Her Memories

CHAPTER 12. Lover's Vacation

Later that day, when Stephy invited Joaquin for a vacation, he called Asia and said that a vacation might be a good idea for a getting-to-know phase of their relationship. So, she asked her father's permission about it, and Albert trusts his daughter's instincts to be safe with her boyfriend that much to agree.

'As long as you two behave.' He reminded her.

_____

They arrived at eight in the morning, in a beautiful beach resort, with its white sand and blue sparkling crystal water. It is truly a paradise, as they described.

They have their breakfast first in a grilled restaurant before they begin their exploration. Ahead of that, Joaquin booked two rooms, and they will be sleeping separately, which has pros and cons for Asia. Pros, because he will not hear her snoring again, she admits. And cons because she wishes to cuddle him until she falls to sleep in the warmth of his arms. Well, for her, it is not just a getting-to-know each other phase, but also their phase of flirtation.

But whatever it is, she is just glad that they don't have to pretend around, unlike when they are in front of their friends.

"Oh my God!" Asia abruptly gasped, covering her mouth with her hands when Joaquin handed her a piece of table napkin with her portrait on it, which he just drew when he borrowed the waiter's pen.

"This is so cool! I'm gonna keep this!" She said excitedly while he chuckles with her amusement.

"You never said you have this artistic side of yours, Joaquin Valencia. That's why you love paintings!" She exclaimed.

"Not every person who loves paintings can also do a painting." He informed me.

"Then you're both!" She said proudly.

Asia is wearing a white sundress and flip-flops while Joaquin is wearing a white shirt and navy-blue shorts, but he still looks so cool and fresh as always. They are currently walking along with the seashore hand in hand. Asia was mesmerized by the moment. She never thought being in love is magical, and it made her understand the princesses in fairy tales now.

"Annastasia," Joaquin called her, breaking her thoughts.

"Yes?" She responded, looking up to him.

"I'm so glad that I met you. You are the most wonderful thing that happened in my life."

'See? How the very quiet and cold handsome student utters a sweet statement just now.' Asia unbelievably told herself in silence.

"You're so cheesy but thank you for always making me feel so special," she responded, looking down to hide her heated red cheeks.

"Because you are." He said, leaning forward to kiss her forehead.

"Can I ask you something personal?" She shyly asked while kicking the sand under her feet.

His smile suddenly gone and asked,

"Is it about my family?"

"No, I don't want to ruin the mood asking about your parents like the last time. I just wanted to know about your past relationships?" Asia asked shyly, swaying their hands together.

"Why did you suddenly ask that question?" He stopped his pace and turned to look at her.

"What is wrong with it? I'm just curious." shrugging her shoulders.

"Never had." He honestly said, looking straight into Asia's eyes.

"No way! You're lying! How could you kiss like that!?" She cried unbelievably but was taken aback, covering her mouth when she realized that she just raised her voice saying that and quickly looked around, but luckily, they were at a good distance. She sighed in relief.

But Joaquin is laughing with his lungs out, holding his tummy. She looks at him scowlingly until he notices it and stops his madness. She felt so pissed with his laughter and walked past him stamping her feet.

Joaquin followed her.

"Annastasia." She stubbornly turned to face him while crossing her arms in front of her chest.

"What? Do I look like a clown to you or what?"

"But I love you whether it is yes or not." He said, chuckling and reaching her for a hug.

"I never had a past relationship, and I'm not planning to have either." He said, looking straight at her frowning face.

"But to tell you the truth, hmm, maybe let's just say I'm just handsome enough to have such privileges." He boastfully said and winked at her.

"And you are proud of that?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Why wouldn't I?" He proudly said,

"You're ridiculous!" She commented, pushing him away.

She acts annoyed, but deep inside her, she is so flattered about the new information she learned that they are each other's, first love.

They spend their day strolling around and buying some pieces of stuff for Lily. They also tried every food in every stall they passed along. Also, taking photos and selfies together but agreed on not posting them to social media yet so that their friends will not know that they have their vacation together because for sure they'll freak!

"I am going to introduce you to my father when we come back. I'm sure he'll like you, "Asia announced, leaning her head on his shoulder while he also wraps his arm around her.

They are now sitting on the sand together, looking ahead beyond the ocean. The scene was so romantic with the sunset in front of them. Also, the blending of colors of clouds and sky that reflects from the sun is so spectacular.

The night has arrived, and the nightlife has begun. Everyone seems so lively, like no one is planning to end the night wrapping themselves with a warm blanket, sleeping. There's also a band performing near the seashore with a crowd enjoying and dancing along with the music they play.

"Come on! Let's join them!" Asia pulls Joaquin to join the crowd.

She danced with the crowd while holding both his hands. He is not dancing but enjoyed himself watching and laughing at her every move. Later on, the band starts to sing their rendition of 'Close To Me' by Ellie Goulding. He suddenly pulled her and put her arms around his neck while he snaked his arms around her waist. Their bodies start to dance together with the same rhythm looking at each other's eyes. It feels like they're the only person in that place while owning the moment. Until the band almost finished the song,

"I'm gonna show you my talent as well, stay here," Asia whispered, pulling herself out of his hold. She talked to the band if she can sing with them on stage which they agreed. Asia gave them a tip for approving her request, and when she came up to the stage, they started to play the music with her, singing Arianna Grande's 'Stuck With You'.

She doesn't have any idea why she chose this song, but it just came out of her mouth, and she started singing it. She always feels confident singing because she used to be in a choir during high school. She just wanted to share this talent with him as he did to her portrait in a napkin.

She keeps her eyes looking only at him while singing every word with her own emotions in it. Everyone applauded her but not him, he was only looking at her with a serious face, and Asia didn't understand why and suddenly felt worried. Later on, Joaquin suddenly walks closer in her direction, and when he's in front of the stage, he reaches for her hand and helps her get down from the stage. Everyone is cheering and giggling for the couple, but Joaquin ignores them and keeps pulling Asia out of the crowd back to the resort.

"Joaquin," she resisted, trying to pull herself out.

"You shouldn't have done that." He said with a serious expression when he turned to look at her.

"Why?" She inquired, frowning as she noticed her vision blurry because of the tears welling up, but instead of answering her, Joaquin abruptly kissed Asia.

"I love you." He whispered when he broke the kiss.

"I love you too," Asia responded, looking deep into his eyes.

"Promise me that you'll always be mine," Joaquin demands.

"I promise." Assuring him and realizing that he is just acting possessive again.

They separated already and went to each of their reserved rooms. Asia quickly took a very relaxing warm bath with rose petals in it and stayed there for almost an hour until she decided to step out.

But she was shocked when she saw Joaquin lying on her bed comfortably with his arm above covering his eyes.

"What are you doing here?" She asked while gripping the towel tightly that wraps around her naked body.

"I can't sleep, so I thought to come over here to have a little talk about passing the time." He sat up on the bed and roamed his eyes at her whole.

"Hey, pervert! Get out! I need to get dressed first!" She cried, pointing to the door, but he only laughed while she raised an eyebrow at him

'I have no plan of flirting with him with only a piece of a towel covering my body.' She told herself.

"Alright, put your clothes on already. I'll just turn around." He said, chuckling as he stood and turned around.

Asia immediately got her clothes inside the luggage and started wearing them.

"Done?" He impatiently asked.

"Not yet!" She exclaimed.

"You can turn now," she announced after a few seconds, then he turns and walks closer in her direction.

"You can't come inside my room just like that," she told him seriously when he's only a foot away from her.

He just ignored her and looked down at her with a dark expression.

"Your lips are so addicting; can I already have my dose?" He suddenly asked, looking down at her lips.

"Joaquin, you're scaring me." She anxiously said.

"What?" He chuckled softly.

"Just stop doing that look," she whispered, looking down.

"I'm sorry, come here." He apologized and hugged her.

"I just dropped by to say goodnight." He whispered and released her.

"See you tomorrow, beautiful." He added, smiling and pinching her nose.

"Goodnight," she responded, rubbing her nose after he pinched.

He just chuckles and smacks her on the lips before he leaves.

The next day they decided to go swimming and try some water adventures together. It was so fun, especially with the one you love.