The lights were soft, mingling with a faint melody in the background. The restaurant was quiet, as if the entire space had been designed just for them. Janice sat across from Lexus, and the air between them felt heavy—not just with romance, but with emotions that needed to be spoken.
Lexus's eyes traced Janice's features, clearly wanting to say something.
"Janice… we need to talk," he began, calm yet direct.
Janice nodded, pausing thoughtfully before replying.
"Sure… What's on your mind, Lexus?"
Lexus drew a deep breath. "I… I can't help it sometimes, when I see you with Alonzo."
Janice looked at him, slightly taken aback. She hadn't expected that. "You mean…?"
"Jealousy," Lexus answered, quiet but clear. "I know you may not feel the same, but I can't lie to myself… sometimes it irritates me because it looks like you're happy together, and…" He paused. "It feels like I'm losing you."
Janice exhaled softly, staring at her plate. She didn't want the situation to be like this, surprised by Lexus's confession.
"I didn't expect… that you still love me, even now," she whispered.
"But Alonzo… he's just a friend. And you know our relationship ended long ago."
Lexus breathed deeply, locking eyes with her.
"Janice… if I ever had a second chance with us, I would do everything differently, and I wouldn't deceive you again… I want you to know that. But I'll respect your space. I just…" He paused again. "I just needed you to know how I feel."
Silence enveloped the table. Only the soft clinking of utensils and glasses filled the air.
Janice, still gazing at him, gradually recalled the weight of the past.
Flashback Scene…
The mansion's living room shone brightly, adorned with decorations and lush greenery. A long table overflowed with food and cake. Her family and Lexus's friends were all present.
A group of men lined up in front of Janice, each carrying a poster. Each one read: "Will you marry me?"
Janice didn't know how to react. Even though Lexus had deceived her in the past, this moment—the surprise proposal—was supposed to be a turning point.
"Janice, I want you to marry me," Lexus had said, holding her hand amidst the crowd.
But Janice remembered everything—from the happiness of their past relationship to the betrayal that left her broken. Tears had drained her, and the pain Lexus caused erased all the love she once felt for him.
Janice paused, taking a long moment before speaking.
"Lexus… I'm so… sorry, but… no. I can't," she said softly, yet with firmness.
Tension filled the room. Her parents were stunned, clearly angry.
"Why not?!" her father demanded.
"I'm not ready… I feel it's not the right time for me to get married," Janice replied, hiding the lingering resentment in her heart.
Everyone stared at her, including Lexus's parents. Bernadeth's disappointment was evident.
"If you won't accept Lexus's offer, then leave this house!" her mother, Rose, shouted.
"Please… calm down, Rose. Janice might just be confused. Let's give the kids time to think," Bernadeth responded gently.
Unable to hold back her emotions any longer, Janice fled the mansion, ran to her car, and drove off without hesitation. She didn't know where she was headed; all she wanted was to escape.
Lexus had intended to follow her, but Bernadeth stopped him.
"Where are you going, son?"
"I need to follow Janice, Ma. I can't just let her go," Lexus replied, already stepping into his car.
"Please, son, calm down. Give her space. She might just be overwhelmed by your proposal," Bernadeth urged, holding him back by the arm.
Lexus had no choice but to stay, though he wanted to chase her. Janice, meanwhile, stopped at a high, wide area. Only grass surrounded her, and the city lights sparkled in the distance. It was the perfect place to be alone, even if just for a moment.
"You can do this, Janice. Don't give up. Stand your ground," she whispered to herself as tears streamed down her cheeks.
Her parents had wanted her to marry Lexus, partly for business—the vast Marasigan estates and wealth were their priority. They had no concern for the hardships she endured because of Lexus's deception.
That's when Janice began leaving her old life behind—armed with her personal credit card, which her parents later blocked. She forced herself to work, study, and fight for her independence, hiding the true state of her life.
[Back to present]
Janice let out a sigh.
"Sometimes… I feel like I can't take it anymore. All the responsibilities—as a scholar, as Student Council President… it's heavy. I try to handle everything, but sometimes I just break down from exhaustion."
Lexus nodded silently, listening.
"Janice… I understand, but why don't you try going back to your parents?"
Janice smiled faintly, tinged with sadness. "I can't, Lexus. I need to prove that even without wealth, I can graduate without their help. Besides, I know they've already left me behind here in the Philippines."
Lexus nodded. "I get it… and maybe, just maybe, that's why I still like you. Because you fight for yourself. Even when… even when you carry secrets."
"Please, Lexus, I hope everything about me remains a secret," Janice said, worried.
"Alright… okay. But please, give me a second chance, Janice. I'll give you time to think."
"How many times have I told you, Lexus, I don't feel anything for you anymore? Ever since you deceived me… I didn't mean for it to happen, but there's nothing I can do."
"I won't give up, Janice. I'll stay here for you." —Lexus gently touched her hand.
They sat in silence, staring at each other. The light above them felt like a spotlight on their emotions.
It was hard for Janice to hide her true self, even harder knowing she still had to stand up for herself. Most painful of all, her parents had shown no understanding of her feelings, leaving her behind. She had a sibling, Lyca, studying in the States with their parents.
Narrator's note:
Now that Lexus has confessed his feelings, how will Janice handle it? Especially since Lexus seems to hold a condition over her—he knows her secret and asks for a second chance at a relationship that had long ended. Can Janice sacrifice her own emotions just to keep Alonzo from discovering her secret? Will she find a way to change the course of her life? Stay tuned!
"Ma'am Janice?" —a Student Council member greeted her in the office.
"Yes, Amy?" Janice replied, busy with the documents before
her.
"You have a visitor… They seem really excited to see you."
"Huh? A visitor? —"
To be continued…