The Secret Island
CHAPTER 43: A New Beginning

Every time she went back to this island, Celine felt the same-no matter how long time had passed, how hectic the world had changed into, she still felt the same. Everything felt the same.

Today, a seat next to her was empty just the same; there was no Martin.

In the loneliness during this long wait, a new idea began to take place, the inevitable thought that perhaps it was time for her to let go. She hadn't made up her mind about that just yet.

A beautiful lady, at the age of 27, sat alone on a yacht that she bought from a previous owner. It was the same yacht she rented a few years back. She couldn't take the risk of it being rented out when she needed it.

She looked out into the distance. She had to go back to London tomorrow. If she let go of him and all the memories associated with him, she had to sell this yacht. Oh, the villa, too. She bought that. Letting go of the physical assets as well as letting go of the memories. Then upon landing, she probably had to start seeing all the men her friends wanted to introduce her to. Perhaps going on some dates. She had become too much of a workaholic and spent most of her time working.

Even though she had become so quiet and not as lively and talkative as before, it wasn't that no men tried to win her heart. But every time Celine looked at her date, every time we went out for a nice dinner, every time Celine tried to date someone new, every time a man approached her romantically or said something sweet-every time that happened-every time, Martin's smiling face suddenly emerged in her mind. And every time, she would feel forced. She felt like cheating on him. It felt like doing so was she forgetting him. Guilt ate up her heart... every time... she... missed him.

No one understood her. No one fully knew the true intention of her stepping away and ghosting them. No one understood why she could not smile a truly genuine smile anymore.

Martin liberated her heart. But Celine knew breaking up with him years ago was useless-she had already given him her heart. All she could do was wait. Wait for the love that bonded her to him till this day, the day she was waiting in solitude. "The day you asked me to let go, you didn't elaborate how. But it has been my fault, really." Celine spoke out to herself. Her hair was now cut short to shoulder length. Her straight dark brown hair blew in a cold breeze. The wind made her shiver, but it was not as cold as the inevitable desolation in her heart.

On some days, she did that, speaking to no one-actually, she spoke out as if she was speaking to Martin. She believed she had become quite delusional, it seemed. But doing that alleviated her pain, not much, but it lessened the pain slightly. "Martin, do you miss me? Are you with anyone new? Hey, do you know I have no one else? I'm still waiting for you. I have been waiting every day for you. I'm waiting for you to come back like a fool. I do that like a fool every day...come back...." She smiled and looked at the empty seat next to her-the spot he once sat on the day we were together to watch the sunrise that day in the past.

She had no contact with him. The only number he gave her was a temporary number he used during the holiday. She couldn't contact him after she left the island. She didn't know the reason, but he told her they couldn't contact each other at all. If she didn't have a picture of him and pictures of when they were a couple, and memories she had, she could easily believe the idea that a man named Martin and the time they had together was just a figment of her imagination. But she knew he existed, and no matter where he was living now, she still believed in this long wait. Because everything that happened during those two weeks had a life-changing effect on her, she had changed. Even her parents were astounded. She stepped up in her family's business. She worked tireless hours to learn the ins and outs of the company. She did everything to be in the decision-making process of the business investment, recruitment of designers, the expansion of the company's factories, the formation of strategy, and even marketing and branding. She endured all the insults from senior executives about her having a seat in the meeting by simply being a major shareholder by birth. She endured it all and fought back with her ideas until she gained their respect in only four years. A lot still needed to be done, but at this time of her life, she had her own brand, a new product line, and a new fresh design under the umbrella of the company. She did as Martin inspired her.

"Do you know, this year, my brand grew a lot. But I'm so bloody tired. There are simply too many problems. But if you see it, you will probably be proud of me. You must compliment me, you know. You must pat my head, too. And say a good job." Again, she talked to the man in her imagination.

This version of her would shock everyone in the company. She was infamous for being the stern boss everyone was afraid to talk to. She never had a temper at work. She was just cold. She was no longer a jolly girl excited for an adventure. She hadn't talked to anyone in this young girl's manner for a long time, not even to her papa.

But for Martin, she wanted to remain the same girl-the girl that asked for Martin's attention, the girl that was always lively and loving and could make him smile. Oh gosh, she missed hugging him.

But he wasn't around for her to hold.

He wasn't here.

There were many stories she wanted to tell him. He inspired her. But he hadn't come back. He was not around. She couldn't find him anywhere. Was it her fault to give out now? "Martin, I'm going back to London tomorrow...."

Celine picked up an expensive black pen and stroked the engraved portion of the pen-it was her name. It was a gift Martin had given her at her graduation ceremony-the day he told her he couldn't come. We didn't meet that day. She didn't even get a chance to say thank you. She couldn't remember much that day. To be honest, she was quite drunk, and once she knew it, a small gift and a note were out in her bag. That mysterious man had always kept his secretive character spectacularly. She didn't understand his unpredictability-would he show up? He liked to show up unexpectedly. He let her wait. He let her maintain her hope. And she couldn't plan anything.

But now, she thought it was time. This agonizing wait had to end.

"I give you a day. Only one day. And that must be sufficient. If you don't show up, I will...I w-will stop loving you." Every word pained her. She gripped the pen tightly. Her tears began to dwell up and obscured the view in front of her. "I will stop loving you...stop it all and end this wait. You silly man...." She wiped off her tears with the back of her hand.

No matter how blurry everything was, the promise that he had spoken was always clear. The sentence that kept echoing in her head convinced her and softened her heart again.

"...once everything is resolved, I will come back to you...."

"I promise."