Special Chapter

Jhoanna & Stacey’s POV

Jhoanna's POV

Five years. Five freaking years since Stacey and I got married, yet every morning, it still feels like a dream. Hindi lang ‘yon—ngayon, may anak na rin kami. From being her mistress to lovers, tapos now, I get to wake up next to her and our little girl? Life really is wild.

I stretched my arms, glancing at Stacey, who was still sleeping beside me. She looked so peaceful—so soft—na parang hindi siya ‘yung terror CEO na kinakatakutan sa buong LSA Corp. I smiled, tucking her hair behind her ear before whispering,

"Stacey, wake up."

"Hmm… five minutes, Jho," she mumbled, burying her face against my chest.

I laughed softly. "Five minutes? Babe, baka mamaya, maghapon ka nanamang tulog niyan."

She groaned. "It’s weekend. No work. Let me sleep."

Napaisip ako. True naman. Weekend ngayon. At mukhang pagod pa rin siya sa work this week.

"Fine," I sighed, pulling her closer. "Pero ikaw magluto ng breakfast mamaya ha."

"Ikaw."

"No, ikaw."

"Jho, ako nga nag-adjust kagabi na hinaan yung aircon, gusto mo pa ako magluto?"

Napatawa ako. "Staks, di ko naman kasi sinabing hinaan mo eh."

She opened one eye, smirking. "Kasama ‘yan sa package deal ng pagiging asawa ko, alam kong nilalamig ka na."

I shook my head, smiling. Every day with her still feels surreal. Akala ko before, relationships get boring after a while, but with Stacey? She makes even the simplest mornings feel special.

Biglang bumukas ang pinto.

"Mommy! Mama!"

A small, energetic voice filled the room as our three-year-old daughter ran inside, clutching her stuffed bunny. Napabangon agad si Stacey, while I barely had time to react before our little girl jumped onto the bed, giggling.

"Jordy, careful!" Stacey scolded, pero halata sa mukha niya na hindi niya kayang magalit.

"But Mommy, I want cuddles!" Our daughter pouted, reaching for Stacey’s face.

"Jusko, kamukhang-kamukha mo talaga ‘tong anak mo," I teased, watching how their expressions matched perfectly.

"Excuse me, ikaw ang may contribution d’yan!" Stacey shot back, raising an eyebrow.

"Tama na nga yan, cuddle time na!" Our daughter demanded, squeezing herself between us.

At that moment, with our little family in bed, I knew—I already had everything I could ever wish for.

---

Stacey's POV

A week before our fifth anniversary, napansin ko na parang may binabalak si Jhoanna. She’s been extra secretive lately, lagi pang may ka-text.

So naturally, na-curious ako.

One night, habang inaayos ko ang papers ko sa study room, lumapit si Gwen at Sheena.

"Stacey, may lakad ka ba next weekend?" Gwen casually asked, pero halata sa mukha niya na parang may tinatago.

"Hmm. Wala pa naman. Why?"

Sheena grinned. "Basta, wala ka dapat schedule nun ha, ipacancel mo lahat."

I narrowed my eyes. "Wait—anong meron?"

Nagkatinginan silang dalawa bago biglang nagpaalam.

Suspicious.

The next few days, I started noticing more weird things. Si Maloi at Colet, biglang naging sobrang secretive. Si Mikha at Aiah, panay ang iwas sa tanong ko. And Jhoanna? Lagi siyang abala sa kung ano man ang pinagkakaabalahan niya.

"Hmm. This is interesting," I muttered.

---

Jhoanna's POV

Finally, dumating na ang araw ng surprise anniversary celebration ko for Stacey.

Hinanda ko ang isang private garden venue, may fairy lights, candlelit dinner, and a mini stage where our friends were waiting. At siyempre, may special spot for our daughter, na excited na excited sa part niya sa surprise.

Habang inaayos ang lahat, tumawag si Ate Colet.

"Jho, ready na kami. Si Maloi na bahala sa pagkain, si Gwen at Sheena sa music, at si Mikha at Aiah, well… may sariling mundo nanaman"

I laughed. "Okay, thanks, guys. Dapat perfect ‘to."

Few hours later, dumating na si Stacey.

"Nasan tayo, Jho?" she asked habang may blindfold pa rin.

"Patience, wifey"

I guided her inside, then slowly removed the blindfold.

When she opened her eyes, her lips parted in shock.

The entire place was glowing with lights, flowers, and elegant decorations. Sa gitna, may candlelit dinner na pang-dalawa… at isang maliit na upuan para kay Jordy.

"Mama! Mommy!" Our daughter waved excitedly. "Surprise!"

"Jhoanna…" Stacey whispered, turning to me with wide eyes.

"Happy anniversary Mrs. Robles" I said, squeezing her hand.

She was speechless. Alam kong bihira siyang mawalan ng words, kaya alam kong tama ang ginawa ko.

"Grabe ka…" she murmured, looking around. "You planned all this?"

I nodded. "Of course. Diba sabi mo before, ‘you don’t have to top this next year’ nung ikaw ang nag-surprise sa akin? Well, guess what? Hindi ko kaya ‘yun."

Stacey chuckled before pulling me into a soft kiss. "I love you, Jho."

"I love you more."

Napatingin kami sa anak namin, na ngayon ay busy nang kinakain ang cake kahit wala pang nagsasabing pwede na.

"Mommy, Mama, look! I made a mess!" she proudly announced, showing her chocolate-covered hands.

Stacey groaned, but I just laughed.

"You know what, Jho?" I whispered to Stacey.

"Hmm?"

"Kahit anong mangyari, kahit ganyan pa kadungis ang anak natin, or kahit anong gulo ang mangyari in the future… Isa lang ang sigurado ako."

She raised an eyebrow. "Ano ‘yon?"

I pulled her close, kissing her softly before murmuring,

"You and our daughter will always be my home."

Mikha & Aiah.

"Hoy, Mikha Lim, stop flirting with Ate Aiah at tulungan mo kami dito!" Maloi shouted while fixing the table.

Mikha turned to Maloi with a dramatic gasp. "I’m not flirting! Why does everyone accuse me of that?"

"Kase totoo naman," Gwen deadpanned, not even looking up from arranging the candles.

Mikha scoffed, crossing her arms. "Guys, it’s not my fault I’m this good-looking. Baka naman si Aiah ang nagfa-flirt sa akin."

Aiah, who was busy fixing the wine glasses, rolled her eyes. "Gosh, Mikha. Hindi lahat ng tao naa-attract sa’yo."

"Really?" Mikha smirked, stepping closer to Aiah, lowering her voice. "Then explain that one night years ago."

Aiah tensed for a second, but the way her lips twitched slightly gave her away.

She sighed, shaking her head with a small smile. "Hay nako, let’s just help them, Mikha Lim."

Mikha laughed before picking up a tray of plates. "Fine, fine. But you’re blushing, sweetheart."

"I am not," Aiah said quickly, turning away to hide her face.

But everyone knew.

---

Five years ago, Mikha and Aiah’s story was nothing short of chaotic.

It started with a mistake—a one-night stand in the middle of Aiah’s failing marriage with Taneo. At that time, Aiah was desperate for an escape, and Mikha? She was just there, at the wrong place at the wrong time… or maybe the right place at the right time.

Neither of them expected it to mean anything. Aiah was still married, Mikha was emotionally unavailable, and whatever connection they had was supposed to end the moment the sun rose.

But fate had other plans.

Taneo’s downfall was messy, public, and painful. When he was finally arrested for his crimes, Aiah found herself free but lost. She wasn’t used to being alone, to making choices that were only for herself. And Mikha? She was there. Not pushing, not demanding—just there.

"I don’t need saving," Aiah once told her.

"I know," Mikha had replied. "But I’m still here, just in case you need someone to remind you that you’re not alone."

At first, it was just casual meetings—coffee dates that didn’t feel like dates, late-night conversations that always ended with “hindi ito something, okay?” But the more they denied it, the more it became undeniable.

And one day, Aiah stopped pretending.

"I don’t want this to be just something casual Mikha" she confessed.

Mikha had smirked, but her voice was serious when she said, "Good Because I've been serious about you for a long time."

---

Now, standing side by side while preparing for Jhoanna and Stacey’s anniversary, Mikha stole a glance at Aiah.

"Kahit anong gawin natin, 'no? Lagi tayong nagiging center of attention dito" she joked.

Aiah huffed a laugh. "But at least this time, it’s a different kind of attention."

Mikha nodded, nudging Aiah’s shoulder. "The good kind?"

Aiah smiled softly. "The peaceful kind."

Mikha smirked. "Peaceful? Bub, that's so boring. Want to reenact the first time we met?"

Aiah shot her a look. "I swear, Mikha, if you don’t shut up—"

Mikha grinned, wrapping an arm around Aiah’s waist and pulling her close. "What? You love me anyway."

Aiah rolled her eyes, but she didn’t pull away. "Unfortunately."

And that was enough.

Maloi & Colet

"Uyab, bakit ba ikaw ang nagpipilit magluto?" Colet asked, crossing her arms as she watched Maloi plate the dishes with so much focus, as if she were preparing a gourmet meal.

"Para special, syempre!" Maloi grinned, carefully placing the last piece of garnish on the plate.

Colet sighed, shaking her head with a small smile. "Kahit sino naman magluto, special pa rin ‘to."

"Oo nga," Maloi smirked, wiping her hands on a towel before turning to Colet. "Pero mas special kapag ako ‘yung nag-effort para sa’yo at para sa inyo"

Colet tried to maintain her serious expression, but the blush creeping up her cheeks betrayed her.

I chuckled, watching them banter. Three years later, and they were still the same—Colet, the rational one, always the voice of reason, and Maloi, the over-the-top romantic who never missed a chance to make Colet blush.

---

Five years ago, their story started in the most unexpected way—a blind date that wasn’t even supposed to happen.

Maloi had agreed to the setup, thinking it was just a casual way to meet someone new. But when the time came, her supposed date never arrived. Instead, Colet showed up, looking slightly awkward but still effortlessly elegant.

---

"Uyab!" Maloi’s voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

"Hmm?" Colet blinked, watching as Maloi slid a plate in front of her.

"Tikman mo nga," Maloi said, leaning on the counter with a proud smile. "Baka sabihin mo pangit ang luto ko."

Colet eyed the dish, then Maloi, before sighing dramatically. "Sige na nga." She picked up a spoon, took a bite, and paused.

Maloi leaned in closer. "So…?"

Colet chewed slowly, then looked Maloi dead in the eye. "Pwede na."

Maloi gasped, clutching her chest. "Wow. Ang sakit naman nun. 'Pwede na' yun lang reaksyon mo?!"

Colet fought back a smile. "Ano bang gusto mong marinig?"

"Gusto ko ng, ‘Wow, Uyab! Ang galing mo! Ikaw na talaga!’"

Colet finally laughed, shaking her head. "Okay, fine. Wow, Uyab. Ang galing mo. Ikaw na talaga!"

Maloi smirked. "Diba? Sabihin mo na kasing swerte mo na ako ‘yung naka-blind date mo dati."

Colet rolled her eyes but leaned in just slightly. "Hmm… pwede na."

And that was enough.

Gwen & Sheena

Si Gwen at Sheena naman, abala sa pagpili ng tamang music para sa celebration.

"Bebe, eto nalang kayang kantang toh?" Gwen suggested, playing a soft love song on her phone.

Sheena tilted her head, nakikinig sandali bago umiling. "Hmm… no, eto nalang bebe oh." She scrolled through her playlist at nagpatugtog ng ibang kanta—mas upbeat pero may romantic vibes pa rin.

Gwen crossed her arms. "But mine sets the mood better."

Sheena raised an eyebrow. "And mine keeps the energy alive."

They stared at each other, tahimik saglit.

"Okay, both," sabay nilang sabi bago parehas tumawa.

Napalingon ako kay Stacey, na nakatayo lang sa tabi ko, at nagkatawanan kami. Kung meron mang relationship na mas magulo kaysa sa amin noon, walang iba kundi yung kina Gwen at Sheena. Pero ngayon? In sync na sila—happy, effortless, parang automatic na nilang naiintindihan ang isa’t isa.

---

Gwen and Sheena had always been sweet—kahit bago pa sila officially naging couple.

It started as an unspoken thing, yung tipo ng connection na mas nauna pang napansin ng ibang tao bago nila inamin sa isa’t isa. Lagi silang magkasama, lagi silang nag-aasaran, lagi silang nagkakatitigan na parang lumiit ang mundo tuwing magkalapit sila.

They weren’t just partners; they were best friends first.

Sheena had always been the confident one, yung laging buhay ng party, while Gwen was the quieter, more composed half of their duo. Pero kahit magkaiba sila ng personalities, they balanced each other perfectly—parang effortless lang yung relationship nila, kahit in reality, dumaan din sila sa maraming growth and understanding.

"Kelan kaya tayo noh?" Maloi teased from the side, nakangisi habang pinapanood silang dalawa.

Sheena rolled her eyes but smirked. "Ikaw? Antayin mo muna si Ate Colet mag-propose."

Gwen laughed, slipping her arm around Sheena’s waist. "No rush, we’ll get there when we get there bebe."

Sheena hummed in agreement, resting her head against Gwen’s shoulder. "We already know where we’re headed, anyway."

And they did. Maybe the wedding could wait, but their love? That was already certain.

Stacey's POV

As I watched everyone laughing and celebrating around us, I tightened my grip on Jhoanna’s hand.

Five years. Five years since we stood in front of everyone, vowing to love each other forever. At that time, I thought I had already felt the peak of happiness. Pero ngayong nandito ako, kasama ang asawa ko at ang anak namin, surrounded by our friends who became our family, I realized—hindi pa pala.

We’ve been through so much—, misunderstandings, long nights filled with doubts and fears. Pero kahit anong dumaan, kahit anong pagsubok, we still chose each other.

And that’s why, standing here, looking at everything she prepared for tonight, I felt my heart swell with so much love.

"Nagustuhan mo ba?" Jhoanna whispered beside me, her voice laced with nervousness.

I turned to her, my heart softening. "Jho… this is perfect."

Her shoulders relaxed, and she let out a breathy laugh. "Buti naman. Akala ko kanina, may sablay na naman ako."

Napailing ako, chuckling. "Ikaw pa? You always find a way to make things special."

She smirked. "Tama lang. After all, ikaw ang pinaka-special sa akin."

I rolled my eyes playfully. "Naging smooth talker ka na talaga, ‘no?"

She laughed, then pulled me closer.

"Let’s dance?" she asked, her voice gentle.

"I thought you hated dancing?" I teased, raising an eyebrow.

"For you, I’ll do anything Staks."

My heart skipped a beat. Even after all these years, she still knew how to make me fall in love with her all over again.

She led me to the center of the garden, under the twinkling fairy lights. Our daughter, watching from the sidelines, clapped her chocolate-covered hands.

"Go, Mama! Go, Mommy!" she cheered, giggling.

Our friends, ever the chaotic bunch, started whistling and teasing.

"Grabe, PDA alert!" Maloi called out.

"Akala mo naman hindi tayo nagyakapan kanina!" Colet shot back, laughing.

Mikha and Aiah were having their own world in the background, habang sina Gwen at Sheena naman ay kumukuha ng pictures namin.

Jhoanna placed her hands on my waist, swaying us gently. I wrapped my arms around her neck, resting my forehead against hers.

I closed my eyes for a moment, letting myself melt into her embrace. The world faded, leaving just the two of us, moving together under the stars.

And in that moment, I knew—this was just the beginning of forever.

Jhoanna's POV

Holding Stacey in my arms, swaying gently to the music, felt surreal. Parang nasa pelikula kami—yung tipong slow motion, may romantic na background music, at biglang may fireworks sa langit. Pero sa totoo lang, wala namang fireworks. Yung ilaw lang sa garden yung nagfi-flicker kasi mukhang maluwag na yung wiring.

Tumingala ako sa kanya, grinning. "Stacey, alam mo bang mahal na mahal kita?"

She smirked, pero kita ko na tinatago niya yung kilig. "Gaano kamahal?"

Napaisip ako saglit. "Hmm. kahit nilalamon ka ng pride mo minsan, mahal pa rin kita. Kahit na masungit ka pag gutom ka, mahal pa rin kita. Kahit na—"

"Okay, okay, gets ko na," she cut me off, rolling her eyes pero namumula na yung tenga. "Pwede bang less roasts, more romance?"

Napatawa ako, tapos hinila siya palapit. "Fine, fine. Pero seryoso, Stacey, You’re the best thing that ever happened to me."

Napa-"aww" yung mga kaibigan namin sa paligid, pero si Ate Maloi ang pinaka-maingay. "Grabe! Si Jhoanna, nagmature na!"

Sa gilid ng paningin ko, nakita kong tumatakbo si Jordy palapit sa amin, dala ang stuffed bunny niya.

"Mama, Mommy! My turn!" she giggled, reaching out her tiny arms.

Napatawa si Stacey bago siya yumuko para buhatin ang anak namin. I wrapped my arms around both of them, our little family swaying together in the middle of the garden.

Our friends watched from the sidelines—si Maloi at Colet, obviously kinikilig sa eksena; si Mikha at Aiah, na nagbabangayan na naman; at sina Gwen at Sheena, na mukhang sobrang enjoy sa pagkain.

Everything felt surreal.

Five years ago, hindi ko inakalang ganito ang magiging ending namin ni Stacey. We started as enemies, as two people who swore they would never get along. Pero heto kami ngayon, masaya, buo, at higit sa lahat, nagmamahalan.

I looked at Stacey, who was already looking at me.

"I love you," I whispered.

She smiled, pressing a soft kiss on my forehead. "I love you more Lewser"

I glanced at Jordy, who was grinning up at us. "What about you, baby? Do you love us?"

She giggled before wrapping her tiny arms around our necks. "I love Mommy and Mama the most!"

Stacey and I laughed, holding her tightly between us.

As the music continued playing, as the stars twinkled above us, I knew—this was just the beginning of forever.

From behind, Mikha suddenly joked, "Wow, who would've thought that the wrong wedding would turn out to be the right story of your life?"

Stacey chuckled, shaking her head. I smiled, looking at my wife and our daughter.

Mikha was right. Sometimes, the decision you thought was wrong… is actually the one that leads you to the right person.

This was our story—unexpected, imperfect, but undeniably ours. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Hello po!

Happy  Jhocey Day! I made this special chapter just for today, and I’m excited to share even more stories with you. Stay tuned for my next Jhocey FanFic! Happy Jhocey Day Ulit mylabs!🌸✨

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