FIRST ROSE"HELLO, Miss Beautiful!" Vincent called out when he found Isla in the kitchen, busy washing dishes."Hi, Sir Vince," Isla replied, her voice soft as she acknowledged him.At that moment, Vincent moved closer, grabbing a glass and filling it with cold water from the refrigerator.“Valentine's Day is coming up. Do you have a date yet?” he asked, his gaze lingering on Isla’s beautiful face.Isla glanced at him shyly before offering a small smile. “No, I don’t. I’m not really thinking about those things right now. I don’t have time for dates,” she explained.Vincent raised his thick eyebrows in surprise. “Really? So, does that mean no one gives you gifts on Valentine’s Day?”“Some people do, but I don’t accept them. I’m afraid my dad might see, and if that happens, I’ll definitely get scolded,” Isla said, explaining with a faint smile.Vincent nodded thoughtfully. “Just out of curiosity, what kind of gift would you not be able to resist?”Isla stared at him in disbelief after h
“HOW are you, Chef Vincent Del Carmen?”Randy greeted warmly, his voice echoing with an unmistakable enthusiasm as he stepped into Vincent’s condominium. The space exuded an air of sophistication, with its sleek, modern design. Floor-to-ceiling windows bathed the room in natural light, illuminating the minimalist furniture and pristine kitchen countertops—a setup that perfectly reflected Vincent’s meticulous personality.Randy’s wide smile and relaxed posture seemed almost out of place in the immaculate setting, a stark contrast to the intensity of his old friend’s world. It was a rare occasion to see Randy after so many years. Once upon a time, they had shared a cramped dorm room during their university days in America, where the chaos of student life had forced their contrasting personalities into an unlikely friendship. Their time as roommates had lasted barely six months, cut short when their schedules began pulling them in different directions.Randy had been the life of the par
“Anyway,” Randy said, his voice shifting back to its usual easygoing tone, effectively breaking the lingering tension. He leaned forward slightly, his expression sharpening. “Let’s get to business. About the restaurant…”His words snapped Vincent’s attention back to the matter at hand. The casual conversation they’d been having seemed to fade away, replaced by the business proposition that had brought him here in the first place. Vincent had been expecting this—Randy had mentioned wanting to talk about Festive in their earlier messages, but hearing it now, spoken so deliberately, immediately grabbed his focus.Vincent straightened, his posture becoming more professional as he pushed his glass aside, attention fully engaged. Randy’s offer was not just any business deal—it was Festive, one of the country’s most celebrated buffet restaurants, known for its innovative approach and large clientele.It was a high-profile establishment, and for someone like Vincent, with the ambition and res
ONE WEEK LATERThe door to Isla’s modest apartment swung open with a familiar creak, and Cherry’s voice rang out, unmistakable and full of energy.“Where’s my handsome godson?” she called, her presence as lively as always.Cherry had a way of brightening any room she entered, and Isla felt a small relief at the sound of her best friend’s cheerful tone.Isla, focused on brewing the coffee for the evening, looked up from her task with a warm smile. She had been anticipating Cherry’s arrival. “You’re late,” Isla teased, her eyes softening as she caught sight of Cherry’s exuberant face. “Matthew’s been waiting for you all evening. He wants to show you the star he earned in school today.”Isla’s voice carried an affectionate lilt, knowing full well how much Matthew adored his godmother.Cherry’s eyes lit up immediately. With a quick laugh, she turned and hurried toward the hallway where Matthew was eagerly awaiting her. The six-year-old practically bounced off the walls with excitement, h
LATER that night, Isla stood silently at the threshold of Matthew’s room, watching her son sleep. The soft rise and fall of his small chest brought her comfort, yet the ache inside her only deepened. She quietly walked over to his bed and knelt beside him, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead. The room was silent, save for the soft sounds of his breathing.“Baby,” Isla whispered, her voice fragile, breaking as she spoke the words that had weighed on her heart for so long. “Why can’t I give you the life you deserve?”She pressed her fingers gently against his cheek, the tears she had held back threatening to spill. She had tried so hard to be everything Matthew needed, but deep down, she feared she hadn’t given him enough. Not the life she had envisioned for him, filled with opportunities and love without the weight of their struggles.*****VINCENT sat across from his mother in the softly lit dining room, the ambient hum of the city just outside their window, but his mind felt
A sweet smile spread across Isla’s lips as she opened the magazine, and the face of a familiar family greeted her. It was none other than Chef Vincent Del Carmen, the most handsome man she had ever known. Seeing his picture felt like uncovering a treasured keepsake she had long forgotten. There he was, standing tall and proud, his signature charming smile lighting up the page. The sight of him stirred something deep within her—a mix of nostalgia and quiet admiration. She couldn’t help but marvel at how the boy she once knew had become such a celebrated figure.The thought lingered in her mind: It feels like it was just yesterday, and now you're so famous. I wonder if you still think about me?She leaned back in her chair, her fingers lightly brushing the edges of the magazine. It was a silly thought, perhaps, but one she couldn’t shake. Memories of their time together came flooding back, vivid and full of life. She remembered the way his eyes sparkled when he talked about his dreams,
SIX YEARS AGO...“Hurry up and eat, I’m going to bed. You’ll take care of these, understand?” Aida’s sharp voice rang out, cutting through the quiet of the dimly lit kitchen.Her stepmother’s tone was as strict as ever, leaving no room for argument or delay. Aida stood there, arms crossed, her eyes narrowing as if daring Isla to protest. But Isla had learned long ago that resistance was futile. “Yes, Tita Aida,” Isla replied obediently, her voice soft but steady. She lowered her gaze, focusing on the plate in front of her. Two small pieces of dried fish sat atop a mound of rice, a meal that was simple but enough to fill her stomach for the night. As she began to eat, she could hear Aida’s footsteps retreating toward the bedroom, the sound of the door closing signaling her stepmother’s departure. The kitchen, though modest and cluttered, was a space Isla had grown accustomed to. At one end of it was an extension—a small, cramped area that served as the maid’s quarters. This was wh
"You're so lucky, do you know that? At least you get to see him every day. You probably don’t know what it’s like to miss him because he lives in the same mansion," April said excitedly the next day during their free time at school.Her voice was full of admiration, and Isla could hear the longing in her tone as she leaned back in her seat. It was a simple statement, but it carried so much weight. April had always been fascinated by Vincent, and Isla had heard her talk about him countless times since they were both in high school. But today, it felt different. There was a certain intensity in her words, a certain yearning that Isla couldn't ignore.Isla, on the other hand, had mixed feelings about Vincent. Yes, she got to see him almost every day, but it wasn’t as glamorous as April seemed to think. Vincent was more than just someone she could gaze at from a distance. He was someone she had grown up with. They had shared childhood memories, grown up in the same neighborhood, and spent
FIRST ROSE"HELLO, Miss Beautiful!" Vincent called out when he found Isla in the kitchen, busy washing dishes."Hi, Sir Vince," Isla replied, her voice soft as she acknowledged him.At that moment, Vincent moved closer, grabbing a glass and filling it with cold water from the refrigerator.“Valentine's Day is coming up. Do you have a date yet?” he asked, his gaze lingering on Isla’s beautiful face.Isla glanced at him shyly before offering a small smile. “No, I don’t. I’m not really thinking about those things right now. I don’t have time for dates,” she explained.Vincent raised his thick eyebrows in surprise. “Really? So, does that mean no one gives you gifts on Valentine’s Day?”“Some people do, but I don’t accept them. I’m afraid my dad might see, and if that happens, I’ll definitely get scolded,” Isla said, explaining with a faint smile.Vincent nodded thoughtfully. “Just out of curiosity, what kind of gift would you not be able to resist?”Isla stared at him in disbelief after h
AFTER TWO YEARSWith a warm smile, Vincent watched his wife, Isla, as he carried their two-year-old daughter in his arms. The afternoon sun cast a golden glow over the clearing, its light filtering through the rustling leaves of the towering acacia tree. A gentle breeze carried the scent of fresh earth and wildflowers, blending perfectly with the mouthwatering aroma of the food Isla was preparing. There was a sense of peace in the air, a quiet kind of happiness that made Vincent feel as if time had slowed down, allowing him to savor every precious moment with his family.At that moment, Isla was completely immersed in her task, her delicate hands moving with practiced ease as she prepared their meal. The sound of chopping vegetables and the soft clatter of dishes mixed with the distant laughter of birds perched in the branches above. She wore a contented smile, the same smile that never failed to make Vincent’s heart swell with love. Every now and then, she would glance over at him an
TWO MONTHS LATERIt was perhaps the happiest day of Isla’s life. As she took her first step down the long aisle of the grand church, a wave of emotions washed over her—excitement, nervousness, and most of all, deep happiness. The sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows, casting colorful reflections on the polished marble floor. The scent of fresh flowers filled the air, mingling with the soft melody of the wedding march. Isla clutched her bouquet tightly, feeling the weight of the moment settle in her chest. She had dreamt of this day countless times, but now that it was real, it was even more magical than she had ever imagined.Beside her, Artemio walked proudly, his steps steady and reassuring. When Isla glanced up at him, he met her gaze with a warm smile, his eyes filled with fatherly affection. She could sense his silent support, the unspoken words of encouragement in his expression. Aida, standing close behind, reached out and gave her a gentle tap on the shoulder—ju
His words were simple, but they carried so much weight, as though he were talking about more than just the ring—it was about their relationship, their journey together. The fit was more than physical; it was a reflection of how they had always belonged to each other, even when they were apart. Vincent’s smile deepened as he squeezed her hand gently, the moment between them feeling like a quiet promise, a reaffirmation of the love they had shared and would continue to share for the rest of their lives."Yes, my fingers haven’t changed. It has always been a perfect fit," Isla replied with a light laugh, amused by Vincent's fascination with the ring.She looked down at the two rings on her finger, the wedding band and the eternity ring, both symbols of the love and commitment they had shared through the years. The fact that they fit together so perfectly felt like a sign, reinforcing the notion that they were meant to be together. But Vincent’s intense gaze still lingered on her hand, ma
Isla’s heart tightened as she listened to Vincent’s heartfelt apology. She had never fully understood the depth of his pain until now. She knew he had suffered, but hearing him speak so openly about it made her feel a deep sense of empathy for him. The regret she had once carried about their separation began to lift, replaced by an overwhelming sense of understanding. She could see now how much his love for her had hurt him, how he had been torn apart by the loss, just as she had. In his vulnerability, she saw the man who had always loved her, even through the darkest times, and it made her heart ache for him even more.Vincent’s voice broke slightly as he continued, his eyes filled with raw emotion. "Forgive me for not looking for you. Forgive me for not being there when you needed me most. I'm sorry for judging you." The pain in his words was palpable, and Isla could feel every ounce of regret that flowed from him. "But the pain I felt when I came home and found you gone—it was unbe
Randy’s return to the Philippines was met with a mixture of emotions. He had spent a few days in America to handle some pressing matters, but his thoughts were never far from Isla and their situation. As soon as he landed, he made his way to the mansion, where he now lived with his family. The house had become a place of new beginnings for him, but a part of him still carried the weight of the past. He couldn’t help but feel the sting of regret as he thought about the pain Isla and Vincent had endured. In a quiet moment, he muttered to himself, "If you had just said it earlier, you both wouldn’t have gotten hurt," realizing that his silence had caused so much unnecessary suffering.Every day since his return, Randy and Isla had commuted to work together. Their routine was simple, almost like a quiet partnership, but there was an unspoken tension between them. They both knew things couldn’t be the same anymore, but the comfort of familiar company made the journey bearable. Randy kept
A week later, Isla found herself caught up in the whirlwind of their busy routine once again. She had just come from the washroom when a familiar sight caught her eye—on her desk, there was a beautiful bouquet of red flowers, its vibrant petals standing out against the plain backdrop of her office. Her heart skipped a beat as she hurried over to it. She picked up the card, eager to see who the flowers were from. When she read the message, a warm smile spread across her face. It was from Vincent, and just reading his sweet words made her heart swell with affection. The fact that he had taken the time to send her flowers, even though he was so close in his office, made the gesture all the more special to her.As she stood there, still holding the card and savoring the moment, she heard Vincent’s familiar voice. “Did you like it?” he asked, his tone warm and teasing. Isla looked up, and there he was, standing at the door of his office, watching her with a gentle smile on his face. His e
Two days after her conversation with Ruby, Isla was caught completely off guard when her father, Artemio, and her aunt, Aida, unexpectedly arrived at the mansion. The moment she laid eyes on them, a surge of emotions washed over her—relief, joy, and an overwhelming sense of homecoming. Tears welled up in her eyes as she rushed to embrace them, her heart pounding with happiness. She had missed them dearly, and seeing them standing before her made her feel as if a missing piece of her life had finally been restored. Vincent, ever attuned to her feelings, wrapped his arms around her in a comforting embrace, as if to shield her from being overwhelmed by her own emotions. But it was when her father, Manuel, spoke that she truly lost her composure—his voice filled with warmth and finality as he declared that she and Vincent would be moving back into the mansion. The words echoed in her mind, making everything feel even more real, as though the wounds of the past were finally being healed b
The sun was already high in the sky when Isla slowly stirred awake the next morning. Her body felt heavier than usual, as though the weight of the previous night’s intimacy had lingered with her. She lay there for a moment, eyes still heavy with sleep, before she tried to muster the strength to sit up. A bath was the first thing on her mind, hoping it would wash away the fatigue from her body. But as she stretched and moved, her muscles protested, reminding her of how deeply connected she had been to Vincent just hours earlier.Just as she was about to swing her legs over the side of the bed, the door to their room suddenly creaked open. Vincent appeared in the doorway, carrying a tray of food with a cheerful smile on his face. His presence, as always, brought a sense of warmth to the room. “Good morning! Breakfast in bed?” he greeted, his voice bright and inviting. He carefully placed the tray on her lap, his hands gentle as he adjusted the food. It was a simple gesture, but one fi