Every other day, if his nerves allowed it, Rafa would visit them at the Tampuhan Café BnB.For the first few days after they had agreed to take a break, Sal’s eyes were bleary and reddened, and she fidgeted with her engagement ring whenever he was around.Recently, she had stopped wearing the ring and looked better than before.Rafa, still silently in pain, couldn’t bear it.She was resilient, perhaps even more than he was, but he didn’t think of her as being so heartless as to forget about them in a matter of just two weeks.Even if he wanted to, he couldn’t; she was etched into his soul forever, and all he could do was wait to hear her final judgment.After first seeing her without the engagement ring on for the first time, Rafa flew into a silent panic and didn’t show himself for the rest of the day.
During these spurts of loneliness, he group-called his family.Sybelle was always the first to pick up, followed by his mother, and then Aveline, and always last was Arthur.
“Hey, Rafa.How are you?”Sybelle’s voice echoed, and Rafa fought back tears at hearing his sister’s voice.He so wanted to tell them what was going on, but not now; he didn’t want to worry them.He couldn’t bring himself to tell them he and Sal were on a break—how could he?They had all gathered to run the business while he was away to help his fiancée, and look where it had gotten him.So he set his jaw and took a deep breath as his other family members’ voices filled the group call.They were all asking how he was, and taking turns talking about Kimmy and Hana and how well the cats were adjusting to their temporary home.
They all asked how the art show was coming along.“The art show is shaping up well.We’re slowly completing the collection for the exhibit.We’ve contacted artists and other creatives to exhibit their works along Agoncillo,” he answered.
Aveline’s voice came through.“Rafa, there’s a lot of negative chatter about the grimoire.How is that being handled?”
Rafa took a moment to respond.
Aveline was right.There was negative press surrounding the grimoire that had spilled over to Sal just as Harmon had predicted.Some experts in the field were suspicious and questioned Sal’s credibility.Occultists were angered and said it was a scam.Recently, some religious groups said the grimoire was evil and should not be paid attention to; some recommended that it be destroyed.
Rafa didn’t know how to manage it aside from constantly following up with Auden and her contact about the provenance papers.Auden said they were working as fast as they could, but it would take time since it required meticulous research.As much as she hated to admit it, he was in unfamiliar territory.
“Sal has a scheduled interview with a big news outlet here to talk about the grimoire,” he said.“Apparently, her aunt is a famed TV personality, so she’ll be featured on Primetime news.”
“Good for her,” said his mother.“What time will it be airing?”
“I think sometime this week during the evening broadcast, which would be early morning your time.”
“We’ll record it for sure,” Sybelle said.“You guys better kill it there so you can come home and plan the wedding!”Everyone cheered except for Rafa.
“We’ll have to finish the art show first,” he said.
Despite his heavy spirits, his heart felt lighter when he listened to his family talk about the business and about all the small, trivial things about their days.They said their good mornings to him, and he wished them all a good night as they concluded the call.
The afternoon felt long and torturous; Rafa felt like he needed to step away, even if it was just for a few days.He searched for other places in Batangas worth going to, a place that was quiet where he could meditate, and still be near Sal in case there was an emergency.
An hour’s drive from the heritage site, he discovered a place in Laurel, Batangas.He booked the boutique hotel and drove there immediately.Rafa needed a change of scenery, a mental break from Sal and the art show.When he arrived, he felt himself relax a bit.This was just what he needed.
The upscale boutique hotel lay atop a hill overlooking Taal Lake.He had booked the biggest suite with the view and scheduled a sunset cruise on their yacht just because he could.At night, when it was time for him to feast, he ordered the best wine they had and a steak, and indulged himself.If he could numb the pain by drinking, he would.The place he booked reminded him of all the expensive clubhouses his friends invited him to; it was the same type of subdued luxury that only a few could afford.He never cared for wanton frivolity unless it was for networking or to further his business ventures, but anything that would take his mind off Sal was welcome.
That night, after the sun had set and he returned from the yacht cruise, he went to his room and dressed up for dinner alone at the hotel’s restaurant.He sat there overlooking the warmly lit garden at Taal Lake as he relished his own company.
Just as the server poured him another glass of wine, a tall, slim, and beautiful woman sat at the table near his.She glanced over his way, and he— possibly out of curiosity—offered her a grin in return.
She would glance at him through most of her meal, and when she was done, she walked over to Rafa.Her hips swayed rhythmically as she neared him and asked, “Is this seat taken?”
Rafa admired the lady in her burgundy dress.“Sure.”He nodded toward the seat opposite him, and she did so.Rafa gestured if he could pour her a glass of wine, and she agreed.
The lady was stunning.She had long, lustrous black hair, and long black lashes, and naturally tanned, and even-toned, healthy-looking skin.
“You’re new here,” she said.Her voice was low and sultry.
Rafa cracked a sliver of a smile.“Yes,” he agreed.“I guess you’re a regular?”
She traced the rim of her wine glass.“I’m here a lot when I need to clear my head,” she said, flashing an even set of white teeth.
“And what is it you need to clear your head from?”
She bit her lip.“Paparazzi.Occupational hazard,” she said.
So she was an actress?Rafa thought, but didn’t bother satiating his curiosity and let her continue.
“To be honest with you, I know the chef, and I love her cooking.So I come here whenever I need to clear my head and get decent food,” she said, looking out into the dark evening outside the window.She took a sip of wine before leaning forward, elbows on the table and hands clasped underneath her chin.“How about you?Why are you here?”she teased, tilting her head.
“I just needed to get away too.”
