“Break up with him.” My mom’s words hit the room, heavy and sharp with authority.

I looked at her face, expressionless. Honestly, I wasn’t surprised. This was the usual greeting whenever she called me home. She always wanted me to end things with Kirvie.

We’d been together for almost a year now, despite my family, especially my mom, disapproving. She hated him because of his background — a poor family, nothing like ours.

Of course, I came from an affluent family. My mom’s a CEO and an architect, while my dad is one of the top lawyers in town. I also have a little brother — the youngest in our family, a seven-year-old ball of energy.

Kirvie, on the other hand? Modest means, but that never stopped me from loving him deeply. I honestly didn’t care about our social gap; all that mattered was how much we loved each other.

I first met him last year, introduced by a friend from his class. We clicked instantly — and before I knew it, I was head over heels.

“Ate! Ate! Ate!” My brother’s voice echoed as he came bouncing down the stairs, yaya trailing behind him.

Both Mom and I turned our attention to him. I smiled at my little brother — he looked so much like me. Mom’s eyes, however, were fierce as she stared at me.

“Hailey, I’m serious. Break up with that boy. I don’t want him in your life — especially not in our family. He’s... just a—”

“That’s never going to happen, Mom. I love him so much.” I cut her off firmly.

She just glared at me before storming out. I knelt to my brother’s level and kissed his cheek. He immediately wiped it off.

I laughed. “Don’t like Ate’s kisses?”

He pouted adorably. “I want! I want Kuya Kirvie kisses too!”

Hearing Kirvie’s name made me smile. My brother adored him, which made me so happy — it softened the tension with my mom. Mom sometimes tried to turn my brother against Kirvie, but luckily, he never bought into it.

“Miss Kuya?” I tickled his tummy.

He nodded enthusiastically.

“He misses you too. Soon, I’ll bring you to him, promise!” I pinched his cheek gently.

His face lit up and he clapped his hands. Oh, how I loved my little brother’s innocence and joy.

“But don’t tell Mommy, okay?”

“Opo!” he nodded obediently.

I caught Yaya’s approving smile and nod. Thank God she was kind and kept our secrets safe from Mom.

I played with my brother a bit before deciding to leave our house and head straight to Kirvie’s place.

Outside his home, three of his younger siblings were playing. They told me Kirvie was cooking since their mom had gone out for work.

I left the kids to their fun and slipped inside their small but tidy house. Seeing Kirvie busy chopping vegetables made me smile warmly.

“Hi po. Dito ba nakatira si Kirvie?” I asked politely.

He looked up, eyes widening in surprise at my presence.

“Hails,” he greeted, setting down his knife and pulling me into a tight hug.

“Missed you,” he whispered close to my ear.

“Missed you more, babe,” I replied, my heart melting.

He let go to give me a sweet kiss — one of the many things I adored about him, his affectionate and clingy nature reserved just for me.

“Kumain ka na ba?” he asked, eyes searching mine.

I shook my head. “Are you gonna feed me?”

He blushed deeply; I knew exactly what was going on in his head. Oh, that green mind of his!

I watched him cook a delicious-looking vegetable dish with fish, the aroma filling the cozy kitchen.

My phone buzzed suddenly. I glanced at the caller ID and immediately rolled my eyes — it was someone I didn’t want to talk to.

I silenced the phone, ignoring the call. I didn’t want drama after leaving my own house.

“I’ll be back in a bit. Need to call my siblings,” Kirvie said, setting the table.

I nodded and let him be, my eyes wandering around their home. Everything was spotless — no dust, no clutter. Small but complete and cared for. Their family was clearly hardworking and organized.

Kirvie returned with two younger brothers and a little sister in tow — Kio, Kino, and Cath.

Kio was 15, Kino 10, and Cath the youngest at 5. There were five siblings in total, with Kirvie being the second oldest at 20. Their eldest sister was 25 and had her own family, so she wasn’t home.

Their parents really knew how to manage time and responsibilities. I admired that so much.

Honestly, I was older than Kirvie by just a year — 21 to his 20. Another reason why my mom hated him.

“Let’s eat,” Kirvie announced, and we all bowed our heads to pray.

He made sure his siblings got food first before attending to me, a sweet gesture I truly appreciated.

“Thanks, babe,” I whispered.

After eating, I helped clear the table and wash dishes. Kirvie protested at first, but I insisted, so he gave in.

“Ate, laro tayo!” Cath called from the living room as we finished.

I was about to join her when Kirvie gently grabbed my elbow and raised an eyebrow.

“What?” I asked.

He ignored me and looked at Cath. “Time for bed, Cath. Matulog ka na.”

Cath pouted but nodded, then came over to give me a quick hug.

Once she left, Kirvie caught my gaze. I knew why he stopped me — he wanted a quiet moment with me before I left.

“You’re mean to your little sister,” I teased.

He raised his eyebrows and grabbed my waist, pulling me down to sit beside him on the sofa.

“Me? Always my siblings first,” he pouted.

I laughed. “Looks like you’re jealous of your own family.”

“I’m not!” he denied, but his cheeks betrayed him.

“Baby?” I said, teasing.

“Hmm?”

“I want to kiss you,” he stammered, moving closer.

Just as he leaned in, his phone rang loudly. Both of us looked at the screen, and I rolled my eyes at who it was.

“Go ahead, answer it,” I said coldly.

He shook his head.

“Maybe it’s important,” I added. “I’m about to leave anyway.”

“Come on, baby,” he pleaded.

“Answer your best friend’s call already,” I insisted, still firm.

“You’re jealous again,” he accused.

“So what?” I snapped back.

“She’s just a friend,” he explained.

“Friend, huh? You look like hers,” I teased, thinking about the girl who always seemed to interfere with us.

She was his classmate, lived just a few doors away, and constantly called him. I hated her guts — always trying to ruin our moments. She didn’t like me either, so we were at a stalemate.

“Why is she calling?” I asked suspiciously.

He shrugged. “Maybe about our research?”

I sighed, deciding not to argue further. I glanced at the clock — 8:30. Time flew so fast!

“You can sleep here tonight,” he offered.

I shook my head. “Next time, I’ll stay. For now, I better go.”

He pouted but nodded. We left the house together, and he promised to walk me to my car.

Reaching up, I kissed his lips softly, having to tiptoe because of his height. He held my waist, deepening the kiss.

“Damn, I’m addicted to your lips,” he murmured.

I grinned. “No matter what happens, baby, I’ll fight for us. For our love.”

And in that moment, I truly believed we could conquer anything.