Isla nodded and smiled, a soft, loving expression on her face as she leaned down to kiss Matthew on the cheek. The gesture was both comforting and reassuring, a sign of her unwavering love for him. Despite the challenges they faced, she cherished these moments with him, knowing that her role as a mother was more important than anything else. As she pulled away, her heart swelled with a sense of purpose. She would do whatever it took to make sure Matthew felt better, even if it meant setting aside her own dreams and aspirations for the time being. In his eyes, she saw not just a sick child, but the very reason she kept pushing forward, no matter the obstacles in her way.“Okay, I’ll buy it, but don’t take the towel off your forehead so your fever will go away,” Isla reminded Matthew gently, her voice filled with the concern only a mother could have. She wanted to make sure everything was in place for him to feel better. His fever had been a source of worry for her all day, but she w
“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
Isla nodded and smiled, a soft, loving expression on her face as she leaned down to kiss Matthew on the cheek. The gesture was both comforting and reassuring, a sign of her unwavering love for him. Despite the challenges they faced, she cherished these moments with him, knowing that her role as a mother was more important than anything else. As she pulled away, her heart swelled with a sense of purpose. She would do whatever it took to make sure Matthew felt better, even if it meant setting aside her own dreams and aspirations for the time being. In his eyes, she saw not just a sick child, but the very reason she kept pushing forward, no matter the obstacles in her way.“Okay, I’ll buy it, but don’t take the towel off your forehead so your fever will go away,” Isla reminded Matthew gently, her voice filled with the concern only a mother could have. She wanted to make sure everything was in place for him to feel better. His fever had been a source of worry for her all day, but she w
“I’ll take care of Matthew, you get ready for your interview,” Selya said the next morning, her voice calm and reassuring. Isla nodded, though her mind was far from the interview Selya was referring to. The job interview for the position of secretary to her new boss was an important opportunity, yet all Isla could think about was her son, Matthew, who had been running a fever for the past couple of days. Selya’s offer to help was a small relief, but Isla couldn’t ignore the knot of worry tightening in her chest as she glanced at Matthew, still resting in his bed. The prospect of leaving him with someone else, even if it was Selya, made her uneasy. She wanted to be there, to care for him, but she knew she had to move forward and take this chance for a better future.Isla shook her head, trying to focus on the task at hand. She couldn’t afford to let herself be distracted by the worry eating away at her. Gently, she reached for the wash towel resting on the edge of the basin filled
PRESENT-DAY... “Two months after that, we were in Cavite. I found out I was pregnant. I thought about telling my father about it, but I was scared, so instead, I tried to get him to tell me the truth. Why did we have to leave the Del Carmen mansion so suddenly?” Isla smiled bitterly. “That was when I found out that Vincent’s mother had paid my father one million pesos. I understood my father, to be honest, I wasn’t angry with him. But because I was hurt, I thought it might be better if I took care of and supported my child on my own,” Isla’s voice broke after that.She saw Cherry open her mouth to speak but then stop, unable to continue whatever she was about to say. Isla proceeded. “I left our house without telling anyone. I didn’t even tell them I was pregnant. You know, I was only eighteen back then. I felt like no one understood me. What I knew was that Vincent loved me so much because that’s how he made me feel. But what I couldn’t understand was why he never looked for me?”“
“Ma’am Ruby, Aida told me that you wanted to see me?” That was Artemio’s opening question to Ruby as he entered the library of the mansion.“Take a seat,” Ruby replied, motioning to the chair in front of her desk. “I won’t beat around the bush because I have more important matters to attend to,” she said as she handed Artemio a check. “One million. Just let me know if that’s not enough,” she added.Artemio’s eyes widened as he shifted his gaze between Ruby and the check now lying on the desk.“W-What do you mean by this, Ma’am Ruby?”After regaining his composure, the old family servant finally asked.“I want you to keep your daughter away from my son. She’s not good enough for Vincent!” Ruby said in a formal tone, then stared at the man standing before her.Ruby saw the confusion spread across Artemio’s face.“What do you mean by that?”She laughed at his question.“Don’t tell me you don’t know what’s going on between Vincent and your daughter? Well, what should I expect? Wh
Isla woke up in the early hours of the morning, the soft rays of the sun barely breaking through the curtains. She felt the warmth of Vincent’s body surrounding her as she slowly opened her eyes. For a moment, she just lay there, taking in the quiet serenity of the morning. The soft rise and fall of his chest with each breath, the peaceful look on his face, all of it brought a deep sense of comfort to her. She could feel the steady thrum of his heartbeat, a rhythm that had become so familiar to her over the past few weeks. It was as if, in this moment, time had slowed down, and all the chaos of the world faded away. There was only the two of them, wrapped in the warmth of the love they had built together.She smiled softly, her heart swelling with affection as her eyes traced the outline of his face. Even in sleep, Vincent’s features held a quiet strength. His jaw was slightly relaxed, his dark hair tousled in a way that made him look even more charming. Isla couldn’t help but admi
A wave of shyness washed over Isla when her bare form was finally revealed to him. Her cheeks flushed, and she instinctively tried to cover herself, but Vincent gently stopped her, his warm smile and adoring gaze erasing her insecurities. “You’re perfect,” he whispered, his voice filled with awe and sincerity. Slowly, her unease melted away, replaced by the overwhelming comfort of being loved and accepted so completely. As his hands and lips explored her body with reverence, Isla let herself be vulnerable, trusting him in a way she never thought possible.“V-Vince,” she breathed, her voice trembling as his kisses traveled lower, leaving a trail of warmth and desire in their wake. Her body responded to his every movement, each touch igniting a fire within her that she couldn’t contain. When his lips reached her stomach and lingered between her thighs, Isla felt as though she might shatter from the intensity of it all. She was lost in the moment, her senses overwhelmed by the ple
“V-Vince,” she whispered, her voice barely audible as she attempted to pull away from him. But Vincent wasn’t having it. Without a word, he pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her with an urgency that made her heart skip a beat. She could feel the heat of his body pressed against hers, and for a moment, the world outside of this room didn’t exist. It was just the two of them, tangled in a delicate dance of longing and restraint. Despite her attempts to pull back, she found herself sinking further into the sensation, unable to resist the magnetic pull of his embrace.Isla’s mind was spinning as she fought to maintain her composure amidst the overwhelming sensations Vincent’s heated kisses were creating. The electricity between them seemed to grow with every touch, every soft brush of his lips against her skin. When his lips finally reached her cheek, the intensity of the feeling nearly took her breath away. Her heart raced, her chest heaving with shallow breaths, and her tho
VINCENT didn’t wait for the three knocks to echo through the hallway before he swiftly opened the door. His eyes met Isla’s, and the look in them made her heart skip a beat. It was clear he had been expecting her, and the way his gaze softened upon seeing her made Isla smile without thinking. She couldn’t help the rush of warmth that flooded her chest. There was something about his presence that always made her feel welcome and wanted, and tonight, the feeling was stronger than ever.“Come in,” he said, his voice low and warm as he stepped aside to let her in. His gesture was inviting, and as Isla walked past him into the room, she felt a sense of comfort wash over her. The room was dimly lit, with a soft glow from the bedside lamp casting shadows on the walls. There was a peaceful, almost intimate atmosphere, and it made Isla feel both at ease and a little nervous at the same time. She had grown accustomed to their quiet moments together, but this one felt different—more charged
“Finish that quickly, my sweetheart, so you can rest,” Artemio instructed her, possibly fearing she might turn her back on him. He left the mansion and went to the maid’s quarters.“Yes, Papa,” Isla replied to her father.“Psst!”Isla quickly furrowed her brows, a slight frown forming as she looked around the room, trying to locate the source of the sound. Her heart fluttered, the air around her suddenly feeling a little heavier, as if something—someone—was nearby. She scanned the corners of the room, her eyes darting across the space, but she couldn’t find anything. Just as she was about to shrug it off, she caught a glimpse of a familiar figure in her peripheral vision. A soft laugh escaped Isla's lips when she saw Vincent standing behind her. He was leaning casually against the doorframe, his arms crossed, a knowing smile playing on his lips as he watched her. The sight of him made her heart skip a beat, but there was something about the quiet way he stood there that put her