The Secret Island
CHAPTER 31: Day Eleven

Martin woke up. Today was another day he woke up before her. Yesterday, Celine asked him to sleep in the bedroom again and emphasized that in our remaining days together, he must sleep in the bedroom-an unladylike order as she once accused herself. But Martin didn't think much of it. He understood the rationale behind her thoughts. They both wanted to spend as much time together before everything was over. Things were ending, and the concern dimmed the initial excitement during this holiday.

When the thought of our last day was prominent, what else could be fun? It was a shame. There were still many days left...

Martin looked at the woman in his arms and kissed her forehead with care. Celine was sleeping-he thought she looked younger and so adorable he couldn't resist spending time watching. "Hey, do you want to see the sunrise together again this morning?" He decided to say that to wake her up in a soft voice.

Because she insisted that we should watch the sunrise together every day...at least every day until she would have to leave...

She was still sleeping soundly.

"Celine..." He tried to wake her up again.

"...yesterday, you kissed my cheek. How could you just wake me up by just calling my name? It's not fair, Martin...." She had woken up and went ahead with her request.

And he was too good at compliance.

"Hmm..." She was still closing her eyes and smiled at him.

So he kissed her again.

This time, she opened her eyes. Her look begged him to continue to sleep. Her two hands reached out to hug him. He couldn't even get up at this point.

"Are you getting up?"

"No, not until you kissed my cheek again." There, she was such a player. He couldn't believe this kid...

But he complied anyway.

His lips touched her soft cheek. She even moved her face closer.

"Wake up and get ready." As his nose still caressed her cheek, he urged her. He had never done this to anyone. But for her, this woman is an exception to everything he had ever done, everything he had ever felt, everything he had ever planned.

She was an exception to all his excuses.

****

Martin thought today was another day we could create more memorable memories, but he miscalculated the situation.

Again, her eyes were filled with so much sorrow.

No matter what activities we had done together, Martin always saw a glint of misery in her eyes every time he looked at her. It didn't if he held her hand, hold her close, or gave a simple smile. Everything was useless, she didn't reciprocate, and once she noticed her actions, she forced a smile.

He knew she wanted us to retain this relationship for as long as we could. And he knew she didn't want him to feel uneasy by confessing her frustrations. But he knew...

He didn't want her to worry so much about the future that the stress reduced our presence to rumbles of dreams.

As a more mature person, he felt he had to act. He had to do something, although he had no idea how. How could he dispel all these dark clouds surrounding her? "Celine..."

She was gazing at the bouquet he had bought. Yes, a man like him bought her red roses. He had tried everything he could think of to brighten her mood.

We were watching the ocean together. He wanted her to drop that melancholic face. Maybe looking at the waves may help.

"Celine." He raised his voice slightly.

"...huh? Oh...err...what?"

"What is on your mind?"

"Nothing, really." She was still too stubborn to tell him.

"Don't hide things from me. Since yesterday, I could see your face. I'm not dumb enough not to realize what you are feeling. Why don't you tell me? You can just tell me anything. I'm your boyfriend, am I not?" "I told you. There is nothing, really."

"Celine." His tone got more serious.

Celine closed her eyes. She was deciding something. She broke out a soft chuckle.

"You are such a great boyfriend...."

He frowned, confused by her comment.

"You are too good, really. Sometimes, I thought I was dreaming."

She placed the roses on her lap and reached out to touch his shoulder.

"...too good that I'm too afraid to wake up and face reality."

"...perhaps the torturing reality is no different from your nightmares."

She poured out her pain. Her eyes blamed fate.

"I'm sorry." That was all he could say.

He was powerless to control his fate, and that was all he could say.

"I'm so sorry, Celine."

She forced a smile again. Her eyes brimmed with tears.

"Why did you apologize? I told you I know our deal. We need to end it soon anyway. I know it, and I accept the fact. I accept that condition, so we can stay together this way." Hurt flashed in her eyes.

What was to come left wounds in both their hearts.

He took her hand and kissed it to comfort her.

Her tears flowed down both sides of her cheeks.

Between us, there was no anger or blame but spitefulness against fate. And then her trembling voice began to describe her repressed feeling.

"You are making me feel too much. Too much more than I should. To be honest, I don't like myself like this...."

At that point, he couldn't bare seeing that sad gaze. He pulled her into his arms. And at the slight contact, she sobbed. She held him tightly and clutched his shirt.

How long has she been enduring this feeling?

How long has she been enduring his selfishness?

And why does she have to sacrifice so much...

He touched his forehead to hers. In close proximity, he saw her nose turning red. Her breathing was irregular. Oh, my poor Celine.

She had been his smile, and now he intended to be hers. He needed to tell her.

"You don't like yourself, but I like you, you know. I like you a lot."

He had never been a good speaker, but he was trying. He felt a bit embarrassed to reveal his feeling at first. But seeing that his words softened her gaze, he continued.

"I like that you are always honest about your feelings...."

She looked into his eyes. This time, she seemed confused by his change.

"I like that you have the courage to express your feelings and follow your heart." He grinned, thinking about the time she negotiated to be his girlfriend. He realized that in a short time, we already had a lot of memories together. "I like that you tried to cook. Although you didn't feel comfortable with the task, it came out great."

"I like it that you have been doing a difficult job of making me smile." And he smiled sweetly at Celine. She stopped crying and listened to him attentively.

"And I like your smiles."

His words were pleading. He begged Celine with all his loaded emotions.

"Can you be my happiness and smile at me again?"

"....."

Stunned, she didn't say anything for a long time, and suddenly she cupped his face.

Hmm?

"What you just said is all true? You are not pulling some prank on me, aren't you?" Celine asked excitedly. She was again back to her lively shelf.

"Yes. Everything I said is all true." He was puzzled by the sudden change of mood.

"You are mad." Despite those words, her smile was more radiant than the sun. She kissed him quickly and chuckled.

But she didn't know the truth that he desired to replace the word 'like' with 'love' more than anything.