Whisper of the Heart

Chapter 12

Chloe had no idea what she was in for with Noah that day. She thought they'd just be having a simple coffee together, but Noah had other plans. After finishing their coffee, Noah smiled with a mischievous glint in his eye.

"Chloe," he said warmly, "it's about time you got pampered. Tara, may surprise ako para sa'yo."

Chloe looked at him, slightly confused but also curious. "Ano na namang naisip mo?" she teased, half-laughing.

"Just trust me," he replied, leading her down a few escalators and through the bustling mall halls. Before she knew it, they were standing outside a beauty parlor, the sign glowing invitingly in the dimly lit hallway. Chloe hesitated, looking uncertainly at the bright glass doors.

"Noah, I don't think... I mean, hindi naman kailangan," she began, flustered at the thought of indulging herself.

But Noah wouldn't take no for an answer. "Chloe," he said, his voice soft and insistent, "you deserve this. After everything... I think you need a day for yourself. Please?"

Chloe could see the sincerity in his eyes, and a part of her wanted to give in, to let go of her worries and just be happy, even if just for a little while. She nodded slowly, and Noah's face lit up with excitement.

Inside, the beauty parlor was luxurious, with elegant leather chairs and polished mirrors. The stylists warmly welcomed them, and Chloe soon found herself getting her hair and makeup done, while Noah waited nearby, looking up from his phone every now and then to smile at her. Chloe felt like a different person as they fussed over her, and as her hair was styled and makeup carefully applied, she felt a warmth and lightness she hadn't felt in so long.

Afterwards, they strolled through the mall, and Noah took her straight into a high-end clothing store. "Noah... baka sobra na ito," Chloe murmured, feeling self-conscious.

But Noah just shook his head. "You deserve a fresh start, Chloe. Think of it as a new beginning," he reassured her, gesturing to the racks filled with elegant dresses and stylish outfits.

Slowly, Chloe began to relax, allowing herself to be swept up in the experience. Just like the movie Pretty Woman, Noah encouraged her to try on anything she wanted. He picked out outfits for her, casual, formal, elegant, each one bringing out a different side of her. They laughed as she modeled dress after dress, her confidence building with each outfit. Noah's approving nods and supportive comments made her feel truly seen, like he understood the woman she was beyond the hurt and the heartbreak.

They left the store with bags filled with beautiful clothes, shoes, and even a small handbag that Chloe reluctantly agreed to get, after Noah's persistent persuasion. Her heart felt lighter as they walked through the mall, their laughter echoing around them.

Afterwards, they headed to an upscale restaurant called La Estrella—a cozy, dimly-lit place with a romantic ambiance. The soft lighting cast a warm glow over their table as they enjoyed a meal of rich pasta and grilled salmon. They shared stories, laughed, and for the first time in weeks, Chloe felt a sense of peace and warmth settle over her.

Later that evening, they decided to watch a movie at the nearby cinema. They picked a light-hearted comedy about friends going on a crazy adventure, and as they sat together, surrounded by the soft hum of laughter from the crowd, Chloe felt her heart easing, her worries momentarily set aside.

At the end of the night, as they walked out of the theater, Chloe felt a deep gratitude toward Noah. He had given her a day that felt like a dream, a reminder that there was still joy to be found, even amidst the pain. Her heart was still healing, but Noah had shown her that she didn't have to walk that journey alone.

"Thank you, Noah," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion as she looked up at him.

Noah simply smiled, his gaze warm and reassuring. "Anytime, Chloe. I'm here, always."

For a brief moment, Chloe was happy. It had been such a long time since she felt this kind of joy, na kahit papaano, natakpan ng saya ang sakit na nadarama niya. Every laugh she shared with Noah, every simple glance, was like a breath of fresh air. Pero habang papunta na sila sa parking lot, she suddenly started feeling light-headed. Ang mundo niya ay unti-unting umiikot, hanggang sa nawalan siya ng malay. Noah barely had time to react but was quick enough to catch her before she hit the ground. His heart raced with fear, unsure of what had just happened. Wala siyang alam kung ano ang dapat gawin, but he knew he had to act fast.

Dali-daling dinala ni Noah si Chloe sa emergency room ng ospital. A few hours later, Chloe slowly regained consciousness, still feeling disoriented. She blinked, confused, taking in the sterile hospital walls, her mind racing as she tried to piece together what had happened. Noah was by her side, concern etched into every line of his face. "Chloe, are you okay?" he asked, his voice filled with worry.

Just then, the doctor entered with a gentle smile, holding a chart in his hands. "Ms. Hernandez, congratulations. You're about a month pregnant."

The words hit Chloe like a storm. A baby? She was stunned, speechless, unsure how to react to the news. Isang gabi lang 'yon, just one night with Wyatt. How could this be happening? Yet memories of that night flooded back to her, reminding her of the intimacy they shared. She hadn't thought about the possibility of this, of a child growing inside her now. At sa pagdating ng balitang ito, an ocean of emotions washed over her.

The doctor turned to Noah and congratulated him as well, assuming he was the father. Noah's expression faltered, caught off-guard by the sudden assumption, but he chose not to correct it. He looked at Chloe with a mix of surprise and worry, habang si Chloe naman ay tulala pa rin, tinatanggap ang lahat ng nangyari. Hindi niya alam kung paano magsisimula sa dami ng katanungang bumabagabag sa isip niya.

Should she tell Wyatt? Magagamit ba niya ang bata para magkapagbalikan sila? Hindi yata tama. Chloe shook her head at the thought, refusing to be that desperate. Alam niya, sa kabila ng lahat, na inako niya ang desisyon na iyon ng buong-buo, kahit na nasaktan siya sa naging tugon ni Wyatt. Hindi ito magiging madali para sa kanya, but the last thing she wanted was to trap Wyatt into a relationship he didn't want.

For now, she just wanted to leave, to get away from the chaos swirling in her mind. Noah, noticing the conflict and sorrow in her eyes, asked softly, "Chloe, gusto mo na bang umuwi? Or would you rather stay for a bit?"

Hindi pa siya handang bumalik sa bahay. Kaya nang inalok ni Noah na mag-stay muna sa condo niya para makapag-isip, Chloe found herself nodding. "Sige, Noah... I think I need some time to think. Thank you..."

Noah placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, his gaze steady and reassuring. "I'm here, Chloe. Hindi kita iiwan." His words brought a small comfort to her aching heart, giving her a sliver of strength as she tried to navigate this overwhelming news.

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