A Promise To Myself

Ethan's POV

As I watched Meliza's beautiful and innocent face, I realized I didn't want to be a jerk anymore. I wished to get to know her better and spend more time with her. It was wrong for me to judge Iza based on what I heard from those girls I thought were only envious of her beauty and wit.

I've been carrying this weight of regret, the sharp realization of how unfair I was to her. And now, when I look back, all I see is the arrogance in my actions, the way I let my own insecurities cloud my perception of her.

But I don't want to be that person anymore, the one who's too proud, too quick to assume, too blind to see the good in someone. I want to change, to let go of the jerk I've been, and become someone who listens, who learns, who chooses understanding over judgment.

I can't undo what's already done, but I can own it. And maybe, just maybe, I can prove to myself—and to her—that I'm better than the man I used to be. For her, I am willing to change.

I was so stupid in focusing on my problems that I became bitter. I felt something for her that I couldn't fathom.

I needed to watch Nicole and her friends, for I sensed they were planning something that might harm Meliza. I was having fun listening to Meliza as she explained the first activity of the morning, ignoring Nicole who has been was trying to get my attention.

I helped one of our teammates who fainted, and I suddenly lost my focus on Iza.

My heart raced when I couldn't find her. Where was she? My chest tightened as my eyes scanned the chaos around me, and couldn't find her. I felt desperate to catch a glimpse of her. Panic crashing over me with every second she wasn't in sight. The world seemed to blur, every noise and movement sharpening my fear that something had happened to her.

My pulse pounded in my ears as I pushed through the crowd, the thought of her being hurt by someone clawed at my mind, relentless and suffocating.

I learned from Vince that the mango plantation is not part of the activity, and I wondered why Meliza thought the seal was there. She read the note she found on the tree trunk loud enough for our team members to hear, but it seemed like no one had listened to her.

My feet pounded against the uneven ground as I sprinted toward the mango plantation, the air thick with the earthy scent of soil and distant rain. The trees loomed ahead, their sprawling branches casting dappled shadows that seemed to shift with every step I took.

My heart raced faster than my legs, each beat fueled by a mix of fear and hope. What if she wasn't there? Fears and worries filled my head, but I pushed them aside, focusing on the rhythm of my breathing and the faint rustle of leaves in the distance.

The plantation felt endless as I wove through the trees, calling her name into the stillness. Each unanswered cry tightened the knot of dread in my chest. But I couldn't stop, and I wouldn't stop until I found Meliza, standing there, safe and whole, beneath the canopy of mango leaves.

"Iza!!!" My voice hoarse as I called out her name, but no answer.

I moved through the plantation, my eyes darting from tree to tree, the shadows stretching like silent witnesses to my growing fear. The air was heavy, each rustle of leaves or snap of a twig making my pulse spike. I called out her name over and over again, but the only answer was the hollow echo of my own voice.

And then I heard her voice, sharp and desperate, cutting through the stillness like a blade.

"Help!" she cried out, the sound so close and yet impossible to pinpoint. My heart leaped, a jolt of hope mixed with dread, and I broke into a sprint, weaving between the trees toward the direction of her voice.

But just as suddenly as it began, the screaming stopped. The silence that followed was deafening, suffocating, as if the world itself had paused. I froze catching my breath in my throat, straining to hear anything that might lead me to her.

My pulse hammered in my ears as my eyes locked onto the scene in front of me. She lay motionless at the bottom of a narrow pit, her body surrounded by a chaotic tangle of dried leaves, their crinkling whispers barely audible in the tense silence. Then, my stomach twisted in horror when I saw a cobra, coiled and poised to strike, its venomous eyes fixed on her vulnerable form.

I could feel the weight of time bearing down on me, but instinct took over. Without a second thought, I gripped my emergency knife tightly, the cold metal of the handle grounding me. I surged forward, adrenaline surging through my veins. The world seemed to slow as I descended into the pit, my eyes never leaving the deadly serpent.

The cobra's hood flared in a threatening display, its tongue flicking in and out, sensing danger. It was ready to strike. In one swift motion, I hurled myself between her and the snake, my knife flashing through the air. The blade met the cobra's body with a sharp, decisive cut, and the snake recoiled, its lifeless form slumping into the dry leaves.

With my heart pounding, I knelt beside her. Iza was still unconscious. I gently placed my hand against her neck, feeling for a pulse, praying for a sign of life. The weight of the moment pressed down on me, but relief flooded in as I felt her pulse thud beneath my fingertips, strong and reassuring.

I quickly dialed 911 and asked for help. It felt like an eternity as I waited for the rescue to come. I wanted to save her right away, but I needed help, and I needed to be patient.

I asked Vince to do everything he could to find the culprit before I climbed into the ambulance.

"Thank you for saving my life, Ethan. I knew you hated me so much for no reason at all. I hated you for behaving that way, but now, I am indebted to you for saving my life." Meliza said, and I snapped back into the present and looked at her lying on the hospital bed.

Iza's face looked pale and tired, but she still looked beautiful.

I sat on the stool beside her bed, staring at her lovely face. I felt so glad that she finally woke up and she had no major injuries, especially her head. I don't care if she hated me. All I care about is keeping Meliza safe. I was worried about the entire ride going to the hospital since she didn't wake up.

The doctors assured me her vital signs were okay, and I felt relieved after seeing the CT scans and test results.

"But it doesn't mean I will allow you to continue to treat me that way," she added, and I shook my head.

"It will never happen again, Meliza. I promise I will behave, and you will see the best version of myself. I regretted every damn word I said to you." I responded, and she half laughed.

"I don't believe you, Ethan. Those hurtful words you threw at me were unforgivable, but since you saved me, I forgave you," Iza declared with seriousness as her beautiful eyes bore into mine.

"Please, let us be friends, Meliza," I begged.

"I am sorry, Ethan, but I don't make friends with people like you," she responded as she averted my gaze, and I was hurt.

Everybody wanted to be friends with me.

"Don't tell me the rumors I heard were true?" I asked when I couldn't control my disappointment with her.

"Is it because I am not rich like Vince?" I added with frustration, and her face hardened.

"I don't care if you believe in those rumors. You already judged me, and whatever I say to you will no longer matter." Meliza coldly replied.

"We can be civil with each other since we are both working at Adriana's farm, but we don't need to be friends, " she added. I let out a heavy sigh as I looked at her. Then, she slowly turned her head and faced the wall.

"I want to know you, Iza," I softly mumbled.

"There is nothing you need to know about me, Ethan. I am a nobody, and you better leave me alone if you don't want to complicate your life." She responded without looking at me.

"You have a lot of fans already; all those girls wanted to be around you. Why do you want to be friends with me?" She asked as she veered her head and gazed at me.

"I want to get to know you. I know you are sweet and friendly, and I am interested in getting to know you more." I replied as my face turned hot.

"Those girls will hate me more if they find out you ask me to be your friend. I didn't want to make your life complicated. Besides, you don't like me. I feel the same way." She said.

"We don't like each other, so it is better to leave it that way. We don't need to pretend to be friends just to impress our Manager as long as we both do our job well." Iza added, and I wanted to tell her I liked her from the moment I saw her for the first time.

I was only afraid of what I felt that day, but now, I am no longer scared because I exactly knew what I felt, and I don't want to lose this chance I have. I haven't experienced this kind of feeling toward anyone, and I am dying inside to hold and kiss her.

"I am fine. You better go back to the farm," Iza added with a stern tone, and I couldn't blame her for acting this way. It was all my fault, and I couldn't blame Iza for having doubts about my intentions towards her.

"No, I will be staying here with you," I insisted.

"You are hard-headed. I don't know what you really want from me, but I will get better if I don't see your face, Ethan." Meliza said, and her words hurt me. I admit my ego was touched. This is the first time I have experienced being rejected by a girl.

She dismissed me with those painful words, and I couldn't believe I would experience this kind of treatment from a girl.

"I am sorry, Iza. I don't want to upset you. If that is what you really want, I will leave immediately. But I will never stop until you will give me a chance." I softly replied as I looked at her.

I held back my frustrations, for I didn't want to upset her more. I stood up and waited for her to say something, but she ignored me as she closed her eyes.

"I already told you, Ethan, don't waste your time on me. I will forever be grateful for what you have done for me, and I won't forget that for the rest of my life." Meliza said with gentleness.

"You are welcome, Iza. I will do it over again," I responded, smiling at her.

"Now that we have talked, I want to rest. Please, Ethan, I wish to be alone." She muttered, and I nodded my head.

"Okay, thank you, Iza, for allowing me to speak with you. I didn't want to upset or make you uncomfortable." I answered.

"Goodbye, Iza. Rest well, and see you around." I added and left when she didn't answer me.

I wanted to stay with her but didn't want to force myself since she was still recovering from what happened earlier. The doctor said she would be discharged tomorrow.

I am excited to spend time with her on the farm, even if she made it clear she didn't want to do anything with me. It was all my fault; I should have treated her nicely, not the other way around.

Before I left her room, I made a promise to myself never to let those girls hurt her again, and I will make sure to protect her and make her mine, whatever it takes; I am willing to break some rules just to be with her.