Beautiful Escape

EINILLE concealed the amazement in her eyes while gently staring at her boyfriend-Hero. She thought how lucky she was for having him in her life. Hero was the type of man she prayed and dreamed of, a total package of his kind. He was articulate, funny, and a natural charmer, plus his lean muscular body that can protect her anytime. He appeared like an angel sweetly talking with her.

Hero discussed his newly built business in line with gold mining in the province, and he looked so proud of his milestone. They were currently eating their lunch together in their favorite restaurant in Sorsogon.

"Babe, you are extra pretty today," his eyes dreamy while observing her face.

Einille grinned and playfully rolled her eyes, "I know."

They .were dating for almost one year. She loved him so much even though there were times that he couldn't give her time. But she didn't mind, because she knew that Hero was a very busy person. He always made sure that she would feel his love for her in many different ways. Although sometimes Einille would complain about his hectic schedule. But she always tried her best to be more understanding. She didn't want to look pathetic, begging for his time and attention. She was a busy person, too.

"I missed you. I'm sorry if I can't give you so much time. You know how busy I am, right?" he muttered thoughtfully and held her hand softly. They had just finished their meal.

She softly curved her lips, "I know, and it's all right. I understand."

"Thank you for being so understanding. I really can't fathom how lucky I am for being your boyfriend." Hero slowly brought her hands to his lips and kissed it.

Her smile widened to his gesture. Hero was sweet and caring, though he was not perfect. But she looked more at his good qualities. Negativity would ruin their relationship.

Einille met him at a birthday party of her close friend. Hero was very vocal about his attractions towards her. That was why he pursued her. She didn't hesitate to date him because he was kindhearted and funny. She even witnessed his good moral values, especially his humility, even though he came from a well-known family and he was a self-made millionaire.

She hoped to meet his family anytime soon, but Einille was shy to tell Hero about it. Because if he wanted him to introduce her, he would.

There were times Einille thought that her boyfriend was cheating. But her heart said otherwise. He wouldn't dare to cheat on her because she was capable of doing some things beyond he could imagine. She had connections with the Philippine National Police. She was a chemist by profession, but she applied via lateral entry, and now she got the position of Police Inspector after her training.

"I'll make it up to you when I'm not busy, okay?" Hero said with assurance.

"Of course, I know you would," her lips curved and formed a light smile.

However, deep inside, she didn't want to expect. She had a hectic schedule, too. But she always made time for him. Anyway, she was aware that Hero's top priority was his business, and she settled with that.

She chose him, and she could not complain since he had been consistent from the start. Maybe he would change once they got married.

Einille didn't let herself be distracted. She was thankful that despite his frantic timetable. He found a time for her.

They planned to stroll around after their meal. Just in time, because she had to go back to her duty in the Crime Laboratory later in the afternoon.

Hero's phone suddenly rang. Based on his expression, he hesitated at first. He looked at her as if asking permission, and she nodded to give him privacy.

"Excuse for a while. I'll take this call," he scurried, going out of the restaurant.

Einille hardly shook her head. She was not dense to feel something was not right. Hero was acting strangely for these past few days. They couldn't spend time together that much because he would suddenly run an errand for work, which she found a bit shady but shrugged it off. She didn't want to appear an overly suspicious girlfriend. She trusted him.

What else new. She silently sighed and waited for her boyfriend to get back.

"Babe, I'm sorry. There's an emergency. I couldn't come with you after this. Will it be okay if you return alone to the Crime Lab? I need to go back in Albay." Hero said with an urgency in his voice.

"What happened?" her forehead creased.

"Business as usual. I'll tell you some other time. Let's meet each other tomorrow, 'Kay?"

Einille tilted her head up, "All right. We can go out anytime. I'll go back to the camp." She stood up, grabbed her sling bag, and put it on her shoulder.

"Babe, I'm really sorry. I'm feeling guilty." Hero kissed her cheek.

Einille smiled with unconcealed disappointment. However, she didn't want to look immature. If this went on like this, probably their relationship would not last.

She walked to the parking lot with a heavy heart.

It's always like this. She let out a deep sigh while driving. One time, she attempted to break up with Hero because he couldn't make her a priority. But Hero was persistent, he would win her heart again, and because she was in love, she always forgave him and accepted the fact her boyfriend was like this. But if she could not find the courage to end their relationship for good, she would be stuck on the same cycle.

A FROWN crossed Einille's face when she went out of her car and saw her friend Rab Madria. She hoped he would not make fun of her this moment.

Just like her, he was also a high-ranking official in their agency. However, they had a different unit since Rab was assigned to Crime Investigation and Detection Group. Their respective offices were just a few meters away inside the vicinity of the Police Provincial Office. They were close acquaintances, and he was her usual partner in target shooting.

"Hey, Ein! Why a few hours early on your duty?" Rab scrutinized her face, "You look horrible. What happened?"

"Nothing," She crinkled her nose and walked past him. She had no plan of telling him what happened because he would only tease her.

"You're only like that when you have a love problem. Am I right?" Rab caught up to her pace.

Her relationship with Hero was a secret to Rab. However, he was aware that she was dating somebody. She valued her privacy a lot. Even in social media, she never flaunted it. And Hero did the same. That way, she found it convenient away from prying eyes.

"I don't want to talk about it."

"I don't want to interfere in your personal life, but take my advice. It's time to open your eyes to someone." Rab winked as if pertaining to a certain person.

"Shut up!" She rolled her eyes because she knew what he was trying to convey. She had a suitor, who was Rab's friend. A suitor who always ruined her day for thinking highly of himself.

Rab giggled, "Why?"

"If you want to be a matchmaker between your friend and me, dream on! Tell your friend to back off as well."

"Ouch. That's harsh, Ein. Why are you so mad at Vale? I mean, he's kind and, not to mention, drop-dead gorgeous." He gestured his hands as if so proud of his friend.

"I just don't like him," she said, barely audible, but it reached Rab's ear.

They stopped bickering when a familiar car parked at a distance-a blue Audi R8. Einille almost rolled her eyes when she recognized the person they'd been talking to.

Speaking of the devil.

Einille casually smiled when the man came near. He had a bouquet of red roses at hand and exchanged a fist bump with Rab.

"Hello, Ein! Thank the heavens. You're here." he winked. And in his usual husky baritone voice, he added, "Flowers for you." He handed her the bouquet, which she was hesitant to receive. The man was smiling ear to ear, flaunting his perfect set of teeth and dimples on both cheeks.

"Thanks," she smiled casually. Even she disliked him. She was not that rude to show him a nasty attitude. For some reason, she could not understand that she hated him so much. Especially when smiling, it appeared he had a lot of naughty thoughts in mind.

The man was Valentino. He was introduced to her by Rab during a gun show a few months ago. He was the owner of a famous gun shop and accessories in the province. He was very persistent in courting her in the past two months. Even though she repeatedly informed him that she was already taken, he wouldn't believe her.

Vale would reason out that he had not seen her dating someone or somebody that would send or fetch her at work. In the end, she let him be a nuisance in her life. At least he was respecting her boundaries, and he was not over pushy.

"I have a meeting in the Admin Building regarding sponsorship of gun accessories. Can I spend some time with you later?" Vale said, peeking at his black tactical wristwatch.

"I'm on duty later, and I'll be busy for the next couple of hours," Einille said firmly.

"Really? That's great! Maybe after my transactions, you're free by then. Would you like to have dinner with me?" Vale looked at her straight in her eyes.

"No, I'm sorry. I'm on intermittent fasting. I skipped dinner." She faked a smile and added, "I have to go." Einille walked past through them. She knew how insistent Vale was. He was just too cocky to accept her rejection.

The truth actually, she was never into fasting. She didn't want to give Vale a false hope or something. She had a boyfriend, and it wouldn't look good if she would go out with a suitor.

Einille went inside the Crime Laboratory and put the flowers into the vase beside her table before changing to her uniform.

VALE shook his head as he gazed at Einille walking away. She was too hard on him for these past two months.

His jaw flexed, and he exhaled sharply. He firmly believed that Einille would be considerate to date him soon. He only needed to be more persistent.

"Intermittent fasting, my ass," he chuckled, "Darn! This is ridiculous."

Rab heartily laughed, "You're timing is off. Besides, you look too smug. Take it easy, man! You know Ein is dating someone."

"I really want to regret this assignment. If only the General didn't choose me. That girl is impossible! I never experienced wooing a woman before. You know what I mean." He lightly scratched his clean-cut hair.

Well, it was true that he had never tried pursuing women before. Usually, it was the other way around. Besides, he had no plans of being into a serious relationship. With the nature of his job, it would take a rare woman who could understand him.

He was Valentino Grefaldeo, a high-ranking agent working at National Intelligence Coordinating Agency. And because the Assistant Director-General of NICA gave this complicated mission, he could not say no. It involved his courtship to Police Inspector Einille San Andres because she was suspected to be connected to an international syndicate.

Besides his job, he was also a businessman who owned several branches of gun shops and accessories in and out of the province. And only a few knew about his real job of being an intelligence agent. Even his family was clueless about his connections in NICA.

"Don't rush things. Just make sure that you wouldn't do anything to hurt Ein. She's my friend, too." Rab reminded him. They were on a team working on this case.

"Why was this task given to me? Why not you? It could have been easier."

"That's the reason it was given to you. Ein and I are close friends. She would be doubtful of my intentions."

Vale nodded, "Tell me, how well you know her?"

"I know her enough to tell that she is not a bad person," Rab assured him.

"We'll see," he let out a sigh and nodded, "I really hate this. This is insane. There has to be another way!"

He couldn't count the times he vented out his frustrations about this case every time he talked with Rab. But he couldn't defy a higher command.

"Live with it. The General trusted you on this. I'm more worried about you. What if you actually fall in love with Ein?" Rab giggled.

"In your dreams. I didn't undergo hellish training just to break my oath because of emotions. You know me, that would never happen." Vale sounded so sure.

"Good thing that we're clear on that. If that happens, your career will wave goodbye."

"Not gonna happen. I do my job cleanly. It just that your friend has a low-class taste in men," he laughed at his joke.

He always knew his boundaries. Ever since, he never mixed his work with women. And because his job spells danger, he would probably find it hard to settle down-the reason he finally accepted to live a single blessed life. At least, he wouldn't put his family at risk.

"Low-class taste? Really, your charms wouldn't even affect her." Rab teased him again.

"Pity your friend when the time comes, he fell into my charm. I don't want her to get hurt." He had a contingency plan in mind just in case it would happen.

"Well, best of luck! I guess you need to try a different approach, make her your friend. You're too arrogant for her taste."

"But I'm far better than Hero Lee. Her boyfriend looked like a crooked fish." He clicked his tongue and stared at Rab as if unbelieving.

"I agree on that!" Rab laughed.

Vale let out a sigh, "I badly need your help about Einille. This is not an easy task, unlike my previous assignments."

"Believe me. I'm trying to help. It just so happens that Ein loves her boyfriend a lot." Rab shook his head. Both of them knew about the secret relationship between Einille and Hero. The two were unaware that they were under investigation.

"Disgusting! Despite the fact that Einille knew about how shady her boyfriend is, and still accepted him. Is that true love?" he said in sarcasm.

"I don't think so. Einille must have been unaware of it. But eventually, she'll find out."

"Whatever, all right. I'll see you later, man!" he tapped his shoulder and started to walk towards the direction of the Admin Building.

Vale had only five months duration in this mission, and he needed to successfully finish it as soon as possible. Although, two months had already been wasted. So far, for all the tasks he had encountered, this was the hardest yet. Einille wouldn't simply fall on his charms. She was too distant that even he offered a simple friendship, she wouldn't yield. What should he do? He had to plan other tactics to be near her.

EINILLE was off-duty the next day, and she planned to rest alone. She was still disappointed with her boyfriend, but she did her best to look from a better perspective.

"Aren't you going out today?" her cousin Shari asked when she found her lying on the couch. She was two years older than her, and their fathers were siblings. And just like her, Shari was also a police officer. They were living in the same house but assigned to a different precinct.

They rented a one-story house in an exclusive subdivision since their families lived in a different province, far from their work assignment. Einille was an only child, and her mom would visit her from time to time. Too bad her father died years ago when hid body succumbed to lung cancer.

"I want to rest," Einille said lazily.

"I thought Hero is here in Sorsogon?"

"Negative. He went back to Albay for an emergency." She got up and leaned her back on the armrest.

"I doubt that emergency. Maybe another woman? If I were you, I'd break up with him! He is not respecting you." Shari raised her brow in irritation.

"I've done that, and he would always come back. Besides, I chose him. So let me suffer my poor choice," she chuckled.

"You'll end up depressed, I swear. Wake up! You're not his priority. He doesn't care about you."

"Don't worry. I felt that Hero loves me. He is not perfect, I know. Maybe we're still adjusting." She reasoned out.

"Adjust? My foot! You'll be celebrating an anniversary soon, still adjusting?" Shari hardly shook her head, unconvinced for her reasoning.

Einille remained silent. After a while, her cellphone beeped. A smile painted on her lips when she viewed that her boyfriend texted her. He was asking her out for dinner tonight in her favorite restaurant.

"Look, he is asking me out."

Shari rolled her eyes heavenward, "You're beautiful but dumb. Anyway, I need to go. I can't be late on my duty." She waved her hand and strolled out of the house.

"Careful!" she shouted.

AT the restaurant, Einille arrived thirty minutes earlier. She was feeling uneasy while waiting for Hero. And from time to time, she would look at her reflection on a small round mirror that she always brought inside her bag. She had to look perfect when her boyfriend arrived.

She glanced at her gold wristwatch. It was nearly the time of their tryst. She played her phone in hand in a circular motion while thinking that Hero might encounter a minor accident on the way, the reason he took so long. She dismissed the thought of calling him because he might be driving.

Einille was interrupted when a waiter came to her table, giving the menu card. Maybe he noticed she had been waiting for quite some time.

"I'm waiting for someone, thank you." She beamed at the young man, and he politely smiled back at her.

She looked at her watch again. It had been an hour. But Hero told her he was on the way before. She started to worry more. What if something worse happened on his way here?

He'll arrive soon. This thought comforted her. As much as possible, she didn't want to think negatively. Even her mind was in complete disorder.

She breathed out in relief when her cellphone rang, and Hero's name appeared on the screen.

"Where are you?" he asked the other line full of concern.

"Babe, I can't make it tonight. I'm sorry, I was on my way going there, but my stomach suddenly went upset. Look, I know, this is unreasonable. Tomorrow I'll visit you at home.".

She remained quiet, but the way she grasped her phone, it might break anytime. She was trying to hold her emotions in place.

"' Kay." She simply said and immediately tapped the end button. She didn't want to hear any of his reasons. It was clear that he couldn't make it again.

She gritted her teeth in silence to ease her dismay. What to do if he was sick? Or was he really ill?

Right, I'm dumb.

She inhaled deeply and let it out slowly to calm her nerves. She would just confront Hero head-on once she met him tomorrow. But if she would be honest, her intuition told her that Hero was lying having an upset stomach.

"Are you waiting for someone?" said a baritone voice beside her.

Her head turned, and she witnessed Vale, his hands on his pockets with a concerned face. He wore a plain gray shirt defining his sculpted body.

"No," she averted her gaze. She was not in the mood for his annoying antics. Maybe it was better if she'd go back home and have dinner there.

"Oh, good. Let's eat dinner together." Vale was immediately seated on the vacant chair in front of her.

She didn't protest. Her stomach started to rumble anyway.

Vale called the waiter, and the young man came.

"Ma'am has been waiting so long. I'm glad you're finally here." The waiter innocently said.

Vale raised his head and stared at the young waiter, "Is there a problem?"

"I'm sorry, Sir. I know that's none of my concern." The waiter looked down, embarrassed. He silently got their orders and went away.

"If you don't mind, you're waiting for whom?" Vale asked when the waiter was gone.

"None, why are you here?" she asked in a relaxed way to hide her disappointment.

Vale lightly shrugged, "I thought of eating my dinner here tonight. Then I saw you. You looked bothered that you didn't even notice I walked and waved in front of you."

"I have a lot in mind." She deeply sighed.

Vale did not ask again, and they waited for their food. She would avoid his gaze every time their eyes met. She didn't like how this man threw his intrusive stare at her.

"You look sad. I'm not used to seeing you like that. What happened? Are you all right?" Vale broke the silence.

The fork in her hand with a slice of steak halted from going to her mouth. She put it back on her plate.

"I'm all right. Am I not clear?" Her eyes narrowed, and she glared at him. She didn't want to talk about what happened tonight. She would only feel more troubled. Besides, they were not that close to share the personal matters of her life.

"I'm worried," Vale whispered, but it reached her ears.

Einille hurriedly finished her meal and grabbed cash from her wallet. But Vale stopped her.

"Tonight, it's my treat." The man curved his lips and smile.

"Okay," she shook her shoulders and didn't argue. She stood up and fixed her handbag, "I'll go home, thanks for dinner."

"You're welcome." He jokingly saluted.

She lightly nodded and smiled a little before going. She momentarily paused before going out the glass door and gave a furtive glance at Vale. She witnessed him talking on his phone. He appeared genuinely concerned about her.

She simply shrugged it off and went to the parking lot.

"YOU know what to do. Be sure she'll be home safe." Vale commanded before he cut the call. He wiped his mouth with the table napkin, and he sipped water afterward.

He was worried about Einille, looking at her alone and staring blankly. He already disposed his men to checked her. This was his routine for the past month. If he couldn't see her himself, he would order his men to follow her, unnoticed.

There was another task from a higher command that he should also secure Einille's safety no matter what. Because recently, he found out the threats lurking around her. However, he learned that Einille was utterly unaware of it. That conclusion arrived after a month of his investigation.

Until now, he was still thinking about how to be near her but on a different approach. His usual antics of courting were not working. He was no blind to see that Einille was too in love with her boyfriend. She was too devoted than he imagined.

He is one hell of a lucky guy.

Vale pitied her. And now, he was becoming more involved. Even though he didn't want to pry in her personal life, he had no other choice. Time would come she would learn the truth regarding Hero.

That bastard! He clenched his jaw, remembering Einille's broken expressions.

Vale left a tip to the waiter before he left the restaurant. He decided to drop by at Rab's house since it was still early. He was aware that Rab was off-duty at this time.

"Hey, what brought you here?" Rab let him in when he arrived at his house.

Vale looked around inside and teased his friend, "You sure you don't keep a hot chick here?"

"I never bring a woman inside my house unless I intend to marry her."

Vale's eyes broadened as if shock, "Really? I don't believe it. With your caliber, I highly doubt it."

Rab laughed and went serious afterward, "Anything new?"

"Yeah, actually, I just came from a dinner date with Einille." He proudly announced.

"What the fuck? For real? Did you pray earnestly to your deity that granted you this miracle?" Rab appeared unconvinced.

"I have my ways." He comfortably sat down on the black leather couch.

"Seriously? But how?" Rab strolled going to how twin-door refrigerator in the kitchen and got two cans of beer. He threw one at him, which he quickly caught.

Vale told him the story of how he ended up spending dinner with Einille.

"I guess they supposedly have a date, but Hero did not arrive." Vale shook his head and drank from his beer.

Shock crossed in Rab's face, "That fool! I'll make sure that Einille would know his dirty little secret soon."

"Are you really sure that Einille doesn't know about it?" he sounds doubtful. The cold beer felt relaxing as it goes through his throat.

"I don't think so. Einille would not tolerate such disgrace."

"Poor Einille, too innocent to the predators around her."

"This is why you need to hurry up. We're running out of time., both of us are not prepared to face the General's wrath."

Vale raised the can of beer in his hand, "I know that, cheers!"