EPILOGUE

MELISSA QUIZON

I got out of the car. I didn't take my eyes off of Wright because maybe when I closed my eyes, he would disappear from my sight. Was this the well-known Wright Agoncillo? He used to be someone who couldn't live without his helpers and couldn't drive a jeep because of his many cars. He was no longer the former Wright who could not endure under the heat of the sun and sweat. His last name was well-known because of his company and wealth, but here he was—and he was threshing rice, pulling bones. His clothes were dirty, and his clothes were wet with sweat.

He had already changed.

It was as if something had touched my heart when I noticed the weariness of his face. His companion saw me and said something to Wright.

My heart leaped as he slowly turned to me.

"Melissa!" He ran closer to Reid and e. I could no longer control myself, so I met him halfway. He hugged me around my waist, and I wrapped my arm around his neck.

"I finally found you." The corners of my eye heated up.

He turned me to him. "You mean…"

I nodded. Tears welled up in my eyes. "I searched half of the world just to find you."

"Why were you looking for me?"

"I wanted to see you, and I wanted to apologize to you." I swallowed to clear my throat. "Wright, I'm sorry. I'm sorry because I took revenge on you. I wanted you to feel how hurt I was. I wanted you to know how it felt to be thrown away and treated like you don't exist. I'm sorry for not appreciating the things you sacrificed for me. I'm sorry I became so heartless and selfish. I was just scared. I was just scared that I might get used to being with you, and you would leave us again as if we were not enough. I kept my distance because I didn't want to get hurt again, but I didn't know that it hurt me more when I pushed you away. "

He hugged me tightly. I felt him kiss my hair. "Enough now, baby. Stop crying."

"I can finally tell you my real feelings." I looked up at him, even though my eyes were blurring with tears. "I've always loved you, Wright. Always."

He pressed his forehead against mine. "I never stopped loving you, Melissa."

***

"Did you get tired?" I worriedly questioned Wright after he took off his shirt and discarded his black boxers. I scooped up a dipper with water and poured it over Wright's head.

He smiled at me after removing the water from his face. "Of course not. My back just hurts."

It was late night by the time they had finished drying the rice. I let Wright rest before he took a bath. We were now outside his hut and sitting opposite the well. Mang Hermino's wife had lent me the duster I was wearing while helping Wright taking a bath. Reid slept peacefully inside Wright's hut since he could no longer bear the fatigue of our trip.

Wright stared at me intently. I took the soap, but Wright immediately snatched it from my hand as well. "Nuh-uh. I can do this. It's hard if you do it. I might not be able to hold back…"

"Hold back what?"

"Melissa, come on." He sounded pissed.

"Why do you look so pissed off?"

"I'm not pissed. I'm frustrated."

"Why?" I asked.

He bit back a groan. "Because I want to kiss you right now."

I bit my lower lip. "I wouldn't mind."

He sighed. "Just wait for me in that hammock. I think it's not appropriate to kiss you now when I'm half-naked."

I looked at the hammock in the mango tree not far from the well we were at.

"B-but—"

I took a deep breath and lowered the dipper into the bucket. I sat on the hammock and looked at Wright, who was also staring at me. There was a twinkle in his eyes. "Now, turn around and stop watching while I'm taking a bath."

Seriously? He was conservative now?!

I hurriedly moved to the other side of the hammock and turned my back to him. I heard a rush of water. I tried not to look back because I was sure he would make fun of me for peeping at him.

A flashing light in the distance caught my attention.

"Firefly!" I exclaimed happily. They multiplied and almost surrounded me and the mango tree. I lay down on the hammock and examined them. They were like stars moving around. They were relaxing to watch.

"Enjoying yourself?" I looked over at my feet and saw Wright fully dressed. He was wearing a white V-neck and knee-length shorts. His body had grown even bigger because of the type of work he did for the past year.

I moved a little so that he could slip in next to me. He lay down, and I leaned on his arm. Neither of us spoke. We just watched the fireflies around us.

"Would you like me to massage your back?" I asked

"I'm alright," he said hoarsely.

"You did all of this for me?" I asked, referring to his work on the farm and fishery.

"Yeah. It was hard at first, but eventually, I learned. I enjoy it." I squeezed more into his body. I had missed him. I felt him smell my hair.

"I missed smelling your hair," he murmured.

I got up a little and faced him. Half of my body was on top of him. My eyes wandered to his gentle face, and I couldn't help but caress him.

"I love you," I said softly before closing my eyes and kissing him on the lips.

I could feel his smile on my lips. We just kissed gently; we savored every moment. One of his hands went up to my face, and the other was on my waist. I backed away, but he immediately chased my lips.

"We need to stop. We might scandalize your whole community," I said softly. I stared at him, and he stared back at me. "Have you forgiven me for having a pride higher than the Eiffel Tower? And for building a great wall between us because I'm a coward? And for hurting you so much? And for wasting all your effort? And for pushing you away like you were a stray sick dog?"

"It doesn't matter, baby. What matters most is you're here, and Reid's here. You still love me. And I'm incredibly happy," he said earnestly as he caressed my cheek.

I leaned against his massive chest. "Promise not to leave me again, Wright."

"Promise me that after this, you'll marry me."

I stumbled at what he said. "What? No ring?"

He laughed softly. "Oh, I'm sorry. You're going to marry a poor, poor man, my lady. I do fishing and farming for a living. I don't have money to buy a diamond rin—"

"You're enough for me," I cut off what he was saying.

My forehead furrowed as he laughed out loud. "Your response is so corny!"

He stopped laughing when my two warm hands cupped his chin and yanked his head up, and then my mouth collided with his in a hard, reckless kiss.