While sitting down on my couch facing the outside view from my suite, I had decided to fly to the Philippines. According to Mr. Banzon, Mr. Kim Mori spent most of his time in the country because his wife's heart was in Cebu. It was perhaps because of the trauma she got in Japan that Mr. Kim Mori agreed with her. Taking her back after her traumatic incident only proved his genuine love for her. How I wish everyone could find his fulfillment in love just like these two, no matter how long the journey would be.
Mr. Banzon told me that Mr. Kim Mori even made Kim Yuan's Microelectronics - Cebu Branch his base, taking all his best designers and tech geniuses with him. It was so heartwarming to know that he did it all for a woman.
Booking an early flight that night, I arrived at Mactan International Airport before the crimson hues of daylight made streaks across the night sky. I didn't book a room in a hotel ahead of time, thinking that getting a room was never a problem in Cebu.
I proceeded to the taxi stand, but suddenly my phone vibrated inside my bag. I looked around and noticed the long queue of passengers waiting for their turn. One thing I hated every time I took a public ride was mingling with a thick crowd, so I took a seat on the iron bench, placing my luggage beside me.
However, the phone kept vibrating, so I took it out of the bag. Looking at the screen, I saw it was Mr. Banzon.
"Mr. Banzon?"
"Miss Ella-" he greeted me, but the loud conversation from the passengers muffled his voice.
"Mr. Banzon, wait. I'll go to a quieter place. I'm sorry I can't hear you."
I sauntered to a less crowded area, leaving my bag on top of my luggage.
"Miss Ella, I want to inform you that I have sent through your email the photo of Mr. James Mori's son. I also included the mother."
"Oh, thanks for that. I'll take a look at it soon. But Mr. Banzon, I have an additional load for you to do." I didn't mean to stalk Mr. Kim Mori, but I got curious about him as a husband and lover after hearing his story.
"Sure. What is it, Miss Ella?"
"I want more information about Mr. Kim Mori."
After a few exchanges, I walked back to the bench. My thoughts went back to James again as I pondered on knowing more about his cousin. Wanting the latter's information would also mean another thing-- accepting his request to destroy the relative that sent him to jail.
Part of me couldn't accept the fact that he would be serving the prime of his life in prison even if he deserved it. Twenty years in that filthy, crowded, and miserable place would be worse than hell. But half the part of me didn't also want to get myself involved in trouble. Unfortunately, people in love sometimes lose their sanity and rational thinking when matters of the heart are concerned.
I sat down on the end corner and placed the phone back inside my bag. The thoughts of James' miserable life in the next few years devastated me. We could have gotten married after a few months, and I could have met his family. We would have children, and I would no longer be alone and lonely. But none of those would be happening anymore.
Just when I thought of calling Menchie to inform her of my sudden change of plan, my eyes fell on top of my suitcase. It was already bare, and my bag wasn't there anymore!
I sprang to my feet, scanning my eyes frantically in the surroundings. Noticing my expression, some people sitting by the bench pulled their brows at me.
"What's wrong, dear? You look scared!"
"I lost my bag. It was just here a few minutes ago!" I replied, my voice began to crack.
"Oh, dear, why didn't you pay attention to your stuff? This is the country that houses pickpocketers and snatchers!"
The crowd began to gather, earning me the attention of the guard and other passengers.
"Ma'am, how does it happen?"
"My bag, it's just here, in front of me!" I told the guard, tapping the top of my suitcase.
"Did you go somewhere?" he asked again, his eyes shifting between me and my suitcase.
"I just took a call at the corner. And when I went back, my bag wasn't here anymore."
The guard sighed and shook his head, and I felt like the most stupid woman. A person in her right mind would never do foolish things such as leaving important things unattended.
"Can we please check the CCTV?" I asked. I knew it was useless, but somehow, that last seemed to be my last ray of hope. Inside that bag were my cards, money, a few sets of jewelry, phone, and laptop.
"Of course, ma'am."
I could feel the people's stares as if they dug holes in my body. Their murmurings were worse, even if I could barely hear them. Their derisive gaze was enough to tell how stupid I was in front of them. If they were my friends, they would have mocked me already for my carelessness.
Soon, investigators and police officers swarmed around me, taking me to their office for a series of interviews. But at the end of the day, nothing happened. I didn't get back my lost items. The management offered some financial assistance, but I refused. I suddenly didn't like the attention I was getting; it made me feel dumb. I only need their help in contacting Menchie and their assistance in claiming the fund she transferred for me. I lost my identification cards and it would take time before I get new ones.
The sense of loneliness, pain, and self-pity flooded over me after getting through all those processes. I was hungry, but I didn't have the appetite. So I slumped on that same bench by the taxi stand and poured all those welling emotions I had in stifled sobs. I didn't know how long I had cried my heart out anymore, not until a stranger tapped my shoulder.
His gentle and sympathizing gaze made him look like an angel. Seeing a sense of sympathy from him, I cried harder until he offered to get me a room until I could solve my issues. Hungry for a man's care, I lied to him and allowed him to take care of me. I didn't know what was in him, but the tender and compassionate aura he emitted was enough for me to trust him.