Lance
I enveloped her with a hug.
I tapped her head gently.
"Yes, you deserve to be alive," I told her. "You have us now. You have your family and friends now. Past is past. Live your life to the fullest so that you will not regret it in the future." I added.
Aera's hug tightened for a few seconds before letting go of me.
Our eyes met, and she smiled sweetly.
"Do not ever lose your smile again. You always have to smile. You are more beautiful when you are smiling." I complimented. "Before, you always smiled at me despite being ignorant about your situation. That is why I do not find going to your house dangerous. I badly want to see your smile. It assures me that everything is okay. Your smile is still the brightest." I added.
Her smile was always captivating. She loves smiling. Although she could not speak, her smile could already tell a lot of words.
She is glowing.
When we were still at their house, whenever she saw me enter the room, she would smile like it was all normal and that she was not suffering. That everything is normal. My worries are fading away as if her smile will blow them all away.
The line moves forward, and soon our turn comes. We rode the Vikings and sat in the last row.
"It will start in a few seconds!"
She quickly wrapped her hands around my arms.
"Are you scared?" I asked.
She nodded slowly.
Cute.
I held her hand and intertwined it with mine. "We will put our hands up in the sky later. This is not scary. It's like a swing. Do not be scared," I reminded her. "If it is still scary, then do tell me. We could ask them to stop it for us to go down, okay?"
The ride started moving slowly until it began to swing more strongly. When we reached the top peak of the swing, I put our hands up in the sky.
I yelled along with the other passengers on the ride. I let out all of my frustrations from work and Bricx. This is the best stress reliever.
I turned to my seatmate and saw her enjoying the ride. She was smiling, and her hands were moving excitedly against the air.
After the ride, we got down and rested for a few minutes. She was trembling as soon as we stood up from our seats. So I made her sit in a vacant chair and brought water.
"Are you okay?" I asked and held her hands if she was still trembling.
She nodded and smiled again.
"Seriously? Are you really okay? You should have told me if you were scared." I told her. "Are you just putting up with me?" I asked again.
She is making me worried. She might have been saying yes and kept nodding because she did not want to disappoint me or what.
She took out her phone and began to type.
'No. I am okay. I am really okay.'
"I am worried." I replied.
She tapped my hands and gave me a thumbs-up.
'I enjoyed the ride, it was cool. I might be trembling, but it was not because I was scared. It is the first time I have ridden it, and maybe that is why.'
I sighed in relief. "That's good to know," I answered. "Let's just rest for a moment before we can continue and ride another stuff." I added.
I roamed my eyes around. All of them were busy having fun. They are laughing, eating, and some little kids cry in front of their mothers.
It is so new to me.
"I am finally having a break," I told myself and faced Aera. "You know what, it's been years since I had a proper leave. Even if it's just a day, it was really a great experience." I shared.
"I have been working since I landed this job. I only take leave when I am sick or have an emergency at home. My only escape was the orphanages I am helping."
"Now that I see different people and not an office, it feels relaxing." I added.
Because of what happened, I used to overwork.
I passed out of exhaustion.
I use it as an escape from my guilty situation. From my office, sometimes I will wake up in the hospital or my room.
I was also busy hiring some investigators to find her at that time.
That's when my mother started setting me up on many blind dates. She was scared that I might die because of my work.
'Please rest as well. Don't push yourself to the limit. You might get a more serious illness if you keep exhausting yourself.'
'I understand you are hard-working, but please look out for yourself. I do not want you to get sick.'
I pinched her cheeks. "I won't, Ma'am. I will take more leave and either rest or enjoy. I find it relaxing too, so I will probably do this again." I commented.
Now that I found you, I do not have to tire myself out just to find you. I am capable of treating you anywhere you like to go.
"Ahh, excuse me."
I turned around and saw a man holding his camera.
"Are you talking to me?" I asked.
He nodded and waved his camera. "I am Jhon, and I wanted to ask permission to post your photos on my social media accounts?" He replied. "I would appreciate it if you would agree. If you won't, it's still okay." he added.
My brows furrowed. "Pardon? What photos are you talking about, Sir?" I asked him back.
"Here," He replied and showed me his camera. "I got this while you were on the line until you got to ride and here. I found you guys a good model." He shared as he scrolled to show the photos he got.
All of the photos were all good.
"Are you a photographer? I am sorry. May I know why you are taking photos of us?" I asked him again.
He smiled. "Yes, I am a photographer, and I took photos and posted them on my social media. I am also a social influencer." He explained.
I nodded. "I see. I am sorry, I do not know many things about that." I replied. "Aera, she was asking if he could post our photos online. Would you like to see the photos too?" I asked her.
She nodded.
John, the photographer, immediately showed her the photos from his camera.
Aera gave a thumbs-up and clapped her hands.
"She is okay with it, so you can post it," I told him. "May I get a copy of those too?" I asked.
"Of course, but you have to give me your email address. I need to make some finishing touches to make it better. If it is okay with you, Sir." He replied. "I know this is too much, but can I take a video of you guys? I am also making a short commercial-type video. In all honesty, Ma'am is beautiful, and Sir looks good too. You are a great pair." he added.
I coughed. "Sorry, we are not a couple. I do not mind it, but you have to ask her permission. I do not want her to be uncomfortable. As you can see, she can't speak." I explained.
"Ma'am, can I take a video of you? You can say no if you are uncomfortable with it. I am just taking this great opportunity to show your looks because it would be a waste if I did not try to ask you." Jhon told Aera. "Do you want to see some videos I took?" he added.
We both nodded and watched some of his videos.
He was a great photographer and had skills for taking some videos too.
'I am okay with it, Sir.'
Aera said in her notes.
Jhon bowed a few times before he explained what was on his mind. At first, he took some shots of us individually. He sounds like a photographer in a studio; he knows what to suggest about our positions and how we should look.
After that, we took photos of us together. This time, it is more formal than he did a while ago. A while ago, he had to shoot us secretly. Now we are posing in front of him.
Lastly, he sounds more like a director now. He tells us how to act and what to say with our faces.
"Thank you very much, Ma'am and Sir. It was my pleasure to have you." John said and bowed once again.
Right.
"You will post it on your social media accounts, right? You also told me that you are a social media influencer?" I asked him.
He nodded. "Is there anything you want to request? As long as I can do it, I am willing to help you." he replied.
"With your help, we might be able to reach a wider audience. I have a company. If you heard about Guevarra Company, I am the one who owns it." I introduced myself.
He gasped in surprise. "I heard about it, and you are the Orphanage Angel too?" He asked.
I nodded. "Ahh, yes. I hope you can help me ask for donations and financial aid for the people. Small amounts mean a lot already. There are a lot of children who need our help." I shared.
"Maybe with your help, many people will help the children in need. I am also not into social media and only use it for communication. I will give you my information if it is needed." I added.
He immediately nodded. "No problem. I would be honored to do that and be part of your legacy." He replied.
After that, we exchanged contacts before he finally went.
"Do you want to try the Ferris wheel now?" I asked. "Are you afraid of heights?"
She shook her head and pointed at the Ferris wheel before showing me an okay sign.
"Let's head to the line now. The view will be perfect. They are starting to open the lights." I shared as we walked towards the Ferris wheel.
The line was not that long. We got to ride the Ferris wheel after one round.
We are only waiting for it to start.
"How is it?" I asked.
'I am good. This feels lighter than the Vikings.'
She replied that cracked me up. "I should have brought you here first." I complimented.
'This will not malfunction, right? Or we will not drop to death?'
I shook my head. "No, it will be a relaxing ride. This ride is one of the calmest here. Let's pray that this is safe and working well." I responded.
"And if ever, do not worry. I will do my best to save you." I assured her.
'I trust you, Lance.'