Chapter 2 The beginning

Hannah’s Perspective

Yesterday was, without a doubt, one of the most regrettable moments of my twenty-three years. I was so overwhelmed by my own choices that I woke up promising never to let myself lose control like that again. I refuse to let my emotions lead me back to that state, especially not over someone like Billy. From this point forward, I am determined to move past these moments of weakness.

It is eight o’clock in the evening, and I have just finished dinner. I am sitting in my living room with N*****x on—a common way to unwind when I am not busy with my design work. A gentle breeze flows in from the balcony, but despite the comfort of my home and the success of my career, a wave of loneliness hits me. On paper, I have everything I could want: a house, a stable job, and a life I built myself. As an only child, I was well-cared for by my parents, yet I still feel as though something vital is missing.

I was preparing for bed when my phone lit up with a notification. Very few people have this number, so I checked it immediately.

The message read: "Hey there! How are you feeling today? It seems you disappeared pretty quickly. I just wanted to check in on you. It was an intense night, and I would love to see you again soon. Much love, Baby."

Ally’s Perspective

The events of last night were entirely new to me, but there was an undeniable spark. Fortunately, I managed to get Hannah’s number before she left.

I had gone out to the bar specifically to clear my head. The pressure from my father regarding an arranged marriage has been suffocating; it is frustrating to realize that such traditional expectations are still a reality here in the Philippines.

When I met Hannah, her humor and charm were exactly what I needed. She made me forget my stress for a while. She was captivating, and for the first time in a long time, I felt a genuine connection that made the rest of the world disappear. There was a smoothness to our interaction that stayed with me long after she was gone.

Hannah’s Perspective

I stared at the screen in disbelief. How did she get my number?

While the details of the night are a bit hazy, I remember the emotional weight I was carrying. I was upset because my best friend had broken another promise. It is a recurring theme: whenever things are going well for Billy, she forgets I exist, only reaching out when she needs a shoulder to cry on. I often want to tell her to leave me alone, yet I always seem to find myself caught in her orbit.

I wondered if the girl from the bar had looked through my phone while I wasn't paying attention. I cannot entirely blame her curiosity, but I am not looking for anything serious. People today seem so eager to explore and experiment, and while there is nothing inherently wrong with that, I am not in a place where I want a commitment.

Why does this bother me so much? Am I worried about this new girl, or am I just afraid of what Billy would think if she found out?

"It is just a message," I told myself. "It doesn't have to be a serious relationship. Maybe it is just a chance to move on and stop letting Billy occupy every corner of my mind."

It felt like a different side of me was arguing for a bit of freedom. I am single, after all, yet I feel trapped in a complicated, one-sided devotion to Billy. She was my first love, and yet it often feels like our history means very little to her.

As the night went on, memories of the hotel began to surface—the scent of the room and the feeling of a mutual connection. It was different from my experiences with Billy; it felt more balanced. With Billy, everything always feels rushed and secondary to her needs, leaving me feeling overlooked.

My phone buzzed again. "Are you there? Not going to reply?"

I hesitated. What would I even say? This situation felt far from simple. Then another message appeared: "We will see each other again sooner or later. Next time, let’s make sure we can both appreciate the moment fully. You're hard to stay away from. 😉"

I debated whether to reply or to simply change my SIM card to avoid the complication altogether. Why should I be so concerned about Billy’s reaction? She doesn't prioritize my feelings when she disregards our plans.

As I finally prepared for sleep, a Messenger call from Billy flashed on the screen. I decided not to answer. I am tired of the apologies and the empty promises. We aren't a couple, but I still expect a basic level of respect for my time.

She kept calling, but I ignored it. Tomorrow is a workday, and I need to be focused. My colleague Anna will be expecting me to be at my best after my absence. I need to focus on my designs and my career, and leave the confusion of the weekend behind.