"Am I too late?" Seth's voice finally broke the silence, soft yet heavy with emotion.

"Too late?" Yssa repeated, her brow furrowing in confusion as she held his gaze.

"Glenn?" His name lingered in the air, the question weighted with uncertainty.

"I couldn't marry Glenn," she said, shaking her head, a gentle smile forming on her lips. "I'm in love with you." Her voice dropped to a whisper as her hand reached up to touch the side of his face, the warmth of her palm sending a shiver down his spine.

Sensing the intimacy of the moment, Jane quietly excused herself. She knew they had much to talk about and left them to it, slipping downstairs for her cup of tea.

That night, under the soft spell of rain falling over Lake Palace Hotel, Seth and Yssa sat on the veranda for hours, the world beyond them fading into the mist. She explained everything.

Seth leaned back in his chair, listening intently. "Your father told me your godmother was Jane Atienza, not Jane Villalva."

Yssa smiled warmly. "She's Mrs. Jane Villalva now. She got married just two days ago. The hotel manager here? He's her husband." She paused, chuckling softly. "Maybe my father just forgot about her new last name."

Seth nodded, the pieces starting to fall into place. "So that's the ceremony your dad mentioned..."

Yssa laughed lightly. "He even gave you her old address. I bet you met her mother instead—gray hair, with a cane?"

Seth smiled, remembering. "Yeah, I did. I didn't understand a word she said."

"That's because she only speaks Manobo," Yssa said, her laugh bubbling through the rain-soaked night.

Seth also laughed, shaking his head. Then, after a long pause, he turned to her again, the weight of his next question hanging in the air. "Your father also mentioned Glenn being with you. And when I asked the clerk, she said two Ordonios are staying in a room here."

Yssa nodded, her expression softening. "Glenn was here, yes. He came with me to make sure I'll be fine, but he left right after he brought me to Ninang Jane's house."

Seth's brow furrowed. "But Brandon said you came here with him."

Yssa sighed, the weight of the past days seeming to settle on her shoulders. "Yes, that's true. Glenn insisted on coming. He didn't want me traveling back alone."

Seth's jaw clenched slightly, the hint of jealousy hard to miss. "So, he cared about you."

Yssa smiled again, her gaze steady on his. "Yes, he did. He told me exactly that."

Seth looked away, his face tight, processing the words.

"But you know," Yssa's voice softened, "no matter how many times he said he loves me, no matter how much he showed he cared, my decision was final."

Seth glanced at her, the question burning in his eyes. "And what was your decision?"

Yssa held his hand gently, her touch anchoring him. "That I love you," she said, her voice unwavering. "And I could never marry someone I don't love."

Seth turned to face her fully now, his heart pounding. "What about the Ordonios in Room 04?"

Yssa's smile grew, a playful glint in her eyes. "Seth, Glenn isn't the only Ordonio in the world, is he?"

* * *

They talked long into the night, their conversation flowing effortlessly until the early hours of the morning. Yssa finally returned to her room about an hour before dawn, leaving Seth alone with his thoughts. He lay awake, replaying everything they had said, everything they had shared. As first light approached, he couldn't shake the restlessness inside him.

Ten minutes before the sun began to rise, he slipped out of bed, dressed, and stepped outside into the misty morning. The hotel was wrapped in a heavy, dripping fog, a light drizzle still falling from the sky. He pulled on the gray jacket he had worn the day before—fresh from the dryer, thanks to the hotel maid—and grabbed his Maglite flashlight. The lake stretched out in front of him, shrouded in mist. Faintly, he could hear the calls of sea birds waking up, their wings flapping through the fog.

Guided by the beam of his flashlight, Seth made his way down the stone steps toward the water, the world quiet around him. He wasn't entirely sure why he was out there so early—maybe it was his way of processing everything, of celebrating the love he'd found with Yssa. Maybe he just needed a moment alone to think about what the future held for the two of them.

He reached the dock and sat down, gazing out across the lake and back toward the resort's shoreline. The gentle sound of small waves lapping against the dock filled the silence as he let his thoughts drift. The misty rain soaked into his clothes, but he didn't care. He was lost in the memory of Yssa, imagining her asleep in her room above him.

As dawn broke, the sky lightened slightly, a translucent glow filtering through the fog. Seth stared into the distance, lost in thought, when a familiar voice broke the silence.

"Good morning, Seth."

It was Yssa. She stood there with a small umbrella, holding two cups of hot tea.

He smiled at her, his heart lifting. "Good morning, Yssa. Come, sit beside me."

She handed him the cups, and he placed them on his left before she sat down to his right. She set the umbrella behind them and rested her head on his shoulder. Seth wrapped his arm around her waist, his hand gently caressing her. The two of them sat there in silence for a long while, warmth and contentment settling between them.

Finally, Yssa broke the quiet. "Seth," she said, her eyes soft and full of affection as they met his, "we're booked here for another two nights. Can you stay?"

He thought about it, letting the idea settle in. The hell with the three-day quest, he thought. He'd rather be here, with Yssa. "If that's what you want, then I will," he replied softly.

She hesitated for a moment, then continued, "If it's okay with you, we can go to my house. I'll formally introduce you to my family."

Seth smiled. "Sounds good to me."

"I love you, Seth," she said, nestling her head against his shoulder again.

"I love you too," he whispered, holding her close as the world slowly awoke around them.

* * *

Seth called Jeanne. Her happiness for Seth was immediate, and she insisted on speaking to Yssa. Seth watched from the hotel lobby as Yssa giggled, covering her mouth as she whispered into the phone. The sound of her laughter filled the space between them, and Seth couldn't help but smile.

They stayed at the Lake Palace for two more nights. Yssa shared a room with Jane, while Seth extended his stay, booking another two nights. Each afternoon, they swam in the pool, and each evening, they dined on the veranda, their meals served on white linen beneath the soft glow of the moon. But it was in the quiet of the night, when the hotel had gone to sleep, that Seth would knock on Yssa's door. She would rise carefully from bed, so as not to wake Jane, and slip into Seth's room, where they made love until exhaustion took them both.

After checking out and saying goodbye to her Ninang Jane, they returned to Davao City. The Gonzales family greeted them warmly, Yssa's parents enveloping them in love. For the first time, Seth sat down with Mrs. Gonzales, and he found her to be welcoming and kind, a masterful cook whose meals reminded him of his sister's.

That evening, Seth joined Yssa's brothers, Aaron and Joshua, for a game of basketball just down the block. While they played, Yssa and her father sat on the porch, watching and talking.

"Yssa, are you happy?" her father asked gently.

"Of course, Daddy," she smiled. "Why?"

"I just want to be sure," Bernardo said, placing a soft kiss on her forehead, his smile warm and reassuring.

The next morning, Yssa woke to find Seth cleaning the bathroom. He flashed her a playful smile and winked before continuing his task. As she made her way to the living room, she saw her mother coming in from the front door.

"Mom, why is Seth scrubbing the toilet?" Yssa asked, surprised.

"He volunteered," her mother replied with a smile. "He was up early, mowing the lawn. He keeps asking your father if there's anything else he can do." Mrs. Gonzales beamed. "He's a hard worker, honey. And I can see in his eyes how much he loves you—he wants to please us, too."

Later that afternoon, Seth and Mr. Gonzales headed to a nearby creek for a little fishing. They talked easily, first about boats and engines, then about cars, discovering how much they had in common. After a while, a quiet pause settled between them, and Seth took a deep breath, gathering his courage.

"Pastor, sir," Seth began slowly, clearing his throat. "There's something I'd like to ask your permission for."

Bernardo looked at him, curious but calm. "Go ahead, son. What is it?"

"I'd like to ask for your daughter's hand in marriage," Seth said, his voice quiet but sincere. "May I marry her?"

Bernardo studied Seth's face for a few moments, then smiled. "It's all right with me, son. But you'll need to ask her mother, too."

When they returned from the creek, Seth found Mrs. Gonzales in the kitchen, helping Yssa with dinner. As soon as Yssa stepped away, Seth approached her mother.

"Ma'am, I'd like to ask for your blessing," he said, echoing his request to Mr. Gonzales. "May I marry your daughter?"

Mrs. Gonzales smiled kindly. "Son, it's for you and Yssa to decide. But if you're asking me, I think it would be wonderful."

With her blessing, Seth felt as though he were walking on air. He hadn't even proposed yet, but he already felt like the happiest man alive.

The next day, Seth invited Bernardo to join him at the creek again. This time, he asked Yssa to bring them some snacks later, and she agreed with a smile, asking what they'd like. Her father suggested sandwiches and spaghetti, and Seth nodded in agreement.

At 9:00 a.m. sharp, Yssa and her mother walked through the trees toward the creek. From a distance, Yssa could see her father crouched by the shore, busy with his tackle, while Seth waded knee-deep in the water. She smiled as she spread out a blanket and laid the picnic food.

"Come join us!" Angelita called out, waving to the men.

They all gathered on the blanket under the shade of a large acacia tree, the river flowing gently beside them. The sound of birds singing and the sight of fish jumping from the water filled the air with life, and they laughed together as they ate.

"This is perfect," Yssa whispered to Seth. "I can't imagine anything better."

Seth took her hand, his expression turning serious. "Yssa, there's something I want to ask you."

He glanced at her father, who gave him a nod of encouragement. Reaching into his pocket, Seth pulled out a small jewelry box. He took off his sunglasses, bent down on one knee, and opened the box, revealing a delicate platinum ring.

"With your parents as our witnesses, Yssa, I'm asking you to be my wife. Yssabelle Gonzales, will you marry me?"

Yssa blushed, caught off guard by the proposal. Her parents had kept Seth's plan a secret, and now they watched, smiling, just a few feet away. She looked at them briefly before turning her gaze back to Seth.

"Yes," she whispered, and her parents clapped in delight.

Seth let out a breath, wiping his forehead in mock relief as he sat back down beside her. "That was harder than I thought," he laughed, as Mr. Gonzales reached over to shake his hand.

It was a moment they would all remember forever.

* * *

July 24, 2011. Almost ten years had passed since Seth found Yssa at that hotel in the middle of Lake Sebu. Now, they sat side by side on the front porch of their own house in Bataan, sipping tea and wrapped in their thoughts.

It was another cloudy mid-July afternoon, and their two children played in the front yard—the eldest, a girl, and their youngest, a boy. The gentle hum of their laughter filled the air.

"What are you thinking about?" Yssa asked softly, her voice breaking the quiet as she took a sip of tea.

"You," Seth replied, turning to look at her with a smile. "I was thinking about that time I looked for you in Lake Sebu. Do you know that was perhaps one of the best moments of my life?"

"Why do you say that?" Yssa smiled, curious.

"Because," Seth began, his voice tender, "I wouldn't be this happy, right now, in this life if I hadn't found you."

"Me too," she whispered back, her smile deepening.

As Seth gazed up at the overcast sky, Yssa spotted their youngest, Micah, stumbling over a toy truck on the lawn. Without a second thought, she rushed over to help him up, her motherly instincts as sharp as ever.

Seth watched her from the porch, his heart full. Oh, Yssa, you never cease to amaze me, he thought. Every time I look at you, I see all my dreams come true.

He stood and followed her into the yard. Yssa sensed him coming—Seth's once stealthy steps no longer fooled her. She turned toward him, smiling.

That smile—it was the same one she'd given him a thousand times before, but every time, it told him everything he needed to know. She loved him.

Their eyes met, holding each other's gaze for a long moment. Seth stepped closer, gently cupping her cheek in his hand. "I love you, Yssa," he said, his voice steady. "Then, now, always. You are the love of my life."

Yssa smiled softly, her eyes full of warmth. "I know," she said, reaching for his hand. "I love you, too. More than you'll ever know."

Above them, the clouds thickened, and birds began to retreat to their nests, sensing the coming storm. A low rumble of thunder echoed in the distance.

"Let's call the kids inside," Seth whispered, still holding her hand.

Yssa nodded and called for Anna and Micah. They ran over quickly, their faces bright despite the darkening sky.

"Dad, can we visit Lolo and Lola soon?" Anna asked as they reached the porch.

"Yeah, Dad! And can Tita Jeanne and Ate Elisha come too?" Micah chimed in, clapping his small hands with excitement.

Seth glanced at Yssa, and she gave a nod of approval. He crouched down to meet Anna's eyes.

"Alright, this weekend, we're off to Davao!" he said in a playful, sing-song voice, lifting Micah into his arms. "And yes, they can come too, Micah."

As he carried their son inside, Yssa and Anna followed, as the soft, steady rain of late July descended.

- THE END-