Chapter 1:

SOLANA'S POV

"CUT!"

The director's voice echoed across the set.

"And that's a wrap!"

A loud round of applause immediately erupted from the staff and crew.

I let out a relieved breath before bowing politely.

"Thank you, everyone."

"Great work, Miss Solana!"

"You were amazing!"

Sinalubong ko ng mainit na ngiti ang mga staff na lumapit sa akin habang binabati ako. Dahil hindi rin naman magiging maayos ang shooting kung hindi dahil sa kanila.

After fourteen straight hours of filming, my entire body was begging for rest.

But surprisingly...

I wasn't tired.

Siguro dahil natakpan ng excitement ang pagod ko. Napangiti ako at sinilip ang oras sa cellphone ko na hindi nawawala ang ngiti sa labi.

10:37 PM.

My flight had landed three hours ago.

The filming was finally over.

And after two whole weeks of barely seeing each other... I was finally going to surprise my fiancé.

Aiden Cortez.

The nation's sweetheart.

Award-winning singer.

Heartthrob.

And the man I had loved for nearly four years.

My chest fluttered just thinking about him.

The past two weeks had been absolute torture.

I was filming a movie in Cebu while he was busy with concerts, television appearances, and recording sessions in Manila.

Our schedules barely matched.

Most days, we only managed a few texts.

Minsan naman ay nag-uusap kami sa phone, pero hindi rin umaabot ng ilang oras dahil kailangan rin naman naming magpahinga. Kaya ngayon ay pupunta ako sa kanya. Bibisitahin ko siya at para na rin makabawi ako sa mga araw na hindi ko siya nakasama.

I wanted to surprise him.

For once.

I quickly headed toward my dressing room.

The moment I entered, my manager, Vanessa, looked up from her tablet.

"Finally finished?"

"Obviously."

She rolled her eyes.

"You look way too happy for someone who just worked fourteen hours."

I laughed.

"Because I'm seeing Aiden tonight."

A teasing smile spread across her face.

"Ah. Kaya naman pala,"

I immediately opened my makeup bag.

"Don't tell him I landed."

"I won't."

"Promise?"

"Yes, Miss Solana..." natatawang banat niya.

I threw a makeup sponge at her.

She laughed. "You two are disgusting, by the way."

"What?"

"The whole soulmates thing."

I grinned.

"Bitter ka lang kasi wala ka pang lovelife," banat ko pabalik sa kanya na ikinataas ng kanyang kilay.

"How dare you---"

"Sige na. Alis na ako, manang...." pang-aasar ko at dali-daling lumabas ng dressing room.

I would finally be in his arms again.

The thought alone made my heart race.

~~~~~~~~

The hotel stood proudly against the Manila skyline, glowing with luxury and elegance.

The exact place Aiden was staying while preparing for an upcoming concert. I stepped out of the vehicle wearing a baseball cap and face mask.

A few guests glanced my way but fortunately nobody recognized me.

The staff, however, immediately did.

"Good evening, Miss Sevilla."

I smiled.

"Good evening..."

I walked toward the elevators while trying and failing not to smile like an idiot.

I missed him so much.

I couldn't wait to see his face.

Maybe even spend the entire weekend together.

The elevator doors opened.

I stepped inside.

My pulse quickened as the numbers climbed higher and higher.

At habang papalapit ako ng papalapit sa floor niya ay mas lalo akong nae-excite. Hanggang sa naisipan kong i-check ang cellphone ko at napangiti ng makita ko ang message niya...tatlong oras na ang nakalipas.

From: Aiden

How's your shoot? Kumain kana ba? Do you want me to send a food truck?

Napailing ako ng mabasa ko iyon. Hindi ako sumagot at ibinulsa na lamang ulit ang cellphone ko.

When the elevator finally opened, I almost laughed from anticipation.

Room 2518.

I knew the number by heart.

I walked toward the door.

My heels clicking softly against the carpeted floor.

Then I stopped.

Right in front of it.

A stupid smile stretched across my lips.

I imagined his reaction.

The happiness.

The way he'd immediately pull me into his arms.

I raised my hand and knocked.

Naghintay ako ng ilang segundo bago muling kumatok pero gaya ng una ay walang sumagot sa akin.

"Baka natutulog," mahinang usal ko.

Binuksan ko ang purse ko at kinuha doon ang spare cards na ibinigay niya sa akin last month.

I slid the card against the lock.

A soft beep echoed.

The light turned green.

Mahina kong itinulak pabukas ang pintuan at agad na bumakbang papasok sa loob.

The living room was empty.

Still smiling, I walked farther inside.

Hanggang sa narinig ko ang pamilyar na halakhak ng isang babae.

My footsteps froze.

The smile slowly disappeared from my face.

The laughter came again.

Followed by a man's voice.

A familiar voice.

Aiden's.

The blood drained from my face.

"It c-can't be..."

I whispered.

The bedroom door was slightly open.

Just enough for me to see.

And what I saw...

Destroyed my entire world.

My Fiancé.

The man I had loved for four years and planned future with is on the bed with a woman and they're both naked.

At ang mas masakit pa ay kilala ko ang babae na kasama niya.

She's my closest friend.

The woman who had been beside me through every success and failure.

Natasha

"Hindi mo naman pala siya mahal? Bakit nag-propose ka pa sa kanya?"

Natigil ako ng marinig ko ang tanong na iyon ni Natasha... nanatili akong nakatayo, parehong nakakuyom ang kamao at hinihintay ang magiging sagot ni Aiden.

And when i finally heard his answer...i regret that i waited for it.

"Mas sisikat ang pangalan ko kapag naging involve ako sa kanya. I can play the perfect fiancé for her...but in private, it's you who i really love, Natasha," he said.

"She's kind, Aiden. Hindi ako makapaniwala na ganito pala ang totoo mong intention. I didn't expect all of this," mahinang saad ni Natasha.

"She's boring. Masyadong malinis ang tingin sa sarili. Hindi ko nga alam kung virgin ba talaga siya. Masyadong pakipot, she couldn't even give me a hand job...she doesn't want to s*ck my d*ck or have s*x with me. Palagi niyang sinasabi na magpakasal na raw muna kami...like h*ll no. Ano ako? Santo? I'm a man. I have needs and she couldn't give it to me..." he stated.

At mas masakit pa iyon kesa sa pagkahuli ko da kanilang dalawa. All this time...i thought he really loves me, pero hindi pala talaga. I'm just a useful object to him. A thing that he could benefit from.