Ryan walked in into his bed room, he glanced at Layla who was seated on the bed going through a magazine.

    He sighed... "Can we talk?"

   Layla looked up at him... "About what?" She asked.

     "To be honest," he sat beside her. "I don't like what's happening to us. I know you're upset with me, but I want us to sort out whatever issues we're having." He spoke calmly. 

     "Yeah, me too. I feel so horrible that I let my emotions get the better of me. Ryan I'm really sorry." Layla said sadly.

     Ryan had a small smile on. "I'm sorry too. I could never see you as a fling or kept woman, Layla you're one of those that bring out the best in me and any man would be lucky to have you. No matter what happens to us, you're always gonna be my friend. I don't want you thinking that I'm gonna desert you after everything we've been through. Layla I would never hurt you on purpose believe me." He told her.

     "I know." She gave him a weak smile. "I've just been insecure lately, afraid to face the fact that you're never gonna be mine." Layla bit her lip. "It was her... It was her right? It was her you went to be with on your birthday wasn't it?" She asked sadly.

    "Layla let's not—"

   "Just be honest with me. It's okay, I can take it." She said and Ryan nodded slowly. Layla sighed... "Did you guys have s—"

  Ryan immediately cut her off. "No. Of course we didn't have sex. I don't want that kind of thought living in your head." Ryan frowned.

    "You can't blame me can you? Is she pretty? Is she tall?" Layla asked him.

     "Layla I don't want to talk about this." Ryan shook his head.

    "Then when? You don't think I deserve to know who she is?" Layla crawled out of the bed. 

     "Don't leave yet, we have to talk things over." Ryan said to her.

     "You're not ready to talk to me yet, we'll talk when you're ready." Layla said to him before walking away.

     Ryan gave a tiring sigh... He understood Layla but she was stubborn.
.................................................................

     "Don't you just love this?" Karen grinned from ear to ear. She kept looking at Mia and David, back and forth as they sat together at the dinning table.

   Mia rolled her eyes at her mother. "Mom please." 

    "Aunt, I must say your cooking is really delicious." David complimented Karen's cooking.

   Karen chuckled... "It's only pasta my dear."

    "One of the best, if I may add." David smiled at her.

    Karen turned to Mia who was more focused on her phone than her food. "Mia," she called her daughter. "No phone when eating."

     Mia looked at her mother who was raising her brow. Mia took the cue, placing her phone on the table.

     Karen looked back at David and smiled. "Isn't this lovely? You spending time with us." She said happily.

    "Couldn't agree more."  David smiled back at her, turning to Mia. "Did you tell your mom about what you did for the foundation?"

            "Oh that? She didn't need to know." Mia said, digging her fork into the food.

     "Ooh, what foundation is that sweetie?" Karen seemed interested to know.

     "Mama forget about it." Mia shook her head.

    The table was quiet after a while until David cleared his throat.

     "Aunt, I need your permission on something." He said.

     "What is it David?" Karen asked him.

      "I wanna take Mia on a vacation, she wouldn't agree to it. She's going back to Italy on Monday and I was hoping we could spend the weekends off. Mia deserves it because she's been working so hard, and that's what I like about her. With your permission, I'd like to take her away for just the weekends." He said to Karen.

    Karen looked at Mia and turned back to David... "Will it be just the both of you?" She asked him.

      "Not really. We're six going on the vacation. In fact, Mia's friends with them too."

    "So where are you going?" Karen asked.

     "To the Philippines. I've got an island there." David answered.

    She seemed surprised... "An island? That's nice." Karen was impressed.

     After dinner, Mia escorted David  to the parking lot.

     "You're quiet." He said as they walked over to his car.

     "You shouldn't have told my mom about that vacation. It's wrong, you should have never done that." Mia was upset about it. Telling her mom about some trip she didn't want to go was stupid. Why would he do that?

       "I'm sorry. I just thought if your mom convinces you, maybe you'd change your mind." He said to her.

    "Still, you shouldn't have done that. Going is my choice not hers." She said to him.

    "Mia I'm really sorry. I just wanted you come with me because I didn't want to feel left out. Alex is gonna come with Natalie, Ryan with Layla, I just felt if I invited you, it'd be even. Much more fun."

    "I'm not a trophy. I hope you don't treat me like one." Mia suddenly became irritated. The thought of David only trying to show her off irked her.

      He realized his mistake. "That's not what I meant. I was only trying —"

     "David, it's getting late. It's best you go. Goodnight." Mia said to him before walking towards her apartment building.

     "Mia, Mia, mi..." David rubbed his face, sighing heavily.

     Mia ignored her mom's voice as soon as she was back into the house and walked straight to her room locking the door. She was upset and annoyed.
What did he think of her? Just because her mom adores him didn't mean she was fine with him sharing everything they talk about. It wasn't up to forty minutes he had left that he sent an apology text.

      I'm really sorry if I hurt your feelings. God I feel bad that you're mad at me. All I wanted was to get work off your mind because you've been working really hard, I only want for you to have a little time for fun and relaxation. I'm sorry Mia, forgive me for overstepping my boundaries, it was stupid of me. It would never happen again...

     Mia exhaled after reading the letter, she tossed her phone away retrieving her white recording teddy.

      "He's so stupid." She playfully punched the head of the teddy. Mia frowned, pouting her lips. "Maybe I should text him back, so he won't get into an accident." She reached out for her phone and typed back.

      Fine.... 

    After she was done sending her message, she scrolled down her phone and her eyes caught Ryan's number. She bit her lip, thinking for a while. Mia tapped on her screen, typing

     Hey...

  She was about to hit the send icon but she paused and kept on typing.

    Just checking up on you...

  Mia stopped typing and deleted all the words. She retyped.

   Hey there! Haven't heard from you in a while, what have you been up to?

      Mia paused again. "This is stupid." She erased all the words, tossing her phone away. "Let's not sound desperate."

     She laid on her back on the bed, placing the teddy on her belly. "Love makes people stupid and I've stupidly caught it. I can't believe I'm in love with Ryan Webster, that jerk." She said to the teddy while recording her voice. Mia plays the recording and she chuckled after hearing her voice. "I have really gone mad." She laughed quietly.
...................................................................

       On Friday morning, David and Mia went to the private airstrip, meeting Alex and Natalie.

    "Oh. My. God. He brought her?" Natalie whispered as soon as she saw Mia. "Did you know about this?" She asked Alex.

     "I didn't." Alex replied. "Hey man." Alex greeted, giving David a brotherly hug.

      "You look beautiful." Natalie smiled as she exchanged air kisses with Mia.

      "Thank you." Mia returned a smile.

    "Mia." Alex nodded, acknowledging her presence.

     "Ryan isn't here yet?" David asked Natalie while hugging her.

    "He's on his way." Natalie answered.

  Just then, Layla arrived. "You guys!" She waved at them as she went to meet them. "What are you doing here?" She asked, surprised to see them. She was told that she had a photoshoot while Ryan was told that he was meeting up with an investor.

      "We're going for a vacation and you're.... Oh here comes Ryan!" Natalie grinned.

    All heads turn to Ryan who was dressed in his usual suit.

     "What the hell is going on here?" It was the first question he asked as soon as he stood with the rest.

      "Now that we're all here.... We're going to the Philippines!!" Natalie squealed.

     "What?" Ryan raised his brow. "Sorry guys, I have a meeting in—"

     "That was only a lie. We asked Olivia to cancel all your appointments for the weekends so that we could spend time together, all of us." Alex said to him, turning to Layla.

    "So.... The photoshoot? That was a lie too?" Layla frowned at him.

     "Yep! Honestly guys, we need this vacation. Especially you two." Alex told Layla and Ryan.

    Ryan scoffed... "Is this some joke or what?"

    "Don't be a killjoy Ryan, we didn't tell you the truth because we knew you wouldn't agree to it. When was the last time you had fun? It's only for a few days. Few days with nothing related to work only fun! Just for the weekends." David said to him.

    "I can't believe you guys fooled me." Ryan glared at Alex. "You're all..." He paused when he saw Mia staring at him. "Oh, hi." He said with a small smile forming on his face.

     "Hey." Mia smiled back.

    "I'm sorry I didn't see you and..." Ryan turned back to Alex. "Is she coming along too?" Ryan asked him.

     "Apparently yes." Alex nodded slowly.

     "Oh." Ryan said, turning back to Alex. "Anyways," he suddenly had a strict face. "You should have told me so I wouldn't look like a complete idiot, and you know what, if you told me about this, I'd never agree." He told them.

      "Good thing we didn't tell you!" Natalie chuckled.... "Okay ladies, gentlemen, I think you've spent a lot of time here. Time to go, Philippines awaits us!!!" She did the shimmy dance.
...................................................................

     Hours of traveling, they finally got to Bugna island.

   "Welcome to Bugna island." The four Filipina attendants dressed in a long white dress greeted all six of them. They assisted the guests with their luggage.

     "It's good to be back." David spread his arms apart and smiled as they walked closer to the duplex.

     A woman in her late forties, came out of the house.  

     "David!" The woman was excited to see him.

     "Ms Marge!" David said happily, giving her a big hug.

     "It's so good to see you. I was extremely surprised when you said you'd be coming over." She looked at David's friends. "I see you came with guests." Marge smiled.

    Everyone greeted the lady...

    "Please come in, come in." She ushered them into the beautiful house.

    "It's so beautiful." Natalie said quietly as she admired the whole place.

    "There are two rooms down here and five rooms upstairs, feel free to choose whichever you're comfortable with." Marge said to them.

     "You guys go, I'll join you later." David told the others.

  They all left for their various rooms.

    The house had a beautiful beach view, and from Mia's beautiful room, she could see the waves. She'd taken a  hot shower to avoid cold, she dressed into shorts and a blue tank top with pink flip-flops, she had also pulled up her hair in a ponytail.

There was a knock on her door. David entered inside.
   
     "How'd you like the place?" He asked her.

      "I love the place!! I can't wait to get around the whole place. David this island is so beautiful." Mia happily said. "Thanks for forcing me to come," she hugged him. "And maybe you're right, this is just what I needed. A little distraction." She said to him.

  "I'm happy you like it." He smiled.
"Are you hungry? Let's get you something!"

     "God I wanna try those Philippine dishes I see in the movies." Mia was so excited.

     "Let's go." He said, throwing his arm around her shoulders.

     They both headed out to the beach. It was a windy evening, the sun had set in the sky and there was a bonfire.

   "This is so exciting." Mia couldn't contain her excitement as soon as she saw a table with chairs all around. It had dishes already set on her the round table. "We're gonna eat here?" She asked David. 

     "Yes." He nodded.

     "Even better." Mia squealed. He pulled out a seat for her. "Thank you." She thanked him.

   Just then, they were joined by Layla, Ryan, Alex and Natalie.

     "Wow, this looks delicious." Natalie commented, sitting beside Mia.

       They all sat down to eat...

   "Everyone wait, let's share the grace." Layla said to them. "Hands together." She said, gesturing for them to hold hands. "Lord," she began. "Thank you for life, thank you for bring us here safely, thank you for tonight. We pray, as we eat and drink, you'd keep protecting us. Amen."

      "Amen." They all chorused.

   "Let's eat." Alex grinned at the food.

   "Let me help." David said to Mia. He dished out a small portion of rice into her plate.

    "Thank you." She smiled.

   "I'll pass the dried fish." David picked up a plate containing some dried fish and handed it to Mia.

     "Thank you. You don't have to do all these, I could do it myself." She said to him. Mia picked out a dried fish and started dismantling the fish into her rice with her bare hands.

   "Il mio amore, what are you doing?" David asked her. He was extremely amused to see her using her hands.

    Mia looked up only to find everyone staring at her. "What?" She frowned at the way they were all gawking at her.

     "Mia dear, there's a reason for a fork." Natalie smiled at Mia.

    "Oh." Mia chuckled... "Don't mind me. The Filipinos use hands to eat these, I watch them on TV. They say hands make the food taste more delicious." She told them. "I wanna try it, that's all." Mia started using her hands to eat.

     David laughed seeing the expressions of others. "Relax guys, it's a normal thing. I do it."

    "Really?" Natalie frowned.

    "Yes." David said before dipping his hand into his meal.

    "Oh, this is so good." Mia moaned as she chewed. 

    Natalie looked down at her food and decided to give it a try. "Babe?" She nudged Alex who was already eating.

    "Mmmhm." Alex hummed.

    "Babe can you feed me?" She asked politely.

   Alex looked at her and raised his brow. "Did something happen to your hands?" He asked her and he heard a chuckle from Layla.

     "I mean feed me with," she pointed to his hand. "Your hand."

     "What?" He blinked.

    "Babe I just got my nails done for the shoot, pleeeese." She batted her lashes at him.

     "With my hands? Natalie are you—"

     "Pleeeeeese." She made puppy eyes.

    Alex groaned... "I can't believe you're making me use my hands." He eyed Natalie for a while before dipping his hand into her plate.

    Layla laughed at them... "You both are crazy."

     Ryan ate in silence, he just sat there calmly and never uttered a word.

    Dinner ended with everyone laughing and talking...

    "Aren't you going to sleep yet?" Natalie asked Alex as they sat on the couple seat together.

     "I'll join you later." He said to her, giving her a kiss on the lip.

    "Don't stay out too late." She told him before standing to leave.

     Mia walked up to Alex some minutes after Natalie had gone.

     "Can I sit?" She asked.

    "Please, please do." Alex said, looking up at her.

   Mia sat beside him and heaved.

     "You can't sleep either?" He asked looking at the ocean.

    "Yeah." She nodded. "It's so beautiful." She said, watching the waves.

    "It is." He looked at her. "Mia I'm sorry about before, I was—"

    "Please no. Please don't apologize for looking out for your friend. Whatever happened is in the past now." She said to her while looking at the ocean.

     "Now I see why he loves you." Alex chuckled softly.

      "What?" She looked at him.

   "You really remind him of her." Alex smiled.

     "Do I... Do I really look like his mother?" She asked him quietly.

     Alex nodded...

     "Did you know her? What was she like?" She asked. She was getting curious.

   "She was... Beautiful, smart, really smart, she could sing pretty well that she won the kids talented voice twice and —" he was describing everything he could remember of Sophie.

     "Did you say kids talented voice?" Mia gasped. "I won twice too! But wait," she frowned. "Is kids talented voice that old?" She said the last part to herself.

    "Wait. You won it twice?" He frowned at her.

     "Yes! I won it when I was like ten and eleven in the United States." She told him.

    "What?" He seemed confused at her revelation.