The Secret Island
CHAPTER 55: Don’t Ignore Me

Martin didn't want to eat...

Celine was puzzled by how much the information upset her to the point of rushing back to see him right after Kathy texted her. He refused her offer to order food.

He was stubborn and passive-aggressive. She didn't know if this was his form of protest, but it worked; she was unable to sit still.

The waiting staff at the restaurant she frequented greeted her as soon as she walked in. Celine almost reached her designated table when she turned around and realized that Martin didn't follow her. He was still in front of a refrigerated display countertop, looking at cakes and other desserts. If she guessed correctly, he was looking at a vanilla cake.

Sometimes he had this kiddish part of him that she thought was adorable, but it rarely came to the surface.

Once the food she ordered arrived and we started eating, Martin asked her questioningly.

"Is something wrong? You don't seem to eat much."

"Nothing. I'm just on a diet." She gave him a random reason. If he suspected, he didn't say anything. He only gave her a smile. The smile she found so charming.

"You are already beautiful. There was no need to go on any diet." He complimented her as if it was just a fact of life as if he talked about the weather. The delivery of those words was plain, but the impact on her heart was not. "When did you learn to say something like that?" He had never been someone to say something sweet. It was just not his character. Martin looked at her for a long while before saying.

"Back then, my ex-girlfriend liked my compliments. She asked me to say that to only her. But still, I don't know if she still likes that. I want to say it anyway."

He gave her a sad smile and went back to his meal.

What is this feeling?

She tried not to be soft. He always had this effect on her. She didn't feel quite like herself.

Celine thought that perhaps because time had passed for years, she might not feel the same. He might not have the same effect on her as he used to, or because of her disappointment, she would react to him differently.

But everything felt the same, everything Martin said, everything he did, or his eyes on her had the same effect on her as years ago.

"Martin, I think I will skip dessert. Can you help me share a vanilla cake?" She offered.

She wanted to erase that sad smile and replace it with a brighter smile. She remembered from memories. It had been way too long since he had smiled like that.

"I thought you were on a diet?" He raised his brows and questioned her.

"No questions asked, alright?"

The cake had arrived, and we just continued eating. She didn't see his smile, but she could sense that he was somewhat more relaxed about her change in demeanor.

She was angry at him, true, and she wanted him to prove himself and regain her trust. But part of her also wanted him to gently hold her hand, smile at her, and go off to our days like other normal couples...something we did a long time ago...

"Martin, can you tell me about the book you are reading?" She had never been accustomed to silence, and it was she that initiated a conversation after ignoring him all day.

"What I'm reading might be boring to you. I don't know...."

"Just tell me. I promise I won't get bored." And he did just that.

She liked to hear him talk about the topics he liked. He had his charms when he selectively chose his words and simplified difficult stories. She admired him. No matter how long it had been, she admired his intelligence. The difference between Celine now and her four years ago was that she could engage in a productive conversation with him.

The conversation turned serious, and no one smiled. But at least we talked.

On our walk back to the car, we ran into someone Celine didn't want to see, a man she went on a date with. He stopped for a conversation. Martin gave her some privacy; he walked a bit further and looked away. The man went on a few dates with her. Celine didn't have that much affection for the man. She enjoyed the conversation, but nothing was memorable. He was now an acquittance she could talk to given a circumstance. "I have to tell you...I only went on a few dates with him. Nothing more than that." She explained to Martin. It wasn't that necessary. But she wanted to tell him anyway.

"I didn't say anything...."

He refused to look at her. His eyes looked somewhere else, and he walked toward the car.

Sometimes, Celine wished she had a special power to read his mind. She wanted to know what he found so interesting that he refused to look at her. She couldn't read him; this was something that could never change. Once we walked closer to the car, Martin did something that surprised her. He pulled her into his arms.

"Celine..." He spoke softly into her ear. She sensed something that sounded like...fear...

"What..." She mentally pinched herself for being cold to him again. But then Martin confessed something she couldn't imagine he could say.

"I love you...." The confession that was so rare was spoken once again. Out of place, but it didn't fail to warm her heart.

"...." She just didn't know what to say.

"I don't know what I could do to make amends for all I have done. But I want to let you know. I love you."

"Martin...I...err...." Celine was speechless by his unexpectedness.

Martin tightened his arms. His embrace was warm.

"You are angry at me, and you can ignore me. You can punish me as you like. I don't mind at all. But please, I beg you, please don't fall for someone else."

"

....