Miggy's POV
We had a wonderful time in Batanes with Mom. I was genuinely grateful—especially seeing her more relaxed and happier than she had been in months. Uncle Manuel, Aunt Beth, and Carla came along too. Carla had returned as Mom's personal assistant, and thankfully, she and Mom were able to talk things through. They finally addressed what happened during that last scene on set—the one that got Mom fired.
Mom apologized. She admitted that her behavior hadn't been right—not just toward Carla, but toward all of us. It was the first time in a long while that she truly opened up and took accountability. That moment stayed with me.
During one of our quieter conversations, I also told Mom that I have a girlfriend now. As expected, she was excited and already asking when she could meet her. That's my mom—when she loves, she loves hard.
Later that night, my aunt, uncle, and I talked to her about Gabie—Daddy's daughter with Teresa. We let her know that Gabie was still missing, and we were doing what we could to find her. I was surprised by Mom's reaction. She didn't seem angry or shaken. Instead, she looked… tired.
She told us that before Dad passed, they had an argument—because he had confessed the truth to her. But she never confronted him about it again. Work had consumed her, especially since she was filming what would become her final movie.
"That's what makes it so hard," she said quietly. "We never made peace. I didn't even know he'd been rushed to the hospital until it was too late. The next thing I knew… I was standing in the morgue, staring at him."
Her voice cracked.
She admitted that a part of her blamed herself for his death—not because she caused it, but because they hadn't made things right. I didn't know she was carrying that kind of pain. I'd been so busy managing my own grief that I hadn't seen hers.
Truthfully, I had been blaming myself too.
***
Meynard picked us up and drove us home. He'd taken over as our family driver after his uncle retired. First, we dropped Carla off so she could deliver the items she bought for her family. She'd be back tomorrow to accompany Mom to her therapy session.
Once we got to my condo, I was finally home too. But even more than that—I was excited. I parked, and just as I was about to send a text, I saw Alex approaching.
"Hi, beautiful," I said with a wide smile as she opened the door and got in.
"Hi, Mr. Flatterer," she replied, laughing.
I leaned over and pulled her into a tight hug, kissing her lightly. "I missed you so much, babe."
"I missed you too. A lot," she murmured. "I got so used to being with you every day. Then suddenly, you were gone…"
"I know the feeling." I chuckled. "Even while I was with Mom, I couldn't stop thinking about you. I think my text messages made that pretty obvious."
She laughed softly. "They did."
It's true—when you get used to waking up next to someone, then suddenly you're apart, it feels off. Like a piece of your day is missing.
"So," she said, glancing at me with a teasing smile, "where are we headed?"
"I cooked for us. Let's just have dinner at the condo. I missed you that much."
She raised an eyebrow. "Hmm, I know those looks and smiles of yours. You're up to something, aren't you?"
I laughed. "You know me too well."
As we drove home, she folded her arms and eyed me playfully. "You know, when I first met you, I thought you were so serious—like, all business. But now? You're such a softie."
I laughed out loud. "Guilty as charged."
When we got home, we ate the meal I'd prepared earlier. We talked about our week, work, our plans. At one point, I told her I'd already told my mom about her—and that she wanted to meet her soon over dinner.
Later, after dinner and a quiet moment watching the news, we lay in bed, wrapped up in each other. She traced circles on my chest, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Are you sure your mom wants to meet me?"
"Chill," I said, brushing her hair back. "I'm sure she'll like you."
She sighed, his tone still a little unsure. "It's just… it's scary, no matter what you say."
I held her tighter. "Babe, I'm with you. I'm not going anywhere. We're both adults now—and honestly, we're at the age where marriage isn't a crazy thought anymore. Mom's been hoping I'd settle down for a while now. I promise, everything will be okay. Hmm?"
She looked up and gave me a soft smile. "You really know my weakness, don't you? You always manage to disarm me with that tenderness of yours."
She playfully pinched my arm, and I laughed.
"I think," I whispered as I leaned in closer, "you need another round. I missed you more than words can say."
Our lips met, deeper this time, and our hands found their way toward each other—moving with a mind of their own. We ended the night lost in each other's arms, the weight of the past few days slowly melting away.
***
I decided to pursue a post-graduate degree because I'm finally ready to build toward my dream—starting my own advertising firm. With things slowly returning to normal—except for Gabie not being back yet—I feel it's the right time. I want to settle down and prepare for the next step: proposing to Alex.
Before I do that, I need to make sure we're financially stable—not just for ourselves, but for the family we hope to build someday.
Mom was thrilled when I told her about my plan to enroll in a prestigious university. I also reminded her about our dinner tonight—finally, I could introduce the two most important women in my life.
"We're here, Mom!" I called out as we stepped into the house.
I turned to Alex with a smile. "Welcome to our humble abode, babe," I said, taking her hand and kissing her forehead.
"Migs, stop!" she whispered, clearly nervous. Her hands were cold. "I feel so shy to be this sweet in front of your mom."
I just laughed. "Relax, babe," I said with a wink, and gave her a quick hug. "Let's go—Mom's probably in the kitchen."
Sure enough, when we entered, I saw Mom with uncle Manuel and aunt Beth, chatting around the counter.
"Hi, everyone!" I greeted. "I'd like you to meet my girlfriend, Alexandria Marie Alonzo."
Alex offered a polite smile as I gestured to my uncle. "Babe, this is uncle Manuel, my dad's older brother, and his wife, aunt Beth."
They exchanged warm greetings while I glanced at Mom to gauge her reaction. Thankfully, she was smiling.
"And of course," I said, wrapping an arm gently around Alex's waist, "meet my ever-lovely mother, Barbara Sansebastian. Mom, this is Alex—my babe."
Mom stepped forward, gave Alex a warm smile, and initiated a hug. My heart settled seeing that.
"It's so good to finally meet you," Mom said, her tone gentle but sincere. "Miggy talks about you all the time."
I guided Alex to the dining table, my hand resting lightly on her lower back. We sat side by side, while Mom took the seat at the head of the table and my aunt and uncle sat across from us.
The conversation was casual and warm. I appreciated how Mom was clearly trying to make Alex feel comfortable—and I could see Alex starting to relax.
Later, we moved to the garden. uncle and I had a glass of wine, while Mom, Alex, and aunt Beth enjoyed dessert. Carla didn't join us, even though we invited her. She said she wanted to give us some space—our first proper family moment with Alex.
And honestly? It felt like the beginning of something real.
***
"When do you two plan to get married?" I heard Mama ask Alex while uncle Manuel was chatting with me about some business stuff.
"Uhm, we haven't really talked about the exact date yet," Alex answered politely. "But we've discussed it. It depends on Miggy, especially now that he just started post-grad. I'm just here to support him."
"Oh my gosh! My nephew is such a slowpoke," aunt Beth teased with a laugh. Alex smiled politely, but I could tell she was feeling a bit pressured.
Maybe Mom and aunt noticed it too. Their questions were well-meaning, but Alex clearly wasn't at ease with the topic.
"She didn't join us for the last family trip," aunt added.
"She couldn't," I explained. "She wasn't allowed to take time off from work."
"Weird," someone muttered—maybe uncle.
The truth was, Alex had chosen not to come because she was shy and didn't want to intrude on my time with Mom. She didn't say it, but I knew.
"It's okay, hija," Mom said warmly. "There's always a next time. Hopefully by then, we'll have more fun—and maybe by then, you'll already be married to my son."
I couldn't help but chuckle and shake my head. She was clearly trying to circle back to the wedding topic again.
To ease the tension, I motioned to uncle to get Mom's attention so I could sit beside Alex again. Thankfully, he understood.
"Hey," I said softly as I slid into the seat next to her.
"Hi," she smiled faintly, but her eyes looked a little uncertain.
"You, okay?" I asked in a whisper.
"Of course."
We both knew she wasn't entirely okay.
"When do you plan to get married, huh?" Mom asked again, almost like she hadn't brought it up just minutes ago.
"Do I really look that old, that you're all pushing me to get married already?" I teased.
"Mom, relax," I added with a half-laugh. "We'll get there soon."
"When is soon, hijo?" she said with dramatic flair. "I want grandchildren already! I'm not getting any younger, you know!"
I groaned and muttered, "Tsk, Mom is too cute sometimes."
"Mom, come on," I said gently. "Don't say things like that. You'll still live a long, long time."
The table burst into light laughter.
"Alex and I are taking things slow, okay? But for sure, we're going to get married," I added more seriously this time.
"You're really slow, Alejandro Miguel!" Mom shot back, playfully rolling her eyes.
"Uncle, your sister is bullying me," I whined like a child. I thought he'd defend me—but instead, he just laughed along with them.
"Don't worry, hijo," uncle said, patting my back. "I'll help you set up your advertising firm. It's better to be married and raising a child—it gives you more reason to work harder."
I gently squeezed Alex's hand under the table, letting her know she didn't have to worry. I knew my family—when they're bored, they say whatever pops into their heads.
Alex blushed, both cheeks glowing pink. She looked adorable.
"So cute," I whispered to myself. "But she's totally going to break up with me later."
"You stay here for the night," Mom suddenly announced. "And hija, don't worry about your clothes—I already got some for you."
Alex turned to me, unsure how to respond.
"What do you think?" I asked, smiling at her.
"I don't know about you," she whispered shyly.
But of course, there was no stopping, Mom. We ended up staying longer in the garden, sharing a few more drinks and stories.
That night, we slept in my old room. And somehow, Mom had clothes ready for Alex—both for the night and the next day. I still don't know how or why she had clothes that just happened to fit Alex… but I was grateful for it.
***
The following morning, I woke up to the sound of Alex gently calling my name. She was sitting at the edge of the bed, already dressed and smelling fresh from a shower.
"Wow," I murmured, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. "You're up early and looking this good? I guess last night didn't wear you out at all."
She rolled her eyes and gave my shoulder a light slap. "Get up. You're supposed to eat. Carla's already downstairs—everyone's waiting for us."
I smirked. "You're just pretending to be annoyed so I'll get moving. Admit it—you missed me the moment you left the bed. C'mere, kiss me."
She stood and walked away, ignoring my request. I stretched and called after her like a child refusing to go to school. "Babe! Where's my morning kiss? I won't get up until I get one!"
She turned and stared at me—half amused, half exasperated.
I took that as a win.
I got out of bed, padded over to where she was combing her hair, and wrapped my arms around her waist from behind. I pressed soft kisses onto her shoulder, trailing slowly upward toward her cheek.
She let out a quiet sigh, and I couldn't help but grin. "Shit, babe... you don't know how sexy you sound when you moan like that."
I playfully bit her earlobe, and she let out another soft moan.
"Careful," I whispered, lips close to her ear. "If you keep that up, we won't make it to breakfast."
"You're such a tease," she muttered, pinching my side hard enough to make me jump back.
"Ow! That hurt!" I pouted, rubbing the spot.
"Serves you right," she said with a glare, though the corner of her lips twitched like she was trying not to laugh. "Get dressed so we can go downstairs."
"Fine," I muttered, pretending to sulk. "That killed the mood."
After breakfast, we spent the rest of the morning with my family. Since it was Sunday, we weren't in a rush to leave. We planned to head back to the condo after lunch, so the morning passed in a slow, comfortable rhythm.
Later that afternoon, I caught her scrolling through her phone on the couch. I sat beside her and asked casually, "Done with your baking session with them?"
She looked up, smiling. "We didn't get around to making cookies. What about you? What kept you busy?"
I hesitated for a beat. "Just checking some emails," I replied, keeping it vague.
I couldn't tell her the real reason—at least not yet. It would ruin the surprise.
The truth was, I wasn't just browsing emails. I'd been searching online for the perfect engagement ring.
I knew she wasn't into extravagant gestures. She'd hate a big, flashy proposal. So. I was keeping it simple—something quiet, thoughtful, and intimate. But the ring? That had to be perfect. Elegant, subtle, but uniquely her.
I had originally considered having one custom-made, but that would take too long. So, I spent the morning comparing styles, reading reviews, obsessing over the details. I had a feeling I'd know it when I saw it.
And when I finally did, I hoped she'd say yes.
***
After nearly a month of scouring websites and visiting jewelry stores, I finally found the ring I wanted for her.
It was perfect—simple yet rare. At the center was a painite gem, a deep red stone known as one of the rarest in the world. It symbolized eternal love and unwavering loyalty. Small diamonds surrounded the centerpiece, representing perfection and infinity. It wasn't just beautiful—it felt like her.
I planned to propose on Christmas Eve. Quiet, intimate, surrounded by people who mattered. I enlisted Meynard and Carla to help with the details—food, music, lights, everything. I couldn't risk Alex catching on, so I kept my distance from most of the preparations. She couldn't suspect a thing.
I even talked to Mom about inviting Teresa. That was a conversation I wasn't sure how she'd take, but to my relief, she agreed. She even promised to be civil—for me, and for Alex. I knew it wouldn't be easy, but her willingness meant everything.
Alex, of course, had no idea. She thought it would just be a simple Christmas dinner with my family. In fact, she was the one who suggested we spend the whole day after Christmas at Teresa's. What she didn't know was that Teresa would be joining us that night, too.
I was nervous—how could I not be? Even though I knew she loved me deeply, there was still that flutter of anxiety in my chest. I kept going over the plan in my head, hoping everything would fall into place. Hoping she'd say yes.
Then came the 24th.
I acted as normal as I could, despite the nerves twisting in my gut. We followed our usual routine—I made breakfast, and we ate together. Before lunch, she asked me to come with her to the mall. She wanted to grab a few more items for Noche Buena, and we agreed to stop by her Aunt Teresa's afterward.
I went with her, of course. I didn't want her doing the grocery run alone—not today. We had already ordered gifts online to avoid the holiday crowds, but it felt right to be beside her, even for the small errands.
When we got to the house, we had dinner right away. I gently urged her to rest in my room afterward—told her she deserved to lie down for a bit after a long day. She didn't suspect anything. She was tired, and luckily, sleep won her over. When I checked on her a few minutes later, she was fast asleep.
It was exactly the window I needed.
While she rested, I slipped away to the garden. Everyone was already busy preparing for Christmas Eve—and for what I had planned later that night. Decorations were being arranged, lights strung up, flowers set in place. I had hired extra help to make sure everything would be ready on time. I didn't want to take any chances.
The food was taken care of by the caterers. The setup in the garden was magical—soft lights, a warm glow, and a quiet corner where the biggest moment of our lives was about to happen.
I stood in the middle of it all, heart racing. This wasn't just about asking a question.
It was about building a life—with her.
***
"Son, relax! You've been pacing around for a while now," Mom said, chuckling as she watched me fidget.
"I'm trying, Mom," I sighed, inhaling and exhaling deeply to steady myself. "But—"
"But you're still nervous?" she teased, cutting me off with a knowing smile.
"Ugh! Mom, you're not helping," I almost said out loud, but bit my tongue. She was just trying to lighten the mood.
Just then, I spotted Carla talking to one of the catering staff.
"Carla! Where did you put the box, I left in Meynard's car earlier?"
"No worries! I already placed it inside your closet. She was fast asleep when I checked, so I slipped in and out without her noticing," she said with a grin.
"Thank you!" I exhaled in relief. "Where's Meynard?"
"He already left to pick up the others. They should be on their way," Carla replied, still energized from all the prep work.
"Alright, you know where everyone's supposed to be seated and how to receive them once they arrive, right? Teresa, Jhay, and Meynard's family. Plus, uncle Manuel and aunt Beth should be here any minute."
"Got it! Don't worry, everything's covered. Now go, wake her up and start getting ready. Relax—and good luck!" She patted my shoulder before heading back to the staff she'd been speaking with.
Mom turned to me with a soft smile. "Carla's right, anak. It's time. I'll go get ready too. Just breathe and be yourself. Don't overthink it. That way, she won't notice anything."
She kissed me gently on the forehead, then walked upstairs.
I chuckled to myself as I made my way to the bedroom. When I opened the door, there she was—fast asleep on my bed, peaceful as ever. Like a baby.