Chapter 13
She is hesitant to proceed, but thinking of how Michael attended to her when she was sick, Mikaella Lee finally decides to return the favor. She carefully unbutton his shirt and starts to take it off, wishing and hoping he remains unconscious. She is done changing him with her oversized Hanes T-shirt when Michael’s hands begin to move catching her on the waist, and before she could gather her strength, Mikaella Lee already falls on his wide chest.
Her world spins in clockwise motion when a disguised angel leads her to hell’s open door, and together with him, she willingly enters and plays the ball of fire. The moment she regains consciousness, she is already betrayed by her desires.
Michael wakes up with the rays of sunlight passing through the windows. His head gently whirls and he could feel needles stitching his head. He tries to search and finds out those are just effects of the few shots of Johnnie Walker he consumed last night. He thought getting drunk would help him get out of the enigmatic situation, but it just opens the door of uncertainties. He was conscious last night and definitely aware of what was happening, but unlike before, Michael lost control and proceeded to something he should not be doing. The moment Mikaella Lee’s image registers on the back of his mind, biting her lips while droplets of fluid fell on the corners of her eyes, Michael feels a dagger propels on his heart. He feels sorry for her and regrets that he hadn’t rendered the gentleness a first timer deserves.
His search for Mikaella Lee in the vicinity leads him to the other end of the islet. Michael knows the spot when they were little because it is where he hid during full moon when he and Mark played hide and seek. He has been looking for her since this morning, but Mikaella Lee is nowhere to be found. His heart beats faster thinking of the possibilities. Ellah’s stay in Isla Carillo is not enough to be familiar with secret passage and crevice under the dense forest. Michael’s conscience bothers him and he is furious realizing that he pushes away the woman he loves. Last night, everything became clear and certain. The truth he was evading for months registers a clear vision. He loves Mikaella Lee, and he is more than a hundred percent sure of that.
The sun starts to paint the horizon with its amber rays. And Michael has almost looked at the possible spots she may hide. Traversing the rocky portion and stiff bank of mangroves, he decides to check the cottage if she is already there. He rushes to push the door, and there on the side of the bed, Mikaella Lee sits facing the windows, her eyes focusing a blank look. Michael’s feet leap like flashes of lightning, and without a word he hugs her tight. He is sobbing when he asks forgiveness and pleads for compassion. It is uncommon for men to let others know their fear and regrets, but Michael Amoroso boldly utters the words Mikaella Lee least expects.
Her heart pounds faster with mixed anger and frustration, but a larger portion of it urges her to do the opposite. Last night, she condemns herself for being fragile, for departing from her limits, and throwing away her principles. She, Mikaella Lee, now finds strength to admit her defeat. In the battle she started between Michael Amoroso, she is the one at the losing point.
It is not about winning or losing the game. For Michael, what he and Mikaella Lee have is a battle that is neither won nor forfeited. He, Michael Amoroso, a renowned playboy has fallen on Mikaella Lee’s trap. He is a football player who struggles to score in the football field. Mikaella Lee is his goal. He likes her. He loves her. And he is willing to pay the bargain.
Mikaella Lee let go of the anger she hides inside and delivers a hard slap on Michael’s face in between sobs and screams.
“Go on, do it harder,” he orders as he faces closer to her, his hugs becoming lighter. “I hate you, I hate you, I hate you!” she repeatedly yells while throwing punches on his chest. His arms still fix on her back, Michael receives her punches and slaps. After a few minutes of physical fight with him, her energy reaches its lowest level. Mikaella Lee’s feeble arms bend on his shoulders and in little sniffs, gently presses her lips on his. Michael is caught unprepared. He is not expecting the moment.
He remains still for a few seconds, then when he gains strength, he cups his two hands on Mikaella Lee’s face and gives her the sweetest kiss, everything she deserves.
After that encounter, both Mikaella Lee and Michael are quiet. They are sitting on the couch waiting for the first one to break the deafening silence. But no one dares to utter a word until when Elisa enters for some clarifications on the German couple’s booking. Ellah heads outside and Michael follows behind.
Because it was Michael who entertained the German nationals, the couple look for him instead of Mikaella Lee. “Your wife?” the man asks Michael, and before she could butt in, Michael has already rendered the answer that gives her sudden shivers. “Yes, my wife, Mikaella Lee,” he says grasping her right hand, pointing to her. Michael feels the tiny beads of sweat hoarding on her palm’s pores. Before moving forward for a handshake, the German looks at her from head to toe and says, “Beautiful. Lucky to have her”. Though she almost melts in disgust, and hesitates to do the same, Mikaella Lee tries hard to put the pieces back in her control, and wearing her most pensive smile, she moves a little to stretch her right hand to the German national for a handshake.
She catches the unexplainable emotion on Michael’s face as she turns towards him to continue playing the character in a game he started. “Honey, shall I go ahead?” she excuses herself then heads to the resort’s information desk. Michael follows her with a puzzled look. Truly, Mikaella Lee bears a personality of mixed bits and pieces, a little sunshine and a bit of rain. Michael needs to prepare for he senses, she hides more of a hurricane.