CHIARA POV
I couldn't wrap my head around the conflicting emotions swirling within me. On one hand, I felt a sense of happiness and contentment knowing that Luis and I were back together and engaged. It was a dream come true. But on the other hand, a heavy sadness weighed on my heart because of Xander.
Earlier, I had noticed something in Xander's eyes - a fake smile that masked his true feelings. Deep down, I knew that he loved me, even when I made the difficult decision to choose Luis. And now, I couldn't shake the feeling that I wasn't the right person for him. It pained me to think that I had caused him hurt and that he deserved someone who would love him with unmatched passion, unlike my own love for him.

Lost in my thoughts, I suddenly felt the warmth of a hand gently grasp mine, which had been resting on my lap. I turned to look at Luis, and he planted a tender kiss on my hand. Instantly, we interlocked our fingers, the connection palpable even as he focused on the road ahead.
A smile involuntarily crept onto my face as I returned his gaze. Although Luis quickly redirected his attention to the road, he continued to hold my hand tightly. Deep down, I hoped that Xander would find the love he deserved - a love that would not inflict the pain I did. I couldn't help but feel unworthy of him, incapable of reciprocating the intensity of his affections. Xander deserved someone far better than me.
As the car entered a village, my attention shifted towards the surroundings. I glanced at Luis beside me, wondering if he lives here. It seemed the guard recognized him, as no questions were asked, implying a sense of security in this gated community filled with strikingly beautiful houses.
Curiosity got the better of me, and I spoke up, still observing the houses passing us. "Do you live here?" I asked.
Luis glanced at me briefly before answering, his voice tinged with a touch of nostalgia. "We were actually supposed to live here, you know. That was the plan, but circumstances got in the way." His words resonated with a hint of regret, but he continued, a glimmer of hope returning. "But now, you and Ximara are going to live here with me."
"Hmm," I simply murmured a response then nodded. It surprised me that Luis had already planned for us to live in this village, even though we had been together for a few weeks back then.

"You don't need to moan as an answer, Mia," he said. I couldn't help but let out a laugh in response to his comment.
"We'll pass by Rhian and Ken's place first, they're actually part of our neighborhood," his words grabbed my attention, causing me to steal a quick glance at him before diverting my gaze back to the road ahead. Although I nodded in agreement with his statement, a swirl of confusion churned within me.
I couldn't help but ponder the possible reasons for Rhian's sudden display of kindness towards me. Could it be that her connection with Ken had influenced her perspective on life? Did their relationship facilitate a positive change within her? These uncertainties played on my mind as we continued on our way.
"Don't worry," he reassured me, his voice filled with a sense of warmth and understanding. "Rhian has changed ever since she met my cousin, Ken. She genuinely wants to make amends and apologize to you for her past actions. And rest assured, their love for each other is strong."

As he spoke, a tender smile graced his face, showing his genuine affection for the situation. We were currently on our way to Rhian and Ken's home to celebrate their son's fourth birthday. It was clear that my partner held a deep excitement for this momentous occasion.
As the car came to a stop, he swiftly turned off the engine and eagerly exited the vehicle. He hurriedly moved to my side and gallantly opened the door, an endearing gesture that filled me with both surprise and joy. A grin naturally formed on my face as I gratefully stepped out of the car.
With a sense of care and tenderness, he made his way to the backseat and gently lifted our daughter into his arms. Alongside her, he retrieved a neatly wrapped box that was not overly large but held a special gift for Rhian and Ken's little boy. It was evident that he had put thought and effort into choosing the perfect present.
This heartfelt act served as a reminder of the kind and considerate person I was fortunate enough to be with. It warmed my heart to see how he effortlessly maneuvered his way through acts of love and kindness, making everyone around him feel special.
With a smile on my face, we walked towards Rhian and Ken's house, ready to celebrate their son's milestone birthday and embrace the joyous atmosphere that awaited us.
ding! dong! ding! dong!
We approached the gate then Luis pressed the doorbell, eagerly waiting for someone to answer. To my surprise, the door swung open, revealing a man who immediately caught my attention. It must be Ken, Luis's cousin, and boy, he's handsome.
"Max," Ken called out with a warm smile as he opened the gate, giving Luis a friendly pat on the back.
"Ken," Luis responded, returning the greeting. Ken then turned his attention towards me, a smile still lingering on his face.
"You must be Chiara," Ken said, his handsome features only adding to his charm. But as much as I admired his looks, my heart belonged to Luis, who was undeniably more handsome in my eyes.
"Chiara Mia Abella," I introduced myself, extending my hand towards Ken.
"Kenneth Gonzalez," he replied, shaking my hand as we exchanged pleasantries.
However, our brief handshake was interrupted by Luis, who playfully remarked, "I think five seconds is enough for a handshake," prompting both Ken and me to laugh as we let go of each other's hands.
Ken proceeded to enter the house, with Luis and I following closely behind, carrying Ximara. As I stepped inside, I noticed the abundance of prepared foods, enough to satisfy a decent-sized gathering.
"Chiara?!" Suddenly, my attention turned to Rhian, who seemed genuinely surprised to see me. Without hesitation, she rushed over and enveloped me in a warm hug, which I reciprocated. What caught me off guard, though, was the fact that she is crying.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Rhian apologized, wiping away her tears. "It's just a pregnancy thing."
"It's okay," I reassured her, a smile forming on my face, trying to comfort her in any way I could.
"I'm sorry about what I did before, and I promise I regret it," Rhian expressed sincerely, raising her right hand as if taking an oath. Her gesture made me chuckle.
"It's okay. Let's move on. The past is in the past, and dwelling on it won't do any good," I told her, making her smile again.
I was taken aback by her words as she wrapped her arms around me. "So! We're besties now," she exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement. To be honest, I never saw Rhian and I becoming this close. But there she was, hugging me tightly. I couldn't help but smile in response and give her a nod of agreement.
Just as we were about to separate from the warm embrace, we heard a voice calling out from downstairs. It was a young boy, eagerly making his way down the stairs. I figured he must be their son, as he had a striking resemblance to Ken.
"Uncle Max!" the boy exclaimed, running towards Luis.
Worried for the boy's safety, Luis cautioned him, saying, "Oh, be careful!"
"Hi I'm Kener Rhey Gonzalez" said the boy to Ximara.
"Hello I'm Ximara Luise Abella" Ximara said to Kener with a smile on her face while Luis was still lifting her. Her last name is still Abella because I wasn't sure at the time if Luis wanted Ximara to use his last name and I also didn't let Xander use Ximara's last name so Abella is her last name.
As I observed Rhian gingerly squeezing Ximara's cheek, she exclaimed enthusiastically, "So adorable!" However, her inquisitiveness quickly emerged as she queried, "But why is she using Abella instead of Xander's surname? Wait, why are two together? does that mean you two are back together?" she puzzledly addressed me and Luis. I couldn't help but chuckle at Rhian's sudden realization, finding it amusing that she had been embracing me just moments ago.
"She's my daughter, Rhian. She will be using my last name, not Xander's." Luis chimed in, making me even more amused. I couldn't help but smile even wider while shaking my head.
Rhian couldn't contain her excitement as her enthusiastic voice filled the room. "Omg! Ximara is your daughter?!" she exclaimed, unable to contain her joy. Rhian's eyes sparkled with excitement, and her smile stretched wide across her face. It was clear that the news brought her immense happiness.
However, as quickly as her jubilant tone had filled the air, a wave of sadness washed over Rhian. Her voice softened and took on a sadder tone as she suddenly asked, "But what about Xander?" Her pregnancy made her mood change rapidly.
Luis, ever calm and composed, didn't skip a beat in responding. "He's okay with it," he reassured her, his voice gentle and comforting. Rhian visibly relaxed, relief washing over her face in waves.
As we finished our conversation, Ken extended an invitation, saying, "Let's go eat." we agreed and decided to follow him.
It turns out that we would be the only guests at the dining venue since Rhian and Ken had recently relocated from another country to the Philippines. If Ximara and I hadn't joined them, only four people would have been present that day. I felt relieved that there were no lingering conflicts between Rhian and me, considering our past experiences.
Once we reached the eatery, we indulged in a satisfying meal. As the adults engaged in conversation, the two children enjoyed some playful activities. Eventually, it was time for us to bid farewell and head back home. Luckily, our proximity as neighbors made the journey convenient and hassle-free.
---
As we entered the house, I couldn't help but notice Ximara peering inside. Curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to ask Luis. "Do you live here? How about your condo?" I inquired.
Luis hesitated for a moment, his eyes glancing around the room. Memories seemed to flood his mind, and his voice carried a tinge of sadness as he began to speak.
"When we were still together, I dreamt of building a life here with you. But then, you left me. It felt like my world was crumbling, and no matter where I turned in my condo, your presence lingered. Even being in this house now, I still struggle to forget you," he confessed, his words weighted with both longing and pain.
Overcome with emotions, I couldn't hold back tears any longer. I always assumed that I was the only one suffering in our broken relationship, not realizing that Luis, too, carried his share of anguish.
"I'm sorry," I struggled to convey my remorse, mustering every ounce of strength to apologize. Regret laced my voice as we remained locked in an embrace.
"It's okay," he whispered soothingly, his warm breath tickling my ear. As our eyes locked, I could see the love and reassurance shining in his gaze. "As long as we're okay right now, that's all that matters," he continued, his voice filled with conviction. The weight of his words lifted the burden from my shoulders, reminding me that the present was what truly counted.
"You said yes when I asked you to marry me, so there's no taking it back," he affirmed, a hint of playfulness lacing his words. The corners of my lips curved into a smile, unable to resist his charm. I chuckled softly and gently pulled away from our warm embrace, my laughter filling the air.
"I love you," I passionately declared, the intensity of my emotions pouring forth with every syllable. The depth of my affection for him was immeasurable, and I couldn't help but let it spill out.
"I love you more," he responded with a tender sincerity, his voice filled with adoration. Our lips were mere inches away from uniting in a passionate kiss when we were interrupted by a cheerful voice.
"Mommy! Daddy! Where's my room?" our daughter Ximara exclaimed, bursting with excitement as she bounded into the room. A wide grin spread across her face, her energy filling the room.
Luis and I shared a knowing look and burst into laughter at Ximara's eager question. "Later," I whispered to him, my voice carrying a flirty tone accompanied by a seductive smile. I playfully brushed past him, immediately making my way over to Ximara.
"Don't tease me, Mia!" he playfully admonished, his eyes glinting mischievously as he followed behind me towards our daughter.
Together, we embraced the joy and beauty of our little family, savoring the love and unity that bound us together.