It was Fiona's day off the next day, so she didn't expect to see Hendrick that evening.
He looked even more striking in his black long-sleeved polo and faded jeans, carrying a box of buko pie and a basket of lanzones.
"Good evening, Fiona."
"What bad wind brought you here?" she asked sarcastically.
"Correction," Hendrick said with a grin. "Not bad wind—romantic wind."
Just then, her father came out of the bedroom. "Oh, Hendrick! Come in, son, come in," he warmly greeted.
Fiona's father entertained Hendrick with genuine kindness.
And Fiona had to admit—she liked him. There was something about Hendrick she couldn't find in Julian.
But she refused to indulge that lightness in her heart, that fondness. She had already set her mind—Julian was the man she wanted to marry. He was the one who would take her to her dreams… and to Paris.
She stayed long in the kitchen, busying herself with preparing food, trying to smother the admiration she felt for him. Whenever Hendrick was in sight, her heart betrayed her.
When she returned, she saw Hendrick handing her father an envelope.
"Thank you so much, son. At last, I can buy a new truck," her father said, his eyes grateful.
"I told you, my godfather is kind," Hendrick explained. "I only mentioned your problem, and without asking much, he gave the help. And if you struggle to redeem your mango orchard, he said you can pay in installments."
Fiona's father patted Hendrick on the shoulder. "I won't forget this, hijo. Thank you again."
---
"Why did you ask Hendrick for help, Pa? That's embarrassing!" Fiona confronted her father after Hendrick left. "You should have waited a little. Julian could've bought you more than a few trucks."
"Julian?" her father asked in surprise.
"He keeps pushing me to marry him, Pa. And I think I'm ready to say yes."
"What? But you only just met the man!"
"He's a good man, Pa. And I know I won't regret marrying him."
"If you ask me, I prefer Hendrick's personality. He feels genuine. Even if he's just a taxi driver, I can sense the goodness in him."
"You're only saying that because he helped you. But my standards in choosing a husband are different."
Her aunt Nona, folding curtains nearby, joined in. "Don't you notice? Hendrick doesn't even look like a taxi driver. The way he carries himself, his speech, his manners… he looks like he comes from a rich family."
"That's just how suitors act, Aunt. They do everything to impress the woman they're courting," Fiona insisted.
"Well, if you ask me," her stepmother interjected, "I'd choose Hendrick over that Zaavedra any day."
But Hendrick can't take me to Paris, Fiona thought.
---
"Grab him already, Fiona," her friend Margie urged when they were alone in the ladies' room. "Before he loses patience and proposes to someone else."
"I just want to know him better first, Margie."
"That's outdated thinking! This is the computer age. People get married through the internet nowadays. At least you've already met, talked, shared your views on life. He loves you, what more do you need? Girl, if he had courted me, I would've said yes on the spot!"
Fiona laughed, but her mind drifted to the grand wedding Julian promised her.
What if she said yes now?
But a voice inside her whispered: Too bad Hendrick isn't as wealthy as Julian.
---
"We'll be leaving today. The business conference is over," Julian told her at the hotel lobby. "And I want your answer before I go."
"Are you serious, Julian? That you really want to marry me? Won't your family disapprove?"
"Of course not. I wouldn't joke about something this important. I love you, Fiona, and I want you to be my wife."
She didn't answer immediately. Instead, she gazed at him.
It had only been three days since they met, but she felt she knew him somehow. He was kind, straightforward, and she liked that.
And while three days wasn't enough to call it love, she knew it wouldn't be hard to love him. No woman would disagree with her on that point.
She was lucky. Out of all the women in Julian's life, he chose her. He would make her dreams come true.
"Yes, Julian," she finally whispered, nervous yet elated. "If you're willing to spend the rest of your life with me, then I'll marry you."
---
"Thank you for helping my father," Fiona told Hendrick when he picked her up later.
"It was nothing."
"You know, he should've just told me his problem. Julian could have helped instead of bothering you."
"Julian?" Hendrick frowned.
"Yes. We're engaged."
Suddenly, Hendrick slammed on the brakes, the tires screeching.
"Hendrick, what are you doing?"
"You got engaged to a man you barely know?" His jaw was tight, his voice heavy with anger.
"He doesn't want delays. He's turning forty next month. He's ready to settle down."
Hendrick fell silent, gripping the wheel. Then in a low voice, he asked, "Do you love him?"
It took Fiona several seconds to answer. "O-of course. Would I agree to marry him if I didn't?" But strangely, she couldn't meet Hendrick's eyes as she said it.
"Hendrick… are you okay?"
"Do I look okay? I just started courting you, and you've already decided to marry another man?"
"He's no ordinary man. He's the key to my dreams."
"Don't you think you're being rash?"
"I don't think so. And I know I won't regret it."
Hendrick drove fast, almost recklessly.
"One of these days, when everything's set, I might resign from Isabelle. You won't need me to drive you anymore."
Still, he said nothing.
"I'm sorry, Hendrick."
"Sorry for what?"
"For meeting me too late in my life."
"No, Fiona. I don't believe that."
"What do you mean?"
"I told you before—I'm not the type of man who gives up easily."
Her heart skipped. "What are you saying?"
"You're not married yet. That means I still have a chance."
"But I'm engaged. I'm going to marry him."
---
"She's marrying Julian Zaavedra, the son of Don Edmundo Zaavedra," the private investigator reported to Hendrick.
"Julian Zaavedra?" Hendrick shot up from his chair. "I know him! The Zaavedras are big in the business world. And I also know Julian's reputation with women. There's no way I'll let Fiona marry that man."
---
"Are you sure you're not rushing things, Fiona?" her father asked, concerned.
"No, Pa. In fact, he already wants to talk about the wedding this Saturday."
"I won't even ask if you love him… I'm afraid of what you'll answer."
"I do love him, Pa. Maybe not deeply yet, but I like him. I feel comfortable with him. Paris is your dream, and Julian is your ticket there. That's why you're marrying him."
"Pa…" She held his hand. "All you need to do is prepare for my wedding. That's all. Don't worry. I'll be happy. Isn't that what you want?"
"I don't know, Fiona. But if you ask me… I'd rather see you marry someone like Hendrick."
"Oh, Pa…" Fiona rolled her eyes.
"Why not? Can you say anything bad about him? He's handsome, kind, hardworking—"
"But looks, kindness, and hard work aren't enough for me, Pa. My dream is bigger than that."
---
Saturday came. The wedding of Fiona and Julian was planned in Santuario de San Jose, Greenhills—close to where the Zaavedras lived.
Julian took Fiona to Manila that weekend to meet his family formally. She was stunned at the size of their mansion.
I'm going to be Mrs. Julian Zaavedra… This is a dream come true.
The living room displayed masterpieces of world-famous painters, framed on marble walls. Huge imported chandeliers glistened overhead, some even from the Czech Republic.
Julian's parents awaited them at a sumptuous lunch. His siblings were in Paris, running their coffee shops.
Fiona felt out of place among people of such high society. Nervous, she clung to Julian for comfort.
She noticed Julian's parents weren't exactly fond of her, though they remained civil. Perhaps they wouldn't oppose the marriage after all.
"Julian isn't getting any younger. It's time he settles down," Don Edmundo remarked.
"When will you announce the wedding?" Doña Pilar asked.
"How about this Saturday?" Julian suggested.
"Perfect," Don Edmundo agreed. "We'll host a big party here."
After lunch, Julian took her to couturier Eddie Badeo.
"Make her the most beautiful gown, Eddie," Julian instructed.
"Don't worry," the couturier replied. "She'll be the envy of all women at the engagement party."
Later, Julian surprised Fiona with diamond earrings to match her engagement ring.
"You're spoiling me, Julian. You don't need to shower me with such expensive gifts," she whispered.
"You're Julian Zaavedra's fiancée," he reminded, sealing it with a kiss.
She kissed him back, willing herself to believe she was falling in love. She had to love him.
---
That evening, they went to Casino Filipino. Julian seemed at home, knowing many people. Politicians, celebrities, powerful men—they all gambled there.
"Julian, it's getting late," Fiona reminded him softly.
But Julian ignored her, lost in the thrill of baccarat. When he won, he kissed her passionately, clearly intoxicated with the victory more than the prize.
As they headed to the lobby, Fiona froze.
A man in a suit, walking toward the elevator, caught her eye.
The same height, same build, same haircut… Could it be Hendrick?
No. Impossible. That man was dressed like a wealthy businessman, dignified and polished.
It couldn't be.
She shook her head. Maybe, it's just my imagination. Lots of men resemble each other.
Still, her heart pounded.