Encounter

Aleia couldn’t stop her tears upon looking at the graves of the three most important people in her life- her mother, her grandmother, and her child. It was a very emotional reunion after she left three years ago. She did not want her baby to be alone so she buried him with them.

She knelt to put the flowers she brought for them and her eyes were caught by another basket of flowers beside the grave. It was still fresh. Someone might have come hours before she came. She thought that maybe it was Cleofe’s mom or her aunt. They were the only people near to visit them.

“Hi, mom! Hi, granny! Did you meet our baby there? I guess she’s a bit older now since I left. I just wonder how his laugh sounds or how sweet his smile is. Hi, baby! Sorry if I left you here. Mom needed to find and heal herself.” She paused to wipe her tears. “Well, I’m a bit okay now. I hope this will continue. Your two grandmas are there to look out for you. I spent a few years alone but I was never lonely because your presence is always with me. I am happy to be back now. Mom, I’ve finally done the things that I neglected before.”

Aleia spent hours with them and told them stories like the old times. She decided to leave and find a place to eat when her stomach growled in hunger. She did not have any chance to eat when she arrives. She went to visit them and forgot to inform Jake and Cleofe’s mom that she will be home that day.

She bid goodbye to them and went back to where Ryder was parked and started strolling around. Memories clouded her especially that day when she saw Matthew on the island. She smiled at the thought. She did not reach out to him since she left though she kept on receiving messages from him. He would text her every day even though she was not responding to him.

The cold wind embraced her and she felt at home at that moment. The island was a secret paradise. Her eyes caught a glimpse of a magnificent building near the shoreline. It was exactly where the native houses were built. She stopped and looked for parking as she was curious about it.

“Ale!” Someone screamed. She looked back to see who was it. She was looking intently at that young lady who was running towards her.

“Cleo?” She e covered her mouth. She could not believe that Cleofe is a grown-up now. That little child who kept on bugging her is now a young lady. She even pinched her cheek. ” Wow, you look so pretty now. You have grown so fast,” she said as they strolled around.

“That means you are a bit older now, Ale.” They laughed together. She is still a bully and always will be one.

“How are you and your mom?”

“Still the same, Ale, except that there are some changes here,” Cleofe answered and pointed to that building. “Are you okay now?”

She paused for a while and closed her eyes, feeling the sea breeze. “I’m back for good,” she said.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

She had moved on from everything and she did everything to fulfill her mom’s wish when she was still alive. She wanted to see her reach her dreams but she passed away earlier. She knew her mom would be delighted if she will reconcile with her dad, so she did. She took a business course to help him run the empire that her dad has built. She traveled and explored the world and also engaged herself in sports and community services

She felt content with doing the things that she set aside before. She was busy hiding from the world and when she had the chance to get out, she found herself marrying the love of her life. But the timing was not right. They were destroyed even more and even caused some tragedies. Yet, she never had any regrets. She believed everything was planned by God with a purpose and that is to strengthen her and made her pursue the things that will give value to her.

“Wow, a five-star hotel on the island?” Aleia said and looked around. Everything was grand and even the native houses were renovated.

“Yes, Ale. The land was sold to a billionaire and he built it. He was so meticulous that he even built everything according to his standard but made it affordable for everyone.”

“Oh!” Aleia smiled. She did recall the first thing that Matthew was there. She can still imagine his disgusted face. How come someone like him lived on that very simple way of living.”But your mom loved it here, why did she sell it?”

Cleofe smiled.” Because he said, I mean the buyer said it was for his one great love. She wanted her to have a good life in the paradise she loves most.”

“He is so sweet and romantic! Can you join me for lunch? I’m starving.” Aleia asked.

“Sure! The food in the hotel is superb. I want you to try it.” She grabbed Ale’s hand and lead her there. The hotel was named-AZ Paradise. The crew welcomed them as they got inside. They smiled warmly and even attended to them.

” Why are they so nice to us?” she whispered to Cleofe but Cleofe just shrugged her shoulders.

“You are our guest, that’s why.” She was still leading the way to the resto. They found a place and ordered some food.

They were eating their dessert when one of the crew came to them and gave her a bouquet. She was stunned and speechless for a while.

“Ma’am, someone wants to meet you. Should I let him come here?” The crew asked her. She looked at Cleofe to ask for help but she just shook her head. She was so nervous, she did not know why.

“May I ask who?”

“Our boss. The owner of this hotel. Should I let her come?”

She felt a little bit at ease when she heard that it was the owner of the hotel. The island was her home r and she was interested to know the story behind the making of this grand and beautiful hotel.

“Okay,” she said. The crew left as soon as he got her approval.

“Ale, maybe I need to leave also so that you would have some privacy. “Cleofe said and left before she could say no. She was left with the other diners there.

Aleia was watching the man who just entered and her heart was racing so fast. She saw Zach coming closer to her table with the crew, looking like a Greek God and catching some of the women’s attention. She felt so glad to see him better than the last time she saw him.

After everything, her heart still feels the same way for him. Nothing changed and maybe it will never change. She stood to meet them.

“Hi, ma’am.” The crew started and gazed at the man beside him . It was then that Aleia realized that her husband could be the owner of the hotel.” This is him. So,” he said, asking permission to leave and Matthew just gave a light nod.

They were silent at first. But Matthew cleared his throat.” Hi! I am Zach Matthew Cline and you are?” He said and offered his hand to her.

For a moment, Aleia was confused if what was happening. Did he have amnesia or what? Then she recalled the last conversation they had before she left.

‘Maybe we can correct it from the very beginning. He wanted to start from there, maybe.

She smiled and accepted his hand.” I am Aleia Reign Grymes. Nice to meet you. Let’s sit.”

Matthew did what was told and sat there like a king.” So how’s my wife now?” He asked sadly.

“I’m good. How about you?”

He came closer and reached for her hand. He was squeezing it tightly and kissing it lightlly.” I was a living mannequin for three years without you. I missed you so much and worst you were ignoring me. Can I count on you from now on?”

Aleia chuckled. “Why? I am still your wife.”

“But I never did that before and you never experienced that. I was your first and your last so I want you to experience it. Did we agree to correct it from the very start?” he asked.

She nodded and was not able to control her emotions. It was her who kissed her first that time and he responded passionately, not minding the people around them.

“I love you, Ale.”

“I love you, Zach.”

The confetti exploded and a love song was played. A banner to welcome Aleia was being shown. It was indeed a very happy celebration. Everything was set and planned accordingly. Ot was total surprise for her.

(Dear Readers, Thank you for being with us till the end. Keep on reading.)