Chapter 5

THE WEEKEND VIBES HIT, and I found myself at home, the clock ticking away to 10:13 in the morning. A sudden pang of hunger struck, urging me to venture into the kitchen. Lo and behold, there was Luke, masterfully shirtless, whipping up something magical. His presence was magnetic; my mind yelled, "Don't look!" but my rebellious eyes couldn't resist.

"I might just melt," he quipped, now standing before me. His words from the night before echoed, along with the lingering sensation of his tender kiss.

"Why the rosy cheeks? Feeling the heat?" he teased, prompting me to retreat to the table and savor a cup of coffee.

"That's my brew," he declared once I drained it.

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" I questioned. "You seemed to enjoy my saliva," he chuckled, playfully chasing me for a meal.

WE SETTLED ON THE SOFA, a silent understanding hanging in the air.

"Shall we make tonight a dinner affair with your dad?" Luke proposed, reigniting our plan for a weekend feast.

"Oh, sir, where did you meet my daughter?" my dad inquired as we entered the restaurant, a place Luke had reserved.

"At an event, sir. Our encounter was brief, but she left an indelible mark on me, prompting me to seek her out," Luke explained, injecting a sense of adventure into the story, just like the night we first met.

I stepped out briefly to get some fresh air. When I returned, Papa and Luke were engrossed in conversation. Whatever they were discussing, I chose not to interfere.

The next day, while scrolling through I*******m, a message popped up.

"Hi, bhie. It's me, Kianna. Do you still remember me?" she asked. I immediately stalked her profile, recalling the night she left me alone in the bar, surrounded by unfamiliar faces. Although we were childhood friends, she involved me in her financial dealings with unknown men.

"Can we meet? There's a lot I want to tell you. I want to ask for your forgiveness," she said. A surge of joy engulfed me. I had waited so long for her to express remorse. I had forgiven her a while back, but seeing genuine regret meant a lot.

In the midst of our conversation, Luke called.

"Where are you? I'll come pick you up," he said, making me glance awkwardly at Kianna. It felt odd reconnecting after so long and then abruptly leaving.

"It's fine; go ahead with your plans," she assured, and I couldn't help but grin.

"To a restaurant near us," I replied, quickly ending the call.

"Your boyfriend is so lucky," she remarked, leaving me momentarily stunned. "B-boyfriend? He's not my boyfriend," I replied, though admitting that it sounded pleasing to call Luke my boyfriend.

"What are you then?" she questioned, leaving me pondering our undefined relationship. Friend? Boss? My mind swirled in confusion.

"Shall we?" A voice interrupted from the side, and there was Luke.

"Why didn't you mention you were leaving?" he asked.

"I'm sorry," I said.

"No, it's okay, but next time, please inform me so I can safely drop you off," he replied, causing my face to flush.

Upon arriving at the park, the surroundings seemed familiar, and a lightness filled the air. As I continued walking, I realized Luke was with me. Glancing backward, he wasn't there anymore.

"L-Luke?" I called out, not fearing the darkness when he was absent.

Suddenly, the surroundings lit up, accompanied by music. Emerging from the shadows, Luke appeared with a microphone.

"I've waited so long to be with you. I've contemplated for a year how I'd meet you. Now that I'm with you, I won't let you go. I won't give you the chance to say 'Yes' or 'No,' Jia Cortes, please marry me." I was left in awe as he proposed, surrounded by people close to me, including my dad and friends Jay and Claire.

I couldn't speak and just watched as Luke approached, taking my hand and placing it over his heart. "Listen, Jia, to how my heart screams for you." I felt the intensity of his heartbeat. Looking back at my dad, who was now giving me a thumbs up, I smiled and kissed Luke.

"Who am I to refuse the proposal of the man I've dreamt of?" I said, and he joyfully lifted me.

Until we got home, the smile never left Luke's face, and he hugged me tightly.

I immediately shared the wedding news with Kianna and promised her that she would be my maid of honor.

ON MY WEDDING DAY, I felt a mix of emotions—nervousness, happiness, excitement, and more.

"Is the bride ready?" Kianna cheerfully asked from outside my dressing room. I nodded, and she slowly approached me, saying, "You look beautiful, Jia." Unbelievable were her words. "Hurry up; it's about to start," she urged, so I stood up.

"Kuya, this isn't the way to the church," I remarked, noticing the different route we were taking. "Kuya, this isn't the way," I repeated, but it seemed he heard nothing. "Kuya, are you deaf?"

I looked at Kianna, hoping she could help me convey to the driver that we were taking the wrong path. "You can't marry that Luke, Jia. He's mine," she said, leaving me puzzled.

"Bestie, what do you mean?" I asked, genuinely confused.

"Since childhood, you've taken everything from me, and I won't let you take Luke away too." What did she mean? I haven't taken anything.

I grabbed my cellphone to call Luke, but Kianna snatched it from me. We struggled for it until, accidentally, I pressed the car door lock. I fell, and as a large vehicle sped toward my destination, I couldn't move my feet. It was as if I waited for the collision to happen, and then everything went black.

AFTER FIVE YEARS

"Alright, let's wrap it up! Thanks, everyone!" I said cheerfully after our board meeting. I grabbed my phone, thrilled to find a bunch of messages from him.

Quickly typing, "Board meeting's done!" I slipped my phone into my pocket and headed back to the office. There, I caught him gaming away, lost in his own world.

"Hey, love! You've been here long?" I asked, and he stood up, planting a sweet kiss on my forehead.

"Yep, how'd it go with the board?" he inquired.

"As usual," I replied, throwing in a little pride.

"Haha, that's why I'm so proud of you. Your company's a hit because of your genius brain," he praised.

"Of course, who else could it be?" flashback to my accident five years ago, and still, I'm questioning who I really am.

We were supposed to tie the knot back then, but a supposed accident derailed our plans.

"Daydreaming, love? Your food's getting cold. What's up?" he interrupted. We were at a restaurant, and it turns out our meals had been served without my even noticing.

"I was just thinking, love, about how we met and who my parents are," I shared. Watching his smile fade, I couldn't help but wonder if my past held secrets.

Five years ago, he told me we didn't make it to the church due to a car crash. We ended up in the US for my recovery. Despite wanting to return to the Philippines, he opposed it, wanting to forget the painful memories. Oddly, I couldn't recall any of it. He mentioned that my parents forced me into marriage, so we decided to get hitched out of love. It became a reason he avoided returning to the Philippines.

"Can we go back to the Philippines, love?" I asked. He's Rylee Lui, half Chinese, half American.

"You already know the answer, love," he said tenderly, but this time I wanted to revisit the past. I yearned to know my true self.

"But, love, I want to return to the Philippines, please. We can get married again to prevent what you fear," I declared, my decision firm.

"Fine, but let's keep it under wraps that you've returned. Besides, no one knows your true identity as a famous fashion designer and CEO. What we've agreed upon will remain," he suggested. I didn't protest; all I wanted was to return to the Philippines.

In a rush, I headed down, fearing we might miss our flight. Passing by my Filipino friend, my secretary, to whom I entrusted the company, I informed her. The vice president would handle the company; I'd only return to the US if there were issues.

"Love, are you ready?" Rylee asked.

"Yes, love. Thanks for granting my wish." I smiled.

"As always, love," he said, embracing me tightly.

"Ready to roll?" I nodded, and we set off, suitcase in tow.

Upon landing in the Philippines, it felt familiar. "I already called our driver. Maybe you're hungry; let's grab a bite," Rylee suggested.

"Sure! But can I hit the restroom first?" I asked, and he nodded.

"I'm sorry." I apologized to the guy I accidentally bumped into. My bad; I hadn't been paying attention, wearing a hat and glasses.