Faux Vows, True Desires

When I walked into his house, I overheard his mom label me a "jinx," saying I was bad luck for men and that her son, Owen, would only face misfortune because of me, especially since he had recently gotten hurt.

Cecilia confided in her friend, "Lucy, do you think I'm really bad news for Owen? I never wanted him to get hurt."

Lucinda gently tapped Cecilia's forehead and reassured her, "Don't let that woman get to you. She just doesn't like you and will say anything to hurt you. Everyone has their share of bad luck."

"Cecilia, I haven't seen Owen become unlucky since meeting you. On the contrary, he's changed for the better. He was so broody when I first met him, but now he's like sunshine, happy in a way that can't be hidden. You've brought joy into his life, like sunlight clearing away the clouds. You've given him warmth and happiness that money can't buy."

Cecilia chuckled, "Am I really that great? All I remember is how often we bicker, making him so frustrated he could throttle me."

"If you don't believe me, just ask Owen when he gets here. He'll tell you that despite getting riled up, being with you makes him happy. You two are like a match made in heaven, always at each other's throats in the most endearing way."

Cecilia burst into laughter at her friend's words.

"You make him sound so pathetic, like he's begging for a scolding."

"It's a classic case of 'he loves the chase, and you love the challenge.""

Cecilia shook off her discontent.

"It's okay, I'm not upset anymore. Worst case, we part ways, and I'm not exactly doomed to be single."

to fall in love but hard to forget someone. You talk a big game, but I know it's tough," Lucinda sighed,

I am just to please her. She judges me for my background, which I can't change.

will save me pain later on. At worst, I'll just call you up for a drink when I'm feeling down." Cecilia

had feelings, they

still easily

really think Owen will let you go that easily? With his persistence, you'll end up married to him. As for your mother-in-law, you can always live apart. Distance makes the heart grow fonder, after all. You're going to be living with him,

married to him? Lucy, I'm envious of you. Your in-laws

prominent family and was running the family business. But for Lucinda, he'd shed all pretenses, serving

too many stares from female patrons, he made himself scarce, claiming he didn't want

her friend's shoulder, "Trust yourself.

a best friend like

is walking through the door. I'll leave you two to talk. Don't let his mom come

an apologetic, eager look, handing Cecilia the flowers carefully, as if

heart softened at his vulnerability, so different from the prideful man she first met. Accepting the flowers, she said, "Why give me flowers out of the blue?

around, "There's no

wasn't mad, Owen quickly offered, "I'll go buy

And off he went.

him, but her voice was too faint, and he was too

fast!" she