Lahat ng Kabanata ng POWER OF DESIRE (ENGLISH VERSION): Kabanata 21 - Kabanata 30

“DID you apply to our bakeshop back then?” James asked her, his voice tinged with disbelief, as if he couldn’t fathom the idea of her being part of his world before their current connection. He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees, his curiosity piqued. The warmth of the afternoon sun streamed through the window, casting a soft glow on Aria’s face, highlighting the sparkle in her eyes. She seemed momentarily lost in thought, perhaps recalling the dreams she had woven back then about working in a bustling bakery, surrounded by the sweet scent of freshly baked goods and the laughter of coworkers.The young woman nodded, a wistful smile playing on her lips. “That was almost four years ago, sir. Jocel and I both got accepted. However, I was assigned to a branch that was far from home. The fare was expensive, and I would get too tired from commuting, so I decided not to continue,” she explained, her voice steady yet tinged with a hint of regret. As she spoke, James

A week had passed since they last spoke about moving, and finally, Aria and James set out for San Benjamin. For once, he had left all the planning and decisions up to her, ensuring that every detail catered to her comfort. Aria appreciated his consideration, knowing he understood her need for stability and familiarity. She had gone back and forth, considering other locations, even abroad, but in the end, the pull of home won over. Her decision to stay in the Philippines was as much about convenience as it was about staying close to the people she held dear. With her father Felipe’s health occasionally wavering, she felt a sense of duty to be nearby, ready to offer support whenever he might need her. The choice grounded her, giving her the peace of mind that she wouldn’t have if she’d chosen a distant or unfamiliar place. Arriving in San Benjamin with James felt different this time. The first visit had been under much different circumstances, with her as a guest in his life, unsure of

James paused, feeling Aria’s slender arms wrap around him, her embrace warm and grounding. The steady rhythm of her heartbeat echoed faintly against his chest, but what caught his attention was her breathing. Shallow, quick breaths brushed against his skin, and he pulled back slightly, searching her face with a hint of concern. “Are you okay?” he asked softly, his eyes gentle yet probing, worried that he might have pushed her too far. Aria gave a playful roll of her eyes, dismissing his worry with a light laugh. Her head settled more comfortably against his shoulder, and she let out a long, satisfied sigh. “You always leave me exhausted,” she teased, her voice soft, carrying the warmth of lingering affection. She closed her eyes, her face now serene and content, a look of pure satisfaction spreading across her features. As she nestled herself even closer to him, James felt the warmth radiating between them, a comforting reminder of the closeness they had created. He coul

The next day, Aria decided to wake up earlier to personally cook breakfast for James. The sun had just begun to peek through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the kitchen. As she moved around the room, she felt a sense of warmth and purpose. Although she knew that she didn’t have to prepare breakfast, the thought of doing something special for him made her heart flutter. After all, everyone knew her as his wife, and she wanted to embrace that role, even if it was still new to her. The aroma of sizzling rice and garlic filled the air, mingling with her growing excitement. Cooking for James felt like a small yet meaningful way to express her affection and commitment, and she relished the idea of starting their day together on a sweet note.As she worked, memories of their time together flooded her mind—their laughter, shared glances, and quiet moments that seemed to strengthen their bond. Aria couldn’t help but smile at the thought of James enjoying her cooking, picturing the way

“Aria? Are you okay?” James’s voice broke through the silence, drawing her out of the spiral of thoughts that had taken over since Paula’s sudden appearance. He looked at her with concern, his eyes searching her face for any hint of what was going on inside her mind. Aria forced a smile, hoping it would be enough to ease his worry, even though her heart felt heavy. The words Paula had thrown at her earlier seemed to echo over and over, unraveling every ounce of calm she had gathered since starting this journey with James. She wanted to brush it off, to pretend it was nothing, but the bitterness lingered, gnawing at her from the inside.“I-I’m probably just tired,” she replied, her voice softer than usual, struggling to mask the unease churning within. Her fork toyed with the food on her plate, though the last thing she felt was hunger. She focused on chewing, savoring every bite mechanically, hoping it would somehow occupy her mind enough to silence the doubts Paula had planted. T