“Her and not them?” Cherry whispered to herself, confusion clouding her mind. “Maybe he just mentioned it wrong. Tsk.”
As she continued walking, she stopped in her tracks at the sight that greeted her. Instead of a birthday celebrant and relatives, a single man wearing a light blue long-sleeved polo and black pants stood before her—with his back turned. Her vision blurred from staring too long, but as she stepped closer, she recognized him.
“Jared?” she uttered his name. “What are you…?”
She didn’t finish her sentence as he turned to face her.
“Hi, you’re here,” Jared greeted her with a wide smile. “You may take a seat.”
Cherry followed, though she kept glancing around, clearly confused and puzzled.
“What is this, Jared?” she asked again.
“It’s a big surprise for you.”
Cherry furrowed her brows, not understanding what he meant. She gave him a puzzled look.
“This is our date, Cherry. After all this time, after we broke up.”
“Date? Jared, I already told you, didn’t I—”
“Hey, relax, my lady. I know, I know. But I just couldn’t pass up the chance to court you again.” Jared took a sip of wine. “Let’s forget the past. You’ve been single for quite a while now, haven’t you? As for me, I broke up with Feliza because I realized… you’re still the one in here.” He pointed to his chest where his heart was.
“And the business I built—it's for us and for our future child.” Jared declared confidently, with a teasing tone in his voice.
Cherry couldn’t take her eyes off her ex-boyfriend. Still stunned, unable to believe what he had planned.
He reached for her hand again. “Cherry…” his voice soft but persuasive, “Can you give me another chance?”
Cherry gulped, then took a drink of water.
“Okay, I’ll ask you later. For now, eat first. I know you’re hungry from work and the long commute.”
They finished their meals almost at the same time. Then a romantic love song suddenly played. Soft lights surrounded them—it was as if the moment was made just for them. They looked into each other’s eyes. Jared, with a teasing smile, reached for Cherry’s hand.
“May I have this dance?” he whispered, his voice full of tenderness.
Cherry couldn’t say no. She nodded, and they slowly walked to the center of the small space. Jared wrapped his arms around her waist, and she held onto his shoulders. They danced quietly, moving to the rhythm of the music—as if the world had stopped for just the two of them.
“Cherry,” Jared said softly, “can we start over again?”
Cherry felt nervous, her heart racing. She looked into Jared’s eyes, filled with questions and doubt. But at last, she gathered the courage she had kept hidden for so long.
“Yes, Jared,” she answered, almost in a whisper.
Jared didn’t hesitate. He leaned in and kissed her deeply—filled with longing and love. Their kiss lingered, both of them savoring the warmth and sweetness of being together again.
After their romantic date, they went to a room, still carrying the thrill and joy of the evening. In the silence, Jared kissed Cherry again, gently. On the wall, their shadows reflected the unending exchange of kisses—tender but full of emotion.
But that night, nothing more happened. Only kisses and their romantic date. And that was enough to say that their love had returned.
A year had passed since Cherry and Jared got back together. Like most couples, their relationship wasn’t perfect. There were misunderstandings and petty quarrels between them.
“I’m sorry, Cherry. I’m late again for our date.”
“You always are.” Her voice had a hint of sulkiness.
“But at least I made it and got to see you. You know how rare it is for us to meet in person now, right?”
Jared was very busy with his business. He now had three branches of the convenience store he built. More suppliers were meeting with him every week, wanting to provide products.
He also hired Cherry’s youngest brother, Daryl, to help manage the three branches whenever he wasn’t around. Her other brother, Jonald, was hired to assist customers at the main branch. He had hired more of her siblings and relatives to work there too.
After their date, Jared brought Cherry home before heading to his own house.
He greeted his parents with a respectful gesture. “How’s work?”
“All good, Dad.”
“Are you really sure about Cherry, Jared?” his mother asked, still seemingly unconvinced about the girl.
“Didn’t we already talk about this, Ma? It’s clear Cherry’s the one for me—until the end. Is that so hard to accept?”
“All I want is what’s best for you. I know there are other women who deserve you more than Cherry,” she insisted.
“I’m sorry, Ma. But my decision is final. Whether you and Dad like it or not, I will choose Cherry. Because she’s the only one I’ve ever loved like this—and no one else.” He picked up his bag and headed to his room. “I’ll get some rest.”
His parents had no choice but to accept his decision. He wasn’t the same obedient son anymore. He could think for himself. He had to stand by his choice—and that choice was Cherry. If only they hadn’t interfered back then, they would have ended up together sooner. But fate had its way. It brought them back together and proved they were meant to be.
Five months had passed since Cherry and Jared got married. That day, he invited his wife and children for a picnic at a resort they had visited before.
“Do you have everything packed for the trip?” Jared asked the kids.
“Yes, Papa,” Cyprus replied.
“Where are we going again?” Carina asked.
Jared and Cherry exchanged glances, trying to suppress a smile. Carina shot them a suspicious look.
“It’s a secret. You’ll find out later.”
“Tsk, that’s unfair.” The girl pouted as she carried her things.
“I’ll tell you later—it’s a surprise, right?” Jared explained.
“So, shall we go?” Cherry called to her children.
“We’re ready,” Jared and Cyprus responded at the same time while Carina quietly followed behind.
Jared locked their house and the gate before they all got in the car.
As he started the engine, he spoke again, grinning widely, “Let’s go…”