Chapter 3 3

"Make sure, okay? I don't want you playing with love..." I nodded.

"Not really..."

"This is the first time you've had a boyfriend. Do you know that my first boyfriend wasn't even your dad? I had several boyfriends before meeting him here."

"What are you getting at, Mom? That Calix isn't the one I'll marry?"

"You're only twenty-one, Calix is twenty-two. Do you think, after five years, you'll still be together? At twenty-six, you're just starting to think about what you want to do, you're still young."

I lowered my head at what Mom said. I glanced at Calix, now talking to Dad. Ashong was gone, and I didn't know where he went.

"Your cooking is delicious, Auntie..." I almost dropped the plate I was holding at Ashong's words beside me. I looked at him. He held a plate, getting food from the table.

"Really? Did you like it?"

"Yes. You can be an owner of a restaurant, Auntie. Your cooking is high class..." I cringed at what Ashong said. I didn't know if he was being a suck-up or genuinely meant it. But I knew Mom's cooking was good; Ashong was just overpraising, much to Mom's delight.

"You're something else. Well, when you and my nephew get married, I'll be the one cooking..." Ashong stopped at Mom's words. He glanced at me, but I avoided his gaze. I didn't want to look into his eyes; my feelings suddenly changed.

I couldn't explain it.

"I want to be your mom, Aunt Elena..."

My eyes widened at Ashong's statement. He practically said, "I like your daughter," but in a roundabout way, darn!

"That's possible, son. I'll be your third parent. It's only natural since you're Trixie's boyfriend."

"In that case, do you want me to be your son?" I just held my breath before leaning back in my seat. I wanted to kick him to turn him around and knock his head for him to wake up.

What's happening to Ashong?

"Of course, you're handsome. If I were to choose, guys like you are what I want for my winter. But since my daughter already has Calix, I'll just support her."

I gave Mom a wide-eyed look.

"Mom!"

"I like Calix for you. The only issue is I don't like the course he's taking because it might affect you if it encounters problems."

"The business course isn't safe either, Mom..." that was my retort, pointing to Ashong's course. I looked at him, grinning at me.

"Your future is safe and secured if you love a business man." I laughed at what he said. I just nodded and let him create whatever he wanted in his mind. Why does he like to act?

Mom didn't speak anymore because Aunt Raquel and Trixie approached the table. Followed by Dad and Calix, who immediately sat in the vacant seats.

Uncle Frank excused himself; he had a call about his business.

They were just into buying and selling in other countries. He's a retired Army man with a lot of funds in the bank. But they still needed to earn money to secure their future.

Mom sat beside me. Calix sat on my side, letting Dad and Ashong sit together. Calix smiled at me before whispering.

"Are you feeling well now?" I nodded. I was fine. I just made an excuse earlier because I knew Ashong would show up if he didn't come out of my room.

"I asked permission from Uncle Henry; he agreed."

"R-really?" I forced a smile. I couldn't name my feelings because I was having second thoughts about going with him next week. This Christmas.

However, I can't bring myself to ruin Calix's mood, so I smiled at him again.

"Mom will surely be happy. They're coming home tonight."

"Let's just surprise them, don't tell them yet," Calix said, grinning.

"You really like surprises, hm?"

I didn't answer, letting him smile at me. While others at the table had their own conversations, what caught my interest was Tita Raquel mentioning something about Ashong being related to the Falcon group in Manila.

"You are a falcon, right?" she asked Ashong.

"Yes, Tita. My father is the head of the Falcon business group," Ashong replied.

"Are you related to the Falcon group in Manila?" Tita Raquel inquired.

Ashong nodded, "My father is Richard Falcon."

Tita Raquel, surprised, covered her mouth. "Oh my god, you're wealthy!"

"Not totally, Tita. We just have a good business and a museum."

"Who is your father again?"

"Richard Falcon."

Tita Raquel turned to Erpats, "Are you the son of Angelina Bernardo Falcon?"

"Yes, I am the only son of the Falcon group. My mother is Angelina Falcon, the painter."

The revelation surprised everyone, especially Erpats. Tension filled the air as they discussed the past connection between Erpats and Angelina. It seems like there's more to their history than meets the eye.

Ashton Philip Pov:

I spent the whole day contemplating the revelation about my mom and Tito Henry's past. It's hard to believe they had a relationship, especially considering Mom was here as a teenager. Tita Elena, native to Nueva Ecija, shared that Mom and Tito Henry met when Lola Perla, Winter's grandmother, visited frequently.

Tito Henry used to work for them, and Tita Elena confessed that she and Tito Henry, in their liking for each other, both wronged my mom. This led to Winter's birth, resulting in the breakdown of Mom and Tito Henry's relationship.

I understand their situation, holding no grudge as I lack the right to be upset. However, I'm unsure how Mom would react if she finds out I returned to the Villapanias land.

I sighed under a tree, feeling the December wind but unable to embrace the Christmas spirit. Something is amiss, and though I try to be fine, Mom is likely angry as I'm not at home. I tire of business discussions; our family seems complete but lacks happiness and balance.

Winter interrupted my thoughts, commenting on my apparent sulking. She suggested going home to Manila, but I preferred staying here. I found satisfaction being near her, but she didn't seem impressed.

She questioned my choice, warning me about Mom's reaction if she discovers my absence. I laughed at her informal reference to Mom as "ashong" and expressed contentment being with her.

Ignoring me, Winter descended the land, and I followed. When asked where she was going, she refused to share, leaving me captivated by her presence and realizing she had stolen my heart.

"I can't control myself. I keep losing myself just because I like her. I don't think that someone owns us anymore. All I could think of was that I wanted to kiss her.

I want to feel again how to kiss her, how soft her lips are. How is the true love that I only experienced with her.

She didn't protest when I attempted to kiss her. She let our lips touch several times. I can't name what I feel. I felt like I was floating in the air as our lips touched. She responded to my kiss, gently as if not used to it. But she excited me even more. What she did was so simple, but it tripled my feelings.

I kissed her deeply. That's the only reason why she pushed my chest to break our kisses. She was panting with her lips half open. She couldn't look at me before she stood up to run away from me.

*************

I didn't catch Winter when I got home. Aunt Elena was surprised to see me dirty. I explained to her what happened; she nodded before I asked where Winter was. She said her daughter hadn't come home yet. I frowned before excusing myself to take a quick shower.

No one was around after I showered. There was a party here last night, and I could say they had fun. They may have argued last week, but they seemed to have forgotten about it.

I headed to the resthouse expecting to find Winter there. But it was Trixie who greeted me with a curious look.

"Where have you been, Philip?" she immediately put her hand on my arm. I didn't complain as my eyes searched for the missing girl. Where is she? "I'm looking for you. Mommy and the others are leaving tomorrow."

"What?"

"They have a client to assist. They won't stay here long."

"So fast?"

"Yes. Are you going to stay here until New Year's comes?" I didn't know what to answer, especially as I focused on finding Winter. She sighed before looking away.

"Lola Perla, where is she?" That's all I asked even though I wanted to ask directly about Winter. She sighed again before answering.

"Calix picked them up. Winter is with him; they're going to visit Tita Leonore."

I furrowed my brow intensely, but I couldn't bring myself to inquire further while trying to calm down.

Trixie also offered for me to come inside. Everyone was there except Lola Perla and Winter. But I couldn't shift my attention to them. My mind was racing, wondering why Winter agreed to go with Calix.

I'm dying with jealousy. We don't have a relationship, but I feel more jealous than a boyfriend.

They decided to go back home at seven-thirty in the evening. The flower farm was closed, but I let them go first. Trixie accompanied me, but it was evident she was tired from taking care of tourists earlier.

"I'm sleepy, Philip. I can't stay here anymore," Trixie said.

"I'll take you home."

Trixie nodded. It was clear in her eyes that she was tired. I accompanied her on the way home, but I refrained from being too clingy. I was annoyed, not like before when I wanted her to say yes to being my girlfriend. But now that we are, it seems like I'm the one giving up first.

"Aren't you going to sleep?"

I shook my head while looking at Trixie. We were already in front of her house, and the wind here was colder. She hugged herself while taking deep breaths.

"Are you okay?" She seemed to notice my mood. I just nodded. "I don't know what's on your mind. It's been months since you've changed." I couldn't speak after what Trixie said.

She bowed her head. After a few seconds of silence, she looked up at me again.

"Are you sure you want us to be together?"

"Why are you asking me about that?"

"I just want to know. You know I chose you over Apollo." I couldn't immediately comment. She chose me over him? I thought Apollo stopped pursuing her because she liked me. "He decided to stop even though he helped me with my studies. Apollo is a nice guy too. But I like you more than him."

"I'm sorry." That's all I could say. "I'm sorry if I'm not in the mood today. But I'm fine; we're cool."