The next morning, Alec woke up but didn't find El by his side
'Where did she disappear now, I hope she isn't still disappointed with me' he thought.
He freshened up and came downstairs to find her.
His feelings for her were growing intense with every passing day. Indeed he was attracted to her from the very beginning, but the way he felt towards her now was way beyond attraction.
El was sitting on the armchair having her coffee as usual.
When she heard footsteps approaching, she looked at him with a bright smile and said,
"Alec come quickly, I've made pancakes for breakfast."
She had a child-like excitement in her voice.
At that simple moment Alec obtained an unexplainable clarity within him.
The turmoil he was experiencing from the past few days within his heart had settled and there was a sense of peace and tranquility engulfing him.
His tangled and fuzzy feelings were crystal clear to him now.
He now knew what exactly he felt for El, it was indeed a feeling of Eternal Love.
El got up to go to the dining area, Alec hurried down and stopped her on her tracks.
Before she could ask or say anything, Alec held her face with both his palms, leaned in and kissed her lips passionately.
El was surprised with his sudden kiss, but she kissed him back nonetheless.
Both of them were deeply engrossed in their kiss, completely ignoring their surroundings.
El held his neck from one hand pulling him closer and further deepening their kiss.
After a whole minute they let go of each other's lips and panted for breath while keeping their foreheads touched.
"Alec," El said softly.
"There are people around." She said feeling shy.
Alec slowly looked around and saw Patty and Ben. He cleared his throat and straightened his clothes.
El grinned at his actions. Feeling charmed with her smile he said,
"Stop it or I'll kiss you again, fiercely this time, no matter who is around." He whispered in her ear seductively.
"Stop what?"
"Being so alluring."
El blushed more and her cheeks were turning redder with every passing moment.
"You are doing it again." Alec said.
Hearing this she buried her face in his chest and clutched his shirt. She was feeling too shy to face anyone.
'What's happening to me?' she thought, feeling surprised at her own behaviour.
"We have a long day ahead of us", she said.
"I'd rather be here with you," Alec replied.
'Me too' El thought but said "You wish" with a mischievous smile.
She turned around and walked towards the dining area, Alec followed her.
"Do you like it?" She asked with the same eagerness as before.
Alec looked at her and thought 'Will she ever stop being so adorable'.
"It's delicious" he said and her smile grew brighter. Alec couldn't stop being smitten by her.
"Why did you make it but? Is there anything special today? He asked.
"No. I made it as an apology for being rude yesterday. I'm sorry"
Alec looked at her when she said it, she still had marks on her chin yet she was apologizing for yesterday.
He leaned towards her keeping his palm on her face, leaning closer he softly kissed her chin. He continued giving her soft kisses around her chin
"I'm sorry for hurting you." He said softly. He touched the mark and asked
"Does it hurt?"
El shook her head.
"Do you have any plans today?" She asked, anticipating his reply regarding her grandma.
"Yes, I'll be accompanying Grandma Alexandra move to the Ford's Villa."
"Can I come along?" She asked.
"Sure," Alec replied.
At Wilson's group, Alec was going through his reminders on his phone when he came across Michelle's number.
'Should I call her?' At that moment he received a text message.
'That number is untraceable.'
'I'll see what I can do,' Alec replied and dialed Michelle's number.
Michelle was shocked to see that Alec had called her on the other number. Maintaining her composure, she received the call.
"Hello"
"Hi Michelle, it's me Alec."
"Alec?" Michelle pretended to sound confused.
"Alec Wilson." He said.
"Hm" replied Michelle.
"How have you been Michelle?"
It was weird for her to hear Alec call her by her actual name.
"I've been fine." She replied
"and thank you for taking care of my grandmother all these days."
"It is my duty to take good care of Grandma Emilia's friend. I see her as my own grandmother." He said sincerely.
"Thank you" Michelle tried to keep her words limited.
Alec sensed her distant nature and asked
"Do you remember when you used to visit us with grandma Alexandra? I would tease you and You used to call me Bad Al or the time when…"
"Mr Wilson" Michelle interrupted him.
The fact that she didn't remember anything about her past made her feel remorseful.
"I'm sorry but I don't remember anything about my childhood because of an accident." She said honestly.
Alec felt silent when he heard that.
'She doesn't remember me at all, may be that's why she is being so distant'
"I'm sorry to know that. Where were you all these years?"
"Hiding," she replied plainly.
Suddenly Alec began to feel sorry for her state.
"Will you be accompanying us today at Ford's Villa?"
"No, I'm currently in Abon city with my husband.
Alec was surprised to find out that Michelle was married.
"You are married?" He asked rhetorically
"Yes" she replied.
"To?" He was curious to know her husband's name.
"I'm sorry Mr. Wilson but I'd like to keep the details of my personal life confidential."
"I hope we could meet for coffee sometime." He asked, hoping to see her once.
"That would be a 'no' Mr. Wilson. I'd rather not grab media attention again, I hope you understand." She articulated.
"Hmm… irrespectively Miss Ford, I hope we meet soon."
Michelle paused for a moment and said, "I'll hang up now, thank you again for taking care of Grandma."
"It was nice talking to you." Alec said and Michelle hung up.
At Nora Fabrics and Designs,
'He kissed me this morning and is flirting with another woman now' El pouted.
She kept thinking about her conversation with Alec.
'Why is he so curious to know me, maybe because we knew each other as kids'.
She felt envious of herself but decided to not act on it as El fearing it might result in undesirable consequences.