My Paper Wife (English)

Lisa’s POV “Nanay, let’s eat now!” I called out to my mother, who was still working on handmade fans even at this hour. I frowned when I heard her coughing again and again. That cough… it’s been going on for so long. Why hasn’t it gone away? I placed the plate of freshly heated food on the table before heading to the backyard, where we usually worked on the fans. “‘Nay, come on, let’s eat,” I said, walking up to her. I held the box where we stored the finished fans. She had already filled two boxes! The buyers would be coming soon to pick them up. They usually ordered three boxes at a time. That’s more than a thousand fans made in just one month. “Let me just finish this last one, anak,” she said. I looked around at the remaining materials—there were only a few left. We’d need to restock soon. I glanced back when she coughed again. “Are you really okay, ‘nay? That cough’s been bothering you for a while now.” I walked over with concern and gently rubbed her back. She kep

Lisa’s POVI stood there with my head bowed, hands clasped nervously in front of me. I wasn’t sure if it was fear, embarrassment, or something in between, but my heart was pounding. He was here—right outside our humble bamboo house—holding a bouquet of flowers and a box of chocolates like some romantic scene out of a teleserye. Our neighbors were already peeking out from their windows and peering over fences, whispering, giggling, even shrieking with glee like they'd just been zapped with electricity.One of them was Marie, my supposed demure best friend, who was clearly holding back an excited scream as her lips quivered and her eyes sparkled with delight."Good morning! Hi, Lisa!" he greeted sweetly as he approached our wooden gate. He gave a slight, courteous bow that made him look even more charming—too charming, if you asked me."Lisa, introduce us to your handsome boyfriend!" teased Aling Minda, who was sweeping the yard with a broom made of twigs."You didn’t tell us you had a

Lisa’s POV“Forget about it, kuya. Come inside.”Lara helped me carry my things. I glanced once at Liro, walking away from their house with his guitar slung over his shoulder, his head low, shoulders drooping.“These are all the notes we wrote. There aren’t any quizzes.” She gestured toward the notebooks that I’ll just copy later.There were four notebooks stacked on their table. It’s been taking me longer to finish school because I only took ten units this year. I’m already in my second year of college, lagging behind my peers who are graduating this year. Marie also shifted her course, so we’re both still in our second year. She originally took HRM, but her parents didn’t approve because it was too expensive. So she ended up choosing my course—education.Copycat, even though she doesn’t like it and has no patience for teaching. She’s so grumpy with kids!Ever since I was little, I’ve wanted to teach. Even with my playmates, I always pretended to be the teacher, even if we each had o

Lisa's POVIt’s been a few days since Mom was confined in this hospital. The nurses taking care of us are amazing. I found out they were topnotchers in their board exams. Apparently, not just anyone can work here—you either have to be a top passer or have studied abroad. I was in awe. No wonder the rates for staying here are so high. Thankfully, Mom's test results came out well. Good thing we brought her in early—it lessened the complications and the pain she could have felt.She already started chemotherapy along with several medications she has to take. I never left her side during those days. I even sleep on the couch here. Everything is here—food, clothes, and someone even picks up laundry. Fier arranged all of it.Someone also arrived to stay with us—Mom's assistant, who also runs errands for us. She’ll also be our house helper in our new home here in Manila. She’s been helping me look after Mom every day.But tonight, I had to leave to go with Fier to a party hosted by his frien