Chapter 4: Innocent Beginnings

Celestine was mesmerized by the beauty of the ocean in front of her, her eyes twinkling with delight at the paradise view. Behind her, the market of fish bustled with noise and activity. The vendors were loud as they enthusiastically sold their fresh catch to eager customers.

Amidst the vibrant atmosphere of the fish market, Celestine's attention was still captivated by the glistening waters. She marveled at the colorful array of fish swimming gracefully beneath the surface, the sunlight creating a mesmerizing dance of light and shadows.

As she stood there, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the bustling port, Celestine felt a profound connection to nature and the abundance it had to offer. The beauty of the ocean and the freshness of the fish were a testament to the wonders of the natural world.

"See, I told you," Dezlo said to Celestine with a reassuring smile, but the smile quickly turned into a mischievous smirk.

Time suddenly seemed to slow down as a disgusting ocean creature, a sea cucumber, unexpectedly flew in front of Celestine's eyes. It all happened so fast that Celestine couldn't help but react with a mixture of surprise and fear.

"Wha!!!!" a high-pitched voice echoed around the area, catching the attention of those nearby. Some were surprised by the sudden commotion.

"Hu Hu Hu, Kuya, why are you doing this to me?" Celestine exclaimed with teary eyes, her face a mix of both fear and amusement. She was scared of sea cucumbers because they resembled aliens to her.

"What if the sea cucumber bites me? What if I get bitten by it?" Celestine expressed with genuine concern, her face displaying a mix of fear and disgust. Her mind conjured up images of the slimy creature latching onto her, and the thought made her shudder.

Dezlo, on the other hand, found Celestine's reaction highly amusing and couldn't help but laugh even more. He could see the innocence in her worries and wanted to reassure her that sea cucumbers were harmless.

"Don't worry, Celestine. Sea cucumbers don't bite. They may look strange and slimy, but they won't harm you," he said, trying to soothe her nerves.

Despite his reassurance, Celestine couldn't help but maintain a cautious distance from the sea cucumber, giving it a wide berth.

On the other hand, Manang Tessi, Greta, and Hilda were approaching them.

"What happened?" asked Greta.

"Hilda, your brother almost killed me. He threw a sea cucumber at me, and I got really scared. Huhuhuhu," Celestine exclaimed, speaking with a childlike tone, as she recounted the playful yet startling encounter with Dezlo.

"Owwww, it seems we have a scaredy-cat here," Hilda playfully exclaimed. "Should we try it again?" She teasingly held the sea cucumber as if she was about to throw it at Celestine once more.

Celestine got scared again and hide at the back of Nang Tessi.

"Okay, all of you, stop that," Nang Tessi exclaimed, putting an end to the playful sea cucumber antics. "We should go home already. Celestine's parents texted me that we have a visitor coming to the farm."

All of them nodded and followed Nang Tessi as they made their way back home.

..... Ace POV...

"Mr. De Guzman!" Mr. and Mrs. Mintavilla exclaimed as they warmly shook Ace's hands.

"It's been an honor for both of us to finally meet you in person," Ace replied with a smile. "My father has spoken highly about your family, but this is the second time I've had the pleasure of seeing you both."

"We've known each other for 30 years. He is my best friend, and our friendship has never waned," Mr. Mintavilla explained warmly. "Though we were enemies back then, we eventually became good friends, thanks to your Father. He was the one who helped us during our hardest days."

"Oh, I remember. You are 22 years old now, right? The last time I talked with you and your dad was when you were 15. It's been seven years. You are truly an intelligent man," Mr. Mintavilla exclaimed with admiration in his voice. "You juggle rice milling, trading, and garment export businesses, and the biggest one is your construction company. You are truly an awesome guy. Your parents must be proud of you."

"For sure, girls are busy fantasizing about you. Do you have a girlfriend?" Mrs. Mintavilla added.

"I'm not interested in that stuff yet. Women, for sure, are a hassle. It's hard to find the right one," Ace replied. "I would rather focus on my business than waste my time on that."

"Oh really? With that look, you can get any woman there," Mrs. Mintavilla added. They were busy talking until they remembered Celestine.

"Where's Celestine, hon?" Mr. Mintavilla asked.

"Oh, she's with Nang Tessi and the others. I think they're coming home already," Mrs. Mintavilla replied.

"She must be your child," Ace said.

"Yes, Mr. De Guzman. She is our only child. That is why we are sometimes overprotective when it comes to her," Mrs. Mintavilla replied.

"Indeed, she is our pride and joy," Mr. Mintavilla chimed in with a fond smile. "We've always wanted the best for her, and sometimes that might lead to us being a bit overprotective."

Ace nodded understandingly. "I can see how much you care for her. She is lucky to have such loving parents."

"Thank you, Ace. It means a lot to hear that from you," Mrs. Mintavilla said gratefully.

As they continued to chat, Ace couldn't help but feel a growing admiration for Celestine's parents. Their love and devotion to their daughter were evident in their every word and action. He could see why Celestine had grown into such a kind and compassionate person, nurtured by the warmth of her family's love.

As the conversation flowed, Ace felt a sense of belonging in the company of the Mintavilla family. Despite the initial awkwardness of meeting for the first time, he now felt at ease and welcomed into their circle.

Little did he know that this encounter would mark the beginning of a special bond with the Mintavillas, one that would forever change the course of his life and theirs.

"A sound of a car is coming, I think they are already here," Mrs. Mintavilla said excitedly. "She is 12 years old, by the way. Hoping the two of you could get to know each other better."

Just as she finished speaking, the car pulled up in front of the house, and the door opened to reveal Celestine stepping out with Nang Tessi and the others. Her eyes lit up when she saw her parents.

"Mom! Dad!" Celestine exclaimed, running towards them with a bright smile on her face. "You're here!"

"We missed you, sweetheart," Mrs. Mintavilla said, embracing her daughter warmly. "And look, we have a special guest with us today. This is Ace, a dear friend of ours."

"Hi, Celestine," Ace greeted with a friendly smile. "Your parents have been telling me so many wonderful things about you."

Celestine blushed slightly but returned the smile. "Nice to meet you, Ace. I hope we can be friends too."

Ace couldn't help but be captivated by Celestine's beauty and innocence. As he stared at her, he found himself drawn to her like a moth to a flame. Her delicate skin and pure aura made her seem ethereal, as if she had never been touched by the harshness of the outside world.

"I think this is the reason why they never let her go out," Ace mused to himself, a slight smirk forming on his lips. He couldn't help but wonder if her parents' overprotective nature was fueled by the desire to shield her from the potential dangers of the world, to preserve the innocence that radiated from her.