Chapter 143 - A Small World

Allie was awakened by the blinding sunlight blazing through the glass window in their room. The sun was already high up in the sky and she suddenly felt guilty for waking up late. They had itineraries to follow and she was afraid she was ruining it. She looked up and found Ajie still fast asleep, enclosing one of his arms around her. Feeling his even breathing on top of her head, she turned to her side and faced him, taking the full chance to take a closer look at those attractive features she missed for years. Lifting up her fingers, she began tracing the arch of his brows, the bridge of his nose and the curves of his mouth while her thoughts escaped to the beautiful moments they spent together.

Tickled by the sensation of his touch, Ajie woke up. Seeing her gazing up at him, he felt a sense of joy, something he no longer expects he would be having soon. He pinched her chin and his thoughts recalled the sweet and intimate moment they had last night. He swore in his heart he'd never stop until he would win her fully again. He understood how she stood up on her words and for Hayri to break up the engagement, it could mean his success was no longer vague. Until Allie would be satisfied with his reason why he was breaking up, only then would she accept his decision. She had always known that Hayri would always fight for his right and for him to say that it was because of his guilt in depriving the kids with their father, she wouldn't accept. It was too shallow. He could still marry her without depriving his right to his children. There must be a reason and all she needed was to personally talk to him. He couldn't do anything else but to respect her in this decision.

"Allie, I'm really sorry,'' he said, while a sense of remorse spread into his face.

"For what?" she wondered, it was just a few hours ago when they made love and she couldn't think of a reason why he was suddenly sorry.

"For losing you... for everything."

Allie smiled back and didn't answer, she burrowed her face into his chest instead and enjoyed the feeling of security. He took her clinging to him as a way of saying he was forgiven and an inexplicable sense of joy spread into his heart. He pulled her closer and claimed herself once more before they were disturbed by the call from Mrs. Lopez that they must get ready for breakfast. They had arrived already at one of their destinations in Japan and soon they would be leaving the ship for an excursion.

Ho Chi Min City was their first stop. Commonly known as Saigon, it is a city in Southern Vietnam known for its role in the Vietnam war. Notre-Dame Cathedral, one of the famous French colonial landmarks, was one of the attractions of the city aside from the food stalls lining up the noisy streets that rarely sleep, especially around Ben Thanh Market.

After a short visit to the cathedral, they proceeded to the famous Chu Chi tunnels where they were taken by a tour guide explaining to them the traps the Vietnamese used in killing US soldiers. The exhausting tour on this immense networks of underground tunnels made the elderlies cut the course of their plan. They decided to find a good restaurant offering the country's specialty and spent the rest of their time there before proceeding to their next destination.

While everyone was enjoying their food, an elegant lady dressed in a Vietnamese costume who looked like in her late thirties, approached them with a wide and beautiful smile. "Xin Chao."

They also responded almost simultaneously. "Hello!" 

"How's the food?" she asked, her eyes scanning on their choice of food.

There were servings of Banh mi, a bagel stuffed with multi-layers of different luncheon meats, pate, mayonnaise, pickles, cilantro, and cucumbers. She also noticed Pho, a combination of soft rice noodles in a soup broth, usually prepared with either chicken or beef. Bun Rieu, a crab-based broth with tomato, topped with noodles, golden tofu, and chunks of meat was also present along with Op La, another of the country's specialty.

The lady looked up and as her eyes fell on Ajie, she froze and her smile was suspended. Somehow, in a blink of an eye, she somewhat recovered from her shock and she resumed smiling. Everyone noticed this and all their eyes fell on her. Ajie then stood up and walked towards her, extending his hand for a greeting.

"Hello, Miss Perez. It is such a small world."

Miss Perez stayed her eyes on him for a while, perhaps thinking for better words to say. "Adrian, it's you."

"How are you? You're still as beautiful as you were six years ago," he said, trying to break the tension which started to build up between them.

"Thank you. I guess you're already married by now," she replied, scanning her eyes on the rest of them on the table. There was only Allie there whom she could easily guess as his wife. She smiled when their eyes locked.

"Meet Allie, the one whom I told you before. Our daughter is also here and the second one on the way. The rest are our parents." His smile was the widest when he mentioned the second child.

"Hello, Miss Allie. I now understand why my daughter Cherry didn't get a chance on him before."

She laughed as Allie also stood up to shake a hand with her before she returned her flatteries. "I now also understand why Cherry is so beautiful. She gets it's all from you."

Mrs.Perez's eyes widened in surprise while Allie also regretted her tactlessness. "You saw her before?"

Allie hesitated in her answers. While thinking for a safe reply, Ajie did it for her. "They were friends on FB."

Miss Perez no longer replied and it was clear that she avoided the topic. She waved a hand and smiled at all of them before saying, "Please enjoy your food."

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