Chapter 14
Michael is certain of a battleground ahead, so he prepares his fighting gears upon going back to Mikaella Lee’s cottage later that evening. The German nationals ask for an extension since no spare parts in the mainland is available for the repair of their yacht.
He finds Mikaella Lee on the study table at the corner reviewing the receipts of purchases. “Good evening,” he begins trying to snatch her attention but she remains focus on the papers.
After using the bathroom, Michael lays on the couch with right arm crossing his forehead and pretends to sleep. After a while, he hears heavy footsteps trudging on the bamboo floor. There is a long moment of silence. When Michael opens his eyes, Mikaella Lee looks down on him, on her hands are the pillows and mattress he left on her bed the night before. He bends to move his body on a half sitting position and stretch his arms to get his sleeping gears. But instead of giving it to him, Mikaella kicks his feet a little on the side and gaining enough space, she sits beside him.
“Who am I earlier?” she slants her head a little exposing her left ear, making sure she could clearly hear his answer. Michael senses the battle begins, so he makes sure he gives his best shot.
Without any hesitation, he answers, “My wife,” and looks straight into her, trying to read the emotions concealing in her eyes.
“Say it again,” Mikaella Lee says in a demanding voice.
“My wife,” Michael answers the second time around trying to comprehend the logic in demanding for a repeat answer. Mikaella Lee gathers her composure and sits straight, then in a commanding voice says, “Since I am your wife, it is my right to wield power as a wife.” Michael looks at her in total wonder, reading the meaning of her words.
Mikaella Lee stands up and says, “Come, sleep on the bed,” and proceeds to her bedroom. Michael wants to make sure he hears the right words, and gently shakes his head to check his two ears are still there. He couldn’t believe what he heard. He finds himself floating in a kaleidoscope of fluffy clouds where angels are singing a lullaby. When a loud slam of the door echoes, Michael’s spirit goes down to the earth where his physical body dwells and his sanity returns to normal. He hurries inside to obey his wife’s command.
Michael wakes up with the loud sound from Alex Menor’s motorboat the following morning and his heart leaps in ecstasy as his eyes catch the most beautify scenery. Mikaella Lee is still asleep with head leaning on her left facing him, while her right hand is clutching on his belly. Michael couldn’t resist planting tiny kisses on her forehead then down on her nose and lips, and later regrets when he realized he is waking her. Michael’s worried face is the first sight she sees when Mikaella Lee opens her eyes. She attempts to move away but he pulls her body closer to her. Below the satin blanket, Mikaella Lee feels the rising temperature. She closes her eyes anticipating for the following intimate moment. Michael senses the anticipation on her face so he starts the ritual by showering her the most passionate and gentle touches he learned from years of experience. He loves her. She deserves a decent and unforgettable love making. When the ebb of passion subsides, they both lie side by side, almost breathless and satiated. Then they spend another hour on bed to regain their lost energy.
The German nationals leave on the afternoon of Friday. Alex Menor’s right hand man, Franco fixed the yacht’s trouble. The repair lasted for two days since Franco needed to rush to Lucena City for the availability of spare parts.
When the foreigners vacated his place, Michael Amoroso has the reason to return to his cottage, but Ellah is surprised that Michael enters her room on Friday night. She throws a questioning looks at him but he senses what is inside her head. Michael grins and says, “If I am your husband, why can’t I claim my reward?” Then he slips onto the mattress and pulls Mikaella Lee on his chest.
The next days are heaven on earth for Ellah and Michael. Both perform the responsibility of a husband and wife and live a life away from the eyes of a judgmental society. Michael couldn’t believe on the way things unfold, while Mikaella Lee tries hard to manage the adjustments between a husband and wife, though during their intimate moments, Ellah wishes to hear him say the words she longs to hear.
Twenty meters away from the reef raft, Michael suggests to build a floating cottage. It will be connected by a bamboo bridge to the other end of the shore, and during high tide, visitors could enjoy fishing even without a boat. When Ellah hears it, her eyes widen in anticipation of more guests coming in. It is Michael’s baby project so he personally picks the materials and monitors the daily work progress. He wants to maintain the resort’s theme, so he patterns its lights to the other cottages Ellah herself chose.
The floating cottage becomes Mikay’s Nest’s newest attraction. A visitor wouldn’t leave Isla Carillo without visiting it passing through the hanging bridge. On the afternoon before they retire, Michael and she spend a moment at the floating cottage, watching the sun light gradually paints the wide horizon with changing colors, amber on fine weather and gray during the inclement ones.
A group of cliff divers led by Cris San Gabriel arrive on Saturday. On the other side of Isla Carillo is a portion of untouched forest. The part where huge rocks protecting the edge and occupying most of the shoreline is perfect for cliff diving. Fifteen meters above sea level is a cleft where the greenish blue water gleams like mermaid’s tail.
Cris San Gabriel is Michael’s former cadet so he personally accompanies them to the other side. Before leaving, the group stops over at the cafeteria for a light snack. It is there that Elisa, while taking orders conquers Cris’ eyes. Even Elisa Mortel looks older than her age, encrypted on her face is a splendor that couldn’t be hidden. She was a beauty before Donato shatters her dreams of wearing her crown forever.
Before leaving, Cris personally requests Elisa Mortel’s contact information, but she ignores him because of her failed relationship with Donato. The thought of her life with him gives Elisa a terrifying chill that lingers even when she is asleep.
Michael escorts the men to the boat waiting at the shore. While walking side by side following the others, Cris asks him of Elisa’s contacts.
“Forget it, bro!” Michael laughs as he pats Cris’ shoulders. “Come again after your contract, if she is still here, you are meant to be,” he continues with mixed teases.
Not all days are pink, some are also gray. For Michael Amoroso, his gray days come on the first week of June. Alex Menor’s news on that Tuesday morning brings his bare feet to the shore. He orders him to proceed right away to the mainland where his father lies in a hospital bed.
Michael wires the news to his brother and requests him to come home soon because Manuel Amoroso is in critical condition. He has been diagnosed with high blood pressure and was given prescription years ago. But things happen beyond man’s control. On the 1st of June, Manual suffers from severe headache and on the next day, Letty, their helper decides to bring him to the Provincial Hospital for admission. The CT scan result is quite alarming, the doctor warns them. If he will not wake up until tomorrow, intubation will be administered to aid his breathing.
Michael walks away and stays near the window where he could still see his father breathing through an oxygen tank. His heart bleeds seeing him lying motionless, facing the uncertainties of tomorrow.
Since their mother left them when they were young, Manuel Amoroso served both mother and father to him and his brother Mark. Before, he wondered why he did not find another woman. Later he realized that the scar their mother gave him rooted up to his inner core.
Mikaella Lee arrives later that day. She and Michael take turns in attending to Manuel Amoroso because Letty returns home for errands. A nurse enters the room to administer his medicine at 3pm, and after she leaves, Michael and Mikaella Lee sit together on the chairs assigned for family members. On the evening, Letty suggests them to spend the night at home.
They are still lying together in Michael’s room when Montenegro Lines docks at the port. Mikaella Lee hurriedly gets up and fixes herself then heads at the window where the sight of passengers alighting is visible. She recognizes Mark at once with his backpack and faded denims. Before Mark enters the door, Michael gets out of the room to meet him. The two brothers give each other a warm embrace. Then, Mark turns to her and slightly presses his lips on her cheeks. Mikaella Lee catches the sight of Michael’s sharp looks, and Ellah couldn’t conceal the tension building inside her. Her hands are cold and moist when Mark escorts her to the garage where Michael is waiting in his blue Honda Civic.
They arrive at the hospital just when the doctor is taking his regular rounds. Dr. Camilo Yap does not recommend augmenting his dosage and any other medication. He orders to take care of their father while they still can. Hearing his statement, Mark runs towards his father’s bed and holds his hands tightly. Mikaella Lee feels the burden in Mark’s heart as he tries to speak to his father in between sobs. She turns her head away and faces the window for she does not like to witness the moment.
She is watching Michael and Mark from behind while they talk to their father. Even he is not responding, they know he is listening.
A few minutes later, Michael hurries outside and calls the doctor and nurses. They try to revive Manual Amoroso, but it is too late. He finally gives up his last breath.