THE PILOT'S FINAL STOP

CHAPTER 8 🥰

AT EXACTLY 5 PM, nagsimula ang kasal.

The sun hovered low over the horizon, painting the sky in soft gold and rose.

Ang dagat—mala-kristal, kumikislap na parang libo-libong diamante ang nakakalat sa ibabaw.

The breeze was warm, gentle, fragrant with orchids and salt.

It was perfect.

As in painfully perfect.

The Haven’s cliffside wedding deck looked like something out of a luxury magazine—

white floral arches, floating candles on clear pools, and a glass aisle that seemed suspended above the sea.

And there I was.

The maid of honor.

Standing proud, poised, smiling.

Outside, everything looked flawless.

Inside?

Chaos.

Huminga ako nang malalim habang inaayos ko ang train ng gown ni Elora. Napakaganda niya today—glowing, elegant, the very definition of radiant bride.

“Elle,” bulong ni Elora, “thank you for being here.”

I squeezed her hand softly. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

Habang naglalakad ako papunta sa aisle.

I felt it.

A stare.

Heavy.

Intense.

Unwavering.

I didn’t need to look.

Alam ko kung kanino nanggagaling iyon.

But I looked anyway.

My eyes landed on him immediately.

Kierran Withmore.

Nakatayo sa right wing ng aisle kasama ang iba pang bisita—family friends of Adrian and Elora, all well-dressed, sophisticated.

Yet he still stood out.

Black suit.

Open collar.

Hands in his pockets.

Eyes—locked on me like he had every right.

His gaze wasn’t angry.

It wasn’t even questioning.

It was claiming.

As if saying:

Don’t think you can ignore me after earlier.

I lifted my chin slightly, refusing to acknowledge the electric pull between us.

Not here.

Not today.

Not in my brother’s wedding.

Pero hindi natapos doon.

When I positioned myself beside the altar as maid of honor, I felt his eyes follow me again.

Slow.

Lingering.

Too aware.

The man beside him, caught Kierran’s stare and subtly elbowed him.

I saw it.

Nakita ko kung paanong napasimangot si Kierran, pero hindi inalis ang tingin niya sa akin.

Parang wala siyang pakialam na obvious na.

Parang wala siyang balak umiwas.

Naiinis ako.

Pero may parte sa akin na…

kinabahan.

Kinuryente.

Nawalan ng steady breathing.

When the vows started, I forced myself to focus—

Adrian’s eyes soft with emotion,

Elora crying,

everyone smiling.

It should’ve been easy.

But each time I relaxed, each time I believed I could finally enjoy the ceremony in peace…

I felt it again.

That gaze.

Dragging.

Searching.

Demanding.

I glanced discreetly to my right.

And there he was.

Leaning slightly forward in his seat.

Forearms resting on his knees.

Eyes locked on me through the soft golden light of sunset.

Our eyes met.

Just for a second.

But that single second—

sent heat up my neck,

tightened my chest,

and made my fingers tremble around the bouquet I was holding.

I looked away quickly.

No.

Not here.

Not now.

This was my brother’s day.

I repeated that in my head like a prayer.

But it didn’t matter.

Because every time the ocean breeze shifted…

every time the light touched my skin…

every time I pretended he didn’t exist…

I felt it.

His stare.

Burning.

Possessive.

Like he remembered every inch of me.

And wanted to remind me

—without saying a single word—

that he wasn’t done.

Not with me.

Not with what happened earlier.

Not with whatever pulled us together again

after three years of running.

By the time the couple finally kissed,

everyone around me cheered—

but my heart?

My heart was in absolute chaos.

Because I knew—

without needing to look—

Kierran Withmore

was still staring at me.

And deep inside…

I was terrified by how much I felt it.

THE ceremony ended beautifully — halos lahat ng bisita umiiyak, tumatawa, at kinikilig sa halikan nina Adrian at Elora.

At ako?

Nakangiti… pero may kung anong humihila sa dibdib ko.

The sun had already slipped lower, painting the sky in a soft twilight glow habang nagsimula nang lumipat ang lahat papunta sa reception pavilion — isang malawak na open-air hall na nakaharap sa dagat, may hanging lanterns na parang mga bituin na bumaba sa lupa.

Perfect.

Magical.

And exactly what my kuya deserved.

I walked with the rest of the entourage, fixing my gown, making sure Elora’s skirt didn’t drag too much, trying my best to keep myself busy… para hindi ko maisip ang mga matang alam kong nakatutok sa akin mula sa likod.

At oo, naramdaman ko iyon.

Ang presensya.

Ang bigat.

Ang intensity.

Pero hindi ako lumingon.

Sa reception area, the energy shifted — masaya, magaan, puno ng tawanan at flash ng cameras. The cold breeze smelled like salt, champagne, and celebration.

Tables shimmered with crystal centerpieces.

Golden lights danced over the sea.

The whole place felt alive.

“Elle! Dito ka.” Sabay hila sa’kin ni Elora beside her table. “You sit close, okay? Para maabot mo agad ako kapag kailangan ko ng retouch.”

Tumawa ako. “Bride duties ang inaalala mo, not married life?”

“You know me,” napapikit niyang sabi sabay tawa. “I prepare for everything.”

Siyempre dumating din sina Frank, the groomsmen, at ang mga business partners ni Adrian… including him.

Kierran.

I didn’t have to look.

I felt the shift in the air the moment he stepped in.

Parang humina ang background noise.

Parang nagbago ang pressure ng paligid.

I kept my eyes forward, chin up.

Pero alam kong nandiyan siya.

Somewhere behind me.

Watching.

Waiting.

Matapos ang ilang dances at toasts, nagsimula nang tawagin isa-isa ang mga speakers.

First: Family ni Elora.

Then Frank — the best man and bestfriend of the groom.

As expected, he made everyone laugh.

And cry.

And laugh again.

Typical Frank.

At nang matapos siya tumawa, tinawag naman ng host—

“And now, the maid of honor… Miss Arielle Zaragoza!”

My heart skipped, but I stood tall.

I walked toward the stage, my heels clicking softly against the wooden floor.

All eyes turned to me — but one gaze felt heavier than anything else.

I didn’t look for it.

I didn’t need to.

Huminga ako nang malalim at ngumiti sa crowd.

I held the microphone gently, feeling the warmth of the lights on my skin, the breeze brushing my hair, and the love radiating from the newlyweds in front of me.

“Good evening, everyone.”

The crowd quieted.

Adrian and Elora looked at me—both teary-eyed but glowing.

I smiled.

“I’ve practiced this speech… many times in my head. And every version starts with the same thought: How lucky am I to witness this day?”

May kumirot sa puso ko, isang masarap na hapdi.

“Most of you know parts of our story—mine and Kuya Adrian’s. But tonight, I want to share the version that truly matters.”

I breathed deeply.

“When we lost Mom and Dad… I was barely an adult. I was lost, broken, scared. Lahat ng pangarap ko parang biglang nag-shatter sa harap ko.”

Natawa ako nang mahina, kahit may namuong luha sa mata ko.

“But my brother… he didn’t let me fall.

Instead, he did the most selfless thing a person could do—

He rebuilt my world.

Piece by piece.

Every day.

Quietly.

Patiently.”

I looked at Adrian.

Si Kuya, nakayuko—nagpipigil ng luha.

Elora held his hand.

“You became my father, my mother, my brother, my protector… and even my first best friend. Sinakripisyo mo ang sarili mong mga pangarap, Kuya, para itaguyod ang sa akin. You gave up so much… so I could fly.”

My voice broke on the last word, but I continued.

“So to you, Kuya… thank you.

For choosing responsibility when you never deserved that weight.

For choosing me when you could’ve chosen an easier life.

For choosing love kahit ang hirap magmahal kapag sugatan ang puso.”

The guests quietly wiped their eyes.

Even the men.

“And Elora…”

I turned to her, smiling.

“You walked into my brother’s life like sunlight—warm, soft, patient. Hindi mo lang siya minahal… Minahal mo rin ang mga sugat niya. Yung mga parte ng pagkatao niyang akala ko ako lang ang nakakaintindi.”

Natawa si Elora through her tears.

“You made him laugh again.

You made him believe again.

You made him human again.”

I placed my hand over my heart.

“And I cannot thank you enough for that.”

Then I added playfully, “But please… alagaan mo pa rin siya, ha? Medyo spoiled ko ’yan. And trust me, he’s harder to manage than he looks.”

Tumawa ang crowd, pati si Adrian na nagtago pa ng mukha niya sa kamay.

“I remember telling Kuya once…” I continued, eyes softening,

‘One day, you’ll meet someone who will make all the pain worth it.’

And today… I know that person is you, Elora.”

My throat tightened again.

“You two…

You survived storms.

Distance.

Schedules.

The chaos of real life.

And you still chose each other.”

I raised my glass slightly.

“So today, I wish you this—

A marriage filled with gentle mornings, loud laughter, and a love strong enough to outshine any darkness.

A love that grows with every sunrise.

A love that forgives.

A love that stays.”

I smiled, blinking away a few tears.

“To Adrian and Elora…

My favorite love story.”

The crowd applauded warmly.

But over the sound of cheers, clinking glasses, and laughter…

I felt it —

that familiar pull.

that stare.

Deep.

Intense.

Unshakably fixed on me.

I didn’t need to look to know who it was.

I lifted my chin, kept my composure…

But inside, my heart trembled.

Because even as I toasted to love…

the eyes watching me from the far table

belonged to the one man

I never wanted to feel anything for again.

Kierran Withmore.

His gaze burned into my skin

with something dark… and knowing.

And as the applause echoed around me…

I wondered silently—

Why does it feel like my speech

wasn’t the only confession made tonight?

MATAPOS ang napakasayang speeches, laughter, at dancing, biglang nag-announce ang host:

“Alright, ladies and gentlemen… it’s time for the bouquet and garter!”

Nagtilian ang mga babae, nagsipag-unahan sa gitna.

Ako? Nasa gilid lang. Observing. Calm.

Pero si Elora?

Hindi papayag.

“Elle! Dito ka!” sigaw niya, sabay hatak sa braso ko.

“Ayoko ng excuses. Maid of honor ka — dapat nandito ka!”

Napatawa ako kahit kinakabahan.

“Fine, fine! I’ll stand here pero hindi ako sasalo—”

“ONE! TWO! THREE!”

Hindi ko na natapos ang sentence.

Lumipad ang bouquet.

Diretso sa ere.

Diretso… sa mukha ko.

As in literal.

Natigilan ang lahat.

Then—

BOOM. CHEERS. SCREAMS.

Napahawak ako sa bouquet na parang hindi ko alam paano napunta sa kamay ko.

“YES!!!” sigaw ni Elora.

“SEE?! DESTINY!”

Tumawa ang lahat.

May nagchant pa ng “Next bride! Next bride!”

I rolled my eyes, half-embarrassed, half-amused.

But before I could escape the spotlight—

“Alright, gentlemen! Garter time!” sigaw ng host.

Nagtipon-tipon ang mga lalaki sa harap.

And the moment Adrian removed the garter from Elora’s leg, lahat ng boys nagsipagtalo, nagsisigawan, nag-agawan—

But in the end, one hand rose above all.

A strong, familiar hand.

Holding the garter effortlessly.

Kierran Withmore.

Of course.

The crowd exploded.

“Ohhhhhh!”

“Ay, bagay sila!”

“Garter and bouquet winners oh!”

“Match made in heaven!”

Napapikit ako, napasabunot ng mahina sa sarili.

Lord… bakit siya pa?

Then narinig ko si Adrian—

“Oi! Careful, Kierran — that’s my sister!”

Huge laughter.

Kasama na ang mga ninong, pinsan, at ilang bisita na halatang nakainom na.

Tumingin ako kay Kuya, nag-aapoy ang tingin ko.

Pero nakangiti lang siya—proud, amused, at walang kaalam-alam sa tensyon sa pagitan namin ni Kierran.

The host clapped loudly.

“Alright! Our bouquet catcher and our garter king, please come forward!”

“No,” bulong ko.

“Yes,” bulong ni Elora habang tinutulak ako.

At wala akong nagawa.

Lumakad ako papunta sa gitna, holding the bouquet.

Kierran was already there—black suit, relaxed posture, and that infuriatingly confident look in his eyes.

Like this was all planned.

Like fate was his accomplice.

My heartbeat climbed in my throat.

“Please, have a seat, Arielle,” sabi ng host, sabay turo sa chair na nasa gitna ng dance floor.

Umupo ako slowly, trying to stay calm, poise on the outside kahit nagwawala na ang damdamin ko sa loob.

Then Kierran knelt down in front of me.

The guests screamed.

“WOOOOOOO!”

“KIERRAN!!! HIGHER!!!”

“ARIELLE!! LOOK AT HIMMMM!”

“UY MAY CHEMISTRY!”

Pinilit kong umiwas ng tingin.

Pero si Kierran… hindi.

He leaned closer, voice barely above a whisper.

“Relax, Arielle,” he murmured, lips almost brushing my knee.

“I’ll be gentle.”

My breath caught.

The host laughed.

“Aba! Ang lapit agad!”

The crowd chanted—

“Higher! Higher! Higher!”

Kierran slid the garter on my leg…

Slowly.

Too slowly.

His fingertips brushed against my skin—warm, sure, deliberate.

Parang bawat second ay sinasadya niya.

My breath hitched.

My spine straightened involuntarily.

And when his knuckles grazed just above the edge of my knee—

My thighs locked.

His eyes flickered up, catching my reaction.

Smug.

Knowing.

Dangerously amused.

“Arielle…” he whispered again, lower this time,

“You’re trembling.”

My heart dropped straight to my stomach.

The guests screamed EVEN LOUDER.

“HIGHERRR!!!”

“KIERRAN, A LITTLE MORE!”

“GO GO GO!”

I felt my face heat up, my hands gripping the skirt of my gown, trying to keep every ounce of composure.

But Kierran lifted the garter a little higher.

Just a little.

Enough to make my breath stop.

Enough to make our eyes lock—

And enough to make the room erupt into chaos.

“THAT’S GOOD!” tawa ng host.

“WOW, ANG INIT DITO AH!”

Kierran finally slid the garter securely in place.

Then slowly — too slowly — he stood up.

We were suddenly face to face.

Close.

Very close.

He leaned down, whispered so only I could hear—

“Next time… walang audience.”

My entire body went still.

And the worst part?

My pulse betrayed me.

The crowd didn’t know.

Kuya Adrian didn’t know.

No one knew.

But I did.

This was trouble.

And Kierran knew it too.