Chasing Happiness

Chapter 1

I took a deep breath before slowly opening my eyes.

Standing before me was a man willing to give me everything—money, wealth, status, and the kind of life most women could only dream of.

“Sofia Dominguez,” he said softly, his eyes filled with hope and affection. “I’m going to ask you again.” A gentle smile curved his lips. “Will you marry me?” His gaze never left mine, and the love shining in his eyes was unmistakable.

Yet I couldn’t find the words to answer.

This was it—the dream I had been chasing for twenty-three years. I had prayed for this life, sacrificed for it, and worked tirelessly to achieve it. For years, I had convinced myself that once I became successful enough, wealthy enough, and important enough, I would finally be happy. Now everything I had ever wanted was standing right in front of me, so why did I feel so empty?

I should have been happy. I should have said yes without hesitation.

“I…” Before I could finish, Kenzo stood and pulled me into a tight embrace.

“I promise I’ll give you the happiness you’ve always wanted,” he whispered. “I’ll give you every dream you’ve ever shared with me. Just say yes, Sofia. Leave everything else to me.”

I closed my eyes as a bitter smile tugged at my lips. Happiness. That was exactly what I had spent my entire life chasing, and Kenzo could give me everything. He was the son of the President of the Philippines. His family was wealthy, powerful, respected, and admired throughout the country. Marrying him would give me the future I had once believed existed only in my dreams.

I had worked so hard to get here—so hard to earn his love. So why did my heart still feel incomplete?

A tear slipped down my cheek, and I quickly wiped it away before anyone noticed.

“Yes, Kenzo,” I whispered, forcing myself to swallow the lump in my throat. “I’ll marry you.”

The moment the words left my lips, cheers erupted around us. Kenzo laughed and wrapped me in another embrace while our friends and relatives rushed over to congratulate us. Camera flashes lit up the room, capturing what everyone believed was the perfect proposal.

Everyone was smiling. Everyone was celebrating. Everyone believed this was the beginning of our happily ever after.

Everyone…

Except me.

⸻

The night passed quickly. Before I knew it, I was sitting beside Kenzo in his sports car as we drove toward a five-star hotel where his parents and relatives were waiting for us. Tonight was supposed to be another important milestone. I was finally going to meet his family properly, and we were supposed to discuss our wedding.

“Are you nervous?” Kenzo asked.

One hand rested on the steering wheel while the other covered mine, gently squeezing my fingers.

“A little,” I replied with a small smile.

It was a lie. I wasn’t afraid of meeting his parents—I was afraid because I didn’t want to go, and that realization frightened me even more. This had always been part of the plan: get close to Kenzo, earn his trust, become someone important to him, and eventually become close to his family. His connections could open doors I had spent years trying to reach on my own, and everything was finally falling into place exactly as I had planned.

So what was happening to me? Why did I suddenly want to run away?

“Sofia.”

I blinked as Kenzo’s voice pulled me back to reality. I turned toward him, only to realize his seat was already empty. He was standing outside my door, gently tapping on the window with the same warm smile on his face.

I stared at him. For some reason, my hand refused to reach for the door handle. He knocked again, and I closed my eyes, taking a slow, steady breath.

Come on, Sofia. This is what you’ve always wanted.

I opened my eyes and finally stepped out of the car.

“Are you okay?” he asked immediately.

I shook my head. “I’m—”

“Kenzo Mondragon!” a woman’s voice interrupted. “Why are you still out here? Aren’t you supposed to be inside already? Your whole family is waiting for you. Is that—”

She stopped the moment her eyes landed on me, and the smile on her face faded.

“Is she the one you wanted to introduce to everyone?”

“Yes,” Kenzo answered proudly. “She is.”

“Oh.” Her gaze swept over me before she nodded. “Alright. I’ll see you inside.”

“We’ll be there.”

She walked away, and Kenzo turned back to me, holding out his hand. I stared at it as the heaviness in my chest returned. I couldn’t do it. Not tonight.

“M-My sister called,” I said instead. “They rushed Mom to the hospital and…”

Concern immediately crossed his face.

“What happened?”

There was no disappointment or frustration that I might ruin such an important night. His first instinct was to worry about me, and somehow that made the guilt even worse. I shook my head and stepped away from the car.

“I’m sorry, Kenzo. I have to go back to Houston. I need to see my mom.”

“It’s okay.”

I looked at him as he smiled reassuringly.

“There’ll be another chance to meet my parents. Besides, we’re already engaged.” He reached for my hand. “Sooner or later, your family will become mine, and mine will become yours.”

My chest tightened. He trusted me completely, and I had just lied to his face.

I forced myself to smile. That was the last time we ever saw each other—the last time we ever spoke. Because instead of returning to Houston, I boarded a plane bound for the Philippines without ever telling him the truth.

Kenzo and I had met in California while he was attending a charity event where I happened to be working part-time. One conversation led to another, then another, and before I knew it, I had become part of his life. The rest, as they say, was history.

But perhaps some stories aren’t meant to end the way we imagine they will.