"We just met. We barely know each other. Don't you think you're moving too fast, Julian?" Fiona said.
"I told you, I'm a straightforward man. I don't like going in circles. You're the only woman who has attracted me this much. It's always been easy for me to get any woman I like. They come and go. But I never felt with them what I feel for you right now."
"W-well, I'm flattered. But wouldn't it be better if we got to know each other more before talking about marriage?"
"Yeah. You should be flattered because you're the only woman I've ever proposed to. And you won't regret it. I can give you everything—everything money can buy. A grand wedding, a honeymoon in Europe or anywhere you wish. Switzerland, adventurous Australia, romantic cities like Paris. Anywhere. Whatever you desire, I'll give it to you. Just be my wife."
Paris? Fiona froze when she heard that place. If she married Julian, he would immediately take her to Paris? And she would finally get the chance to see her mother.
"Fiona?" Julian called, impatient for her answer.
"I must admit, you're such a nice and lovable person. In fact, any woman would envy me right now. But please, give me enough time to think about your marriage proposal, Julian."
"Okay, I have no choice but to wait. But I hope it won't take too long," he said.
Julian drove her home after dinner, with his own driver behind the wheel.
What Fiona didn't know was that as Julian's Volvo pulled out from Isabelle Hotel, Hendrick's taxi was parked nearby. He gripped the steering wheel tightly when he saw the car drive away.
Later, Fiona invited Julian to her home to introduce him to her father and stepmother. Julian agreed, but he barely sat down before leaving.
"He's the answer to my dreams, Aunt Nona," Fiona said once Julian had gone. "He's handsome, isn't he? And would you believe it? He already proposed marriage!"
"Don't tell me you're just going to grab the chance because he's a millionaire?" her father interrupted, sipping coffee in the back.
"Isn't that my luck, Papa? He promised me everything— a grand wedding, travels abroad, a luxurious life, and anything I could ever ask for—"
"Money alone can't make a person happy, my child," he reminded her. "Yes, you're lucky he proposed marriage. But think it over seven times before deciding."
"What else should I look for in Julian, Papa? He's mature, intelligent, from a good and respected family. He can give me everything I ever dreamed of. Why should I hesitate?"
"Yes, it's wonderful to sleep at night knowing that when you wake up, you can have breakfast in a five-star hotel and greet the sunrise from the terrace of your mansion. But it's far more wonderful to fall asleep beside the man you truly love."
With that, her father walked away, his arm around his wife.
Fiona was left deep in thought. She knew exactly what her father meant.
The next morning, Fiona overslept, having stayed awake late the night before. After all, who could sleep easily when a millionaire had just offered you a grand wedding?
"Fiona, your ride is waiting!" her father called from outside her room.
"Tell him I'll be just a minute, Papa!" she shouted back while dressing.
Instead of letting Hendrick wait in his taxi, her father invited him inside.
"Have some coffee first. My daughter takes forever to get ready. You know how women are, with all their rituals," Mang Teddy said.
"Thank you, sir. I don't mind waiting," Hendrick replied politely.
"You know, son, if I didn't already know you're a taxi driver, I'd think you were some actor. Are your parents Spanish?"
"My grandmother on my mother's side was Spanish," Hendrick answered after sipping his coffee.
They chatted while waiting for Fiona.
"So Fiona's your only child?" Hendrick asked.
"Yes. That's why she's a little spoiled with me. I never even let a fly touch her. When she was little, if she got the tiniest scratch, I would panic."
"Why didn't you have more children?"
"Well… her mother left. She followed her family to Italy, leaving Fiona and me behind. I had to be both father and mother to her. That's why I only remarried when I was much older."
Hendrick saw the sadness on the man's face and understood his pain.
"But I still managed to raise Fiona with my small business—a delivery truck for hauling fruit to Manila, plus a little mango orchard. That's what paid for her education."
"That's your livelihood?" Hendrick asked.
"Yes. But my truck is old and constantly breaking down. I want to buy a new one, but I don't have the money. I thought about pawning the orchard, even this house and lot, just to afford a new truck. But I doubt it will be enough. And banks charge such high interest these days."
Hendrick's mind quickly worked.
"Don't worry, sir. I'll see what I can do to help. I'll mention your problem to my godfather. He's wealthy, with more money than he knows what to do with. He lends on mortgage but with very low interest."
"Really?" Mang Teddy's face brightened. "Thank you in advance, son. A new truck would really help. I could earn five thousand pesos a week if my truck was in good condition."
Just then, Fiona came out of her room, all dressed up.
"You and Papa seem to vibe well," Fiona commented once she and Hendrick were in his taxi.
"Kind of. He told me about his truck problem, and I want to help him."
As if you could really help, Fiona thought to herself.
That morning, Fiona received another invitation from Julian—this time for lunch. The note even came with a rose.
She agreed to meet him again. Over lunch, Julian once more brought up his marriage proposal.
"At the last quarter of this year, I'll be going to Europe. If you accept my proposal, I'll take you with me."
Europe? The word echoed in Fiona's mind. She couldn't help but think of her mother in Paris again. If she married Julian, she would finally reach Paris and face her mother.
Maybe Julian really is the answer to my prayers, she thought.
She could finally do what she'd long wanted—to confront her mother for abandoning her and her father.
But then she remembered Aunt Nona's advice. She needed to know Julian better before rushing into marriage.
"I still haven't decided, Julian. Give me at least a week to think about it. I like you, no question about that. But I want us to spend more time getting to know each other before making such a serious decision. I hope you understand. It's not that I'm playing hard to get. But I don't want to be hasty. Marriage is a serious matter. There's no need to rush, is there?"
"I respect your decision. And I admire you for it, Fiona. If you were like other women, you wouldn't think twice. You'd grab my offer for the luxurious life that awaits you."
"If I'm going to marry you, I want it to be because I like you—or even better, because I love you. Not just because of what you can give me."
Fiona knew she was only half-truthful. The reality was, even if she didn't yet love Julian, she wouldn't pass up the chance to get to Paris and face her mother.
That afternoon, when Hendrick picked her up, he handed her a bouquet of multicolored roses.
"Who are these flowers for?" she asked in surprise.
"Who else? Your father?" he teased with a smile.
"What are these flowers for?"
"Silly question. Why does a man give flowers to a woman? To borrow money?"
Fiona laughed as she smelled the roses. "Don't tell me you're courting me?"
"Only if I pass your standards…" Hendrick said with a playful grin that made him even more attractive.
"Don't you have a girlfriend yet?"
"If I did, I wouldn't be courting you."
"With your looks, you haven't charmed anyone yet?"
"None. I don't make a habit of sweet-talking women. When I court someone, it's real. But for the past five years, I've courted no one. I've been too focused on work."
"What if I said yes to you? But you haven't even graduated yet. What if I suddenly asked you to marry me and take me to Paris for our honeymoon?"
"I'd save up."
"Unlikely."
"What's unlikely?"
"That I'd do nothing but wait for you. Wait for you to graduate, to pass the board, to get a job and save up. What if I get tired of waiting?"
"If you love me, you'll endure a simple life until I succeed."
Fiona smirked. "And what if I can't endure it?"
"Nothing is impossible for someone in love."
"And how are you so sure I'll fall in love with you?"
"Because you'll never find another taxi driver as handsome as me," Hendrick said with a hearty laugh.
"My standards are high. You might not reach them."
Hendrick seemed like he wanted to say something but held back.
Fiona grew curious when Hendrick pulled into a small roadside restaurant.
It was a simple place, air-conditioned but not as cozy or posh as Royale Cuisine.
"They have good food here," Hendrick said proudly, pulling out a chair for Fiona.
"What do they serve?"
"Their pancit canton is great. Also the siomai and baked macaroni. And they make the best guyabano shake. What would you like?"
"Do you come here often?" Fiona asked.
"Yeah."
"Maybe just siomai and the bacon-mushroom sandwich."
"What about drinks?"
"You said their guyabano shake is good? I'll try it."
"That's all?"
"I'm still full. I had a heavy lunch with Julian."
"Julian?" Hendrick's smile quickly vanished.
"My suitor who's checked in at Isabelle."
"The one you had dinner with?"
"Yes," Fiona replied. "So are we ordering, or are we just going to talk?" she snapped.
Hendrick waved to a waiter and gave their order.
"I saw the latest Volvo model drop you off after dinner. Your suitor must be something," Hendrick said seriously.
"He's not just something. He comes from a family of bankers and real estate developers."
"Looks like I've got a tough rival," Hendrick said firmly. "But I'm the type of man who fights. I don't back down from any challenge."
Fiona saw the determination in his eyes. He really seemed serious about courting her.