Chapter 16 : I'll be there
With a slight pause, Joy continued, her voice tinged with anticipation, "As for your question about why I came to this city... Well..." She trailed off, a mysterious spark igniting in her eyes, leaving Chris hanging on the edge of his seat, eager to unravel the mystery behind her arrival.
After a while, Chris and Joy meticulously dressed up, each outfit reflecting their excitement for the adventure ahead. Joy slung her backpack over her shoulder, a symbol of readiness and anticipation.
Exiting the hotel, they stepped into the bustling city streets, a wave of exhilaration washing over them
Looking beautiful, Joy started to walk down the road with Chris, she looked around and took in the scenery of Dawn City. She also felt a bit nervous but then she remembered that she was not alone anymore, so it made her feel better
Spotting a quaint bus, Chris's eyes lit up with excitement. He gently took Joy's hand in his, a silent invitation to join him on this impromptu journey. "Come on," he urged with enthusiasm, "let's ride this bus. It'll take us straight to the temple."
Joy nodded in agreement, settling into the seat beside Chris on the cozy bus. "So, this will be a short ride, huh?" she remarked, her voice tinged with curiosity. "I'm glad we opted for this small bus instead of another taxi. It feels more authentic, and I imagine it's probably more cost-effective too," she added with a warm smile, appreciating their choice to immerse themselves fully in the local experience.
Chris chuckled at Joy's words, his laughter warm and genuine. "Indeed, it's a short ride, and you're absolutely correct about the bus being more economical than a taxi," he agreed, his tone playful. "But even for someone of your means," he continued, his eyes meeting hers with affection, "the value of a prudent choice isn't lost, is it?" He grinned, acknowledging her financial status while gently teasing her about her penchant for responsible spending.
Joy's expression softened as she pouted and looked away, crossing her arms defensively. "I may be wealthy, but that doesn't mean expenses don't matter," she admitted with a hint of vulnerability. "I still need to be mindful of my finances and save Crowns," she added, her voice carrying a sense of responsibility despite her playful demeanor moments before.
"Alright, alright, I surrender," Chris joked, raising his hands in mock defeat, trying to appease Joy.
Locking eyes for a brief moment, Chris and Joy couldn't contain their laughter any longer. Their shared amusement echoed through the bus, catching the attention of everyone aboard.
After a few minutes, the bus arrived at their destination. The passengers then got out of the bus and Chris walked to one of them who is also holding a map "I think this is our stop... Let's go." Chris said while he took Joy by her hand and lead her to the temple entrance
Chris leads joy to their destination, they then walks up in a stone stairs. A few minutes later, they reach the top. As they reach at the top, Joy scans for the temple and did not see anything, just an empty space
Joy's expression shifted from excitement to disappointment, her features contorting into a frown as she looked at Chris. "What... Is this? There's no temple here..." she uttered, her voice tinged with disbelief.
"It was here," Chris responded solemnly, a hint of regret in his tone.
"But... Where did it go? What happened to the temple?" Joy questioned, her confusion and worry evident in her furrowed brow and troubled eyes, searching for answers in the empty space where the temple once stood.
Chris smiled warmly at Joy, his eyes reflecting a glimmer of hope. "Joy, can I trust you?" he asked, his voice gentle yet filled with significance.
Joy met Chris's gaze and nodded without hesitation. "Yes, of course... You can trust me," she affirmed, her voice sincere and reassuring.
Returning her gaze, Chris gently took Joy's hand in his. "Do you trust me?" he asked, his touch conveying a sense of earnestness.
"Of course I trust you. Why are you asking that?" Joy responded, her confusion and curiosity evident in her furrowed brow and the tilt of her head, eager to understand the reason behind Chris's inquiry.
Chris's expression shifted to one of seriousness as he posed his question to Joy. "Do you really want to find the Mayari's temple?" he asked, his voice carrying a weight of solemnity.
With unwavering determination, Joy nodded, her resolve evident in the firmness of her gaze. "Yes, of course I want to find it. It's my mother's last wish for me... And I need to fulfill that," she affirmed, her voice laced with emotion as she spoke of her mother's legacy.
"Joy, if I take you there, do you promise to keep it a secret?" Chris's tone was grave, his words carrying a sense of urgency.
Meeting Chris's gaze with unwavering determination, Joy's eyes sparkled with anticipation. "Yes... I promise you, I won't tell anyone about it," she vowed, her commitment sealed with a solemn oath.
"The temple... The temple suddenly vanished and moved," Chris revealed, his gaze locking with Joy's, a sense of truth emanating from his words.
Joy's eyes widened in astonishment at the revelation. She was overcome with a mixture of shock and confusion. "The temple... vanished?" she echoed, her voice barely above a whisper, struggling to comprehend the magnitude of what Chris had just disclosed.
"Wait... You're telling me that the temple is not here anymore? But then where did it go?" Joy's confusion deepened, her mind racing to grasp the implications of this revelation.
With a reassuring smile, Chris met Joy's gaze, his eyes conveying a sense of understanding. "The temple is safe in my hometown. I can take you there tomorrow," he offered gently, his tone filled with sincerity. "But, like I told you, this is our secret. No outsiders, except for our town's people, know about the location of the Mayari's temple," he emphasized, underscoring the importance of keeping their discovery hidden from prying eyes.
Joy's smile widened into a radiant beam as she gazed at Chris with gratitude shining in her eyes. "So... We're going to your hometown tomorrow? Thank you so much for taking me there, and thank you for trusting me too," she said, her voice filled with warmth and sincerity.
"We may have met just yesterday, but I feel you have a good heart and kind intentions. Besides, this is your mother's wish, right? For you to find the Mayari's temple. I'm happily willing to help you fulfill it," Chris expressed, his gaze softening as he admired Joy's angelic face.
Joy's eyes softened into a warm, tender expression as Chris mentioned her mother. "Yes... It is my mother's last wish for me. And I am determined to fulfill it. Thank you for helping me, Chris Alcantara," she replied, her voice tinged with emotion.
With a gentle smile, Chris extended his hand to Joy. "So, why don't we continue our adventure from yesterday, Joy Dela Cruz?" he suggested, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Joy nodded eagerly, her excitement palpable. "Okay, I would love that! I want to see more places in this beautiful city," she exclaimed, her heart racing with anticipation for the adventures that lay ahead.
As they set off to explore the city once again, a sense of mystery lingered in the air, hinting at the secrets waiting to be uncovered on their journey to Chris's hometown and the elusive Mayari's temple.
To be continued...