ALLY WAS more than grateful after Auntie Hasmine confirmed that the captain agreed to talk to them in the afternoon.

"I would definitely smack Gino in the head once I see him," Ally said with a giggle as they sauntered into a huge mango tree. "When you see Ghia, what would you do? Will you drag her back to Italy?"

"Why would I do that? Am I that mean to you?" Gael said, pretending to be upset.

Ally made a peace sign with her fingers and giggled. Somehow, she regretted thinking about Gael being like that.

"Maybe I could smack Ghia, though. I mean, for all the trouble she caused me."

She stared and burst into laughter all of a sudden. So, Gael had a sense of humor, too!

"You don't deserve to be alone in this life, Gael," she said.

"`You think so?" he asked, amused. "Thank you."

"Everyone of us does. Money could never compensate—oops!"

Ally almost kissed the ground as she tripped on a rock. Good thing, Gael was quick to snake his arms around her waist and pulled her up. Ally drew a breath as she caught her pounding chest.

"That was close," she uttered.

"Careful," Gael reminded and gently tapped her temple. "It's hard to fall when no one's there to catch you. You should be thankful I'm here."

Ally narrowed her eyes at him.

"Why do I have this feeling that you mean more than that? You're so mean."

Gael chuckled. Ally pulled away and left him. How dare him make fun of her misery?

"Don't I deserve a 'thank you?'"

But Ally looked over her shoulder and scowled at him. Gael threw his head back, laughing.

*** *** *** *** ***

"I WAS able to talk to Pastor Rommel a month ago. He just came back to the Philippines to look after the construction of the new church in San Martin. He spent a long time in the States, and he missed the country very much," Captain Gardo shared.

The captain arrived early that afternoon, and they talked in the hut under the mango tree in the yard.

Ally finally remembered Pastor Rommel. Gino had once talked to her about him when their friendship was still new. Pastor Rommel was one of those people whom her best friend looked up to.

"Where's San Martin?" she asked.

"The island next to this. You can take a boat. The trip does not usually take long. I'll give you the complete address, and I will ask the elders to take care of your needs."

"Do you have Pastor Rommel's contact number?"

"About that, I forgot to ask him. We only talk through Facebook since I could call him through video. You know, it costs a lot to call overseas. By the way, how long had Gino been missing?"

"It's only been three days, Captain," Uncle Gener replied. "And we would never find out if not because of Ally. We really thought that our sons were just busy with their music career."

"I'm sure the kids are just fine. I knew Gino since he was a child. He always knows what he was doing," Captain Gardo said.

After the snack, the captain finally left.

"You can now breathe in relief," Uncle Gener told them. "Tomorrow, before the sunrises, we will take you to the port, okay?"

Ally nodded with a smile.

"Thank you, Uncle."

The couple went back inside the house to prepare for dinner while they remained at the hut.

"What are you thinking?" Ally asked.

Gael sighed. "I just could not believe that Ghia and I would come to this. All our lives, our parents prepared us for being the heirs of our family business, and there was no room for mistake. They thought obeying them all the time was what's best for us. Now, Ghia is rebelling against them. I envy her."

"Y-you… envy her?" Ally uttered in disbelief.

He nodded.

"She had the guts to fight for what she wants. Even if it means our parents disowning her."

"You just haven't found that one thing worth fighting for yet. But one day, you will," Ally said with a smile.

Gael caught her hand and pulled her closer. He did not let her go right away. He placed it between his palms.

Something tugged at Ally's heartstrings. She liked the warmth coming from him. It was as if she found home.

"I want to be worthy, too."

Her free hand caressed his cheek.

"I never thought moles would look sexy in a guy."

"What about me? Am I not sexy?"

"You're not a mole."

"Gosh." Gael flinched and turned her back at her.

Ally put a hand in her mouth and giggled.

*** *** *** ***

ALLY was still a little dizzy as they got down on the boat. They looked for Captain Gardo's acquaintance right away. Gael had his arms around her shoulder the whole time even though she already felt a little better.

They saw a couple holding a placard with their names on it.

"Do you have a place to stay at San Martin?" Mrs. Marcie asked. They were already inside her husband's jeepney.

"We have not decided about that yet. It depends on how long Gael and I would stay here once we found Gino," she replied.

"You're a couple, aren't you?" Mr. Kanor asked.

Gael and Ally stared at each other. Ally looked away first.

"N-no, we're not," she responded awkwardly.

"Not even married?" Mrs. Marcie asked.

"Neither," Gael said.

"Dating?"

They both shook their head.

If these awkward questions go on, Ally had no face to show Gael anymore. She was starting to get confused about the real score between them.

"Tell me you're not blood-related," Mr. Kanor said.

Ally shook her head.

"There's still a chance, I see," Mrs. Marcie teased.

Ally felt her face flushed.

"You can stay with us then. It would be better if you stay longer. There are a lot of beautiful places to see here."

"Thank you very much, Mrs. Marcie," Gael said politely.