"Are you okay?" I asked.
"I’m nervous," he admitted, which made me smile as I hugged him back.
"Don’t worry, everything will be alright. I’m sure they’ll be happy to see us together," I whispered to him.
We were on our way to the shelter in Bohol. He personally wanted to ask for my hand from Sister and the others. He proposed to me two days ago, and now he wanted us to go there so he could formally ask for my hand — and I couldn’t say no, because I wanted that too. Sister Mona and the others were the ones who took me in back then, they became my family and my parents in their own way, so I also wanted to show them how important they still are to me, at least in this way.
After everything, we left. It had already been six months since I left the shelter after Lucas and I had that conversation.
That night, when I finally decided to talk to him, everything became clear. I realized that everything I believed about him was wrong — and it was all Samantha’s plan to mess with us. When she found out about me and Lucas, she got furious because she never wanted any connection between us. That’s why her sudden appearance on the island in Palawan had been planned. No one knew she would be coming and we were all caught off-guard by what she said. She did it on purpose. She was angry at me, and even angrier because she felt like I was taking everything away from her.
When I found out, I wanted to hurt myself for believing her so easily and letting my emotions control me. I didn’t even give Lucas a chance to explain — I just turned my back on him.
I hugged him tight that night. We were both weak… both breaking… and we found our strength in each other’s arms.
Back then, he told me he had been watching over me from afar. He wanted so badly to come near me, but he was afraid. Afraid that I’d hate him even more, afraid I wouldn’t want to see him again. But deep inside me, I was secretly hoping he would show up, wrap his arms around me again, because I was trying so hard to pretend that I was okay when my heart was already falling apart. I wanted him to show up — but I was too hurt and too in denial, so I chose to cover it all up with anger. And I deeply regret that. Because all my anger — he witnessed it from a distance, endured the pain silently while carrying his own, always choosing to understand me instead of defending himself.
When we both calmed down that night, I still didn’t have the strength to fully face him, and he saw that in me. That’s why by morning, he left.
I was a little sad because I wanted to be with him — but I knew he needed time too. I hurt him badly too, and like me, I knew he needed space to think. So I decided to stay at the shelter for the rest of my vacation. Sister Mona never asked me about us — maybe she felt I still wasn’t ready. I spent those days reflecting on everything I had been avoiding for the past few months.
And when I was finally done with it, I decided that when I got back to Manila, I would be the one to reach out and make things right between us.
I was so determined to go find him — but when I got back, I was stunned to see him already waiting for me.
He didn’t give me the chance to go to him… because he came for me.
He didn’t waste a single day — as soon as I returned, he immediately asked if he could court me. The happiness in my heart was indescribable. I said yes. If I could have asked him to be my boyfriend right then, I would’ve. But I knew it was only right that we take things slow — to get to know each other again, and to start over the right way.
He courted me for two months — and those months were the happiest I’d had in a long time. I learned how to forgive, and how to love myself again.
He was so mature, always reminding me not to waste my time feeling sorry for myself.
Our relationship blossomed. Of course, there were times we fought — but he never let a day or night pass without making peace with me. He never let misunderstandings linger, and he never let our arguments stretch out longer than necessary.
And in those moments, I realized — this is the man I want to spend my life with. The one who would take care of me, love me, and teach me how to love the right way. That’s why when he proposed two weeks ago, I didn’t think twice. I immediately said yes.
I won’t love anyone else — because just him is
already more than enough. His love is the kind of love I would fight for, the kind I would always choose. He’s the one I’m ready to love for the years to come and for the rest of my life.
"What are you thinking? You’re so beautiful, my love," he suddenly said while driving, sneaking glances at me.
I smiled and reached for his hand on the wheel. He shifted his grip so now he was holding my hand instead — as if I was the one holding the steering wheel. My smile grew even wider.
"I was just thinking about everything we’ve been through this past year. I’ve learned so much. And I received the most incredible gift I could ever ask for — I’m so lucky to have you, Lucas. So lucky that despite all my flaws, you’re here, helping me fill in the pieces."
He smiled and kissed my hand. "I prayed for you, Vy… and I won’t let anyone take you away from me. I love you," he chuckled softly.
"I love you, baby," I whispered.
He suddenly stopped the car by the roadside, looking at me, completely stunned — it was the first time I called him that.
I smiled and gently touched his cheek, unbuckled my seatbelt, and leaned in to kiss him.
He wasn’t used to this; it took him nearly a month before he even dared to kiss me, always afraid I wouldn’t like it. But he was so wrong — because I loved every bit of it.
He stiffened a little, probably surprised by me because I’ve never done this before. But I didn’t care.
He’s my fiancé… and I’m completely addicted to him.