A Love Worth Fighting For

CHAPTER 4

The soft hum of the jet engines slowly faded as the aircraft began its descent.

I shifted slightly in my seat and glanced out of the oval window.

Sa ibaba namin, unti-unting lumilitaw ang tanawin ng Italy.

Green mountains.

Clusters of old European houses.

And the deep blue waters of a massive lake that shimmered under the early morning sun.

“Sebastian…”

Mahina kong tawag.

He was seated beside me now, one arm lazily resting behind my seat, his eyes already watching the view outside.

“Yes, Mrs. Montemayor?”

I smiled faintly every time he called me that.

“Is that… Lake Como?”

He nodded calmly.

“Yes.”

His thumb brushed lightly against my hand.

“We’re landing in Milan first.”

Then he looked at me.

“Then we take a helicopter to the villa.”

I blinked.

“Helicopter?”

He looked amused.

“It’s faster.”

Of course it is.

Billionaire logic.

I leaned closer to the window again.

After almost fifteen hours of flying from Palawan, Philippines, we had finally arrived.

Fifteen hours.

Fifteen hours since our wedding.

Fifteen hours since I became Arabella Montemayor.

My chest tightened slightly at the thought.

Everything still felt surreal.

The jet touched down smoothly on the private runway in Milan.

A few minutes later, the cabin door opened.

Cool European morning air immediately greeted us.

I stepped down the jet stairs, my white travel dress moving slightly with the wind.

The airport was quiet.

Private.

Pagkababa namin ng jet, napansin ko agad na parang may kakaiba.

Hindi ito tulad ng normal na airport na nakikita ko sa TV.

Tahimik.

Organized.

Parang… hinihintay talaga kami.

May dalawang luxury black cars na nakaabang sa gilid ng runway, at may ilang lalaking naka-suit na mukhang security personnel.

Lumapit ang isang matangkad na lalaki kay Sebastian.

“Welcome to Milan, Mr. Montemayor. Everything has been cleared.”

Napakunot ang noo ko.

“Cleared?”

Napatingin ako kay Sebastian habang naglalakad kami.

“Sebastian… hindi ba dapat may immigration? Passport control?”

Ngumiti lang siya nang bahagya.

“Meron.”

Napalingon ako sa paligid.

“Nasaan?”

Bahagya siyang yumuko para magsalita malapit sa tenga ko.

“Private terminal.”

Then he gestured subtly toward a sleek building a few meters away.

“Most billionaires and heads of state use it.”

My eyes widened.

“Wait… you mean parang… VIP immigration?”

“Exactly.”

Nakita ko ang dalawang airport officials na lumabas mula sa building, hawak ang tablet.

They approached us politely.

“Good morning, Mr. Montemayor. Welcome back to Italy.”

They greeted me with a respectful nod.

“And welcome, Mrs. Montemayor.”

My cheeks warmed slightly.

Everything happened quickly.

A quick passport scan.

A few signatures.

Then we were escorted directly toward the helicopter.

Parang magic.

Hindi ako makapaniwala.

“Sebastian,” mahina kong sabi habang naglalakad kami.

“Hm?”

“Ganito ba talaga kapag sobrang yaman mo?”

He smirked a little.

“Sometimes.”

I shook my head.

“This is insane.”

He squeezed my hand gently.

“Get used to it, Bella.”

Then he added quietly—

“You married into it.”

The helicopter ride took less than twenty minutes.

But it was the most breathtaking twenty minutes of my life.

As we flew over the mountains, the view opened.

Below us stretched Lake Como.

Crystal blue water surrounded by elegant villas and lush green hills.

It looked like something from a movie.

Or a painting.

“Sebastian…”

My voice softened.

“This place is unreal.”

He watched my reaction quietly.

“Good.”

“Why?”

“Because I wanted the first place we visit as husband and wife…”

He looked at me.

“…to be unforgettable.”

My heart melted a little.

The helicopter slowly began descending.

Below us stood a massive villa perched along the edge of the lake.

Tall white stone walls.

Large terraces.

Gardens filled with olive trees and roses.

And a private dock stretching into the water.

My mouth fell open.

“Sebastian.”

He didn’t even look surprised.

“Yes?”

“Please don’t tell me…”

“That’s ours.”

He nodded calmly.

“For the honeymoon.”

I stared at the villa again.

“That’s not a villa.”

“That’s a palace.”

He chuckled softly.

“Technically it’s a 17th-century estate.”

Of course it is.

The helicopter landed smoothly on a stone helipad near the gardens.

The moment we stepped out, the cool breeze from the lake brushed against my skin.

Everything smelled fresh.

Clean.

Peaceful.

Birds chirped in the distance.

Water gently touched the dock below.

It felt like we had stepped into a completely different world.

Sebastian placed a hand on the small of my back, guiding me toward the terrace.

“Welcome to Lake Como.”

I slowly turned in a circle, taking in the breathtaking view.

The mountains.

The lake.

The golden morning light reflecting on the water.

I exhaled softly.

“This is insane.”

He leaned slightly closer.

“I had to impress my wife somehow.”

I laughed quietly.

“You flew me across the world.”

He shrugged.

“Minimum effort.”

I lightly hit his arm.

“You’re impossible.”

But before I could say anything else…

A voice suddenly spoke behind us.

“Welcome back, Mr. Montemayor.”

I turned.

Standing near the entrance of the villa was an older Italian man in a perfectly tailored suit.

He bowed slightly.

“The villa has been prepared as requested.”

Sebastian nodded.

“Thank you, Lorenzo.”

Then he turned to me again.

“Bella.”

“Yes?”

He gently took my hand.

“Ready to see our honeymoon home?”

I smiled.

“I thought we already did.”

His lips curved slightly.

“That was just the outside.”

And suddenly…

I had a feeling this honeymoon was going to be far more extraordinary than I ever imagined.

Pagpasok pa lang namin sa loob ng villa…

Napahinto talaga ako.

“Wow…”

Hindi ko napigilang sabihin.

The interior looked even more breathtaking than the outside. Mataas ang kisame, may napakalaking crystal chandelier sa gitna ng foyer, at ang sahig ay gawa sa makintab na marble na halos makita ko ang reflection namin.

Large windows surrounded the entire space, letting the golden light of Lake Como pour inside.

Everything felt elegant.

Classic.

Parang nasa isang historical European palace ako.

I slowly turned in a circle, taking everything in.

“Sebastian…”

He watched me with a small amused smile.

“Yes, Mrs. Montemayor?”

“This place is insane.”

He shrugged casually.

“It’s comfortable.”

I laughed.

“Comfortable? This is a museum!”

He chuckled softly.

Then suddenly he held out his hand.

“Come on.”

“Saan tayo pupunta?”

He tilted his head toward the staircase.

“Let’s go upstairs, baby.”

My heart skipped slightly at the way he said it.

I placed my hand in his.

But before I could even take a step—

Bigla niya akong binuhat.

“Sebastian!”

Napatawa ako habang kusang napakapit sa balikat niya.

“What are you doing?”

“Saving time.”

I giggled habang paakyat kami ng napakalawak na marble staircase.

“You’re ridiculous.”

“You married me.”

“Still questioning that decision.”

He laughed softly.

The sound echoed lightly through the quiet villa.

Parang mga teenager lang kaming naghaharutan habang paakyat ng hagdan.

Hanggang sa makarating kami sa second floor.

At doon…

Binuksan niya ang isang malaking double door.

The bedroom.

Napahinto ako ulit.

The room was massive.

Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Lake Como.

A huge king-size bed with soft white sheets.

Elegant furniture.

A fireplace.

And a private terrace outside.

“Sebastian…”

Mahina kong sabi.

“This room is bigger than my entire apartment back in Manila.”

He smiled faintly.

“Good.”

Then he walked further inside while still carrying me.

Doon ko napansin ang isang kakaibang furniture sa kabilang bahagi ng room.

It looked like a sculpted wooden chair with curved shapes.

I frowned slightly.

“What is that?”

Sebastian glanced at it.

Then his eyebrow lifted slightly.

“Oh.”

A slow smile appeared on his face.

“You noticed.”

“Of course I noticed.”

Natawa ako.

“It looks… unusual.”

He still hadn’t put me down.

Instead, he walked closer to it.

“Curious?”

I narrowed my eyes.

“A little.”

Then I remembered something.

“Wait…”

Napatingin ako ulit sa chair.

“Sebastian… is that—”

I squinted slightly.

“Tantra chair?”

He looked impressed.

“You know it?”

I laughed softly.

“I saw something like that on Google before.”

He chuckled.

“Interesting research, Mrs. Montemayor.”

“Excuse me.”

But before I could say more, may napansin ako sa kabilang side ng room.

Our luggage.

Neatly arranged near the walk-in closet.

“Oh.”

I pointed.

“Our things are already here.”

Sebastian glanced at them.

“Lorenzo.”

I nodded.

“Ah… right.”

Malamang inakyat na ng staff habang nasa labas pa kami kanina.

For a moment, I simply looked around the room again.

The view.

The quiet.

The soft breeze from the lake entering through the slightly open terrace doors.

Everything felt peaceful.

Romantic.

Sebastian finally stepped away from the chair and walked toward the bed.

Then…

Dahan-dahan niya akong ibinaba sa sahig.

My feet touched the marble floor.

But before I could step away—

His hands were still on my waist.

Gentle.

Warm.

He looked down at me with that familiar calm intensity.

“Welcome to our honeymoon villa.”

My heart fluttered slightly.

I glanced around the room once more.

Then back at him.

“You really planned all of this?”

His thumb lightly brushed against my side.

“Of course.”

“Why?”

His eyes softened.

“Because it’s our first trip as husband and wife.”

Then he added quietly—

“And I wanted it to be perfect.”

For a moment…

I believed him.

And standing there in that beautiful villa overlooking Lake Como…

I felt like I had stepped into a completely different life.

A life I never imagined would be mine.

Para akong batang biglang na-excite.

Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili ko.

Mabilis akong tumakbo papunta sa malaking sliding glass door malapit sa kama at agad ko itong binuksan.

The moment the door slid open—

“Wow!”

Humampas agad ang malamig na hangin mula sa Lake Como.

Sa harap ko ang napakagandang tanawin.

The lake stretched endlessly in front of the villa, kumikislap ang tubig sa ilalim ng umagang araw habang napapalibutan ng matataas na bundok.

Parang painting.

Parang hindi totoo.

“Sebastian! Ang ganda—”

Bigla akong napahiyaw.

“AAAH!”

Napakalamig ng hangin.

Agad kong niyakap ang sarili ko habang nanginginig.

Sa likod ko, narinig ko ang malakas na tawa ni Sebastian.

“Bella!”

Halos hindi siya makahinga sa kakatawa.

“You ran out there like a child.”

“Ang lamig!”

Agad kong isinara ang sliding door.

“Grabe!”

I hurried back toward the bed, tumalon ako sa ibabaw ng malambot na kama at nagbalot sa kumot.

“Hindi ako sanay sa ganitong lamig!”

Sebastian was still laughing habang naglalakad siya papunta sa kama.

“Filipina problem.”

Tinapunan ko siya ng unan.

“Excuse me.”

He caught the pillow easily, still smiling.

Then he sat beside me on the edge of the bed.

Tahimik sandali.

The room was filled with soft morning light coming from the windows.

Napahiga ako sa kama habang nakatingin sa kisame.

“Love…”

Mahina kong sabi.

“Pagod ako.”

Napatingin siya sa akin.

“Gusto ko muna magpahinga.”

Agad lumambot ang expression niya.

The playful look on his face slowly disappeared.

“You called me love.”

Bahagya siyang ngumiti.

“Gusto mo ba yun ang tawagan natin?”

Napangiti ako.

“Hmmm…”

I giggled softly.

“Maybe.”

Lumapit siya ng kaunti.

His hand gently brushed my hair away from my face.

“Say it again.”

I looked at him playfully.

“Love.”

The word felt natural.

Comfortable.

Then I leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on his lips.

Quick.

Gentle.

But before he could deepen it, napaatras ako ng bahagya.

“Ay…”

Napahawak ako sa tiyan ko.

“Anong nangyari?”

He looked immediately concerned.

I pouted a little.

“Ang sakit ng gitna ko, love.”

Then I lightly nudged his shoulder.

“Pinagod mo ako.”

For a second, he froze.

Then he suddenly laughed again.

Low.

Warm.

“Bella…”

He leaned closer, brushing his forehead lightly against mine.

“You’re unbelievable.”

But the way he looked at me…

It was full of affection.

And something deeper.

Then he gently pulled the blanket higher around me.

“Rest.”

His voice softened.

“I’ll be right here.”

I closed my eyes slowly.

The last thing I felt was his hand holding mine.

And somewhere outside the villa…

The peaceful waters of Lake Como continued to move quietly under the morning sun.

Hindi ko alam kung gaano ako katagal natulog.

Ang alam ko lang…

Pagdilat ko ng mata, madilim na ang paligid.

For a few seconds, hindi ko maalala kung nasaan ako.

I slowly blinked.

The ceiling above me was high and elegant. May soft golden light mula sa bedside lamps na nagbibigay ng warm glow sa buong kwarto.

Then reality slowly came back.

Lake Como.

The villa.

My honeymoon.

My husband.

Napangiti ako ng bahagya.

Dahan-dahan akong bumangon sa kama, inaayos ang buhok ko na medyo magulo pa dahil sa tulog.

That’s when the bedroom door slowly opened.

At tamang-tama…

Pumasok si Sebastian.

He had already changed clothes. Naka-dark shirt siya at black trousers, medyo relaxed na ang itsura niya kumpara kanina.

Pero kahit ganoon…

He still looked ridiculously handsome.

Napansin niya agad na gising na ako.

His expression softened.

“Good evening, Mrs. Montemayor.”

Napangiti ako.

“Good evening.”

I stretched slightly.

“What time is it?”

“Almost eight.”

Napadilat ako.

“Eight?!”

Tumawa siya nang mahina.

“Yes.”

Napahawak ako sa noo ko.

“Oh my God… natulog ako buong hapon.”

“You needed it.”

Lumapit siya sa kama.

“I told you to rest.”

I sighed dramatically.

“Now I feel embarrassed.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m sure the entire staff noticed na natulog ako buong araw sa honeymoon ko.”

He chuckled softly.

“They expected it.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“They did?”

“Yes.”

He sat beside me on the bed.

“Long wedding.”

He brushed a strand of hair away from my face.

“Long flight.”

Then he added quietly—

“And a very long night.”

My cheeks warmed immediately.

“Sebastian.”

“What?”

“You sound very proud.”

“I am.”

I lightly hit his arm.

“You’re impossible.”

He caught my hand easily.

Then he gently squeezed it.

“Come on.”

“Saan?”

He stood up and offered his hand.

“Dinner.”

My stomach suddenly made a small noise.

Sebastian smirked.

“Told you.”

I groaned.

“Don’t say anything.”

“You’re hungry.”

“Yes.”

“You should eat.”

“Okay.”

He helped me stand up.

“Lorenzo prepared dinner on the terrace.”

I blinked.

“The terrace?”

He nodded toward the glass doors.

“Lake view.”

My eyes widened slightly.

“At night?”

“Even better.”

I looked down at myself.

“Wait… I look like I just woke up.”

“You did.”

“I need to change.”

“You look beautiful.”

I rolled my eyes.

“Flattery won’t stop me.”

He laughed quietly.

“Fine.”

He gestured toward the walk-in closet.

“Five minutes.”

I started walking toward it, but before entering I looked back at him.

“Love?”

“Yes?”

“Don’t start eating without me.”

He leaned casually against the bedpost.

“I wouldn’t dare.”

Then he added with a teasing smile—

“My wife might get angry.”

I smiled to myself before disappearing into the closet.

Because somehow…

This quiet night in Lake Como felt more romantic than the entire wedding.