Chasing The Broken CEO
Chapter 23

The aggressive waves were crawling to the white sand shore. It was beautiful and a good view to see. The cold and fresh air smelled like salted water is blowing gently that embraces my whole body, making me shiver yet it feels very relaxing and satisfying. The green colored Marlboro hills were fascinating too that it made the place so perfect and breath taking. Even the old houses were built out of pure brick stones beautifully. I could not help but to feel amazed and in love with the place of Basco, Batanes.

I turned my gaze on the Tayid light house located on the far hills from where I am standing. It is painted white with red lines on the very top. It is too tall and I bet the entire scenic view would be visible from its balcony. I looked at the blue sea in front of me. I felt like the waves are swaying me, making me feel comfortable and relaxed, like this place is a true home that I finally found.

I arrived here yesterday but I did not have a chance to roam around because my heart was still filled with sorrow and anger towards my parents. I cried endlessly in my hotel room as my issues in life finally made me breakdown. No one knows that I escaped and travelled all the way from Manila to Basco, Batanes. I made sure that no one would be able to replace where I am right now.

I still feel the pain whenever I think about how my parents' were trying to manipulate me, wanting me to give up the things I treasured the most. Thus, they hurt me so much that I can no longer please them. Yes, they are my parents but they don't have the right to tell me what to do. They don't have the right to decide for me and make me less of a person. I hate it so much.

I did not want this to happen. I did not want to disobey them at all. However, if they keep on deciding for me and telling me what to doing my life, what does it even make me? It makes me feel like an incomplete person, who can't even decide for my own good. Sometimes, I wish that I was born differently, that I am not Risha Nathalie Saavedra.

I wish that I have a normal life just like the others. I wish that I wasn't born in a rich family if that is the only way I could get a hold of my freedom without the fear of disappointing my parents.

I breathed in and let out a heavy sigh after a few seconds. I already made a decision for myself and planned this out well but there is still a little worry deep inside my chest. Perhaps by this time, my parents are searching the whole country in order to replace me. I am also sure that they would ask my best friend, Chandria, about my whereabouts. It is a good thing that I did not inform her what happened. She doesn't have the slightest idea that I am here, suffering alone all because the efforts I made weren't enough to please my parents.

Truly, greed does make their minds haywire. They no longer listen. They forgot that I am their daughter who is capable of feeling emotions and whom they are hurting for a while now.

I decided to join the group of tourists as they roam around and visit the tourist spots here in Basco, Batanes. Wearing my red colored long maxi dress and a white hat, I tried to fit in and enjoyed their company. We are five people in one group -with three Filipino women including myself, a Japanese girl who looks like an anime because of her clothes and long and wavy violet colored hair, and then there is a Korean girl who looks very cute too.

"This is my first time to visit this place. As a matter of fact, this was my dream vacation! I waited too long for the airlines to have a seat sale so that I would be able to travel in this place. Without the seat sale, I won't be able to afford the plane ticket at all!" said Klare, one of the members of the group, and is a Filipino like me.

"I totally agree with you! They don't offer seat sale that often so it would be difficult for the commoners like us to purchase a round trip ticket. Not to add that it is also hard to get the cheapest ticket on their website. That was the challenge!" Cyrill, who is also a Filipino in the group, added and shrugged off her shoulders.

I laughed with them. I tried my best to feel happy about them even though I do not know how it feels to wait for a seat sale to get a plane ticket at the most affordable price. To be honest, I envy them as they are living a normal life.

How ironic. Being rich does not give me a normal life. It only gives me the luxury but I still feel empty most of the time. Sometimes, money could not give you happiness. I don't want our wealth if that doesn't give me the freedom I need. "Hey! How about you, Nathalie? Do you feel the same way? Is this one of your dreams too? To travel all the way here and enjoy this kind of scenic view?" Klare turned her gaze on me happily.

I nodded slowly and smiled at them. "Yes it is! I just had the chance this week so I grabbed the opportunity while I still can. I want to breathe and unwind too. Manila is really suffocating at times." "Oh, I feel you on that!"

"You look like a rich girl though!" Klare commented at me, and then she laughed a bit.

I chuckled and only shook my head.

We followed the tour guide assigned with us. The four girls in my group were all enjoying taking pictures when we arrived at the Marlboro Hills which I saw multiple times in television and magazines. It's definitely true that this place is like a little New Zealand because of its natural resources. I could not help but to feel amazed while staring at the pure green colored hills. Klare dragged me so I can join them in the picture taking.

We roamed around in different places in Basco. We visited some old and historical churches and popular villages where we saw the normal living of the local people of this province. We also visited a market place where I enjoyed buying homemade accessories created by the locals.

I did not realize that I got separated from the group as I enjoyed checking each store in the market place. I moved to another store where I saw many bracelets and other hand accessories. I touched a limestone bracelet which caught my attention. It composed of black and white stones as its band and then there is a purple gem stone in the middle as its design. I wore it on my left hand and it looks good on me.

"How much is it?" I asked the vendor politely.

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"That is only a thousand pesos, young lady." She replied and then smiled at me.

I bought the bracelet and wore it already. I thanked the vendor and then move to another store.

One store caught my attention that I stopped walking and stared at the things they are selling. They sell pots made in mud. I walked towards this store and watched a young girl seated on her wooden chair and moulding a mud using her bare hands. She noticed my presence and then she smiled at me while trying to form a small pot of the mud she's moulding. She looks cute though! I chuckled and sat on the available chair beside her.

"Is it difficult?" I asked the little child.

"No, it is not, Ma'am!" she answered and then she smiled at me again. She stood up and then gazed at me. "Would you like to try it?"

I gasped, surprised that she's letting me try it.

"Would that be alright?"

She nodded happily.

Great! It appears that I would really enjoy staying here! I could almost see myself smiling genuinely as I stared at this child. Way to go, Nathalie!