ISLA shrugged her shoulders. “We are close, as in super close,” that’s all she got to say.

“I don’t think so, but for sure sooner or later you’ll tell us, right?” asked April giggling.

The young lady bit her lower lip and smiled. “Actually last night…”

“What?” it was April again, while Renz gave her a suspicious look.

Suddenly, Isla felt the warmth of Vincent’s lips kissing her. And that brought an immediate effect on her which made her face turn red.

“Why are you blushing?” sounded so curious, April asked her.

“You had your first kiss, am I right?” what Renz said really shocked her. Luckily he was not too loud this time.

“Oh my God!” covering her mouth using her own hands, April started to giggle again, but this time in a more controlled manner. “Did you really?” she added asking afterward.

Isla, on the other hand, felt a little bit unsure of how to react and respond to her friend’s queries.

“Y-Yes, and I am not really sure if what we had last night can be called a date but we attended a mass together, and then we went to the mall. He bought me a new pair of shoes,” she admitted.

It was when April spoke again with so much excitement in her voice as she takes a look at the shoes she’s wearing. “Oh wow, he’s really nice and sweet to think he bought you a pair of shoes. They look nice, I’m sure he was also the one who picks the design?”

She nodded. “He said flats will look nice on me since I’m tall already.”

“And then what happened?” it was Renz glanced at April, he is obviously controlling himself from laughing because of April’s reactions.

“We had dinner in a grill house since it was meal time already. He asked me to dance, he said he likes the song that was played,” Isla continued.

“I think he really wants to dance with you, he just said that you know, boys tactics,” Renz said smiling. “And what song is that, by the way?”

She mentioned the title of the song and April automatically reacted. “Oh, love is all that matters faithful and forever, keeping us together, love is all we need,” teasing, her friend even sang the song. “maybe he can relate to that song on how he really feels about you,” she then added.

It was when Renz clicks his tongue. “Do not give her false hopes,” he told April then turned to face her again. “You got yourself involved in this, you have to know that it is also important to study and learn how to read his mind.”

“What do you mean?” Isla asked in confusion.

Renz shook his head. “If you find it hard to read him, we’ll then at least have the courage to ask questions. If you do not want to get hurt in the end, better ask him why he kissed you. As simple as that.”

Isla was stunned by those words from her friend. Well, she may be inexperienced about love and relationship but somehow she knew Renz has a point.

It is important for her to know the reasons of Vincent’s doing. They may all be favorable for her but she also needs to clarify everything.

_____________________

JUST like what they have agreed, the three of them had lunch together. Upon entering the canteen Isla saw a familiar face that made her heart race.

After what happened last night it was only now that they have seen each other. Vincent only texted her about the said birthday lunch of his friend and she was surprised to see that being held here at the school canteen now.

“Let’s just eat somewhere else?” she told her friends as she tries to avoid meeting Vincent’s gaze when at the corner of her eyes she saw him looking at her.

“Somewhere else?” April said.

She nodded consecutively. “Come on, just this one, please? Oh no, I'm sorry but I have to go,” she said panicking after seeing Vincent’s stood up and walked to move toward them.

“Isla!” it was Renz's voice but she ignored him and continued to walk away but not long until a familiar warmth touched her arm.

“Hey, sweetheart,” and she was unable to move until Vincent himself, turned her to face him. “why in a hurry?”

She couldn’t even make eye contact so her eyes turned out elusive. “N-No, It's just that I’m not really hungry,” she reasoned only to learn that the young man wouldn’t buy those kinds of excuses.

“Really?” Vincent ask with disbelief. “look at me sweetheart please?” he pleaded in a low and soothing voice.

Isla was not sure if it was because of his voice that made her do what he said and so their eyes met. Her heart started to pound rapidly.

“Are you avoiding me?” he asked.

Isla shook her head frantically. “No, of course not.”

“Really? So this morning I waited for you, remember I told you last night that we will go to school together? What happened? I waited for you at our meeting place?”

Isla was not sure but she could sense the sadness in his voice and that pained her. “I have to go,” she said pulling her arm from the young man carefully then turned her back from him and walk away.

What Vincent said were all true. Their meeting place is supposed to be at the church which is walking distance from the mansion where they both live. She actually insisted that because she was too scared of what her father and Mr. and Mrs. Del Carmen would say. But after what happened last night, she does not think she has the courage to face the young man already.

Her feet have taken her to the place where she knew she would find peace and quiet. Not long until she heard footsteps approaching. She turned only to stunned when she saw the familiar face again that she left at the school canteen.

“So I was right when I taught I could find you here,” Vincent said sitting next to her. “your friends told me you haven’t had lunch yet, here, I bought this for you” he explained as he hands her a paper bag.

“I told you I’m not hungry” after saying so, her stomach made a sound that was the contrary of what she said.

Vincent chuckled because of that. “Why are you being so stubborn? Are you mad at me because I kissed you last night?”

That was very straightforward, enough to make Isla stop from getting the food out of the paper bag. “W-What?”

Vincent’s eyebrows rose along with a naughty smile that cracked his lips. “Why? Do you think you can run away from me just like that, Miss Beautiful?” with the kind of look he gave her, suddenly the familiar and wonderful shiver went down all over her body again.

“Would you like to ask me something? Is there anything that you want to clarify?” when she remained gaping, Vincent continues.

Unknowingly Isla swallowed then opened her mouth to speak. “Y-Yes, I would like to ask you something,” she said.

“Yeah? Then what is it about?” she saw the amusement in his eyes which by then are glistening brightly that made them even more stunning.

Isla filled her chest with air then speak again. “Why did you kissed me?”

“Because I want too. And to tell you the truth I would like to do that again and again and again” he said passionately then gave her lips a stare that is full of longing and desire.

Isla was speechless and so the young man continues. “Come with me, tonight?”

“Where?” she cannot deny the fact that she is now excited.

“It’s a secret place,” he said then winked. “what do you think?”

“I’m scared to---”

“I know you are, that is why I thought we should create a world of our own. Or should I say, I am willing to create a new world for us” Vincent was smiling broadly, then pinched her cheek slightly.

“Okay,” she said.

The young man smiled at her, bent over to plant a kiss on her forehead. “Eat. But hey, I should tell you, even when you are throwing tantrums you are still and definitely very sweet and adorable, and I’m just glad to see that side of you.”

Isla felt the seriousness in Vincent’s voice. It was when she realized that, does she really need to ask him everything like what Renz told her when all the answers to her questions can easily be found on how Vincent has been treating her from the very beginning.