“WHERE is your packed lunch?” they were both sitting under a huge acacia tree at the hidden part of the university.

It was Isla’s favorite spot because of the quietness of the surrounding and only a few students bother to go there. In other words, there is privacy and she can get it in there.

The familiar demure smile cracked Isla’s lips. “I find it embarrassing, actually it wouldn’t be a perfect pair to the ones you bought,” she answered.

Vincent’s gorgeous eyebrows ark because of what he heard. “Embarrassing? No, that’s nonsense, give it to me,” after saying so, the young man grabbed the small lunch box from her hand. “Wow, salted eggs and tomatoes! Absolutely yummy!” he complimented after removing the lid of the lunch box.

When Isla saw the sincerity in the young man’s eyes, she couldn’t help but smile. The way Vincent reacted really touches her heart.

“I do not have enough time to cook so if not salted eggs, sometimes I’m bringing sardines for lunch,” Isla explained.

Vincent stared at her. She felt a sudden discomfort because of how the young man stared at her so Isla decided to look away.

“You know what? I really admire you,” what he said was in his tone of voice and that made Isla blush even more.

Confusion laid on the young lady’s lovely face as she accepted the food that she knew the young man bought at the school canteen, and know he is giving it to her.

“Huh?” that’s all she gets to say.

Vincent nodded. “What if I tell you that I want to be a part of your life? Would you believe it? But before that, first I have to fix mine so I can fully give it to you” he said meaningfully.

He gazes at her for a long period of time. She actually wanted to ask him about what he said but she lost the courage to do so and that is why the young man continues.

“Just eat; let’s trade lunch so I can have something different. And also, I love this place, if it’s okay with you; can we have our lunch here every day as long as the weather is good?”

Isla smiled broadly and started to eat the food that Vince gave her. “Of course! This is my favorite spot and I’m willing to share it with you” she agreed.

“Is that so? Well then starting today this is my favorite spot too! All the things that you love, I will love them as well. And anything or everything that will make you happy, I will do my best to give them to you” the young man said passionately then winked at her.

Isla was extremely blushing when she lowered her head to avoid Vincent’s gaze. She would be lying if she wouldn’t admit that she love everything that is happening now. Because the truth is, she is very happy, that finally, after so many years, it seems that Vincent has noticed her. Her one and only Pretty Boy.

_______________________

ISLA was in front of Quindlen University one Friday afternoon. She was waiting for a tricycle to go home when a familiar and expensive Porsche stopped in front of her. The usual pounding of her chest intensifies as she unknowingly tightens her grip into the book she was holding.

“Let’s go?!” Vincent called out load after lowering the window at the passenger’s seat.

Isla shook her head consecutively and unintentionally caught sight of Tanya who just came out of the school gate. She saw Vincent’s former girlfriend glanced at her and gave her a sharp look after noticing the familiar car in front of her.

“Isla, Miss Beautiful!” it was Vincent again trying to get her attention.

It was when she decided to move and immediately get inside the car. “Tanya saw me, and I think she’s mad at me, Vince” she sounded so worried with her hand shaking as she tried to fasten her seatbelt.

“Hey, allow me,” said Vincent smiling and was the one who took care of her seatbelt. “We already broke up, remember?” he added meaning and Isla got what he actually meant.

“Meaning you don’t love her anymore?” the young lady asked in disbelief. And suddenly she heard the young man laughs. “Oh, what could possibly be funny?” she asked making faces and turned her gaze outside the window.

“Hey, don’t get me wrong Miss Beautiful; I was only amused with your eyes. They look so innocent. It is too obvious that you know nothing in this world” replied by the young man the glances at her before returning his gaze on the road.

Isla blushes even more because of that. “You’re quite right about that” her short answer.

Vincent nodded. “I guess I should tell you the truth to make everything clear, you know the fact is this. I have never been in love yet” the young man stated.

Isla’s eyes grew wider because of what she heard. “You have dated a lot of girls but you never loved them? Not even one?”

With glistening eyes because of amusement Vincent wet his lips and stared at her. “More on attraction, physical attraction is the right term for it. To make it simple, it’s like not love” he explained. “But just in case, maybe this time it will be something more serious,” he said in addition.

Isla’s heart started to pound again, rapidly because of that last words from Vincent as his deep and dark eyes remained focused on her in a way like he was memorizing every angle and every corner of it.

Great kind of discomfort even swallowed her into the core so she decided to break eye contact with the young man and turned back her sight outside the car window instead. Because of that, she didn’t see it when Vincent took her hand. She was stunned and speechless as she felt the warmth of his palm on her.

“Tell me, sweetheart, how is your relationship with your stepmom?”

She couldn’t tell the kind of emotion that she perceived on that but it truly touched her heart deeply. Not only because of the question but most especially the heartfelt concern that it has in there. Add to that is the effect of the endearment used by the young man. Because he called her sweetheart and that fills her heart.