Some people really can't appreciate something.

The true value of a thing or person cannot be appreciated.

Then when it's gone, it's just them.

The true value of a thing or person cannot be appreciated.

Then, when it's gone, they'll just look for it and/or appreciate its value.

I'm Maxine, 25 years old.

In a relationship with my boyfriend Feliz

This relationship we both didn't want. 

We are the ones that our respective parents intend to marry because if we are the ones who get married, they say that our company and theirs will collaborate.

And this will be one of the richest and most powerful companies not only in the Philippines but in the whole world. find and/or appreciate its value. 

Feliz and I couldn't do anything but follow. 

Of course they are parents; we are just children, so if we refuse. Or if we try to revise the situation, we will also be wrong. 

But I'll admit, all my pride, even my stubbornness, suddenly disappeared.

Wait?! Am I falling for this guy?

I don't understand because, over the days, it seems like I'm slowly learning to love him.

I don't know!

Confirmed, I like him. 

Yes! I have real feelings for Feliz that I can't explain where I got them from.

But I really know that everything is just an effort.

He doesn't like me, but I like him? So what do I do?

If only you knew how I stopped myself from falling for this man.

Because everything is forced.

But fate is very playful, and I liked this guy too.

But what? I like him, but he doesn't like me.

"Sis, that's right. Crying destroys beauty." Xyna , my friend. 

"Sis, I don't know anymore!! I don't know how! How this lazy heart liked her! I'm a mess!" Annoyed if loud while crying.

I felt dizzy because of too much worry. 

"Sis, just have faith; do you realize that he also likes you? He just can't say it. Try to admit it while reducing the weight of what you are carrying." Xyna

"What if he avoids me? We know that trying everything will only hurt me more." I bowed my head. 

"There's nothing wrong with confessing, Maxine, as long as you know that what you say comes from your heart."

Maybe this is the time to reduce the burden on my heart.

I will be honest with him, even though I am not sure that he will like me either.

"Good day, Mr. and Mrs. Del Mundo." I greeted, Tito and Auntie, while bowing slightly.

"Oh! It's you, Maxine; come on in! Good day too." Tito greeted me enthusiastically and hugged me. Aunt is like that too. 

"So, what are you doing here? What's up now? Would you like to talk about the collaboration?"

I shook my head.

"I'm sorry, Tito, but I'm not here for that; I just want to talk to Feliz. Where is he, by the way?" I asked. 

"Oh, he's in his room," he said and smiled. 

"Thank you." I was quick to respond and immediately went to Feliz's room.

I'm here in front of his bedroom door now. 

I bit my bottom lip before I tried to knock. 

"Feliz? Are you there?" I said while knocking. 

I knocked three times before he opened the door for me. 

"Oh Feliz, I just want to talk to you." I couldn't finish what I was going to say.

I give him a smile. 

"I'm going to set you straight; I won't make everything more complicated," I said and bowed. 

He kept looking at me and didn't say a word. 

"I want you." I said directly and looked away.

"I know that our relationship is forced, but I don't know how I gradually fell in love with you. I tried to stop myself, but... I couldn't do it. I couldn't do it," I said.

I dared to look up at him. 

"I'm sorry." He only promised. 

"But I don't like you... And I will never like you," he said. 

My heart shattered into pieces. 

I just nodded and tried to smile. 

"I understand, I'm sorry," I said before I closed the door. 

As long as possible, I stopped my tears from falling. 

But I can't. 

A tear fell until they fell one after the other.

I quickly ran out of their mansion. 

"Maxine? Where are you going?" Aunt screamed. 

But I didn't look at them and just continued running. 

It's rude to be rude. But my heart is broken now. 

I hail a taxi and immediately get on it. 

"It's so bad! It hurts!" I sobbed.

"Cheer up, ma'am, whatever you're going through," the taxi driver said. 

He plays some sad music while I'm bursting in tears. 

"What about me? I've fallen for you~" song lyrics that seem to match what I'm going through right now. 

I sobbed even more. 

You are sick, Manong!

I have arrived here at our mansion. 

I ran into the mansion sobbing.

"Ma'am! Wait!" shouted the taxi driver. 

"What?! Why?!" annoying to say the least. 

"You haven't paid yet!" 

And shit!

I took a thousand from my wallet and gave it to him. 

I didn't wait for the change. 

It's really a deputy, oh oh! I'm ready to play drama!

I just went straight to my room. 

There I poured out all the grievances and pain I felt. 

"But I don't like you... And I will never like you."

The more that I remember what he said earlier. 

The more I burst into tears. 

Is it really that easy for him to get rid of me? 

I hope I don't confess to him. 

I wish I could hide my feelings. 

I thought it was a wrong decision to confess to him. 

If I didn't confess, maybe I wouldn't be hurt like this?

"Bestie, you're crying. That's right!" Xyra will let me live again. 

The second time I cried because of him. 

But the pain I feel now has doubled. 

"You said that the pain I feel will lessen if I confess to him...??" I said.

"But why does it seem to get worse?! Why do I only get hurt more?!" I added. 

I heard Xyra sighed. 

"It's normal to feel hurt when you confess and then get rejected, but at least the burden you feel will be lessened," he said. 

I looked at her confused. 

"At least you're not blind. And you're not living a lie. As they say, the truth hurts. But that hurt is worth it, trust me," she said.

I wiped my tears and smiled at her. 

"Thank you," I said and hugged her. 

"You're always welcome, sissy. As long as you need me, I'll be here by your side, okay?" she said and caressed my face. 

Xyna is one of my friends that I always lean on whenever I'm sad. 

That's why I consider her a sister. 

I love her. 

I'm thankful that I have her in my life.

"Hey, sweetie," said mom and kissed. 

"What's up, sweetie? Why do you want to talk to us?" Dad asked.

"I just want to talk to you about Feliz and I's arranged marriage," I said and took a breath. 

"What about that? Is there any problem?" 

My tears flowed. 

"I don't think that this freaking forced relationship will work out." My voice broke. 

"Sweetie, didn't we tell you, you too will learn to love each other in the long run?

Just trust us." Dad. But I shook my head.

"Will you learn?! Dad?! Yes! I've learned to love him, but him?! He keeps pushing me away! Because he doesn't love me!" I shouted at them.

"I don't want this relationship anymore. I don't want it anymore!" I said. 

"Sweetie, I'm sorry but you have to do this for the sake of our company." mom 

"So that sneaky company is more important? Than your daughter's feelings? You don't know how I suffer and get hurt while I'm here in this strained relationship!" I've been waiting for a long time. 

They remained silent. 

"We're sorry sweetie, there's nothing we can do about it. Talk is talk. I know you will learn to love each other too" said dad. 

"Dad! Hear your words! It's hard to save a relationship, if only one wants to get out! This relationship wouldn't work out!" I said. 

I was in the middle of a drama when suddenly someone called dad's cell phone. 

"I'm sorry." He apologized. 

"Honey, this is Mr. Del Mundo," Dad said to mom. 

"We're sorry sweetie, but we don't have enough time for this." 

It's always like that. 

You really don't have time for me. 

You don't listen to me. You don't listen to my side.

I returned to my room anxious and not in the mood. 

Lazy if I took my phone and went on Facebook. 

There was a post where Feliz kissed a girl. 

Yeah whatever! 

I kept scrolling, and all his pictures were passing through my news feed.

I kept crying. 

Why do you want to hurt me?! 

Facebook is also hurting me by repeatedly showing me pics of Feliz with different girls. 

But what right do I have to be jealous when I'm just a part of his life?

My eyes are swollen from crying all night. 

"Ma'am Maxine, it's time for breakfast," Manang Celia called me. 

But I just didn't say anything. 

I went to the dining table, and there were mom, dad, and Michael waiting for me. 

"You're here, sweetie. Take your breakfast now," Mom said. 

I noticed that dad was looking at my face. 

But instead of asking me about my condition, he just shrugged his shoulders. 

"Sweetie, your dad and I are going to the states; we're going to take care of something," Mom said. 

States again. They are always there. Otherwise, always out of the country! 

"Mr. and Mrs. Del Mundo is going to the states with us, so while we are not here, you will stay at their mansion; is that ok with you?" said Dad. 

"Yes! I can play with Francine!" Michael was happy. 

I just looked away. 

"Is there something wrong, sweetie?" Mom asked. 

"N-nothing," I replied and tried to smile. 

We are dead now.

Today is the day they will leave.

They were going to the airport while we were going to Feliz's mansion. 

My heart was pounding even before we left. 

I thought that maybe he just didn't like me because I wasn't pretty enough. 

So I put on makeup before we left. 

"Get ready, Feliz. You will see what you wasted," I said as I poked my face in the mirror. 

"Sweetie, how long?" asked Dad from outside. 

"5 more minutes!" I shouted.

After a while, I came out and saw the shock on their faces. 

"Sweetie?! Are we leaving OR you?" Mom said while looking at me. 

"You're so pretty, sweetie!" said Dad. 

"You're beautiful, sister!" It's Michael. 

"Gosh! Little thing!" I said and put on my shades and got into the car.

FAST FORWARD. 

We are now here in front of Feliz's mansion. 

I rang the doorbell. 

Their assistant opened the door for us. 

I went straight inside their mansion, and all the servants looked at me. 

I saw Feliz staring at me now too. 

He was in the living room holding the controller of his video games. 

He returned to his trance when the games rang; he lost.

"This is the beginning of my revenge," I promise.

I am now in a room with my brother while we are organizing our things. 

"Hey, why are you wearing my pants?" I said to Michael when I saw him holding my pants. 

"Hey, I don't know why it's in my bag! Maybe you put it there?!" 

"You're going to blame me?! It's mine!" I screamed and grabbed my pants from him. 

We were in the middle of fighting with Michael when Feliz suddenly appeared. 

"That's you." I looked at him. 

I let Michael out of the room first so Feliz and I could talk. 

His gaze is only on me. 

His eyes have no emotion.

"What are you doing in our mansion?" He said directly. 

"You don't know yet? Our parents are in the states. We will stay here until they return," I reply. 

He was silent at what I said. 

His gaze stayed on my face. 

"Is there something wrong with my face?" I asked. 

He didn't say a word and ran out of the room. 

What's up there?

FAST FORWARD. 

It's dinner now. I was gossiping here with a nanny who I became close to a while ago. 

That is Manang Tess. 

Manang Tess is one of the longest-serving and most trusted nannies here. 

She also took care of the siblings when they were children until now. 

That's why Feliz's respect for her is so high. 

Me because even if he respects me as a person, he can't do it. 

Which is sad because I have feelings for him.

Manang Tess is now cooking the siblings their favorite Kaldereta. 

Kaldereta is also my favorite. 

I also have my own Kaldereta recipe. 

I begged Manang Tess if I could cook Kaldereta today. 

"Manang Tess, can I cook the Kaldereta now? I just want to try my recipe," I said. 

She refused, but I persisted. 

For a long time, she also agreed. 

I added paprika to the sauce and thickened it to make the taste stronger. 

I have finished cooking. 

And Manang Tess has tasted my cooking? 

"How is it?" I asked. 

"Wow! How did you do it? You're better than me."

The three siblings are already sitting at the table, and Michael and I. 

They can taste my cooking. 

I helped the maids prepare and serve. 

"What are you doing, Ija? Why are you helping us?" Manang Tess said jokingly.

"Nothing, I'm just working hard! I'm getting ready for my future husband," I said

"Your husband will be lucky." 

“True, kind and hard working”

I saw Feliz looking at me again, but now his look was mixed with surprise. 

HAHAHAHAHAHA

This is it! The moment of truth! 

My heart pounded when I saw that Feliz was already scooping up what I cooked and putting it on his plate. 

I was even more nervous when I saw that he was about to eat the rice that I cooked

He chewed and seemed to notice a change in the Kaldereta he usually eats. 

I bit my lower lip. 

"Momma Tess? Did you change the mixture of Kaldereta?" Feliz asked Manang Tess tenderly.

"It's delicious! It's so delicious! It's even better than last time!" said Francine. 

"It's good, Momma Tess." Felix. Feliz's twin. 

"Umm kids, I didn't cook that... Maxine cooked that. It's good and you liked it!" Manang Tess said proudly. 

I saw the shock on the faces of the three of them. Especially with Feliz

"What?! That's why it's different! It's too salty! And that's not good for your kidney! But it's a waste if I persevere," said Feliz. 

I fell into sadness. 

"What are you saying?! It's delicious!" Felix looked at him. 

"Don’t listen to him, it is delicious, sister Maxine!" said Francine. 

I lost my appetite when I heard those words from him. 

I burst into tears, so I left and ran into my room. 

This is it. Crying 

I just know that he really doesn't want me anymore. 

At first I saw that he was amazed when he didn't know that I was the one who cooked. 

But when he found out that he hates food so much.

I don't know what I will do to make him like me. 

He really doesn't like me...

MANANG TESS POV. 

"You really don't like the dish?" I asked Feliz because he seemed to be shaking while chewing his food. 

"Because if you don't want it, I'll just order," I added. 

"Don't like the dish?! Or the cook?!" Felix's groin.

"Fuck you!" Feliz exclaimed. 

"Watch your words! That's not what I taught you!" I will warn Feliz.That makes him stopped. 

"Sorry, Momma Tess. It's ok, I can eat it, it will be a waste if we just going to trow it," he said. 

"Eh, why do you look like a very much disgusted? Besides, you're the only one who acts like that! You are acting like you're eating dirt!" I preached to him. 

That makes him bowed his head.

"Be honest with me, Feliz, what's your problem with Maxine?" I asked. 

He was speechless. 

"Hey, Bro Felix, what's the plan later?"His brother asked him.

I just shook my head.

They finished eating, and I saw Feliz going to his room. 

I pulled his arm, causing him to wonder. 

"Where do you think you're going?" I asked him firmly. 

"To my room? Why?" He replyed.

"You broke Maxine's heart! Maybe you want to apologize to the girl," I said. It retreated from its place. 

"I'm going to apologize to her?! No way! You must be joking!"

"Does it look like I'm joking?!" I said loudly, and his eyes widened. 

He frowned. 

"Fine!" He spoke briefly and went to Maxine's room.

MAXINE'S POV. 

I'm still crying now. I still can't move on from what happened earlier. 

I was startled when suddenly I heard someone knocking. 

It only took three knocks before I opened it. 

And Feliz exposed himself to me. 

I was about to close the door when he stopped me. 

"Let me talk to you for a while," he promised coldly.

He opened the door and went straight inside. 

He approached me and looked me in the eye.

"I'm sorry," he said coldly. 

"I'm sorry for how I treated you earlier." He said.

I didn't say a word and just looked away. 

"Don't you hear me?! I said I'm sorry!"He said irritably.

"You can go now." I was a cold demeanor that made him wonder. 

"Are you accepting my sorry or what?!" He shouted annoyingly.

"I don't need your dmn fake sorry! I want to be alone! Leave me alone!"

"I'm apologizing; you should be thankful!" 

"Don't you hear me?!! I said, Go! Get out of my fcking room! Get out of my fcking life!" I shouted. 

"If that's what you want! Then OK!!" he shouted and went straight out of the room.

He left me in tears. 

Am I really that useless? 

Is it against his heart to treat me right?! 

How can I convince him to love me?

Even just respecting me as a person is something he still can't do? 

Is that really it? 

Maybe the time will come when I will get tired and give up.

FUN FACT:

Kaldereta is a Filipino meat stew that is traditionally served with a side of white rice. Although any kind of meat can be used in the stew, beef and goat are the preferred options. The dish is influenced by three centuries of Spanish colonization, and the word kaldereta is derived from the Spanish caldereta, meaning cooking pot or cauldron. Besides meat that is used in the dish, other ingredients include mashed liver, tomato sauce, and seasonings such as onions, salt, pepper, and garlic.

Kaldereta is often garnished with sliced tomatoes, chopped onions, or fried potatoes on top, and can be found in numerous Filipino turo-turo joints.