172 In The Name Of Love

Very early in the morning, the group departed from the city towards Oslob, a town in the south of Cebu for the whale shark watching. They were using only one van since they need more catching up with each other's lives since Casey had just been with them. And because they decided that it was more fun to be together.

Mr. Wayne sat beside the driver's seat. Next to them was the couple, Casey and Kuya Nap.

At the back, were Anthon, Jian, Giselle and the helper.

Since, it was still very early and they had been all exhausted from the wedding preparation, all were sleepy and silence dominated in the trip. Jim was enclosing Jia with his arm while Jianna was safely tucked around her through a carrier.

Jian, who always clung around Anthon whenever he's around, was sleeping soundly in his arms.

It was still five in the morning when they arrived so the group had still enough time for a light breakfast and for changing into swimwear. After the morning coffee, their energy was boosted and everyone was excited to jump into the boat for whale shark watching and snorkeling.

While Jia was stirring coffee for Jim, Anthon was also bringing a cup for Giselle. She glanced at them when she heard Giselle laughing. They looked happy.

"Sel, will you be snorkeling? " Jia said loudly for Giselle to hear as her attention was all on Anthon.

Giselle looked up and before she answered, she looked up at Anthon as if she was dependent on his decision.

"No, we would just watch the whales on the boat. " Anthon answered for her while looking at Giselle first before he glanced up at her.

"I see. " She smiled but inwardly, her heart was pricked.

Mr. Wayne decided to stay behind together with the helper to watch over the kids, giving way for the couple to enjoy.

Soon, everyone stepped into the boat and Jia's blood was boiling with excitement to get lost again into her aqua world. Swimming and diving were one of her diversions everytime she needed to unwind. It was one of her reckless sports with Dr. Aijohn when they were young and the creek was their training ground.

It turned out that it was only her, Jim and Casey who did snorkeling and enjoying alongside with the whale sharks. It is the world's largest fish with pale white spots and stripes in its body which resemble a checkerboard pattern.

While Jia was holding hands and hugging Jim deep in the waters, she could also hear Giselle's excited voice as she amusingly pointed out the huge creatures grabbing on the krills thrown to them by the boatmen.

"Ton, look at that! "

"Ton, do you see that? "

Her voice were piercing into her ears and crushing deep into her heart. She tried to shake it off but she was too helpless.

Kuya Nap, who was left without a partner in the boat, enjoyed himself by taking photos and videos of them.

Soon, the time limit was up and they all set out to Sumilon Island, one of Cebu's best kept secrets and is found on the southeastern tip of the mainland. The island has an area of 24 hectares and is surrounded by crystal clear waters with varying aquamarine hues.

The moment they reached the island resort they had booked, a welcome breakfast was set up for them on a bamboo gazeebo, locally known as payag - payag, few meters away from the crystal blue waters.

Jia remained for a while inside their room to breastfeed Jianna and when she went after them, Anthon was already helping Jian with his food. Jim was caught up in an interesting conversation with the rest while Giselle just listened attentively beside Anthon.

"Jia, give me Jianna so that you can eat." Anthon offered as she saw her coming with the little one.

"Thanks, Ton. You're busy with the big boy. " She smiled as she hurriedly looked away from him.

Jim heard them, so he hurriedly stood up to pick Jianna from her.

"Give me this pretty one so that you can eat. "

Casey turned to them as well.

"Jia, the place is so beautiful, perfect for a honeymoon. I heard that they hold romantic dinner here so it means you could be alone with each other tonight."

Jia laughed. " Wow, really? That makes me remember our first dinner date, dear. I wish there will be serenading, too. " She said as she turned to Jim.

"Exactly. That was when you first proposed to me with your song." Jim chuckled as he teased her.

"I know it. Who wouldn't fall in love with the way you sing, Jia?" Casey added, recalling how well she sang for Jim during the wedding.

"I agree, Ate." Jim smiled as he lovingly looked into her eyes.

Mr. Wayne smiled as well but his eyes were fixed on Anthon who focused on cutting the chicken meat into strips for Jian.

Finally seated with her food, she took a bite of a beef steak with mushrooms. She also tasted the chicken and the steamed fish with tausi.

"You cook far better than them,

Ton! " She exclaimed while glancing at Anthon.

Kuya Nap butted in. "Of course, the one who could beat him in this world is not yet born. "

Giselle laughed. "I agree. "

Jia, suddenly turned melancholic.

"Ton, thank you so much again for personally taking care on the food. "

Startled by her change of topic, he looked up and answered her. "You have already thanked me during your response. "

"But I can't still thank you enough. Not just for the food but for all the magic that you do. " Jia was teary - eyed.

"Jia, what do you mean? " Casey asked.

Jim hurriedly answered for her." It was Anthon who personally did the decorations and floral arrangement. He was also taking charge on the food. Most of all, the development and beautification of Jian's

Paradise. "

"Wow , Ton, you did it all? " Casey could not believe her ears.

"Yes, he did that. " Mr. Wayne said with a smile of pride and admiration.

But he added. " He did that, in the name of love. "

Jia choked. Anthon was horrified. Kuya Nap broke into a restrained laughter and Giselle giggled softly.

"Dad. " Anthon said, stealing a glance at Jim.

Jia got so tensed then, most especially that Casey was around, that her blushing reached up to her ears.

Jim chuckled. "Don't be scared, sweetheart, forgetting can't be done overnight."