Irresistibly Yours, Enemy Mine

Chapter 18

After a week. Back in Tagaytay – Same place where they once cuddled under the stars.

Stine stepped out of the cabin’s glass doors, barefoot, a cozy cardigan wrapped around her. The cool breeze brushed against her skin as she walked toward the small garden patio where string lights glowed like tiny stars against the evening mist.

And there he was.

Alaric. Waiting. Smiling softly.

There were no guests. No flowers. No orchestra.

Just him. And her.

And a wooden table with two cups of hot choco, and a folded piece of paper beside a tiny black box.

She walked up to him slowly.

“Anong ginagawa natin dito?” she asked gently, amused but curious.

Alaric scratched his neck, a little nervous. “Naalala mo ba, months ago, dito rin tayo huling nag-away. Tapos nag-make up sa ilalim ng mga bituin?”

She smiled, the memory warm in her chest. “Hindi ko makakalimutan.”

He motioned for her to sit. He took the seat across from her, picked up the folded paper.

“Nagsulat ako… kasi feeling ko baka mabubulol ako pag sinabi ko lang to.”

He took a breath, opened the paper, then met her eyes.

“But I’ll say it without reading.”

She blinked. “Alaric—”

He stood up slowly, moved around the table, and knelt in front of her.

Not rushed. Not pressured.

Just him, choosing her.

“Stine Navarro…my baby...”

“I loved you before I even knew what love meant.

I loved you when you stole my mango float.

I loved you when you screamed at me in meetings.

I loved you when you hated me for being the arrogant, careless guy I used to be.

And I love you now — the way you laugh, the way you fight, the way you heal.”

He held up the small velvet box — opened it — revealing a simple but elegant ring.

“This time, it’s not because our parents want it.

Not because of guilt.

Not because of obligation.

But because I want to build a life with you —

Full of laughter, full of burnt pasta, full of soft mornings and long drives and forgiveness and growth.

Will you marry me?”

Stine didn’t answer right away. Her eyes filled with tears — not because she was overwhelmed — but because she was sure.

And when she finally spoke, it was soft.

But clear.

“Yes.”

“Are you sure?” he whispered, voice cracking.

She giggled through her tears. “Ikaw lang ang gusto kong siguruhin mula pa noon.”

He slid the ring on her finger.

She cupped his face.

And when she kissed him, it wasn’t fiery or urgent.

It was peace.

Their lips were still brushing in a soft, quiet kiss when they suddenly heard—

“Ahem.”

Stine and Alaric broke apart slowly, eyes wide, both turning toward the soft sound of clapping behind them.

From the dim-lit garden path, fairy lights twinkling like stars, emerged their entire world:

—Don Ramon and Doña Clarisse, beaming and teary-eyed.

—Don Emilio and Doña Vivian, proudly smiling, arms linked.

—Theo, Ram, and Jace, cheering like crazy.

—Eli and Zion, throwing confetti made of flower petals.

—Even Nathan, standing quietly at the back, clapping with a soft smile.

“Surprise,” Theo smirked. “We kinda… helped him set this up.”

“Sinabihan mo sila?” gulat na tanong ni Stine, turning to Alaric.

He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. “Kinda hoped you’d say yes… so we could celebrate after.”

“Dapat pala hindi muna ako pumayag,” biro niya, eyes gleaming with joy.

Their parents walked toward them first, each embracing them both.

“Anak…” Doña Clarisse cupped Stine’s face. “You’re glowing.”

“Galing mo, hijo,” Don Emilio said, clapping Alaric’s shoulder.

Then came the friends.

Theo pulled Stine into a bone-crushing hug. “Kahit galit pa rin ako ng konti sa kanya, para sa’yo, masaya ako.”

Ram laughed, pulling them both into a hug. “Finally! Akala ko magkakaalaman lang tayo sa burol n’yo eh!”

Jace, dramatic as ever, wiped a fake tear. “True love is real!”

Zion tossed more flower petals. “Power couple!”

Eli handed them each a cupcake with tiny rings on top. “Snack muna. May pa-mini reception tayo later.”

Laughter. Cheers. Group hugs.

It was chaotic. Loud. Beautiful.

Exactly how they wanted it.

And as the night wore on — with warm lights, warm hugs, and hearts warmer than ever — Alaric looked at Stine while holding her hand.

“You’re not just mine now…”

She smiled.

“You’ve always been mine. Even when we were enemies.”

She squeezed his hand and whispered, “Irresistibly yours, enemy mine.”

Stine yawned as she stepped out of the shower, towel around her head, wearing Alaric’s oversized shirt — which, by the way, he claimed was “technically hers now.”

Pagbukas niya ng pinto sa kwarto, napakunot ang noo niya.

“Bakit may box ng sapatos sa kama ko?” she muttered.

Pagtingin niya sa side sa may walk in closet nya, mas lalo siyang napa-facepalm.

Si Alaric, busy na nag-aayos ng mga damit niya sa walk-in closet niya.

"What ate you doing?" tanong ni Stine arms crossed.

"Inaayos ko lang ang mga damit ko, mas mabuti nang nandito din para less hassle."

"Less hassle?!" Halos mapaikot ang mata ni Stine. "Bakit nandito ang buong wardrobe mo? Alaric, naglipat ka na ba ng bahay?"

“Technically… yes,” sagot niya, tapos ngumiti ng pa-cute habang inaayos ang necktie collection niya sa loob ng closet.

She walked toward him, eye twitching. “At saan mo balak ilagay ang mga damit ko?”

“Diyan lang din. Magkasama naman tayo e. Sharing is caring,” sabay kindat.

Stine smacked his arm lightly. “Akala ko ba may sarili kang unit? Hindi ba’t tinabi mo pa nga ‘yan sa unit ko?”

Alaric chuckled, then turned to face her fully. He reached for her waist and pulled her closer.

“Plano ko nga sana ipagiba na lang ‘yung pagitan ng unit natin,” he whispered.

Her eyes widened. “Ha?!”

“Para open space. Walang hiwalayan.” He nuzzled her nose.

“Alaric…”

“Pero naisip ko din wag na lang pala, kasi kung dalawa anak natin,” he continued, not missing a beat, “tag-isa sila ng condo. Practical, diba?”

PAK!

Binatukan siya ni Stine. “Anak agad?!”

“Wala lang naman. Forward-thinking lang ako,” sabay kindat uli habang hinawakan ang batok niya.

Napailing na lang si Stine habang hindi maitago ang tawa. “You’re impossible.”

“Yet irresistible,” he said smugly.

She rolled her eyes but leaned into his chest. “Fine. Dito ka na nga. Pero mag-share ka ng drawer space ha. At wag mo kakainin lahat ng yogurt ko.”

“I make no promises.”

And just like that, it became their new routine.

• Alaric waking up first to make her coffee (kahit hindi marunong).

• Stine teasing him about his three-step skincare routine na mas complicated pa sa kanya.

• Alaric calling her "baby" every five minutes just to see her blush.

• Stine secretly loving it.

• Closet wars.

• Shared grocery lists.

• Laughter-filled mornings and soft, quiet nights.

They weren’t just engaged.

They were building a life.

One messy drawer, one forehead kiss, and one playful batok at a time.

Stine was casually spinning in Alaric’s swivel chair, wearing his oversized blazer on top of her dress while scrolling through her tablet.

Alaric was downstairs handling a quick meeting. Iniwan siya sandali with a kiss on the forehead and a “Don’t go anywhere, baby.”

She didn’t expect drama to come knocking ten minutes later.

“Wow.

I guess you’re really making yourself at home.”

The voice was familiar — cold, catty, and dripping with venom.

Stine stopped spinning.

Standing at the glass door of Alaric’s office was her — Camille, the ever-so-glamorous, ever-so-delusional ex-girlfriend ni Alaric.

Wearing designer heels and a smug smirk.

She sauntered inside without invitation. “So this is how far you've come, huh? From hiding behind your barkada to sitting on his throne?”

Stine stood up slowly, unfazed. “Excuse me?”

Camille scoffed, walking around the office like she owned the place. “You think wearing his clothes, sitting on his chair, and warming his bed means you’ve won?”

Stine crossed her arms. “No. I don’t think I’ve won.

Because love isn’t a competition.

And Alaric isn’t a trophy. He’s a person who chose me.”

Camille’s eyes narrowed. “He’ll get tired of you eventually. Like he did with everyone else.”

SLAP!

The sound echoed through the office.

Stine had slapped her clean across the cheek.

Even she was shocked at how satisfying that felt.

“Get. Out.” Stine’s voice was firm. Calm. Dangerous.

“You’re lucky I didn’t drag you out myself.”

Camille, holding her cheek in stunned silence, tried to recover her poise.

Stine smirked coldly. “But since classy tayo today—”

She pressed the intercom.

“Security. Kindly escort Miss Camille out. She's trespassing in the CEO’s office.”

Within seconds, two security guards entered.

Stine stepped back, arms folded, watching as Camille was led out — stunned, humiliated, and speechless for once in her life.

Alaric returned moments later, only to find Stine calmly seated again, sipping coffee like nothing happened.

“Baby? Anong nangyari? May dumaan bang bagyo rito?”

She looked at him and smiled sweetly.

“Wala. Just took out some trash.”

Mayamaya may tumawag kay Alaric. After the call, hinarap sya nito. "Are you hurt?"

“I’m fine.” She smiled, serene and smug. “She, however, is probably still nursing a red cheek.”

Alaric blinked. “You slapped her?”

“Deserved,” sagot niya, sabay sip ng kape.

Alaric closed the distance between them in three long strides and pulled her gently into his arms. “I leave you for 30 minutes and may nangyari na agad? Are you sure you’re okay? Hindi ka ba nasaktan?”

She raised a brow. “Do I look hurt?”

He grinned. “You look dangerous. Hot. Kind of terrifying. I’m so turned on right now, not gonna lie.”

Stine rolled her eyes. “Seriously, Alaric.”

But he pulled back just enough to cup her face, voice turning soft. “I should’ve been here. Dapat ako ‘yung humarap sa kanya.”

“Alaric…” she placed her hand on top of his. “You don’t need to fight my battles. I got this.”

He stared at her for a beat, then kissed her forehead with reverence.

“Damn right you do. But let it be known—**anyone who dares touch you, hurt you, or make you feel less—**they’ll have to go through me next time.”

“Next time?” she teased. “Feeling mo may part two?”

“You never know. Your beauty attracts trouble.” He leaned down. “And I’ll always be here, ready to destroy it.”

Stine chuckled. “Possessive much?”

“I’m your man. Proudly. Loudly. Desperately.”

She laughed, blushing now. “Seryoso ka pa rin kahit may sinampal akong ex mo?”

Alaric smirked, leaned in to whisper against her lips.

“I’ve never been prouder.”

And when he kissed her this time, it wasn’t angry or lustful. It was slow. Certain. Full of love.

Later that day…

Alaric updated the receptionist.

“If that woman ever sets foot in this building again, call security. Automatically. I don’t care if she’s holding roses or a press release. She’s banned.”

“Yes, sir,” the staff replied.

He glanced at his fiancée, walking ahead in heels and power.

Then whispered under his breath with a smirk—

“My woman.”