Lahat ng Kabanata ng FLOWER OF LOVE: Kabanata 71 - Kabanata 80

He stared at her as if the light on his face depended on the words she had just said. “Say it again, Amor,” he urged, his voice rough with anticipation. She frowned at him. “Say what? Did I even say anything?” she asked, feigning confusion though her heart raced beneath her calm. He gestured with one hand, his lips parting. “You said, ‘I think I’m already—’” He held her gaze, unblinking, while hers tightened with confusion, her cheeks flushing crimson. “I didn’t say anything. You must’ve imagined it,” she lied, pulling her hand away from his thigh. Disappointment clouded his eyes. He looked away, straightening in his seat and fixing his attention on the road. “You really said nothing?” he asked again, quieter this time. She shook her head, forcing a small, innocent tone. “Nothing. If I speak, you might just get angry at me again.” “You’re a perfect liar,” he muttered, irritation sharpening his voice as he restarted the engine. She turned toward the window, hiding the f

Night had fallen, yet Harold was still nowhere in sight. Everyone had eaten, and the house had gone quiet as they prepared for bed—but her brother hadn’t come home. “Ma, why isn’t Harold back yet?” Flora Amor asked as her mother passed through the living room, where she sat with Devon asleep in her arms. The little boy had been unusually clingy all evening, refusing to be put down until he finally drifted off against her chest. “Your brother said he’d be late. He’s out with his girlfriend—they went on a date,” her mother replied. “That’s not an excuse. Even if they went out, he should still know what time to come home!” Flora Amor snapped, her voice rising slightly. “Just let him be, Flor,” her mother said gently, sitting beside her. “He’s a man now. Besides, no matter how in love he is, his salary still comes to me.” Her mother reached out, ready to take the sleeping boy, but Flora Amor shook her head. “I’ll hold my baby. I’ll stay in their room for a while—at least until

“OMG! Flor, is that you?” The man’s voice rang with disbelief, followed by a deep laugh and a disarming smile that carved two familiar dimples on his cheeks. “Oh my—Joven!” she exclaimed. Her brows, drawn in irritation moments ago, lifted in surprise as recognition struck. He looked even more handsome than she remembered—his collared shirt paired with a necktie that might have looked awkward on anyone else suited him perfectly. For a fleeting moment, she felt as if she had been swept back to her college years. Back then, among all the men she knew, he was the only one who had ever made her heart flutter—charming, funny, effortlessly likeable. But now, there was something more about him. The boyish charm had deepened into masculine poise, the kind that could draw attention without even trying. His presence alone seemed to fill the space, and she hated how her chest tightened at the thought of falling for him all over again. 'Get a grip,'Flor.' She tilted her head and silently scol

What happened next stunned everyone. Instead of moving on to the high school category, the organizers decided to pit the winners against the tertiary level contestants—just to appease the furious parents protesting earlier about Devon’s victory as Math Champion in the Elementary Division. Once again, the poor boy was called back to the stage, quietly taking the same seat he had occupied before. Flora Amor could barely stay still. Her thoughts raced wildly, pulling her between fear and guilt. First, she worried about her son—he might relapse from exhaustion, overthinking every question. Second, she could feel the tension between her and Dixal thickening like a storm cloud. Ever since she’d accidentally blurted out that Devon was her son, he hadn’t spoken a word to her. And whenever she tried to steal a glance at him, he was always frowning, clearly lost in heavy thought. Just as the quiz master was about to speak, her phone vibrated in her pocket. She’d put it on silent earlier t

Flora Amor didn’t realize she had fallen asleep, lying on her back beside Devon. She only stirred when her phone rang. Still half-asleep, she sat up at the edge of the bed, reached into the pocket of her slacks, and pulled out her phone. Before answering, her gaze flicked to the alarm clock on the small bedside table. Five o’clock. She blinked. They had only come home at noon. She’d been asleep for hours. Turning to her son, she saw him shift positions, still curled up on the mattress. “Flor, did you meet Joven already? He just called me—he’s on his way to your house,” Elaine said the moment she answered. “What? He’s visiting?” she blurted, instantly awake. They had only just seen each other earlier, and now he was already coming over? “Yes. He said he still remembers your address. In fact, he’s on his way there now,” Elaine replied. Flora Amor shot up from bed, startled. She hurriedly tried to make herself presentable. It would be mortifying if Joven arrived to find her dishevel