by Maida Malby
Pamilya [pa-meal-ya] n. – family.
He’s nervous. Blake had a tight grip on the steering wheel of his BMW. His knuckles were white, even though the car had been parked in front of her parents’ Bahay na Bato—a brick and stone Spanish colonial house—for a good five minutes already.
Last night when she told him about her mother’s invitation for them to visit today, he’d seemed happy, even excited. They took the first flight out of Boracay and drove for three hours to get here by lunchtime. Knowing her mother, Krista guessed she’d have spent all morning cooking up a storm for her daughter’s arrival. It would be a belated birthday celebration.
“Blake.” She stroked his arm. “My parents already love you for bringing me home.”
He turned to her and smiled. “I hope so.” Leaning over, he whispered, “They’re watching from the window, right?”
Krista giggled. “My siblings are. My mom’s probably as anxious as you, and is very likely pacing in the living room.”
“Who’s anxious? I’m not anxious,” he declared. “I’m tense, edgy, jumpy, nervous as hell. You are anxious. Me, not so much.” The honest admission made them both laugh.
Her boyfriend reached for her hand and kissed it. “Thanks, love. Let’s go meet your parents.”
Gesturing for her to stay in her seat, he got out and ran to open the door on her side. The gentlemanly conduct would surely earn him points with her dad. After taking the gifts from the back seat, he locked the car. Hand in hand, they walked to the front door, which opened almost as soon as they reached it.
“Happy birthday, Ate!” Her brother and sister jostled each other to fight over who got to her first. Farrah won after giving her brother a particularly strong stomp on his foot.
“Ang gwapo nya, Ate. Does he have a brother? And, is he as handsome as your boyfriend?” Farrah stage-whispered as they hugged.
Before Krista had a chance to answer, Alex elbowed his sister out of the way to give Krista a bear hug. Her little brother was not so little anymore. He had bulked up and stood as tall as her. She gave him a pat on the back and eased out of his arms when she saw her parents approach. Alex let go of her and approached Blake to shake his hand. Her sister had done the same.
She bent over her father’s proffered hand and pressed her forehead to it in the Filipino way of Mano. Krista turned to her mother to show the same sign of respect but was surprised when her mother opened her arms wide instead. Tears came into her eyes, and she fell into her mother’s embrace. “Nanay.”
“Happy birthday, Anak.” Her mother stroked her hair. “Don’t cry, or I’ll start crying, too. We’ll never get to eat.” She stepped back and looked pointedly at Blake.
Krista held out her hand to Blake, inviting him to step inside the family circle. “Tay, Nay, this is my boyfriend, Blake. Blake, my mom and dad.”
Blake stepped forward and said, “Maganda’ng tanghali po, ma’am, sir.”
Her mother’s gasp and her father’s nod of approval made her smile. Same with the thumbs-up sign her brother and sister flashed behind their parents. Her boyfriend’s Tagalog was once again winning hearts.
Her dad held out his hand for Blake to shake. “Let’s not be formal, Iho. Call me Tito Arsen and Krista’s mom Tita Marissa.” For now, was unspoken. With hope, her future husband would be invited to call her parents Tatay and Nanay.
“Salamat po, Tito Arsen, Tita Marissa,” Blake dutifully replied, bowing his head to each of her parents as he addressed them. He had visibly relaxed since their arrival. The smile on his face was easy, and his arms were loose at his sides.
“Gutom na ako. Tara, kain na tayo,” Alex hollered from the dining room. Krista’s mother scolded her brother for yelling. Her father just shook his head at his son’s antics.
She stroked Blake’s back as they walked, and asked, “You okay?”
“I’m great, baby.” He smiled down at her. “They’re nice—your parents. I like them.”
“I told you—” The sight of their dining table, groaning under the weight of the platters and platters of her favorite dishes, brought her up short. Pancit Malabon, lechon kawali, embutido, menudo, kare kare, lumpiang Shanghai, relyenong bangus, sapin-sapin, maruya, and rice crowded the long table. They must have closed the café early yesterday to prepare all of these. Her parents had owned and ran a roadside eatery since her dad retired from teaching and they moved to her mom’s province several years ago.
Krista glanced at Blake. His eyes were big—he seemed impressed with the spread before them. He looked at Krista, eyes twinkling with mirth. She knew she had the same expression on her face. They both had to suppress their laughter. This looked almost exactly like the breakfast he ordered on Tuesday, for her birthday treat. Already he had found something in common with her mother.
When they were all seated, her father led the prayers. Krista hid another smile when they all gaped at Blake as he made the sign of the cross. My man is hitting three-point shots from all over the floor today. Beside her, Farrah and Alex were giving her thumbs-up signs again. Krista’s heart swelled with happiness. We’re going to be all right. We’re going to make it.
She reached under the table for Blake’s hand and squeezed it. He pressed right back but kept his gaze on her parents. “Tito, Tita, may I ask for your blessing? I would like to invite Krista to meet my family in the US. I regret that I will be taking her away from you during Christmastime, but it would truly make me happy to spend my birthday with her and introduce her to my loved ones, as she has introduced me to hers.” Her parents communicated in that quiet way of theirs. A look passed between them before turning to Blake and nodding. They gave their permission.
He turned to her and said, “This week has been the best of my life so far. Falling in love with you, and knowing you feel the same has been a wish fulfilled. You have honored me by sharing your family with me; please allow me to share mine with you.”
Krista brought their joined hands to her lips and looked into his eyes, her own filling with tears. “Yes. Yes, I’ll go with you.” Anywhere. Anytime.
He bent his head towards her and whispered, “They’re going to love you as much as I do.”
Krista nodded. “I hope so, Blake. I pray so.”
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The number of people I have to thank for making my dream come true will fill the whole island of Boracay.
I will start with you, dear readers, who are reading this book right now. Thank you for taking a chance on this unknown author.
I dedicate this book to foreign-born spouses of Americans who have not yet read their story told in romance novels. They are the inspiration for this series. Special mention to Yulia, my Belarusian sestra.
Massive thanks to the best book club in the world Old School Romance Book Club. Boracay Vows would not exist without them. They put the idea in my head, encouraged me, and supported me through NaNoWriMo 2016 and Camp NaNo in July. The OSRBC is where I met my amazing editor Linda Hill, fabulous cover designer Lucy Rhodes, and wonderful Beta readers: Rizalee, Cecille, and Eva.
Much gratitude to Rainne Mendoza (Fobolous) and R.G. Gallardo (Survivor series) for involving me in the creative process of their respective books. I enjoyed working on their novels so much I just had to try writing my own.
Huge thanks also go to my cover team: my sister Myrtle and photographer-extraordinaire Celeste Odono.
Salamuch to my friends Renee, Tiara, Mia, Jonathan, and Lia for recreating the cover idea for me.
My gurus on this incredible world of Indie publishing: Linda Hill and Eva Moore deserve another mention. Thanks for the guidance and the hand-holding.
Maraming salamat to my barkadas Chi Phi Pi and Basic Burlesque for being the models for my characters. Thanks to Chiqui and N for helping me flesh out my plot. They might not recognize this version from the first draft they’d seen, but their input made Boracay Vows what it is today.
Finally, and most importantly, the biggest of thanks g
oes to my husband, who is also my publisher, and my son for all the love and support.
AUTHOR’S NOTE
Blake’s resort Perlas in Boracay is a combination of hotels I’ve stayed in all over the world. It does not exist in real life. Which means the airstrip in the island itself is also imaginary. As of this book’s publication, the closest airport is still in the nearby town of Caticlan, a short boat ride away. That’s about the only thing I made up. (And, maybe the horses, too. I’m not sure.) Everything else is true: the fine white sand, the clear waters, blue sky, spectacular sunsets, and the warm hospitality of the people are one-hundred percent real. Go and visit Boracay. Tell them about my book.
I hope you enjoyed Krista and Blake’s story. The next book NEW YORK ENGAGEMENT is a sequel. It’s a novella set in New York City where they will spend Blake’s birthday and the holidays. I’ve added an excerpt after this note. It’s available from your favorite etailers starting May 21, 2018.
You also met Krista’s best friend Maddie and Blake’s older brother Aidan. Their story is called SINGAPORE FLING. The two of them will help plan Krista and Blake’s wedding since Maddie will be Krista’s Maid of Honor and Aidan will stand for Blake as his Best Man.
For bonus content, check out my website www.carpediemchroniclesbymaidamalby.com. You’ll find photos of all the places and food I mentioned in the series, as well as sneak peeks of my work-in-progress. If you have any questions or comments, you can contact me at [email protected]. You can also find me on Facebook (Maida Malby), Twitter (@maida_malby) and Instagram (Carpe Diem Chronicles). And if you liked my book, please leave a review. I’d really appreciate it and it’ll help new readers find it. Thank you.
EXCERPT
NEW YORK ENGAGEMENT
Deborah Kerr is right, Krista thought. The Empire State Building is the nearest thing to heaven in New York City. The bright lights of The City That Never Sleeps twinkled before her from the 86th-floor open-air observation deck of what was once the tallest building in the world. Snow blanketed the floor beneath her and the rooftops nearby, creating a winter wonderland of enchantment. Despite the bracing air, inside she felt warm, joyful.
Krista stepped away from the railing to rest her head on the hard chest of the man who was the primary reason for her contentment. Blake stood behind her, patiently allowing her to take in her fill of his birthplace. Her pulse skittered when he wrapped his arms around her and clasped both of her gloved hands in his.
“Cold?” he asked, his hold on her tightening when she shivered.
Krista shook her head. “No, I’m fine. I’m warm and toasty.” Between the protection of her coat and the heat from his big body, she spoke the truth. His nearness made her tingle, not the wind of the frosty night, four days before Christmas.
They’d been together for nearly two months, but she still marveled at her body’s reaction to him. At their office in Makati, she never had to turn around or look to check whether he was in the same room. She had developed a sixth sense when it came to Blake Ryan.
Before they found themselves falling in love in Boracay, she had avoided being close to him, had made it a point to keep her distance. He was her boss, a foreigner, an American: someone Krista knew her mother wouldn’t approve of. Marissa Lopez’s own experience with an American, who she’d only known by the name “John,” had left her alone, pregnant, and full of shame. She didn’t want the same for her eldest daughter. But Krista’s heart wanted Blake. His wanted her.
They had arrived only a few hours ago, exhausted by the long trip from the Philippines. Still, knowing jet lag would hit them hard later, they had opted to acclimatize to the time zone and weather. Krista and Blake decided to stay awake after checking in at their hotel and taking a quick shower. They’d descended to the lobby of The Plaza Hotel in search of food. Luckily, the Food Hall one level below still had some open shops.
Blake nudged her hood aside to whisper in her ear. “I can hear the wheels turning around in your head. What are you thinking of?”
“Food.” She turned and grinned when she caught her boyfriend’s surprised look.
“You want to eat again?” His eyes roamed all over her face, as if looking for signs of hunger.
She gave his chest a light tap. The supple leather covering her hand made the action totally harmless. “No, silly. I can still taste that absolutely yummy dinner from Luke’s. I wasn’t hungry before we ate, but I swear, I could have devoured two of those lobster rolls. They were so buttery, so mouth-wateringly sweet, juicy and oh ... so ... luscious.” She closed her eyes, licked her lips, and moaned at the remembered satisfaction. When she opened her eyes, Blake was staring at her mouth, his own eyes blazing with blue fire.
He abruptly let go of her and started buttoning his coat. His fingers, clumsy in their haste, misaligned the top button. Then he reached for her hand and pulled her behind him, his strides long and hurried.
“Where are we going?” She tugged to slow him down.
“Hotel.” Brusque and short.
Oh! She noted the flush in his cheeks and the glow in his eyes. Her lips tilted up in a knowing smile. She darted past him.
When they stepped into the elevator, Blake went to the corner and positioned her in front of him, her back plastered to his front. Through the thickness of her coat, the rigid column of his erection nestled against her bottom.
“Bed,” he growled in her ear.
Krista trembled as answering desire flowed through her. The sensuality he’d always evoked in her won over the fatigue of travel.
If you’d like to read more of NEW YORK ENGAGEMENT, please click on the title for the links to purchase your copy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
With a poet for a grandfather, a short-story writer/teacher for a mother, and a voracious reader for a father, Maida's new career as a writer is a natural fit.
Spouse to a USAF Veteran and mother to a kid who loves Texas and Super Mario, Maida writes multicultural contemporary romances set all over the world. At some point in her life, Maida has lived and worked in the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and the United States so it's not surprising those are favorite locations for her novels.
Maida studied several languages and can speak English, Filipino, Indonesian, French, and Thai in various degrees of fluency. Her Spanish and Japanese are good enough for counting money and ordering food.
When not writing or reading, Maida cooks the dishes she features in her books, photographs other people's front yards during her morning walk, and watches Food Network, Golf Channel, and Game of Thrones on TV.