Chapter 18I tried to sit properly on my bed, but I couldn’t. My stomach hurt so much. He quickly helped me sit up.Even though I felt awkward, I tried not to show it, especially since we still weren’t okay with each other.“Are you okay?” he asked.“Yeah. I’m okay. You can leave me now, I can handle this,” I said coldly. I heard him sigh.“No, I’ll help you. Please let me.”I didn’t complain anymore when he helped me eat. It’s not like I couldn’t use my hands, but I just couldn’t take them off my stomach because of the pain.“Why are you starving yourself?” he asked. I shook my head as an answer.“I’m sorry,” he said. I couldn’t stop myself from looking at him.I was in the middle of eating when he spoke like that. My chest tightened when he stared into my eyes. It felt like there was electricity connecting us.“I thought you left?” I changed the subject and tried to avoid his gaze.“Nope, I’m just nearby, watching over you,” he replied.I almost widened my eyes at what I heard. I co
Chapter 19I woke up because of the weight wrapped around me. I quickly removed whatever was pressing on me. It felt heavy and hard to move. I turned around to continue my sleep when I realized something.I quickly sat up, remembering. I saw Carlew sleeping beside me. We were both undressed. I couldn’t help but blush at his appearance. What happened between us wasn’t a dream, it was real! I still felt sore down there.I immediately got up, picked up my clothes one by one, and went into the bathroom to change. Once I finished, I came out, and Carlew was still asleep.I couldn’t stop myself from smiling at the sight of him. He looked like an angel, whether awake or asleep. That was one of the things that caught my attention about him. He’s caring and sweet. It’s not hard to like him. From the start, there was something about him that seemed to pull me toward him, making me want to like him.I left him alone in my room and went to the kitchen. Surely, like me, he must be hungry. It was l
Chapter 20"I'm tired. Huhu," I complained.We had just started walking up the stairs to see what Bohol is famous for, the Chocolate Hills."Should I carry you? Or do you want to rest for a while on a bench?" he suggested, and I immediately nodded."Okay, let’s sit for a while. I need to recharge," I said, smiling. I saw the confusion in his eyes from what I said, so I smiled at him as we sat down.I held his hand before explaining what I meant."You’re my charger. You're my strength and my energy. So let’s rest for now, okay?" I explained, resting my head on his shoulder.We were both quiet, only the sound of birds and the wind was heard. There were only a few people here today, probably because it’s a workday and we chose this day to visit Bohol.Yesterday, I had already filed my resignation letter. I passed it to our head. I didn’t know who my boss was, so I just gave it to the head."What's this?" I heard the confusion in my head’s voice."Resignation letter? Why so soon?" they ad
Prologue "Miss Zette, wake up. The people who will prepare you will be here soon," our housemaid knocked, waking me up to convey the message. Reluctantly, I rose to take a shower. As I entered the bathroom, my reflection in the mirror revealed smudged makeup from crying the night before. I'm marrying a man I don't know? What the heck?! I could've accepted it if I at least knew him before the wedding, perhaps even had a single date. But no! It's been a year since I met that jerk. And now? I'm going to marry him. ** "Dear, get ready for dinner. Wear this dress. We have guests," Mommy said as she entered my room, holding a pink, sparkling dress. I nodded before she left. I was reviewing for tomorrow's exam. It's our finals, graduation is nearing, and I'm afraid of failing. If it happens, Mommy and Daddy will be furious. Especially if I lose my place in the honors. At around 6 PM, I changed and headed downstairs. I looked at myself in the mirror before descending the stairs. The liv
Chapter 1 The events from earlier couldn't escape my mind. I attempted to sleep, but it was futile, so I decided to go to a bar alone, hoping to forget. "Whisky, please," I requested from the bartender. "Ma'am, you're already drunk, and you're alone. I can't serve you anymore," the bartender explained. Despite my swaying vision, I managed to argue. "What alone? I'm not alone. I have company," I lied. Right now, all I wanted was to forget. I practically begged the bartender, but he just looked at me with disappointment. I couldn't care less, haunted by memories that I should be erasing now. "He's with me. Just serve him," I said, glancing at the guy sitting next to me. He nodded at the bartender, who hesitated but eventually complied. "Who are you?" I bluntly asked the guy who claimed to be with me. Instead of answering, he gestured for the bartender to proceed. I rolled my eyes. "I'm Carlew, and you are?" he introduced himself, extending his hand. I smiled before shaking his ha
Chapter 2 As soon as his car stopped in the hotel parking lot, I quickly got out, leaving him alone. Despite feeling a bit dizzy, I managed to enter the hotel and head straight to the elevator. I reached the floor where I had checked in, still feeling nervous. I couldn't believe what he had said. Not because it was impossible, but because my heart responded to him. It was as if I liked him too. I shook my head at my own thoughts. Entering the room, I immediately went to sleep. The alcohol had made me drowsy, and I didn't struggle to find sleep. The next morning, I woke up early to prepare for my flight to Tagbilaran, Bohol. My flight was at 8, and it perfectly aligned with my arrival at the airport. Throughout the flight, I slept, only waking up as we neared landing. An hour passed before I finally saw the beautiful scenery of Bohol. I could almost smell the sea, which lightened my heart. This is what I need. Fresh air and space. Exiting Tagbilaran Airport, I quickly hailed a tax
Chapter 3 When I regained my composure, I decided to take a short break from the hotel and went to the nearby 7Eleven. I wanted ice cream to relieve stress. "149 Ma'am," I handed my payment to the cashier. I grabbed the solo ice cream and some snacks before taking my change. I stepped outside 7Eleven, where they had chairs and tables. I opened the ice cream, unable to resist its tempting allure. Despite the cold, I wasn't going to let it go to waste. Ice cream has a way of melting away stress. I also opened the big pack of Vcut that I bought. In this way, the heaviness I felt was lifted. I ate alone, in silence. It made me reflect on the times when I used to obediently follow Mommy and Daddy. My heart ached at the memories. *** "89? Well, it's not bad..." Daddy said with disappointment. The smile on my face quickly disappeared. I did everything I could to maintain straight 9s in my grades, but my Math grade fell short at 89. Just one line of 8, and they were already disappointed.
Chapter 4 'Then, I'll be your boyfriend started today.' 'Then, I'll be your boyfriend started today.' 'Then, I'll be your boyfriend started today.' His words didn't immediately register in my mind. Didn't he say it was just a "like"? Why did he declare himself my boyfriend? "But I don't love you," I blurted out, trying to regain my composure. I saw the surprise in his eyes at my straightforwardness. "Then, I'll court you," he said. I felt a sense of disappointment. I thought we were already something. Why court me? "No need. Like you said earlier, you're my boyfriend. So you'll be," I responded. He looked at me, and I saw the intensity in his eyes. "Okay, then. You're mine." Slowly, he approached me, and nervousness overwhelmed me. I took a step back, but I may have made a mistake. I ended up leaning against the balcony door, and he quickly cornered me. "You are my Euzette. Forever mine." He kissed me, reminiscent of the bar kiss – deep and intense. I almost stumbled, but luc
Chapter 20"I'm tired. Huhu," I complained.We had just started walking up the stairs to see what Bohol is famous for, the Chocolate Hills."Should I carry you? Or do you want to rest for a while on a bench?" he suggested, and I immediately nodded."Okay, let’s sit for a while. I need to recharge," I said, smiling. I saw the confusion in his eyes from what I said, so I smiled at him as we sat down.I held his hand before explaining what I meant."You’re my charger. You're my strength and my energy. So let’s rest for now, okay?" I explained, resting my head on his shoulder.We were both quiet, only the sound of birds and the wind was heard. There were only a few people here today, probably because it’s a workday and we chose this day to visit Bohol.Yesterday, I had already filed my resignation letter. I passed it to our head. I didn’t know who my boss was, so I just gave it to the head."What's this?" I heard the confusion in my head’s voice."Resignation letter? Why so soon?" they ad
Chapter 19I woke up because of the weight wrapped around me. I quickly removed whatever was pressing on me. It felt heavy and hard to move. I turned around to continue my sleep when I realized something.I quickly sat up, remembering. I saw Carlew sleeping beside me. We were both undressed. I couldn’t help but blush at his appearance. What happened between us wasn’t a dream, it was real! I still felt sore down there.I immediately got up, picked up my clothes one by one, and went into the bathroom to change. Once I finished, I came out, and Carlew was still asleep.I couldn’t stop myself from smiling at the sight of him. He looked like an angel, whether awake or asleep. That was one of the things that caught my attention about him. He’s caring and sweet. It’s not hard to like him. From the start, there was something about him that seemed to pull me toward him, making me want to like him.I left him alone in my room and went to the kitchen. Surely, like me, he must be hungry. It was l
Chapter 18I tried to sit properly on my bed, but I couldn’t. My stomach hurt so much. He quickly helped me sit up.Even though I felt awkward, I tried not to show it, especially since we still weren’t okay with each other.“Are you okay?” he asked.“Yeah. I’m okay. You can leave me now, I can handle this,” I said coldly. I heard him sigh.“No, I’ll help you. Please let me.”I didn’t complain anymore when he helped me eat. It’s not like I couldn’t use my hands, but I just couldn’t take them off my stomach because of the pain.“Why are you starving yourself?” he asked. I shook my head as an answer.“I’m sorry,” he said. I couldn’t stop myself from looking at him.I was in the middle of eating when he spoke like that. My chest tightened when he stared into my eyes. It felt like there was electricity connecting us.“I thought you left?” I changed the subject and tried to avoid his gaze.“Nope, I’m just nearby, watching over you,” he replied.I almost widened my eyes at what I heard. I co
Chapter 17As the night deepened, I returned to my unit. I wasn’t too affected by the two beers I had, so I was fine to make it back. Just like earlier, it was quiet, and maybe this time Casey was really asleep.I fell asleep quickly as soon as I lay down on the bed. Maybe it was also due to the alcohol in my system.The next day felt like a normal day to me. But I couldn’t help but check my cellphone to see if there were any texts or calls from Carlew. And when I saw that there were none, I quickly felt disappointed.I checked my phone every hour, hoping that he would text me again. It’s been days since I last heard from him. Luckily, I’ve been busy during those days.My boss almost buried me in work. It was as if he wanted to make things hard for me. I couldn’t complain, though, because I might get fired. I had no choice but to do everything.Those paper works helped me forget what happened to my heart for the meantime. Every day, I worked overtime, and sometimes I’d bring work home
Chapter 16I woke up with swollen eyes from all the crying. I quickly turned off my phone after reading that message, fearing that number might call again—or worse, Carlew might call to explain. I was afraid that if he did, I might believe him.I know I need to hear his side, but how? How can I listen when my mind is already closed?I sluggishly got ready, finishing my routine with no energy. The moment I opened my door, Carlew was standing right outside. His eyes were red and filled with exhaustion.I immediately slammed the door shut, and tears poured out of me uncontrollably. Despite his continuous knocking, I just sat there behind the door, sobbing."Baby, open the door. Let's talk," he pleaded, his voice desperate. But instead of opening it, I stayed seated on the floor, crying even harder."Baby, please open the door," he repeated.Hearing his voice break as he started crying made me want to swing the door open and hug him tight. But I couldn’t. My anger wouldn’t let me."Leave
Chapter 15"Hi, cousin. How are you? Have you returned Zette?" Casey greeted us as we entered the unit."We're engaged," Carlew happily announced to Casey. I showed where the ring was on my hand."Whoa! That was fast, huh? Ayyyiiiiee!!"We had a bit of conversation or catch-up until Carlew eventually left."I'll visit every week, or whenever you miss me," he said before giving me a kiss."No need. It's okay, not necessarily weekly. Even twice a month is fine. I know you have a lot to take care of since you've been gone for a long time. Surely, I'll be busy too, right? Now that I have a job. So it's okay with me," I assured him. I saw him smile, and then he left.I was left alone in my room. I stared blankly for a moment after he left. I still couldn't believe that I was engaged to a man I love. It feels like I'm in a dream, and if I wake
Chapter 14"You know? I've only loved one woman like this. It's you," he said with a smile. I couldn't help but smile back.We're both a bit tipsy, and it's getting late. I don't know how we'll manage to get back to our room, even though it's nearby."I feel the same way! It's only you," I confessed like a child."Why can't you marry me?" he asked with a serious tone."Not now, okay? Just wait," I said and laughed. I saw him laugh too."Why? Are you still scared? Afraid you'll leave me hanging? You love me right? Baby, I know you love me. Isn't that enough?" I heard the pleading tone in his voice, but a smile played on his lips.Once again, I felt the emotions I had when I left someone without knowing him. What if that had worked out? What if I met Carlew afterward? Why am I even thinking about this? Tsk."Yes, but I
Chapter 13"Whoa! This place is amazing!" I exclaimed in awe.A pristine beach with fine, white sand stretched before us. In all the beaches we visited during the past days, I hadn't seen one with anything other than white sand. Almost all the sands were pure white."You liked it?" he whispered, and I felt his arm around me."No, I love it," I happily replied, turning to face him.A broad smile lit up his face, seemingly pleased with my reaction."You know? It's my first time here in El Nido, and I'm with you," I shared, smiling. I couldn't help but glance at his lips, recalling the kiss.It was just a brief one, but it felt like an eternity for me."Let's swim?" he suggested, and before I could answer, he pulled me towards the sea.I didn't resist. It's as if my soul was left behind with that kis
Chapter 12"Hey, what's bothering you?" Carlew whispered to me.I could feel his embrace, the warmth of his arms enveloping my body. We stood in front of the window where I was lost in thought before he approached me and hugged me."Nothing," I replied with a sigh. My eyes remained fixed outside the window. All I could see was darkness, unlike in Manila with its brightly lit buildings."Really? Why don't you tell me? I'm your boyfriend. You can trust me," he whispered. I sighed."I'm just feeling homesick," I said.I missed our large house, but it was empty. My room was filled with pink, but I preferred blue. It's ironic."Is it about your family? Come on, tell me. I'll listen," he urged. He led me to sit on the sofa to face him properly for our conversation. I didn't object and did what he wanted.I took a deep breat