KABANATA 33 Atasha's POV A week had passed and everything goes smoothly. Elias hasn't visited me at my restaurant after our conversation that day. I'm just thankful that I won't have a hard time avoiding him. I admit, even if I don't realize it myself, there's still some love left for him. Even though we've been apart for almost a month and a half, I still can't easily forget the long time we spent together. It really isn't easy because he's the only man I've ever loved. But I know I really need to forget everything because I know I've already lost. Ever since I found out that Jocelle is pregnant, I knew that I no longer have a fighting chance. As usual, my daily routine involves going to work and immersing myself in tasks to distract from the emotional turmoil within. Each passing day, the weight of reality grows heavier on my shoulders, reminding me of the irreversible changes in my life. Despite sticking to my routine, it no longer brings comfort, as thoughts of what co
KABANATA 34Atasha's POV"I'm invited!" I exclaimed, a playful smile forming on my lips. "Is that how you greet your guests?" I teased, my eyes sparkling with amusement as I saw the surprise on his face. "I guess you didn’t know I received the invitation from your fiancée," I emphasized the last word, enjoying the way his expression changed.Nakita kong parang hindi na niya alam ang sasabihin. Imbes na sumagot, umubo siya at umiwas ng tingin. Hindi ko napigilan ang ngiti ko. Mukhang hindi niya nagustuhan ang nangyari. Parang nakita ko sa mga mata niya ang pagtataka, baka may halong selos pa nga.Siguro nagulat siya sa itsura ko. O baka sa kasama ko. Hindi ko alam, pero masarap sa pakiramdam na makita siyang naguguluhan. Sa wakas, kahit papano, naranasan din niya ang sakit na naramdaman ko noong nakita ko siyang kasama si Jocelle."Let's go, Kaeon. Let's enjoy this night," sabi ko habang nakangiti nang pilyo, sabay kapit sa braso niya. Tumingin ako kay Kaz at binigyan siya ng mabilis n
KABANATA 35Elias' POVThe office was silent, the only sound my pen scratching against paper as I signed document after document. Suddenly, the door burst open, and my cousin Alphonsus stormed in, anger written all over his face. He held the invitation card I’d given him, his brow furrowed tightly.He slammed the card onto my desk, breaking the quiet with a loud noise. I raised an eyebrow, curious about his outburst."What is this, Elias?" he demanded, disbelief clear in his voice. "You’re engaged? To someone else? Not Atasha? Are you out of your mind? Who is Jocelle Sadejas?!" His words came out in a flood of anger, and I sighed, feeling the weight of his accusations."My fiancée," I replied flatly, trying to brush off his outrage."Fiancée?!" he shouted, his voice echoing in the room. "Is this some kind of arranged marriage? There’s no way Uncle Hector would allow you to marry anyone else! Who the hell is this Jocelle Sadejas?!"I shook my head, dead tired from this confrontation. "
KABANATA 36Atasha's POVI did not expect Jocelle to slap me suddenly. The shock hit me hard, leaving only the sting of her hand on my cheek. I stared at her, confused, while instinctively holding my burning face. Ang init sa pisngi ko mula sa lakas ng sampal.“You have such a nerve to ruin my night! You sabotaged my engagement party!” she screamed at me, her finger jabbing accusingly. “Are you jealous kasi ikakasal na ako kay Elias?”As she shouted, I saw Elias stepping closer to her, quickly pulling Jocelle away from me. For a moment, we locked eyes, and I tried to make sense of everything. After shaking off the shock, I stood tall, determined na ipakita sa kanila na hindi ako naapektuhan ng mga paratang nila. I tuned out the murmurs around me.Kaeon rushed to my side, trying to calm me down. Pero ang galit ko ay umaabot na sa sukdulan.“Jealous? Ano bang meron sa’yo na ikakainggit ko?!” I retorted sarcastically, with a grin on my face.“Don’t pretend you’re not jealous! Ramdam ko a
KABANATA 37Atasha's POVAfter two years...Dalawang taon na ang nakalipas simula nang mangyari ang lahat. Si Jocelle at Elias ay kasal na ngayon, and according to what I’ve heard, masaya sila kasama ang kanilang nag-iisang anak na babae. Pero honestly, wala na akong balita sa kanila at hindi ko na rin ito pinapansin.Nang ikinasal si Elias sa iba, I decided to cut all ties with the de Marcels. Tuwing may imbitasyon si Alphosus sa family gatherings or birthday parties nila, hindi na ako dumadalo. Wala na akong dahilan para pumunta, kasi tapos na ang lahat para sa akin at kay Elias.Mula noon, wala na silang narinig mula sa akin. I accepted na tapos na ang relasyon namin. Natutunan kong hindi na umasa at hindi na muling tumingin sa mga alaala ng nakaraan. Sa bawat luha na tumulo, nagdesisyon akong hindi na muling lumingon pabalik.Ipinilit kong maghilom sa sarili kong paraan. Umiiyak ako sa sakit, and each time, para bang unti-unti akong nalalambot at nawawalan ng pakialam. Tuwing naii
KABANATA 38Atasha's POVIlang linggo na ang lumipas at sobrang dami nang nangyari, lalo na sa pagitan nina Shuen at Diovanni. Hindi ko maiwasan ang mag-isip sa mga naririnig kong balita tungkol sa kanila. Pinatuloy ko si Shuen sa condo ko after ng insidente, pero di nagtagal, nagdesisyon siyang maghanap ng sarili niyang apartment. Alam kong kailangan niyang magsimula ulit, pero sobra akong nag-aalala para sa kanya.Habang nasa opisina, hirap ako mag-concentrate. Paulit-ulit akong nagbubuntong-hininga, at masakit ang ulo ko sa kakaisip ng mga sinabi ni Shuen. Naalala ko ang mga luha niya at ang sakit na dulot ng mga kasinungalingan ni Diovanni.Gusto ko sanang sugurin si Diovanni, iparamdam sa kanya kung gaano kasakit ang mga ginawa niya. Parang sina Elias at Diovanni-pareho silang sinungaling at manloloko. Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit parang nasa dugo na nila ang magpaiyak ng babae. Pero alam kong hindi lahat ng de Marcel ay ganito. Tulad ni Alphonsus, na mukhang mas matino at na
KABANATA 39Atasha's POVRamdam ko ang tension habang nagtitipon kami ng ibang contestants sa stage. Halo-halong emosyon—kaba, excitement, at saya. Sampu kaming nakatayo, ready na harapin ang challenge. Sa first round, kailangan naming magluto ng Bolognese, isang classic Italian pasta na favorite ng marami.Nasa harapan ako ng stove ko, at parang nasa isang eksena ng pelikula. Ang bango ng mga ingredients—matamis na kamatis, malambot na karne, at mga fragrant herbs—pumapalibot sa akin. Pero kahit gaano kasarap amuyin, hindi ko maalis yung kaba.Yung ibang contestants, mukhang seasoned pros. Kita mo sa mga gamit nila na sanay na sila sa ganitong competitions, at may ilan sa kanila, mukhang kilala na sa culinary world.Pero confident ako. Matagal ko nang sinasanay ang sarili ko sa kusina, at Bolognese, kahit hindi ko 'signature dish,' is something I know I can nail."Buongiorno, everyone! Welcome to the 'Pasta Passion' competition! We’ve got a fantastic group of chefs ready to wow us wi
KABANATA 40Atasha's POVI can feel the chill here at Namsan Tower; ang lamig dito sa gabi! Hindi ako handa, at hindi ako nagdala ng makapal na coat. My breath fogs in the air as I huddle against myself, gazing out at the beautiful city of Seoul.After a moment, naramdaman kong ipinatong ni Celsius ang coat niya sa balikat ko. "Here, mukhang hindi ka komportable sa lamig," he said, smiling as he settled beside me. "Kanina pa tayo naglilibot.""Yeah, you're right," sagot ko, sabay buntong-hininga. "Aren't you freezing? Ibibigay mo ‘to sakin?" I asked with concern.Kahit na suot niya ang thick sweater with a high neckline, alam kong hindi sapat iyon para labanan ang tindi ng lamig. Iba kasi ang chill dito sa Korea—parang mas tumatagos, unlike sa Italy na mas tolerable."Not really," he replied, giving me an assuring smile. "Pero next time, magdala ka ng coat para hindi ka lamigin," paalala niya, gentle but sincere."Yeah, I'll keep that in mind," sabi ko, grateful for his thoughtfulness
WAKASAtasha's POVIt’s been a month since bumalik kami ni Celsius sa Pilipinas! We flew back together, kahit na ilang beses ko na siyang sinabihan na mauna na siya, ayaw pa rin niya. Hinahanap na siya sa work, pero dahil siya ang boss, wala talagang choice ang secretary niya kundi hintayin kami. Nagtagal pa kami sa Seoul for over a week bago kami nag-decide umuwi.Ngayon, isang buwan na ang nakalipas at hindi pa rin siya umaalis sa tabi ko. Alam na niya lahat ng contacts ko, alam niya kung saan ako nakatira, at pati restaurant ko. Honestly, hindi ko alam paano niya nagagawa 'to—imagine, taga-Antipolo siya pero araw-araw siyang pumupunta sa Batangas para makita ako.Nasa restaurant ko siya palagi, nag-aabang hanggang matapos ang shift ko para ihatid ako pauwi. Halos di ko na nagagamit yung kotse ko kasi lagi na lang niyang kinukuha at hinahatid ako. Tapos, just yesterday, binilhan niya ng condo yung sarili niya, malapit lang sa akin! I was totally shocked.I mean, who would've thought
KABANATA 40Atasha's POVI can feel the chill here at Namsan Tower; ang lamig dito sa gabi! Hindi ako handa, at hindi ako nagdala ng makapal na coat. My breath fogs in the air as I huddle against myself, gazing out at the beautiful city of Seoul.After a moment, naramdaman kong ipinatong ni Celsius ang coat niya sa balikat ko. "Here, mukhang hindi ka komportable sa lamig," he said, smiling as he settled beside me. "Kanina pa tayo naglilibot.""Yeah, you're right," sagot ko, sabay buntong-hininga. "Aren't you freezing? Ibibigay mo ‘to sakin?" I asked with concern.Kahit na suot niya ang thick sweater with a high neckline, alam kong hindi sapat iyon para labanan ang tindi ng lamig. Iba kasi ang chill dito sa Korea—parang mas tumatagos, unlike sa Italy na mas tolerable."Not really," he replied, giving me an assuring smile. "Pero next time, magdala ka ng coat para hindi ka lamigin," paalala niya, gentle but sincere."Yeah, I'll keep that in mind," sabi ko, grateful for his thoughtfulness
KABANATA 39Atasha's POVRamdam ko ang tension habang nagtitipon kami ng ibang contestants sa stage. Halo-halong emosyon—kaba, excitement, at saya. Sampu kaming nakatayo, ready na harapin ang challenge. Sa first round, kailangan naming magluto ng Bolognese, isang classic Italian pasta na favorite ng marami.Nasa harapan ako ng stove ko, at parang nasa isang eksena ng pelikula. Ang bango ng mga ingredients—matamis na kamatis, malambot na karne, at mga fragrant herbs—pumapalibot sa akin. Pero kahit gaano kasarap amuyin, hindi ko maalis yung kaba.Yung ibang contestants, mukhang seasoned pros. Kita mo sa mga gamit nila na sanay na sila sa ganitong competitions, at may ilan sa kanila, mukhang kilala na sa culinary world.Pero confident ako. Matagal ko nang sinasanay ang sarili ko sa kusina, at Bolognese, kahit hindi ko 'signature dish,' is something I know I can nail."Buongiorno, everyone! Welcome to the 'Pasta Passion' competition! We’ve got a fantastic group of chefs ready to wow us wi
KABANATA 38Atasha's POVIlang linggo na ang lumipas at sobrang dami nang nangyari, lalo na sa pagitan nina Shuen at Diovanni. Hindi ko maiwasan ang mag-isip sa mga naririnig kong balita tungkol sa kanila. Pinatuloy ko si Shuen sa condo ko after ng insidente, pero di nagtagal, nagdesisyon siyang maghanap ng sarili niyang apartment. Alam kong kailangan niyang magsimula ulit, pero sobra akong nag-aalala para sa kanya.Habang nasa opisina, hirap ako mag-concentrate. Paulit-ulit akong nagbubuntong-hininga, at masakit ang ulo ko sa kakaisip ng mga sinabi ni Shuen. Naalala ko ang mga luha niya at ang sakit na dulot ng mga kasinungalingan ni Diovanni.Gusto ko sanang sugurin si Diovanni, iparamdam sa kanya kung gaano kasakit ang mga ginawa niya. Parang sina Elias at Diovanni-pareho silang sinungaling at manloloko. Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit parang nasa dugo na nila ang magpaiyak ng babae. Pero alam kong hindi lahat ng de Marcel ay ganito. Tulad ni Alphonsus, na mukhang mas matino at na
KABANATA 37Atasha's POVAfter two years...Dalawang taon na ang nakalipas simula nang mangyari ang lahat. Si Jocelle at Elias ay kasal na ngayon, and according to what I’ve heard, masaya sila kasama ang kanilang nag-iisang anak na babae. Pero honestly, wala na akong balita sa kanila at hindi ko na rin ito pinapansin.Nang ikinasal si Elias sa iba, I decided to cut all ties with the de Marcels. Tuwing may imbitasyon si Alphosus sa family gatherings or birthday parties nila, hindi na ako dumadalo. Wala na akong dahilan para pumunta, kasi tapos na ang lahat para sa akin at kay Elias.Mula noon, wala na silang narinig mula sa akin. I accepted na tapos na ang relasyon namin. Natutunan kong hindi na umasa at hindi na muling tumingin sa mga alaala ng nakaraan. Sa bawat luha na tumulo, nagdesisyon akong hindi na muling lumingon pabalik.Ipinilit kong maghilom sa sarili kong paraan. Umiiyak ako sa sakit, and each time, para bang unti-unti akong nalalambot at nawawalan ng pakialam. Tuwing naii
KABANATA 36Atasha's POVI did not expect Jocelle to slap me suddenly. The shock hit me hard, leaving only the sting of her hand on my cheek. I stared at her, confused, while instinctively holding my burning face. Ang init sa pisngi ko mula sa lakas ng sampal.“You have such a nerve to ruin my night! You sabotaged my engagement party!” she screamed at me, her finger jabbing accusingly. “Are you jealous kasi ikakasal na ako kay Elias?”As she shouted, I saw Elias stepping closer to her, quickly pulling Jocelle away from me. For a moment, we locked eyes, and I tried to make sense of everything. After shaking off the shock, I stood tall, determined na ipakita sa kanila na hindi ako naapektuhan ng mga paratang nila. I tuned out the murmurs around me.Kaeon rushed to my side, trying to calm me down. Pero ang galit ko ay umaabot na sa sukdulan.“Jealous? Ano bang meron sa’yo na ikakainggit ko?!” I retorted sarcastically, with a grin on my face.“Don’t pretend you’re not jealous! Ramdam ko a
KABANATA 35Elias' POVThe office was silent, the only sound my pen scratching against paper as I signed document after document. Suddenly, the door burst open, and my cousin Alphonsus stormed in, anger written all over his face. He held the invitation card I’d given him, his brow furrowed tightly.He slammed the card onto my desk, breaking the quiet with a loud noise. I raised an eyebrow, curious about his outburst."What is this, Elias?" he demanded, disbelief clear in his voice. "You’re engaged? To someone else? Not Atasha? Are you out of your mind? Who is Jocelle Sadejas?!" His words came out in a flood of anger, and I sighed, feeling the weight of his accusations."My fiancée," I replied flatly, trying to brush off his outrage."Fiancée?!" he shouted, his voice echoing in the room. "Is this some kind of arranged marriage? There’s no way Uncle Hector would allow you to marry anyone else! Who the hell is this Jocelle Sadejas?!"I shook my head, dead tired from this confrontation. "
KABANATA 34Atasha's POV"I'm invited!" I exclaimed, a playful smile forming on my lips. "Is that how you greet your guests?" I teased, my eyes sparkling with amusement as I saw the surprise on his face. "I guess you didn’t know I received the invitation from your fiancée," I emphasized the last word, enjoying the way his expression changed.Nakita kong parang hindi na niya alam ang sasabihin. Imbes na sumagot, umubo siya at umiwas ng tingin. Hindi ko napigilan ang ngiti ko. Mukhang hindi niya nagustuhan ang nangyari. Parang nakita ko sa mga mata niya ang pagtataka, baka may halong selos pa nga.Siguro nagulat siya sa itsura ko. O baka sa kasama ko. Hindi ko alam, pero masarap sa pakiramdam na makita siyang naguguluhan. Sa wakas, kahit papano, naranasan din niya ang sakit na naramdaman ko noong nakita ko siyang kasama si Jocelle."Let's go, Kaeon. Let's enjoy this night," sabi ko habang nakangiti nang pilyo, sabay kapit sa braso niya. Tumingin ako kay Kaz at binigyan siya ng mabilis n
KABANATA 33 Atasha's POV A week had passed and everything goes smoothly. Elias hasn't visited me at my restaurant after our conversation that day. I'm just thankful that I won't have a hard time avoiding him. I admit, even if I don't realize it myself, there's still some love left for him. Even though we've been apart for almost a month and a half, I still can't easily forget the long time we spent together. It really isn't easy because he's the only man I've ever loved. But I know I really need to forget everything because I know I've already lost. Ever since I found out that Jocelle is pregnant, I knew that I no longer have a fighting chance. As usual, my daily routine involves going to work and immersing myself in tasks to distract from the emotional turmoil within. Each passing day, the weight of reality grows heavier on my shoulders, reminding me of the irreversible changes in my life. Despite sticking to my routine, it no longer brings comfort, as thoughts of what co