Crumpled Promises Book 1
Prologue
In the quiet streets of a provincial town, where the whispers of old traditions blend with the winds of change, Daphne Baretto grew up with nothing but dreams. Dreams of a future far beyond the narrow horizons of her small world. She never imagined that the very people closest to her would become the ones to stand in her way.
Daphne's heart belonged to the vast unknown, to a love that felt like it could conquer any obstacle, especially her complicated relationship with Duke Flanagan. But in the shadows, lurking beneath the surface of their friendship, was Jeremae Perez — her cousin, her closest friend, the one person she thought she could always rely on. They had been inseparable, two souls connected by shared memories and a mutual understanding. But time, with its unforgiving hands, began to unravel their bond, pulling them apart in ways Daphne could never have foreseen.
This is the story of Daphne Baretto — a woman caught between her dreams and the painful truths of her past. A woman who must face the ultimate test of loyalty, love, and sacrifice. And in the end, she will discover that sometimes, to achieve the life you desire, you must first let go of everything you thought you knew.
Welcome to a journey of heartache, redemption, and the kind of love that can shake the very foundation of one's soul. The story begins now.
PROMISE I
Sometimes, life hurls you into chaos with no warning—like a rogue wave crashing onto calm shores—dragging you into a storm you never saw coming. One moment you're walking straight, the next, you're knee-deep in a nightmare stitched from madness and mystery.
All I can recall from that pivotal conversation with Jeremae was a name—U.S. Air Force Star General Duke Flanagan. Back then, I had no clue that name would ignite a chain of events I could neither predict nor prepare for. Still, somewhere in the eye of that storm, I cling to a strange hope: that this man, this elusive Duke, might somehow lead me to the life I’ve long dreamed of—if not now, then in a time yet to come.
I remember how it all started, really. I was just seven, a small girl with wild dreams in the quiet folds of Samar. Back then, I imagined my future husband would be an American hero—brave, noble, and handsome. And when I first saw Duke Flanagan, it felt like my childhood vision had stepped into the real world.
Sigh... He’s the kind of man you don’t just notice—you feel his presence. Sun-kissed skin the color of earth after a summer rain. Built strong from discipline, tall with a presence that doesn’t need words. His eyes—oh, those eyes—deep, calm, like pools that hold secrets and gentleness in equal measure. His eyelids, rich and warm like roasted chestnut seeds, framed by hair that’s cropped short and curls ever so slightly, as if even his strands are trained to behave.
There’s a quiet strength in him. The way he reads a room, senses conflict before it ignites, and douses the fire before it burns too bright. He’s composed, a fortress of emotion held in check. And those lips—full, with a natural pink hue, soft like a whispered promise, glossed like they were kissed by morning dew.
Daphne turned her gaze from the taxi window, the city lights blurring like wet paint on glass. She leaned her head back, letting her eyes drift skyward, as if hoping the night sky might offer answers.
“Duke,” she mused silently, “that man with a charge in his veins, as if he’s powered by something not quite of this world. The kind who can keep you up all night—not just in bed, but in your head.” She smirked inwardly. “Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating. But damn, doesn’t he even look like a young Will Smith from back in his Hollywood prime?”
And just like that, her mind veered off course—rewinding six months into the past.
In the plush corner of the hall, draped in dim red glow, a mixed crowd lounged on the velvet couch—Americans, Africans, Mexicans, Chinese, Koreans—all lost in easy laughter. Beside them, alluring women leaned in close, the kind whose presence turned heads with every glance. Their attention, though, was drawn forward—toward the stage, where naked dancers moved like liquid flame beneath the shifting lights.
Some patrons blinked back tears without knowing why, their faces swollen from drink or emotion. Others stared ahead, glassy-eyed, captivated, their lips curling into faint smiles. A few looked entirely at ease, while others—drunken and wide-eyed—were clearly somewhere else entirely, mesmerized by the rhythm and the spectacle unfolding before them.
The dancers flowed in perfect time with the music, their bodies swaying as though possessed by the beat, glancing around the room like goddesses surveying their temple. You could feel it—the strange tension, the invisible line between pleasure and unease in the air. If you watched closely, you could almost guess the inner world of each guest just by how they sat, how they held their drink, how they breathed.
The soundscape was a thick cocktail of thumping bass, glass tapping against glass, and overlapping voices—some laughing, some murmuring, some slurred. The air buzzed with it all.
And me? I didn’t even remember to feel tired that night. The exhaustion didn’t matter. This was peak season—the month when Subic’s docks swelled with the arrival of American warships, and the city lit up with motion, money, and men chasing the memory of something they once called freedom.
DAPHNE
JEREMAE
DUKE
They’d just wrapped up another round of intense shoulder drills—this time deep in the provinces of Zambales and Clark, Pampanga. Now, like clockwork, they were back in Angeles, returning to our club where the lights never dim and the laughter never ends. The moment they hit the city, the rhythm changes. The night throbs with energy, and the air is thick with heat, music, and mischief.
I glide between tables, balancing bottles of wine in one hand, sizzling plates of steak in the other, the scent trailing behind me like a promise.
Their laughter roars, bouncing off the walls of the club like a wild rhythm no one wants to end.
Then a voice cuts through the noise—sharp, American, and playfully bold.
“Hey girls! Come over here!”
I turn, catching his gaze already locked on me. I flash a sly smile and saunter over, letting my steps do part of the talking.
“Hi there! How’s it going, my friend?” I chirp, sweet with a splash of tease.
He grins, a little too pleased. “I’ve been watching you for a while now,” he says, eyes glinting. “You’ve been running around serving wine and sizzling steaks like you own the place.”
The music pulses louder. He leans in, raising his voice just above the bass. “Come sit next to me—let’s talk.”
“Sure!” I reply, sliding into the seat beside him, my voice raised just enough to compete with the sound. “I’m Daphne, and you are?”
“Oh baby, just call me Al,” he shouts back, grinning wider.
As I settle in, Al throws a hand up.
“Waitress!” he calls out, loud and clear.
She appears within seconds, her notepad ready.
“Yes sir, what can I do for you?”
"Bring us the finest drinks, the ones my little girl craves," he said, pointing a finger in my direction.
"How about some sizzling steaks, darling? Just tell the waitress what you're in the mood for, and we’ll make tonight unforgettable. Hahaha!" he added with a mischievous grin.
It didn’t take long for the food to arrive at our table.
"Is this your first time here, Sir Al?" I shouted over the loud music, trying to make myself heard.
"Ah, please, just call me Al—no 'sir' needed," he laughed, clearly amused.
"Alright, sorry, Al," I chuckled, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"So, what was your question again, sweetheart?" he asked with a gentle yet commanding tone.
"I was asking if this is your first time at our bar," I said, facing him directly.
"Oh, not at all. I’ve been here plenty of times, usually with my military buddies. We’d come here for some downtime after shoulder-to-shoulder training in Subic, Zambales," he replied, raising his voice just enough to cut through the thumping music.
As I glanced around, shaking my head in disbelief, I noticed that despite the bar being packed with people, the doorman continued ushering more patrons inside. It was the kind of night we all eagerly anticipate—the one where we know we'll leave with a pocketful of cash and generous tips before heading home. I could see the excitement in the eyes of my fellow waitresses, each of us savoring the energy of the night.
Al’s friends from the army showed up, and they couldn’t stop calling him "Dancer." Without missing a beat, I suggested we bring in my friend Jeremae to join us. I flashed her a smile and a quick wink, signaling her to head over to our table.
When she arrived, her tangerine bikini seemed to effortlessly highlight her stunning figure. Her porcelain skin, a gift from her Japanese father, was mesmerizing under the bar's lighting.
She had these round eyes, yet the corners tapered slightly, and her lips were the perfect shade of pink. Her dark, curly hair added to her allure, drawing all eyes to her as she took her seat next to me. I couldn’t resist playfully pinching her side as she settled in. "So, you're really as good as they say? Hahahaha," I teased.
"Not really!" she replied with a laugh, and we both burst into giggles, enjoying the moment.
We were ten deep, packed onto the curved couch tucked into the far-left corner, the perfect vantage point for the kaleidoscope-lit stage ahead. The air was thick with anticipation, that electric kind that wraps around your skin and makes you lean forward, hungry for whatever comes next.
Tonight was the infamous body shot party—the kind that ends with strangers hitting gongs and boundaries quietly disappearing. But before the real spectacle began, my girls had already started the pregame ritual.
They called for the “dirty” drinks—cocktails with names that made you smirk and sip a little faster. It wasn’t just for fun. No, those naughty little concoctions were our armor. A buzz to shake off the sleep, a buzz to bury whatever shame we hadn’t already left at the door.
I started ordering dirty girl scout shooter and blowjob shots, Jeremae ordered slippery nipples, sex on the beach and blue balls shots. The other girls next to us ordered orgasm alcohol, flaming shot, butterfly nipple, duck fart, pussy foot, lady Diana, and miscarriage.
The guys just ordered a bottle of margarita and a whiskey sour. After ordering our drinks we all watched the girls on stage performing their respective dance numbers. I now notice Al's hand crawling up my legs. There are women exposing their genitals, the upper part, next to us and some of Al's friends are kissing and licking it. Al stopped crawling his hands under my tight underwear, but began to lay his restraining lips and tongue on my nape and kiss it, then suck the canal of my clit. What you notice in us is what you will notice in other people who are there inside our night club. All of them are covered with loud music sounds.
A while ago, my hunch suddenly grew stronger when i sensed the big man approaching where we were sitting, as if he was about to challenge us to a fight.
**************************
PROMISE II
Just in time, a bouncer appeared between our table and the man, swiftly diffusing the. It turned out he had mistaken Al's group for his adversaries, but that was far from the truth. He immediately requested the bouncer to seek assistance from Al's crew for protection. It was still early morning, and Al's raw soldiers from earlier had already departed with Jeremae.
'Daphne? Oh my gosh, friend, here’s the guy I’ve been crushing on, a handsome black man I’ve been eyeing for ages. He was at the other club, right outside the door,' Jeremae exclaimed.
'OMG, I think he’s about to come in here, girl! Since you’ve been charming us both tonight, snag him before you head to America!' ', oh my gosh, let’s get inside first and grab a seat at the table!' Jeremae urged eagerly.
There was a group of U.S. Airforce soldiers nearby, and according to my earlier conversation with a colleague, the one sporting a charming dimple on his cheek was none other than U.S. Airforce Star General Duke Flanagan.
"Daph, come on, let’s create a scene to grab his attention!" my friend Jeremy, always the instigator, urged as I swirled another drink at our club table.
"Look over there! Do you see those guys in white polo shirts? The one with two buttons undone and khaki pants? Focus, girl! That’s the one with the dimple!" Jeremy pressed, his excitement palpable.
"He’s a friend of one of our customers who rang the gong earlier. Let's make an impression—dance right in front of him, spill your drink on his shoes, then pretend to faint! Just sure you act it out convincingly; maybe even feign a little injury from the broken goblet!
"Please Daphne, that's the person who will answer your dreams in life."
"You know how difficult our lives are in Samar, right? The kind of life we try to live, This is the food of different kinds of sweet potatoes and the food of sardines fish that we cook in different ways. Gosh, wake up!”
My memories were stolen when the taxi driver started talking.
"Ma'am, are we on the left at the next corner?"
"Ah, what's that Manong driver?"
"I'm asking if we're on the left at the next corner?"
"No more Manong, please come down to the corner."
After I arrived at the rented room in Mandaluyong, I went straight to my bed to change my clothes and went to the bathroom to wash up. I feel the weight of my body as I carry a baby in my womb. After a few minutes, my tired body will lie down on the bed.
By the way, I started working in a call center company after more than a year of working in a nightclub to change the course of my life. I thought that my job at the night club would not help me to marry an American, especially since I am pregnant now. "I know one day my life will be okay and who knows one day when I wake up, those dreams have come true in different ways, right?"
The next day at work, three in the morning.
“Thank you for calling Nizuc Resort and Spa Cancun Mexico, this is Daphne speaking, how may I help you!”
"Hi Daphne, I hope you're doing well! I’m reaching out because we need to reschedule our booking at Nizuc for next month. Something came up with my daughter, and my whole family needs to attend to it. We want to ensure we can enjoy our vacation at Nizuc together once everything settles. It’s our summer getaway, after all."
"Of course, Sir! I completely understand. May I ask for your name so I can address you properly throughout our conversation? And also, could you kindly provide the names of the other guests who will be joining you on this trip?"
Customer: "Sure! My name is Lucheu Guerrero. Let me quickly grab this folder to give you all the details you might need. Alright, here it is: joining me will be Cynthia Guerrero, my wife; Aldrin Guerrero, my son; Channelyn Guerrero, my daughter-in-law; and Cherrie Guerrero, my youngest daughter."
Daphne: "Thank you so much for that information, Mr. Lucheu Guerrero. Just one more thing: could you please provide the voucher number you used for the discount on your original booking?"
Mr. Lucheu Guerrero:"Of course, here it is: Lxft43er567."
Daphne:"Thank you, Sir, for sharing that voucher number. Would it be alright if I place you on a brief hold while I file a report regarding your request? I’ll make sure to get back to you shortly."
Mr. Lucheu Guerrero: "Yes, that’s fine. Thank you."
Ten hours ago. Daphne can be seen lying on her back in the tenant's room.
"Daphne! Daphne! Daphne!, faggot whats up? What's going on after six months?", Tessie woke me up in my room with her running jokes in the afternoon.
"Yes girl? I don't want to pretend now that my joints hurt."
"Eh, girl, for a while, this is just our celebrations, and besides, you have to go to work at 9:00 p.m., right? Is that okay because the quality of your voice will improve while talking on the phone with your British customers?
"Tessie, if that's how you like alcohol, please change me girl, you just got back from a long vacation from the province?"
"Yes, too fast, girl, because there is an emergency in our family?"
"So who is with your siblings there now, aren't they still small?" i continue with curiosity on my tongue.
"I left it to my aunts there girl? I said I need to get back to work so I can support them."
"Yes that's the best way girl."
"Alright, before we reach the drama and cry? let's just have a bottle of beer each?" She breathed his last.
"Let's pushed it, when we can hold these celebrations of ours because... "Like a virgin, touched for the...." While Tessie was singing, Daphne accompanied her.
“…Very first time, like a virgin, when your heart beats next to mine, gonna give you all my love, boy, my fear is fading fast, been saving it all for you,’cause only love can last, you’re so fine and you’re mine, make me strong, yeah, you make me bold, oh, your love thawed out, yeah, your love thawed out what was scared and cold, Like a virgin, touched for the very first time, like a virgin, when your heart beats next to mine, you’re so fine and you’re mine, I’ll be your’s ’till the end of time,’cause you made me feel, yeah, you made me feel I’ve nothing to hide.” It made us sing together , driving us crazy, and then bursts of laughter from us followed.
After Tessie came back, she brought the vinegar flavored corn chips and two bottles of beer and danced her way into the small room I rented.
“Gosh girl, do I remember? What, where did your scene with General Duke Flanagan lead when we last drank at West Field Night Club in Angeles Pampanga?"
I just nodded, while this friend of mine, Tessie, continued to chatter.
"So if that's the case when are we going to meet Flanagan?" It's excited language.
"He is running away from his responsibilities to me," I replied softly.
"Eyyy, didn't you say you stayed in one of the apartments near Field Avenue?"
"I left there," I replied sadly.
"Huh?, but why? Gosh, girl that was already money, and why did you let it become a stone?" Tessie regretted what happened.
"I'm afraid that the owner of the apartment there might charge me and I don't have anything to pay?" I raised my voice while narrating.
Tears started to flow down my cheeks.
"Because I feel like he has another woman in Thailand, who pretends to have training, but he has a woman there!"
I continue to cry. Tessie came close to me and we both cried because of the burden of our lives. While crying, I continued my story.
"After Duke Flanagan came back, he looked for me at the club at that time and do you know what happened? Our colleagues there slandered me, even my cousin Jeremae, I've been a friend there for a long time and I almost consider her a sister. They told Flanagan that I had another black man with me," I just cried.
"What's worse is that I found out that Duke Flanagan and my cousin Jeremae are now lovers."
"How did she do that dare? I'm telling you that Jeremae has a dark conscience. After we sympathized with her about her problems with one of her ex boyfriends, this is how she retaliated against us? Let me go and when I get back to the club I will take revenge on you for what she did to you." Tessie's shrill language.
After a while they heard a voice that sounded like Flanagan outside the door.
**************************
PROMISE III
Tessie quickly opened the door thinking that what she was thinking was true but she made a mistake when she opened the door. It turned out to be from the son of the owner of Daphne's rented room.
Next day In the pantry of Daphne's office at four in the morning.
"Hey yey yey I finally saw you fags? What's up, it's been a month that I haven't seen you around here? What happened with you?" asked Berrim, my colleague.
"Oh, hi! How are you friends! Me too to you?, what's the matter? I just took a leave, you know. Because I've been a bit restless this past month and I can't truly help my self sometimes on how to take care of my pregnant body, that is why I file an immediate leave of absence? Did you miss me?”
"It's just 6 months old now and as you will have noticed my stomach it gets quite growing right, because of the baby inside my womb. Hahaha. Does it actually move sometimes?”
"So what's Mommy's plan?", Berrim held my stomach and stroked it. ”Baby, Baby how are you in there? Outch! Hahahaha it's kicking me hahahaha, how stronger you are baby ha", Berrim happily talked to the child inside my stomach while laughing.
“I am thinking for a six months forlough most probably two months from now, atleast I could earned enough money to sustain my maternity leave correct?.”
"Well you are right and it's a good thing girl you're not so sensitive, unlike other women who are so sensitive when they are very pregnant and take note some of them got their baby into miscarriage right? I know you are so stronger pretty girl? Of course that won't happen to you right?"
"Yes Friend," I replied with a smile.
"By the way me and my friend Enzo will go down the stairs, would you like to come with us for more chitchats, standing by, puff some sticks of cigarittes and you know?, looking for a cute newbee guy in our company, things that we usually did down the stairs during break time, the what we called aura?”, followed by a laugh after offering it to me.
"Over my dead bodies? No way?, I laughs and suddenly grabbed his hand.
"Friend I have to go back to work now? I'm so happy to have you seen here in the pantry."
"Let's get out of the pantry together," said Berrim.
Duke Flanagan stares intently at the vastness of the sea and sky on the balcony made of sturdy planks in one of the water villa at the Princes Garden Hotel and Resort Puerto Princesa Palawan. Duke remembers his mother again.
"If you were here, Mom, you could give me the tough advice you always did when you were alive," he whispers into the air.
The surroundings presented a pleasant sight. The rays of the moon focused on the waves gave an amazing and romantic picture, like diamonds sparkling on the surface of the waves as if talking to Duke Flanagan. Duke later leans the body against a balcony baluster and drinks wine. The surroundings are just so fresh. There's the misbehaving air that hasn't stopped caressing Duke. While staring hard at the tired surroundings, Duke began to raise his hand to measure the bright moon with his finger. Finding out that everything in this world can be measured small, a problem for instance. Then he threw a stone into the sea.
Daphne was just looking at the computer and she slowly put her things away because she was leaving work in a few minutes. It was five o'clock in the morning and Daphne still hadn't received a call, so she decided to take it easy and start organizing things inside her bag. After putting everything away, she turned off the computer and cleaned her desk. After she got to the elevator, she took the dark shade tucked in her bag and put it over her eyes. On the way, Daphne felt a numbness in her stomach and then a strain in her shoulder and it felt like a needle was poking her stomach as she walked down the Leviste Makati road. She also reached the rented room in Mandaluyong at seven in the morning.
“You know?, the pregnant woman get so slow in walking.”
After reaching the room she immediately threw her bag on the bed, left it and slowly went to the kitchen to prepare her breakfast. After that she lay down. Dawn passes where we see Daphne sleeping. It seems that her condition is very difficult because of the child she is carrying in her womb. Meanwhile, Duke had already fallen asleep on the balcony of the water villa with a bottle of wine rolled near his right hand.
While Duke was in a deep sleep, suddenly there were footsteps coming near him.
**************************
PROMISE IV
A poodle trots up to Duke, its nose twitching with curiosity, before leaning down to investigate the outstretched arms of the man lying on the ground.
Daphne’s rented room, just past sunset.
The sudden flash of her phone lit up the room, followed by an all-too-familiar ringtone. Instinctively, Daphne grabbed it off the nightstand.
Tessie calling.
“Girl, guess who I just saw looking like a walking Calvin Klein ad over at Field Avenue?” Tessie’s voice practically squealed through the line.
“Flanagan?” I replied, already bracing myself.
“Bingo, sis! Like—hello?! He’s towering! Like Kobe Bryant-level tall. And don’t get me started on that face—literal jaw-drop moment!”
“Oh, just the arm, huh?” I teased her, already hearing the mischief bubbling in her tone.
“Well duh, just the arm for now—you already devoured his jumbo hotdog, didn’t you? I mean—wait! I meant that Chocnut-flavored turon, promise! Hahaha—girl, you’re corrupting me!” she said, laughing so hard she snorted.
I rolled my eyes with a smile. “Frieny, let’s not. Can we just not? I am so over him.”
“Puh-lease. If it were Duke you saw today, you’d have dragged me all the way to Pampanga already—pitchfork in one hand, megaphone in the other. You and your delusions, sis. I can’t.”
“Hehehehe, sorry friend! Yeah, I thought he just looked like Duke, that’s all, hehe.” she said quietly, a little desperate.
“Where did that guy go anyway? He just vanished out of nowhere!” she asked me again, annoyed.
“You know what, friend? You should be used to those foreigners going in and out of our bar, right? I mean, the faces of the people drinking at West Fields Night Club change all the time! Haven’t you noticed?” I reminded her.
“Friend, you don’t think your dark-skinned boyfriend is off in the war doing the boom-boom, do you? Sooo crazy!”
“Haist, if he dies, then… just accept the reality. Besides, that’s the profession he chose, right?”
During that time, the only thing these two friends believed was that Flanagan must be a soldier too—after all, that’s what they usually assumed about any foreigner who wandered into their bar.
“Girl, what about that baby growing inside you? Have you decided to go through with the pregnancy?” Tessie asked with concern lining her voice.
“Obviously, sis! Like, why would I end a child’s life just because I made a stupid mistake? That baby has nothing to do with the mess I got myself into. This is a lesson life handed me—maybe it’s what I needed to finally grow up, you know?”
“I just had big dreams, okay? Like, marry a foreigner, live the good life—and look where that got me. Hashtag knocked up, hashtag abandoned, hashtag desperate single mom,” she said with a dry chuckle, trying to mask the sting in her heart.
Tessie, ever the optimist, leaned in with a smile.
“Friend, life’s full of surprises. Who knows? That baby in your belly might just be your golden ticket to America. Maybe Duke’s family is secretly loaded and your child could even be one of the heirs, hmm?”
“Gosh… that’s exactly what I’ve been afraid of. What if, one day, my child suddenly vanishes—and I find out he’s been kidnapped by his own father?”
“Girl, don’t be so negative, okay? Maybe you’re just overthinking things? Huh? The gays aren’t that dramatic, are we?”
“Well… only the Lord knows how He’ll choose to bring my son and his father together again.”
Suddenly, the memory of my moment with Duke came rushing back.
The club was dimly lit, shadows curling in the corners like secrets. The music throbbed endlessly in my ears, its beat heavy and hypnotic. The only illumination came from the hanging bulbs—each glowing in bursts of color, casting shifting hues across the room like a kaleidoscope of feelings I didn’t know how to name.
to be continue...