “Of course. Why wouldn't I?”

            “Please don't get offended but you look like the type who's always on diet.”

            Bryce smirked. “You're in for a suprise, Manong.”

            And indeed, the driver was surprised when after 3 cups of rice and a whole lot of Lechon, Sapphire still had space to eat dried mangoes.

            “You don't look like you just ate all that,” the driver said to Sapphire, amazed.

            “This is normal for me,” Sapphire blinked innocently.

            Bryce gently wiped the side of her mouth with a tissue. “Her appetite and the effect it does – or does not do – on her body is still a mystery to me.”

            The driver was still in shock.

To be continued~

Note: I promised a chapter with Cebu scenes in it so here it is! What do you think? I really need feedbacks. I'm having a hard time keeping Bryce in character but still show his other side – the side that was lost when Stacey left him. Am I successful in executing that? Also, I'm planning to show Bryce slowly opening up to Sapphire and to other people but the changes must be subtle, otherwise it will seem too rushed and the feelings will look fake. I desperately need opinions and suggestions, please!!

A Rose, A Ring and A Promise: Chapter 14

Chapter 14

            “Em~”

            “No.”

            Sapphire pouted at what Em said. “But I haven’t said anything yet!”

            “I know you’re going to ask me to come with you to the KAT-TUN concert and it’s a definite no. There is no way I’m going to come to an idol concert.”

            KAT-TUN is Sapphire’s favourite Japanese boy group since she was a teenager and they were going to have a concert in Araneta that day.

            “I already got us VIP tickets Em!” Sapphire whined.

            Em sighed. “If you’re so intent on coming with someone, why don’t you ask your boyfriend to come with you?”

            It was Sapphire’s turn to sigh. “Bryce wouldn’t come to that kind of concerts. Besides, he’s busy.”

            “Then why don’t you go alone?”

            Sapphire pouted again. “I bought two tickets, Em! It’s such a waste to not use both.”

            “Then why did you buy two in the first place?”

            Before Sapphire could answer, they heard a loud, “I’m back!” from the front door.

            Sapphire’s eyes lit up and she dashed to greet Amanda who just arrived from school. “Hey Amanda! Wanna go to KAT-TUN’s concert tonight?”

            “Did you say KAT-TUN?! As in Kamenashi, Akanishi, Tanaka, Taguchi, Ueda and Nakamaru?!” Amanda asked with wide eyes.

            “Right!” Sapphire beamed.

            “You got tickets?! Of course I want to go!” Amanda squealed.

            The two talked about their favourites in the boy group and gushed like the fangirls they are.

            Em rolled her eyes. Why am I stuck with a bestfriend and a cousin like these two?

           

            Later that night, after the KAT-TUN concert, Sapphire and Amanda came home with big smiles on their faces. They were laughing merrily and belting out the group’s songs.

            “Enjoyed yourselves?” Bryce asked as they entered the house.

            “You were waiting for us?” Sapphire checked her watch. “It’s close to 12am. You must have been tired from work. Why didn’t you just sleep?” She asked, concerned.

            “I wanted to make sure you two made it home safe.”

            “I’m sorry we're so late. I treated Amanda out for dinner since we were both hungry when the concert ended. I’m really sorry.” Sapphire kissed Bryce lightly.

            “You’re forgiven,” Bryce said then hugged her. “I missed you.”

            “We saw each other this morning Bryce.” Sapphire giggled. “But yeah, I missed you too.” She looked up at him. It still surprised her sometimes how Bryce had changed so much in a matter of a few weeks. But it was all a pleasant surprise.

            “Much as I love to witness your lovey-dovey moments, I’m tired so I’ll go ahead to my room okay?” Amanda said teasingly before heading to her room.

            Sapphire and Bryce looked at each other at Amanda’s statement and laughed.

            When their laughter died down, Sapphire grinned. “I have something to show you.”

            “What is it?” Bryce asked curiously.

            “Wait here, I’ll just get it in my room.”

            Sapphire went to her room. When she came back, she was holding something in her hand.

            “What’s that?” Bryce asked.

            Sapphire opened her hand. There, on her right palm, was a small silver ring. “Do you remember this, Mik-mik?”

            Bryce was startled when Sapphire used his childhood petname. He held the ring and examined it closer. When he saw the letter ‘S’ engraved on it, he remembered why it was familiar.

            “Shylee, what are you looking at?” 7 year old Bryce asked his friend.

            “Look at that Mik-mik!” the little girl pulled Bryce and pointed to a ring with an ‘S’ engraved on it. “It’s so pretty!”

            “Do you want that, Shylee?”

            The girl nodded.

“Excuse me, I’ll buy that ring!”Bryce said to the lady who was selling the ring.

            “Shylee...” Bryce said amazed. “You’re Shylee...”

            “I told you someone used to call me ‘Shylee’ right?” Sapphire said. Her eyes shone with unshed tears. “I’m back, Mik-mik.”

            Bryce held her in his arms. “Welcome back, Shylee.”

            Finally, the young kids inside them found each other.

When they have both calmed down from their heartfelt reunion, Bryce remembered to ask, “But how did you find out that we were childhood friends?”

“At first I didn’t even know we were classmates because I had always assumed that you went to the same school that Em was in. So when you mentioned before that you had a childhood friend named ‘Shylee’, I thought it was just a coincidence so I ignored it even when I heard Chris call you ‘Mik-mik’ on their birthday party.”

“And we both didn’t remember each other’s real name...” Bryce said.

“That’s right. But earlier, before Amanda and I went to the concert, she showed me your photos from when you were in elementary.”

“Sapphire, you wanted to see my brother’s photos right? Those from his elementary days?”

“You found them? That’s great, Amanda!”

“Here. This is their school.”Amanda pointed to a picture of a school building, with the school logo at the side.

“I was a student in this school!”

“Really? Then you might recognize him.” Amanda pointed to a boy in the picture. “This is him.”

“I recognized you as Mik-mik right away because even if I didn’t remember my childhood friend’s real name, I couldn’t forget your smile from that time.”

“My smile?”

“You had a bright, warm smile, like the smile you have been showing me these days. That was another reason why I never recognized you as Mik-mik. Because when we met again after 18 years, at the airport, that smile wasn’t there.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you,” Bryce apologized.

“It’s okay. I changed a lot too, after all,” Sapphire said.

“Yeah, the name ‘Shylee’ doesn’t fit you anymore,” Bryce contemplated.

Sapphire laughed. “True. But it’s your fault you know!” She pouted.

“Why is it my fault?” Bryce asked, confused.

“You were very popular when we were young because you were friendly and always smiling while I was too shy, to the point that I didn’t talk to anybody else but you. I wanted to change that so I tried hard to open up more when I arrived in LA. It helped that my father remarried and I gained a new mother and an older brother. They helped me become more outgoing, more cheerful.”

“So that’s how it is.” Bryce caressed her cheek. “But it’s okay since I like those sides of you too.”

“Oh really? Then why do I remember you saying I give you headaches with the way I act?” Sapphire teased.

“Forget I said that,” Bryce said.

“Oh? Too bad. I really wanted to make up for all those headaches” Sapphire grinned.

“How do you intend to do that?” Bryce asked.

“With this, Mik-mik.” Sapphire went close and kissed him.

To be continued~

Note: Yey! I don’t know about you but this chapter made me really happy! J At last, Shylee and Mik-mik found each other! And also, we got to see more of Sapphire’s childish/fangirl side in this chapter! Who thinks that’s cute? *raises hand* *get’s bricked* xD

Additional Notes: And oh, about the mention about KAT-TUN, if you don’t know them, they’re a Japanese boy group but I already mentioned that in this chapter under Johnny Entertainment and they’re my favourite so I couldn’t help inserting them in this story a bit. They’re originally composed of Kamensahi Kazuya (Kame), Akanishi Jin (Jin), Tanaka Koki (Koki), Taguchi Junnosuke (Junno), Ueda Tatsuya (Tat-chan) and Nakamaru Yuichi (Maru). Akanishi Jin is no longer part of KAT-TUN but since I’m the author and I just ADORE them when the 6 of them were in the same group, I made them that way here. Also, they are yet to have a concert in Araneta so that’s my wishful thinking too but who knows, maybe one of these days it’ll come true? xD By the way, my current favourites are Kame and Tat-chan J

A Rose, A Ring, and A Promise: Chapter 13

Chapter 13

            Em smirked when she saw Sapphire and Bryce walking back to the bar hand in hand. “So you're sure of your feelings now?” she teased her bestfriend.

            “Huh?” Sapphire asked.

            “You said you wouldn't jump into anything unless you're sure of your feelings,” Em reminded her.

            “Oh that. I didn't jump into anything. We're taking it one step at a time,” Sapphire said and glanced at Bryce who was still holding her hand. “I realized we're worth it.”

            Bryce smiled at her and affectionately kissed her hand.

            “Okay, you two are starting to gross me out,” Em pretended to vomit.

            “Finally!”

            Bryce instantly held her closer when he heard Tristan's voice.

            She had already told him about the race and what Tristan asked as a prize. She had also already told him that Tristan didn't like her the way Bryce was thinking him to be. But he still wasn't convinced.

            “Hey, chill out! I have no intention of taking her away from you, Bryce. Sheesh, I forgot how possesive you become around your girl,” Tristan complained then he turned to Sapphire. “You sure you want to be with him?”

            Sapphire laughed. “Well, he's cute when he's jealous so it's fine.”

            “Cute, huh?” Tristan repeated, amused.

            “Don't you dare call me that!” Bryce said in reaction to the michievous glint in Tristan's eyes.

            “I know, I know. Sapphire's the only one allowed to do that,” Tristan chuckled. “My acting was superb, right?” he said to Sapphire.

            “You didn't fool me.” Sapphire grinned.

            “Acting?” Bryce asked, eyeing Tristan suspiciously.

            “Um...” Sapphire began.

            “Why exactly are you doing this, Tristan? And don't tell me that you like me as a woman because I know that's not true.” Sapphire said.

            She was getting confused at the prize that Tristan asked for winning the race.

            “What if it's the truth?” Tristan said but when Sapphire merely raised an eyebrow, he laughed. “Alright, that's not the reason.”

            “So what's the real reason?”

            “You and Bryce need a push to the right direction so Em, Chris and I decided to help. But then Em called me and told me our plan didn't seem to go where we wanted it to be. She told me it was up to me. And this is the only way I thought of.”

           

            “So you were part of this, dear cousin?” Bryce said to Em menacingly.

            Em shrugged. “It worked, didn't it?”

            “But you still gave me a lot of stress,” Bryce snapped then he remembered something. He turned to Tristan accusingly, “You tried to kiss her.”

            “You were unbelievably hard to crack. I figured that was the only way to make you stop thinking and just feel.”

            “You scared me for a while there, Tristan,” Sapphire said, shaking her head.

            “Sorry,” Tristan grinned sheepishly.

            “You're forgiven. And yes, your theory was right,” Sapphire smiled impishly.

            “What theory?” Bryce asked suspiciously.

           

            Tristan tilted Sapphire's chin and as he drew close to her, he whispered, “Bryce is jealous. My theory will be proven right when he comes here and take you away.”

           

            “Nothing. It's just some silly conversation we had. Don't worry about it,” Sapphire assured Bryce.

            “So now that everything's resolved, can we go back to our rooms? We have to leave early tomorrow, you know.” Em interrupted.

            “Eh? We're going home tomorrow?! But I still want to stay!” Sapphire whined.

            “I'm sorry Sapphire, but we left our companies for too long already,” Bryce reasoned.

            Sapphire pouted. “Then I can just stay awake longer. It's our last night here, after all.”

            “It's 3am, so technically it's already morning. I'm going to sleep,” Em said then walked away.

            “I'll leave you two okay? Boracay girls are waiting for me,” Tristan said with a grin then left.

            Sapphire looked at Bryce pleadingly.

            “I don't know why I'm utterly powerless to that look, Sapphire. But okay, I'll come with you.”

            Sapphire beamed at Bryce then hugged him. “Thank you!”

            “So where do you want to go?” Bryce asked.

            “Let's wait for the sunrise!” Sapphire said.

            “Are you sure? That's still 2 hours away.”

            “It's okay.”

            So they went to the shore and sat on the sand and talked about random things while waiting for the sun to rise.

            Sapphire rested her head on Bryce's shoulder. “I dreamt about this, you know. Us being this close. I never knew it would come true.”

            “I’m sorry I was too cold to you.”

            “You were cold to everyone, Bryce.” Sapphire giggled.

“True,” he confirmed, not bothering to deny that fact.

“But I’m glad that during this trip, I saw letting your guard down, having fun, actually smiling and laughing. It’s as if...”

            It’s as if you've really gotten over her.

            “As if?” Bryce asked on her unfinished question.

            “Nothing. I’m just glad you’re this close to me.”

            Bryce smiled and held her hand.

            For a few more minutes they stayed like that, basking in the comfortable silence, until the sky started to be tinted with vivid colors as the sun rose.

            “It’s finally sunrise, huh?” Bryce commented. Hearing no response from Sapphire, he turned to her, “Sapphire?”

            The only sound that he heard from her was her even breathing. Sapphire has apparently fallen asleep.

            Bryce laughed quietly. And you were the one who wanted to see the sunrise.

            He gazed at the sky one more time before gently carrying Sapphire like a princess.

            And there in the wonderful paradise of Boracay, with the bright sun as their background, he vowed to cherish the girl in his arms, to protect her and to love her like she deserved to be loved.

            “I love you, Sapphire.”

            Sapphire, still fast asleep, unconsciously placed her palm at that spot on his chest where his heart could be felt beating.

            And the promise was sealed.

To be continued~

Note: How is it? Was it too sappy? xD I was getting tired of all the stories where the girl is always the first one who admits to be in love so I made it this way. Too bad, Sapphire didn’t hear Bryce’s confession, though. I’m sorry this update is shorter than most of my update. I thought the length is nice as it is. Besides, I really had no idea how to make it longer. Gomen minna! See you next week, ne? J