Novels by lady.serene

Umupo na kaming lahat at nagsimula na. Doon ko na rin napansin ang napakaeleganteng set up ng lamesa para lamang sa dinner na ito. The table was a masterpiece of elegance. The long dining table was draped in a luxurious white tablecloth that flowed gracefully to the floor. A delicate table runner in a soft, shimmering gold ran down the center, catching the light in the most enchanting way.Ang bawat place setting ay maayos na nakaayos: puting dinner plates sa ibabaw ng elegant na charger plates. Ang cutlery, shiny at polished, ay nakaayos ng maayos—mga fork sa kaliwa, at knives at spoons sa kanan. Ang mga baso, crystal clear at kumikislap, ay nakalagay sa itaas ng mga knives—water glasses at wine glasses, bawat isa ay naka-set na maayos. Ang mga napkin, naka-fold sa magandang hugis at nasa silver napkin rings, ay nagbibigay ng dagdag na sophistication.The ambient lighting was perfect, with dimmed chandeliers and softly glowing candles creating a warm and intimate atmosphere. Gentle,

Allison convinced me to join the dinner, and so I did. I already informed Enzo na pupunta ako, as well as Maxine. Napatawag pa nga si Maxine sa sobrang tuwa dahil tinanggap ko ang invitation niya. Si Enzo na rin ang susundo sa akin mamaya at sabay kaming pupunta sa bahay nila Maxine. Alas otso ang dinner kaya nang mag-sais ay naligo na ako. Binilisan ko na ang pagkilos at baka kami ay ma-late sa dinner. Nakakahiya naman kung agaw atensyon ang pagdating namin. Balita ko’y nandoon rin daw ang ibang mga pinsan ni Gael, at kasama rin ang kapatid na babae ni Maxine. Ofcourse, hindi mawawala ang presensya ni Gael sa dinner na iyon kaya kailangan kong paghandaan ang pagpunta ko. Tonight’s dinner is special, and I wanted my outfit to reflect myself. I’m wearing this gorgeous white dress that makes me feel like I’m walking on a cloud. It’s off-shoulder, with a sleek one-line collar that frames my shoulders perfectly. The fabric is soft and stretchy, hugging my curves just right and falling i

I tried. I tried telling him the truth about the past. I was willing to tell him everything already. Tungkol sa naging sakit ko, sa pagbubuntis ko, at sa rason kung bakit tinanggap ko ang perang inalok sa akin ng mama niya. Because after all, I’ve realized that he deserves to know the truth. Gusto kong aminin na lahat sa kanya so we could both live in peace. At para makamit niya na rin yung peace of mind niya. But he didn’t let me explain. At ang mas masakit pa ay inisip niyang nagpabuntis ako sa iba when in fact, siya lang ang lalakeng nakagalaw sa akin. At sa loob ng pitong taon na magkahiwalay kami, wala akong ibang minahal na iba. He was the only person that I loved. Tama nga lang ang desisyon ko na iwan siya noon dahil kung sinabi ko na sa kanya noon ang tungkol sa pagbubuntis ko, baka hindi niya ako paniniwalaan at hindi niya matatanggap ang batang nasa sinapupunan ko. This may be selfish but I’m still thankful na hindi na nabuhay si Nathaniel. I don’t want him to get hurt by

I’m not drunk. Yes, I drank alcohol, but I’m definitely not drunk.I lied when I said I needed rest. The truth is, I want to know more about her past. If she doesn’t want to answer my questions about our past, then I’ll find a way to learn about what happened back then.When I met her again at the engagement party, I didn’t know how to feel. I wanted to be angry. I wanted to show her that I am happy now, that I was able to live happily even though she left me. I wanted to show that I am already more successful than her. But I couldn’t. It felt like the seven years I spent trying to forget her were wasted because the moment I saw her again, what I felt was relief knowing she’s doing so well and that fate allowed our paths to cross again.I couldn't sleep that night because my mind was filled with unanswered questions. I know it’s not right, especially since I’m about to marry Maxine, but I still find myself wanting to understand why Michaela left me.As soon as I entered her room, I was

“Gael, anong ginagawa mo rito?” He looked at me straight to my eyes. “You really don’t care, do you?”“If this is about our past again, please, kalimutan mo na ‘yon. Gael, you’re getting married already! Hindi na mahalaga kung ano ba ang nangyari.”Bigla niya akong nilapitan. “Michaela.” Hinawakan niya ang magkabilang braso ko. “I need to know the truth so I can live in peace.” His expression suddenly changed. It became soft, and calm. Malayong-malayo sa Gael na nakausap ko kanina. Malayong-malayo sa Gael na nakaharap ko kagabi. At this moment, parang kaharap ko ang Gael na nakilala ko seven years ago. The soft, sweet, and gentle Gael na sobrang minahal ko. I was about to answer him nang biglang bumukas ang pinto ng elevator. Mabilis kong inalis ang kamay niyang nakahawak sa mga braso ko saka nagmamadaling lumabas. Hindi ko maintindihan ang sarili ko. Shit. Akala ko tuluyan ko nang naibaon sa limot ang naging nakaraan namin. I didn’t see this coming. I wasn’t prepared. Halos twent

Hindi ko siya iniwan. I was left with no choice. I had to choose myself over him. I had to be selfish at that time. Hindi ko intensyon na iwan siya nang walang paalam. Mahal na mahal ko si Gael at hindi naging madali para sa’kin na gawin iyon pero kailangan. I gulped, my heart was racing so fast. He pinned me on the wall sabay sarado niya ng pinto. Lalong nagwala ang puso ko sa kanyang ginawa. Ramdam ko ang panginginig ng mga binti ko. He’s trying to catch his breath. Alam kong pinipigilan niya lang ang kanyang sarili na saktan ako o sigawan ako. Nakatingin lang ako sa dibdib niya. Wala akong lakas ng loob na mag-angat ng mukha dahil hindi ko yata kakayanin na makipagtitigan sa kanya. I would met by his deadly eyes. “Michaela,” tawag niya sa pangalan ko. “Minahal mo ba talaga ako? Or you were just after my family’s wealth?” Napakunot ako ng noo’t labag man sa kalooban ko’y inangat ko ang mukha ko para makita siya. “What the hell?!” singhal ko. “What made you think na pera niyo ang

CelesteThe afternoon dragged on in a haze of restless silence. After lunch, I had retreated straight back to the villa with Amara, telling myself I needed the quiet. But the truth was simpler: I couldn’t risk running into him again. Not when the sound of that woman’s laugh and the weight of his gaze still echoed in me like fresh bruises.I busied myself with little things—folding Amara’s dresses, laying out the clothes we’d wear tomorrow, tucking small souvenirs back into our luggage. It was an excuse, really, but it gave my hands purpose while my mind tried, and failed, to settle.A sudden knock broke through the stillness. Firm, playful, unmistakable.“Open up, Celeste,” Nicholas’s voice rang, dramatic as always. “We come bearing sunshine and chlorine!”Amara perked up instantly, abandoning the crayons she’d been using on the coffee table. “Swimming?!” Her eyes lit up, wide and eager.Before I could answer, Tristan’s steadier tone followed from outside the door. “Don’t mind him. We

CelesteBy the time I returned to the table, the chatter was louder than before—Nicholas and Tristan locked in some ridiculous argument about the rules of the card trick, Amara squealing with delight as she declared herself the real winner.Perfect. The noise was my shield.I slipped back into my seat, my smile polite but thin, as if nothing at all had unsettled me. Inside, though, I was still replaying every second of what I’d seen on the path. Her laugh. His hand guiding her. His voice—soft, almost tender—words I shouldn’t have heard.I pressed my palm lightly against my lap, nails biting into my skin where no one could see. Hold it together. No one has to know.“Everything okay?” Tristan’s voice cut in, mild but observant. His gaze lingered just a little too long, as though he noticed the edges of my composure.“Of course,” I said smoothly, reaching for my water. “Just a call from Ava. Nothing important.”Nicholas leaned forward immediately, smirk curving like a blade. “Really? Bec

CelesteBeneath the table, our hands lingered, hidden from everyone. I finally let go first, sliding my fingers away, though I didn’t want to.Sebastian’s hand stayed close for a heartbeat longer, reluctant to release, until his phone buzzed sharply on the table. With a small, almost regretful sigh, he let go, reaching for it as if forced to break the connection. The warmth lingered in my palm long after our hands parted.“Excuse me,” he muttered, already standing, phone pressed to his ear.I told myself not to look. But my eyes betrayed me, following him just for a second before I quickly diverted my gaze, pretending to busy myself with my napkin.Max stood as well, giving the table a polite nod. “I have to excuse myself too. And I want to thank you all for lunch—especially you, Celeste. It was really nice to meet you.” He smiled at me, genuine but tinged with something else. “Honestly, I like you… but I guess your boss, Sebastian—he’s something else. I think you handle him much bette

Celeste Max’s smile faltered for the briefest moment before settling back into cool composure. He leaned back in his chair, shoulders loose, as if entirely unbothered. “Of course,” he said smoothly, his gaze flicking to me. “I didn’t mean to overstep. There’s a resilience in her… something rare.” The words dropped like sparks into dry grass. Sebastian froze beside me. Not visibly, not dramatically—just enough that the air around him shifted, charged, as if the temperature itself had risen. Every nerve in my body felt it. Nicholas smirked, far too amused. “Careful, Max. You’re sitting across from a wolf. And wolves don’t share well.” “Enough,” I hissed, but my voice barely carried. The damage was done. Sebastian’s hand moved—slow, deliberate—brushing against the back of my chair. Not quite touching me, but close enough to stake a silent claim. Heat bled through the fabric, searing straight into my skin. “She’s not something to share.” His voice was cold steel, quiet but cutting e

CelesteBefore I could protest, Sebastian moved. Smooth. Deliberate. Each step toward me felt like a silent threat, and I couldn’t bring myself to look away.He didn’t take the seat across from me where any normal person would sit. No—he slid into the chair directly beside mine. Close enough that the sleeve of his suit brushed my arm when he adjusted himself.My breath caught in my throat.I shifted slightly away, trying to put even an inch of distance between us, but the table was small, the space unforgiving. His nearness was suffocating, intoxicating, and I hated myself for noticing both.Max blinked, clearly unsettled by Sebastian’s choice. His polite smile wavered as he tried to hold on to the thread of conversation. Nicholas, meanwhile, looked as though he were watching the most entertaining drama unfold.“So, Max, was it?” Nicholas asked, leaning back casually. “How do you know our dear Celeste?”Max straightened, clearly thrown off by the sudden interrogation but answered smoo

Celeste The restaurant Max chose overlooked the shore, sunlight spilling through its wide glass windows and scattering across the polished wooden tables. I followed the host with Amara’s small hand tucked in mine, and beside me, Max walked with an ease I could never quite match. He seemed perfectly at home—smiling, greeting staff as if he’d known them for years—while I felt my stomach twist tighter with every step. “Here we are,” he said, pulling out a chair. Amara slid into hers quickly, reaching for the menu with wide eyes. Max sat across from us, his smile directed at me, and I forced myself to return it, even if it felt… strained. “So, Amara,” Max began once the menus were settled, leaning slightly toward her. “Do you like the beach so far?” Amara tilted her head, studying him with that quiet sharpness that sometimes reminded me too much of her father. “It’s okay. I like playing in the water more than sitting here.” I gave her hand a squeeze under the table, but Max only chu