Noelle: Between Love and Desperation

Boston, Massachusetts “Noelle, where are you?” A young boy’s voice echoed, sharp with fear. “Hold my hand… don’t let go!” he panted, desperation breaking in his tone. Her heart lurched. She reached, trembling, but before she could grasp him— She woke up. “Ugh… a dream again…” she whispered, pressing her palm to her chest, trying to calm the wild rhythm of her heartbeat. She stood up just as her alarm clock rang. Beep! Beep! — 6:00 AM. Time to get ready. Today was an important day. She had to prepare for a prestigious fashion event where she was chosen as one of the judges for the gowns to be showcased at New York Fashion Week. Still half-asleep, she grabbed her phone and opened i********:. Her smile faded in an instant when she saw the headline from Philippine Entertainment News: Breaking News: PBA star Ethan Lancaster of Jaden Steel is now engaged to international model Millie Anne Jon! Lorraine froze. Her knees weakened as the words cut through her. How could that happen? “They’ve only been together for f*cking two years!!!” she hissed, clutching her phone so tight her knuckles turned white. No… this can’t be happening. Not Ethan. Not him. She quickly opened Millie’s i********: account, and right there on top of the feed was a photo that shattered her world— Ethan. On one knee. Slipping a sparkling diamond ring onto Millie’s finger. Lorraine’s heart clenched painfully. How I wish I were the one in that photo… It had been five long years since she last saw him. The last time was during the PBA Finals, where Ethan played for Jaden Steel—the basketball team owned by her family’s company. Ethan Knox Lancaster. He wasn’t just any player. He came from an equally wealthy family—his father, a renowned lawyer with his own firm and multiple businesses, and his mother, a doctor who also managed their privately owned hospital. He was two years older than Lorraine, and after finishing his Business Management degree in New York, he returned to the Philippines to chase both his career and his dreams. He only had one sister, Dianna, the same age as Lorraine. They used to be friends before her parents sent her away to the U.S. at the age of seventeen. And now… there was Millie Anne Jon. I had met her a few times before—after all, Millie was one of the models under the prestigious agency where I served as Creative Director and CEO. A well-known socialite and fashion icon, Lorraine was highly respected in the industry, admired for her eye for style and her influence in the world of haute couture. But even with all her power and status, nothing could stop the ache in her chest. Millie was undeniably beautiful, tall, hardworking, and ambitious. Lorraine picked up her phone with trembling hands. She had made up her mind. “Ivan,” she said as soon as her assistant answered, her tone sharp and commanding. “Cancel all my meetings and commitments. I need to fly to the Philippines immediately. No questions—just do it!” On the other line, Ivan hesitated. “But Lorraine, you have a VIP client—” “I don’t care,” she snapped, cutting him off before he could finish. Without wasting another second, she made another call—this time to her older brother Lester’s secretary. “Book me two business-class tickets to Manila. The soonest flight available. Yes, for today. Don’t delay.” Ending the call, Lorraine stepped out of her room and dialed one more number—the only person who had been a constant in her life since the very beginning. “Mama Amelie,” she said softly, almost like a child again. Her Mama Amelie had been with the family long before she could even remember. She wasn’t just a nanny—she had raised all of her older brothers too. When Lorraine was born, she was there, cradling her, watching her grow. Her parents, both powerful and busy, were always traveling between the Philippines, Australia, and Singapore, running the family’s companies. Their time was stretched thin, but no matter what, they always came home for family bonding—at least before tragedy struck. Before everything fell apart, leaving scars that changed them… and her. Now, at twenty-seven, Lorraine couldn’t imagine life without her. Mama Amelie had been more than a nanny—she was her protector, her comfort, her second mother. That’s why, instead of calling her nanny, Lorraine had always called her Mama. And even if her real mother heard it, she didn’t care. Because in all the nights she cried herself to sleep, wishing for her mother’s arms to comfort her, it was Mama Amelie who stayed, who never left. “Mama, get ready,” Lorraine said, steadying her voice. “We’re flying back home.” There was a pause on the other end. Then, Mama Amelie’s worried voice: “Huh? Why? Don’t tell me this is about Ethan?” Lorraine froze. “So… you knew?” “Yes,” Mama admitted gently. “I saw it yesterday afternoon. I wanted to tell you, but by the time you came home last night, you were already asleep.” Lorraine inhaled deeply, pushing back the sting in her chest. “It doesn’t matter that I found out late. What matters is that my decision is final.” “What are you going to do, Lorraine?” Mama asked cautiously. A faint smile touched Lorraine’s lips, though her eyes burned with unshed tears. “You’ll see, Mama. I will see Ethan. And I’ll make him remember… his sweet Noelle.” “Lorraine,” Mama said softly, “you know your happiness is what matters most to me. And I know how much you’ve loved Ethan. Ever since you left, you’ve never forgotten him. Time flies, and many things have happened, but one thing has never changed—you still love him.” Lorraine’s throat tightened, but she stayed silent, her grip on the phone firm. Mama continued, her tone laced with worry. “But I just want to remind you—your condition is very important. Don’t push yourself too much, anak. I don’t want you to get hurt.” Lorraine’s eyes hardened as she whispered to herself, unheard by anyone but the city beyond her window: “No one takes what’s mine.” Noelle. That was the name Ethan used to call me back when we were young—just like my family did, before life, distance, and heartbreak tore us apart. I always loved being called by my second name… but it’s been so long since anyone has.