VINCENT invited her to have dinner in a grill house after shopping. It’s nearly nightfall so she understands why he insisted, maybe he is starving already. Isla secretly felt an amusement for the young man because of that. They just finished eating when a familiar classic love song played on the stereo.

“Beautiful song, what do you think?” said Vincent.

Isla nodded. “Love Is All That Matters,” she replied mentioning the title of the song.

“Let’s dance?” Vincent stood up smiling.

Isla stared at the young man for a long period of time wondering. “W-What?” awkward yes, but maybe because of the mixture of shock and nervousness that was all she got to say.

Vincent gave a light chuckle. "Let's break in those. Let’s see if I still need to get you a new pair just in case,” he reasoned out.

The young lady rolled her eyes because of what the young man said. But in spite of that, with a very sweet smile on her face, she accepted Vincent’s hand.

On the dance floor, she immediately felt the sudden change of the atmosphere.

It was not only because of the fragrance of Vincent’s breath directly on her face. His hand is tightly holding her waist. But most especially on the way, he looks at her.

His eyes are full of affection that has the power to crumble any doubt that she has. And that is the exact reason why she lost the capability to withhold when the young man bent over and seems to be having a second thought when he planted a small and simple kiss on her lips.

“You're very beautiful,” Vincent whispered as he gazes all over her face.

Isla was unable to say anything and gulped instead while staring on the face of her dance partner. She even closes her eyes when Vincent touched her face gently. The warmth of his palm is like a fire that is melting all the anxiety inside her heart, making her realized how long she has been very much in love with the young man.

“K-Kiss me.”

It seems that Vincent was only waiting for that cue from her.

Because after that, without any words, he abruptly claimed her lips. She doesn’t know where she took the courage to ask for that from the young man, but she does not regret doing it.

Vincent’s experienced lips brought her to the world of fantasy that she used to visit before in her dreams with the young man.

It was her first kiss, and if she would again be given the chance, she will not hesitate to ask it again from Vincent. Because the wonderful joy his warm lips brought her will sure to not be erased by anyone in her heart and mind, forever.

Back then it was a question to her on what it was like to be kissed by someone like Vincent. And now that that question was answered, why is that she does not want to stop? Why is that she have this feeling that will always look forward to it and will never get tired of it?

____________________

PRESENT DAY

“ARE you okay? How are you feeling already?” Cherry’s consecutive questions when she woke up inside a room in a private hospital.

Isla stared at her best friend then nodded. “What happened?”

Cherry laughs at her and helped her when she tried to get up. “The meeting pursued, of course, it’s business as usual. Starting next week, Vincent will be our new boss,” she explained to her.

Just the thought of working for Vincent, it’s like she wanted to deteriorate again. “I think I should start with my resignation letter so I can find a new job as soon as possible,” it's like she’s not into her usual self when she said that.

“What? Hey, are you crazy or still affected?” Cherry asked her with the sound of disbelief and disappointment in her voice.

It’s just Cherry and her mother Selya knew who was Matthew’s real father.

For a long period of time that she spends with them she never had a distrust to tell them about that part of her past.

It’s like begging for help, she stared at Cherry. “You know the truth right?"

“So which of the two? Is it because he is the father of your son or you are still in love with him?”

“I’ll think about it. I'm just worried about my son. What if when he learns about the truth? What if he takes my son away from me?” that is what she worries about.

“To tell you frankly if I were Vincent I will definitely get angry at you. Look, you never told him about his son, you kept Matthew away from him,” said Cherry shaking her head.

“He should be blaming his mother for everything,” she replied.

Cherry was speechless because of what she said.

Well, that’s the truth, she doesn’t want to keep everything from Vincent. But she was hurt deeply especially when he did not even bother to find her after what happened. So she decided to do what she thinks is best for everybody and that wasn’t easy for her.

____________________

SIX YEARS AGO…

“ISLA join us for lunch later? It has been a while since you had your lunch with me and Renz,” before their English class started, April told her that.

Renz clicks his tongue then turned to April who was sitting at the desk behind her. “She’s busy with her love life,” the young man teases her then followed his words with a light chuckle.

It was when Isla gave Renz a warning look then turned to April. “I think it’s okay this time. Vince told me that he will have lunch with his friends, one of them is celebrating its birthday,” she explained.

“He really did have a long explanation for you huh. Are you guys, you know?” Renz asked meaningfully.

Isla then slightly beaten Renz's arm. “Will you please lower your voice down? Our classmates might hear from you. I don’t want an issue that might affect my father’s relationship with Vince’s parents,” she told him in almost a whisper.

It was when Renz and April exchanged meaningful looks. “So you guys are officially dating?” the two asked in chorus.