Here We Go Again

*“Ladies and gentlemen, Philippine Airlines welcomes you to Alicante. The local time is 2:00 am. For your safety and the safety of those around you, please remain seated with your seat belt fastened and keep the aisle clear until we are parked at the gate. The Captain will then turn off the “Fasten Seat Belt” sign, indicating it is safe to stand. Please use caution when opening the overhead compartments and removing items, since articles may have shifted during flight.”

“Señoras y señores, Philippine Airlines les da la bienvenida a Alicante. La hora local es las 2:00 am. Para su seguridad y la seguridad de quienes lo rodean, permanezca sentado con el cinturón de seguridad abrochado y mantenga el pasillo despejado hasta que....."

Rian was awakened from her deep sleep by the sound of the PA system signaling their landing.

"You awake?"

She turned to her side and saw Ethan sitting beside her.

Yes," she mumbled. Ethan responded with a bright smile.

"We're here," he said again. She

didn't reply and started to fix her hair.

"You've still got some drool on your right cheek, hehehe," Ethan said teasingly.

"What the heck! Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Rian panicked while finding some tissues in her pocket.

Meanwhile, Ethan leaned closer to her, making her still. He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the drool from her face.

"Here you go."

Rian looked away shyly while Ethan held in his laugh.

At the airport, a man in a black suit was waiting for them.

"Good morning, Ms. Marian De Castro and Mr. Ethan Dominguez. I am sent by G&G Inc. to escort you to the hotel. Please come with me."

He then walked the two to the limousine waiting in the parking lot. He was also the one who drove the car.

During the ride, Rian asked the man for his name.

"My name's Leonardo Milady, but everyone around me calls me Leon."

"Guess I'll call you Leon too."

"Please suit yourself."

After almost an hour of driving, they reached their destination.

"You said it was a hotel; I never thought it would be a villa." Ethan chuckled.

"I am sorry for the misinformation, sir. But this villa is also used as a hotel by G&G Inc."

Oh, I see."

"This place is pretty nice, though, Rian complemented.

The said villa is located in a hilly and rural area. It is composed of a two-story house, a private pool, a beautiful lawned garden with gravel and trees, and wonderful views of the sea, the valley, the countryside, and the mountains.

"This place is really good, Ethan said while roaming in the living room.

"Yeah, it feels like we're just having a vacation, Rian beamed.

"I'm going to rest in my room first. The jet lag has started to sink in my system" , Rian said tiredly.

Ok, have a rest. Do you need meds? " Ethan asked worriedly.

"Nah, a good rest will do. You should rest; we'll be going on the battlefield tomorrow." Rian smiled mysteriously.

"A battlefield, huh? Ethan sighed as he understood what she meant.

Upon entering her room, Rian immediately headed to her bed and slumped her body on the mattress. She can't sleep because of the jet lag, but her body is dead tired. In her 23 years of existence, this was her first time boarding a plane. She wants to sleep the fatigue away, but she just can't.

Meanwhile, Ethan, who is sitting on a sofa in the living room, is carefully looking at his laptop. He's reading information about G&G Inc.'s executives and owner. Striking a deal with G&G Incorporation is a crucial step in his and Rian's plan. They may succeed tomorrow in convincing them into a partnership. It has been five years since they started this war. Ethan is thrilled to think that they've gotten this far together.

Rian's POV

I'm really tired. While lying on my back, I closed my eyes because I felt like the ceiling was spinning because of my dizziness. Ugh, I never thought jet lag could be this bad. I should shrug this jet lag off because tomorrow's event is very important. I am nervous and excited at the same time. If tomorrow's deal is a success, the war that I started five years ago will come to an end with me as the winner. I can't stop looking forward to that day. When that time comes, I'll finally be able to repay Ethan's kindness to me. But in the middle of these thoughts, I can't help but remember someone I've already chosen to forget. About someone who made me experience a different kind of happiness and pain. He was the one who made me realize that feelings should be set aside for one to achieve his or her goals. Maybe I should thank him for making me the heartless person I have become now. But I hope that I won't get to do that because that means we have seen each other again. And I pray to the Gods and to my mother's soul to not let me see him again.