Ties and Promises ❤️

Ash rested her head on Andres's chest, listening to the rhythm of his heart as if it were the safest metronome in the world. There, between tangled sheets and touches still echoing on their skin, there was no past or future. Only the now.

Andres ran his fingers through the loose strands of her hair, almost absentmindedly, eyes half-closed, a serene smile on his lips. She drew circles on his abdomen with her fingertip, and for a moment, the world stopped.

The phone's ring broke the silence.

Ash stretched out her arm, still a bit lazy, and smiled when she saw her mother's name.

"Hi, Mom?"

"Hi, sweetheart. I'm thinking of making a special lunch today. Can you come? Invite Andres too, okay?"

Ash smiled, already looking at him.

"Of course. We'll come."

Andres was already watching her with that calm, patient gaze, as if hearing her voice was more important than any commitment in the world.

"Official invitation: lunch at my parents' place. We've got an hour and a half."

"Then we better shower soon," he said with a crooked smile, "or we'll be late."

She laughed, getting up reluctantly. And surprisingly, despite the tension still lingering between them, they managed to get ready with admirable discipline.

Ash came out of the shower with damp hair, wearing something simple. Andres was adjusting the cuffs of his white shirt in front of the mirror. Black pants, a subtle watch, and the perfume... that perfume that already lived in her nerves.

She stopped at the doorway, watching him tenderly.

"I think I'll need to swing by my place to change clothes..."

He turned with a knowing smile.

"No need."

He handed her a small, elegant box.

Ash raised an eyebrow.

"What's this?"

"A gift. I was waiting for the right moment."

Upon opening it, she found a delicate pale pink silk dress.

"It's... beautiful. Thank you, Dres."

He approached slowly.

"I saw this dress and thought of you. It would only look beautiful because you would be wearing it. You're dazzling, my white rose," he said with a low, sweet voice.

She smiled, her cheeks turning rosy.

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Moments later, she came out of the closet wearing the gift. Andres watched in silence, as if she had just redefined the concept of beauty. He stepped forward, wrapped his arms around her waist, and kissed her intensely.

"We need to go," she whispered, smiling against his lips. "You still wanted to buy something, remember?"

"For your family. I want them to know how important they are to me too, even though we've only met a few times. Especially your grandma."

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On the way, they stopped at his private wine cellar. Andres chose two vintage red wines. Then, they made a quick stop at Greenbelt Mall, where he bought a game for her younger brother and flowers for her mother and grandmother.

"Taking care of those I love... is taking care of myself too," she commented, watching the care he put into choosing each detail.

"I know. That's why I want to do this. If they're well and happy, you will be too. And that's what matters most to me."

Ash squeezed his hand and responded with a gentle kiss, one that said: you understand even what I can't say.

"You're already part of all this, Andres. They really like you."

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They arrived at the Olviga house shortly after noon. The front door was open; voices drifted from the garden.

Mrs. Joan greeted them first, with a warm smile and a welcoming hug.

"Andres! So good to see you, dear."

"The pleasure is mine, Mrs. Olviga," he replied, handing her the wine and flowers. "Just a small way to thank you for having me."

Mr. Bernie appeared next.

"Look who came prepared! Nice way to impress," he joked. "I did the same when I met Joan's parents. And look at us now. Good to see you again, young man."

Andres laughed, shaking his hand firmly. "The pleasure is mine, sir."

Ashley and Allia came down excitedly.

"Ash, my sister!" Ashley shouted, running to hug her.

Allia came right after and also pulled Ash into a tight hug, both greeting Andres respectfully.

"Hi. Welcome," said Ashley.

"Hi, future brother-in-law!" joked Allia.

Ash and Andres exchanged a smile.

Anderson arrived last. When he received the present, his eyes lit up.

"For me? Thank you!" he exclaimed, shaking Andres's hand before Ash pulled him into a hug.

She whispered:

"Point for you, Dres. You've won the Olviga clan."

He bent down, speaking softly:

"Of all of them, you're the one I most want to win over, my mutya."

She blushed, as always. Little did he know, there was nothing left to conquer. She was already entirely his.

The last to arrive was Grandma Olviga. She walked slowly but with the grace of someone who had lived well and deeply. She opened her arms to Andres as if she'd known him forever.

"Andres!" she said warmly, embracing him.

"Always good to see you, Grandma Olviga," he smiled, handing her the flowers.

"Thank you, my dear. These are beautiful."

Out in the garden, the table was lavishly set. During lunch, amid laughter and stories, Grandma commented:

"When I was young, my father used to say: 'We don't need to be the greatest, only the most honest.' And look at us now, after years leading in the fish trade in Quezon City."

Ash smiled, touched.

"That phrase always moves me, Grandma."

Andres listened intently.

"I think that explains a lot of Ash's strength, her perseverance, her honesty."

Mrs. Joan laughed while serving rice.

"She takes after her great-grandfather. Just with a dash of artistry."

Anderson chimed in:

"And with our dad's stubbornness."

Laughter filled the table. Andres seized the moment:

"My family shares similar values. We don't always get what we want, but honesty and unity always keep us strong. I'm very proud of what my ancestors built."

His sincere tone earned kind looks and genuine smiles. Ash watched him with a love that needed no caption.

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After lunch, Mrs. Joan and Mr. Bernie invited them for a private conversation on the porch.

"Daughter, we see you're happy. But... happiness needs a solid foundation," Joan said gently. "Are you two ready for the days when loving will be harder?"

Ash intertwined her fingers with Andres's.

"We're building that foundation together. Every step with intention. We choose each other every day, even when it's not easy. We're learning to listen and to grow side by side, Mom."

Mr. Bernie crossed his arms firmly.

"I like you, Andres. But I'm a father. And my job is always to be a little skeptical."

"And I respect that, sir," Andres replied with conviction. "I promise to be with her through the hard days too. Because that's when love proves itself. And I'll do everything I can to show how much she means to me, even if it'll never be enough."

Ash squeezed his hand and smiled. They didn't need to say anything else.

Hours later, with the sun dipping low on the horizon and conversation drifting between memories and plans, Ash stood gently.

"I think it's time for us to go," Ash said, hugging her family and saying her goodbyes.

Andres nodded.

"Thank you for the warm welcome. It was wonderful spending the day with your family."

"It was a pleasure to have you here, Andres," said Grandma Olviga. "Come back anytime you like."

"Thank you," he replied with a smile. "It'll be a pleasure."

"See you later, Ashdres!" shouted Ashley, Allia, and Anderson.

Already in the car, Ash leaned back with a light laugh.

"They enjoyed having you here today."

Andres looked ahead, but his voice came out low and intimate:

"And I enjoyed being here. With them. With you."

There was a pause. Then, he added more shyly:

"Would you like to... come back to my place?"

She turned to him, smiling sweetly.

"If it's fine with you, yes, Dres."

He leaned closer, whispering near her face:

"Having you with me is the best part of my days."

"Can we stop by my place real quick? Just to grab a few things."

"Of course, my mutya."

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At her apartment, Ash gathered her essentials, toothbrush, facial soap, moisturizer, perfume, pajamas, and a change of clothes, then returned to the car.

"All set. Thank you, Dres."

"Don't thank me, my mutya. You have no idea how much you already do for me... just by being well. By being alive. And by being at my side."

She kissed him. A sweet, silent kiss. One that said: thank you for taking care of me.

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Back at his apartment, Ash stored her things and went to shower. Andres did the same. And though separated by walls, their thoughts stayed connected, intensely.

When Ash stepped out of the bathroom, wrapped in nothing but a towel, the slippery floor nearly betrayed her, but strong arms stopped her from falling.

"Andres?" she said, surprised, her eyes meeting his... and his bare chest, still damp, with a towel around his waist.

"Careful, my mutya. I don't want to see you hurt."

As was his habit, he lifted her in his arms in bridal style. He carried her to the bedroom, and she wrapped both arms around his neck, hiding her face in the curve of his collarbone.

He teased, his face too close:

"Are you blushing, Ash?"

She laughed, shy, and replied:

"I don't want you to let me sleep tonight, Andres."

A lascivious grin appeared.

"Since that's the case... I really don't intend to," he whispered, his lips grazing her ear in that husky voice that always made her heart race. Just like everything about him.

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Author's Note:

This chapter has come to an end...

If you enjoyed it, don't forget to leave a star and add it to your reading list or library!Suggestions, comments, and kind words motivate me to keep writing.Thank you for following along with this story.See you in the next chapter! 😊

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