CHAPTER 4

Gil Puyat, Makati 

Five Years Ago

"Hi, Sweetheart!" Duke greeted cheerfully as he handed Selene a single rose—one he had plucked from his mother’s small garden. 

His mother, Mama Rosalia, had long since developed a fondness for planting various kinds of flowers and greenery in their little yard. It was her way of bringing life and warmth into their home, something she had always dreamed of. 

Life had changed significantly for Duke and his family.

They now lived in a subdivision in Salcedo—far different from their cramped, humble home back in Tondo, Manila. Things were much better now, and he knew he had his mother’s perseverance to thank for it. 

Selene eyed the rose in his hand with mock displeasure, crossing her arms as she smirked.

"Hmp! You took another flower from your mom’s garden again?" she teased, feigning irritation. 

Duke chuckled, shaking his head as he waved the rose in front of her.

"She has plenty of flowers. Why, don’t you like it? If you don’t want it, I might just give it to someone else," he joked, a playful gleam in his eyes. 

She had been his girlfriend since she was in third-year high school, while he was already in his second year of college. Despite the difference in their academic levels, their relationship remained strong as they moved forward in life.

Unlike Selene, whose family had struggled financially, Selene, circumstances were a bit more stable. But that never mattered to Duke's parents.

His mother, Mama Rosalia, had always emphasized that wealth was never a deciding factor in love.

To her, what truly mattered was happiness—their ability to love and be loved in return. 

"Oh really?" Selene placed her hands on her hips, raising an eyebrow. "Do you have someone else to give it to, huh?" 

"Of course not," Duke assured her with a smirk. 

With a swift motion, he pulled her close, wrapping an arm around her small waist.

He pressed a quick kiss to the nape of her neck, making her squirm in his embrace. 

"Duke! You better not try anything funny!" she warned, attempting to push him away, though her efforts were weak. 

Duke laughed.

"You always get mad so quickly! I was just teasing. I'm not a jerk and I'm not cheating on you. Promise!"

Selene glared at him. He chuckled.

He reached out to pinch her cheek lightly.

"Do you seriously think I’d ever look for another girl when I already have you?" 

Selene tried to suppress a smile, but he could see the amusement flicker in her eyes.

"Hmp! You’re sweet-talking me again. Just eat your spaghetti—I saved some for you since I know it’s your favorite." 

With that, she sat down on the wooden bench, her attention shifting to the television screen as she continued watching her drama series 

Duke took a seat beside her, twirling the spaghetti on his fork. He eyed the show she was watching and let out a sigh.

"This again? Another dramatic series?" 

"What do you mean dramatic?"

Selene shot him a quick glare before turning her focus back to the screen.

"Ian Crisologo is so handsome, and Letisia is stunning. They make such a perfect couple! Their movie 'My Heart' earned so much at the box office!" 

Duke rolled his eyes but didn’t comment further. Instead, he stood up and poured himself a glass of water. 

Selene’s home was small and modest—just one room that was only a few steps away from the kitchen and living space. There was a double-deck bed covered by a plastic curtain, providing some privacy.

She shared the space with her cousin, who was studying at a university with a government scholarship. 

Unlike Duke, Selene was still in her first year of college as a tourism student; while he was already taking up Business Management in college, he was in his fourth year and graduating this coming March. He had to stop his studies for two years due to his weak health when he was younger.

Selene's mother was an overseas worker in Singapore, tirelessly Supporting Selene’s education from afar. Unfortunately, Selene never got to meet her father—he had abandoned her mother even before she was born. 

"Someday, I’ll be an actress. Not only an actress but a famous actress." Selene is full of confidence and determination. One day, she was watching her own drama series. She saw herself on a huge billboard.

Duke chuckled as he sat back down beside her.

"You’re dreaming again," he teased. 

Selene gave him a playful glare, but the small smile tugging at her lips told him she wasn’t offended.

Duke knew that her dreams, no matter how far-fetched they seemed, were important to her. And honestly? He had no doubt that one day if she put her heart into it, she could make them come true. 

She had always dreamed of seeing herself on television. And why not?

Selene possessed a beauty that was both captivating and effortless—something that couldn’t simply be measured by wealth or status. Her large, expressive eyes held a mesmerizing depth, a gaze that could command attention without effort. They were the kind of eyes that told stories—filled with emotions ranging from quiet longing to fierce determination. Under the golden glow of the afternoon sun, they gleamed with warmth, framed by long, delicate lashes that curled just enough to enhance their natural allure.

Her nose, sharp yet soft, gave her an air of refined elegance, its well-defined structure adding to the symmetry of her features. It wasn’t just perfect—it was the kind of beauty that complemented every expression, whether she was caught in laughter or lost in thought. 

Her complexion was flawless, a smooth canvas untouched by imperfection, as if she had been kissed by the gentlest breeze of nature itself. There was a radiance in her skin, a glow that made her presence feel light and vibrant even in the simplest of settings. Whether beneath dim lighting or the bright outdoors, she carried an effortless grace that turned heads wherever she went. 

Her lips—full and gently curved—held the kind of softness that made even the simplest smile enchanting. They carried a quiet confidence, a subtle yet undeniable charm that reflected her inner spirit. 

Despite living in a modest apartment, her beauty was undeniable. She had no need for extravagant outfits or excessive makeup—her natural elegance was enough to outshine any adornment. And while wealthier men had pursued her, offering her grand gestures and luxurious gifts, she had chosen Duke. 

To him, it was a miracle. A privilege. To be the one she had decided to give her heart to, despite the many options laid before her. 

He first met her during a basketball league at their University. From the moment he saw her among the crowd of young spectators, he couldn’t take his eyes off her.

She had been much young back then, but now, after two years together, their bond had only grown stronger. She was eighteen, and he was twenty-three.

"Who knows? Maybe I’ll get discovered," she said dreamily, her eyes twinkling with excitement.

"That’s why I always hang around the mall—just in case I run into a talent manager." 

Duke couldn’t help but chuckle at her persistence. 

"Why don’t you focus on studying first? If you become an actress, you won’t be able to finish school." 

"It doesn’t matter. I’ll be rich anyway," she argued, defending her dream. "I’ll move out of this place, and no one in my family will mock me anymore for being born just because my mom got pregnant." 

"And what about me? Will you leave me behind?" he asked, pretending to be upset. 

"Hmmm..." She tapped her chin, acting as if she was deep in thought. "Well, you could always be my bodyguard." 

Duke burst into laughter. "Me? As handsome as I am, you only want me to be your bodyguard?" 

"I’m joking," she said with a grin. "But of course, if I do make it big, I won’t be allowed to say I have a boyfriend. It would ruin my career." 

"Your dreams are really getting ahead of you," Duke teased, shaking his head. 

But deep down, he admired how passionately she spoke about her ambitions. Even if they seemed far-fetched, he knew that for Selene, they were very real.