FALLEN PROMISE

Carmela stepped out of the van, the cool sea breeze embracing her as she surveyed the quaint town of Eldoria. The streets, adorned with vibrant bougainvillea and weathered wooden structures, painted a picturesque scene that spoke of a simpler life untouched by the bustling pace of the city.As her gaze drifted across the bay, where fishing boats rocked gently against the dock, a sense of tranquility washed over her. "I feel like something unforgettable is going to happen here," she thought. Eldoria, with its coastal charm and the symphony of waves that caressed its shores, seemed like a haven frozen in time.With each step, Carmela felt the warmth of the community's welcome. Eldoria's residents, their faces etched with the stories of the sea, greeted her with genuine smiles. The local market, a vibrant mosaic of colors and scents, invited her to explore its treasures—freshly caught seafood, handmade trinkets, and the warm camaraderie of the townspeople. "The restaurant-hotel that my

Nestor's heart pounded loudly as he stood with Ariel outside the resort gate. He knew why he felt nervous—because of Carmela. He really didn't want to be affected by the strange feelings he had for that woman. But no matter what he did, he couldn't stop it. And he was frustrated with himself because of it.Ariel was the one who rang the doorbell. In a few moments, a uniformed maid opened the gate. She briefly left them and returned to usher them in."Wait here; Ma'am Carmela will be down shortly. I'll prepare some drinks for you," the maid said before turning away."We're so lucky. Don Martin's daughter will be joining us," Ariel expressed his delight in a hushed tone.Nestor didn't respond. During those moments, his overwhelming feelings took precedence. It intensified even more when he heard the light and approaching footsteps."Good evening," Carmela greeted them with a smile.Nestor truly stood there, momentarily transfixed and seemingly out of himself, upon seeing her.The word "

It was a Saturday morning when Carmela was suddenly struck by relentless bouts of vomiting.“What happened to you? My God, I don’t know what to do. Your father isn’t here yet; he’s still in Manila. He won’t be back until the day after tomorrow!” This was Nanny Ising’s lengthy tirade as she assisted Carmela back to bed.She had been perfectly fine earlier in the morning. What she couldn’t understand was why, after having breakfast, she suddenly felt like her stomach had turned upside down. And it was all because of the corned beef she had for breakfast.Carmela quickly deduced the situation. She remembered the day she and Nestor went to the cottage. It had been over months. They had been successfully keeping their rendezvous secret for more than nine months now. She believed Nestor loved her dearly, even though, in reality, they were deceiving Victoria, who considered her a close friend.In her final thoughts, guilt consumed Carmela. She didn’t choose this. She never even thought about

"Isn't he such a handsome baby, Nestor?" Victoria asked Nestor with excitement that night.Lucia was buried that afternoon. And as Aling Simang hoped for, Victoria took care of Lucas and willingly embraced him as her own.Truth be told, it wasn't just because Aling Simang talked to her that she decided to take the baby. As she mentioned, she wanted to give a chance for a family with Lucas and her beloved Nestor."Are you sure about what you want to happen, Victoria? Taking care of a child is a significant responsibility. Plus, we're not wealthy," Nestor remarked as he sat at the table, sipping on hot coffee.Victoria smiled as she glanced at Nestor, then gently lowered her head to smell the head of the peacefully sleeping baby in her arms."Of course. And besides, I want to experience being a mother. You know the real reason why, despite being together for so long, I haven't gotten pregnant, right?" Victoria asked."Because your witchcraft-practicing mother cursed you," Nestor sighed

"We're thrilled for you, Victoria. Your long-awaited dream of motherhood has finally blossomed!" Sinang's joyful proclamation elicited a radiant smile from Victoria, a testament to her deep-seated happiness. Such news wasn't a surprise to her; it had been long anticipated and fervently hoped for. Sinang and Dolor, Victoria's steadfast friends, shared in her joy, their warm camaraderie evident in the way they celebrated this significant moment.Plans for Lucas's celebration were initially straightforward in Victoria's mind—simple, yet heartfelt. However, as Carmela, Lucas's godmother, took the reins, the event took on a new level of significance and beauty. Carmela's meticulous attention to detail was evident in every aspect of the occasion, from the meticulously crafted decorations to the mouthwatering array of delicacies adorning the tables. It was a feast fit for royalty, prepared with love and care that only a friend as dear as Carmela could provide.Despite her eagerness to contri