Meyz

The hospital hall was quiet, save for the dull hum of the night shift and the distant beeping from a nearby monitor. Fluorescent lights flickered softly above, casting tired shadows on the walls. Jensen stood there, leaning against the cold marble, still in his scrubs. His body bore the exhaustion of a five-hour surgery, but the weight he carried ran far deeper than fatigue.

And then came footsteps. 'Nicolas,' his head said. He stopped just a few feet away, arms crossed, his face unreadable. But Jensen already knew what was coming, and he didn’t need words to know Nico wasn’t here for a friendly visit.

“So this is where you hide now?” Nico’s voice cut through the silence. “Sa ospital? Sa trabaho?” Jensen didn’t flinch. He’d expected this and maybe he deserved this.

“I’m not hiding, Ches” he murmured, eyes fixed on the floor. “I’m doing my job.” But Nico wasn’t having it. “No, you’re running. You’re drowning yourself in work para lang takasan yung guilt mo.”

Jensen’s silence said it all. The way his shoulders sagged, the way he refused to meet Nico’s eyes, he wasn’t just tired. He was buried in remorse.

“You think I don’t know that?” Jensen finally whispered. “Every second I’m in that OR, I hear her voice. Every damn heartbeat reminds me of what I have lost.”

“What you pushed away,” Nico corrected, and that hit harder than it should’ve.

Jensen’s composure cracked. “Alam ko!” he snapped, voice rising with the weight of his regret. “Hindi mo na kailangang ipamukha sa akin, Nico.”

Nico stepped closer, jaw tight. “Then why do you keep pretending you don’t know where she is? Alam mo, diba? You’re just watching her from afar like some ghost.”

“Because if I go near her,” Jensen said, his voice shaking, “I’ll ruin her peace. And she deserves peace, even if it means I don’t.”

“She also deserves the truth,” Nico said, his voice softer now, but no less stern. “Or at least someona na hindi nagsisinungaling and say ‘I’m looking for her’ when you’re just waiting for her to come back.”

Jensen let out a breath that sounded more like a sob. “You think I don’t want to beg? To fall on my knees and tell her I was wrong? I do. Every. Single. Day. Pero kung mahal ko talaga siya... then I’ll respect the silence she chose.”

Nico scoffed. “And what? Wait until it’s too late? Until she forgets you?”

“If forgetting me means she’ll finally be okay…” Jensen’s voice broke, “then I’ll carry that. Ako na lang, ako na lang palagi.”

It was in that moment Nico saw the cracks. Not just in the words, but in Jensen himself. In the slump of his shoulders and the way he blinked back tears.

“You broke her, Jensen,” Nico said quietly. “But I think… you’re just as broken as her.” Jensen shook his head, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. “No, I’m worse, Nics kasi kahit basag siya, she walked away to heal. Ako? I stayed… to bleed.”

The words silenced Nico. There was no anger left in him, just ache in his whole system. Just the quiet sorrow of a brother watching the man who once held his sister’s heart lose everything.

“She used to smile when she said your name,” Nico said after a moment. “Now she flinches when you’re brought up. Do you know how hard that is to see?”

“Every day,” Jensen whispered. “I wish I could go back pero hindi na mababalik, alam ko. So I watch from a distance, I let her breathe and I let her heal… kahit ako, hindi ko alam kung kailan ako hihinga ulit.”

Nico’s voice dropped now. “You don’t get to say you’re hurting and expect that to fix anything. You chose to disappear emotionally long before she walked away physically. Now, own that.”

“I do,” Jensen replied. “I own every second of it. Every night na 11:11, I wish… for her to come back and for her peace. Even if I’m not part of it anymore.”

Nico nodded, swallowing hard. “Then do her one last act of love, Jensen. Let her be. .” He turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing through the sterile corridor.

Time Skip

The wind was soft that afternoon, brushing gently against her skin like memories trying to find their way back. She had just finished talking to the landowner, polite and composed, the way she always tried to be when the world still spun painfully beneath her feet.

She didn't expect anything strange that day. No shifts and no sudden turns of events, but when she turned around, she saw him.

Time did not prepare her for this. The breath she held for months escaped her chest in a quiet invisible sigh. There he was, tired eyes and hunched shoulders. The silence is so loud it drowned out the sound of birds and wind and her own heartbeat.

He stood there, a few feet away, his hands clenched and unclenched at his sides like he didn’t know what to do with them. He was staring at her like she was a ghost both real and unreal all at once like he had seen this moment in his dreams but never thought he’d see it in real life.

She didn’t speak; she couldn’t. Her body froze, too unsure if this was mercy or cruelty. Her eyes met his, and for a second, neither of them moved.

Jensen took one hesitant step forward. Then another. His mouth opened, but nothing came out. He looked like he wanted to say everything at once and yet didn’t know where to begin. His chest rose and fell in uneven breaths, like he was fighting something inside him, guilt and fear.

“Pwede ba kitang kausapin?” he finally asked, voice hoarse, almost cracking. “Kahit sandali lang…” She stayed still. The quiet between them stung.

He took another step and then stopped, like the gravity between them got heavier the closer he got. His fingers twitched at his sides. His lips trembled, but he bit them, trying to keep it together. She could see it the storm in his eyes, the fight not to fall apart in front of her.

He stood still for a second, almost like he was asking permission just by being there. Like every step he took closer was a sin he needed forgiveness for. He came closer anyway, hesitant. Each step is heavy, like guilt clung to his ankles.

Then, without a word, Jensen dropped to his knees. He fell not in grace nor not in control. He collapsed like a man who had finally been crushed by the weight of his own choices all nights he spent hating himself. All the words he never said finally broke him.. It wasn’t romantic. It was pathetic and desperate.

“Please…” he whispered, eyes glassy, voice barely holding itself together. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry for everything. For every time I made you feel like you had to fight alone for the days I disappeared and made you question your worth. For loving you the wrong way, when all you ever did was give me your best.”

He reached for her, arms wrapping around her waist so tightly it almost hurt, like if he didn’t hold her now, he’d lose her all over again. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her in, burying his face into her stomach like it was the only place he could still breathe, and then there he broke, openly and shamelessly.

There was no poise in it, no control. Just Jensen completely undone, sobbing into her like she was both the wound and the healing.

“I kept telling myself I’d be okay and that letting you go was the right thing. But every night… I kept hearing your voice, your smile and the way you used to reach for me. And it gutted me, I know I don’t deserve this. I know. God, alam ko. Pero hindi ko na kaya… hindi ko na kaya itikom tong bibig ko habang sinisigaw ng puso ko pangalan mo gabi-gabi.” Still, she stood rigid and conflicted.

“I lied when I said I was okay, and I lied when I acted like you were just going to be fine without me. You weren’t. You were everything, and I broke it. I broke you, and I can’t unbreak it." he sobbed out, voice hoarse, trembling like his entire being was unraveling..

“I can’t undo the nights you cried alone. I can’t fix the mornings you had to pretend you were fine. But God, if I could trade every good thing I have now just to go back to one moment where I chose you… I would. In a heartbeat. I would.”

Part of her wanted to pull him up, cup his face, and whisper that he was forgiven, but another part- the part that survived his absence, remembered every unanswered message, every night she waited, and every tear she swallowed in silence.

Her hand hovered above him, trembling. Then slowly she lowered it, cupping his face in her palms, lifting his gaze to meet hers.

“Bakit ngayon lang, Jensen?” she asked, barely holding her voice steady. “Alam mo ba kung ilang beses kong nilaban 'tong sakit na to mag-isa? Ilang beses ko tinanong ang sarili ko kung wala na talaga akong halaga sayo?”

His breath hitched. He closed his eyes briefly, a fresh tear falling as he leaned into her touch. Then opened them, wrecked that what he was.

“Because the silence didn’t just echo- it devoured me. Because I kept telling myself I was fine, that I could survive without you but every corner of our house screamed your name in the quiet. Every empty seat felt like a reminder that I drove you away and every night I slept without you, I woke up emptier. I didn’t just lose you, (Y/N)… I lost the version of me that only existed when you were beside me."

He choked on his own breath, eyes red and glistening. “I ruined the one thing that ever felt like home."

“Akala ko kaya kong ilaban yung pagmamahal kahit hindi na tayo magkasama. Pero Schatz, hindi ko kinaya. Sumasakit lahat. Lahat- araw-araw at gabi-gabi. Walang pahinga ang puso ko kakahanap sayo. I tried to live in a world where you no longer loved me. But all it did was make me realize how cruel it is to be alive and not be with you. Kaya andito ako- kahit huli na, lahit ako na lang tong may pag-asa. Kahit ako na lang ang naniniwala that we could still fix what's broken." He lifted his head, face flushed and wet with tears.

“Ikaw lang ang gusto ko makasabay kumain. Ikaw lang ang gusto ko kausap kapag pagod na ako sa mundo. Ikaw lang ang gusto kong kausap sa tuwing hindi ko na kilala sarili ko. Kasi ikaw lang ang tahanan ko. Ikaw lang ang mundo ko.” He gripped her hands now, pressing them against his cheeks, eyes begging for her.

Her thumbs brushed lightly over his damp cheeks wiping the tears he didn’t bother hiding. Her touch was soft, too soft for a man who had wrecked her, but still instinctively like her heart had never truly learned how to hate him.

“Mahal na mahal kita,” he whispered, the words breaking in his throat like glass. “Kahit ilang ulit mo akong itapon, mahal pa din kita.” Jensen didn’t move from the ground, he just stayed there kneeling like a man stripped of armor, of pride and of everything that once kept him from falling at her feet.

“Look at me,” she whispered, her voice low but steady. Jensen lifted his head, and gods, his eyes were oceans.drowning and pleading.

“Hindi ko alam paano humingi ng tawad na sapat, One thing's for sure mahal kita… sobrang minahal kita pero duwag ako. Natakot ako sa lalim mo, sa lalim ng pagmamahal mo sa akin. Kasi akala ko hindi ko yon kayang pantayan.” he said, voice shaking, breath shallow.

She blinked back tears she didn’t know were still there her silence was not cold it was sacred. Space given to a man learning to bleed in truth.

Then, softly like sunlight filtering through curtains after weeks of rain she cupped his face again and said, “Jensen…”

His name. Just his name. It broke him further.

“Pinatawad na kita,” she said. “Hindi dahil madali. Hindi dahil hindi masakit pero dahil mahal pa rin kita. Mahal na mahal.” He broke. All over again. A fresh wave of sobs escaped him, forehead falling once more against her stomach, as if finally he was home.

Slowly, gently, she crouched down not to beg, not to surrender, but to meet him where he was. Her forehead leaned against his for just a moment, and her breath mingled with his shaky and unsure, but real.

Then, without a word, she guided him up. “Tumayo ka na,” she whispered. “You’ve kneeled long enough.”

ARKAEL JAMES

Arkael notices immediately. His sharp gaze locks onto yours, amusement flickering in his eyes, but he doesn’t say anything at first. He lets you keep staring, watching the way your gaze subtly drifts from his left eye to his right, then down to his lips. A slow and knowing smirk forms on his lips, and he tilts his head slightly as if daring you to continue.

“See something you like?” His voice is smooth and calm, but there’s something dangerously inviting in the way he says it.

You don’t look away. He leans in slightly, closing the distance between you, his breath warm against your skin. “Careful, Ari,” he murmurs, his voice dropping lower, more teasing. “Keep looking at me like that, and I might just do something about it.”

And when you finally break first, flustered and looking away, he chuckles, shaking his head. “That’s what I thought.”

MAXIMUS SCOTT

At first, Maximus thinks there’s something on his face. His brows furrow slightly, and he shifts uncomfortably before blurting out, “What? Is there something wrong?”

He doesn’t shy away from your gaze. If anything, he leans back slightly, relaxing as a slow and confident smirk spreads across his lips. When your gaze flickers to his lips, he laughs softly, shaking his head. “You really don’t know what you’re getting yourself into, do you?”

Then, just to mess with you, he leans in slowly, deliberately closing the space between you. His eyes never leave yours, and the smirk on his lips only grows wider.

"Since you're staring so much," he murmurs, his breath warm against your skin, "why don't you come a little closer and see if I taste as good as I look, Caelum?"

CARLEXIS JUDE

Carlexis doesn’t know what to do. He notices you staring and immediately gets flustered, his ears turning pink as he shifts uncomfortably. "W-What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

He tries to play it off, laughing awkwardly, but when he sees your eyes flicker to his lips he freezes. His breath catches in his throat, he exhales sharply and leans in, closing the space between you.

His eyes darken, his voice lowering as he murmurs, “You really like pushing me, don’t you, Val?”

And then just to see your reaction, he tilts his head, his lips barely an inch from yours. "What’s wrong?" he teases, the nervousness in his voice fading into something smoother, bolder. "Not so confident anymore?"

KYLER SHANE

Kyler doesn’t get it at first. His brows furrow as he gives you a confused look. “…Uh, what are you doing?”

You don’t answer, still staring. It takes a few seconds before he finally notices. His eyes widen slightly, then boom. His ears turn red first, and then his whole face follows.

“Oh.” His first instinct? Panic. He coughs into his hand, quickly looking away. But you don’t stop. You keep staring, your gaze flickering between his lips and his eyes. He freezes, realizing you’re not going to back down.

His mind races, and in a desperate attempt to save himself, he stares back, “Don’t play with me like that, baka mabaliw ako at gumanti bigla, Aurelia.”

NAOKI FORT

Naoki notices you staring but doesn’t immediately get it. He tilts his head slightly like a lost puppy. “…Okay ka lang?”

You don’t answer. You just keep looking at him, and when your gaze flickers to his lips, he blinks. At first, confusion. Then, realization. “Oh?”

Then, his expression shifts. His lips curl into a slow, amused smirk. His voice drops lower. “Ohhh.” Now he’s staring back. He mirrors the triangle method deliberately, dragging his gaze from your eyes to your lips, then back up.

“Are you me testing for something, Zenith?” His voice is smooth, but there’s a challenge hidden beneath it. “Or gusto mo, ako na mag take over?”

If you try to back away, his smirk grows wider. “Ah, no running now. You started it first”

CHESTER NICOLAS

Nicolas notices immediately. The moment your eyes flicker to his lips, his smirk grows mischievous and knowing, entirely too full with himself.

"Oh?Tinititigan mo ako nang ganyan, may gusto ka bang sabihin?" His voice is smooth, teasing. You don’t respond. You just keep looking, pushing the silent challenge further.

His amusement only deepens. “Grabe ka naman, Lumi. Kanina pa ako nilalaplap ng mata mo.” Then, just to mess with you, he leans in slightly. His gaze mirrors yours.

And then he does the unexpected. With a teasing grin, his thumb grazes your lower lip, his touch featherlight. His voice drops lower, almost a whisper. "Hmm, mukhang masarap ‘to. Baka gusto kong tikman?"

He watches for your reaction, and when he sees you get even the slightest bit flustered, he chuckles, deep and amused.

IÑAKI NATHANIEL

The second he catches you staring, his smirk grows wicked, his golden eyes practically glowing with amusement. He doesn’t ask why you’re the one who started this game, and he’s more than happy to play along with you.

He leans in slightly, voice dropping to a smooth murmur. “You keep looking at me like that, Bliss… starting to think you want to do something.” And then you let your gaze drop to his lips. His smirk deepens. “Ah, I see.”

And instead of just leaning closer like a normal person, Iñaki being Iñaki does the absolute most. With zero hesitation, he reaches for the buttons of his shirt. The first one? Undone.

He doesn’t break eye contact, doesn’t stop smirking as he slowly, deliberately starts unbuttoning his shirt.

“Since you like looking so much,” he hums, “might as well give you something worth staring at, right?”

CHARLESTON RHETT

Rhett is completely caught off guard. The second he realizes you’re staring, he stiffens. “Uh… okay? What’s happening?”

His laugh is awkward, nervous. He doesn’t know what to do with himself. But then he catches the way your eyes flicker down to his lips, and he instantly turns red.

“You’re… You’re really staring, huh?” He tries to play it cool, but it’s painfully obvious he’s struggling. His whole body tenses up, and he suddenly forgets how to breathe.

If you keep going, he groans and covers his face with his hands. “Stop it, Liora. You’re gonna make me explode and maybe hindi ko mapigilan sarili ko.”

And later that night, when he’s alone? He’s going to overthink this for hours with boner in his pants.

THEO PRINCETON

Theo notices immediately. He always does. The way your gaze lingers on him a little too long, the way your eyes trace his features with quiet intensity.

At first, he doesn’t say anything, just tilts his head slightly, brows raising in silent curiosity. You’re being obvious, and he’s waiting for you to realize it.

But you don’t stop. You just keep staring at him. His lips twitch, amusement flickering in his usually cool expression. “Something on my face?” His voice is calm and steady, but there’s something laced with it.

He lingers closer to you, not quite touching, but close enough to make your pulse race. His gaze is sharp, and when he sees the faintest hint of hesitation in your eyes, his smirk widens.

The hospital walls felt colder than usual. Jensen had just gotten out of his 5th surgery for the day, his body weighed down by exhaustion, and his mind clouded with the faces of patients who had been in his hands. The air outside was crisp, but it did nothing to soothe the aching and tiredness in his bones.

When he finally stepped into the house, the lights were dim and the soft glow of the lamp in the living room. His heart clenched the moment he saw you curled up on the couch, fast asleep and wrapped in a thin blanket.

Jensen swallowed the lump in his throat. "Bakit hindi ka sa kama natulog? Bakit nandito ka?' It was a sight that should have brought him comfort to come home and see you there but instead, it hurt. You looked exhausted and worn out. Like you'd been waiting and you'd been lonely.

And wasn’t that his fault?

He crouched beside you, brushing strands of hair away from your face. His touch was featherlight, afraid to wake you afraid to face the truth in your eyes.

But then you stirred, your lashes fluttered open, eyes hazy with sleep until they landed on him. "Jensen…" Your voice was soft, almost unsure if he was really there. Then, the concern settled in. "Nag-dinner ka na ba?"

His jaw clenched. Out of all the things you could say, why was it always this? Why was it always him you worried about when you were the one who looked like you were falling apart?

"I should be asking you that." His voice came out rougher than intended. He stood up, towering over you. "Bakit nandito ka? Bakit hindi ka sa kama natulog?"

You blinked at him, confused by his sudden change in tone. "Hinihintay kita. Hindi ko namalayang nakatulog na pala ako-"

"Ano bang ginagawa mo sa sarili mo?" His voice cracked, frustration laced with something deeper and something he couldn't name. "Hindi mo kailangang maghintay. Hindi mo kailangang hintayin ako gabi-gabi, tapos ganito ka na naman pagod, puyat at giniginaw para saan?"

You sat up, frowning. "Para sa'yo, Jensen. Para sa atin."

"Para sa atin o para sa akin lang?" His laugh was bitter and full of self-loathing. "Kasi pakiramdam ko, ako lang yung natitira rito. Ikaw? Unti-unti ka nang nawawala."

Silence. The words hung between you, heavy and suffocating.

You looked away, your hands gripping the fabric of your clothes. "Alam kong hindi madali pero gusto kong ipaglaban ito, Jensen. Hindi ba dapat ganun?"

"At paano kung ako mismo yung dahilan kung bakit ka nahihirapan?" His voice was quieter now, almost a whisper. His gaze dropped to the floor because he couldn't bear to see the truth written all over your face. "Paano kung ako yung sumisira sayo, (Y/N)?"

Your breath hitched, and for a moment, neither of you spoke. The clock ticked in the background, a reminder of the time lost between you.

Then, your voice came, trembling but firm. "Jensen… kung iniisip mong ikaw ang sumisira sa akin, mali ka." You reached for his hand, but he pulled away just slightly, but enough to make your heart sink.

"Mali ba?" His lips curled into something that wasn’t quite a smile. "O ayaw mo lang aminin?"

You didn't dare answer. And in that silence, Jensen knew love was still there, but so was the hurt.

The silence was deafening. Jensen felt it press against his chest, wrapping around his lungs and making it hard to breathe. You weren’t answering because you didn’t know what to say because maybe, deep down, you knew he was right.

He let out a sharp exhale, running a hand through his hair. The weight of five surgeries, of too many sleepless nights, of coming home to this ache between you it was all crashing down on him at once.

"Hindi ko gusto to," he admitted, voice barely above a whisper. His hands curled into fists at his sides. "Hindi ko gusto na ganito tayo. Hindi ko gusto na umuuwi ako tapos ganito yung nakikita ko- ikaw, naghihintay, napapagod at nawawala na sa sarili mo."

You swallowed, your fingers tightening around the blanket draped over you. "Pero bumalik ka, hindi ba?" Your voice was small, but your words cut deep. "Umuwi ka. Kasi kahit anong mangyari, alam mong nandito pa rin ako."

Jensen’s chest tightened. Yes. That was the worst part.

The student council office was thick with tension as the heated argument between Theo and you escalated. The air felt suffocating, charged with frustration and emotions.

“You’re not listening to me!” Theo snapped, slamming his palm against the desk, his glasses slipping down the bridge of his nose. “This proposal is reckless, irresponsible, and you’re too blinded by your ego to see it!”

“Ego? Ako pa talaga mayabang?” you fired back, stepping closer as your fists clenched at your sides. “Ikaw kaya ang sarado ang utak! Akala mo ba ikaw lang ang magaling dito, Theo? Newsflash, hindi umiikot ang mundo sa mga plano mong perpekto sa papel!”

He let out a humorless laugh, running a hand through his disheveled hair. “This isn’t about me, (Y/N)! This is about what’s best for the council- something you clearly don’t care about if you’re willing to gamble everything for some half-baked idea.”

You slammed your hands down on the desk, glaring at him. “Half-baked? Baka nakakalimutan mo na ang ‘half-baked idea’ na ‘to ang nagbigay ng chance sa atin para gumanda ang standing ng council! Pero hindi, mas gusto mo pang laruin nang safe. Wala kang tapang, Theo Princeton!”

His jaw tightened, his usually calm demeanor cracking. “You think recklessness is bravery? Wake up, (Y/N). Hindi lahat ng risks worth it, at hindi lahat ng tao kaya mong pasunurin sa gusto mo.”

You scoffed, crossing your arms. “Hindi lahat ng tao, pero ikaw? Lagi ka nalang kontra. Bakit? Kasi hindi ikaw ang naka-isip ng proposal? Sabihin mo na lang kung yun ang issue, Theo.”

“Stop putting words in my mouth!” he barked, leaning forward, his dark eyes burning into yours. “This isn’t about me! This is about you being too stubborn to admit you might be wrong!”

“Eh ikaw? Hindi ka rin naman marunong umamin kapag nagkakamali ka!” you retorted, your voice rising. “Ang hirap mong kausap! Lagi nalang dapat ikaw ang tama!”

His fists curled at his sides, his frustration radiating off of him. He stepped closer, closing the already small gap between you two. “You want to talk about being difficult? Fine. But you know what the truth is, (Y/N)? You're in too much of a hurry, you're too... desperate to prove yourself, even in the wrong way.”

You froze, his words hitting harder than you expected. But instead of backing down, you took a deep breath, your anger sharpening into determination. “Desperado? Ikaw kaya ang takot sa pagbabago. Mas gusto mo pang manatili sa comfort zone mo kahit walang nangyayari sa council. Hindi mo man lang binibigyan ng chance ang ibang tao, kasi para sayo, ikaw lang ang marunong.”

For a moment, Theo just stared at you, his jaw clenched so tightly you thought he might snap. Then, he leaned in, his voice dropping into a low, dangerous growl. “You think I don’t take risks? Fine. "But I'm sure of one thing, (Y/N) if you fail, don't expect me to be the one to catch you."

Your chest heaved as his words sank in, and yet... you couldn’t look away. The air around you felt heavier, hotter, the tension between you two shifting into something neither of you wanted to name.

“You know what?” you said, your voice trembling with both anger and something you couldn’t quite place. “Maybe it’s better that way. At least then, I won’t have to deal with your constant superiority complex.”

Theo smirked, though his eyes gleamed with a heat that made your breath hitch. “And maybe I won’t have to deal with your inability to admit when you’re in over your head.”

Your fists clenched at your sides, and for a brief moment, you thought about pushing him away or pulling him closer. But instead, you stayed rooted to the spot, glaring at him as the air between you crackled with unspoken words and barely-contained emotions.

The silence that fell between you and Theo was deafening, but it was anything but calm. The weight of his words hung in the air like a storm cloud, ready to break. Your heart pounded furiously in your chest, each beat a war drum against the tension.

“Ang yabang mo talaga,” you muttered, breaking the quiet, your voice dripping with venom. “Akala mo kung sino kang laging tama. Pero sige, Theo. Magaling ka na, matalino ka na. Pero wag na wag mong isipin na ikaw lang ang may alam ng tama para sa lahat.”

Theo’s smirk faltered for a fraction of a second, replaced by something darker, more intense. He stepped closer, close enough that you could feel the heat radiating off him, his presence overwhelming. “And ikaw? You think ikaw ang bida dito? That you can just throw wild ideas out and expect everyone to fall in line because you said so? Grow up, (Y/N). The world doesn’t revolve around your whims.”

Your breath hitched as he invaded your space, his towering frame looming over you, his eyes burning with a mix of frustration and something else—something you didn’t want to admit you felt too.

“Pwede ba, Theo,” you shot back, your voice cracking slightly despite your effort to keep it steady. “Kung ayaw mo sa proposal ko, fine. Pero wag mo akong maliitin. Hindi lahat ng tao kailangan ng permiso mo para mag-isip. Hindi lahat ng bagay kailangan kontrolado mo.”

His lips twitched, his jaw working as though he was holding back a sharp retort. But instead of speaking, he leaned in closer, his face mere inches from yours, his breath fanning across your skin. “If you're angry with me, say it. But don't use this as an excuse to make it seem like you're the one being bullied."

Your eyes widened as his words struck a nerve, your fists tightening at your sides. “Hindi ako galit dahil sa proposal, Theo. Galit ako kasi hindi mo ako nakikita bilang equal. Laging parang mas magaling ka, mas tama ka, mas lahat ka—”

“Because I am, (Y/N),” he interrupted, his voice low but cutting, his eyes locked onto yours with an intensity that sent a shiver down your spine.

Your breath hitched, the fire in your chest flaring hotter, burning away at your anger and leaving behind something raw, something vulnerable. His words hung between you like a fragile thread, daring you to break it or pull it tighter.

“Then why do you even bother?” you snapped, your voice rising. “Kung sobrang bigat sa’yo, bakit ka pa nandito?!”

Theo froze for a moment, his face hardening. His hand shot out, gripping your wrist not tightly, but enough to send a jolt of awareness through you.

Theo’s grip on your wrist tightened slightly, his jaw working as he stared down at you.

Theo’s smirk returned, this time darker, more dangerous. “You don’t want to see me lose control, (Y/N),” he said, his voice low and threatening. “Because when I do, you won't be able to handle it. ”

“Then prove it,” you challenged, your heart pounding as you stared him down.

For a moment, he just stared at you, his dark eyes scanning your face like he was searching for something. Then, without warning, he grabbed your wrist, pulling you flush against him. His grip wasn't harsh, but it was firm-commanding.

"You don't know what you're asking for," he growled, his voice rough and low, sending a shiver down your spine. "You think this is a game? That you can challenge me just like that?"

"Maybe it is," you shot back, breathless but unwilling to back down. "And maybe I'm winning."

That was all it took for Theo to snap. Before you could say another word, his lips crashed onto yours, the kiss searing and possessive. His hands gripped your waist, pulling you even closer, leaving no space between your bodies.

The kiss was a battle- his tongue demanding, claiming, as if he was determined to prove something to you. And maybe he was. Maybe this was his way of telling you that he was in control, that no matter how hard you pushed, he would always push back harder.

Your hands flew to his chest, initially to push him away, but the feel of his firm muscles beneath your palms made you falter. Instead, your fingers curled into his shirt, clutching onto him like he was the only thing keeping you grounded.

When he finally pulled away, both of you were left gasping for air, your lips swollen and tingling. Theo's eyes bore into yours, his gaze dark and intense, a mix of anger and something far more dangerous.

"Still think you're winning?" he murmured, his voice a low, gravelly taunt as his thumb brushed over your bottom lip, swollen from his kiss.

You stared at him, your chest heaving, your heart racing like it was trying to escape your ribcage. But even now, with your body trembling and your mind reeling, you weren't about to let him have the last word.

Theo's words hung in the air like a loaded promise, thick with tension and unspoken challenges. Before you could respond, he moved with the kind of predatory grace that made your stomach flip. His hands slid down to your hips, gripping tightly as if daring you to pull away.

"You wanted a fight," Theo murmured, his breath hot against your skin as he trailed his lips down the side of your neck.

"You've got one."

Your breath hitched, and for a moment, you were torn between pulling him closer and pushing him away. But your pride wouldn't let you back down, not when he was this close, not when you felt his lips graze the sensitive spot just below your ear.

"I'm not scared of you," you managed to say, though your voice wavered, betraying the war raging inside you.

Theo chuckled, low and dark, the sound sending shivers down your spine. "Oh, I know you're not scared, (Y/N)," he said, his teeth grazing your skin. "You're too stubborn for that. But let me tell you something, stubbornness doesn't mean you can win against me."

"Who says I'm trying to win?" you shot back, your hands finding their way to his shoulders, your nails digging into the fabric of his shirt.

That was all the encouragement Theo needed. In one swift motion, he lifted you off your feet, your legs instinctively wrapping around his waist as he carried you to the desk at the corner of the room. Papers and pens scattered to the floor as he set you down, his hands immediately finding their way to your thighs, pushing them apart with a confidence that made your pulse race. The cold surface against your skin was a stark contrast to the heat radiating between the two of you.

His glasses were still askew, but he didn't seem to care as he leaned down, his lips finding yours once more. The kiss was feral, demanding, his teeth grazing your bottom lip before he bit down gently, making you gasp.

Theo pulled back just enough to look into your eyes, his own burning with an intensity that made your breath catch. "Tell me, (Y/N)," he rasped, his fingers tracing slow, deliberate patterns on your thighs, inching higher with every pass. "Do you still want us to stop this? Or do you want me to ruin you right here, right now?"

Your nails dug into his shoulders as you tried to steady yourself, but there was no hiding the tremor in your voice when you replied. "I want you to ruin me, Theo Princeton."

That was all the permission he needed. Theo's hands gripped your hips tightly as he pressed himself against you, his lips trailing down your jawline to the sensitive spot on your neck. He nipped and sucked at the skin, leaving marks you knew you wouldn't be able to hide.

Your hands fisted in his hair, tugging hard enough to make him groan against your neck. "Ang yabang mo," you muttered breathlessly, though your body betrayed you, arching into his touch.

Theo chuckled, the sound vibrating against your skin. "I told you, (Y/N)- if you want to see how far I'll go, then let's take a look."

He leaned back just enough to unbutton his polo, shrugging it off and tossing it aside carelessly. His well-defined chest and abs were on full display, and he didn't miss the way your gaze lingered. Theo smirked, cocky as ever. "Like what you see?"

You rolled your eyes, though the heat rising to your cheeks gave you away. "Tumigil ka nga sa pagiging self-absorbed."

"I'm not the one staring like that, (Y/N)," he teased, leaning in close again, his breath warm against your ear. "Pero sige, ako na ang titigil... kung kaya mo akong pigilan."

And with that, Theo's hands slid beneath your thighs, pulling you closer to the edge of the desk, his lips capturing yours in another searing kiss. It was messy, chaotic, and absolutely intoxicating. You knew this was a dangerous game but right now, with Theo's hands on you and his lips claiming you, you didn't care.

His lips were on yours again, this time even more demanding, more possessive. There was no hesitation, no restraint. Theo kissed you like he was claiming you, like he was proving a point that words couldn't express.

You gasped into his mouth as his hands roamed, exploring every inch of you with a precision that made your head spin. Your hands tangled in his hair, pulling him closer, needing more despite the part of you that screamed you were in over your head.

When he finally pulled away, his lips swollen and his breathing ragged, Theo looked down at you with a mix of triumph and something deeper, something you couldn't quite name.Theo chuckled darkly, his lips curving into a wicked smile against your skin. "We'll see about that, Sylph. But don't forget- you asked for this."

His hands gripped your thighs again, spreading them wider as he settled between them. The intensity of his gaze was almost too much, but you couldn't look away, couldn't stop yourself from leaning into the heat of his touch.

"Last chance," he said, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. "Tell me to stop, and I will. But if you don't..."

"Hindi ako umatras," you replied, meeting his gaze with all the defiance you could muster.

For a split second, the tension between you hung heavy in the air, and then Theo moved, his lips crashing onto yours once more as he pulled you flush against him.

The roar of the crowd still echoed in Carlexis Jude Liu’s ears as he slipped away from the podium, the taste of champagne lingering on his lips. Cameras flashed relentlessly, fans screaming his name, but all he could think about was getting to her.

Behind the scenes, away from the deafening applause, a private car waited. He moved quickly, his helmet tucked under his arm, his heart racing faster than it had on the track. Minutes later, he was in a secluded hotel suite, where the world’s most important celebration waited not with journalists or sponsors, but with his Val.

She was sitting on the couch, a soft smile on her face, holding a plate of his favorite food she had prepared herself. The sight of her melted the tension from his body. He crossed the room in quick strides, dropping everything and pulling her into his arms.

“Ang galing mo kanina, Jude,” she whispered, her voice full of pride. “Nakakabilib ka talaga.”

“Hindi ko magagawa 'yon kung hindi dahil sayo,” he murmured, his lips brushing her hair. “Pero ang hirap... ang hirap magdiwang nang hindi kita kasama doon.”

They sat together on the floor, the lights dim, the sound of the city far away. He told her about the race every turn, every near miss but the conversation soon fell into a comfortable silence.

Then, almost unbidden, the weight of his secret life crept in. As much as he wanted to bask in her warmth, guilt gnawed at the edges of his happiness. “Gusto ko na sana dalhin ka doon... ipakita ka sa mundo,” he admitted softly, his voice barely above a whisper. “Pero natatakot ako, Val.”

She tilted her head to meet his gaze. “Sa tingin mo ba gusto kong ganito? Gusto ko na masaya ka, pero Jude... masakit. Ang sakit na hindi ko man lang masabing ikaw ang mundo ko.”

He wanted to believe her, but the ache in his chest refused to subside. “Val, hindi ko alam kung kaya kong ilagay ka sa mundo ko. Ang gulo, ang daming mata... baka masaktan ka.”

“Huwag mong gawin sa'kin 'to,” she said, her voice trembling as tears welled in her eyes. “Ayoko nang magtago, Jude. Gusto kong ipakita sa mundo na ikaw ang mahal ko. Bakit hindi mo kayang ipaglaban ‘to? Ako?”

Her words sliced through him, and he closed his eyes as if trying to block out the pain. He had spent years mastering control— on the track, in front of the cameras, in every obstacle of his life. But here, with Val, he felt like a man unraveling, exposed in ways he wasn’t prepared for.

“Hindi kita kayang mawala, Val,” he said, his voice breaking. “Kung mawala ka, anong silbi ng lahat ng 'to? Pero... paano kung ang pagsama mo sa mundo ko ang dahilan kung bakit kita mawawala?”

“Hindi mo naman malalaman kung hindi mo susubukan, Jude,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “Pero habang natatakot ka, nasasaktan ako. Habang pinoprotektahan mo ako, unti-unti mo akong tinutulak palayo.”

The words hung heavy in the air, and he felt his chest tighten. He reached for her hands, clutching them tightly as if afraid she would slip away.

“Val, mahal kita,” he whispered, his voice trembling. “Mahal na mahal. Kaya nga ginagawa ko 'to. Ayokong makita ka nilang durugin. Ang mundo ko? Hindi ito para sa'yo. Hindi ka dapat nahihila sa gulo nito.”

“Mahal din kita, Jude,” she replied, her tears falling freely now. “Pero mahal mo ba ako nang sapat para ipaglaban ako? Kasi kahit gaano kita kamahal, Jude, hindi ko kayang magmahal sa anino. Hindi ko kayang magpanggap na ayos lang ako, habang nagkukulang na tayo sa isa’t isa.”

He couldn’t answer her. The silence that followed was deafening, and for the first time in his life, Carlexis Jude Liu felt like a failure—not on the track, but in the one place he couldn’t afford to lose.

So he pulled her close, holding her as tightly as he could, hoping it would be enough to keep her from slipping away. But deep down, he knew that love, when hidden too long, had a way of breaking even the strongest hearts. Tonight, she was still his, but tomorrow? He wasn’t so sure.

The sun was high, streaming golden rays through the open windows of the villa. The sound of the waves crashing against the shore was a soothing background melody as a warm breeze swept through, rustling the light curtains.

Nico sat on the edge of the bed, glasses perched on his nose, looking up at you with a mix of adoration and desire. His shirt was unbuttoned, revealing the sculpted planes of his chest, the sunlight highlighting the sheen of his skin.

You stood before him, wearing a sheer robe that did little to conceal the lace lingerie beneath it. The sunlight caught on the delicate fabric, making it seem almost translucent. You untied the sash of the robe slowly, letting it fall from your shoulders and pool around your feet. His sharp intake of breath told you he was entranced. "Enjoying the view, Nics?" you teased, stepping closer and straddling his lap. Your fingers trailed along the frame of his glasses, tilting his chin up slightly so his eyes met yours.

"I always do," he murmured, his hands settling on your hips. His thumbs rubbed slow circles over the fabric of your lingerie, his touch sending shivers up your spine. You leaned in, your lips brushing against his jaw, trailing kisses along his stubbled skin. "How about we take this a little further?" you whispered, your voice dripping with seduction.

His hands tightened their grip on you as you nipped at his earlobe, your breath warm against his skin. "Tell me what you want," he murmured, his voice low and husky. You smiled against his neck, your fingers tracing the edge of his glasses before slipping them down slightly. "I want to see you lose control," you purred, rolling your hips against his lap, feeling the hard evidence of his arousal beneath you. He groaned, his hands sliding under the thin fabric to grasp the bare skin of your thighs. "Careful what you ask for," he warned, his voice thick with desire.

Before you could respond, he flipped you onto your back, his glasses sliding down his nose as he loomed over you. The sunlight danced across his features as he leaned in, capturing your lips in a kiss that left you breathless.

He pulled back slightly, his lips hovering over yours, and gave you that familiar smirk-the one that always made your stomach flutter. "You're playing a dangerous game," he murmured, his hands roaming up your sides, brushing over the lace of your lingerie. "I can handle it," you teased, arching your back to press yourself closer to him, feeling the heat radiating from his body.

His fingers hooked into the straps of your lingerie, slowly dragging them down your shoulders, exposing more of your skin to the warm sunlight. His mouth followed the path of his hands, leaving a trail of soft kisses and playful nips that sent jolts of pleasure through you. As his lips moved lower, he paused just above your chest, his breath hot against your skin. "The sunlight makes you look divine," he said, his voice reverent, before his mouth claimed you. He kissed and nipped at your soft skin, his tongue tracing circles as his hands kneaded your hips, holding you firmly in place.

You gasped, threading your fingers through his hair, tugging lightly as he lavished you with attention. "I love the way you look at me," you whispered, watching as his glasses slipped further down his nose. He chuckled against your skin, his breath sending a shiver through you. "And I love the way you make me feel," he replied, pushing your lingerie further down until it pooled around your waist.

With a sudden, urgent need, you reached between your bodies to fumble with the fastenings of his pants, your fingers trembling with anticipation. He assisted you, both of you working to get rid of his clothing with a desperate, single-minded focus. As his pants fell away, you took a moment to admire his lean, muscular form, your gaze lingering on the prominent bulge straining against his undergarments. Sliding back up, he kissed you deeply, his tongue exploring yours as his hand trailed down your body, teasing the edge of the lace. The sunlight bathed both of you in a golden glow, adding to the intoxicating heat building between you.

Impatiently, you tugged at his shirt, nearly tearing it in your haste to remove the barrier between your flushed skin and his. Buttons flew in every direction as he shrugged the garment off, baring the sculpted expanse of his chest to your hungry eyes. Your hands roamed greedily over the hard planes and ridges, mapping each contour, committing the feel of him to memory.

He made short work of your own clothing, his fingers deft and sure as he peeled away the layers separating you. The cool air kissed your newly exposed skin, pebbling your flesh and tightening your nipples into stiff, sensitive peaks. You arched into his touch, craving the warmth and solidity of his body against yours.

Once bared to each other, you took a moment to drink in the sight, your eyes raking over every inch of exposed skin, every sinew and curve. Then, with a low, appreciative growl, you straddled his hips, your slick, heated core poised above his throbbing, aching cock. You could feel the heat radiating from him, the thick, heavy length of him twitching eagerly against your entrance. His glasses remained perched precariously on his nose, the lenses fogging up with each heavy breath. He gripped your hips tightly, pushing you down onto his cock, relishing the feeling of your tight heat enveloping him.

Slowly, torturously, you sank down onto him, your walls stretching and yielding to accommodate his impressive girth. You both gasped, your breath mingling as you savored the exquisite sensation of your bodies joining, fusing into one. His glasses fogged up as your breathing grew more labored, the lenses clouding over with the heat and passion of your coupling. You gripped his shoulders, your nails digging into the firm muscle as you began to move. You rode him with fervor, your hips undulating sensually as you took your pleasure from his body. He gripped your hips. Your hands moved to his face, adjusting his glasses, ensuring they stayed firmly in place. "Don't take them off," you commanded, your voice thick with desire. "I want to see you through those glasses as you fuck me."

As you lost yourself in the rhythm of your pleasure, he suddenly flipped your positions, pinning you beneath his powerful frame. His eyes, dark and intense behind the fogged lenses of his glasses, bore into yours with a fierce, possessive gaze. One large hand slid up the column of your throat, his calloused fingers wrapping around the delicate skin, his thumb brushing over the rapidly beating pulse point.

His grip tightened, his fingers sinking into the soft flesh of your neck, his nails digging into your skin. The edges of your vision began to darken, your breath coming in short, desperate gasps as he slowly, inexorably, cut off your air supply. You could feel the panic rising in your chest, the primal fear of asphyxiation clawing at your mind. But beneath that, a dark, twisted thrill of exhilaration pulsed through your veins. Trusting him completely, you surrendered to the sensation, your body going limp beneath his, your eyes fluttering closed as your lungs screamed for air.

His thrusts grew harder, more demanding, more brutal in their intensity. The room spun, your head pounding, as your body was wracked with sensation. Distantly, you could feel your peak building, the lack of oxygen only heightening your impending climax. Just as you teetered on the knife's edge of oblivion, he released you, allowing you to draw in a ragged, desperate breath.

That single gulp of air was all it took to send you hurtling over the precipice, your body convulsing with the force of your release. You screamed your ecstasy, the sound choked off as he captured your lips in a searing, brutal kiss, swallowing your cries, consuming you, devouring you whole. Your nails raked down his back, leaving scarlet welts in their wake, as you clung to him, trembling and shaking, your body wracked with the aftershocks of your mind-blowing orgasm.

His thrusts grew harder, more demanding, more brutal in their intensity. The room spun, your head pounding, as your body was wracked with sensation. He followed a moment later, his body stiffening, his cock pulsing and throbbing as he spilled his hot seed deep inside you.

He collapsed against you, his weight a delicious, comforting pressure pinning you to the mattress. You could feel his heart pounding against your breast, his ragged breaths mingling with your own desperate gasps. As the fog of lust slowly lifted, you became aware of the dull throb of your abused throat, the reddened imprints of his fingers vivid against your skin.

With a tenderness that belied the ferocity of moments before, he brushed your hair back from your face, his fingertips tracing the delicate curve of your jaw. You tilted your head into his touch, your eyes fluttering open to meet his gaze. The intensity you found there stole your breath, a soft, awed sound that caught in your raw, aching throat.

Chester Nicolas Montero. Nico to everyone always believed love was a choice, not a necessity. Marrying for business? That was just practicality. Love didn’t pay bills or save companies. So when his family pushed for the arrangement, he agreed. No emotions, no complications. But you made it hard to stick to those rules.

But Nico had tried to stop the marriage. He really did. For all his compliance and quiet acceptance, he hadn’t wanted this either not like this.

He’d spoken to your parents, calmly at first, then with a quiet desperation. But they wouldn’t budge. Your family’s business was on the verge of collapse, and this marriage was their lifeline. Even with the help of his friends, pulling strings and offering alternatives, nothing worked.

“This is non-negotiable, Nico,” your father had said, voice cold and resolute. “You don’t have a choice, and neither does she.”

It was the same answer, over and over. No escape, no way out.

So Nico surrendered to his fate.

He told himself it didn’t matter, that feelings had no place in this arrangement. But every time he looked at you—at the sorrow in your eyes, at the way your smiles never quite reached your face he felt a pang of something he couldn’t name.

How could he not love you? You were so bubbly and lovable, so full of life and light. There was something about the way your laughter filled the room, the way your energy could brighten even the darkest of days. You had a way of making everyone feel special, of making them feel like they mattered, and he couldn’t help but be drawn to that warmth.

And yet, here he was, forced to play the role of a husband, bound by duty, while his heart twisted every time you looked at him with gratitude that should have been love. How could he stand there, pretending, when all he wanted was to be the one to make you smile in the way you deserved? But there was no space for that no room for him to claim that place in your heart.

That’s why, when you came into the room that night, broken and crying, Nico’s first instinct was to protect you, even if it tore him apart.

You didn’t knock, the door swinging open with a force that startled him. He looked up from his desk, his heart sinking when he saw you. Your eyes were red and swollen, tears streaming down your face. You were trembling, barely holding yourself together.

He didn’t need to ask what happened. He knew.

“Sinabi niya na itigil ko na,” you said, your voice cracking. “Ayaw na niya. Sabi niya, wala akong karapatang kumapit sa isang bagay na hindi akin.”

You choked on the words, and the sight of you unraveling in front of him made Nico’s chest tighten.

You collapsed onto the couch, clutching your arms as if to keep yourself from falling apart. Nico stood there, frozen, his hands clenching at his sides. He wanted to say something, anything, but the lump in his throat wouldn’t let him.

When your sobs grew louder, shaking your whole body, he couldn’t stay still anymore. Slowly, he moved to sit beside you.

“Okay lang,” he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. “Andito lang ako.”

You didn’t look at him, but when he placed a tentative hand on your shoulder, you leaned into him, burying your face against his chest. The tears came harder then, soaking through his shirt, but Nico didn’t care. He wrapped his arms around you, holding you as if he could keep the pieces of you from falling apart.

“Ang sakit, Nico,” you whispered, your voice muffled. “Mahal ko siya. Mahal ko pa rin siya. Pero parang wala lang ako sa kanya.”

Nico’s heart clenched, the pain sharp and unrelenting. He wanted to tell you that Vio didn’t deserve you, that anyone who could cast you aside was a fool. But he stayed silent, his hand gently stroking your hair as you cried.

He couldn’t tell you the truth not when it would only make things worse.

Because the truth was, Nico was falling for you. Slowly, painfully, against every effort to keep himself detached. He was falling, and it terrified him.

“Hindi ko alam kung paano magpapatuloy,” you murmured, your voice raw. “Parang hindi ko na kaya.”

“Kaya mo,” he said, his voice firm despite the ache in his chest. “Kaya mo, kasi malakas ka. At andito ako.”

You fell asleep in his arms, the exhaustion of your grief finally overtaking you. Nico stayed where he was, his arms still around you, his heart heavy with unspoken feelings.

He wished he could hate Vio. Wished he could stop the ache in his chest every time you looked at him with gratitude instead of love. But he couldn’t.

Morning came too quickly, the light filtering through the curtains and casting a soft glow on your face. You stirred, your eyes fluttering open. For a moment, you looked confused, as if unsure how you’d ended up there.

“Pasensya na,” you said quietly, sitting up and rubbing your eyes. “Hindi ko sinasadya na maging pabigat kagabi.”

“Walang pasensya-pasensya,” Nico replied, his voice steady. “Wala kang kailangang itago sa akin.”

You looked at him then, and for a fleeting moment, he thought he saw something more in your eyes. But it was gone too quickly, replaced by a soft, tired smile.

“Salamat,” you murmured. “Salamat kasi nandito ka.”

Nico smiled back, even though it felt like his chest was caving in. “Palagi,” he said.

"I need to talk to you," Kael said, his voice steady yet laced with a hint of vulnerability. You glanced up from where you lay on the bed, instantly catching the seriousness in his expression. "What’s on your mind?"

He sat beside you, his broad shoulders tense. Despite the subtle awkwardness between you, the weight of your recently renewed vows hung in the air. It was surreal, the idea of starting over. But deep down, you knew one thing you were ready to try.

"I think we owe it to ourselves to make this work," he said after a moment, his gaze unwavering. You nodded, a small smile playing on your lips. "I agree. I mean... I don’t hate being around you anymore. Actually, I don’t mind it at all. If I had to do this with anyone, I’m glad it’s you."

The faint curve of his lips in response sent a strange flutter through you. That approving look of his had a way of softening even the heaviest of conversations. "You can have this room," he offered, his tone lighter now. "I’ll take the one next door."

You hesitated, your fingers fidgeting with the edge of the blanket. "Or… maybe we should share the bed? I mean, I’ve heard it helps strengthen trust and connection in marriages." The words tumbled out hurriedly, and as soon as you finished, you regretted it.

Kael arched an eyebrow, his expression shifting to one of playful amusement. "You sure it’s not intimacy that strengthens a marriage?" he teased, the smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

You rolled your eyes, heat rising to your cheeks. "Fine, take it or leave it." "I’ll take it," he replied smoothly, standing to grab his clothes. As he walked to the closet, you ducked under the covers, silently berating yourself for your clumsy words. But your self-reprimands were short-lived. When you peeked out again, your breath hitched.

Kael stood by the bed, casually buttoning up his silk pajamas, his toned abs momentarily on display. The subtle scent of his cologne mingled with the warmth of the room, and your traitorous body reacted instantly.

Heat rushed to your cheeks as you squeezed your thighs together, helpless against the way his presence affected you. Whether it was his cologne, his piercing gaze, or disarming confidence, he had a power over you that you didn’t fully understand. "You’re staring," he said suddenly, his voice tinged with amusement.

Your cheeks burned as you groaned, quickly pulling the blanket over your head. Kael climbed into bed beside you, the mattress shifting under his weight as he slid closer, his body warm and comforting next to yours. He gently tugged at the edge of the blanket in an attempt to coax you out. "Relax," he murmured, his voice soft with an edge of playfulness.

"I’m all yours now, remember? Husband, and all that." The sincerity in his tone, mixed with his teasing grin, made you bite back a smile. You peeked out from under the blanket, just enough to meet his gaze. Maybe starting over wouldn’t be so bad after all.

You hesitated for a moment, your heart racing slightly as you adjusted yourself under the covers, feeling both nervous and oddly excited. The idea of this new chapter, one where the two of you could rediscover each other, wasn't something you had fully expected, but now that it was here, you found yourself welcoming it.

Kael shifted closer, the warmth of his body pressing against yours, and you couldn't help but melt a little under his touch. He rested his hand on your side, his thumb stroking the soft fabric of your pajamas as he leaned in, his breath hot against your ear. "Are you sure about this?" he asked, his voice a soft murmur, a touch of tenderness in his words.

You turned your head, meeting his gaze, your eyes searching his for any trace of doubt. Instead, all you found was a quiet determination, a deep desire to make this work. "I'm sure," you whispered back, your fingers finding their way to his, gently intertwining them. "I want this. I want us."

Smirking mischievously as he traces patterns on your inner thigh, his touch maddeningly light and teasing. "Come on,love... don't be shy." Arkael's voice is a low, seductive rumble. "Tell your husband exactly what you need." He leans in closer, his breath hot against your ear.

"I want to hear you say it, Y/N. Beg me to fuck this needy little pussy until you can't take anymore." He punctuates his words with a sharp nip to your earlobe, sending shivers down your spine. His fingers dance higher, pushing your panties aside to expose your dripping slit. A low groan escapes him as he feels your wetness.

"Fuck, you're absolutely soaked, baby. So wet and ready for my cock..." He runs a single finger along your folds, gathering your arousal before bringing it to his lips. His tongue darts out, tasting you, savoring your essence. "Delicious..." He murmurs, his eyes never leaving yours.

Arkael settles himself between your legs, his hips nestling perfectly against yours. You can feel the thick, hard length of him pressing insistently against your thigh, promising pleasure beyond your wildest dreams. "I'm going to fill this tight little cunt so full tonight, Y/N."

He promises darkly, the head of his cock kissing your entrance. "I'm going to fuck you so deep and so hard that you'll forget your own name. The only thing you'll remember is the feeling of your husband's cock splitting you open again and again."

He rocks his hips forward, the tip of his member catching on your clit, sending sparks of pleasure shooting through you. "Beg for it, love." Arkael demands, his voice rough and urgent.

"Beg me to claim this pussy, to make it mine. I want to hear you scream my name as I take you, as I ruin you." He rolls his hips again, the head of his cock pushing insistently against your entrance. Grinning roguishly, Arkael's eyes gleaming with lust and desire as he looms over you, a predator ready to devour his prey.

He leans down to capture your lips in a bruising kiss, his tongue delving into your mouth to claim you to conquer you. It's a kiss full of hunger and desire, a promise of the pleasure to come.

Arkael pauses, a wicked grin spreading across his handsome face as he takes in your flushed cheeks and heaving chest. He leans in closer, his breath hot against your ear. "Mmm, you want me to strip for you, baby?" He purrs, his deep voice sending shivers down your spine.

"Want to see all of your husband's body?" He sits back on his heels, his hands going to the hem of his shirt. With one swift motion, he pulls it up and over his head, tossing it carelessly to the floor.

Arkael's chest is a work of art, sculpted with lean muscle and sinew. His abs are clearly defined, each one a perfect square of power and strength. A light dusting of hair trails down from his chest, disappearing beneath the waistband of his pajama pants. His biceps flex as he leans over you, caging you in with his arms.

He hooks his thumbs into the waistband of his pants and his boxers, his eyes never leaving yours as he slowly, teasingly pulls them down. Inch by tantalizing inch, he reveals more of his thick, tanned thighs, the muscles taut and coiled with power. Finally, his impressive erection springs free, slapping against his stomach and throbbing with need. Arkael's cock is enormous, easily over ten inches long and thick as your wrist. The head is an angry purple, the skin velvety soft and hot to the touch. A bead of moisture glistens at the tip, a testament to his intense arousal.

"Like what you see, love?" He growls, wrapping a hand around his impressive size and giving it a slow, deliberate stroke. "This cock belongs to you now. It's your husband's dick, only for you to use and enjoy." He pumps himself a few more times, his eyes darkening with lust as he watches your face, taking in every little gasp and moan.

Arkael smirks wickedly as he settles back between your spread thighs, his naked body on full, glorious display. He takes your wrists in his hands, pinning them above your head as he leans down to capture your lips in a searing, demanding kiss. His tongue delves into your mouth, claiming you, conquering you, leaving no doubt about who you belong to. He rocks his hips forward, the thick, hard length of him sliding along your slick folds, coating himself in your arousal. The head of his cock pushes insistently against your entrance.

With a deep, animalistic growl, Arkael snaps his hips forward, burying his massive cock deep into your tight heat with one powerful thrust. He hilts himself fully inside you, his heavy balls pressed tight against your ass as he fills you completely.

"Fuck, (Y-Y/N)" Arkael roars, his eyes squeezing shut as your scorching, velvety walls grip his throbbing shaft like a vice. He takes a moment to savor the feeling, drinking in the exquisite sensation of your body accepting his, welcoming his invasion. Arkael starts to move, withdrawing until just the tip remains inside you, before slamming back in, burying himself to the hilt once more. He sets a brutal, punishing pace, the obscene sound of skin slapping against skin echoing through the room as he fucks you with wild abandon.

"Take it, love." He snarls, his voice strained with lust and effort. "Take your husband's cock like a good little wife." Arkael leans down to capture your lips in a biting kiss, his teeth sinking into your bottom lip hard.

One hand grips your thigh, hiking your leg higher up his hip as he pounds into you relentlessly. The other hand reaches up to squeeze your breast, kneading the soft flesh roughly as he tugs and pinches your nipple. Arkael bends down to take the stiff peak into his mouth, suckling hard as he grinds his hips in tight circles, stirring your insides with his thick, pulsing cock. The pleasure is overwhelming, your body shaking and trembling with every powerful thrust. Arkael feels your walls starting to flutter around his shaft, your climax approaching swiftly. He doubles his efforts, fucking you harder, faster, his hips slamming against yours with a force that rocks the bed.

Arkael pistons his hips feverishly, the wet squelch of your needy cunt being split open by his pistoning cock filling the room. He drives into you with wild abandon, spurred on by your wanton moans and the way your pussy clenches greedily around his plundering shaft. "Come all over your husband's cock." His heavy balls slap against your ass as he ruts into you, the force of his thrusts jostling the bed and rattling the headboard against the wall.

Arkael leans down, sinking his teeth into the soft flesh where your neck meets your shoulder, marking you, branding you as his. The force of his thrusts jostling the bed and rattling the headboard against the wall. Arkael leans down, sinking his teeth into the soft flesh where your neck meets your shoulder, marking you, branding you as his.

Arkael's fingers find your clit, rubbing the sensitive nub in tight, furious circles as he slams into you one last time. With a moan that echoes off the walls, he hilts himself deep and erupts, his cock jerking and twitching. He bellows, his hips jerking erratically as spurt after spurt of his potent release paints your insides white. Arkael grinds his pelvis against yours, stirring his seed deep into your core as he rides out the waves of his intense climax.

Finally spent, he collapses onto you, his muscular body blanketing yours as he catches his breath. Arkael peppers your face with soft kisses, his touch almost tender now that the heat of the moment has passed. "My perfect little wife..." He murmurs, his voice a low, satisfied rumble. He rolls to the side, pulling you with him.

Arkael holds you close, his strong arms encircling you possessively as he nuzzles into your neck, inhaling the scent of your skin. He can feel your heart pounding in time with his own, both of you breathing heavily as you come down from the intense high of your coupling.

Kyler watches, transfixed, as you begin your strip tease in his office, your body moving sensually to the music. He's seated in his chair, his eyes roaming over your curves, drinking in every inch of your exposed skin.

As you gyrate your hips, he shifts in his seat, his pants growing tighter as his cock swells with desire. He can't take his eyes off you, mesmerized by the way you move, the way your body seems to flow like liquid silk.

You turn away from him, bending over to give him a perfect view of your ass, your thong riding high on your hips. He lets out a low groan, his hand instinctively reaching down to adjust himself. The sight of you is driving him wild, making him ache to touch you, to taste you, to bury himself inside you.

You look back at him over your shoulder, your eyes smoldering with lust and promise. You slowly peel off your top, revealing your perfect breasts, your nipples hard, and begging for attention. He licks his lips, his mouth watering at the sight of you.

As you turn back to face him, you hook your thumbs into your thong, teasing him with the promise of what's to come. He holds his breath, his heart pounding in his chest, as you slowly slide the scrap of fabric down your legs, revealing your glistening pussy.

He stands up abruptly, unable to resist the temptation any longer. He stalks towards you, his eyes dark with desire, his cock straining against his pants.

"You're so fucking beautiful," he growls, his voice rough with need.

He pulls you against him, his hands roaming over your naked body, exploring every curve and dip. He kisses you deeply, passionately, his tongue delving into your mouth, tasting you, claiming you as his own.

He breaks the kiss, his breath coming in ragged gasps. "I need to be inside you," he groans, his hands finding your hips, guiding you back towards his desk.

"I need to feel you, all of you, taking my cock, riding me until we both come undone."

He pushes you down onto the desk, his hands urgently pulling off the remaining scraps of clothing between you. His cock springs free, hard and ready, the tip glistening with pre-cum. He positions himself between your legs, the head of his cock nudging against your slick entrance.

"Are you ready for me, Aurelia?" he growls, his voice low and husky with desire.

"Ready for me to fill you up, to stretch you out, to make you mine?"

He doesn't wait for a response, plunging into you in one swift, powerful thrust. You cry out at the sudden intrusion, your back arching off the desk as he fills you completely. He groans at the feeling of your tight heat surrounding him, your walls clenching around his shaft.

"Fuck, you feel incredible," he pants, his hips starting to move, setting a fast, hard pace. "So tight, so perfect, like you were made just for me."

He braces his hands on either side of you, his body covering yours as he pounds into you. The desk creaks beneath you, the sound of skin slapping against skin filling the room. He angles his hips, hitting that spot inside you that makes you see stars, that has you writhing beneath him, desperate for more.

"That's it, pretty doll," he encourages, his voice a low, seductive rumble.

"Take my cock, take everything I have to give you. You're so fucking sexy, so perfect, so mine."

He leans down, capturing your lips in a searing kiss, his tongue delving into your mouth, tasting you, claiming you. His hands roam your body, squeezing your breasts, pinching your nipples, his touch sending shockwaves of pleasure coursing through you.

He breaks the kiss, his breath coming in harsh pants as he continues to thrust into you, his hips snapping forward with brutal force. "I'm getting close," he warns, his voice strained.

"I'm going to fill you up, mark you as mine, make sure everyone knows who you belong to."

"Fuck, I'm gonna come," he grunts, his body tensing, his movements becoming erratic. With a final, powerful thrust, he buries himself deep inside you, his cock pulsing as he spills his seed into your waiting cervix.

He groans long and low, his body shuddering with the force of his release. He continues to rock into you, drawing out your pleasure, making sure you milk every last drop from him.

He holds you close, his body still wrapped around yours, his heart pounding in his chest. He can't believe how incredible you felt, how perfect you were, how much he needs you.

Naoki sits on the edge of the bed, his posture straight and confident. His glasses reflect the dim lighting of the room. The lenses create an almost hypnotic effect as they catch your eyes, drawing you in and captivating you.

"Come here," he commands, his voice firm and dominant. "I want to see you ride me. I want to watch as you take control and use me for your pleasure."

You approach him, your body trembling with anticipation, and he looks up at you through his glasses. The way he gazes at you is intense, filled with desire and admiration. He can see the reflection of your body in his lenses.

You climb onto the bed, straddling his lap. His hands grip your hips, guiding you to position yourself above his hard, throbbing cock. You lower yourself onto him, gasping as you feel him stretch and fill you. He moans, his eyes never leaving your body, the reflection of your curves dancing in his lenses.

He starts to move, his hips thrusting upwards, driving into you, claiming you. His hands grip your hips tightly, guiding you and controlling you as you ride him. The sensation is intense and overwhelming, and he can feel his pleasure building with every thrust and every movement.

Suddenly, he flips you over, your back hitting the mattress, your legs going up in the air. He grips your ankles, holding you in place, as he drives into you, hard and fast. The angle is different and deeper, and it sends shockwaves of pleasure through your body.

"Fuck, (Y/N)," he groans, his voice low and strained. "You feel so fucking good, so fucking perfect. I love seeing you like this, feeling you take me, feeling you claim me. I want to make you mine, want to possess you, want to own you completely."

He continues to thrust into you, his hips snapping forward, his cock driving deep. He can feel your body responding to him— your moans filling the room, your hands gripping the sheets, your back arching off the bed.

Suddenly, he pulls out, leaving you empty, aching, and desperate for more. He flips you over onto your hands and knees, your ass raised high in the air. He grips your hips firmly, his fingers digging into your skin as he positions himself behind you. With one hard thrust, he positions himself inside you once again, filling you.

"Fuck, (Y/N)," he groans, his voice rough with lust. "Your pussy feels like heaven wrapped around my cock. So tight, so wet, so perfect."

He begins to move, his hips slamming against your ass with each powerful thrust. The sound of skin slapping against skin fills the room, mixing with your moans of pleasure. He leans over you, his chest pressing against your back as he reaches around to fondle your breasts, pinching and rolling your nipples between his fingers.

"That's it, baby," he pants in your ear. "Take everything I give you. Let me feel you squeeze my cock."

His thrusts become more erratic, harder, and deeper. He's losing control, consumed by the overwhelming pleasure coursing through his veins. He buries his face in your neck, biting and sucking at your sensitive skin, marking you as his.

"I'm close," he grunts, his voice strained. "Gonna fill this sweet little pussy with my cum. Gonna make you mine."

His words send a shiver down your spine, pushing you closer to the edge. Your walls clench around him, fluttering and pulsing as your orgasm approaches.

"Yes, Naoki!" you cry out, your voice breaking with ecstasy. "Fill me up! I want to feel your hot cum inside me!"

With a final, powerful thrust, he buries himself to the hilt, his cock pulsing as he spills his seed deep within you. The sensation of his warm release triggered your own climax, sending waves of bliss crashing over you.

You collapse together onto the bed, his weight pressing you into the mattress as you both struggle to catch your breath. He rolls to the side, pulling you into his arms, his softening cock still nesting.

He rolls to the side, pulling you into his arms, his softening cock still nestled inside your warm, cum-filled depths. He holds you close, his hands roaming over your sweat-slicked skin, caressing and soothing.

"That was incredible," he murmurs, pressing soft kisses to your temple. He groans, his spent cock twitching inside you at your teasing words. "Careful, or I might just have to bend you over and show you what else I can do with this."

You gasp as he rolls his hips, his semi-hard length sliding against your sensitive walls. "Mmm, promise?"

Arkael James Contridas was a man whose presence commanded attention. As the CEO of Contridas Air and Enterprises, he carried the weight of his family's legacy with a quiet confidence that few could rival. Not only was he a successful businessman, but he was also an accomplished pilot, frequently taking to the skies to oversee the operations of his family’s airline. His commanding presence, tall stature, and razor-sharp intellect made him a figure that women found themselves swooning over, though he remained indifferent to their advances.

His life was consumed by his responsibilities, and the only thing he ever truly seemed to care about was securing the future of Contridas Air. Despite being surrounded by admirers, Arkael knew the pressure of his family’s expectations.

When you first met Arkael, the idea of a marriage of convenience felt absurd. You came from a well-established family yourself, one that had no need for alliances or financial gain. Your world was already secure. You were just auditioning for fun, at least that’s what you had thought. It never crossed your mind that Arkael would pick you. But when the decision was made, it was for reasons far beyond your understanding, at least at the time.

Arkael had chosen you because, to him, you were the most suitable match. He had no interest in love or romance this was about practicality, about ensuring the continuation of his family’s legacy. His family, on the other hand, had no idea about the audition. They thought Arkael had married you out of love, the same way any normal couple would. They were pleased, convinced that the union was exactly what he needed, the perfect fit for their son. They hadn’t questioned his decision. They didn’t know the truth.

You and Arkael had tried to make it work. At first, it wasn’t easy business meetings, flights, and endless responsibilities on both sides, but you both tried. Still, the distance between you only grew. Arkael buried himself in his work, and you drowned in your own commitments. You both tried to act like it wasn’t an issue, but deep down, you knew it was. The exhaustion, the frustration, and the loneliness it was too much.

One night, after weeks of the emotional distance growing between you both, Arkael sat you down in his office. He wasn’t the type to waste time on small talk. The frustration in his eyes was evident.

"(Y/N), we need to talk," he said, leaning back in his chair, his voice unusually tense.

You crossed your arms, looking at him with a mix of curiosity and annoyance. "About what?"

He sighed, his voice softening slightly. "About us. This... arrangement."

You raised an eyebrow. "What about it? We both know this was never about love."

"Exactly," he replied, leaning forward now, his gaze unwavering. "But maybe it’s time we address how this is affecting both of us. I know you’re frustrated. And to be honest, I am too."

"Sa tingin mo ba wala akong alam, Arkael?" you shot back, your voice a mix of sarcasm and tiredness. "Hindi ko na kaya. Hindi ko na kayang magpanggap na okay lang, pero wala namang nangyayari. I’ve been trying, pero you’ve been so distant, so cold."

He nodded, acknowledging your frustration. "I know. I know I’ve been distant. But that’s why I’m proposing something."

You frowned, confused. "Ano'ng proposal?"

Arkael’s eyes darkened, his usual stoic expression now replaced by something more... vulnerable. "I think we both need to let out our frustrations. We've been holding this tension for so long, maybe... maybe it's time we confront it head-on. Together. Sexually."

You blinked, caught off guard by his bluntness. "Wait, anong ibig mong sabihin? You want... sex?"

"Not just sex," he clarified, his tone more serious now. "I’m talking about using that as a way to release all the built-up stress, the anger, the frustration... so we can move forward. Our bond... it might become stronger after this. It’s not about love. It’s about relieving the pressure. No strings attached. And we’ll agree, no kids for now."

You stared at him, processing his words. It was strange his proposal wasn’t one you expected, but in a way, it made sense. It wasn’t about affection, but rather about confronting the tension between you two in a raw, physical way.

"Huwag mo akong gawing tanga," you said, voice cold. "Hindi ko na alam kung anong gusto mong mangyari. So you want us to... release all this... by having sex?"

"Yes," Arkael replied bluntly, his voice steady. "No expectations, no emotions. Just... a way for us to clear the air, so we can stop being stuck in this marriage of convenience."

You paused, trying to grasp the implications. "And pagkatapos, what? We go back to how we were? I do my thing, you do yours?"

"Exactly," he replied without hesitation. "We can continue as we were. No promises. But maybe... maybe it’ll make things less suffocating between us."

You took a deep breath, trying to suppress the conflicting emotions that rose within you. Was it a good idea? Could it really ease the tension? You weren’t sure, but one thing was certain it wasn’t about love. It was about finding a way to survive this farce of a marriage.

"Fine," you said, the words leaving your mouth without much thought. "Let’s do it. But remember no kids, no strings."

Arkael nodded as if agreeing to a simple business transaction. "No strings. No expectations. Just... what we need."

As you both agreed to this unconventional solution, there was a strange sense of finality in the air. The marriage of convenience that had started with practical intentions had now evolved into something... more.

Only time would tell.

Maximus Scott Villegas stood by his glass office window, eyes tracing the skyline of the city as if searching for something answers, maybe, or the right words to say. The silence was deafening, but it was nothing compared to the tension between you two.

You had always been by his side through everything. From childhood friends to a partnership he never thought would turn into this. But now, you were his secretary. His employee. And that shift? It cut deeper than he ever imagined.

“(Y/N), come in,” Max called out, his voice firm but with a hint of weariness. He'd been avoiding this conversation all week, but now, he couldn't pretend any longer. You paused for a moment at the door, trying to keep your composure. He wasn’t just Max anymore. He was the CEO. The man who made decisions that affected an entire company. And now, he was your boss. Your superior.

You stepped into the office, your heels clicking on the polished floor, your posture stiff, more professional than you had ever been around him. “You called for me, sir?” you said, your voice polite, controlled. The formality of it felt strange, almost suffocating, but you didn’t know how else to act anymore. Max’s eyes flickered up from the papers on his desk, and he frowned when he saw the distance between you. He wasn’t used to this. The way you were suddenly treating him like a stranger, a boss. He hated it.

“Don’t call me sir, (Y/N),” he said, his tone shifting, softer now. “You’ve known me long enough for that to feel... wrong.”

You bit your lip, struggling to push the words out. “Ginagawa ko lang po yung trabaho ko, Max,” you said, your voice almost cold. “Ikaw po ang nag-appoint sa’kin bilang secretary mo, so I’m just doing what you asked.”

He couldn’t ignore the bite in your tone. The walls you had built around yourself in the past few months ever since he promoted you had been slowly chipping away at him. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. You were supposed to be his closest ally, his confidante, not just another employee.

“(Y/N), I know you’re doing your job,” Max said, leaning forward, his frustration clear now. “But that’s not what I’m talking about. It’s this distance- this... this coldness. It’s like you don’t even see me anymore. Like I’m just some CEO to you.”

You couldn’t look at him. If you did, you might crumble. “Max, ikaw na rin ang nagbago,” you whispered, your voice quiet. “Parang hindi na kita kilala. Hindi ko na alam kung paano tayo napunta sa ganitong sitwasyon. Alam ko naman na ito na yung trabaho ko, pero... nasaan na yung Max na kasama ko nung bata pa ako?”

Max’s face softened slightly at the mention of your shared past, but his confusion remained. He stood up, moving closer to you, and you could feel the air thickening between you both. His presence was overwhelming.

“(Y/N), I never wanted this. I never wanted to change things between us,” he said, his voice softer now, as if trying to reach you. “But... it’s hard. Seeing you like this, treating me like... like a stranger. I need you, not just as my secretary, but as my friend... as the person I’ve always counted on.”

Your heart raced, but you took a deep breath, trying to stand firm despite the storm of emotions swirling inside you. “Max,” you whispered, your voice wavering slightly, “kasi ikaw na rin ang may kasalanan kung bakit nangyari ito. Hindi ko na kaya magpanggap na okay lang ang lahat. Hindi ko na kaya magpatuloy na ganito.”

Max reached for your hand, but you pulled away, stepping back. “We can’t go back to how we were. Hindi ko na kayang maging katulad ng dati.” His eyes darkened with a mixture of frustration and something deeper something he had been trying to suppress.

“I never wanted to lose you, (Y/N),” he said quietly. “But I can’t just pretend everything’s fine when it’s not. I want you by my side, like before. Not just in this office, but... us.”

You felt the weight of his words, but your chest tightened. “I don’t know how, Max,” you whispered, barely holding it together. “I don’t know how we’re supposed to go back after everything.”

Max let out a long breath, stepping back, but there was a sadness in his eyes that you couldn’t ignore. “I never meant to make things this hard,” he muttered. “I just want you, (Y/N). I want the person I’ve known my whole life, not just the secretary sitting in front of me.”

The tension between you both hung heavy in the air. You weren’t sure where to go from here, but one thing was clear: this wasn’t just about work anymore. There was so much more at stake.

As you turned to leave the office, the tension between you had shifted. The air still hung heavy with uncertainty, but there was something more now hope. And for the first time in a while, it felt like

maybe, just maybe, things could be fixed.