After I typed that message to Karlo, I immediately sent it while I was on my way to the restaurant where we were supposed to meet. I was currently riding in Aerl's car, who offered to give me a ride. I didn't refuse because I was tired and didn't want to drive.
“Do you want me to wait for you?” he asked as he hurriedly drove away.
“No need. I'll just have Karlo drop me off after dinner,” I replied, and he just nodded. After a while, the car stopped in front of the restaurant.
I walked inside and was greeted by a staff member with a smile, “Good evening, Madam.” I smiled and nodded. As I looked around the entire place, I stopped when I saw Karlo, smiling and waving at me.
“Wow. What a gorgeous,” he said before giving me a kiss on my left cheek. I laughed even harder when he licked it lightly.
"You're flirting! You'll seduce me later," I joked and gently slapped his arm.
He smiled, hugged me tightly around the waist and pressed my body against his. “Don’t move away from me. I’m the only one who should see your beautiful back,” he said while winking at me.
I cursed softly and he laughed. Soon, we walked down the hall to a table where his father was.
“Don’t be nervous, tatay ko lang ‘yan,” biglang bulalas ni Karlo nang maramdaman ang kaba ko.
His father had his back to us, but as we approached, he turned to us. I felt my grip on Karlo's arm tighten.
“Dad. This is Coleen, my girlfriend,” he said bravely.
I greeted him with a smile, “Good evening, Sir!” but my eyes widened when I saw his face — Horizk Revamonte, 59 years old, a businessman, and our family's mortal enemy. The man everyone had long feared because of his bad reputation.
"Nice to finally meet you, Coleen," he said with a cold smile.
I don't know how I'm going to deal with Karlo's father. What about a situation where the man I love belongs to a family that is hostile to us? And what's more, I'm hiding a secret — Karlo and I are third cousins.
Since childhood, our families have hidden it because of old conflicts and jealousy. But my feelings for Karlo are very real, and I can't hide it anymore.
As we talked at the dinner table, I gradually thought of the questions: What if our families found out about our relationship? What if they tried to break us up? And most of all, what if Horizk was the one who got in the way of our love?
In the days that followed, our relationship became difficult. Karlo still courted me, but he always thought of danger from his father. He tried to force me to be strong, and he said that no matter what happened, we should not give up.
One night, as we were walking on the beach, he kissed me hard. “Coleen, nothing can stop us. I love you.”
But we both know that this fight is not just about love. It is a fight of families, of secrets, and of dreams that want to be destroyed.
We chose to face everything together. Horizk and I tried to talk about our relationship. It wasn't easy, especially when he found out about our connection as relatives.
But in the end, we realize that the human heart cannot be played with. And no matter how deep the anger and conflict, love can unite two hearts that are willing to change and forgive.
