Chapter 8
Elisa reports to work on the following day. Her presence in the resort is highly needed and as well appreciated by Mikaella Lee especially now that Mark’s classes are soon to resume. Semestral break is over and he needs to go back to the city. A night before his trip, Mark leaves Isla Carillo to stay with Manuel in the mainland. He is getting old and aside from the stay out maid, Manuel leaves alone in their house located near the mini port. From the veranda, the sight and sounds of motorboats coming in and out can be seen from morning until evening.
There is a genuine smile painted on his lips when he sees Mark alighting from Alex Menor’s motorboat. Mark’s stay is not a surprise because yesterday, he told him about this. He misses his sons. Michael works overseas and manages to stay with him for two to three months after six to nine months of contract. Mark begins to have his own life also since he enrolled in the city. This year of Michael’s offshore leave, Manuel expects him to stay with him but he was surprised when Michael’s plan changed. He is thinking of going to Isla Carillo one of these days to see Michael and as well discuss matters with him when the door opens and Mark enters, behind him is Michael, and next to him is Mikaella Lee.
“Oh my children!” Manuel with his staff on the right hand turns to the two brothers and hugs each of them. Mikaella Lee watches silently and mist begins to accumulate on her eyes for she remembers her family way back home.
It is too late to prepare for lunch, so Michael decides for a meal outside. Blue Monsoon Café is just a few blocks away and the four of them go out together. They look like a happy family with Manuel sitting between the two boys. Mikaella Lee sits next to Mark so definitely, she faces Michael. It is awkward for her to interfere in their conversation so she just listens and occasionally smiles for the jokes being cracked by the three. Michael’s cunning glances do not escape Mikaella Lee’s eyes and she has no plan of getting intimidated. She looks directly on him instead, trying to flip the situation. And she succeeds. Michael turns his face to Manuel and says, “I cannot sleep here tonight, father. I have to take Mikaella Lee to Isla Carillo.” Mark stares at his brother and studies the sincerity on his face. Mikaella Lee gazes at each of them and says, “I can manage to go back to Isla Carillo. Thank you for the offer,” she politely utters but the sharpness of her appearance reveals her inner feeling. Mark turns towards her and says, “It will be better if my brother takes you back,” then grasps her hands under the table to assure that it is the right thing to do.
After lunch, Manuel brings the domino cards in the living room and asks them to play with him. Michael and Mark agree and the three of them play together. Mikaella Lee just watches because honestly, she does not know the game. She learns from Manuel that domino cards were the first toy Michael asked as a gift. Obviously, playing domino is something that Michael is good at.
From the window, Mikaella Lee sees the sun’s color turns to amber. It is a signal of going back to Isla Carillo but the father and sons are still enjoying the game and she does not like to cease the happiness the present moment gives to the three. She knows that they will count months for this moment to happen again, so Mikaella Lee tells herself to patiently wait.
Mark picks his cellphone and dials a number. Then she hears him ordering dinner from the same café they had been this lunch time. She gets worried so she stands up and heads toward the veranda. There are several motorboats on the dock, but only two has lights. Michael walks towards her and says, “Don’t worry, I commission Alex Menor’s motorboat.”
His words leaves an echo on her ears but she tries to suppress the thought accumulating on her mind. This man cannot win over him. Whatever he plans, he cannot be successful with his advances.
After dinner, Michael himself cuts the conversation to bid goodbye. He hugs his father first, then turns toward his brother and gives him a series of heavy pat on the shoulder, “Be good in school, bro,” he says and slips his hand on Mark’s pocket. Mikaella Lee understands what it is.
Never in the past that her instinct failed. She doubted Michael’s statement earlier and she regrets not uttering any disagreement. Her assumption is correct, Michael rented Alex Menor’s motorboat and only the two of them will be sailing back to Isla Carillo. The thought of being confined in a narrow roofless boat with Michael gives her shudders and wobbles.