Essi has always believed that meeting people like the Binici Siblings meant a good thing --that be it in business or social partnerships. But what Karina offers to her is quite different. Her words have stronger meaning underneath their simplicity as if Katrina had been always trying to interfere in Essi and Oneil’s lives. “So you people are just engaged. It means there is still a greater possibility for any of you to quit, right?” she asked Essi with a hint of excitement. Her words simply do not respect the relationship between the two. Essi chose to not pay attention to it. But Katrina was bugging her in another way by trying to set Essi up with Wyath for coffee nothings and casual dinner. “I do not have much time. If this meeting does not make any sense, then I won’t go, Miss Binici,” Essi declined. “My brother is willing to marry the girl he likes,” Katrina inserted just to make the phone call go on. “Really? That’s good for him then,” Essi commented but was about to excuse he
They see her as the antagonist. A villainess sent for retribution. Only a few of the people of Bayanihan could welcome her with a smile or speak with her hospitably. She might be among the powerful, but they cannot easily believe it. They look at her with precaution and at her guards with a sneer. They speak ill about her from behind and attack her with scowling and mockery. Yet, none of these troubles can stop Essi Paulsson from staying at Bayanihan for the sake of Oneil. He is the reason why she can resist the hostilities directed at her. For him, she can keep up herself in the presence of the crowd at the most unlikely place. The barangay of Bayanihan is a vast land. Houses situate from each other. But words and gossip were running through the distance. How could they not when a new person is shaking the entire town? “There she is again, the ostentatious self-acclaimed fiancee of Riley,” was one of their thoughts against her. They keep calling Oneil Riley because that was how he
There were good things a month before Oneil and Essi parted. They were like the tamed seas for smooth sailing. All was well when they were in Bordeaux. Distinct lights oscillated in and throughout the chateaux of the Paulssons. Inside, the lights gave off warmth and a welcoming ambiance to anyone that entered. Outside, the shafts reflected the hidden romantic side of Bordeaux. The scent of the vineyard mixed with the wind. It was a perfect spot for people to know each other. It was also a pleasant evening for the Paulssons and the Mercators to have dinner. There was Madame Deleila, going back and forth to check the arrival of her visitors. Butler Roman was beside Madame Deleila to assure her that everything would run smoothly. However, the madame could not relax. Everything was ready except her daughter. The daughter was still on her way back to the chateaux. “Madame Essi, your mother is asking when do you get here?” Butler Roman asked with his baritone voice. His expertise and prox
Even though the mind forgets, the heart can remember it all. It was a classic saying insufficient for Essi to pull as her last card. Because how could she be sure that she was in Oneil’s heart? Her best friend, Geovensia, keeps telling her that Oneil had no feelings for Essi and that all his actions were just courtesy, the fruits of being a well-mannered gentleman and a filial son. Essi defended that at least Oneil could make her comfortable. “You’re not hurt, good. But my concern is that you should at least not have feelings for Oneil. Make it fair. It’s your defense in case he would begin to distance from you.” “How can I not like him when I know Oneil is nice?” Essi unabashedly says. His entrance into her life was like the threshold of summer. He was altogether familiar but new. He was elusive but warm. Essi was close to him since grade school but never heard about him after ten years. Essi had liked Oneil even before they met again and still does though the gentleman cannot r
There was a knock on the door on a Wednesday morning. It was the landowner’s son. Essi leaned herself on the jab of the door to scrutinize the young man. “What is it, Paco?” she asked in anticipation that the young man would exact her again for the rent of the house. She already paid the deposit and advanced fees. The boy couldn’t fool her anymore. “Nurse Jenny is here.” He left his nurse cousin in Essi’s house. “Hello, ma’am,” the nurse said. She was the same nurse that talked with her at the hospital. “May I come in?” “Yeah, sure,” Essi responded. She is puzzled that she has an unlikely visitor. “Is there anything I can help you with?” she asked while heading towards the kitchen. “By the way, would you like some juice?” “Anything will do, ma’am,” the nurse politely responded. A pleasant smell came to the nurse as Essi headed toward her. She brought crepes, chocolate, and orange juice. The nurse cannot deny her wonder why other people still think wrongly about Essi. When she a
She called him Oneil on the first day that they met. She came to his small house suited in contemporary armories that translate to power and influence. Despite her appearance, there was that woman meant to get heard. Every scene that day was vivid and unprecedented. She called him by another name, eyes sparkling to recognize a dream realized in the mundane world. Her voice revealed a little hope emerging. Yet, like a rebellious wave, he crushed the scene by insisting he was Riley. She insisted on a plea to recognize her as his fiancee. That moment, perhaps, could be the day of reckoning with his hidden past and memories. But Marika came and troubled the scene. She protested Essi’s claims by the truth that Riley learned to live. Compared to the woman who just arrived, Marika would be more reliable. After all, Marika was there for him and has given him food, shelter, and knowledge that there are strangers who care for him. Although Riley couldn’t accept some of Essi’s statements, he
It is an impending sense of dread for Essi that Gwyneth would still arrive any time sooner. If it were not for the bad weather in Manila, Gwyneth would have not been stranded until this time. Essi could still prepare for her arrival while managing all her wits and peace. But it was harder to deny that all her reasons to stay calm were leaving her grounds. “Why are you nervous? Did you meet some bad guys on your way?” Paco asked as he stood up from the long bench situated near Essi’s abode. The nineteen-year-old man went to Essi with the chivalrous endeavor of assisting her about whatever may come upon the lady. At first, he was not there out of his desire but because his mother instructed him to. He had to make sure that Essi is still on her normal psyche as a good tenant that will efficiently pay monthly dues to them. But now, Paco is convinced. Gossip seemed to not cease against Essi and has only evolved to accuse her with desperation for love. Indeed, those things were harsh. To
The news was like a splash of cold waters, harsher than the torrential rains that Essi once witnessed during her mountain trek. Her paths drew her to an impulsive drive, almost flying, just to catch up with Gwyneth before anything might get out of control. She managed to take her corporate attire to maintain the demeanor that the Mercators got impressed with her. She counted it as a reason why the Mercators regarded her with respect even though other families look at her as undeserving to be with Oneil. With many things driving in her mind, she still had the mental strength to execute her intention spontaneously. Essi had no other choice of transportation means but to run towards a motorcycle terminal, hoping that a driver is available to send her downtown. “Essi, it is night already. I’m afraid that your fare will get higher,” the driver was reluctant. It is noticeable that he was already planning to go home. A pack of roasted chicken was already tied to the maneuver of his motorbik