"I love her, and that's the beginning and the end of everything."

F. Scott Fitzgerald

Since we ride her car, Sarah never really bothers to tell me where this place that she's been talking about. If I asked her about a thing or two, my question would only fall on deaf ears.

"Loosen up, Tanch. You're safe with me and besides you will love it there, I can assure you that." she started when she noticed the irritation in my facial expression.

"I didn't say anything." I retorted.

"But your face says it all. You hate surprises do you?"

I only managed to nod.

"It's okay, Tanch. Today will be an exception, try not to spoil my surprise for you."

"Can I do that?" I asked in confusion, she's really sure that I can last long with her surprise.

"For sure." she answered shortly while she focused on the road.

Honestly speaking, she's been so secretive about where she is taking me. I tried to google it on my phone but there's no such thing as such on the web. Is she playing games with me? Or she just makes up some names and really intends to take me to a place somewhere in the south, you know there's a lot of restos and food parks which serve trendy and really good food.

But I got it wrong, one hour has passed and we're still driving, we are heading straight right now to San Pedro. Maybe we're going to Batangas, maybe we're going to a beach. I thought to myself silently.

As what I have learned about Sarah, she's a water person, she loves the warm breeze of the sea and the salinity of the water. I didn't gather much about what restos or places she usually dines to, because you can never see anything from her social media apart from the vast turquoise body of water, yes as in beach, that's the only thing I know about her.

The next few minutes of the drive is uneventful. I can only manage to hold a tighter grip on my seat as she's been driving too fast.

"Cat got your tongue? Why are you so silent?" she asked shortly as she glanced briefly in my direction.

"Sshhh. I'm busy. Don't bother, just drive." I said irritably while my eyes are still fixed on the window.

She frowned a little bit while she asked me, "Busy with what?"

"Praying." I answered as I glared at her. "I'm busy praying that we will arrive safely wherever you are taking me."

"I assure you, I'm a competent driver Tanch. I do even have an international license, I can drive anywhere in the world." she said, trying not to laugh.

"Do you really drive like this?"

"Like what?" she asked innocently. She's getting on my nerves, first this whole surprise thing then with her driving.

"Like the demons of hell are after us."

"Happy?" she asked while she adjusted the speed of her car.

"Not really. Sarah, please tell me where are we really going?"

"It's a surprise you know."

"We've been driving for hours, we already passed by Sta. Rosa, then Calamba, I thought we're going to Batangas but you took a left turn from Calamba. So are we going to Los Banos? Tell me, do you intend to have a camping date in the forest?"

"I'm afraid not. It's more than that. I bet you haven't been there. But I promise we are close."

"Just make sure we are really close because this surprise thing that you just pulled, is stressing me out."

"I'm sure 30 mins more wont hurt." she said briefly as she focused her eyes back on the road.

I didn't answer her anymore and ignore her instead. Surprises are not really my thing, my family knows that, my friends know it. My mind freaks out with surprises, I hate it when I have no idea of what's going on. It scares the hell out of me.

Kung di ka lang malakas sakin, Hay naku, Sarah Garcia! I have discarded you already on the road. I thought silently while smiling.

If you want to be with her, then maybe you should start loving surprises as this woman you adored is full of surprises.

While my mind is somewhere, I didn't realize Sarah just pulled off to a restaurant nearby the lake.

"Come on, so we won't be late." she said leaning forward as she unbuckled my seatbelt and went off the car immediately to open the door for me.

"Welcome to Caliraya Lake!" she said with full of enthusiasm as she opened the door for me.

"What? How did you know that I like this place. Did you just stalk me on my social media? I've been here before and this resto is known for the best seafood menus."

"Yeah, I know but..."

Our conversation was interrupted by the buzzing sound of her mobile.

"I just have to take this call, excuse me."

"Si, we are here. Good thing, I'll leave my car in your care. I see you on the dock. Thanks."

She answered the call in a foreign language, it sounds like Italian so maybe it was a business thing. I didn't know that this woman could speak several languages. There's really so much more to her aside from being an entrepreneur.

"I can't wait to taste their mouth watering Curacha Crab in shrimp paste again."

"Too bad, you won't be having it today. We are only dropping off the car."

"What? Sarah! This is too much. I am already happy being here with you this time."

"Hush!" she placed a finger on my lips to silence me.

"Let's go." she said while she grabbed my hand and locked it with hers. The gesture made me kilig, my heart beats so loudly right now, acts of sweet nothing really do add some magic to what you already felt to the person. My hands perfectly fit with her, as if it was really made for her.

I am so overwhelmed by the act that I took notice of everything and tripped off a little bit.

Only then I realized that we are on a docking station.

"Careful Tanch, please watch your step." she said as she guided me towards the edge of the foot bridge.

My jaw dropped at the sight of the waiting bowrider boat. If I am not mistaken it is a 30 feet Sea Ray 280 slx just like the one you commonly see in the gulf of Mexico in Tampa, Florida. Just wow! We are going on a cruise on this lake? But then I saw the familiar calligraphy that is plated in gold. So she's not really bluffing about her taking me to this Villa.

"Good Afternoon Ma'am! Good thing you decided to visit first hand before we open the Villa to the public." The man in white polo shirt and short trousers greeted us.

"Yes, Gianno. It's high time to check the Villa after the renovation as I don't trust your employer so much." Sarah said to the man waiting in the dock.

"Rest assured ma'am that all the details and design are followed."

"Good. We'll get going now."

"Ma'am, Miss, excuse me." The man bowed to us as he excused himself.

I send him a smile before I focus my attention on this lovely lady who made me feel so happy with her surprises.

So you love surprises now? The devil in my head mocked me.

"Yours, I presume?" I stated rather than asked. If it is not for the familiar logo beside the engraved name of this motor vessel to give away.

I was quite astonished when I noticed a delicate stain in her cheeks. Oh was she blushing?

"Yes." Sarah answered shyly. "I own it."

"Just how many means of transportation do you own ma'am?" I asked jokingly.

I can't really believe that she's taking me to a place that is something too personal to her. I can't help but to smile, I am really happy. It will be her first time to be there again after the renovation according to the man, so it only means to say that I am the first person she will take there with her for this time.

"Enough with the questioning Tanch." she said as she put on her sunglasses and boarded on the boat.

Ghad! Sarah looks so drop dead gorgeous in her casual wear with a pair of aviators. She really does know how to wear her style, simple but definitely beautiful.

"Are you just gonna stand there staring? Or you will join me here and board on this thing, so we can get on our way?" The question came from the subject of my dream in this broad daylight.

"You could have just informed me that we will go on cruise in this lake, I should have worn boat shoes. I might tear your floor with my heels."

"Nah! It's okay Tanch. "

"No! I don't want to ruin your floor."

I said as I removed my sky high heels and went barefoot in her luxury boat.

"Why did you do that? You're my guest, I don't mind about the floors but I do care for your comfort."

What the!

I was caught off guard with her announcement. "It's beautiful here." I said as I looked away, avoiding her gaze. I'm sure I'm red as tomatoes by now.

"Yeah. Really beautiful." She answered in agreement while her eyes were all in my face.

"Flattering."

"I'm just stating the obvious."

"Are you sure you know how to drive this thing?"

"Watch and see for yourself." Sarah said as she brings to life the engine of this stunning boat.

"Do you mind if I play my music I just want to drown out the nautical background noise?" she asked out of nowhere.

"Good choice! Sea Rays are all equipped with the state of the art marine audio gear."

She didn't care to answer me and turn on the stereo system.

[Plays Capital Letters by Hailee Steinfield]

I smiled upon hearing the intro beat of the song. "Babe can I sing with you?"

"Of Course. I'll go first."

"Sure."

Sarah:

Never was a leader

Never had a thing for fairytales

Not really a believer, oh-oh

Tanch:

Small voice in the quiet

Guess I never dared to know myself

Can my heart beat quiet? No

Sarah:

But then there was you

Tanch:

(but then there was you)

Sarah:

Yeah, then there was you

Pull me out of the crowd

You were telling the truth

Tanch:

(you were telling the truth)

Sarah:

Yeah (yeah, yeah)

Tanch:

I got something to say now

'Cause you tell me that there's no way I couldn't go

Nothing I couldn't do

Sarah:Yeah

Sarah grabbed my hand and sang her heart to me.

Tanch & Sarah:

I want to get louder

I got to get louder

(Lift our intertwined hands up in the air)

We 'bout to go up baby, up we go

We 'bout to go up baby, up we go

Tanch:

We're blowing out speakers

Sarah:

Our heart a little clearer

Both:

We 'bout to go up baby, up we go

We 'bout to go up baby, up we go

For worse or for better

Gonna give it to you

In capital letters

Sarah:

We put a crack in the shadows

And you tell me it's okay to be the light

And not to swim in the shallows

No, no

Tanch:

And I wanna get drunk with you

When we lie so still, but you're taking me places

Holding me onto you

And we don't care who's watching us, baby

Sarah:

But then there was you (Wink)

Tanch:

(But then there was you) (Wink back)

Tanch & Sarah:

Yeah, then there was you

Pull me out of the crowd

You were telling the truth

(You were telling the truth)

Yeah (yeah, yeah)

I got something to say now

'Cause you tell me that there's no way I couldn't go

Sarah:

Nothing I couldn't do

Tanch:

(no, no, no, no) Yeah

Tanch:

I want to get louder (starts to dance)

Sarah:

I got to get louder (bangs her head)

Both:

(Smiles adoringly to each other)

We 'bout to go up baby, up we go

We 'bout to go up baby, up we go

Sarah:

We're blowing out speakers

Tanch:

Our heart a little clearer

Both:

We 'bout to go up baby, up we go

We 'bout to go up baby, up we go

Sarah:

For worse or for better

Tanch:

Gonna give it to you

Both:

In capital letters

Tanch:

In capital letters

Sarah:

In capital-

Tanch:

Gonna give it to you

Sarah:

Gonna give it to you

Both:

Gonna give it to you

Sarah:

I want to get louder

I got to get louder

We 'bout to go up baby, up we go

We 'bout to go up baby, up we go

Tanch:

We're blowing out speakers

Our heart a little clearer

We 'bout to go up baby, up we go

We 'bout to go up baby, up we go

Both:

I want to get louder

I got to get louder

We 'bout to go up baby, up we go

We 'bout to go up baby, up we go

We're blowing out speakers

Our heart a little clearer

We 'bout to go up baby, up we go

We 'bout to go up baby, up we go

(Sarah tucked in some strand of my hair)

For worse or for better

(I smiled brightly while I caress both of her face and get lost in her eyes)

Gonna give it to you

In capital letters

Just about time when the song ends, the boat moves to a stop in a glorious dock site on the lakeside, overlooking the magnificent modern rustic Italian Villa that has a fresh contemporary twist of Lombard and Tuscan architecture with the tall perfectly cut foliage cypress trees in the background.

"Magnefico! Babe? Are you sure we are in Laguna and not in Italy?" I asked astonishly while I hugged myself because of the overwhelming feeling of her suprise.

"Yes. Welcome to Villa del Tarah, Tanch. Your very own Lake Como inspired villa here in the Philippines with Mt. Banahaw on the side to complement the Swiss Alps feels."

"Do you like my suprise?" she added.

"No! I love it. Thank you babe, you really do know how to make me happy!" I said as I closed the gap between us.

"Ti Amo, Sarah." I said before I dipped my head and kissed her sensely, pouring all my heart's content and finally admitting to the world how much I love this woman in my arms...

Akala ko ba Ice queen bakit bumigay agad? Asan na yung walls mo? Natibag na ba agad?

Can't wait for the rising action chapters. I am thrilled to announce that the outline for this story is done, roughly we have 35 chapters more or less.

Chill lang muna tayo, medyo mahaba haba pa ang exposition. So yes, nasa intro palang po talaga tayo. 😉

Let me know what do you want in the ending.

Fan pa naman ako ng mga tragic ending hahaha pero gusto ko kayong pagbigyan.

Much Love.