With every conversation I have with Sean and every word I hear from him, my feelings for him deepen even more. I've also learned so much from him—things I never thought I could do or even considered before. But now, here they are, right in front of me. Like the business Sean is about to start—I never imagined investing in something like that. Because of Sean, my life found a new direction. I think I've even picked up his frugality and maturity.
I can truly say that I'm incredibly lucky to have met Sean. So much in my life has changed. I'm happy and content with what I have now. I barely feel the absence of my own family because of the way he takes care of me, values me, and loves me. He may not be the ideal man I once dreamed of, but he fills the gaps in my life in ways I never expected. To me, he's even more than an ideal man.
He accepted me completely—who I am and the past I carry. He always makes me feel that I matter, that I should never belittle myself. He constantly reassures me that I have nothing to be insecure about, that there is nothing wrong with me. He tells me to let go of the idea that I'm unworthy of love, that my life is miserable because of it. He says it was never my fault—some people just have the nature to act that way.
I used to think no love could be greater than what I felt for Georje. But I was wrong. What Sean and I have now is much deeper. Our relationship is more mature, built on mutual respect. Sure, there are things we disagree on, but we always resolve them because Sean never allows us to leave things unspoken. And even when we argue, we never raise our voices—we discuss our misunderstandings calmly and rationally.
Our overnight stay at the resort was amazing and relaxing. Of course, there were sweet moments too—Sean is very expressive and affectionate. At first, I felt shy because I wasn't used to it, but eventually, I got comfortable. That's just how he is. And I saw how he treats his older sister—he's naturally affectionate, being the youngest and only boy in their family, as his sister told me.
I feel so happy because I used to dream of having this kind of relationship, and now that I have it, I treasure it deeply. I just hope everything goes well when Sean finally introduces me to his parents and his other sibling. Our meeting has been postponed several times since they're all busy managing their family business. They frequently travel between Manila and Cebu. According to Sean, their family business involves computers, spare parts, office supplies, and furnitures. They have stores in malls in Cebu and Manila, and they also secure contracts as suppliers for companies.
They say time flies when you're happy, and I couldn't agree more. It feels like just yesterday when I arrived in this place as a stranger. But by God's grace, a family welcomed and took me in. They treated me as their own and loved me as if we shared the same blood. I got a job, met people who later became friends, and, most importantly, I met Sean Phillip Go—a hardworking, serious man who initially seemed incapable of joking or laughing. But as I got to know him, I never expected that he would be the one to bring light and order to my once dark and chaotic life.
Because of Sean, I felt happiness again. He mended the broken pieces of me. He made me feel valued, not just as a girlfriend, but as a woman deserving of respect. If I'm shedding tears right now, they are no longer from pain and sorrow but from joy. I have finally felt true acceptance and love. Most importantly, I was never made to feel like a burden or a source of shame. Saying I'm happy is not enough to describe everything I feel right now.
In just a few days, Sean and I will be celebrating our first anniversary as a couple. Since he has caught my love for nature, we agreed to go hiking and camping for an overnight stay. Well, I'm very sorry to say that fancy dinner dates at expensive restaurants are just not my thing. Luckily, Sean isn't into them either—he says they're boring. Besides, we're still saving money because his business is just starting.
Yes, after a year, his long-time dream has finally become a reality. It's still small, but of course, that's just the beginning. His number of investors is growing—not just me, but others too. It feels amazing to be part of this kind of venture. I still can't believe it because I never really thought about going into business. All I wanted before was to secure a stable job. But once again, because of Sean, I was introduced to the business world.
Even so, I didn't quit my job—only Sean resigned. In fact, I recently got promoted to supervisor, and I'm still enjoying my work.
So yeah, we're celebrating our anniversary on a mountain, and I'm already preparing—filing my leave to make sure there won't be any work-related issues. Sean is busy right now finishing up some tasks and making arrangements to ensure he leaves no pending work behind since we'll be gone for two days.
I'm also busy preparing the food we need to bring since we'll be leaving early in the morning tomorrow. That's why I only worked a half-day today to go grocery shopping. I was in charge of bringing the food since Sean volunteered to buy the tent and sleeping bag. We had already bought mountaineering bags, shoes, and other gear before. We've been gradually purchasing everything to avoid spending too much all at once, so I'd say we've spent months preparing for this overnight camping trip to celebrate our first anniversary.
I don't mind spending on gear because we plan to visit other places in the future, so these things won't go to waste—we'll definitely use them again. As for my gift to Sean, I had a personalized bracelet made for him. We agreed that our gifts shouldn't be expensive since we'll be celebrating our anniversary every year anyway. What matters is the thought behind the gift—the time and effort put into it—because it shows we didn't forget our special day.
I was about to head home when I suddenly felt extremely dizzy, so I leaned against the wall of the jewelry shop where I had Sean's bracelet made.
"Ma'am, you look really pale," I heard the security guard say as he stood near me.
"You might need to go to the hospital, Ma'am. Hold on," he added. My vision blurred, and I closed my eyes due to the overwhelming dizziness. I could still hear people talking and feel movement around me, but everything felt distant.
The store manager approached me, helped me sit down for a while, and gave me water while we waited for the mall's medical team. Instead of getting home early, I ended up staying out late because the medic took me to the hospital to ensure I was okay.
I just hope this is nothing more than exhaustion. I can't afford to get sick—I don't want to disappoint Sean. I kept praying and convincing myself that everything would be fine. But as I sat there waiting for my lab test results, I couldn't help but feel anxious. Still, I forced myself not to call Sean. I didn't want him to panic or worry, and worst of all, I didn't want our trip tomorrow to get canceled because of me.
An hour and a half later, the doctor's secretary returned with my test results. I felt my face go even paler from nervousness. I wasn't prepared for this. And why now, of all times—just when we have an important trip tomorrow?
"Ms. Demiranda, there's nothing to worry about. You're not sick," the doctor said with a smile.
I gasped and closed my eyes, feeling immense relief wash over me. "Thank you, God. Thank you so much. I really thought I had some serious illness."
"However," the doctor continued, "you need to take extra care of yourself from now on because you're six weeks pregnant. Congratulations, Ms. Demiranda!"
I felt like my entire world stopped. I went completely blank, unable to process what I had just heard. I saw the doctor's lips moving, but I couldn't understand a word.
"You're six weeks pregnant."
"You're six weeks pregnant."
"You're six weeks pregnant."
"You're six weeks pregnant."
"You're six weeks pregnant."
Those words kept echoing in my ears over and over again.
Our conversation ended, but I barely absorbed anything. The doctor handed me some papers, but I didn't even look at them. I simply walked to the pharmacy, handed over the prescription, paid for it without checking what it was, and left. I figured I'd go through everything later—once I had fully processed what had just happened.
I knew it was a simple sentence, yet my brain struggled to digest it. I didn't know how to tell Sean. And worse, I was terrified of how his family would react to my situation. Sean and I had talked about starting a family before, but having a baby wasn't our priority right now—especially since his business had just started. We were both focused on our careers. That's why my mind went blank. I had no idea what to do.
By the time I got back to the apartment, it was already past eight. I rested for a while before taking a shower, planning to finish packing afterward. Most of my clothes were ready; I just needed to pack the ready-to-cook food. Tomorrow morning, I'd wake up early to make sandwiches for our trip.
I had just finished changing into my pajamas when I heard a knock on the door.
I quickly checked my phone in case Sean had called or texted me, but there was nothing. Maybe it was Ainee? But why would she knock when she had her own key?
I wasn't expecting any visitors.
Before my thoughts could spiral any further, another knock echoed through the apartment.
Even though I was hesitant, I still opened the door—but I kept the chain lock on so I could check who was outside first.
"Good evening. Who are you?" I greeted the woman standing before me. She was an older lady, but elegant, petite, and clearly wealthy in stature.
"Good evening," she responded in a calm but striking manner, completely ignoring my question.
"Who are you?" I repeated, growing uneasy.
"I am the mother of Sean Phillip. I assume you're Lui?"
I froze in place, completely stunned by what I had just heard. I couldn't believe who was standing outside my door. Quickly, I unlatched the chain and opened the door wider, stepping aside to let Sean's mother in. I never expected to meet her under these circumstances. After multiple attempts to arrange a dinner with Sean's parents, none had ever pushed through due to various reasons.
Suddenly, I became hyperaware of what I was wearing—just a loose shirt (one of Sean's old college shirts that he left behind and told me to keep) and a pair of short shorts. I often wore it to bed because it was comfortable, but now, I felt completely self-conscious. My heart was pounding so loudly I was afraid she might hear it, and I was sure my face had gone pale from sheer nervousness.
"Please come in, Mrs. Go. I apologize for the small space," I said, forcing myself to speak properly so she wouldn't notice how rattled I was. She looked me up and down, from head to toe, before meeting my eyes again. I immediately lowered my gaze. I was consumed by even greater nervousness and anxiety because of the way she stared at me. I didn't know how to act in front of her—it was overwhelming.
"Please have a seat. I'll get you something to drink," I offered. I'm trying my best to stay strong in front of her because she's really intimidating. I feel like I can't afford to make a mistake in her eyes. I had no idea his mom was like this—he didn't even give me any tips. "And why is she here now? Where is Sean when I need him the most?" I might actually pass out any moment now.
"It's alright. No need to trouble yourself. I won't be staying long," A brief remark.
"Oh… Did you just pass by? Sean isn't here. We didn't see each other today since we agreed to meet tomorrow. If you came looking for him—" I explained, struggling to hold her gaze as her sharp eyes made me uncomfortable.
"Actually, I came to see you," she interrupted. "I know where my son is—he had lunch with his father and me earlier today. And you were the topic of our conversation, which is why I'm here now. I said nothing, just waited for her to continue while trying to steady the tremble in my hands. So that she wouldn't notice my trembling hands, I chose to place them behind my back.
"So, you're my son's girlfriend. You've been together for almost a year now, correct? Sean told me you're from Mindanao and that you moved here to work, so you live alone in Cebu. To be honest, I wasn't pleased with what I heard from my son earlier. He has so many plans for his future, and I don't understand why he's tying them to you when he has just started fulfilling his long-time dream of building his own company," She began speaking. She was like the villain in movies and TV dramas—the way she looked at me, the way she carried himself and spoke in front of me. I couldn't help but feel small in comparison.
"He worked for years—struggled and sacrificed—to achieve that dream. He went against his father and me because he refused to join our family business. Instead, he worked for other companies to establish his own name and save up. And I'm well aware that on top of his full-time job, he also took on personal projects just to fund his ambitions. He built his company from the ground up—without a single penny of help from us. Now that he's finally achieved what he worked so hard for, I refuse to let it all go to waste. I won't allow him to be distracted from running his business because of his relationship with you. I won't let the name he carefully built be ruined, nor the trust of his investors be shaken, all because of you," She spoke continuously, not even giving me a chance to say anything first. It was as if, before even facing me and talking to me, she already knew everything about me and his son—like she had me all figured out.
"In the past, all we ever heard from him was his dedication to his dreams. But now, there's something else occupying his mind, and I know he's struggling to juggle everything—he just won't admit it," she continued. Tears threatened to fall, but I held them back. I was terrified to hear what I had long feared: that Sean's family wouldn't accept me. But I refused to let my emotions show—I couldn't afford to appear weak in front of her.
"I don't want to see my son struggling like this," she pressed on. "Despite his demanding workload, he still makes time for you. Do you realize that he spends more time with you than with us—his own family? I could understand if he was too busy to visit us because of his company, but instead of resting when he should, he wastes his time on you. Don't you feel guilty? Do you really have to take up so much of his time—time that should be spent on his ambitions?" She spoke to me as if I were a child, saying all sorts of things. She didn't know that I'm not a demanding person—if anything, I'm the one who always reminds Sean of what he needs to do.
"Have some consideration! You're just his girlfriend; you have no right to dictate how he spends his time. And another thing—we don't know anything about your family in Mindanao. I don't know who you are. For all I know, you could be the reason my son's dreams come crashing down. We didn't raise him and send him to one of the top universities in Manila just for you to control him!" she finished coldly. I kept my eyes on the floor because I didn't want to meet his piercing stare. I couldn't do it. Honestly, it was exhausting.
I had prepared myself for this moment for a long time, but I never expected it to hurt this much. I had been too complacent—too trusting of Sean's reassurances that his parents would like me. Now, it felt like there was a heavy stone lodged in my chest, making it hard to breathe. My throat was so dry that no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't force out a single word.
"Please," she said, her voice now laced with something sharper, "If you're looking to marry a rich man, don't choose my son. Leave him. You're not right for him. What do you even know about running a company? You have nothing to offer him—you'll only weigh him down. But don't worry," she added, pulling something out of her handbag and writing on a piece of paper.
From the corner of my eye, I saw what she was doing. I didn't dare look directly at it.
"Oh, there! That should be enough for you to move somewhere else and start a new life far from Cebu. I don't want you disturbing my son."
Since her hand had been hovering in the air for a while, holding a small piece of paper—which I suspected was a check—she grabbed my hand and placed it firmly in my palm. When I read what was written on it, the pain in my chest deepened. I never expected such an intense insult from the mother of the man I loved, the man I was willing to spend the rest of my life with. My hands trembled, but this time, it wasn't from fear—it was from the overwhelming mix of anger and pain. The humiliation I had felt earlier was now burning into something else.
"With all due respect," I said quietly, my voice controlled, but I knew she heard me clearly as I raise my eyes to hers.
"First of all, let me make one thing clear: I never loved your son because of his wealth, and certainly not because of your family's status. We were friends first before he courted me, and after several months, we became a couple. That time was more than enough for him to get to know me. It's true, I didn't come from a wealthy family, and my family in Mindanao is nowhere near as prominent as yours here in Cebu. My parents are not businesspeople—my father is a retired government employee, and my mother is a homemaker. But they raised me to love people not for their money or social standing but for who they are and how they treat others. They taught me to value respect and sincerity over material things." I saw her surprise at my words, but I ignored it. Instead, I took a deep breath, gathering the strength to continue.
"Second, regarding Sean's dreams, I know all about them. He talks about them often, and I have supported him in every way I could. I understand how much effort and time it takes to build his own company, which is why we barely see each other now. Ever since he started working on his business, I have made sure to give him the space he needs. And for your information, I have never relied on his money for anything I own. I earn my own living—it may not be much, but it's something I'm proud of because it comes from my own hard work. In fact, I even invested in Sean's company. It may not have been a huge amount, but for me, it was a personal achievement, and I am proud of it because it was my own effort." I forced myself to be brave as I took her hand and placed the check back into her palm, just as she had done to me earlier. She didn't say anything, but I could see the sharpness in her gaze. Her jaw was clenched so tightly that I knew she was holding back her anger.
"To be honest, I've always had the feeling that I would never be accepted by your family. But because I love your son so much, I believed him when he said that things would be okay, that you would eventually like me. We never had the chance to meet before because I understood how busy you were with your businesses. And honestly, I'm shocked that this is how we're finally meeting," I continued.
"But don't worry—I know when to step back. I will leave your son and this place, just as you wish. Not because you don't approve of me, but because of the enormous insult you've thrown at my character. You could have just asked me to leave, but instead, you thought you needed to pay me off as if my love for Sean had a price. I am not for sale. No matter how lowly you see me, my parents raised me with dignity and principles. I know how to earn money on my own—not by taking advantage of others. Now, if you'll excuse me, I think it's time for you to leave. I have to start packing so I can be gone before your son finds me here in the morning." I stepped aside and gestured toward the door, making it clear that our conversation was over.
For a moment, I thought she would slap me because of the sheer fury in her eyes. But instead, after giving me one last sharp look from head to toe, she turned around and left. As soon as the door closed behind her, my knees gave out, and I sank to the floor, the weight of everything crashing down on me.