"WHY did you bring me here, Erik?" Mia couldn't look directly at Erik, but she still couldn't hide the objection that came with what she said.She was referring to the young man's house. She expected that he would take her to her house but something else happened. It's not because she doesn't want to be with the young man. The truth is, she is having a feeling of discomfort after he discovered her true occupation."What's the problem if I brought you here? I have no plans to harm you," answered the young man, unfastening his seatbelt."I know that," she said with a sigh as she unbuckled her seatbelt."Mia," the young man to her. "Look at me," he ordered in his usual kind tone and that's what she thinks is the reason why she seemed to voluntarily follow him."I'm sorry if you got involved in this mess," that's what she said instead.Erik's warm palm gently touched her left cheek. After that, he pulled and hugged her tightly."I know you're going through something, and maybe too you're
Mia was confused because Erik said that. But despite the confusion, the strange touch of emotion that she always felt when the young man said something nice about her still did not disappear."Thank you," she said focusing her eyes on the coffee in front of her to hide her true feelings that Erik could possibly read in her eyes.If only Erik knew that this was the man she was talking about, how would the young man feel and react?There was silence between them for a few moments. The young lady quickly felt a strange atmosphere that filled the whole area. And that's the reason why she didn't dare to meet the stares of the man in front of her.She can feel his gaze and that is one of the reasons why she is restless. She was even breathing heavily when Erik suddenly grabbed her hand and carefully squeezed it."Mia," said the young man.Erik just made a simple gesture after all. Even the way he mentions her name. But once again, she felt the strong electric voltage that quickly spread thr
“You mean you and Mia, already? I thought she was just washing your clothes and cleaning your house?" William asked him in disbelief the next afternoon and he went to see him in his office."No, not literally," he answered. “I offered her marriage, but she did not accept it. I asked her several times, but she still really doesn't want it, I don't even know what I can do to change her mind and convince her to marry me," he said in a long and low tone and then it was as if unknowingly stared into nothingness."What did you say? Please say that again, marriage? Why do you want to marry her?” William asked her one after the other in a shocked tone."Can you please, lower your voice," he scolded William."Sorry," he said as he straightened up in the chair in front of his desk. "What is really going on? You got me confused."That's when Erik sighed and stared at his best friend before he opened his mouth to speak."Do I need to tell you more about what happened for you to understand the tr
"It is not important to me Mia no matter what you want to believe, as long as I know you are mine and if you persist," he said in a threatening tone.Mia was quickly horrified by Bernie's words. "Get out and don't ever come back here!" that's what she answered instead.At that point, Mia bravely met Bernie's sharp gaze. Where she got the courage to do that, she didn't know. But if she was sure of anything, it was the fact that a part of her personality had been rebirth since she was with Erik.At the thought of the young man, the corners of her eyes quickly warmed up.If only she could admit to this man's face now who she really wants to be with. But she can't do that. She cannot harm the person who she knows is the sole owner of her heart before and until now."Leave, please?" now she said more calmly then pointed to the open door.That's when she saw the man move. But not to go out but to step closer to her. When he got close, he immediately grabbed her face tightly. Mia's chest hea
"Did you hear what I said?" Erik asked her then smiled sweetly as she continued to cry while looking up and staring at him.She just nodded."You're not going to say anything?" it was Erik staring at her face.That's when she bowed down and sniffed. "W-What do you want me to say?" she said, choking again.At that moment, Mia knew that she was crying for a different reason.She knew it wasn't what happened earlier, and all the hurtful words Bernie had said caused her to tears. But the two words escaped from the lips of the man she loved the most."Well, if you won’t say anything, I will. Because I have a lot to say," it was Erik.The tone of his voice was happy, and Mia also saw the beautiful sparkle in his eyes when she looked at the young man again."Y-You got a lot to say?" she asked confused but frowning.The young man nodded then raised the hand he was holding and then kissed it."You’re right. I have a lot to say," he said, starting to dry her teary face with his fingers.“W-What
“FOR me he is the most handsome man in my world. He can make my day complete with just one glance from him. And even though I feel like it seems that for him I do not exist, that was okay. The truth is, I never hope or dreamed to be his girlfriend,” Mia stated."Why? Didn't he court you?" Erik asked in a tone that was obviously interested in what she was going to answer."No, but he offered me to be his date at the prom during our fourth year. I was so happy back then. But unfortunately, he was too late to ask me that because he got ahead of him, you know," at that point the smile on her lips was meaningful.Now she really wants to believe that she is good at hiding her feelings. Because obviously, Erik had no idea that he was the man she was referring to in her story."Didn't I also ask you to be my date at the prom when we were in the fourth year? So that means Bernie and I weren't the only ones who really wanted to be with you that night. And that asshole was lucky because you went
"I'm happy for you. At least now that everything is clear, you won't have any trouble protecting her," William said the next day when he informed her about him and Mia.A small red box was in front of Erik and placed on top of his working table. It was open so he could freely stare into a beautiful and expensive diamond engagement ring that he bought earlier with William.It’s for Mia. For the most beautiful in his world. The one that he is going to marry.Erik shrugged his shoulders with a wide smile at what his friend said. Then he took the box. Closed and put it inside the pocket of his pants.Just now, he can already imagine how beautiful Mia's smile would be when he gave it to her. That was when he started to feel something intense and inexplicable in his heart.“But thanks, man. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be able to realize everything. If it wasn’t for you until now, I might still be in denial about what my true feelings are for Mia. You're right, I love her. I have always
Mia did not know or sure where she got the courage to respond to Erik the way he did to her. He was quickly taken out of her senses by that kiss. But despite that, she was still startled when his hand started to move."I love you, so much," said the young man when he let go of her lips, then looked at her face with an admiring gaze.That's when Mia caressed Erik's handsome face. Then she spoke with the corner of her eyes heating up."I love you. I love you so much. From then until now and forever, there is no other man I will love and give my heart but into but you," Mia expressed passionately.When Erik smiled, it was like a warm hand touched Mia's heart. And that was the reason why the emotion that he had been controlling for a while eventually gave in.“Y-You don't know how much you make me happy. Because you made my greatest dream come true. The dream that I thought will remain out of my reach forever," he said, expressing her happiness at that moment."Everything you say is so go
"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