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
"Honestly, our class adviser has a point in what she said earlier. That you and Mia are a perfect combination," it was Roy. Recess time and like before they are under a giant tree while eating a banana cue. "You saw me again," Erik growled, shaking his head one after the other, and then finished what he was eating and also the coconut juice in the paper cup. "What do you dislike about Mia? That young lady is so beautiful, I think she has everything a man wants," William commented then poked his side using his elbow. Erik didn't move and just sighed instead. It's not that he doesn't like Mia. The truth is that he likes her very much and wants to be her friend. But his heart has been beating for somebody else for a long time. And that is Keira, his best friend and childhood friend whom he doesn't understand why is that she keeps avoiding him. But no one knew then. No one knows that he has feelings for Keira. Because for him, that's not what others need to know, not even the young l
They were in the middle of their walk when large raindrops began to fall. "Oh, maybe it's better if we go under a waiting shed first," Mia said in a worried tone. Then Erik looked up at the sky and turn to Mia afterward. "I think so because it seems like a very downpour is approaching. And even if we share an umbrella, we might still get wet. I don’t want you to get sick," there was concern in Erik’s tone of speech, which is why Mia secretly felt the thrill in her chest because of that. They stayed under a waiting shed they passed while they were on their way home. Mia sat on the iron bench just like Erik have told her. It's like that's all the sky was waiting for to happen, for them to find cover because after that it poured down very heavy rain. Mia silently watched every drop of it while Erik who was like her is doing the same. Cars rarely pass because the road in front of them is not the main road. In Mia's heart, she was very happy at that moment. At least she had this roma
AS Mia expected, her mother was very happy when she told her about the cotillion and that she and Erik will be partners. Nana Rosita immediately asked her to go to some prom dress shops so she could immediately find something to wear."Nana, isn't it too early to look for a prom dress? The prom is still a month from now," Mia said as she and her mother go out of the gate.That's when she heard her Nana Rosita spoke. "Why not? I do not see any problem with that. In fact, by doing it now, you can have the chance to choose a better dress. I’m sure all the beautiful and affordable will run out if we didn’t do it now," she replied so Mia decided to keep quiet.They are near Mrs. Ramos’s variety store when Mia saw Erik's mother, Aurora.Erik's mother is beautiful and has a white complexion as well. But his father looks more like her classmate, especially in his eyes. And those are the eyes that her classmate inherited."Ma'am Rose, where are you going?" Aurora asks as soon as they came near
PRESENT DAY... Mia could not stop smiling because of the flow of memories. After that, she decided to put the dress back in the closet and lay down. While she still hasn't lost the feeling of Erik's warm lips that seem to continue gently caressing hers.Mia's entire face immediately warmed up.She doesn't understand herself. She knew it was normal if she felt angry about what happened, but she couldn't hold it in her chest. And if she was to be true to herself, she knew she wanted to repeat what happened between her and the man she first loved.When a possible reason crossed her mind, Mia sighed sadly.Could it be that she's just eager for that because, since Bernie's treatment of her changed, he didn't give her what she needed as a woman?It was true, and she couldn't even remember when it started because it had been so long.Well, that is not something that she should be wondering about. She knows he has someone to satisfy his needs as a man.At the thought, Mia smiled bitterly and
AREN'T you going to the office today?" Mia asked Erik that same day. Mia was standing at the door of the young man’s room with a cup of hot coffee in her hand. It was the last load of laundry in the washing machine. And because it was automatic, Mia was able to combine house cleaning while doing the laundry. Now she saw the young man in his room busy working. Erik looked at her with a smile. And because their eyes met immediately, the young lady saw the rapid flashing of his. "I informed them that I will finish my work here, at home,” Erik answered her as she placed the cup of coffee on his working table. "Thank you," he added. "I'm almost done with the laundry. What do you want for lunch?" Mia doesn't know but she has the desire in her heart that even if only in this way, she will be able to return to Erik all the goodness that he shows her. The young man's smile widened at her question. "Really? You're going to cook for me? I thought you invited me for a dinner tonight?" he ask
"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