If I can go back to the beginning...

Fil could only spend dinner with her family, knowing she had an 'appointment' tomorrow. Even though it was Jackson who made the arrangement, she didn't want to waste his 'efforts.'

"Fil." 

Fil looked back as she heard her mother call while she stood on the porch, watching her father and Elijah check her truck. Irene walked over to her side, smiling.

"I know you said everything is alright," said Irene, stroking her daughter's hair. "But remember, if things are too much, Mom and Dad and Eli are always here for you."

"Thanks, Mom."

"Whatever your reason for wanting to break off the engagement, it's your choice." Irene held her daughter's hand, patting it gently. "Be it wedding jitters or something else, don't you worry. Your mom and dad will always be there every step of the way. Like always."

"Don't worry about the Hale family," she added reassuringly. "We can talk to them once you've really decided on this relationship."

Fil's eyes softened and before she knew it, she already squeezed herself into her mother's arms. She closed her eyes, resting her chin on her mother's shoulder. 

"I'm really glad I came by," she said. "I feel much better now."

Irene chuckled, drawing her head back to look at her precious princess. "My Filly," she cupped Fil's cheeks lovingly. "How time flies. I can still remember when you came into our lives. It was the best thing that could've happened to us."

Fil's smile stretched, knowing that story. From what she heard, her parents had been trying to have a kid. However, no matter how they tried, they weren't blessed to have one. And then, Fil came. After many years of waiting and praying, they were blessed to have her. 

"And now you've become such a fine young lady." Irene sighed. "I'm so proud of you."

"Mom?" called Fil, watching her mother raise her brows. "I never asked this because it never crossed me, but is dad… your first love?"

Irene chuckled, turning her head to where her husband was. "No."

"No?"

"Your dad and I used to be friends. We were really good friends back in the day," said Irene, smiling gently as she recalled her past. "But for a long time, we never truly thought that we'd be married and fall in love with each other."

She slowly set her eyes back to Fil. "Sometimes, we meet people and fall in love with them. However, that doesn't necessarily mean you're meant to be. It's part of life. People come and go. It's the same for you. You come and go to other people's lives to be a lesson or solely for meeting them."

"Do you think Vincent… I'm only meant to love him, but not to spend the rest of my life with him?"

"I can't tell for sure, Filly. But what I can say is you're the only person who can answer that question. Your dad and I had our problems too, but we chose to stay. We chose to embrace each other's flaws and shortcomings." Irene smiled, nodding at her daughter. "Because we know it's worth it. We chose each other not because of love alone, but because we know this is the person we would want to struggle with."

Irene paused, looking straight into her daughter's eyes. "Is Vincent worth the pain? Is he the person you want to struggle with?"

If this was before, her answer would be a 'yes' in a heartbeat.

"I see." Fil nodded in understanding. "I now get it."

"I'm glad if that helped you in a way." 

"I can't believe you're still driving this truck." Suddenly, Elijah's voice came in, making Irene and Fil look in his direction. "Sis, don't you have money? Aren't you making lots of money? Why not buy a new car?"

"Fil, the truck's good and well-maintained, but your brother is right." Following behind Elijah was Simon, carrying his toolbox with him. "If you are having financial problems, don't worry about it. Your mother and I have saved up. I can get you a new car if you want — though not as luxurious as the one that your fiance drives."

"Fiance?" Elijah scoffed but didn't continue whatever snide comment he had for Vincent upon the warning look from his mother. 

"It's okay," said Fil reassuringly. "I'll think about it. It's not like money is the problem."

"We know you treasure your grandpa's truck, but I'm sure he'd want you to be safer," Irene commented. "Anyway, I already asked your brother to put some food I made in your truck. Eat them, alright?"

"Yes, I will." Fil smiled brightly, casting her father and Elijah a look. "Thanks for checking my truck."

Elijah nonchalantly shrugged in response while her father gratefully replied, "You're welcome, princess."

Fil stayed on the porch, chatting with her family for a little while before bidding them farewell. It would have been nice if she could stay longer. Even for a little while, she could live a simple life where she could help her father on the farm like she used to, run some errands for her mother, and help her little brother in his studies. And then in the afternoon, take a relaxing nap. 

Oh, how simple life used to be. 

As Fil drove herself home, she couldn't help but smile as she remembered what her life was like in the past. Growing up in the countryside was peaceful. Everything was just simple. But at the same time, in that same countryside, was where she met Vincent. 

"A young master from the city spending his summers in the countryside with his grandfather," she whispered, remembering what Vincent was known for back then. "If I can go back to the beginning…."

The second those words rolled out of her tongue, she heard her phone ringing. Glancing at the front passenger seat, Fil slowed down at the red light. She took advantage of it to grab her phone in her bag, only to see Vincent's name on the screen. 

Her thumb hovered over the answer button, hesitant to hear his voice. But in the end, she didn't know what compelled her to answer, but she did. 

"Fil, are you not home?" asked Vincent when the line connected. He glanced at the door of Fil's apartment, curious. "I've been knocking at your door, but no one's answering. Where are you?"

"What are you doing in my place in such an hour?" she returned, making Vincent arch a brow.

"Isn't it obvious? You said you were having cramps. I brought you some ice cream and your favorite foods, thinking it might help."

Fil smiled subtly, glancing at the red light. Back then, if she heard this, she would jump in joy and wouldn't stop smiling like a fool. However, now, she could only laugh at how ridiculous and blinded she was. 

How did she not see this same old trick?

"That was… twelve hours ago, Vin," she replied quietly. "Thanks, but I'm fine now. I gotta go — I'm driving."

With that being said, Fil, who never hung up on him, ended the call twice now. She tossed her phone to the backseat, not particularly hurt or satisfied. If anything, she couldn't stand hearing his voice, especially now that she could see everything clearer now. 

She continued what she couldn't say earlier;

"If I could go back to the beginning, I would never fall in love again. At least, not with him."