Chapter 10I marveled at the vast sea of El Nido, Palawan as our plane prepared to land. Soon enough, we were in El Nido, and a car was waiting for us, likely arranged by the hotel."Name, Sir?" the woman at the front desk asked."Carlew Del Prena.""One room with two beds, Sir?" she double-checked. I raised an eyebrow. Two beds? Why not just one? Haha. Just kidding!"Yes.""Here's your key, Sir. Room 106." Carlew quickly took the key and thanked the woman."Let's go, Baby. We'll have lunch," Carlew whispered to me. I blushed, a different thought crossing my mind—kissing Carlew flashed in my mind, and I quickly shook my head to dismiss it."Grrr." I muttered in frustration at my thoughts. Am I becoming a pervert?"Hey." Carlew's voice snapped me back, and I rushed to catch up with him."You're spacing again, huh?" he teased with a smile. I rolled my eyes."Shut up," I retorted, quickening my pace."It's beautiful!" I exclaimed, thoroughly impressed with the place.We were on a boat, a
Chapter 11Joyful. It's delightful to wander around with your loved one. Happy to laugh, eat, and it feels good to have someone to talk to, especially if that person is the one you love. It's our 4th day here in El Nido Palawan."Your honeymoon?" an elderly woman, accompanied by an older man, perhaps her husband, asked us.I was about to nod when Carlew quickly responded and wrapped his arm around me. "Yes," I couldn't do anything but smile at the couple in front of us. They wouldn't know that we were lying. So, I kept silent."My husband and I are on our honeymoon again. It's our 25th anniversary," the elderly woman said. I couldn't help but admire their longevity. It made me think about Carlew and me."Happy Anniversary to both of you," Carlew greeted them, and I followed suit.Their love for each other was evident in their eyes. The gentle way the old man
Chapter 12"Hey, what's bothering you?" Carlew whispered to me.I could feel his embrace, the warmth of his arms enveloping my body. We stood in front of the window where I was lost in thought before he approached me and hugged me."Nothing," I replied with a sigh. My eyes remained fixed outside the window. All I could see was darkness, unlike in Manila with its brightly lit buildings."Really? Why don't you tell me? I'm your boyfriend. You can trust me," he whispered. I sighed."I'm just feeling homesick," I said.I missed our large house, but it was empty. My room was filled with pink, but I preferred blue. It's ironic."Is it about your family? Come on, tell me. I'll listen," he urged. He led me to sit on the sofa to face him properly for our conversation. I didn't object and did what he wanted.I took a deep breat
Chapter 13"Whoa! This place is amazing!" I exclaimed in awe.A pristine beach with fine, white sand stretched before us. In all the beaches we visited during the past days, I hadn't seen one with anything other than white sand. Almost all the sands were pure white."You liked it?" he whispered, and I felt his arm around me."No, I love it," I happily replied, turning to face him.A broad smile lit up his face, seemingly pleased with my reaction."You know? It's my first time here in El Nido, and I'm with you," I shared, smiling. I couldn't help but glance at his lips, recalling the kiss.It was just a brief one, but it felt like an eternity for me."Let's swim?" he suggested, and before I could answer, he pulled me towards the sea.I didn't resist. It's as if my soul was left behind with that kis
Chapter 14"You know? I've only loved one woman like this. It's you," he said with a smile. I couldn't help but smile back.We're both a bit tipsy, and it's getting late. I don't know how we'll manage to get back to our room, even though it's nearby."I feel the same way! It's only you," I confessed like a child."Why can't you marry me?" he asked with a serious tone."Not now, okay? Just wait," I said and laughed. I saw him laugh too."Why? Are you still scared? Afraid you'll leave me hanging? You love me right? Baby, I know you love me. Isn't that enough?" I heard the pleading tone in his voice, but a smile played on his lips.Once again, I felt the emotions I had when I left someone without knowing him. What if that had worked out? What if I met Carlew afterward? Why am I even thinking about this? Tsk."Yes, but I
Chapter 15"Hi, cousin. How are you? Have you returned Zette?" Casey greeted us as we entered the unit."We're engaged," Carlew happily announced to Casey. I showed where the ring was on my hand."Whoa! That was fast, huh? Ayyyiiiiee!!"We had a bit of conversation or catch-up until Carlew eventually left."I'll visit every week, or whenever you miss me," he said before giving me a kiss."No need. It's okay, not necessarily weekly. Even twice a month is fine. I know you have a lot to take care of since you've been gone for a long time. Surely, I'll be busy too, right? Now that I have a job. So it's okay with me," I assured him. I saw him smile, and then he left.I was left alone in my room. I stared blankly for a moment after he left. I still couldn't believe that I was engaged to a man I love. It feels like I'm in a dream, and if I wake
Prologue "Miss Zette, wake up. The people who will prepare you will be here soon," our housemaid knocked, waking me up to convey the message. Reluctantly, I rose to take a shower. As I entered the bathroom, my reflection in the mirror revealed smudged makeup from crying the night before. I'm marrying a man I don't know? What the heck?! I could've accepted it if I at least knew him before the wedding, perhaps even had a single date. But no! It's been a year since I met that jerk. And now? I'm going to marry him. ** "Dear, get ready for dinner. Wear this dress. We have guests," Mommy said as she entered my room, holding a pink, sparkling dress. I nodded before she left. I was reviewing for tomorrow's exam. It's our finals, graduation is nearing, and I'm afraid of failing. If it happens, Mommy and Daddy will be furious. Especially if I lose my place in the honors. At around 6 PM, I changed and headed downstairs. I looked at myself in the mirror before descending the stairs. The liv
Chapter 1 The events from earlier couldn't escape my mind. I attempted to sleep, but it was futile, so I decided to go to a bar alone, hoping to forget. "Whisky, please," I requested from the bartender. "Ma'am, you're already drunk, and you're alone. I can't serve you anymore," the bartender explained. Despite my swaying vision, I managed to argue. "What alone? I'm not alone. I have company," I lied. Right now, all I wanted was to forget. I practically begged the bartender, but he just looked at me with disappointment. I couldn't care less, haunted by memories that I should be erasing now. "He's with me. Just serve him," I said, glancing at the guy sitting next to me. He nodded at the bartender, who hesitated but eventually complied. "Who are you?" I bluntly asked the guy who claimed to be with me. Instead of answering, he gestured for the bartender to proceed. I rolled my eyes. "I'm Carlew, and you are?" he introduced himself, extending his hand. I smiled before shaking his ha