Isla had always been the type to plan ahead, but the early morning meeting with Vincent caught her off guard. They had agreed to meet at 3 AM, so she had woken up well before dawn, eager to start her day with a warm cup of coffee. The cold morning air greeted her as she made her way to the kitchen, hoping to settle her nerves before the meeting. As she poured the coffee into her cup, she couldn’t help but smile at the thought of spending time with Vincent again. It had become a quiet routine for them—these early mornings where they could connect before the world fully awoke.As she stirred the coffee, Isla was startled when Vincent entered the kitchen, already dressed and looking effortlessly handsome. It was clear that he had been up for some time, probably as early as her, yet he seemed more composed, more at ease. His eyes twinkled as he looked at her, and she couldn’t help but notice the faint traces of coffee still lingering on his lips. "Too bad I missed the chance today," Vinc
The question had been on her mind ever since Vincent gave up his jacket to keep her warm. It seemed like an unspoken sacrifice, and she couldn’t help but feel a little guilty for it. She cared about him deeply, and the thought of him catching a cold made her want to do more for him. "Aren’t you going to get cold?" she asked, her concern evident in the way she looked at him.Vincent chuckled, the sound light and carefree, and he grinned playfully at her, enjoying the way she worried for him. "What if I get sick?" he teased, tilting his head slightly as his eyes twinkled mischievously. "Would you take care of me?" he asked, his tone playful yet sincere, knowing how much she cared for him. He was used to being the one taking care of things, but the idea of Isla taking care of him in a moment of vulnerability was strangely endearing. It made his heart warm in a way that had nothing to do with the jacket he had given her. He liked that she was always there, always thinking of him, and it
Isla’s eyes filled with tears as she absorbed the weight of his confession, her chest tight with the intensity of their connection. Her throat constricted, but she held back the tears, not wanting to break down in front of him, though it was hard to suppress the overwhelming emotion that surged through her. His words were a promise of devotion, a declaration of love so deep that it almost felt too much to bear. She closed her eyes for a moment, taking a shaky breath, trying to calm the whirlwind inside her. As she leaned her forehead against his chest, she could hear the steady beat of his heart, a rhythmic reassurance that they were in this together. She was reminded of how blessed she was to have someone who loved her so fully and without hesitation, and how much she wanted to return that love with the same fierce dedication."I know, and I feel that too," Isla finally spoke, her voice soft but unwavering, as she looked up at him with eyes full of sincerity. She placed her hand ov
Because Vincent had invited her to eat bibingka and puto bumbong after mass, Isla noticed that the sun was beginning to rise when they finally arrived back home. The early morning light was gently creeping through the windows, signaling the start of the day. As they entered, Isla couldn’t help but feel a sense of calm, knowing that Vincent’s parents would soon be starting their day. She had been here enough times to know the routine, and everything felt familiar yet comforting. It was moments like this when she felt that she was becoming more a part of their world, and she couldn't help but smile at the thought.As Isla had expected, Vincent’s parents were just waking up, and they found them in the dining room, eating breakfast. The smell of freshly cooked food wafted through the house, making her stomach grumble slightly. She could hear the sound of utensils clinking against plates and the soft murmur of their voices as she and Vincent entered. The scene before her was simple, but
"Stop! You're really annoying sometimes. Didn't we already discuss this?" Isla’s voice was tinged with frustration, though she knew Vincent was only joking. It was the kind of playful banter they shared, but today it hit her differently. The thought of revealing their relationship to everyone made her uncomfortable. She didn’t want to risk what they had, especially not with how everything had been unfolding. It wasn’t about being secretive—it was about protecting what they had, and she wasn’t sure how Vincent's family would react if they found out."I'm just joking, sweetheart," Vincent replied, his voice still light and amused, as if to reassure her. Even with the teasing, she could tell he wasn’t serious about pushing her into revealing everything to his parents. The sound of his laughter, though familiar and comforting, only made Isla feel more conflicted. She appreciated his carefree nature, but in moments like this, when she was caught between their secret and reality, it was h
"MISS Beautiful! Why did it take you so long?" Vincent asked cheerfully when Isla finally arrived at their meeting place. His voice was full of excitement, the kind of lighthearted tone that was typical of him, but it didn't go unnoticed by Isla how his eyes immediately studied her as she approached. The usual spark of mischief in his gaze seemed to falter for a moment, replaced by an expression of curiosity. He had been waiting for a while, but his attention now shifted solely to her, sensing that something was amiss. As Isla sat down beside him, she felt the weight of his gaze on her, and despite her best efforts to pull herself together, the sadness she had been trying so hard to suppress began to surface."Isla, sweetheart," he added, his tone suddenly shifting, now gentle and filled with concern as he caught sight of the tears streaking down her face. His usual teasing nature faded, and he reached out instinctively, his hand hovering just above hers as if waiting for permission
"THAT'S not true, don't believe Tanya," Vincent said firmly after they had finished eating and he was carefully treating the scratch on Isla’s arm. His voice was filled with determination, as if he was trying to convince both her and himself of the truth. The gentle way he applied the medicine to her arm, his touch tender yet confident, made Isla feel comforted, but his words didn’t completely chase away the doubt that had taken root in her heart. He had bought the medicine from a drugstore they passed by earlier when they were on their way to the treehouse. It was a small gesture, but it spoke volumes to Isla. As she lay on the bed with her head resting on Vincent’s lap, she couldn’t help but feel grateful for his care, even though the emotional ache in her chest was still there.Isla just stared at her boyfriend’s face, which was lowered as he looked at her, his eyes filled with concern. She didn’t know how to fully explain the turmoil swirling inside her, but she had to ask. “Wha
“I’ve been wanting to ask you, Isla. What happened to your arm?” April’s voice broke the silence that hung over the library, her tone laced with concern. They were seated at their usual corner, surrounded by shelves stacked with books and the faint rustle of pages turning. It was their sanctuary during long breaks, a space where they could quietly prepare for the next period or discuss life’s latest curveballs. April’s eyes didn’t stray from Isla’s arm, the faint red mark peeking out from under her uniform sleeve drawing her attention like a magnet. She leaned slightly forward, her concern palpable, waiting for an answer.Isla sighed softly, placing a bookmark in her novel before shutting it and looking up at her best friend. Her lips curved into a weak smile, attempting to downplay the situation. “Ah, Tanya. If you know what I mean?” she replied with a half-hearted chuckle, shrugging her shoulders as if to brush off the gravity of the matter. Though her tone seemed casual, her
Saturday night arrived, and after a busy day of shopping and preparation, the long-awaited Festive Employee’s Ball was finally here. The event, being hosted at a prestigious five-star hotel in Quezon City, promised to be a night filled with elegance and grandeur. Isla had managed to pull herself together for the occasion, although the nerves were still very much present. She hadn’t attended a high-profile event like this in years, and the anticipation of it all made her both excited and anxious. It didn’t help that she still had complicated feelings about Vincent’s insistence on bringing her as his date. As she prepared to step into that luxurious world again, she couldn’t shake the feeling of discomfort lingering in the back of her mind.Vincent arrived promptly at her apartment to pick her up, his usual calm and collected demeanor intact. As he stepped inside, he greeted Mama Selya with a friendly handshake, his warmth and charm unmistakable. “Good evening, Mama Selya,” he said p
As Vincent continued to pick out items, Isla couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions. At first, she had been uncomfortable with the idea of him choosing her clothes, shoes, and jewelry, but as she looked at the assortment of carefully selected items, a strange sense of appreciation began to settle in. Vincent had always been generous, but this felt different. He wasn’t just buying her things for the sake of it—he was thinking ahead, anticipating what she would need for her new role. The thoughtful gesture started to chip away at the wall she had built around herself. Still, she couldn’t shake off the resentment that lingered, but she found herself allowing him to have this small victory. After all, it wasn’t often she saw him so eager to make her happy, and his smile as he handed her each gift was infectious.When they finally sat down in his car, Vincent’s demeanor shifted, showing a side of him that Isla hadn’t seen in a while. He held up the toy airplane with a look of genuine
Leaving Matthew in Mama Selya’s care had become a bittersweet routine for Isla. As she knelt down to kiss her son goodbye, his small arms wrapped around her neck tightly, making her heart ache. “Be good for Mama Selya, okay?” she whispered, stroking his hair. Matthew nodded, his innocent eyes filled with trust, but letting go was never easy. Isla forced a smile, hiding her guilt, and gave one last wave before stepping out. The pang of leaving him behind lingered as she walked toward the bus stop, but she reminded herself that every sacrifice she made was for him—to give him a brighter future.Her thoughts shifted to her own appearance as she arrived home late the night before. She hadn’t had the time or budget to shop for a more professional outfit, so she was left scrambling through her closet that morning. After an exhausting search, she finally settled on her go-to smart casual attire: a modest blouse paired with neatly pressed slacks. It wasn’t flashy or particularly memorabl
The idea of working for him, of seeing him every day in an official capacity, stirred a whirlwind of emotions inside her—emotions she had worked so hard to bury over the years. The anger, the frustration, the lingering hurt all surfaced at once, and she couldn’t fathom why he would make such an offer after everything that had happened between them.Vincent turned to face her with a calm expression, his demeanor unwavering. “You heard me,” he replied, his voice steady and assured. “You’re my new secretary. I’ll wait for you later; come in even if it’s already afternoon. We have a lot to do,” he said, already making his way toward the door. It was clear to him that this was just another way to reconnect with her, to bring her back into his life. Even if it was a professional relationship, it was a start, and he wasn’t about to let this opportunity slip away without giving it a shot.Isla stood frozen for a moment, her mind racing as her emotions tangled with one another. Her heart p
PRESENT DAY…“I don’t know what happened. One day, after what should have been our wedding day, I tried calling you,” Isla said, her voice trembling slightly. She tried to mask the bitterness that lingered in her words, but it was clear that the hurt still lingered in her heart. “I was going to ask you to pick me up. You told me before that you were ready to leave everything behind and go far away with me, and I believed you.” Her eyes briefly dropped to the ground, as if trying to find some sense of peace amidst the chaos of her thoughts. “But when I came home from school that day… everything had changed. I saw all of our things packed, and my father… he took my phone and turned it off. All I could do was cry. I didn’t know what was happening, and I couldn’t reach you.” Her voice cracked slightly, betraying the years of pain and confusion that had followed that day.Vincent stood silently for a moment, taking in her words. His mind went back to that fateful day, the day everything
“Enough, let them go. Even if we’re poor, my mom and I won’t abandon you,” Cherry said softly, her voice filled with empathy as she gently rubbed Isla’s back. She could see how broken Isla was, her eyes red from crying, her hands trembling with the weight of her emotions. Cherry, who had always been a pillar of support, knew how hard it was to watch someone you care about suffer like this. She had been with Isla through every high and low, and now, in this painful moment, she could only offer her comfort, trying to ease the pain that Isla felt deep within her.They were in the treehouse, a place that had become a silent witness to so many of Isla’s emotions over the years. It was the place her feet instinctively led her to, a refuge where she could be alone with her thoughts. After everything that happened at the Del Carmen mansion, Isla needed a space to process her confusion, her heartache, and her sense of abandonment. The treehouse, with its quiet solitude, seemed like the on
At the bus terminal, Isla was overwhelmed and unsure of where to go next, but fate intervened when she met Cherry, a kind-hearted woman who immediately took her under her wing. Cherry noticed Isla’s distress and insisted on helping her find a place to stay, offering her the comfort and support Isla desperately needed. As the days went by, their bond grew stronger. Cherry proved to be more than just a helpful stranger; she became a confidante, someone Isla could rely on. Over time, Isla found herself opening up to Cherry, sharing the painful truths of her life. Cherry listened with compassion, never once judging her, and Isla couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief in finally telling someone about the complex and hurtful experiences she had endured.One day, as they were riding a tricycle that would take them to the Del Carmen mansion, Cherry noticed Isla’s tense expression and immediately asked, “Isla, are you okay?” Isla glanced at her friend and tried to force a smile, though the
The days passed quickly, and life in Cavite began to feel like a routine for Isla. She had settled into their new home, which was modest yet cozy, and tried her best to adapt to the changes. Her father had started a small business at the market, selling rice and groceries, which kept both him and Aunt Aida busy most days. Isla appreciated the quiet moments when they weren’t around, giving her the space she needed to think. Yet, despite the peacefulness of her surroundings, Isla couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that had been growing inside her.One morning, as she went about her chores, she was suddenly struck with a severe dizziness that made her knees buckle. The world around her seemed to spin uncontrollably, and nausea surged through her in waves. She gripped the nearby table for support, her stomach twisting uncomfortably. Isla wondered what she had eaten that could have triggered such an overwhelming reaction. She glanced over at the food she had prepared earlier, but nothing s
SIX YEARS LATER... With a heavy heart, Isla forced herself to rise from her bed when she heard a series of knocks on her bedroom door. Her body felt like it was made of lead, and each movement felt like an impossible effort. She didn’t want to face anyone; she didn’t want to be strong. All she wanted was to curl up in her bed, cry until there were no more tears, and be left alone with her sorrow. The thought of dying crossed her mind, a fleeting but undeniable feeling that overwhelmed her. She felt trapped in the silence of her own grief, a silent scream echoing within her. The pain of her broken heart felt like it was suffocating her, making everything else seem insignificant.Yesterday, she had been on the verge of experiencing what she thought was the happiest day of her life. It was supposed to be a day for her and Vincent, a day where their love would finally triumph over all the obstacles they had faced. But instead, what followed was heartbreak and devastation. Nothing went