Ashford Series 1: Loveless Vows

Special Chapter - The Ashford Family

Sabrinna was lounging on the couch in the spacious living room of the Ashford villa, her 7-month pregnant belly comfortably propped up on a few pillows.

Serena and Daphne sat across from her, both with hesitant smiles as they picked at the rather... unusual combination of food Sabrinna had requested for her cravings.

“Grabe 'to, ‘di ba? Who eats pickles with peanut butter?” Serena muttered, wrinkling her nose but still taking a bite because, well, a happy Sabrinna meant peace for everyone in the villa.

“Eh, masaya si ate,” Daphne whispered back, trying not to gag as she reached for a slice of banana dipped in soy sauce. “As long as she’s smiling, kakayanin natin ‘to.”

Sabrinna laughed softly at the two ladies in front of her. She was well aware her cravings were a bit wild, but she couldn’t help it.

Her hormones were all over the place, and the food that used to gross her out was now strangely delicious.

“Mabuti pa kayo, sumunod nang tahimik,” Sabrinna teased them, leaning back against the cushions. “Kasi ‘yung mga ibang tao d’yan, kung nakikita ako, takbuhan agad.”

The other Ashfords, true to form, had been making themselves scarce. Once they caught sight of Sabrinna waddling around, they either made an excuse to leave or disappeared into their rooms to avoid being tasked with finding ridiculous cravings or eating something unusual she concocted.

“Siguro takot lang sila na utusan ko ulit,” she added with a laugh, shaking her head. “The last time, si Marcus, pinabili ko ng chicharon na walang taba. Ayan, nagtago na ‘yung tao.”

Just as she finished her sentence, the door creaked open, and she could hear familiar voices outside.

Prime, Cyrus, Eryx, and Bastian had been out for hours, searching for the most impossible craving she had so far: a santol na walang buto.

“Honey!” Prime’s voice came through the open doorway, sounding breathless as he entered the room, carrying a small bag in his hand.

Behind him, the other three followed, all looking equally exhausted.

“Nasaan na?!” Sabrinna’s eyes lit up at the sight of them. “Nakuha niyo ba?”

Prime chuckled nervously and scratched the back of his neck. “Uh...we looked everywhere, babe. But there’s no such thing as santol na walang buto,” he admitted, giving her an apologetic smile.

“Yeah, Prime’s right. I don’t know what kind of miracle fruit that is, but it doesn’t exist,” Cyrus chimed in, shaking his head. “I even asked around kung may ganyan na genetically modified na santol, wala talaga.”

Eryx, who had been leaning against the doorframe, raised his hands in surrender. “We tried, okay? Pinagpawisan kami kakahanap. We even asked locals in every nearby market, but...” He trailed off, shaking his head in disbelief.

Bastian groaned, dropping onto the couch next to Daphne. “Sino bang nakaisip ng santol na walang buto? That’s not even real, Sabrinna. I mean, hindi magiging santol ang santol kung walang buto, right?"

Sabrinna pouted, crossing her arms over her chest. “So, wala kayong nahanap?” She was disappointed, but deep down, she knew it was a ridiculous request.

She was about to say something else when Prime walked up to her and placed a hand on her belly.

“Sorry, babe, pero siguro it’s time to admit na kahit anong paghahanap namin, we can’t break the laws of nature,” he said gently, leaning down to kiss her on the forehead.