I became even more curious. Gosh, I feel anxious not knowing what is it.
After going for a bit of swimming, we went back to our rooms and I pulled Phoenix aside.
"Tell me what your plan is. I’m getting anxious.” I whispered to him when the others were gone.
"Luke will surprise Ember later. It’s their third anniversary.”
I screamed in joy but Phoenix covered my mouth. “So, is there anything I can do to help with this surprise?"
"No. You just need to act."
Phoenix said that they will take care of everything. I just have to keep the girls busy while the boys prepare everything and act as if I know nothing. So here I am now like a clown making fun of them. aside from the boys, I was the only one who knew of it.
When dinnertime came, Phoenix texted me that I should guide Ember now. It’s time to show my acting skills.
I talked to Snow and asked if I could borrow her camera and she agreed thankfully.
"Ember,” I called out and she turned to me.
“Can we talk? I need to tell you something.”
She blinked, looking a bit nervous but she agreed and we went out.
I guided her to the meeting spot. We went to the backyard where there were many trees and a hammock. There are more fairy lights, as well as blankets and pillows, there is a small table in the middle and there are also foods...
Ember looked at me unsurely, “Are you sure you want to talk here? Should we just-”
She was about to turn around and leave when someone started to sing and a figure of Luke started to appear, with Phoenix and Leroy playing guitar to his side while Dax and Eion was
“Oh, her eyes, her eyes
Make the stars look like they're not shinin'
Her hair, her hair
Falls perfectly without her trying
She's so beautiful
And I tell her every day
Yeah”
Luke now approached Ember and I went to the side to give the two some spotlight. I power on the camera in my hands.
Ember gave me a look, “I should have known that you were up to something,” I shrugged as Luke was still singing.
“When I see your face (face, face...)
There's not a thing that I would change
'Cause you're amazing (amazing)
Just the way you are (are)
And when you smile (smile, smile...)
The whole world stops and stares for a while
'Cause, girl, you're amazing (amazing)
Just the way you are (are)
Yeah”
Now finishing his song, Luke had a broad smile on his face as he stared at his girlfriend and rested his forehead on her.
"What's with this surprise, babe?" Ember laughed, looking at everything in wonder.
"Happy anniversary," Luke mumbled to her ears, and Ember gasped
"Wow, you remember! I thought you forgot again." She teased, pinching his cheeks.
They went to sit on the beanbags situated just beside them. Just then, Phoenix, Leroy, Dax, and Eion came over and destroyed their moment.
“So, we helped you plan this, how about some payment, Luke?” Asked Leroy, and Luke threw a pillow at him.
Luke rolled his eyes at them, “Yeah yeah. Let’s talk about the payment soon and leave us alone.”
Dax gasped at them, “Awe, you’re just driving us away? How cruel! After you took advantage of us this is how we get!”
“Shut up, Dax,” Luke yelled, shaking his head at them and Ember just laughed at him. “Help me drive them away, babe.”
“At least offer us some cake, Luke.” Phoenix added, and before Luke could even hit him with a pillow, he dodged it and came over to me, “Looks like the surprise is a success.” He raised his hands and we high-fived. “Now we better leave them alone.”
“Agree,” I said and let him guide me back to the house. The others soon followed behind us.
"That was epic, hahahah." Eion commented.
"Yes, but that Luke is ungrateful. Hmph.” He then turned to me. "So Sereia, when we get married, we should not invite Luke."
I lightly hit him in the arm, "In your dreams, Phoenix. In your dreams."
He nodded, "Yes, it is really in my dreams ..."
The night also passed quickly and since our two-day vacation here was over, we were on our way to Gensan, back to the mansion. It also took us a long time to leave because Snow, Emma, Hannah, and Ember kept on saying "goodbye and take care" to me. I feel like I have grown attached to them.
I threatened my cousin to let me in the wedding or else I would spill some of his secrets to Snow. And with that, Snow promised me that I would be invited to the wedding. Hannah even said that she’ll include me as one of the godmothers of her child. I can’t wait to attend these occasions soon.
The ride home was very quiet and I watched as Phoenix’s lips pressed into a thin line and scowled, his eyebrows creased in concentration at the road.
I cleared my throat to get his attention. "What are you thinking about?" I couldn’t help but ask.
He glanced at me then shook his head. "Nothing ..." He trailed off and he focused on driving.
I studied his expression. He remained stoic and felt unreadable for me to read. "You sure? You don't seem to be on your own self."
He faked a smile at me. "It's just .... I'm just thinking about how I'm gonna miss this .."
I raised my eyebrows at that, "Oh, is that it? Are you talking about missing your friends?”
He shook his head and admitted, "That’s not it. What I'm trying to say is that I’m going to miss ... this moment with you...once we are back to the mansion, you’ll be back to your old self."
"Huh? Back to my old self?" I asked.
"Yes. You won't call me, 'babe' as you did back on the trip. You’re not going to be pretending that you’re mine anymore." He pouted. "I will miss Sereia on the island.”
I chuckled at that. Oh, I thought he was referring to something serious.
He glanced at me, “Are you sure you even have fun?"
I stared at him and smiled to assure him. He always asked if I was okay or if I was happy to be with him. "Phoenix I enjoyed every moment there. Okay? I made new friends, and I got to experience something."
"Thank you.”
My lips turned upward and turned to a smile. "No problem."
"But I've been thinking ...." He trailed off.
"What?"
"They are already all prepped up in life. They are ready to venture into the world. While here I am, escaping reality…”
The shock was on my face when he said that. I suddenly remembered all those things he admitted to me that night. "No. Don't think that, Phoenix.”
"You’re already successful in your own way. You have this land, you have Lola Nanding, and you have me.” I said. “You know, one of them said that he’s insecure to all of you. He’s also feeling what you are feeling right now, and I believe everyone has their own battles.” I said, not naming, that it was Dax I am referring to. It's better if he doesn’t know. And I promised Dax not to tell anyone.
“I’m sure that you are more than that. Stop thinking you could do better, start thinking that you could be better.”
He nodded, gave me a small smile before keeping his eyes focused on the road. I sighed.