In an instant, the happiness and hope I felt suddenly vanished. After spending several days here with him, it turned out he still wanted me to leave his life.
But I wouldn’t let that happen.
Right now, we are on the last and most extreme activity here, which is the tree drop. It’s a free-fall adventure where you step off the ledge, fall down, and hang suspended 60 feet below the ground before it drops you.
“Ahhh!” I screamed loudly, but it seemed like the strong wind swallowed my voice.
I felt like my soul was left up there as I fell. I stopped mid-air and briefly stared at the ground before being dropped completely.
When it was Travis’ turn, I quickly prepared the camera. I was really happy to experience another first with him.
But it seemed that something was really bothering him. While my attention was focused on the camera, I could see the worry on his face.
A few moments later, he finished as well. We looked at each other, and our stomachs growled simultaneously before we burst into laughter.
Somehow, I felt reassured because it seemed like his energy had returned.
He immediately suggested that we grab something to eat at the food stall nearby. It was only now that we felt our hunger.
“Did you enjoy it?” he asked before taking a bite of his burger.
I nodded. “Yeah. I’m not really fond of extreme activities, but I’m glad I still went for it.”
“But you’re still afraid of lightning,” he teased.
I rolled my eyes. “Those are different things.”
He just shook his head, and we continued eating. The surroundings were getting dark, so we decided to leave soon.
While on the journey and looking out the window, I couldn’t help but yawn. We woke up early this morning, and now I’m slowly starting to feel the fatigue from our day-long adventure.
“Why don’t you take a nap first? I’ll just wake you up once we get there,” he suggested.
I shook my head. “I’m fine. Besides, I still want to enjoy the scenery.”
“Okay.”
I couldn’t help but smile. The twinkling Christmas lights and the Christmas songs playing in every place we passed by made me feel lighter and happier.
I adjusted my sitting position when I noticed that we were getting close to the hotel. As he parked the car, I yawned again upon getting out.
“Can you still go on?” he asked, concerned.
I nodded. “I’m fine. I’m not drunk or anything.”
“You just looked like you might collapse any moment. It’s better to be sure.”
To my surprise, he suddenly lifted me up from behind.
“What are you doing?” I asked in shock before looking around.
“Just keep quiet and stay still.”
I was about to protest when he started walking. Aside from that, I yawned again, allowing me to rest my head on his back and close my eyes. But even then, I was still aware of what was happening around me.
Until I heard him open and close the door, indicating that we had arrived at our suite, I wanted to open my eyes, but they were getting heavier and heavier.
I barely noticed him gently laying me down on the bed and covering me with a blanket. Then I heard him speak, but I couldn’t understand it much anymore as sleep completely took over me.
***
The next day, we woke up early again. Our plan was to visit Baguio Cathedral before leaving for good.
I could hardly face him because of what he did, carrying me and me falling asleep immediately. I didn’t even have the chance to change my clothes from last night.
But apart from that, there was one emotion that prevailed above all. Along with our return home, my job as his personal photographer for this project was also coming to an end. There was no certainty whether we would have another project to work on together.
So, before we part ways, I need to tell him later why I asked to meet him a few weeks ago.
I’m currently waiting on the balcony, gazing into the distance. I finished getting ready while Travis was taking a shower.
I was interrupted from my thoughts when my phone suddenly rang. I quickly answered it upon seeing Jairus’ name on the screen.
“Hey! It seems like you’ve been enjoying yourself too much in Baguio without even bothering to check on me or at least the apartment where you’re staying here,” he sarcastically complained from the other line.
I chuckled. “Don’t be so dramatic. I called you in the past few days. Besides, we’ve been to so many places. It’s my first time here too, so of course, I made the most of it.”
He laughed loudly before his voice suddenly turned serious.
“Anyway, any progress with your plan?” he asked.
I bit my lower lip. “I guess so. Somehow, I’m confident that I’ve won Travis over. So, I can say that my plan is successful, and I’m sure he will forgive me. Once that happens, everything will be okay.”
He let out a deep sigh. “I hope so. Alright then. Take care there! Even though you don’t show it much, I miss you too.” He pretended to cough.
I just shook my head.
“Alright. I miss you too. You take care as well.”
As I ended the call, there was a loud bang from somewhere. It startled me, and I turned around to see where it came from.
My mouth dropped open when I saw him.
“Travis...”
His forehead creased as he walked toward me. I could sense the anger in his eyes, which I couldn’t understand.
“So, that’s it? All this time, you’re just doing this so I can forgive you? So that you can be free from feeling guilty and move on happily with your life with him?” he accused in a menacing tone.
“What am I supposed to expect then? It’s just a job for you,” he continued.
I kept shaking my head. He misunderstood what he heard!
“Travis, it’s not what I meant. Let me—”
He immediately brushed my hands aside that were trying to reach out to him. “Yes, you already did your job. But I’m sorry. Because if the only reason you want to be with me is so that I can forgive you, then I won’t give you what you want at all.”
He turned his back on me. My mouth hung open as I saw him grab his packed bag.
“I bet you already know your way home,” he said coldly as he walked toward the door.
Feeling weak, I sat down on the floor as he forcefully closed the door.
How did it end up like this?