Liam and Uncle Gusting were happily fishing together. They had already bonded well, and their catch was plentiful. They decided to head home since it was already past noon.
"Oh, Toto Liam, you know I'm really happy today. We caught so much fish. You must be my lucky charm. Before, I usually catch less than half of this, but today it's overflowing. I'm sure Amie will be delighted when she sees this."
"It's nothing, really. I just helped. Maybe you weren't pulling the net tight enough before, so some fish managed to escape."
"Ah, that must be it. I am getting old after all. It's good that I have help now. Thank you."
"You're welcome."
Uncle Gusting's boat docked quickly. As soon as Amore saw them, she approached immediately, carrying two towels.
She gave one to her uncle, and with the other, she wiped the sweat off Liam's face. It was just another one of Amore's acts. The man didn't object and just went along with it.
"Love, are you tired?"
"I'm fine, Love. Look, we caught a lot, see!"
"Wow, yes, that's a lot," she agreed. "Uncle Gusting, are you tired too? Come inside, I prepared a delicious lunch. I'm sure you both will love it."
"That's great, Amie. You and your husband go ahead first. I'll sell half of this catch first, then bring the rest home for you to sell food tomorrow."
"Okay, we'll go ahead. Take care, Uncle."
Amore held onto Liam's arm. They looked so sweet together. It would have been perfect if it were real and not just for show.
"Am, do you really need to hold my arm? Isn't this a bit too much?" he grumbled.
"Yeah. It's necessary so that everyone here will believe us. We can't risk anyone getting suspicious. Isn't this better? Just stop opposing me and act like everything is real. What we're doing is like in a movie, right? We are the leads, so just act well so we don't ruin the drama," she whispered.
They passed by some people, who all stared at them.
"Good afternoon," Amore greeted everyone they met.
"Good afternoon to you too, Amie. Is that your husband? He's so handsome," they exclaimed, admiring Liam.
"Yes, he is. His name is Yam," Amore answered and held onto his waist. Liam then put his arm around her shoulders, making them look genuinely sweet.
"Oh, really? You two really look good together, Amie. Alright, we'll go ahead. Bye."
"Okay," she smiled sweetly.
Amore didn't let go of Liam's waist until they reached their house. They only separated once they were inside.
"Love, sit there on the chair and I'll serve you food. I know you must be starving. How was fishing? I think it's really hard. If I were you, I'd go back to where you came from, I'm sure your work there is easier," she said. "Oh, here. This is delicious. I cooked it myself so I hope you like it."
"Amie, come here for a moment," her uncle called.
"Just a second," she replied. "Okay, eat well. I'll join Uncle later. You go ahead."
Instead of eating, Liam stood up and accompanied her to where her uncle was.
"Why?"
"So you went to town? Oh, help me wash the fish first and put them in the freezer. I'm hungry, so I'll eat first."
"Yes. Okay," she answered.
"Uncle really is annoying. He asks for help but ends up making us do all the work."
"Stop complaining, let's go. It will be quick since there aren't many left."
"Okay, Love," he said smiling.
"Can you please stop calling me 'Love' when it's just the two of us? It feels awkward," he requested.
"Hmm. You know what Liam, I'm just practicing, especially getting used to calling you that. Don't worry, I already talked to my doctor friend Dindo earlier. He's finding a way for me to go back to Manila soon. Three months will do, don't get tired of pretending. You chose to come with me, so suffer through it!"
"Okay. Done. Let's go in, I'm really hungry. So please stop scolding me, okay?"
"Fine!"
They went inside and ate. Liam enjoyed the meal so much, proving that Amore was indeed a great cook. She really could be a Chef.
"I like the food. Delicious!" Liam said as he took a bite. "You know Am, Tinolang Manok is my favorite. Good thing you thought of cooking this for us. By the way, what else did you do in town besides shopping for groceries?"
"Well, I bought two cellphones. I'll give you one later. Good thing you'll have something to use now. I also bought lots of SIM cards. In case someone traces the number, we can just throw it away immediately. Tomorrow, I'll call Dindo again for updates on our plans."
"Really? Wow, thanks. Thank you for the food and the new phone."
"No problem, so just act properly. Oh, here, eat more. By the way, later I'm going boating. I want to visit my old favorite spot again. I think you saw that small island earlier, it's about a kilometer away from here. It's beautiful there, so I'm going later. I might bring a tent just in case I stay until night. I'm just asking! Are you coming? If you don't want to, it's okay too."
"Yeah. I saw it. I was actually curious about that small island earlier. Your uncle told me about it too. He said you often go there whenever you vacation here."
"Yes, I really love that place. Tomorrow, I'm going to talk to the people managing the islands here to buy it. I want to own the Hidden Island. Aside from being beautiful, it's the perfect place to build a castle. And I will be the princess living there. Isn't that wonderful?"
"Wow. You have great plans. Do you really want to be a princess? That sounds like something only kids dream of."
"Tss. None of your business. I still remember what Lysander told me—that someday he will make me a princess and he will be my prince. He wants us to build a castle where just the two of us will live, along with our future children. Isn't that unique?" she said, suddenly feeling sad.
"But what now? I haven't seen him since he left me until now. Will that time ever come, Yam? The time when we meet again?"
"Yes, Lysander promised all that. I don't know if he will arrive or come back. It's up to you if you want to keep hoping that one day he will return. Follow what your heart tells you."
"I really believe he will come back. If ever he returns, I will introduce you to him. I hope you two will get along."
"I hope so too. Okay, I'm done eating."
Liam burped several times because he was so full.
"Here is your new cellphone. It already has a SIM card and load. Use it only for important things and with trustworthy people. Don't tell anyone where you are if they ask. Okay?"
"Is there a signal here? I need to contact my friend so they can send me money. I need funds for my own plans after three months. You're not the only one with plans. I have things I want to do too. If my brother is going to be difficult, I will still try to bring him down."
"Don't. I'll handle him. You can't even touch him. He is still your brother after all. I know it will hurt you to fight him, especially since you share the same blood."
"So what? It's better if I'm the one to get revenge. He can't kill me because I'm his sibling."
"That's where you're wrong. He spares no one and recognizes no one. He kills even his own blood. The best thing for you to do is stay here. Help my uncle. Can you do that?"
"Okay. I will. I don't want to argue with you anymore. I lose anyway. Maybe we should just go to that island. I hope you name it so it's truly yours. Aren't you going to buy it tomorrow?"
"I don't know. I can't think of a name to give it. Maybe I won't name it. I just want to bring my prince there someday," she said smiling. Keep dreaming, Amore.
"Tss. Prince my foot. I hope he never comes back to you."
"What? You're so mean! Come here, you're in trouble!"
They started chasing each other on the sand, acting like children playing. From a distance, Uncle Gusting was watching them. He looked happy seeing the two of them together.
Unexpectedly, Amore tripped and almost fell face first onto the sand. Luckily, Liam caught her immediately. They stayed in that position for a moment, staring at each other, freezing the moment their eyes met. It felt as if a strange emotion was forming between them.
"Ahem. You two look really sweet. Hmm. That's how it is in the first year of marriage. At first, you're so sweet, you don't even let a mosquito or fly land on your spouse. But in the end, you're throwing things at each other and beating each other up. It's sad really. I hope it doesn't happen to you two," Uncle Gusting said.
Liam suddenly let go of Amore, causing her to fall completely onto the ground.
"Ouch! Love, why did you drop me? Just you wait! I won't give you anything later. You'll see!"
"Oh my God. Stop it. Don't fight anymore. Come inside the house," Gusting scolded.
"Uncle, I'm leaving. I want to go to the island. The Hidden Island. I want to clear my head. I'm annoyed at what my husband did."
"Hey, what are you saying? It's just a small thing. Don't go there unless you bring your husband with you. It's already five in the afternoon and it will be night soon, so take him with you. It's better that you are together there so you can talk things out properly. Oh my, you two are really like children."
"But Uncle—" she protested.
"No buts," Gusting said sternly. "Yam, go with your wife. Fix whatever is wrong between you two. I don't want you coming back home still holding grudges. Alright?"
"Yes, I will go with her. Don't worry. We are leaving now. She already prepared the things she's bringing earlier."
"That's good."
"Okay Uncle. Take care while we are gone. What about your fishing tomorrow since we are taking your boat?"
"It's my day off. I'll just cook tomorrow. I'll start the eatery business. Just make sure when you come back, you two have made up. Take care!" Uncle Gusting called out.
He caught up with Amore at the shore. She wasn't saying a word; she was probably mad at him—either for what he said earlier or because he dropped her on the sand.
He rowed the boat all the way to the small island. Amore was still silent. Liam carried all their things.
When they arrived, the sun was just about to set. He took his cellphone from his bag and took pictures. The sunset was truly beautiful. And it felt even better when you were watching it with the person you loved.
Amore also took her phone and took pictures. It was her habit. If only she hadn't left her camera, she would have used it. She loved scenery and photography. She was capable of doing many things in life. That was how her father raised her—to never let anyone bully her.
He took out the tent and started assembling it. Liam helped him.
"Am, I am sorry. What did I do wrong?"
"Nothing. Nevermind."
They didn't speak again. They let their actions and eyes do the talking. Liam didn't push her. After setting up the tent, they went their separate ways. Liam chose to make a hammock and rest there later.
He saw Amore already in the water, happily splashing around. She ran along the shore like a child. He just watched her, not planning to go near her yet. He sat on the roots of a tree, smiling without realizing it.
"Come here, join me swimming. The water feels so good, Liam. Hurry! If you join me, I won't be mad at you anymore. Promise," Amore shouted at him.
Without hesitation, he walked towards where she was.
"Are you sure, my Love?"
"Hah! What got into you?" Amore asked in shock. Was he joking?
"Nothing. I'm just practicing so I can be convincing next time. Didn't you say we are the main characters in this story? So the acting has to be good to captivate the audience," Liam said grinning.
"Crazy! Let's go to the deeper part!" Amore said while chuckling softly. She go on deeper part of the water and swim.