Meliza's POV
"Are you ready to explore the plantation?" Jonathan asked as he helped me dismount from his chosen horse. We had just arrived at the entrance of the vast mango plantation, the air thick with the sweet scent of ripening fruit.
"Yes, I am," I replied with a smile, my gaze wandering over the endless rows of trees. A giggle escaped my lips as I noticed the ripe mangoes hanging just above our heads, their golden hues glowing in the soft morning light.
Without hesitation, Jonathan jumped and plucked one of the ripe fruits. "Adriana's Mango Plantation is the country's top supplier of the sweetest mangoes," he said proudly, holding the fruit.
I sighed, taking in the familiar scenery. "I've always been fascinated by this place—the cool breeze, the lush greenery, the way the sun filters through the leaves. But what I love most is, of course, the mangoes."
Jonathan peeled the fruit effortlessly with his bare hands, its rich aroma filling the air. My mouth watered as I watched the golden flesh emerge from its skin.
He handed it to me, and without a second thought, I took it, biting into the juicy sweetness as if I hadn't eaten in days. The taste was pure nostalgia—fresh, familiar, and utterly intoxicating. I closed my eyes, savoring every bite.
When I finally opened them, I felt my cheeks heat up. Jonathan was staring at me, his mouth slightly agape.
I chuckled, wiping my lips with the hem of my racerback. "Sorry... I just really missed eating this variety. We both know Adriana's mangoes are the best."
Jonathan grinned. "Of course. I feel the same way."
Only then did I notice he had already grabbed another mango for himself. I smiled as he took a bite, enjoying the fruit just as much as I had. He reached into his pocket and offered me his handkerchief, but I shook my head, already having used my tank top.
We continued our walk through the plantation, but the farmhands were not yet around to begin their work. The early morning air was crisp, and I beamed as I noticed dewdrops clinging to the grass and leaves, shimmering like tiny jewels.
A part of me was grateful I hadn't let my emotions get the best of me earlier. If I had given in to my hesitation, I would have missed this moment—the beauty, the tranquility, the memories.
But memories had a way of cutting both ways. No matter how much I tried to push them aside, my thoughts inevitably led me to Ethan.
We used to climb these mango trees when no one was watching, perching side by side on the sturdy branches, dreaming about our future together. Back then, I had spoken about marriage with the naïve certainty of youth, believing in a love that would last forever.
It was one of my happiest memories. I should have cherished it. Instead, I let hatred consume it.
Walking beside Jonathan, talking like we used to when I worked on the plantation, felt oddly comforting. I was relieved I hadn't run into Ethan and his girlfriend, though the thought of him still sent a pang through my chest.
"Can we visit the vegetable plantation, too?" I asked, eager to shift my focus.
"Of course. I heard they're harvesting cucumbers today," Jonathan replied, and my face lit up.
"Oh, I love cucumbers!" I exclaimed, making him chuckle.
"You always have. Still the health-conscious one," he teased.
I nodded, remembering how my mom constantly reminded me that health is wealth. She believed my body was my greatest asset—second only to my face. But thinking about her only made me anxious, so I pushed the thought aside.
At the vegetable plantation, Jonathan was right—the farmhands were busy hand-harvesting cucumbers. I couldn't resist jumping in to help despite their protests. Jonathan joined me, and we'd gathered over twenty kilos by the end. The simple task filled me with a deep, satisfying joy.
As the sun climbed higher, we decided to return to the main house—on foot this time, at my request. Jonathan didn't complain, simply asking a farmhand to return the horse to the stable.
"You look happy. I like seeing you like this, Iza," he said.
My smile faltered as I glanced at him.
"Come on, don't scowl. You're even more beautiful when you smile."
I sighed. "I know you think I didn't want to come to Ruby's wedding because of Ethan."
"Because that's the truth," he pointed out.
"Fine. I don't want to see him—or his girlfriend. But since I'm here, I'll deal with it. I refuse to give Ethan the satisfaction of thinking he won."
Jonathan shook his head with a chuckle. "Life isn't a competition, Iza."
"I'm not competing with him. I just don't want him—or our friends—to look down on me."
His gaze flicked to me sideways. "No one's looking down on you. I just can't believe you two still hate each other. I thought you'd both moved on."
I wish it were that simple.
"How can I forget? I gave up everything for him. I even disobeyed my mother to be with him. And look at me now—where did that lead me?" I asked, my voice laced with frustration.
"I don't want to dwell on the past. Thinking about it only fuels my anger."
Jonathan remained silent, listening.
"What I don't understand is why he hated me so much. If anyone had the right to be angry, it was me. And now, learning that he's the only son of Isagani Almendraz? That betrayal cuts even deeper."
I shook my head. "How could he lie to me?"
Jonathan sighed. "He must have had his reasons. But that's his story to tell, not mine. You should ask him, Iza. You two need to clear the air and stop living in this endless misunderstanding."
"No. I will never speak to him." My voice was firm. "Not after last night. He insulted me in front of everyone at Ruby's wedding instead of apologizing. That was the worst thing he could have done."
Jonathan exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "You hurt him too, you know. And I don't think you realize how badly."
I scoffed. "I didn't have a choice, Jon. I wish I had money back then."
His gaze softened. "You never told me what was really going on. I didn't understand why you always needed money. And I hated how people called you a user because I know that's not who you are."
His words warmed my heart. "Thank you for not judging me like the others. You even helped me financially more than I can count, and I'll always be grateful."
Jonathan smiled. "You're always welcome, Iza. But I was hurt when you left without a word. Five years of silence wasn't easy to take."
Guilt settled in my chest. "I'm sorry for shutting you out, Jonathan."
He shook his head. "No need to apologize. No matter what, I'll always be here for you. I just hope that when you leave again, you won't disappear this time."
I sighed. "I don't have many friends, especially female ones. It feels like girls everywhere find reasons to hate me, even when I've done nothing wrong."
Jonathan chuckled. "That's because you're beautiful. They made up stories to stop guys from liking you."
I rolled my eyes, but his words still made me smile. "Thank you, Jonathan. That means a lot."
He smirked. "Not that it stopped Ethan. If anything, those rumors only made him fall harder for you."
My face grew warm, and I looked away, trying to ignore the blush creeping up my cheeks.
"I don't think he ever loved me," I said, my voice low. "I rejected him, and that only challenged him. The moment I let my guard down, he broke my heart."
Jonathan shook his head. "That's not true, Iza. You weren't the only one who got hurt. Maybe it's time to let go and make peace with him—unless you're still in love with him. That would be difficult, considering he came here with a girlfriend."
I scoffed. "No. I don't love him anymore. I'm just angry at what he did to me. I was a fool for listening to my heart."
I exhaled sharply. "My mother was right. Boys are nothing but trouble." The lie burned my throat. Because deep down, I knew the truth—seeing him with someone else hurt more than I wanted to admit.
By the time we reached the main house, I was sweating, but Jonathan didn't let me escape. He dragged me straight to the dining hall, where everyone was already gathered around the long table.
The moment I stepped inside, I felt it—his gaze. Ethan's expression was unreadable, but his presence alone was suffocating.
"Late again," he muttered with a smirk, his voice dripping with sarcasm. I met his stare with equal disdain as I took my seat across from him.
"I can't believe you haven't changed, Iza," he said, shaking his head. "I thought you'd mature with age, but you're still the same girl I knew."
I narrowed my eyes. "You know nothing about me, Ethan."
A cruel smile played on his lips. "Of course I don't. You've always been good at hiding your true colors. Luring boys in, playing with their feelings—you're nothing but a liar."
His words hit like a slap, but I refused to let him see me break. My fists clenched at my sides as I stood abruptly.
"Excuse me," I said to no one in particular, my voice low and controlled.
Without waiting for a response, I turned on my heel and strode out of the dining hall, my vision blurring. By the time I reached the staircase, hot tears were spilling down my cheeks. I ran, my chest tightening with every step.
"I hate you, Ethan Almendraz!" I screamed the moment I slammed my bedroom door shut.
I collapsed onto my bed, curling into a ball as sobs wracked my body. How had we ended up like this?
I once loved him more than I ever thought possible. Ethan had been sweet, funny, persistent—he never gave up on me, no matter how many times I pushed him away.
Now, all that remained between us was anger, bitterness, and the painful truth—I had hurt him just as much as he had hurt me.
The sweetness in his voice was gone, replaced by nothing but insults and resentment.
Tears streamed down my face as memories flooded back, vivid and relentless. The reason we met, the reason I ran—it all came rushing back as if it had happened just yesterday. The good and the bad, every moment we shared consumed my thoughts, refusing to let me go.