A Rose, A Ring and A Promise: Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

            “This is absolutely, fantastically, superbly wonderful!!!” Sapphire yelled as she ran towards the sea.

            It was their second day in Boracay and her foot had completely healed by then.

            “Sapphire! Don't run like that!” Bryce cautioned.

            Even though she told him many times that she was okay, he was still treating her like a fragile glass.

            But it does have it perks. Sapphire giggled at that thought. In fact, she was enjoying one of those 'perks' at that moment.

            She wanted to watch the sunrise on the beach but she didn't want to watch it alone. Unfortunately, no one wanted to wake up early. However, Bryce told her he'd come with her just to make sure she'd be alright. She didn't argue because she was just too happy to have someone accompany her.

            That was why they were on the shore at 5 am in the morning, barefoot and looking at the sky and the sea.

            “Look Bryce! There it is!” Sapphire exclaimed as she saw the sun rising, bathing the previously dark place with its soft glow, tinting the sky with red, yellow and orange shades. “It's beautiful isn't it?”

            “Yes, it is.”

            “Beautiful moments like this should be shared with someone.”

            “Why? You could watch this alone. Wouldn't it be peaceful that way?”

            Sapphire smiled, her eyes never leaving the beautiful scenery. “But you know Bryce, when you share moments with someone, it can be peaceful too. And when you look back, it's not only the beauty of what you've seen that makes the memory special but also the person you were with.” She then turned to Bryce, “I'm glad you're with me now.”

            Bryce looked at her eyes.

            Sapphire didn't look away. This time, she wanted Bryce to see what she was feeling. She wanted him to feel the peacefulness she felt, the peacefulness she couldn't explain to him in words.

            “I'm glad to be the one who's here,” Bryce said simply then gazed back to the horizon.

            She looked at him for a while before doing the same.

            There were many questions in her mind, a lot she wanted to know but she knew that now wasn't the time for that.

            Later, they can talk about that. But for now, it was time to quietly enjoy each other's presence and of course, the marvelous display of nature.

            “Let's go?” Bryce asked some time later.

            The sun had fully risen.

            “Yep! The others might be awake by now,” she said.

            “I doubt it. It's only past 6 after all. But let's go see anyway.” They headed towards the direction of the hotel where they were staying in.

            They entered their respective rooms – she shared a room with Em and Amanda while Bryce shared a room with Brad. Nat and Ken were in another room.

            Em was already awake but Amanda was still sleeping.

            “You should have come too Em!” she said to her best friend.

            “I don't want to be the third wheel,” Em said plaintively.

            “What are you talking about? It's not like it was a date,” she argued.

            “It isn't?” Em said, raising an eyebrow. “It sure looked like it.”

            Her eyes widened in realization. “You were there!”

            “Yup. So was Brad and Ken. Nat and Amanda wanted to come but they didn't wake up so we left them.” There was no trace of guilt in Em's voice.

            “You were spying on us?!”

            Em shrugged. “Why do you think no one wanted to come with you? We all knew Bryce would volunteer.”

            “You really want us for each other?” she asked, sighing.

            “Well, it's obvious you want each other but I don't know why you both won't cross the line.”

            “You know why, Em. We both came from failed relationships. We both had our hearts broken.” She sat on the bed, suddenly feeling tired.

            “You never loved Sean, Sapphire.”

            “How can you say that? You saw how I cried when he broke up with me!”

            “Sapphire, you never mentioned your feelings for him when you were crying. All you were saying was, 'Am I not good enough?' and some other things along that line. He crushed your self-confidence but he didn't break your heart because he never reached it in the first place.”

            “Then I've been really unfair to Sean. I shouldn't have entered in a relationship when I wasn't even sure about my feelings.”

            “Sapphire, it's not your fault. Our feelings are not easily understood. No one is really sure when it comes to matters of the heart.”

            “No. This time, I'll make sure I'm certain of my feelings before I jump into anything,” Sapphire said with determination and then left the room.

            “Sapphire!” Em called her best friend but Sapphire was already outside. “Did I somehow make the situation worse?” she said to herself with a frown.

            On the other hand, at Bryce and Brad's room, at the time Sapphire went in her room...

            “I know you're awake Brad.”

            “Oh shoot! You caught me.” Brad smiled sheepishly.

            “I know you since we were kids, Brad. You had countless sleepovers at our house. Of course I'd know whether you're really sleeping or just pretending to be,” Bryce said. “Now spill it. Why are you pretending to be asleep?”

            “Um, I think this would better explain it.” Brad handed Bryce his DSLR.

            Bryce opened it and saw a photo of him and Sapphire on the beach while watching the sunrise.

            “So you followed us? I'm guessing my cousin is the one who planned this.”

            “Please don't be angry with Em. She was just concerned about you two,” Brad pleaded.

            “I know. But it's really not her or your business. Sapphire and I are both adults. We can think for ourselves. So don't do anything like this again.”

            “You like Sapphire, don't you? You're different around her. Gentler, warmer, livelier,” Brad stated.

            “And your point is?” Bryce asked, his eyebrows furrowed.

            “My point is, Sapphire is good for you, Bryce. I don't get why you can't see that.”

            “I see that,” Bryce said seriously.

            “Really?” Brad said, surprised, “Then why are you holding back? Why aren't you pursuing her?”

            “Again Brad, it's not your business.” Bryce placed the DSLR on the table. “I'll be waiting for you guys at D'Talipapa.” After saying that, he left.

            He's really stubborn. Brad shook his head and answered his ringing cell phone.

            “How did it go?” Em asked from the other end of the line.

            “Not good. He's too stubborn. I can't get through him at all,” He answered. “How about Sapphire?”

            “She realized something but it had the opposite effect of what I was hoping for. They need a little more push.”

            “So what do we do now?”

            “It's time for Plan B.”

            “Plan B? What's that?”

            “You'll see.”

            Brad could almost see Em smirk. He wondered what Em was up to.

            Oh well, I'll know soon enough.

            He put down his phone after ending the call.

To be continued~

Note: What could Em be planning? Watch out for Paper Roses: Chapter 10 for the answer :)

A/N: D'Talipapa is a market in Boracay where you can buy souvenirs, vegetables, meat and other food items.