The woman had a child from her former lover and he was able to accept that which just meant that my best friend was truly in love this time. His relationship with her had put an end to my hope and dreams of us being together one day.
When I saw Alexis happy with another woman, I finally gave up. And maybe that was all my heart needed. The staggering proof that we could never be together.
I’d always known that from the start but it was not easy to teach my heart how to let go.
And I wanted to start again that’s why I accepted Laurice’s challenge. She and I had also remained friends over the past years even if we had different careers. Just like me and Alexis.
Laurice was now a restaurant owner. Alexis now had an architectural firm of his own. I knew it was his dream. And he was able to accomplish it because of his intelligence and hard work. After working for someone else’s firm for five years, he resigned and built his own firm. That was two years ago.
Alexis had to borrow money from the bank which he was able to pay after a year.
I will always be proud of my best friend. He was able to rise and build a name for himself without his parents’ help. His father was now the vice president of the country but their relationship status was still complicated.
As for me, my dream to become a florist also came true. My parents had learned to eventually accept my decision. They no longer forced me to manage our family business. Right now, my flower shop has three branches in Manila.
I also struggled to become a successful florist. That's why I only managed to have that much-needed vacation recently. My parents were actually shocked by my sudden decision. Especially Alexis. Because I insisted on being alone. And I made it.
I did it!
I was so used to leaning on Alexis. That was the disadvantage of being with him. We were always together back then. We used to see each other every night although that stopped when he started having a girlfriend.
In the past, he used to pick me up every morning. He used to drop me off at my shop. That's why instead of moving on, I ended up just falling for him more.
I thought I wouldn’t survive this vacation. But I didn’t let my feelings control me this time. I needed to be alone.
Alexis insisted on being with me. He also wanted to visit me but I refused. My parents allowed me to go. They must have known that I needed it, especially my mom. They knew I needed time to let go and to heal so I could move forward.
My parents had been asking me for a grandchild for a while now but I wasn’t ready at that time.
But now, I’m open to many possibilities. After all, they said that only a new love could heal a broken heart. If that was true, then I was ready to love again… to heal and to be whole again.
‘Where are you, Cupid? I’m ready now.’ I softly patted my chest. ‘Dear heart, let’s fall in love again.’
I put my luggage down for a moment. I closed my eyes and spread my arms when I heard the familiar noise in the airport. I took a deep breath. I felt like a bird. I felt… freed.
Nobody knew that I was coming home today because I kept extending my vacation when it was supposed to be just three months. It was a good thing that I had trusted people to supervise the shops even without me.
“Whoa!”
I immediately opened my eyes when I heard that voice. The owner of it sounded surprised. I was greeted by a very good-looking man who was currently staring at me.
My forehead creased.
“Is something wrong?”
Instead of answering my question, the man lowered himself as if he had dropped something on the ground and he picked it up. When our gazes met again, he was now smiling.
“I just went to pick up my heart. I saw it fall when I saw you.” He extended his hand even if his face was now red from embarrassment. “Forgive the cheesiness. But that’s the truth. I’m Jake Calderon, by the way.”
I was stunned for a few seconds but after a while, a smile spread across my lips which just made him blush more. I didn’t think a guy could blush like this.
“That’s actually the cheesiest line I’ve ever heard, Jake. And I can’t believe you’ll blush like that upon delivering that,” I said, still amused.
Come to think of it. Jake and Alexis had the same height and built. My best friend just had this rugged look. Nevertheless, Jake looked very attractive too. He had the most fascinating baby blue eyes I had ever seen.
“Believe it or not but that’s the first time I ever used that line. And I don’t think I would ever do it again.” Jake smiled when I laughed. “It was my first time trying to catch a woman’s attention and I hope I didn’t fail.” He pointed to his hand. “It’s just a hand shake, Miss. Please don’t be scared. I wouldn’t marry you right away. I’m not in a hurry. We can take things slow.”
“That just scared me more,” I replied. Still, I smiled and accepted his hand. “I’m Diana, by the way.”
Dear Cupid, you act so fast! But wait. Is he really the one… for me?

(Alexis)
‘You and I are like the buildings that we design, Alex. We both struggled to create it. But when we saw the outcome, none of us were satisfied. We realized that what we created was not enough. It had so many loopholes. We had tried to fix the holes. But I guess, in our desire to fix it, the holes just got worse. They became cracks. That’s why in the end, we have no choice but to let go of the entire plan, of the entire design. Because it won’t work… just like you and I.’