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."

You talk a big game, but I know it's tough," Lucinda sighed, having been through her own struggle

mom just doesn't like me, and I can't change who I am just to please her. She judges me

hard to forget someone, the feelings between me and him are still fresh. A little heartache now will save me pain later on. At worst, I'll just call you up for a

feelings, they weren't too

still easily

you 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

Lucy, I'm envious of you. Your

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

Keith, after receiving too many stares from female patrons, he made himself scarce, claiming he

"Trust yourself.

friend

walking through the

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

him, finding nervousness and remorse. Her heart softened at his vulnerability, so different from the prideful man

looked around, "There's no vase to put

go buy

And off he went.

but her voice was too faint, and he

fast!" she