No character in this story was under 18 when they had sex.
I will leave it to the reader to decide what is true and what is fiction. I have been around long enough to know that each person decides what is true or not based on their own experiences, and NOT based on what is actually true.
Chapter 56 -- Princess
A few months after losing Maria, I met Princess on an online dating site for Filipinas. Amazingly, this is the number one way nowadays that foreigners meet Filipinas who want to be with foreigners. I actually lived in the Philippines, which made me an oddity on the dating sites, as most foreigners on the sites were currently living in their home countries.
Many Filipinas who are online avoid foreigners who actually live in the Philippines. That would seem counterintuitive until you realize that there are many who would rather scam a foreigner than meet him. That made Princess unusual because she actually contacted me because I lived here. I lived in Cebu City, and my profile said that I was seeking a long-term relationship.
Princess: Hi
Me: How are you? Tell me a little about yourself.
I had already read her profile, which said that she was 18, looking for marriage and living on the west side of Cebu Island (about 50 kilometers from me).
Princess: I live at home with my parents and sisters. I am Catholic. Are you?
Me: How many sisters do you have? Yes, I am Catholic too.
Princess: I have 5 sisters. I am the oldest, so there is a lot of pressure on me to get married, so I can help the family. My father is a farmer, so we always have something to eat, but there isn't a lot of money for other things. I'm glad you are Catholic. What church do you go to?
Me: Six girls. That is a lot. No wonder your parents want to push some out the door. Hehehe... It is good to always have something to eat. It is a blessing that many don't understand. I usually go to the cathedral, but it depends on how I am feeling. What are you looking for in a man?
Princess: I want a mature man who can take care of me and who understands the importance of family.
Me: We'll get to family later, but right now I want to know about you. How much experience do you have with men or boys? Have you ever had a boyfriend?
Princess: I have never had a boyfriend. When I was in high school, I wanted to do well, and after I graduated, my mother expected me to help with the home and my sisters. I've never really had time for boys.
Me: How do you get online?
Princess: My neighbor let me have her old computer, and I connect through her WIFI. My computer is in my bedroom, but I share the bedroom with my sisters. It is better than before though. My father just added the bedrooms to the house. Before that, we all slept in one room.
Me: That must have been interesting sleeping in the same room with your parents. Did you learn about how men and women get together by watching your parents?
Princess: Yes. I understand how that works, but I've never done it. I want to save myself for my special somebody.
Me: So, you are waiting for marriage?
Princess: Hopefully, but my parents didn't get married until after 3 of us girls were born, so I know that marriage doesn't always come first.
Me: Would you consider moving in with somebody you thought might be the right man?
Princess: Yes
Me: I would like to meet you. Is that possible?
Princess: Yes. We could either meet in Balamban on my side of the island or in Cebu City where you live. I have enough money to take a jeepney to the city, but I would need your help to get me home if we don't like each other in person.
Me: Do you have to go back home the same day?
Princess: Why? Do you want me to stay overnight?
Me: If you want to and if we like each other, yes. Could you do that?
Princess: This is a big risk for me, but for some reason I trust you. Yes, I can do that. When do you want me to come?
Me: Thank you for your trust. When could you come to Cebu City? Where would we meet?
Princess: I can come Friday afternoon, if you want. We can meet at J-Y Square, where the jeepneys let people off.
Me: That sounds good. I will take you to Ayala Mall for dinner, so we can get to know each other better. Then, I will either give you jeepney fare for a trip back to your home, or I will take you to my home.
Princess: That does sound good. I will meet you at about 3 PM, if that's OK.