Cherry still couldn’t get their conversation out of her head. Jared hadn’t told her the reason for their breakup. She could say he always made decisions too quickly, without thinking them through, and would end up regretting them and asking for forgiveness—just like what he did to her.
Now, she was currently walking through the market, carrying groceries they needed at home. Along the way, she ran into some former friends—Olivia, Kristel, and Rhea—the same ones who abandoned her when she needed them the most. Back in college, Cherry had always been there to support and comfort them when they needed help.
They smiled at her.
“Hey, Cherry! Long time no see,” Rhea greeted.
“How are you, girl? It’s been a while,” Kristel added.
“What’s new with you?” Olivia asked with a shy tone in her voice.
The three exchanged glances, unsure how to face Cherry again, especially knowing they had left her behind when she was reaching out to them.
“I’m doing fine. And you guys?”
“We’re okay too. We rarely see each other these days since we’re all so busy with our own lives,” Kristel said bravely.
“Yeah, true,” Rhea agreed, clearly uncomfortable in Cherry’s presence, knowing what they’d done in the past.
“Oh right, Cher…” Kristel suddenly changed the topic. “We were actually going to invite you to Rhea’s birthday celebration.”
Cherry took a few seconds before responding. “Sorry, but I don’t think I can make it.”
“Why not?” Rhea asked, her voice tinged with disappointment.
“Well, you know, I’m too busy being a mom to my kids now, right?”
The three exchanged glances.
“Can’t you spare even just a few hours?” Olivia tried to persuade her.
“It’s really not possible.” Cherry lifted her groceries again. “I should go. It’s almost noon, and I still need to cook lunch. Bye.”
There was no sign of interest on Cherry’s face. She walked away quickly and didn’t even wait to hear what Kristel had to say.
When she arrived home, Jared was already there, waiting while watching TV.
“Oh, Cherry, you’re back?” he greeted, helping her carry the groceries.
“Have you been waiting long?”
“Yeah. Cyprus told me you went to the market, so I waited for you here.”
Cherry simply nodded, then busied herself preparing lunch. Jared ended up eating lunch with them before heading out again.
Later, Jared opened a small business—a convenience store near Cherry’s home. He purposely chose that location so he could visit his former girlfriend more easily. As he stepped out of the store, Feliza called him, but he didn’t answer. He had completely ended things with her, not wanting to hurt her any further.
Because of how busy he got with the business, Jared wasn’t able to visit Cherry again. He needed to focus and take things seriously for the sake of his future.
Cherry, on the other hand, often came home late due to overtime at work. Carina volunteered to cook dinner for them.
“My daughter’s really good at cooking. Just like me,” Cherry praised.
“Thanks, Ma,” Carina replied.
“And you, Cyprus? Have you finished your homework? You better not be spending all your time playing here and at school.”
“I already finished it, Ma. Don’t worry, I know how to balance school and play. You’ve seen my grades, right? They’re high.”
“Ma, I want to ask you something,” Carina suddenly said.
“What is it, Carina?”
“Do you have a relationship with Uncle Jared?”
Cherry almost choked on her food at her daughter’s question. She took a deep breath and explained to them what her past with Jared was like before she met their father. She told them that she and Jared were just friends.
Later that night, as Cherry lay on her bed to rest, she couldn’t help but think about her conversation with her kids. She planned to talk to Jared again about it, so she called the number saved under his name on her phone.
It just kept ringing on the other line. She tried again a second time, but still, no one answered. She decided not to force it—maybe Jared was already asleep.
Jared woke up to the sound of his alarm clock beside his bed. He yawned while sitting up, then turned off the alarm and looked at his phone. That’s when he noticed two missed calls from Cherry.
He took a deep breath before trying to call her back. But just as he was about to tap her name on his contacts, he saw a notification reminding him of his meeting with suppliers for his store, Jared’s Easy Mart. He also noticed a sticky note on a box next to his alarm clock.
A few seconds later, he glanced at the time, and his eyes widened as he quickly jumped out of bed.
“Damn, it’s late.” Their meeting was set for 8:00 a.m., and the clock already showed 7:30.
After that meeting, he also had another one scheduled at 10:00 a.m. with Mrs. Sanchez, one of his school supplies suppliers.
By early morning, Jared was already at the office for his first meeting of the day. It was scheduled at 8:00 a.m. with Mr. Rivero, a supplier of instant meals and snack foods. As Jared entered the conference room, Mr. Rivero, who was busy going through some documents, welcomed him with a smile. Jared returned the smile and approached him warmly.
“Good morning, Mr. Rivero. I hope I’m not late,” Jared greeted as he took a seat in front of the desk.
“Not at all, Jared. You’re right on time. Please, have a seat,” Mr. Rivero replied with a nod, handing over a folder containing the product catalog.
Wasting no time, Mr. Rivero got straight to the point. “So, you mentioned in your email that you’re looking for a steady supplier for instant meals and snack foods, right?” he asked, flipping open the list and showing it to Jared.
“Yes, sir. I’m setting up a convenience store near a residential area, so our priority is fast-moving consumer goods like cup noodles, chips, and other ready-to-eat snacks. You know how it is—people want quick and convenient,” Jared explained, emphasizing his target market’s needs.
“Smart choice. We actually have a solid lineup of products that fit that description. We carry some of the best-selling brands in the market, and we also offer house brands that are more affordable but still high quality,” Mr. Rivero said, handing over the detailed product sheet.
Jared scanned the list with interest and quickly asked about the pricing. “That sounds great. I’m looking for competitive prices as well, of course. I want to make sure the goods are affordable for locals without compromising quality.”
Mr. Rivero nodded seriously. “Of course, we can work with that. Let me show you our price list. We also offer bulk discounts for large orders—especially if we’re looking at a long-term partnership.” He slid the price list across the table, and Jared immediately scanned through each item.
“This looks reasonable. The bulk discounts are definitely a plus. For starters, I’m thinking of stocking a large quantity of cup noodles and chips. Those are usually bestsellers, right?” Jared asked, carefully considering the demand for his initial inventory.
“Exactly. Those are go-to items, especially in residential areas,” Mr. Rivero confirmed. “We can supply you with a mix of popular flavors to keep your shelves diverse. Are there any other products you have in mind? We also have instant coffee, biscuits, and a few healthy snack options if you're interested.”
“Yes, actually! I’ve been thinking about offering healthier alternatives too—granola bars or baked chips. People are more into healthy snacks these days, right?” Jared said, his voice laced with excitement at the idea of giving his customers more choices.
Mr. Rivero smiled. “You’re right on trend. We can include those too. I’ll make sure a few samples are in the initial shipment so you can assess the quality.”
“That would be great. By the way, how soon can you deliver? I’m aiming to open the store in two weeks,” Jared asked, eager to finalize everything before the big opening.
Mr. Rivero nodded. “Two weeks? That’s doable. In fact, we can start shipping by next week so you’ll have plenty of time to prepare. I’ll have my team finalize the contract and delivery schedule by tomorrow.”
“Perfect. Looking forward to working with you, Mr. Rivero,” Jared said with a smile, reaching out for a firm handshake—one Mr. Rivero returned with confidence, a solid sign of their new partnership.
As the meeting ended, Jared left the office with a satisfied smile. He was one step closer to making his convenience store a reality—soon to open its doors to serve the people in the neighborhood.
After wrapping up his meeting with Mr. Rivero, Jared made his way to the office of Mrs. Sanchez, a long-time supplier of school supplies. He arranged this meeting to discuss the products he intended to offer in his store—particularly those in demand among students and office workers. As he entered the modest yet well-organized office, he was greeted by Mrs. Sanchez—a sharp, resourceful woman with years of experience in the business.
“Good morning, Mrs. Sanchez. Thank you for meeting with me today,” Jared said warmly as he took his seat across her desk.
“Good morning as well, Jared. Of course—it’s my pleasure. So, I heard you’re opening a convenience store? What school supply items are you planning to carry?” she asked, diving straight into business.
“Well, I’d really like to focus on the most in-demand items, especially the ones students—from elementary to college—are always looking for. I also want to include items commonly used by office workers. I want the store to be a one-stop shop, especially for busy parents and employees who don’t have the time to go to bigger stores,” Jared explained, sharing his vision.
Mrs. Sanchez nodded and pulled out a product catalog. “Smart thinking. School supplies are always in demand, especially during the back-to-school season. Here, I’ve got a list of our bestsellers—ballpens, notebooks, bond paper, markers, and even filing folders and sticky notes for office use.”
Jared took the catalog and quickly browsed through it. “This is great, Mrs. Sanchez. I’ll definitely need a large supply of notebooks and pens—those sell fast, right? Also bond paper and folders. I want to offer school essentials that are affordable but still good quality.”
“Exactly. From what I’ve seen with my previous clients, those are the must-haves. College students, in particular, want budget-friendly notebooks and pens, but they don’t want the quality to suffer either. I have mid-range products I think would be perfect for your store. And when it comes to office supplies, you can never go wrong with reams of bond paper and file organizers,” Mrs. Sanchez said, clearly knowing her market well.
“That’s exactly the kind of products I’m aiming for—affordable, but reliable. Do you think you can deliver soon? I’d like everything ready before the school year starts,” Jared asked, hoping to move things along swiftly.
“We can start deliveries this week. We can fast-track your order so you’ll have everything ready in time. I’ll also give you bulk pricing, especially since you're ordering in large volumes,” Mrs. Sanchez said, smiling as she began noting down Jared’s orders.
“Thank you, Mrs. Sanchez. That’s exactly what I need. I’m really excited to work with you, and I’m confident my store will succeed with these products,” Jared said, reaching out for a handshake.
“Likewise, Jared. I’m sure you’ll be very busy once school starts. But don’t worry—we’ve got you covered,” she replied, shaking his hand firmly.
Jared stepped out of the meeting energized and confident. He knew the flow of products for his store would be smooth—especially with essential school and office supplies sure to be a hit with students and workers in the area.
He planned to meet with more suppliers the next day, but for now, he set aside time to talk to Cherry. As he exited the building, he paused briefly on the sidewalk to send her a text, asking where they could meet.
Just then, Cherry had just finished her shower when her phone buzzed—a message from Jared.
“Sorry for the late reply. I’ve just been tied up talking to a client lately. By the way, let’s meet at Playa del Cielo Beach Resort at 3:00 PM.”
As soon as Cherry read the message, she hurried to her room to change. She wore a medium-sized violet shirt that hugged her frame just right—simple, but neat and flattering. She paired it with blue denim pedal pants that were comfortable and perfect for a casual outing. On her feet were black flats, practical and perfectly suited to her overall look, giving her a relaxed yet presentable aura.
The ride to the resort took around thirty minutes from her home. It wasn’t too crowded. She glanced around, eyes scanning the peaceful surroundings, then decided to take a seat by the shore.
Playa del Cielo Beach Resort was a quiet seaside haven known for its powdery white sand and crystal-clear, blue waters. Coconut trees lined the beach, swaying gently as the waves kissed the shore in a soothing rhythm.
“Sorry I’m a little late,” said a familiar voice behind her.
She turned and saw Jared, flashing a smile that revealed his perfect white teeth. “I’m glad you made it.”
He sat beside her without hesitation. Cherry sighed softly, a mix of nerves and anticipation knotting in her chest. She had no idea what they were even supposed to talk about.
“So… what are we going to talk about?” she asked. The place was so quiet that only the gentle waves and the breeze could be heard alongside their voices.
Cherry pressed her lips together, her eyes darting around as if hoping the sea breeze might whisper the right words. She swallowed, then finally spoke.
“I talked to my kids,” she began. Jared remained silent, listening intently. “They asked if you and I are… involved. They’ve noticed how you treat them… and especially me.”
“What did you tell them?”
“I told them the truth. That we’re not in a relationship. I also told them about our past, so they could understand better.” Cherry’s heart thumped wildly as she spoke, like a drum beating to the rhythm of her anxiety.
Jared moved a little closer. Cherry nervously fidgeted with her fingers, unable to keep still.
“What if I made it real this time?”
Cherry froze. Her heart skipped a beat. Her eyes blinked rapidly in disbelief.
“What… are you saying?” she asked, turning to him.
Jared gently placed his hand over hers.
“I really thought that getting into a new relationship would help me love someone else the way I once loved you. But I was wrong.”
He took a deep breath, visibly nervous.
“You’re the reason Feliza and I broke up. I really believed she was the one. But after we met again and had that conversation... all the feelings I buried for you came rushing back.”
He chuckled softly, almost in awe of what he was about to say. “It’s funny, isn’t it? The world’s so big, yet fate still found a way to bring us back together.”
Cherry couldn’t speak. Her gaze flickered between his face and their joined hands.
Jared didn’t pull away. His grip on her hand was firm but comforting.
Cherry finally looked down at their intertwined fingers. “I’m sorry, Jared.”
“I know this isn’t easy.”
“I just don’t want my kids to think we’re hiding something from them…”
Before she could finish, Jared tightened his hold gently.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be the one to explain everything to them. Trust me.” His eyes locked onto hers, sincere and unwavering. “I don’t want to lose you again, Cher. I won’t force you to love me—but please… don’t take away the friendship we have now.”
Two weeks had passed since that conversation.
One afternoon, during lunch break with her co-workers, the memory of that beach meeting came back to Cherry. A sense of doubt crept into her chest. In the days that followed, she began receiving delivery packages at home—gifts from Jared. He was swamped with business matters and couldn’t visit them in person, but the gesture didn’t go unnoticed.
One day, he invited her to the soft opening of his new convenience store. Cherry went and joined the modest celebration. She helped assist customers, along with Aling Marietta. The place quickly filled with people.
By 8:00 PM, Jared offered to drive her home.
“Come in for coffee?” Cherry asked on impulse as they reached her gate.
Jared glanced at her house and smiled. “Maybe next time. I’ve got an early day tomorrow.”
Cherry nodded with a smile. “Alright. Good night then. See you some other time.”
The next day, Cherry left early for work and ended up staying late, clocking out at 5:35 PM instead of five on the dot.
On her way home in a taxi, darkness blanketed the streets. The only sound breaking the silence was the hum of the car engine. She stared out the window, watching the world blur past, when her phone rang.
It was Daryl, her younger brother. She answered quickly, sensing something odd in his tone—something playful and excited, like he was hiding a surprise.
“Ate Cherry, where are you?”
“On my way home. Why?”
She stayed quiet, listening closely.
“There’s a birthday celebration at a hotel tonight,” he said, a mischievous lilt in his voice. “Guess whose birthday it is?”
Cherry furrowed her brow. Her mind was too tired from work to play guessing games.
“No idea, Daryl. Just tell me.”
He sighed, exaggerated and dramatic. “It’s Ate Jessa. She’s celebrating her birthday tonight… at a hotel.”
“A hotel?” Cherry jolted in her seat. “Which one?”
“I’ll text you the address now.”
“Wait—I need to go home first. The kids are alone.”
“Don’t worry, Ate. Cyprus and Carina are with us.”
“Oh… okay. I’m on my way.”
She hung up and waited for Daryl’s message. Moments later, it appeared on her screen, revealing the hotel’s name and address.
When she stepped out of the taxi, a towering, elegant building came into view. Her eyes were immediately drawn to the glowing sign: La Vistana Grand Hotel.
“Where on earth did they get the money for something like this?” she muttered, her tone tinged with sarcasm. “Probably borrowed again. Tsk.”
Wasting no time, she headed inside, went straight to the elevator, and pressed the button to the fifth floor.
As the elevator doors slid open, an odd stillness greeted her. No guests. No birthday decorations. Not a single sign of celebration.
“Where is everyone?” she murmured. Maybe she had the wrong place?
She turned to leave when a woman behind the reception desk called her.
“Ma’am, you’re finally here. She’s been waiting for you.”
Note: The real chapter 14 could read to other places where it is available. Thank you so much and enjoy reading..