AS Erik said, they ate delicious food because he took her to an expensive buffet restaurant. At first, she felt hesitant because she was only wearing simple walking shorts and a t-shirt. But when the young man assured her that her outfit was fine, she no longer protested."Thank you for the delicious dinner," she said as Erik dropped her off right in front of her house.He nodded. "So, see you tomorrow? Should I pick you up so you don't have to walk?" he asked.She chuckled softly. "Come on, our houses are just one block apart. I’ll just walk," she replied and was about to get out of the car, but Erik's next words stopped her."Didn't you leave behind the sack of rice and salted eggs you brought earlier? I'll just come over, and I'll bring some warm pandesal and liver spread. You'll provide the coffee, okay?" Erik said.Mia couldn't quite understand the feeling that touched her heart because of Erik's words. But whatever it was, she was sure of one thing—she was happy. Maybe it was bec
"NAY, I have good news for you," Mia said as she found her Nanay Rosita busy watering her ornamental plants in their yard. As always, she pushed open the iron gate and approached her adoptive mother, bowing to take her hand and press it against her forehead in a gesture of respect. "I already know. Your classmate mentioned it to me," her mother said with a smile as she looked at her. Mia’s well-shaped eyebrows furrowed. "Classmate? Which classmate?" she asked curiously. "That handsome young man? Fidel and Aurora’s son?" her mother replied. It was then that Mia fully understood what her mother meant. Along with that realization, an uncontainable giddy feeling surged through her, accompanied by a bright smile she couldn’t suppress. "Ah, are you talking about Erik?" Even though she already knew that was who her Nanay Rosita was referring to, she still chose to say his name aloud. "Yes," her mother said as she put the hose away and walked with her toward the veranda of the ho
"I'm leaving now," Mia said softly, glancing at her Nanay, who stood by the door with a gentle expression. The morning light streamed through the open window, casting a golden hue over the small but tidy living room. Her schoolbag hung securely over her shoulder, its weight familiar yet grounding, as if anchoring her to the moment. Though this was part of her daily routine, there was always a lingering comfort in the way her Nanay saw her off each day. Nanay Rosita, with a warm smile, nodded as she stepped forward to press a tender kiss to Mia’s forehead. "Take care," she murmured, her voice laced with quiet affection. It was a simple gesture, but one that never failed to reassure Mia, wrapping her in a sense of security that she carried with her throughout the day. No matter how busy or overwhelming school got, she knew that at the end of it all, she would return to this same love and warmth waiting for her at home. Mia returned the smile, offering a small nod before turning on
PRESENT DAY...As agreed upon the night before, Mia was the one to provide the coffee. She carefully selected the beans from her favorite local roastery, ensuring they were fresh and aromatic. The rich scent filled her kitchen as she ground them, heightening her anticipation for the morning ahead. It wasn’t just about the coffee—it was about the quiet significance of the gesture. She wanted the first thing Erik tasted that morning to be something she had chosen, something that carried a part of her. As she poured the dark liquid into a thermos, she imagined his reaction—the way his lips would curve into that familiar, thoughtful smile, the same one that had always made her heart stutter, even years ago. Mia wasn't sure if she was more excited about the breakfast she would share with Erik or the simple fact that she had made the plan earlier that morning, which now left her feeling unexpectedly lighthearted. There was something about having certainty in this moment, in knowing that he
Erik arrived right on time to pick her up. The sun had just started to rise higher, casting a soft glow over the quiet neighborhood. Mia noticed a few of her neighbors glancing her way, some with curiosity and others with barely hidden intrigue. She knew they were watching, wondering where she was going and who she was with, but she chose to ignore them. Without hesitation, she stepped into Erik’s car, shutting the door behind her with a quiet thud. There was a strange sense of excitement in her chest, one that she wasn’t quite sure how to define.As she fastened her seatbelt, Erik’s voice broke the comfortable silence. “You’re in charge, okay?” His tone was casual, but there was an underlying warmth in his words.Mia furrowed her brows, confusion flickering in her dark eyes. “W-What?” she asked, her voice laced with uncertainty. She wasn’t used to being put in charge of anything, especially when she was with someone else. Growing up, she had always let others take the lead, and even
Despite the rapid pounding of Mia's chest, she decided to distance herself from Erik. She even thought that the young man seemed to realize what he had done so he laughed softly.He went towards her and then stared at her. Their eyes locked for a few moments. After that, she didn't expect what Erik did next. She just breathes hard when he winked at her, face-to-face, which caused her entire face to feel the heat of her sudden blush.The young lady tactfully averted her eyes from Erik and then returned her gaze to the photo album she was browsing.The truth is, her attention was not there but on her companion who she felt moved closer to her again so she automatically moved away from him.Mia didn't know if Erik was just tripping her. Because he kept on coming closer to her while she was constantly moving away from him. It wasn't until the end that she noticed that she had nowhere to go because she was already on the armrest of the long and antique narra chair."Why do you keep on movi
"Never have I experienced being completely happy with him. Do you know that he cheated on me for five years? He lay his hand on me. He never gives me money. What he always tells me is that I don't need money in my wallet because he feeds and clothes me. I never once thought he was that bad. He's different compared to the attitude he showed when we were in high school," Mia continued telling the story while her head remained bowed.Erik just listens quietly. He didn't know if he couldn't think of anything, so his brain wasn't working at that moment. Or maybe it's like he's just having a hard time accepting that that's the truth."That's why I'm quiet is because, for me, I don't need to reveal to others what I'm really going through. Do you know that life has not been fair to me since childhood?” at the end of what she said, the smile that broke Mia's lips was bitter and at the same time she was wiping away her tears."I was only happy when I was with Nana Rosita. Because only with her
WHEN Mia got home, she went straight to her room. It was as if it was just now that she felt tired. But despite that, she couldn't feel any regret in her chest because she was happy being and spending time with Erik. There was a satisfaction in the smile that broke Mia’s lips and then she stared at the tall built-in cabinet in her room. From being sat on the edge of her bed, the young lady then stood up and approached, and opened it. Inside the closet is where she saw hanging a familiar and very beautiful dress that had a good memory from her youth. She took it and put it out from inside the garment bag. Mia caressed it lightly with her hand. Along with many questions that are now playing in her mind. What if she chose not to go with Bernie? What if she didn't let and allowed herself to believe all the sweet words and promises that he used to say to her? What if when Nana Rosita died, she just left Pegasus and looked for another job? Is it possible for her and Erik to meet again
"ERIK? It’s you, right?"Nathaniel, finally sensing the moment, approached his boyfriend."I'm Nathaniel, Mia's brother," he said without hesitation, extending his hand toward Erik.At that moment, Mia looked up at her boyfriend's face. She could clearly see the quick change in Erik's aura as he accepted Nathaniel's handshake."Oh, would you believe it, I have a brother?" Mia said, stifling a laugh. "And here you are, getting jealous without even asking me?" she added, embracing Erik tightly.That was when Erik held Mia tightly in his arms, then let go and pressed his lips against hers without uttering a word. Disregarding the people who could see them, he made her feel the intense longing he had for her."Shall we go inside?" he said with a smile, his eyes sparkling.Mia happily nodded in agreement and waved at Erik's parents before entering.*****"We're actually traveling today to bring Mia back to Manila," Nathaniel said when they faced each other in the living room."Nate has his
"Why don't you call Mia so she'll have an idea about our arrival," Fidel, Erik's father, suggested.They were already on their way to the province. The journey would take eight to ten hours, and it was only four o'clock in the morning when they hit the road."I don't have her number, Pa. Honestly, I'm not sure if she changed her number or if her phone is always turned off. I've tried calling her several times, but still no response," Erik replied."Well, maybe it's better this way, without her knowing that you're coming. She'll be more surprised," his mother chimed in from the backseat of the car.*****"We have a problem, Mia," Nathaniel said, peering through the door of her room."A problem?" Mia asked her brother, her attention focused on packing her belongings. She was about to return to Manila, and Nathaniel, along with Aunt Ising and even Elena, would be accompanying her."I wasn't allowed to skip today. I'm sorry, but maybe we can leave after my last class, which should be afte
"You can't travel to the province right now, son. It's too far, it's an eight-hour journey, to be honest," said Aurora while they were on their way home.Now he knew where Mia was, and he didn't want to waste any more time. He was eagerly anticipating seeing her. He wanted to bring his future wife home so he could take care of her, especially in her current condition."But Ma, I can't wait until tomorrow. I want to see Mia," she replied, keeping her gaze fixed on the road."But Erik, why don't you rest for a while?" Fidel interjected. "And besides, your mother and I would like to accompany you, the two of us together," he added.Erik couldn't contain the joy that quickly filled his heart upon hearing his father's words. He couldn't hide his feelings as he responded."Really, Pa?" he asked, briefly turning to look at his father.He heard his father let out a soft laugh before answering, "Of course. We also want to be there to help you sort everything out.""And besides, it's not safe f
"E-ELENA?"As Aunt Ising recognized the woman who was busy hanging bedsheets in the back part of the shelter, Mia couldn't help but feel a quick throb in her chest. Then she looked up at her brother Nathaniel, questioning him with her eyes. And as he seemingly understood the meaning behind her gaze, he simply shrugged his shoulders."I-Ising?"The woman whom Aunt Ising called Elena responded."W-Who is she, Sister Cecilia?" Mia couldn't resist asking the accompanying nun."She is the woman who left you and your brother here in this shelter many years ago," Sister Cecilia answered her with a kind smile.Surprised or astonished?Mia couldn't determine which of the two dominant emotions prevailed in her heart.She also couldn't speak immediately because she remained transfixed, gazing at the woman.Just like what happened to her earlier with Nathaniel, she couldn't remember anything about this woman. But despite everything, a part of her heart couldn't deny that it suddenly felt an eager
"Ma'am Eden, someone is looking for you.”Bernie, their housemaid, Lita, said as she found her mother busy watering the plants in their garden in Manila."Who?" she asked, turning to them and quickly freezing upon recognizing him. "M-My son?" she stammered, dropping the hose and rushing towards him, embracing him tightly."M-Mom," he managed to say, returning the tight embrace. "I-I missed you so much," he added, tears streaming down his face.After a few moments, Eden led her inside their house. "Lita, prepare some food," she instructed, gently caressing his face."What happened, honey? Why did you run away?" she asked with concern when they were finally alone in the living room.Bernie immediately looked around their spacious home. "What about Dad? Where is he?" he asked, disappointed not to see him."He went grocery shopping. Since we heard about what you did, your father hasn't been at peace. So, I let him do what he wants to distract himself," her mother explained.Her mother's w
"Mama, forgive me if I have hurt and caused you pain," Erik pleaded, holding Aurora's hand gently.In response to his gesture, tears welled up in Aurora's eyes, streaming down her cheeks. "Please forgive me too, both your father and me," she replied, tapping his hand lightly.Erik smiled and nodded, understanding the depth of her words. He stood up and embraced his mother tightly. Then, he glanced at Fidel, who smiled back at him.Though it was a simple smile, Erik knew it carried profound meaning. In an instant, he felt a weight lifted off his chest, a burden he had been carrying for a long time. And he couldn't deny that it was because of his act of forgiveness towards his mother.Yes, he loved his parents dearly. And now, as a father himself, even though he and Mia had yet to welcome their child into the world, he had gained a deeper understanding of the true meaning of life. This was why he found it easy to comprehend and accept everything his mother had done and the choices she h
"Sometimes, I imagine that if Nana Rosita hadn't died, or if I had a sibling, maybe what happened to me wouldn't have occurred. I'm certain someone would have stood up for me," Mia shared as she finished recounting her story. The weight of her words quickly took effect, stirring a warmth in the corners of her eyes. Yet, despite her longing to let the tears flow and release her emotions, she managed to restrain herself. "What do you mean?" Nathaniel inquired, his gaze fixed upon her. She turned to face him, offering a bittersweet smile. "I'm just an adopted child, Nate." Gradually, she decided it was time to disclose the truth to him as well. After all, she had already confided in him the real reason for her presence there. "I was merely found, that's the truth," she began narrating her life story to Nathaniel. She recalled her first memories of being adopted and the journey that led her to Rosita, who had become a maternal figure in her life. "Are you all right, big brother?" sh
"It's a good thing Erik decided to return to work. Even if you say that our future brother-in-law is extravagantly wealthy, he still needs to work hard. After all, why let the opportunity to earn money go to waste? Right, Rosanna?" Dahlia remarked with a strong undertone. It had been two weeks since she was discharged from the hospital, and they came to visit her."Of course. By the way, Mia, how are you and your future in-laws doing?" Rosanna replied, briefly aligning herself with Dahlia's comment before facing her directly.They were assisting her in preparing the ingredients for the Kare-Kare she was cooking for lunch. Erik had told her that he would only be working a half-day at the office today and would continue with other tasks at home.Honestly, she couldn't understand why Erik had been overly attentive to her since she was discharged from the hospital. It seemed as if he already knew about her pregnancy. It wouldn't be far-fetched since she had been admitted for a few days an
Mia's senses awakened as she freely admired the nakedness of the man she was about to marry, slowly removing every article of clothing from his body. Erik's actions were incredibly pleasurable to behold, and in those moments, Mia felt abundantly blessed. Despite the countless women who had crossed this man's path, he had chosen her as his bride.Mia's heart fluttered at the thought. When she saw Erik move closer to kiss her, she welcomed it with unrestrained love and passion. She responded to Erik's kisses as if she were thirstier for him than ever before, losing herself completely in the process.Erik's gentle caress on her chest stirred something deep within Mia, evoking a soft moan from the depths of her throat. Their lips remained intertwined, while Erik's hand, nestled between her thighs, began to provide her with indescribable pleasure.Mia moaned once more when Erik's fingers skillfully explored her intimate flower, which was now drenched with desire. "You're soaked, Mia," that