I kissed him passionately, and I almost lost myself when I felt him kiss me back with the same intensity. He tilted my head to deepen the kiss even more. After a long, lingering kiss, he started kissing my cheeks and then my ear — slow, almost teasing. I bit my lower lip to stop myself from moaning… fuck.
“Baby, are you seducing me?”
His voice sent shivers down my spine. I suddenly felt weak, which made it easy for him to lift me and settle me onto his lap. His face was serious, his eyes dark and intense. I was sure I looked the same because of his kisses. I wanted so badly to kiss him again, but he held my hips in place, stopping me from moving.
“Baby, fuck, stop this please… or I won’t be able to hold back,” his voice was low and husky, making me shiver even more. Then he hugged me tight. I hugged him back.
“My baby’s so hot, but I don’t want to do this here, and not until we’re married. Stop seducing me, okay? I love you, my wife,” he whispered.
I didn’t even realize how we managed to continue our trip after that. I was so rattled and lost in my head that the next thing I knew, we were already at the airport in Cebu. Some of his men were waiting to meet us. The trip from the airport to the shelter was quick, thankfully, and we arrived just in time for lunch.
Everyone was happy to see us back. Even though they didn’t know our purpose for visiting yet, Sister Mona was overjoyed to see us together. We ate, and decided to tell them about it in the afternoon. Lucas and I rested in the same room I used to stay in, and it was already five when we woke up. Lucas got ready first because he was heading down to talk to Sister before me. I would follow after fixing myself up, so we could discuss the details of our wedding. I was sure Sister Mona and the others would support us, so there’d be no problem.
I took a shower, and as soon as I stepped out of the bathroom, Lucas said his goodbyes and went downstairs to speak with them. I let him go and kept myself busy getting ready.
I wore a simple red silk bodycon dress and paired it with lacey red stilettos. I tied my hair into a low ponytail, put on some light makeup — and I was done.
I looked at my reflection and smiled. My gaze lingered on the ring I was wearing — a thin band with a single large diamond at the center, surrounded by tiny blue diamonds. I smiled again. Ramiel told me he bought this in Spain. He went there after I left him on the island, and instead of forgetting me, seeing this ring reminded him even more of me, so he bought it. He tried to let go of me, but he couldn’t — and I tried to forget him too, but I couldn’t either. Maybe we were meant for each other. And even if we weren’t, I didn’t care. I’d still choose him, even if he wasn’t destined for me. Just him, always him.
I opened the door and was a bit shocked to see Gail standing in front of me, Uno beside her, smiling too.
“Hey — what are you doing here?” I asked them in surprise.
“Coming to gossip!” my best friend laughed, then added, “Kidding! Of course I’m here — it’s your engagement visit! You witch, you didn’t even invite me!”
I laughed and stopped when she hugged me. “I’m happy for you, Vy. You finally found the love you deserve. And look at you — you look so hot and gorgeous, my God!” she said, a bit emotional.
I turned to face her, smiling as I held her hand. “Thank you, Gail. Thank you for always being by my side.”
“Oh, please. You’ve always done the same for me, right? Anyway, enough drama. Come on — they’re probably waiting for you downstairs,” she said, gesturing for me to go ahead.
When we reached the stairs, I was startled to see a red carpet and white rose petals on the floor. At the foot of the stairs was Tomtom, holding a red rose.
“So, should I just push you down there?” Gail teased, making me laugh before I started my descent.
They both followed behind me. When I reached the bottom, Tomtom approached me and handed me the flower. He guided me toward the living room, where Buknoy took over, gave me another flower, and led me toward Nico, and so on, with the kids escorting me until we reached the shelter’s door. Paopao was standing there, beaming at me, holding a red rose too. He approached, took my hand, and smiled. I smiled back — not realizing I was already tearing up from joy.
“Ate, I knew it. Kuya Lucas was the one who used to peek at you from the shelter before. I thought he was just passing by, but turns out he was your boyfriend,” he said innocently. So even before he revealed himself to me, he was already watching over me? And I hadn’t even noticed?
“Really, Paopao?” I asked, as we walked toward the garden.
“Yes, Ate. I talked to him a few times before. At first, I didn’t believe he knew you, because he never came up to you. But when I saw you talking to him here in the garden, I figured out he was your boyfriend,” he said in his childlike but wise tone. I couldn’t help but smile. Only he spoke like this among the kids in the shelter.
I saw Sister and the others standing near the gazebo, all smiling and waiting for me. Paopao let go of my hand and gestured for me to go ahead. I started walking toward them and, when I got there, greeted them one by one and hugged them.
They were emotional, though their faces were filled with sweet smiles, and I couldn’t help but feel emotional too. We were in the middle of hugging when soft music began to play. I turned toward the path I’d walked earlier and saw Lucas standing there, smiling so handsomely at me.
He walked toward me and I met him halfway. He gently touched my cheek and caressed it. His eyes were emotional, and it made me even more emotional too. I was so lucky to have him. He loved me so deeply, and I loved him just the same.
“Veronica Marchella Berdin — from the first time I saw you, I knew you’d be a part of my life. It was just a passing glance, but I couldn’t stop myself from looking at you again. I was with my friend Gian, the CEO of the company you worked for, when I saw you with your team, joking around as you left the office. Your laugh was music to my ears, so I kept coming back to your company after that. Gian started to wonder why, but I didn’t care. I was happy just seeing you every day. I secretly followed you, always stealing glances. Even when I was supposed to be watching over Samantha, I spent my time on you. Then one day, I was shocked to see you at their studio, with Samantha’s ex — and I realized he was your boyfriend. I was furious, even though I had no right. But I still couldn’t stop. I did everything I could to be with you, to get to know you. And I was right. The more I got to know you, the more I wanted to spend my life with you. What I felt when I first saw you grew stronger when I met you. I wanted to be with you, to make you mine. And because of that, I could never hurt you. I couldn’t even bear to see you hurt because I love you so much. I know it hasn’t been easy for us. I know I’ve hurt you. But I’ll do everything I can to prove to you that I’ll love you until the end — if you’ll let me. I know I’ve already asked you this, but I want to ask again, in front of the people you love. In front of these adorable kids. In front of your best friend…” he knelt and smiled at me, “Will you be my wife?”
His voice shook as he said it, fighting back tears while I couldn’t hold back mine. He’d already proposed to me before, but he did this to make it even more special.
I calmed myself, cupped his face, and smiled at him through my tears before answering, “Yes, I’ll be your wife. I love you. I love you, Lucas.”
He slipped a new ring onto my finger and hugged me tightly. The room filled with happy cheers and applause. I looked at Sister and Gail, both smiling — Gail even crying from joy. Lucas’s men were smiling happily too, and the kids were excitedly playing with the flowers.
I thought I was already happy when he first proposed to me — but now, seeing him on the verge of tears, surrounded by the people I love, their faces beaming with joy for us, his friends smiling, and the innocent kids celebrating even though they didn’t fully understand what was happening — my heart felt like it was bursting with happiness, my tears overflowing with pure joy.
I tiptoed and kissed him passionately, not minding the eyes watching us. He kissed me back. I smiled. He couldn’t resist me.
Everything happened quickly after that. After his second proposal, we spent three more days there before returning to Manila. Our wedding would be early next year. The Sisters would arrive a week before the wedding. We were busy with the preparations and planning, but it never affected our work. He was busy with his company, and me as a senior designer at CGDCorp.
There were days when we barely had time to work on the wedding, but it was never a problem because Ate Harriet offered to handle the details we couldn’t attend to — and we didn’t refuse. Lucas didn’t want the wedding postponed just because of our tight schedules, and neither did I. I knew we’d still have a lot to go through, but I had no intention of delaying it. I was ready to face everything as long as it was with him. Whatever storms may come, I’d stay strong for him. And like him, I was ready to protect him, no matter what.
“You sure you want to show up there? You know you don’t have to,” he asked, caressing my hand.
“Of course I do. I wouldn’t be here with you if I didn’t want to, Lucas. Don’t worry, okay? I’m really fine with this,” I assured him.
We were on our way to an auction. All the CEOs of leading companies in Asia were invited — including him. His company led the hotel industry not just in Asia but worldwide, so I couldn’t believe I didn’t know who he was, or why my friends didn’t either. Turns out he rarely appeared in the media. He seldom attended major events, which is why only a few people knew what he looked like.
“I love you,” he said, kissing me.
“I love you too,” I replied.