A week before Clarence and Beauty's wedding, Sheila already planned her memorable days with Hugh before he went back to France. However, in an instant, the wedding date was moved four days earlier and Clyde decided that all partic.i.p.ants had to be in the wedding venue on that day to avoid mishaps, like transportation trouble due to the coming typhoon.

Thus, Sheila's plans were thwarted.

Hugh thought of spending time with Sheila while they were in the resort but because of the change of date, all of the cousins were given tasks to help the decorating team to finish on time. So their time together was postponed again. They even hardly see each other. The only possible time they could sit and talk together was during meal time but they had to speak with discretion with the family around.

The wedding day came. Sheila and the others had their preparations at dawn. As they lined up outside the labyrinth, Hugh placed Sheila's arm in the crook of his hand and whispered to her ears. "Let's go out to the beach after the wedding. I want to spend time with you before we go back to the city."

Sheila smiled and nodded. They walked down the aisle and the two thought how nice it would be if they were the ones getting married.

When Clarence and Beauty said their vows, Sheila and Hugh looked at each other's way. The vows were echoing in their hearts even they were meters apart.

The wedding went as planned and successful. During the reception, Hugh was totally a gentleman.

He brought her her food and drinks. Offered some sweets and went along as they greeted Sheila's acquaintances and friends among the guests. They laughed, danced, shared jokes with the rest but their hands were tightly knitted together.

Twilight came, the two went to the beach, all alone by themselves. Lapping sounds of water at the sh.o.r.e enveloped the stillness of the night. The rustling wind brushed and swayed the branches and leaves of the coconut trees.

Hugh found a good spot to sit on the still warm sand and laid his coat for her to sit upon. They took off their slippers and lounged themselves on the sandy beach peacefully. "Sheila, I'm leaving three days from now."

Sheila got a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. Were they over? Would she wake up the next day after he left with nothing but memories?

Hugh didn't say anything after. He embraced her tight with her back resting on his front.

Silence.

Hugh spoke first. "I'll miss you." He pulled her face to him and kissed her like no other chance to kiss her again. Slowly, he was losing his self-constraint. He deepened the kiss, demanding a response. Sheila's body went limp in his arms. But in the midst of their pa.s.sionate kisses, her words reverberated in his mind, "I'm not ready yet. I'm not ready yet."

Those thoughts dampened the mood. The memory was like a pail of chilly-cold water poured on him and took away his desire to prolong the kiss. He let go and saw Sheila's eyes were still closed. Hugh thought of asking for her permission, as he promised, but changed his mind. His gaze went to the water and made a run to it.

Sheila was left there sitting, still in the trance. She heard running feet away from her and opened her eyes to see Hugh darting to the water. "Lucien!" Sheila shouted as she lifted her hand and softly said, "what happened?"

Hugh halted his steps. "Don't worry. I just need to cool down. I'll be back." He said without looking back and jumped into the cold seawater. He stayed underwater for a while, making Sheila afraid. She stood and was about to follow but he rose up, shaking his head, splas.h.i.+ng water as he moved.

"Lucien?" Confusion reflected on her being. She feared she did something wrong, making him angry in the process. Her hands clenched the edge of her s.h.i.+rt and opened her mouth to ask but stopped short.

Hugh was already at her side, soaking wet, and pulled her hand. "Let's go back now."

"Are you okay?" She asked carefully.

He looked at her lovingly and said, "I'm okay."

"You're not angry?"

"Why should I be angry?" He gave her a rea.s.suring smile as his wet hand brushed away the hairs covering her face due to the wind. "The wind is getting colder, let's go in and join the rest."

He bent down and placed her slippers near her feet, took his own by the hand, and pulled the coat to cover her shoulders. She wore the given sandals and walked beside him.

Hugh didn't know what to say more. Sheila felt the same thing. So they walked back in silence. They found the cousins playing hide and seek in the labyrinth and found it enjoyable, so they joined in the fun.

After hours of running and exacting punishments to those who were caught, sweat trickled their bodies and everyone decided to retire to bed.

Before going to sleep, Hugh firmly decided, they would stay in public places at all times, far from the temptation stalking around them. He would wait, wait for their wedding day and make her his forever.