THE GETAWAY
CHAPTER 29
THE GETAWAY
Christine and Jeffrey continued to build their relationship for several more months. Morning coffee, lunch together, and dinners out became part of their routine. On some quieter evenings, they cooked for each other instead.
A few times a month, they would throw a couple of bags into the car and drive out of Metro Manila, trading the city’s relentless hustle for a few hours of peace. As the days slipped comfortably into one another, they stopped keeping their relationship a secret and simply let the world see them together. Once a month, they visited Christine’s family home in Alabang—sometimes for dinner, sometimes for lunch, and sometimes just for the comfort of being with the people who loved them.
Like any other couple, the past few months hadn’t been perfect. They had their share of disagreements, but they were never anything serious—the kind of small arguments that faded almost as quickly as they began.
There was the time Jeffrey took her to an exclusive restaurant, but Christine refused to go inside and was completely uninterested. They argued in the parking lot for a while before she was finally convinced. Jeffrey told her it was for the experience, not for the price. She ended up enjoying the dinner anyway.
Then there was the night Christine ordered a Hawaiian pizza, completely forgetting Jeffrey’s absolute disdain for pineapple on pizza. He was a little upset about it for a few minutes before giving in and eating a slice anyway, to make her laugh.
It was Saturday morning. Jeffrey was already waiting outside Christine’s condo. They had been planning this overnight beach getaway to San Juan, Batangas, a week earlier. His face lit up the moment he saw Christine walking out of the lobby toward the car.
He approached her. “Good morning, Chris.”
Christine walked over to the passenger side and met his gaze. “Good morning.”
Jeffrey stepped out, slipped an arm around her waist, and kissed her. “Ready for today’s adventure?” He took the heavy duffel bag from her hand and slung it over his shoulder.
“More than ready.” She let out a quiet laugh. “Oh, and I brought Mom’s cookies for snacks. She actually had someone deliver them to the condo last night.”
“Tita clearly didn’t want us leaving without something to eat.” He nodded toward the back seat. “I also brought a thermos of macchiato… and I may or may not have made tuna sandwiches for our stopover.” He held out his hand. “Let’s go.” Jeffrey opened the passenger door and waited for her to get in before walking to the trunk to load her bag.
He climbed into the driver’s seat and started the engine. As they pulled into the morning traffic, sunlight streamed through the windshield, giving the car a warm, comfortable glow.
Christine turned toward him, an amused smile tugging at her lips. “You actually made tuna sandwiches?”
Jeffrey laughed as he checked his mirrors. “I’ll have you know I got up painfully early just to make those.”
She shook her head. “I knew it. You just couldn’t let my random craving slide, could you?”
“I told you I’d take care of it,” Jeffrey said as he merged onto the highway toward Batangas.
“I honestly thought we’d just grab something halfway there. You shouldn’t have sacrificed your sleep over a sandwich.” She reached over and gave his hand a gentle squeeze. “But… thank you. Really.”
He returned the squeeze without taking his eyes off the road. “Anything for you, Chris. Besides…” A grin appeared at the corner of his mouth. “Mine are definitely better than store-bought.”
“Oh, is that so?” Christine opened the container of cookies, took a bite, then held the rest toward him. “Open up.”
He spared her a quick glance before leaning over for the bite, his attention returning to the road almost immediately. “Mm. Yep. Tita absolutely nailed these.”
“Mom said she added extra chocolate chips because she knows you have a massive sweet tooth.”
He laughed softly. “She knows me pretty well. Can I have another bite?”
“Of course.”
The drive settled into the kind of comfortable silence that only came with time. Eventually, Jeffrey admitted he’d spent the previous night watching a YouTube tutorial after realizing he had no idea how to make a proper tuna salad. Christine laughed so hard she had to wipe a tear from the corner of her eye.
About an hour later, the highway gave way to familiar provincial roads, and they pulled into a scenic stop halfway to San Juan. Jeffrey shifted the car into park. “Alright. Snack break.”
They stretched their legs and walked over to a small wooden bench near the shaded edge of the parking lot. Christine carried the wrapped sandwiches while Jeffrey handled the thermos and a pair of travel cups.
Christine poured the steaming macchiato into the cups and handed one to Jeffrey. Then she unwrapped the sandwich with a playful smile. “Alright, let’s see if you followed the recipe properly.” With a soft laugh, she took a generous bite and looked at him expectantly.
Jeffrey watched her, a hint of uncertainty crossing his face. “Keep in mind, I put my blood, sweat, and tears into that. Can I at least get an A for effort?”
Christine smirked, then leaned over and rested her head on his shoulder. “It’s actually really good, Jeff. Seriously.”
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Jeffrey let out a quiet breath and kissed the top of her head. “Looks like the algorithm didn’t let me down.”
“Definitely not.” She took another bite. “Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome.”
They ate in the warmth of the morning, talking about nothing in particular. For a little while, work faded into the background. They weren’t two CEOs carrying the weight of their companies—just two people enjoying each other’s company.
Once they finished eating, they walked back to the car. Before Jeffrey could reach the driver’s side, Christine darted ahead and slipped into the driver’s seat. Jeffrey opened the passenger door and gave her an amused look. “Really, Chris?”
“My turn to drive.” She glanced at him as she started the engine. “Seatbelt, please.”
Jeffrey fastened his seatbelt with a quiet smile. “I know better than to argue with you.”
Christine eased the car back onto the road. Within twenty minutes, the steady hum of the highway and a full stomach caught up with Jeffrey, and he drifted off to sleep. At a red light, Christine glanced over at him, then quietly adjusted the air-conditioning vent so it no longer blew directly onto his face before turning her attention back to the road.
By the time she slowed near the coast, the dashboard clock read 9:49 a.m. Feeling the car slow, Jeffrey stirred and blinked against the bright morning light. “Are we here?”
“Just in time,” Christine said as she turned into the resort’s driveway. “How was the nap?”
“Perfect, actually. Thanks for taking the wheel.” He looked over at her. “I guess those sandwiches worked a little too well.”
Christine let out a small laugh. “I’m blaming the tuna sandwich coma.” They both laughed as she pulled into a shaded parking space.
The salty sea breeze greeted them the moment they stepped out of the car. The resort was bright, immaculate, and open to the water. A staff member welcomed them with two chilled glasses of fresh coconut juice before escorting them to the open-air lounge while their room keys were being prepared. They were relaxing on a plush sofa, sipping their drinks, when a man in a crisp linen shirt spotted them and walked over.
“Jeff! Long time no see, man!” He reached out, then pulled Jeffrey into a brief hug. “I saw the reservation name and wondered if it was actually Jeffrey Reyes.”
“Julio! Wow, look at you.” Jeffrey stepped forward, surprised. “What are you doing here? I thought you were in Manila all weekend. I actually booked this place to support you, man.” His gaze shifted to her as he rested his hand on her waist. “By the way, this is Christine, my girlfriend.”
Christine extended her hand. “Nice to meet you, Julio.”
“Likewise, Christine.” Julio shook her hand before gesturing toward Jeffrey. “This guy and I were roommates back in college. In fact, this resort was our first project together after he took over the Reyes Firm.”
Christine looked between the two of them with quiet interest.
“Back then, we were literally arguing over whose turn it was to wash dishes in a cramped apartment. Now look at him.” Julio laughed and lightly slapped Jeffrey’s arm.
Jeffrey rubbed the back of his neck. “You’re never going to let me live those days down, are you?”
“Never.” Julio grinned, walked to the reception desk, picked up a set of keys, and tossed them to Jeffrey. “Since I happen to be here today, the executive suite upgrade is on me.” He motioned to a manager. “Make sure the suite is ready, and have someone bring their bags up.”
Jeffrey held the keys out. “Hey, come on, Julio. You really don’t have to do that. I came here to be a paying customer.”
Julio waved him off. “Don’t worry about it, buddy. I’ve already told the kitchen to prepare a special lunch for you two. I have to head back to Manila later this afternoon, so I’m glad I caught you before I left. I want to make sure you’re taken care of. And hey—tell your dad I said hi.”
Jeffrey gave in with a small laugh. “Alright, I will. Thanks for the hospitality, man. I owe you one.”
As Julio headed off to greet another guest, a staff member stepped forward to escort them to the residential wing. Christine leaned closer as they walked. “So, Julio really did build all this?”
“Yeah, he did.” Jeffrey glanced around the resort. “I just didn’t think we’d run into him today.” They reached the top floor, and the porter swiped the key card through the lock before opening the heavy wooden door. The suite was spacious and elegant, blending modern design with warm rustic touches. Beyond it, a wall of glass opened to an uninterrupted view of the ocean.
They spent a quiet hour unpacking their bags in the room. A resort staff member knocked on the door with a warm smile. “Mr. Reyes, your private lunch is ready by the shore.”
They followed the staff member to a beautifully arranged table set on the sand, just a few steps from the crashing waves.
Christine stopped the moment she saw the spread before them. The table was overflowing with food—platters of fresh seafood, crispy lechon, pancit, perfectly grilled fish, savory pork chops, and steaming bowls of rice. Christine looked at the feast, then at Jeffrey. “Jeff, this is way too much food for just two people.”
Jeffrey took in the table and let out a quiet laugh. “Yeah… Julio never did learn how to do anything in moderation.”
They took their seats and started eating. Christine looked at Jeffrey and whispered, “How are we supposed to finish all this?”
A few minutes into the meal, a young local girl approached their table, clutching a handful of handmade shell bracelets. She looked up at them shyly. Christine offered the girl a gentle smile. “I don’t really need a bracelet right now, sweetheart, but…” She glanced at the untouched food before looking back at Jeffrey. “Jeff, there’s so much food here. Is it okay if we let this child—”
“Of course,” Jeffrey said, cutting her off gently before she could finish. He caught the attention of a nearby staff member and asked for extra plates and cutlery before turning back to the little girl. “Hey there. Why don’t you go call your friends too? Come back and have lunch with us.”
The girl’s face brightened. She nodded quickly, then ran down the beach toward the other children playing near the shore.
Christine reached over and squeezed Jeffrey’s arm. “Thank you.”
Jeffrey simply patted her hand before looking back toward the shoreline. A minute later, the little girl returned with three friends, all of them eager but polite. Christine welcomed them over and handed each of them a plate and utensils. “Alright, don’t be shy. Eat whatever you’d like.”
The children dug in happily, filling the table with easy conversation and laughter. When they had eaten their fill, all four thanked them over and over before running back toward the village. Jeffrey watched them disappear into the distance. He slipped an arm around Christine’s waist and drew her a little closer.
Christine held his hand and entwined their fingers together. No one said a word; The simple let the silence say the rest.
The rest of the afternoon slipped by in a blur of sun and seawater. They spent hours laughing as they rode jet skis, kayaked along the coastline, and explored the nearby reefs. By late afternoon, the excitement gradually gave way to a welcome stillness. They sat side by side on the warm sand, watching the sky deepen into shades of orange and pink above the water.
Jeffrey rested his hand on her shoulder and gently pulled her closer. “Next week is my birthday party,” he said quietly. “I’d really love to invite your parents.”
Christine rested her head against his shoulder, her eyes still on the horizon. “I’ll call them tonight and make sure they clear their schedules.”
Jeffrey kissed the top of her hair. “Thank you.” Comfortable silence settled between them as they watched the sun slowly sink below the horizon.
After a quiet dinner, they returned to their suite for the night. Away from the rest of the world, Jeffrey held Christine close with quiet tenderness as they shared a private moment together, moving in unspoken harmony, completely lost in each other.