Chapter 4

It had been a month since that night when Yna drank herself into oblivion at the bar she used to visit alone. That evening, she had surrendered her most precious treasure — her innocence — to a complete stranger. Drunk and disoriented, she had mistaken him for someone else.

 

A bitter smile touched her lips as the memory came rushing back. She wanted so badly to regret what had happened, yet strangely, there was no heavy weight of guilt in her heart. It was done, and nothing could ever bring back the virginity she had foolishly given away.

 

Now, she tried to convince herself it had been nothing more than a reckless adventure. She was already twenty‑five — old enough to make her own choices, she told herself. Though it felt strange and even shameful, she decided it was time to explore the things she had once feared and avoided.

 

But try as she might to push it away, the nightmare kept returning to haunt her. And more than ever, her hatred for Janus grew — if it hadn’t been for him leaving and breaking her heart, she would never have mistaken that stranger for her ex‑lover and lost herself in that moment of madness.

 

Slowly, she sat up in bed.

 

She felt a warm, firm arm resting securely around her waist — a sensation that felt strangely comforting. She blinked her eyes open, wondering if she was still dreaming, and nearly screamed in shock when she saw a man lying naked beside her, his body pressed close to hers.

 

Overwhelmed by embarrassment, she moved carefully, trying not to wake him. One by one, she picked up her scattered clothes from the floor and dressed as quickly and quietly as she could.

 

Without daring to glance back at his face, she slipped out the door and fled from his apartment, heading straight home as if running from a terrible sin.

 

What she had done was nothing short of disgraceful. It was exactly the kind of foolishness her father had always warned her about — the stubbornness that would one day lead her to ruin. A twinge of guilt finally pricked her conscience; because of her own recklessness and defiance, she had thrown away her purity.

 

To make matters worse, she had been the one to seduce him, to set the terms of that night. Even though she knew where he lived, she could never bring herself to return and demand that he take responsibility — it was her own fault, after all.

 

After scolding herself thoroughly, she let out a long, weary sigh. She turned her face away, wishing she could erase the memory forever. There was no one else to blame but herself. She also convinced herself there was no risk of pregnancy; she assumed everything had been safe, and it had only happened once anyway.

 

She swung her legs over the bed and sat up, feeling no desire to go out or wander around as she usually did. She had no intention of ever stepping foot in that bar again — the very place now filled her with disgust and shame. She decided she would spend the whole day resting; besides, she had gone on a shopping spree the day before, so there was nothing else she needed to do.

 

A soft knock came at her bedroom door. She dragged herself over and opened it with a scowl, clearly not in the mood for conversation.

 

“What?” she asked sharply, without a trace of courtesy.

 

It was one of their maids standing there. “Your parents are asking for you, Miss Yna.”

 

“Very well. Tell them I’ll be right there — I just need to freshen up first,” she replied, then shut the door again. Now what do they want this time? she muttered under her breath, rolling her eyes.

 

Once she had changed into presentable clothes, she made her way downstairs. She found her parents sitting together in the living room, waiting for her, looking serious and deep in discussion.

 

“Yna, please sit down. There is something important we need to talk about,” her father said. Jonathan looked at her with such sincerity and firmness that she could feel the weight of his concern.

 

She took a seat and tried to listen, though her mind was still clouded with her own thoughts, making it hard to focus on what they were saying.

 

“Yna, you are already twenty‑five years old — it is high time you learned how to manage our family business. We are not getting any younger, and we cannot keep holding your hand forever,” her father began, while her mother sat quietly beside him, listening intently.

 

Her shoulders slumped in defiance. “I’m sorry, but I will not force myself to do something I have absolutely no interest in doing,” she protested. Before they could say more, she stood up abruptly and began to walk away.

 

“Yna, just hear us out!” Jonathan called after her. “We know we have given you everything you could ever ask for, but all we want is to see you build a good, secure future for yourself.”

 

“Your father is right, dear,” her mother added gently. “We are growing old, and one day we will no longer be here to look after you. How will you survive then? You have not yet learned how to stand on your own two feet and make something of yourself.”

 

Yna only rolled her eyes again. She did not want to hear any more of their lectures. She felt nowhere near ready to take on such huge responsibilities. Shaking her head stubbornly, she marched back up the stairs and slammed her bedroom door shut behind her.

 

“Oh, Jonathan, I told you — you cannot force her to change overnight,” her wife sighed.

 

“Don’t worry,” Jonathan replied with a determined look. “I already have a plan.”

 

Marie smiled faintly, hoping that this time, they would finally find a way to straighten out their daughter’s rebellious ways.

 

The very next day, Jonathan paid a visit to an old friend — Eduardo, a former classmate from high school, a respected business tycoon, and one of the wealthiest and most influential men in the country.

 

“Good afternoon, Sir. Please have a seat — Sir Eduardo will be with you shortly,” the butler greeted him, leading him to the sofa. “Would you like some coffee, Sir?”

 

“That would be wonderful, thank you,” Jonathan said politely.

 

As he waited, his eyes wandered around the spacious living room until they landed on a large framed photograph hanging on the wall. It showed a handsome young man with a strong, well‑built physique — the same confident look Eduardo had carried in his youth.

 

“He is quite handsome, isn’t he?” a familiar voice spoke from behind him.

 

Jonathan turned around and greeted Eduardo with a warm smile. “Indeed he is! Though I must say, he looks even better than you did back when we were young,” he teased.

 

Eduardo laughed heartily. “Of course he does! This is Alas — my son. Surely you haven’t forgotten him?”

 

“Alas… my, how he has grown into a fine young man! Time truly flies so fast. When you moved away twenty years ago, he was only eight years old.”

 

“Indeed it does,” Eduardo nodded with pride. “But enough about the past — how have you been, old friend? It has been far too long. To what do I owe this visit?” He sat down in the armchair facing Jonathan.

 

“I am doing well, thank you — but I’ll be honest with you, I have come to ask for a great favor.”

 

“A favor?” Eduardo raised an eyebrow curiously. “Surely you haven’t fallen on hard times, have you?”

 

They both shared a good laugh before the mood turned serious. Jonathan explained the true reason for his visit, and Eduardo led him to his private library where they could speak in full privacy.

 

“Please, make yourself comfortable,” Eduardo said, settling behind his large desk. “Now tell me — what is troubling you?”

 

Jonathan sat across from him and let out a heavy sigh. “It is my daughter, Yna. She has become so stubborn and rebellious, and she refuses to take any interest in leading our company as her birthright.”

 

Eduardo thought for a moment. “Yna… yes, I remember her. But why has she changed so much?”

 

“It all began when her heart was broken — by the son of the Domingo family, no less,” Jonathan replied sadly. “Before that, she was such a thoughtful, loving daughter. But since then, nothing has been the same. I want your help — I want her to work in your company. I heard your son Alas has just taken over as the new CEO.”

 

Eduardo considered the idea carefully. “That is true — Alas is now in charge. I will certainly speak to him about it, but I cannot give you my word yet. The final decision rests entirely with him.”

 

Even though he had not yet received a definite promise, Jonathan felt hopeful and grateful. “That is more than enough. If Alas agrees to help, I will be forever indebted to you.”

 

“Have no worries,” Eduardo assured him. “Once he hears your story, I am certain he will want to help. Besides, he has often asked about Yna Maria and wondered how she has been all these years.”

 

“Thank you so much,” Jonathan said with relief. “But I shall not take up more of your time — I have other matters to attend to today.”

 

Eduardo smiled and walked his old friend to the gate. He truly wanted to help Jonathan, but he knew the final choice would be Alas’s to make.