PROLOGUE

August 2007

Baguio City, Philippines

Thera’s heart could not help but race the moment she laid eyes on the tall man who appeared from the glass door of Sean and Tan’s Tea Caf. Suddenly, the music coming from the headset stuck in her ears waned. The pounding in her chest overpowered The Carpenter’s smooth and soothing voice. The music playing was one of her favorite songs— “Close To You”. It was her parents’ theme song.

Thera felt Kisses’ light nudge on her side. She was looking at him, too. Kisses was aware of her secret feelings for Sean De Marco. He’s was too perfect and, unfortunately, way too out of Thera’s league. Well, perhaps, for now.

Sean was a young entrepreneur. Rich, smart, and jaw-droppingly handsome. Every time he appears, it was as if clouds fade and the gate to the heavens opens. Angels descended – to sing and get a glimpse of him as well. That was cheesy and corny, Thera wanted to giggle.

Sean has thick eyebrows paired with dark penetrating eyes. Those and the signature unwavering gaze of his are only a few reasons why ladies and gays alike fall for him. Sean was five feet and eleven inches tall. Even his black long sleeves and denim jeans could not hide his almost well-developed muscles. It’s not puzzling though. He got those traits though.

His twin brother, Tan, and their father, Chase De Marco, were both dangerously good-looking. That was aside from the fact that their mother, Charry De Marco was beautiful. Charry was one of the best singers in the country. But she retires early from the music industry and decided to focus on her family.

Sean was one of the owners of Sean and Tan’s Tea Caf. He partnered with Tan, who was focusing on his Medicine course. Sean ran the business alone ever since it opened six months ago.

Tea Caf was across DM university, which was also owned by De Marcos. Thera and Kisses went to DM University-Baguio together. They were in their freshman year, both taking up HRM. They were lucky to be part of the ten students who were granted full scholarships. Thera never saw Sean mingled with other people even once. He was quiet and serious. She wondered why he chose to open up a coffee shop when he was not approachable and accommodating to his customers at all.

Sean stopped from walking toward the parked Hyundai Tiburon as two familiar women approached him. He took his headphones off, swung around to meet the women who always seemed to be orbiting around him. They were Mara and Isabelle – a frequent customer of Tea Caf. Thera doubted if there remained a milk tea flavor that they haven’t tried yet. And she was jealous. Unlike them, she could not afford even the cheapest milk tea the café serves. If she has money she’d go there every day to catch a free glimpse of him.

“Would you like us to go inside sometimes?” Kisses asked.

She heard her, but she could not take her eyes off Sean. Thera could feel the pang of pain in her chest as she gazed at the three. She wished she had Mara and Isabelle’s courage to approach him.

If only she came from a wealthy family that owns businesses, and a house, she could have been confident. But she had neither of that. Thera only had two relatives left—Uncle Jaime and his only son, Joshua. Uncle Jaime was her Mother Lorena’s older brother. Her father, Albert, died a few years ago from a road accident. Just more than a year later, she lost her mother, too. Uncle Jaime and Joshua had no choice but to take her in because she had no other relatives left.

Thera had to convince herself that she should be contented from staring at Sean from afar. She had nothing to be proud of yet. Well, for now, she was contented. Catching a glimpse of Sean even just for a moment was more than enough to make her day.

“One milk tea is three kilograms of rice worth already, Kisses. That could be our food for two days. Such a waste.”

“Then, are you just going stare at him forever?”

“It’s what unfortunate people like us do, isn’t it?” she replied.

Thera was supposed to smile bitterly, but she was smiling wide instead. Sean’s bored expression while listening to the two gushing women was a pleasant sight.

“You said that if there’s a man you want to end up with, it would be Sean. It will always be Sean even if you get lucky enough to meet Jerry Yan. But it’s too hopeless and impossible, don’t you think? Sean is heaven, you’re earth.”

“Don’t you still not believe in heaven’s will, Kisses?”

Kisses’ forehead creased. “Heaven’s will? To be contented with watching him from afar is the true heaven’s will for us. You just said it earlier.”

Thera unwillingly took his eyes from Sean, who without a word turned his back at the two women. She turned to Kisses, who was still looking at Sean’s direction

“One day, I’ll own a mansion, Kisses. I’ll be able to buy luxury cars and expensive clothes and Sean himself will be living in my home, with me and our children of course.”

Kisses shook her head. Thera grinned. Thera believed that a person with a kind heart will be blessed by the heavens. One day, heaven and the universe will conspire to make the desires of her heart happen. She would not be doomed poor forever. She’ll be successful and she’ll save Tito Jaime and Joshua from poverty.

When Thera returned her gaze at Sean, she found him looking at her. For less than five seconds, they held gazes. Thera’s heart pounded inside her chest. Sean’s stare was blank while Thera was trying so hard to hide the emotions in her eyes.

Sean looked away. Even when Sean had gone inside the car and drove past them, Thera could still not wipe the grin off her lips.