The car Bonita was driving stopped multiple times as waves of pain coursed through her chest. This time, she pulled over just a few meters from her family home, unable to trust herself to drive safely. She sat in silence, trying to calm herself before heading home. A part of her hoped her father wouldn’t notice her mood, which had hit rock bottom.The night had grown late. She left the moment she realized Benjamin seemed to harbor feelings for another woman. She didn’t need a confession from him to confirm it—his eyes had said it all. Bonita had intended to salvage their relationship, but the signs of his love for someone else were undeniable.Ignoring Benjamin's pleas for her to stay, she had fled, evading his Jeep for hours. She craved solitude but had nowhere else to go but her family home. She could have booked a nearby hotel, but that would only remind her of the painful moment when she saw Zayna embracing Benjamin so intimately.Tears streamed hotly down her cheeks, turning her
Something Bonita had been unaware of for years was suddenly laid bare by her father with surprising ease. The pain she had felt over Benjamin’s betrayal now deepened as she learned the truth about her parents’ marriage and her grandmother’s role in separating two lovers.Nolan gently stroked Bonita’s hair, tucking the stray strands behind her ear. “I love you, Boo. Live a happy life with the man you love. I won’t arrange a marriage for you, nor will I force you to marry anyone. I don’t want to repeat the mistakes my mother made.”Swallowing a bitter pill, Bonita let her sorrow spill out to Nolan. “The man I love cheated on me. There’s no way I could live my life with him.”“This time, fight for it. Don’t be like me. I was a coward who couldn’t hold on to your mother for you and Jeremy, even though you both had a right to have her in your lives.”Bonita shook her head in resignation. “I can’t force a man to love me. And don’t call yourself a coward. You’re the most perfect man in my li
"Provide clarification immediately! I won’t accept any more excuses," Benjamin demanded over the phone with Zayna.After losing track of Bonita at the intersection, Benjamin returned to his apartment. He was fairly certain she had gone home, but he didn’t bother to chase her. His girlfriend wouldn’t let him in, no matter how much he pleaded or waited outside her door, hoping for pity. Bonita wasn’t one to be swayed by childish gestures, and even Nolan wouldn’t be able to change his daughter’s resolve."I told you before, there’s no need to respond to this. The news will fade on its own. Trust me," Zayna said as she traced the rim of her chamomile tea cup with a freshly manicured finger, her nails painted in a flamingo hue."How can it fade on its own when you keep adding fuel to the fire?" Benjamin countered, dropping onto the couch with a frustrated sigh."What exactly are you referring to?""Your statement claiming that I’m the ideal man. That remark has sparked countless speculatio
"You can come to my house. It’s not far from here—just one block away," Benjamin offered, pointing toward the direction of his home. He felt uneasy lingering in Zayna's house, especially after realizing that she had just avoided him.Uncle Li guided him toward the room Zayna had left earlier. It was a cozy family room filled with plush sofas and a central table. The walls displayed numerous family photos in frames, along with a ukulele hung among them. Uncle Li seated Benjamin on one of the sofas and sat beside him."We can talk here. I won’t take up much of your time since I have work to do. I just want to ask for your help, if you’re willing," Uncle Li began."What can I do to help?""You and Zayna are friends with Mea, right?"Benjamin nodded."I’d like you to keep an eye on Mea’s behavior. She may seem friendly and pleasant, but pay close attention to what she says. Let me know about your conversations whenever we meet again, but neither Mea nor Zayna should know about this. Can y
A video spread across social media like a desert storm. In the video, Zayna was chatting with a well-known woman named Bertha. Bertha, a culinary blogger, often shared moments from her food adventures. The two had just finished reviewing a seaside restaurant serving fresh clams and crabs, sneaking in a discussion about the gossip surrounding Zayna and Benjamin during their conversation."Which part of Benjamin’s body do you like the most?" Bertha asked after sipping her tequila."Which–what?" Zayna replied with a playful laugh."I know you two stayed in the same room during the hotel opening event. Something must have happened, right? Besides, you’ve known each other for years now. How many years has it been?" Bertha teased, her expression mischievous.Zayna covered part of her face, appearing embarrassed, though her laughter was barely contained as she shook her head lightly."Tell me, does Benjamin have any tattoos?"Zayna dropped her hand, her expression surprised. "Benjamin doesn’
“What should I do to make you trust me, Boo?”Many thoughts surged in Bonita’s mind, but something stirring deep within her heart suddenly made her lips move on their own. “Marry me.”“You—what?” Benjamin asked, startled, wondering if he had just heard a dream.Bonita’s heart ached at Benjamin’s reaction, which was far from what she had hoped for, leaving the air awkward. “I… understand if you’re hesitant to marry me. I won’t force you. You have the right to marry whoever you want.”Benjamin fell silent. His proposal to the woman before him four and a half years ago had just been answered. But his girlfriend was right—he was hesitant, even as he tried to suppress the feeling.Bonita stood with all the strength she had left. She had barely taken a step when Benjamin grasped her arm.“Give me time to tell my family.”Bonita nodded weakly. “I need to rest. I’m so tired.”“Can’t we talk a little longer? I’ve missed you so much.”Bonita shook her head slightly. “Go home. Greet your family
Bonita gazed out the window as Benjamin's Jeep sped along, leaving the silhouettes of objects and people they passed far behind. In the quiet, her thoughts wandered until her eyes rested on the engagement ring—a gift from Jenna—that adorned her ring finger. The ring was slightly loose, though undeniably beautiful and elegant.Something gnawed at Bonita’s heart. She knew something was wrong but couldn’t pinpoint what caused her unease. If Zayna truly intended to take Benjamin from her, wasn’t it futile now that their engagement was public? Or was Zayna planning something to sabotage her wedding with Benjamin?Her phone buzzed in her pocket, interrupting her thoughts. A call from Velica broke her trance. Bonita hesitated before answering, guilt gnawing at her for not informing Velica about her engagement plans before the announcement went public.“Is it true? Your engagement with Benjamin?” Velica asked without preamble.“It’s true,” Bonita replied.“Are you serious? I just found out be
The news of Bonita's engagement filled Maria with jealousy and a sense of failure in her attempt to separate Bonita from Benjamin. Maria had been elated upon hearing the rumors of Benjamin's affair with Zayna. Even though she already had a handsome and wealthy fiancé, Tommy, Maria couldn’t help but envy the consistently affectionate relationship between Benjamin and Bonita over the years. After all, Tommy often acted cold toward her.All the wedding expenses had been paid by Tommy before Maria learned about Bonita's engagement. Dark thoughts crept into Maria’s mind, prompting her to consider canceling her collaboration with Bonita's bridal shop for her own wedding preparations. However, she ultimately refrained, knowing Tommy would be furious.Maria was well aware of the time required to organize a wedding. It seemed impossible for Bonita to marry before her, even with Bonita owning a bridal business. She knew that all the high-end venues were fully booked during the season, and secur
Drenched in sweat and immersed in inescapable pleasure, Bonita and Benjamin lost track of everything happening outside the campervan. It was impossible to count how many times Jeremy had tried calling the newlyweds who had vanished from their own wedding reception. He had traveled halfway across the world to attend his sister's big day, only to find her once again behaving as she pleased."Let it go; leave them be. Nothing bad will happen," Melissa said in a calming tone, patting the back of their son, Julian, who was snuggled in her arms. "Even if something does, they’ll figure it out on their own."Jeremy glanced toward Edith, who was smiling quietly in a corner of the resort they had rented as accommodations while preparing for the wedding. After years of estrangement, the resentment he once harbored toward his mother was gradually fading."Edith doesn’t seem worried. Boo has proven herself capable of traveling the world without causing trouble.""That’s only because Benjamin is wi
A deep, passionate embrace unfolded between the newlyweds as they shared a kiss under an altar set near a mist-covered waterfall. Friends and family cheered joyfully, celebrating the union of two hearts that had journeyed for years across the world to finally find their way back to one another in love.Only a handful of guests were present amidst the cold mountain air, including the bride and groom. It was an unconventional choice of venue, but nothing could deter Bonita and Benjamin from tying the knot after a long relationship filled with uncertainties.The bride's gown and the groom's suit were outfits they had owned for years. The altar was decorated simply with flowers and local foliage, arranged lovingly by Velica and Melissa over several days. Meanwhile, the warm dishes on the table, still steaming, were prepared by David and Zayna.Benjamin broke the kiss and gazed lovingly at his wife, a satisfied smile lighting up his face. “Thank you for letting me spend the rest of my life
"Stop it!" Bonita admonished sharply.Benjamin’s laughter echoed against the stone walls. He found most of Bonita’s written points reasonable, though a few struck him as utterly amusing. "Are you sure you want to know about that? You might get jealous.""I won’t get jealous as long as you’re honest with me. I’m not jealous of things that belong to the past.""Alright." Benjamin replied, taking Bonita's hand and guiding her to the sofa. His gaze softened as it settled on the woman who, to him, shone brighter than anything else in his world. "Just to clarify, does this mean I’m officially your boyfriend again?""As long as you fulfill all the points written on that paper ..., then yes."The kiss Benjamin placed on Bonita’s lips caught her completely off guard. Before she could think better of it, Benjamin cupped her face, pulling her closer as the kiss deepened into a gentle embrace.Having grown unused to such intimacy after so many years, Bonita tried to match his rhythm. Her arms fou
"That’s true," Bonita said, her head bowed. She had thought about it countless times—the decision to call off the wedding wasn’t just about Mea. "I went looking for my mother on the day we were supposed to have our date—the day you met Mea. My mother told me everything about her relationship with my father. I did love you, but ... I thought maybe it would be better to rethink the foundation of my feelings. I wasn’t sure if my love for you was pure or if I was in love with the idea of falling in love, like my mother once was with Frans."Benjamin’s hopeful thoughts came crashing down. Though there was still a glimmer of hope, Bonita’s reason for ending their engagement left him feeling empty."To be honest, I doubted whether you truly loved me. Falling in love at first sight is something I’ve always found hard to believe. When I found out about Mea, I thought maybe you only loved me because I might remind you of her.""You two are completely different," Benjamin clarified, his voice pa
All the windows in Tristan's family stone house were barred, forcing Bonita to give up on escaping. She had searched every corner of the house for an opening, but there was no way out. She even tried calling out for help to passersby through the windows, but they ignored her as if unwilling to risk getting involved in helping a prisoner.The crescent moon appeared quickly. Bonita chose to wait patiently for Tristan to return the next day, planning to confront him for locking her up with Benjamin—even though Tristan's words about food and the guest room were accurate.Benjamin had already showered and changed into clothes he found in the wardrobe. He asked Bonita to freshen up and change while he warmed the food in the fridge, but Bonita, too annoyed, refused when she saw that all the women's clothing in the wardrobe consisted solely of sexy nightgowns.Her diamond earrings and white lace dress still clung to her body as she lay on the bed. However, her leather boots had been removed a
"Are you using the same method as when you chose Mea's favorite flowers for our wedding theme?" Bonita asked, her expression grim.Bonita's question froze Benjamin in place. He hadn’t expected her to remember the flowers or even care about them after all these years."I thought I made it clear that I refuse to be anyone’s replacement.""You were never anyone’s replacement, Boo.""Don’t!" Bonita snapped, her voice sharp as she pointed a trembling finger at Benjamin. "Don’t call me that! I will never allow you to call me that!""Alright," Benjamin replied, his voice steady. "Let me say it again so you understand. You were never anyone’s replacement, Bonita."A jolt coursed through Bonita's fingers as he said her name, and she quickly crossed her arms over her chest, shielding herself from the emotional attack threatening to reach her heart."Listen," Benjamin began. "I chose those flowers because my father once gave them to my mother, not because Mea liked them. How did you even think t
"I don’t believe in fortune-telling.""Your life must be boring," Tristan quipped as he walked away. He pulled his phone from his pocket and answered a call, his eyes lighting up. "I'll bring her over. Just wait there and make sure you look your best.""Do you work in theater?" Bonita asked casually, assuming the mention of appearances had something to do with it.Tristan laughed as he put his phone back into his pocket. "No. I own a fruit plantation in the west, near where my mother lives.""Wow, I feel honored to know someone so important," Bonita said with a sly smile."It’s useless since you’ve already turned down my date invitation.""Should I regret it?" Bonita teased."You should, but no. You already have a lover. I’m not the kind of man who steals someone else's woman for personal pleasure."Bonita studied Tristan intently. "I could introduce you to Velica. She’s my best friend. She’s been single for a long time, even before I started traveling. Would you like me to introduce
"Is that your lover?" His gaze fixed on the photo next to Bonita's campervan steering wheel. His expression shifted as he glanced back at her, studying her face more intently.Bonita didn’t respond. She knew exactly which photo he meant—it was a picture of Benjamin. The photo had been there for years."Forget my joke about being your lover. I wasn’t serious.""I wouldn’t accept your date invitation even if you were.""Relax, I won’t count the lunch I offered earlier as a date. The restaurant is two hours from here, but you should wear something a bit more appropriate for an upscale place."Bonita grinned. "I guess this is the perfect occasion to wear my favorite dress again.""You have a dress?" the stranger asked, squinting in mock disbelief."Of course. Actually, I inherited my family’s bridal business. I dress like this," Bonita gestured at her T-shirt and shorts, "because it's more comfortable for driving."He gave her a skeptical look. "Alright. I’ll have to shower at a lodge nea
Weeks, months, and years went by.Benjamin's desire to find Bonita never waned. He had completely forgotten Mea. In his heart, there was only Bonita. Not even the countless women who flirted with him during his journey to find his former fiancée could divert his heart, not even for a fraction of a second.One thing Benjamin learned from his quest to find the love of his life was that he believed they would meet again at a more appropriate time. This belief gave him the patience to endure whatever life threw at him. If it meant circling the globe hundreds of times, he was willing to do so, as long as it would eventually lead him back to Bonita.However, Benjamin didn’t know that Bonita was deliberately avoiding the places they had once dreamed of visiting together. While he searched for her in their planned honeymoon destinations, Bonita chose to explore other locations.Benjamin observed kangaroos from afar in Australia, while Bonita danced with a group of shepherds in New Zealand. Wh