Chapter 10
It is the 17th of December, Mark’s first day of Christmas break. He excitedly packs his things and secures a ticket online. At 9:30 AM, he is leaving the dormitory along Pedro Gil bound for Lucena City, where he will catch the trip back home. There is a smile on his lips as he listens to the music on his earphones while the bus he is boarding leaves a swirling cloud of gray dust behind them.
He stays with his father in the mainland for two days and on the third day he encourages him to visit Isla Carillo and insists that his brother asked him to take care of the cottage. Because of Manuel Amoroso’s arthritis, he tells Mark to head to the islet and take charge of Michael’s request. Mark’s heart jumps in ecstasy and his actions become too obvious for his father. Manuel’s thoughts of his two boys flutter for a while, and struggling to render judgment, he decides to retire for an afternoon nap.
Christmas is on the next few days and Mikaella Lee becomes busy decorating Mikay’s Nest. More guests flock at the resort since Christmas vacation starts so she hires additional crew. The presence of Mark is a great help, too. He becomes her right hand on all preparations and because Elisa is busy in the kitchen, Mark runs errands in the mainland. After everything is settled in Mikay’s Nest every evening, he and Mikaella Lee takes a walk at the beach. The gentle wind blowing from the sea combines with the cold breeze of December brings a melancholic sensation since it would be Mikaella Lee’s first Christmas away from home. But for Mark, this is the first Christmas he feels complete and satisfied since their mother left. The thought of their mother paints a bittersweet memory on Mark’s face.
Meanwhile on the 21st, men in tuxedos and ladies in fancy attire begin to arrive at the lobby of Shangrila Hotel, waiting for the ceremony at 8 PM. It is the celebration of the year for Toledo Group of Companies and every employee couldn’t afford to miss this opportunity.
Vince Madrigal arrives a minute before. His entrance does not escape the suspicious gaze of every pair of eyes in the lobby. The cream tailored suit from a renowned designer enhances his peachy looks, but what attracts more attention is the lady beside him. Chloe Marie Toledo on her black mermaid gown braces her right hand on Vince’s arm and sweetly waves to the crowd. The 24k diamond engagement ring on her finger glitters and tells of the upcoming much bigger celebration.
On the 23rd, Mikaella Lee cancels the arrival of guests and closes the resort to let her employees enjoy the moment with their family. He and Mark attend the midnight mass on the mainland on Christmas eve, and they share the Noche Buena with Manuel Amoroso. She grabs the chance of contacting her family in the city and their longings are obvious. They want her home for Christmas.
They receive the video call from Michael just before she and Mark leave for Isla Carillo on Christmas day. He has just finished his duty in the engine room and the rest of the crew are preparing for their Christmas party at 7PM. The moment she hears his voice, Mikaella Lee’s heart leaps several times, her breathing stops for seconds as Michael directly looks at her on the monitor, his eyes speak a language different from what comes out of his mouth. Michael ends his call with few reminders to his brother, and the last words he says augment the enigma that is building in Mark’s head. He says, “Take care of my neighbor.”
Mark keeps silent on the next 10 minutes of their journey back to Isla Carillo. His brother’s statement still lingers on his ears, and the more it gives a feeling of anxiety and doubt.
While the employees are still out until the 27th, Mark and Mikaella Lee have the islet just for themselves. They spend the day together, and on the evening they retire separately on their cottages. Ellah easily finds herself sound asleep because surely, her neighbor is looking after her.
The first idea that comes in her mind the moment she wakes up on that Monday morning is his neighbor. Now that Mark is occupying Michael’s place, he becomes his neighbor. The thought of the two brothers builds a confusion Mikaella Lee tries to conceal.
Soon Christmas break is over and everything returns to normal. Elisa Mortel with the rest of the crew reports daily. Mark on the afternoon of January 1 boards 2Go Travels bound to the city because classes resume on the next day. Mikaella Lee finds quite a hard time adjusting since she was used to having Mark on her side.
On February, a missed call from an unknown number registers on her cellphone. She waits for the caller to dial again, but nothing happens. On the last week of March, she receives another missed call from an unknown number, and when she checks, it comes from the same caller last February. The missed calls have been regular every month, and Mikaella Lee’s curiosity reaches its highest peak. In May, she dials the number and after it rings several times, the person on the other line accepts the call. She says hello thrice but the receiver just listens to her. Exasperated, Mikaella Lee drops the call.