A/N: Salut, Amores! I hope you will still with me until I finish this story. Thanks for reading.  Anyway, just wanted you to know that something good happened and it might be my reason to continue writing on this platform. When I made that announcement the last time, saying that I would stop writing, I already made up my mind to stop writing for at least a year. But then, unexpectedly, I received good news. Not sure yet but after we finalized everything, I'll let you know my final decision. Have a nice day. Enjoy. :)

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SABINA's POV

All the resentment inside of me came back like a vengeance and my emotions turned haywire. All the resentment, anger and pain were potent combination, enough for me to lose myself.

Even though my mother and I managed to get out of Safe Haven safely, the experience would surely stay with us for the rest of our lives.

"Why are you giving me this?" I asked Xzavier coldly as I met his gaze. Yes, the necklace was beautiful and obviously expensive but I didn't want to keep something from him with these negative emotions still lurking inside of me.

"Because that's rightfully yours, my Ina. That's my heart and I hope, you will cherish it." The corner of my lips lifted as I chuckled full of bitterness.

"I don't have any reason to accept this. We're nothing but strangers to each other anyway. Well, aside from knowing each other's names and that's all." I took his hand and returned the necklace to him. I was about to pull back my hand when he stopped me by holding me by the hand as he shook his head.

"You're wrong, Ina, and you know it. Everything that we shared in the past was very special and I will treasure those memories for the rest of my life. Even though it was short, those special moments with you were the best days of my life." He then placed the necklace back to my palm.

"Please, accept it, my Ina." He then closed my palm and then let go of my hand. "I know, it will be difficult for you to forgive me but I will do everything in my power for my feelings to reach your heart once again." He then smiled.

"Damn. I can't believe I'm saying these cheesy words. Before I met you, I was confident that I would never fall into a woman and let her control my feelings until I go crazy over her. But now, I don't care if I'm being corny as long as I tell you what's really inside of me. Even if people would hear it, I couldn't care less because I'm just being true to myself." My foolish heart skipped a beat.

"You're just wasting your time." I uttered and a sad but determined smile appeared on his face.

"Maybe but I will never give up. That's how much I love you." I gritted my teeth.

"Don't ever spew lies!" I snapped at him before turning my back on him and walked away. How could he say those words without even blinking an eye? I wanted to get away from him because I didn't want to hear another lie from him but I didn't expect what he did next which made my heart pound like a drum.

"I love you, my Ina, and that's not a lie. I'm not ashamed to shout that to the world because you're that special to me. I want everyone to know that no matter what happens, you're still mine and I'm yours." Everyone around us were busy chatting but when they heard what he said out loud, they stopped talking and looked at the two of us in shock.

Even I was shocked, didn't expect him to say that out loud that even my parents clearly heard it.

I didn't know what to do. Everyone was looking at us confusedly and I was at a loss for words but Xzavier looked like he didn't care as he walked up to me, gently held me by the shoulders and made me face him.

Our gazes locked and I clearly saw how he was looking at me ever so livingly. Just like he did before...

"Ina..." He was about to say something but I pushed him away before hurriedly picked up my sarong from the picnic blanket and used to cover myself up before walking out of there with long strides.

"Ina, wait!" Xzavier called for me and probably was about to follow me but I heard my father talked to him.

"Mr. Montaño, I think it's better for you to not follow her for now. Give her time." That was all I heard because I quickened my pace without any destination in my mind. Then, after about three minutes, I stopped and sat under the big tree.

My chest felt so heavy and I felt like it would explode. Then, I felt something drenching my cheeks. I touched it with my finger tips and realized that they were tears. I chuckled full of bitterness. Yes, I'm crying again because of Xzavier.

Years ago, I promised myself not to cry over him no matter what happens, but now, it arrived to a point that I couldn't take it anymore. I needed to cry it out. Then, after a couple of minutes of silently crying alone, I sensed a presence before me.

"Sweetie..." I looked up and saw my parents looking at me worriedly. Another batch of tears fell from my eyes as I stood up and threw my arms around my parents. They didn't ask any question and just hugged me until my tears finally stopped...

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I sighed for the nth time while staring at the necklace I was holding that Xzavier gave me on my birthday. I just finished getting dressed after taking my bath and was about to blow-dry my hair when I saw the necklace.

I didn't have the chance to give it back to Xzavier because of everything that happened that day that's why I didn't have a choice but to keep it for now.

It's been three days since then and I heard from someone in the ranch that he left the ranch the other day and went home.

After the stunt he pulled at the falls in front of everyone, he didn't show himself to me again until he finally left. I chuckled mirthlessly. He probably got intimidated by my father who was always with me these past few days.

"Sab?" I was pulled out of my deep thoughts when someone knocked and called me from the outside of my room.

"Yes, mom?"

"Lucas and the others are here. They want to talk to you." My eyebrows creased. Why are they here?

I quickly returned the necklace inside the small box and then put it back inside the drawer before going out of my room.

"They're at the patio." My mom informed me and I nodded my head. We both went down and she went to what she was doing while I on the other hand went to the patio. It's Sunday today that's why we're preparing to go to the church later.

"What are you guys doing here?" I asked the children upon reaching there.

"We just want to ask if you would come to the church later, Sabina." Lucas answered which made my forehead crinkle.

"Of course. What kind of question is that?" The kids shared a look.

"Okay, then. We just came here to tell you that we would like to claim our reward today so wanted to ask if you could come with us to have some ice cream at the park. You're part of the winning team anyway." It was Katie.

"I already told you that I—"

"—Yes, you told us that you wouldn't come with us but now that Mr. Montaño's not here, we don't have an adult who could accompany us to the park because everyone's going to be busy later. You're our last hope, Sabina. My mom said that I could go as long as you would be with us." Lucas said.

"I'm the same, Sabina. My parents would only allow me if you'd be with us." Another one of the children said and everyone said the same thing.

"C'mon, Sabina. Say yes, please." George said with puppy dog eyes and everyone did the same thing.

"I thought, you preferred to just go to the playground near the church after the mass?"

"Yes, but today's different. We just want to go somewhere and enjoy our prize. Our parents are going to stay behind after the mass because there's a meeting. C'mon, Sabina. Come with us." Looking at their begging faces, my heart melted. I heaved a sigh.

"Fine. I'll go with you but on one condition. Everyone will behave, okay?" Their faces brightened in so much joy.

"Okay, Sabina." They then happily answered. After that, they decided to wait for us and when my parents were finally ready, we went to the church together with the kids. Apparently, their parents knew that they would be going to the church with us so they went on ahead.

As usual, we had our Sunday activities after church and after that, me and the children went to the nearby park where there was an ice cream, burger and pizza stand. But instead of going to the stand right away to order, the children were looking around as if looking for someone.

"What are you still waiting for? I thought you wanted to come here to eat?" I asked them.

"That's weird. He told us that he would be here." Lucas uttered.

"Who are you talking about?" I asked curiously and they were about to answer when I saw their faces brightened up when they saw someone behind me.

"You're finally here!" They merrily chanted.

"Of course. I promised, right?" My body went frozen upon hearing that voice. I thought, he already left the ranch? How come he's here?!

The children happily went up to him. I slowly turned around, hoping that I was only hearing things; that he wasn't the one who arrived but that was just a wishful thinking because it was indeed him.

"You...I thought..." It was the only thing I could utter while staring at him. He smiled.

"Yes, it's me, Ina. I'm sorry, I'm late. It was traffic." My jaw slacked open. I couldn't believe that the children tricked me!

"Lucas, can we talk?" I asked him since he was the eldest among the children. His eyebrows furrowed.

"Why, Sabina? What's wrong?"

"Just come here." I insisted and he obliged. We went away from them so that no one could hear us.

"Why did you guys lie to me?" I then asked him.

"Lie about what? We never lied."

"But you said that Mr. Montaño isn't here that's why you asked me to accompany you, right?"

"Yes. He said that he wouldn't be able to pick us up from our houses that's why he asked us to come here to the park. Of course, our parents didn't allow us walking by ourselves to the park. But when we asked them if we could go with you, they agreed, so we asked you to come with us. Besides, you're part of the winning team anyway, so it's just right that you come with us." I face-palmed.

"Are you mad, Sabina?" I could hint the worry in his voice. I sighed and then smiled at him.

"No. I was just surprised that he's here. I thought, he already left the ranch."

"Yes, he already left the ranch but he came back just to treat us just like he promised." I could see the joy and excitement on his face.

"Okay, since he's already here with you, I think, I'm going. I have something to do at home. Tell him to drop you home after, okay?"

"You're going to leave us? Why? Don't you want to be with us?"

"Of course, not."

"Then, why are you leaving?"

"Because—"

"—You're leaving, Sabina?" I turned around and saw Katie and the others, looking at me full of disappointment and sadness. I didn't notice them approaching us.

"If you're going to leave, then we don't have a choice but to go too. Our parents specifically told us to be with you." Lucas said. Everyone of them were evidently sad. I squeezed my eyes shut and then released a breath.

I felt like I was being killjoy. Even though I wanted to be away from Xzavier as far as I could, I didn't want to be selfish and make the children sad and disappointed.

"Fine. I'll stay, so smile now. I don't want to be the reason of your sadness." Just like that, their faces brightened.

"Yehey!" I shook my head at them and unintentionally looked at Xzavier's direction. He was smiling at me.

"Let's go?" He said and I thought, we were going to order at the food stand but to my surprise, we headed to a shuttle bus which parked nearby.

"What is the meaning of this? I thought, we were going to eat at the food stand?" I couldn't hold back asking that question. Xzavier beamed.

"Yes, we are going to eat but not here. Don't worry, I already asked permission from their parents to take them out to play."

"Yes, Sabina. He already did. C'mon, let's get inside." Katie said and pulled me by the hand. I couldn't do anything but to go on with the flow. When everyone got inside the shuttle bus, the driver closed the door and drove us out of there.

While we were on our way to only God knows where, I could feel Xzavier's hot stares who was sitting in the front but I tried my best to ignore him. After about 20 minutes, we arrived at the city center and headed to the mall. 

The children happily got out of the shuttle bus after the driver parked it at the parking space.

"Guys, remember your promise to behave, okay?" I reminded them.

"Don't worry. I got everything covered." Xzavier was the one who answered and called up someone on his phone. After a couple of minutes, 10 men in black arrived. The children were amazed seeing them.

"They will make sure that the kids are safe so don't think about anything else and just enjoy, my Ina." I gaped at him in disbelief.

I was about to say something but before I could say anything, he said the go signal and the kids excitedly headed towards the entrance door. But even if they're excited, the 10 of them entered the vicinity in line as the 10 men in black surrounded them.

I couldn't believe what's happening but I didn't have a choice but to just go on with the flow.

"Let's go, Ina?" My gaze shifted at Xzavier as he held out his hand for me with a smile on his face. My heart throbbed wildly.

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