CHAPTER SEVEN: "Is that under the contract?"

CHAPTER SEVEN:

This is getting good! The "friends with benefits" tension is thick here—Zeke is clearly falling harder, while Xielle is keeping her guard up. I’ve polished the Taglish to make it feel more natural and cinematic, focusing on that "pull and push" dynamic you described.

Zeke didn’t need to be told twice. He pulled her closer, his forehead resting against hers, the playful smirk on his lips fading into something more intense.

"You’re already doing a pretty good job of that," he muttered, his voice dropping an octave.

Xielle felt the heat rise to her cheeks. She was used to cameras and scripted lines, but the way Zeke looked at her—without a lens or a director between them—always made her heart race in a way she couldn't control.

"Matulog na nga tayo," she whispered, trying to regain her composure. She tried to stand up, but Zeke’s grip on her waist tightened, pulling her back down until she was straddling his lap.

"The movie isn't over yet," Zeke reminded her, his eyes darting to the TV screen and then back to her. "And I'm not tired anymore."

"Zeke..."

"I'm serious about the driving lessons, Xielle." He traced the line of her jaw with his thumb. "But forget the budget. If you want a car, I'll get you one. You don't have to carry everything on your shoulders."

Xielle shook her head, a small, sad smile touching her lips. "Alam mong hindi ko matatanggap 'yon. I want to earn it. Gusto ko, galing sa sarili kong pinaghirapan."

Zeke sighed, frustrated by her stubbornness but admiring her pride at the same time. "Fine. But the lessons are non-negotiable."

"Tsk, I don't have time for that as of the moment," Xielle teased, reaching out to ruffle his hair.

He leaned in, capturing her lips again. This time it wasn't the frantic, hungry kiss from earlier; it was slow, lingering, almost testing the boundaries of their "no strings" arrangement.

"You keep kissing me!" Xielle whispered against his lips, breathless. “Is that under the contract?”

"Kissing you any time is under the contract," he said simply, his voice thick with a longing he wasn't supposed to show.

"Such a maniac," she teased, though she didn't pull away.

The next day, both of them woke up at exactly 7:00 AM, but neither of them made a move to get out of bed. The room was cool, the sunlight filtering through the curtains, creating a soft glow.

Zeke’s hand was wrapped firmly around her waist, while Xielle’s face was buried in his chest, breathing in the scent of his skin.

"What do you want to eat? Let's just order," Zeke suggested, his voice raspy from sleep.

"I want to sleep more," she whispered, her voice muffled by his shirt.

Zeke smiled. He was the type of man who hated being late, but looking at her like this, he realized he didn't mind at all. The world could wait.

"You don't have a schedule today?" he asked, his fingers tracing patterns on her back.

"I have. Pero 2:00 PM pa naman," she murmured.

"Okay. Then you can sleep more."

"You're leaving?" Xielle asked, finally looking up at him. There was a tiny, almost imperceptible flicker of disappointment in her eyes.

"I have a meeting," he said, sounding like he genuinely regretted it.

The moment he said it, Xielle’s walls went back up. She let go of him and turned her back, pulling the duvet higher. "Lock the door if you leave," she said, her voice sounding thin and distant.

Zeke didn't leave, though. He smiled and pulled her back, wrapping his arms around her and tucking his chin into the curve of her neck. "I didn't know you were this clingy, huh," he whispered, his breath warm against her skin.

"I'm not," she replied shortly, but she didn't fight his embrace. She stayed right there, caught between the comfort of his arms and the fear of needing them too much.

Zeke didn’t leave immediately. He stayed for another fifteen minutes, drifting back to sleep beside her, his body unwilling to break the contact. But reality eventually won. He had a mountain of work waiting, and he couldn't afford to be late for his first meeting.

Bago siya umalis, he made sure she wouldn’t wake up to an empty stomach. He ordered a spread of her favorites online and carefully tucked them into her fridge, leaving a small note on the handle. After one last look at her peacefully sleeping figure, he finally let himself out.

He drove back to his own condo to get ready, then headed straight to his office. His world was a stark contrast to Xielle’s. While she spent her days under bright lights and scripted lines, Zeke dealt with power players, high-stakes contracts, and the silent, cold reality of the business world.

"Zeke."

He looked up from his desk as his door swung open. It was Arthur, looking like he had absolutely nothing better to do with his life.

"What are you doing here?" Zeke asked, not even bothering to hide his annoyance.

"Nothing much. I just wanted to give you a little update," Arthur said, making himself at home on the leather couch. "I heard that the new drama? They’re planning to shoot the main scenes in Japan."

Zeke’s eyebrow shot up, his pen pausing over a document. "So?"

"What do you mean 'so'?" Arthur chuckled. "Aren't you afraid? Japan is romantic, Zeke. Beautiful scenery, long nights... Baka doon na tuluyang mahulog ang loob niya sa leading man niya."

"If you're only here for that, Arthur, better leave me alone. I have work," Zeke replied coldly.

"Tsk. I'm here to remind you because I know exactly what's going on between the two of you," Arthur said, his smirk widening.

Zeke looked at him sharply. "What do you mean?"

"I saw you heading to her condo last time. And the other day? I came here and your secretary wouldn't even let me breathe near your door because Xielle was inside," Arthur teased. "Man, be a grown-up. Face it."

Zeke leaned back in his chair, his expression darkening. "She still doesn't want to leave her career. And I’m not going to force her. I want her to enjoy her life."

"Enjoy her life, huh?" Arthur’s tone shifted, becoming a bit more serious. "What about her Dad? And all those debts he’s been piling up? You think she can 'enjoy her life' while she’s basically a human ATM for her family?"

The silence that followed was heavy. Zeke’s jaw tightened, his gaze dropping to the paperwork on his desk. He knew the numbers. He knew the creditors. He knew things about Xielle’s family that she probably thought were still secrets

.

"Let’s not talk about that," Zeke said, his voice low and final. "Not here. Not now.”

Arthur didn't take the hint. He stood up and walked toward the window, overlooking the Makati skyline. 

"Hindi mo naman matatago 'yan habambuhay, Zeke. One of these days, the creditors will get tired of waiting. At kapag nalaman ni Xielle na ikaw ang bumibili ng mga utang ng tatay niya sa likod niya..."

"I said, stop." Zeke’s voice was like ice. He finally looked up, his eyes boring into Arthur’s. "I'm not doing it so she'll owe me. I'm doing it so she doesn't have to break her back working for a debt that isn't hers.”

This is a deeply emotional turning point. I’ve refined the scene to emphasize the heavy atmosphere and the "push and pull" between Xielle’s fierce independence and Zeke’s desperate need to be her safety net.

While Zeke and Arthur were bickering in the office, Xielle remained completely clueless about the truth behind her father’s debts. She was moving like a machine, focused entirely on her work, pushing herself to the absolute limit.

After the first take, Xielle sat for a retouch. Everyone was hovering, making sure she was comfortable. Jake, as usual, stayed by her side, offering water and trying to keep a conversation going, but Xielle barely heard him. Para siyang gulong na paulit-ulit lang ang ikot—everything felt predictable and exhausting. She was sick of the cycle, tired of being the "perfect" actress, but she had no choice. The bills wouldn't pay themselves.

After her schedule wrapped, she visited the orphanage she supported. The sisters and the children were the only ones who made her feel like a person, not just a brand. But even that peace was short-lived. On her way home, her phone rang. It was her father.

He was asking for money again, claiming his other daughter was sick. Xielle felt a bitter pang in her chest. She remembered when she was the one who was sick; he hadn't bothered to do a thing. But despite the trauma, she couldn't say no. She didn't want a child to suffer just because of her father's failures. She sent the money, her heart feeling a little heavier with every digit she typed.

By 7:00 PM, Xielle reached her condo. She tried calling her mom, hoping for just a minute of comfort, but the call went straight to voicemail. Again. It was fine; they hadn't had a real connection in years, but the rejection still stung. She collapsed onto her bed, staring at the ceiling.

"Sobrang unfair," she whispered, her voice cracking. 

"They can take care of their other daughter, pero nung ako..."

A lone tear escaped, followed by a sob she could no longer hold back. The memories of her struggle—trying to survive while her parents were busy being parents to someone else—came crashing down. She grabbed her phone and recorded a voice message for Tania, her voice thick with tears.

To Tania: "Tania... bakit ang unfair? My dad called me because his daughter is sick and I gave him money. I tried to reach out to Mama again but she still won't pick up. I had such a heavy day... It's so unfair they can take care of her, while I'm here suffering alone trying to live."

Xielle turned off her phone and finally let her walls crumble. She let herself be weak, crying until her eyes burned.

On the other side of town, Tania burst into Zeke’s office. "Boss, I need to leave. Emergency lang."

"Emergency?" Zeke looked up, annoyed. Instead of answering, Tania played the voice message. The sound of Xielle’s broken sobbing filled the room.

"Khione used to hurt herself when her trauma got triggered," Tania admitted, her voice trembling. "I’m afraid she might do it again."

Zeke was out of his chair before the message even finished. "I’ll go to her."

He drove like a madman, practically kicking the door open when he reached her condo. He ran straight to her bedroom. "Xielle!"

He froze. Xielle was there, her eyes vacant, a blade in her hand. Her wrist was already stained with crimson, but she looked like she wasn't even in her own body. "No!" Zeke lunged forward, prying the blade away and throwing it across the room.

He moved on instinct, performing first aid before scooping her up. He shielded her face as they entered the elevator, making sure no one would see the rising star in such a broken state.

"What the hell are you doing to yourself?!" Zeke yelled as he drove, his voice a mix of terror and frustration.

"No one loves me... they all want me to die anyway," Xielle murmured, her voice sounding far away.

"No... that's not true." Zeke grabbed her hand with his free one, squeezing it tightly as he navigated the evening traffic. When they arrived at the hospital, he carried her straight through the doors. "Take care of her," he commanded, his voice cold but his eyes desperate. "Now."

He waited until the doctors were finished. After half an hour, they called him in.

"How are you?" Zeke asked softly when he saw her.

"She's already calm," the doctor noted. "Thank you, Doc."

Zeke sat on the edge of the bed and pulled her into a careful hug, his hand resting on the back of her head. "Don't do that again, okay? Please."

"It wasn't easy," she whispered against his shoulder.

"I know, but let me help you."

Xielle pulled back, her eyes searching for him. "I don't want help, Zeke. I lived twenty-three years without asking anyone for anything. Bakit ngayon pa?"

"It's okay to ask for help, Khione... You can ask me."

"Naawa ka ba sa akin kaya ka andito?" she asked bluntly.

"Of course not. I'm here because I want to be. I'm here because I care," Zeke countered, his gaze unwavering.

Xielle looked down at her bandaged wrist, the reality of the moment finally sinking in. "I did it again..."

"Please," Zeke whispered, lifting her chin so she had to look at him. "Avoid doing it. For me. Hayaan mo naman akong tulungan ka.”

Zeke didn't let her go back to the hospital's cold atmosphere. As soon as the doctors cleared her, he brought her straight back to his place. He didn't ask; he just made it happen. Throughout the night, he was a constant, hovering presence—changing her bandages, making sure she was hydrated, and watching her like she might disappear if he blinked.

Xielle watched him move around the kitchen, his designer sleeves rolled up as he prepared a light meal she hadn't even asked for. The silence in the room was heavy with everything they weren't saying.

"You know, you don't have to do this," Xielle said, her voice still a bit raspy.

Zeke didn't even look up. "Kumain ka na lang, Xielle."

"Seryoso ako. I can take care of myself. I’ve been doing it forever," she insisted, though the way she was slumped against the cushions told a different story.

Zeke finally turned around, leaning against the counter. "And look where that got you today. Just for once, stop fighting me."

Xielle let out a dry, weary laugh, leaning her head back against the couch. She looked at the bandaged wrist, then at the billionaire businessman currently acting like a private nurse.

"Imbis na friends with benefits, naging katulong pa tuloy kita," Xielle muttered, her lips twitching into a faint, sarcastic smirk.

Zeke paused, a brief flash of something—hurt? frustration?—crossing his face before he masked it with his usual stoic expression. He walked over and set the tray down on the coffee table in front of her.

"Consider it a premium service then," Zeke replied, his voice low as he sat on the edge of the table, facing her. "But don't get used to it. Once you're 100%, I’m going back to being the 'maniac' you hate."

Xielle looked at him, the sarcasm fading for a brief second. "Bakit, Zeke? Why are you still here? This isn't part of the deal. The 'benefits' don't include fixing someone who's broken."

Zeke reached out, his fingers grazing her cheek before he caught himself and pulled back. "Maybe I’m just a very dedicated 'friend,' Khione. Now eat. Bago ko pa maisipan na subuan ka."

"Yabang," she whispered, picking up the spoon.

She focused on the food, trying to ignore the way Zeke’s eyes never really left her. She wanted to push him away, to remind him that she didn't want a savior. But as the warmth of the soup hit her stomach and the safety of his presence wrapped around her, Xielle found it harder and harder to stay mad at him for staying.

Zeke was already awake when the sun started hitting the room, but he didn't move. He watched Xielle for a while, her breathing finally deep and even. When she eventually stirred, the first thing she did was check her bandaged wrist, a flicker of memory crossing her face before she looked at him.

"Can you send me back to my unit?" she asked, her voice low. "I have errands today. Maxine's been messaging me about a fitting and some contract stuff."

Zeke didn't think twice. "I'll take you."

The ride back was quiet. Xielle stared out the window, her hoodie pulled up, hiding the marks of the night before. She felt the gap between them widening again; in his unit, they were just two people, but as they got closer to her building, she had to become "Xielle" again.

"Sigurado ka bang kaya mo?" Zeke asked as he pulled up to the curb. "I can tell Tania to call Maxine. Sabihin natin may emergency kaya kailangang i-move yung fitting."

"Huwag na. Maxine is strict with the timeline, lalo na’t malapit na yung Japan shoot," Xielle replied, unbuckling her seatbelt. "Salamat, Zeke. Sa lahat."

Zeke reached out, his hand gently catching her arm. "Don't overdo it, Khione. I mean it. If I find out you're pushing yourself too hard, I'll find a way to stop that shoot."

Xielle looked at his hand, then at him. "Huwag kang makialam sa trabaho ko, Zeke. We have a deal, remember? No strings."

"The deal didn't include you bleeding out in front of me," he countered, his voice hard.

Xielle didn't answer. She just stepped out of the car, the cool morning air hitting her face. Zeke watched her walk into the lobby, his jaw set in a tight line. He waited until she was out of sight before heading to his office.

At the Office Zeke walked into his building with a dark cloud over his head. The first person he saw was Tania, who was waiting by the elevators with a stack of files. She looked exhausted, her eyes red-rimmed.

"Boss," Tania called out, following him toward his office. "Kamusta siya? I wanted to go but Maxine said the set was restricted today."

"She's fine. I just dropped her off," Zeke said, not slowing down. "She's going to her fitting with Maxine later. Make sure her schedule for the rest of the week isn't too heavy. Talk to Maxine, but don't let Xielle know I asked."

"Understood, Sir," Tania nodded. She knew the drill. 

Being Zeke’s assistant and Xielle’s best friend meant she was the only one who could navigate this secret.

As they reached the executive floor, Arthur was already there, leaning against Zeke’s door.

"You look like hell," Arthur noted, eyeing Zeke’s slightly wrinkled shirt. "Did the 'premium service' include a sleepless night?"

Zeke didn't even look at him as he entered his office. "Tania, get me a coffee. And Arthur, if you don't have a billion-peso deal to discuss, get out."

"Tsk. I'm just saying, I talked to some people," Arthur said, following him inside anyway. "Maxine is already pushing for the Japan promotions. Xielle is acting like she didn't just have a breakdown last night. She’s at the studio right now, professional as ever."

Zeke finally stopped, his fingers hovering over his desk. Professional as ever. It was a mask he knew all too well.

"Good," Zeke said, though his heart felt like it was being squeezed. "That’s exactly what she’s good at."

"Is it?" Arthur asked. "Or is she just terrified that if she stops for one second, everything—the career, the debt, the parents—will finally crush her?"

Zeke didn't answer. He just looked at the files on his desk, the silence in the room feeling far more suffocating than the heavy night he had just shared with her.

At the studio, the lights were blinding. Maxine was pacing back and forth, checking the racks of clothes for the fitting.

"Xielle, darling, you look a bit pale today," Maxine noted, squinting at her through her glasses. "Make sure the makeup artist uses a bit more blush. We need you looking vibrant for the Japan teasers."

"I'm fine, Max. Just didn't sleep well," Xielle replied smoothly. She moved with practiced grace, stepping into a high-fashion coat that conveniently covered her bandaged wrist.

"Good. Because Jake is already on his way. We need a couple of shots of you dalawa while 'bonding' for the social media blast," Maxine said, preoccupied with her tablet.

Xielle felt a wave of nausea, but she pushed it down. Smile. Move. Tilt your head. Repeat. Every time Jake touched her shoulder for a photo or whispered a joke to make her laugh for the "behind-the-scenes" footage, she felt a phantom sensation of Zeke’s hand on her waist. It was a jarring contrast—the public intimacy that felt like work, and the private vulnerability that felt like a threat to her survival.

Back at the company, Zeke was useless. He had three contracts in front of him, but all he could see was the vacant look in Xielle’s eyes from the night before. He kept checking his watch, his patience thinning with every minute that passed.

He finally grabbed his phone and typed a message.

Zeke: Send me your location. I’ll fetch you after your shoot. We’re eating together.

He didn't ask. He didn't say if you're free. He just stated it.

On the other end, Xielle was in the middle of a retouch when her phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen and felt a strange flutter in her chest. She knew she should say no—that she needed to keep the distance—but her body was so heavy, and the thought of seeing his calm, steady face was more tempting than she cared to admit.

Xielle: [Location Pin]

Xielle: Don’t be late. Maxine is strict about me being seen with random guys.

Zeke’s lips quivered into a ghost of a smile when he saw the reply. Random guy. He buzzed Lee on the intercom. 

"Lee, I'm heading out early. Clear my 6:00 PM."

"But Sir, the board meeting is about to start in thirty minutes," Lee replied, sounding confused. "They're already in the conference room." 

"Reschedule it. Tell them something urgent came up,"

Zeke said, already grabbing his coat and heading for the door.

Lee watched his boss sprint toward the private elevator, leaving a stack of unsigned documents on the desk. 

Tania, who was just passing by with some files, caught Lee's bewildered expression.

"Ano'ng nangyari doon?" Lee asked, pointing at the closed elevator doors.

Tania just smirked, adjusted her glasses, and kept walking. "Hayaan mo siya, Lee. May mas mahalaga siyang 'meeting' kaysa sa board members."

By 7:30 PM, the shoot finally wrapped. Xielle was standing by the exit, her bag slung over her shoulder, trying to avoid Jake’s invitation for an after-work drink.

"Next time, Jake. I really just want to crash," she said, giving him a professional smile.

"Is that your ride?" Jake asked, pointing to a sleek black SUV pulling up to the curb.

Xielle turned and saw Zeke. He didn't even get out of the car; he just lowered the tinted window, his eyes fixing on her with an intensity that made Jake blink.

"Yeah. That's my... driver," Xielle lied smoothly, her heart racing.

"Driver? He looks like a CEO," Jake muttered, clearly impressed and a bit intimidated.

Xielle didn't answer. She walked toward the car and climbed into the passenger seat. The moment the door shut, the scent of Zeke’s cologne filled her senses, instantly grounding her.

"Driver, huh?" Zeke asked, shifting the car into gear. "Am I getting paid in 'benefits' for this trip?"

"Shut up and drive, Zeke," Xielle whispered, leaning her head back and closing her eyes. "I had a long day."

Zeke reached out, his hand briefly covering hers—the one with the bandage—before moving it back to the steering wheel. "I know. That's why we're eating. No talking, just eating. Deal?"

"Deal," she murmured, finally feeling like she could breathe again.

The drive was peaceful, the hum of the engine providing a much-needed buffer between the chaos of the studio and the silence Xielle was craving. Zeke chose a quiet, upscale restaurant tucked away from the prying eyes of the paparazzi—a place where the lighting was dim and the booths were deep.

Once they were settled and the food was served, Zeke didn't push her. He stayed true to his word, letting her eat in silence until the color finally started to return to her cheeks.

"Maxine was hovering again, wasn't she?" Zeke asked, finally breaking the silence as he set his wine glass down.

Xielle nodded, swirling her pasta around her fork. "Standard protocol. She’s just worried about the Japan shoot. Malaking project 'to, Zeke. Everything has to be perfect."

"You’re not a project, Khione. You’re a human being," Zeke said, his voice dropping an octave. "Did you at least manage to hide the... bandage?"

"Long sleeves," she replied simply, not meeting his eyes. 

"Jake almost noticed, but I made an excuse about a fashion choice. He's oblivious anyway."

Zeke’s jaw tightened at the mention of Jake. He hated how that guy got to spend more hours with her under the spotlight than he did in the dark. He hated the "bonding" shots Maxine was pushing for.

"I don't like him around you," Zeke admitted, the words slipping out before he could filter them.

Xielle looked up, a small, teasing smirk playing on her lips. "Possessive again? Remember the rules, Zeke. No strings. No jealousy."

"I’m not jealous. I’m concerned for the 'quality' of my company," he countered smoothly, though they both knew it was a lie. He leaned forward, his expression turning serious. "How is your head? Still heavy?"

Xielle’s smile faded. She thought about the voice message to Tania, the ignored calls to her mom, and the money she’d sent to her father earlier that day.

"The weight is still there," she admitted, her voice barely a whisper. "But it's manageable. I just need to keep moving."

Zeke reached across the table, his hand covering hers. This time, he didn't pull back. "You don't always have to be moving to stay alive, Xielle. Sometimes, you just need to sit still and let someone else keep watch."

"And that someone is you?"

"For now," Zeke said, his thumb grazing her skin. "For as long as you let me."

Xielle looked at their joined hands. She knew this was dangerous. She knew that every time she let Zeke in, the walls she’d built over twenty-three years got a little bit weaker. But tonight, she was too tired to be a fortress.

"Let's just go home," she said softly.

"Your unit or mine?"

Xielle hesitated for a second, then looked at him. "Yours. It's... quieter there."

Zeke didn't say a word. He just paid the bill and led her out of the restaurant. As they walked to the car, he kept his hand on the small of her back, a silent protector in a city that always wanted something from her.

Lee was still at his desk, finishing up the minutes for the rescheduled board meeting, when Tania walked by to grab her bag.

"Sir Zeke didn't come back, did he?" Lee asked, rubbing his eyes.

"Nope. And don't expect him to," Tania replied, swinging her bag over her shoulder. "He’s officially 'out of office' for the night."

"I don't get it. He’s a billionaire. He could have anyone. Why is he chasing an actress who doesn't even want to be seen with him?"

Tania paused at the door, thinking of Xielle’s broken voice in that message. "Because, Lee, sometimes the people who have everything are the only ones who can see what it’s like to have nothing. He’s not chasing an actress. He’s trying to catch a girl before she falls."

Lee just shook his head, going back to his papers. But Tania knew. She knew that Zeke was already too far gone, and Xielle, despite all her rules, was starting to forget why she made them in the first place.