Violet watched as Ryan stood a few meters in front of her in silence. She glanced towards the bouquet in her hand and debated whether she should go towards him or not.
A while ago, Ryan told her to accompany him to a few places.
They first went to the city and stopped by the bank.
Ryan let her sit behind the wheel as he went to settle a few things at the bank.
Violet cursed Ryan a few times, thinking that he only needed her around as there was not enough parking around the area.
When he told her that he had another place he needed to visit, Violet was prepared to drive around as Ryan settled his business.
Unexpectedly, he took her to the cemetery area and told her that this was his father's resting place.
From the distance, Violet could see Ryan muttering something about the memorial tablet in front of him.
Thinking that he might need some time alone, Violet decided to stay away.
When Ryan looked up, he smiled and motioned her to come closer.
Violet sucked in some air and took a few steps towards Ryan. She placed the bouquet and glanced at the photo on the tablet. She could tell that Ryan resembled his father a lot.
"My father died six years ago," Ryan said, breaking up the silence between them.
Violet pursed her lips.
"He died, suffering from diabetes," he continued. "He wouldn't give up on his sugar intake despite losing his legs. That old man was so stubborn. Sometimes, he would sneak into the kitchen for some ice cream while we weren't looking. Sometimes, he would beg for candies." He paused and laughed at his memory of his father.
Violet stared at Ryan and recalled how this man hated sweets."Is that why you hate sweet stuff?"
"Isn't that silly?"
"Not at all."
"My father especially loved cakes," Ryan told her. He took a deep breath and smiled at the memories. "I guess that was why I got mad when you told me you own a cupcake bakery on our first date. "
"Yeah, I remember that," Violet smiled. "Do you still hate my cupcakes now?"
He laughed. "No. I don't hate them."
Violet heaved in relief.
"It was very stupid of me to hate bakeries and sweet stuff because my father died from diabetes. But," he paused. "Just remembering how he would fight me and my sisters because he wanted to eat sweets drove me mad." He heaved a sigh before turning to Violet again. Suddenly, the look in his eyes turned soft. "I'm sure that my father would like you if he were still alive."
Violet looked up and scanned his face. Her fingers slowly disentangled from her bag straps and reached for his hand.
Ryan twitched when her small fingers touched him. He looked at Violet and understood that she was trying to console him. "Violet," he said.
"Yes?"
"Let's go."
xxx
Ryan smiled as he watched Violet take off her sandals. She tucked her hair behind her ear and walked towards the ocean. Her feet playfully splashed the water.
Five minutes ago, he decided to pull over when Violet excitedly told him that they should have a walk along the beach. He took a deep breath and clenched his jaw as he noticed how his heart was beating fast whenever he looked at Violet. "She's pretty."
"What was that?"
Ryan spun around and faced a woman in her early forties smiling at him. "Nothing. I was talking to myself."
While Violet was playing with the water, Ryan stopped by a stall to buy some drinking water. Once he was at the stall, he saw a cute hat and decided that it would suit Violet.
The stall owner went back to look for a new hat while Ryan was observing Violet from afar.
"Okay," The older woman decided to shrug it off. She looked behind his shoulder and smiled. "Is that your girlfriend?"
Ryan slipped some money on the counter and watched Violet from the distance. Violet was still there. She squatted down and her fingers were poking on something in the white sand. "Yes," he admitted. His smile remained.
He did not have to tell others that Violet was only his pretend-girlfriend.
"She's pretty," the woman commented. She took his money and exchanged it with his balance. She nodded and gestured towards Violet. "Looks like she found some admirers."
Ryan looked for Violet again and saw that she was talking with two guys. He thanked the woman, took his purchases, and jogged towards Violet. "Hey, sorry for the wait.," he called and slid a beach hat on her head.
"Hi," Violet turned and smiled.
The men mumbled something at each other and thanked Violet before they walked away.
"Who are those guys?" Ryan asked.
"I don't know. Tourist?" Violet said, shrugging. "They were asking me for direction."
"Direction?" Ryan said disapprovingly. "Are you sure they weren't hitting on you?"
"Why would they hit on me?" Violet was astonished at his suggestion.
Ryan looked at her, saying nothing. He took a quick breath as thousands of emotions ran through him. It was weird how she could make his heart quiver with the way she laughed.
Her smile faded. She couldn't make out his expression. His jaw locked, his eyes intense. Violet averted his eyes and stared at the white sand on her feet. She took off the hat on her head and stared at it for a few seconds. It was a white straw hat with pale pink ribbons. "What's with this straw hat?"
"Don't take it off," Ryan commented. He snatched the hat from her hand and placed it back on her head. "You needed it. The weather is hot and I don't want you to faint again."
"Thank you," Violet said. She pulled the edge of her hat and covered her face.
"Drink some water and keep yourself hydrated," Ryan advised. He uncapped the bottle in his hand and passed it to Violet.
Violet nodded and obediently followed his instructions. "And why are you barefoot?" Ryan asked. "It's dangerous. You might step on some glass or something and injure yourself."
Violet sighed. "Doctor, you have to stop worrying about me. We're not in the hospital," she lectured teasingly. "And I'm sure that you can always treat me if I get injured."
Ryan shook his head disapprovingly. "You're one stubborn patient!"
"Sheesh… And you nag a lot for a doctor," she countered