LOGINThe morning after last night, Damian and I didn’t exchange a single word that carried the weight of what happened. It was awkward, thick with tension. Every glance from him felt loaded, but neither of us dared to cross the line. I kept busy with my team, ignoring the electricity in the air, pretending that our near intimacy didn’t linger between us.Minutes after the team meeting ended, Rafi caught up to me outside the conference room. His expression was serious, the kind that immediately made me brace myself.“Alex… we need to talk,” he said, lowering his voice as we walked down the hallway.I froze for a second, a hint of panic rising in my chest. My mind immediately jumped to Damian. “About what?” I asked cautiously.“You know what I mean. Yesterday… you and him. I need to make sure you’re… focused—no, i need to make sure everything is still align on your plans.” Rafi said, locking eyes with me. His tone was firm, but I could sense the worry behind it.I blinked, momentarily speech
The morning sunlight hit the lobby through the tall glass windows as I entered the building, hands clutching my bag strap tightly. I had taken an off yesterday just to spend time with Marina and Marcus, but today, work called me back relentlessly. I didn’t want to leave my kids again so soon, but bills, deadlines, and Damian’s constant demands weren’t exactly negotiable.“Good morning, Ms. Cruz!” a secretary greeted, smiling brightly.“Morning,” I replied softly, forcing a polite smile.Employees I passed whispered, some smiled, some pretended not to notice me at all. I could feel their judgment—some because of Damian, others because of jealousy, and a few because of curiosity.The elevator chimed, carrying me up to the top floor where Damian’s office stood like a fortress at the end of the hallway. Most days, I passed by without thinking. Today, my attention sharpened because the door seemed… off.No lights.Curiosity prickled at me. Something in the quiet of the hallway made me paus
The first thing I felt was pain.Masakit ang ulo ko. Mabigat. Parang binagsakan ng semento. I groaned as I dragged myself up from the bed, hands covering my face. The lights from the windows stabbed my eyes.“Damn…” I whispered.I drank too much last night. And the last thing I remember—Her lips.Alexandra’s lips.Soft… warm… and the sound she made when I kissed her—that small gasp, almost a moan, almost my damn name.The memory hit me so hard my chest tightened.I sat up straight, heartbeat picking up speed.“Alex.”My voice cracked.She was beside me last night. I remember her hands, her warmth, her breath shaking when I pulled her closer—I scanned the bed.Empty.I stood up quickly, ignoring the dizziness, and searched the room. The bathroom—empty. The living area—empty. The balcony—nothing. I even checked the guest room.Wala. As in wala.I felt something sharp twist inside my chest.Fear?Annoyance?Puta. I hated not knowing.“She wouldn’t just leave without saying a damn word
The gala hall shimmered with lights, chandeliers reflecting off polished marble floors. People mingled, laughter echoing, glasses clinking. But I barely noticed. My eyes were fixed on him—Damian, standing tall, commanding even in a crowd. My earpiece buzzed constantly, my security team murmuring updates, but my focus is only at him.And then she appeared. Kayle Leclerc.Glamorous, poised, every movement dripping with the kind of confidence that demanded attention. She walked in like she owned the room, and maybe she did in some way—at least, she thought she did.“Boss, that’s the ex,” whispered one of my men.“Halah, boss may bumabalik,” another added.“Quiet!” I snapped into my earpiece. “Focus on the job, 'wag sa chismiss!.”Kayle’s eyes found Damian instantly. And his? He didn’t flinch, didn’t step away. Not yet. Nakaramdam ako ng tensiyon sa pagitan nilang dalawa, an instinctive need to stake my claim even without saying a word.She moved closer, slow, deliberate. Her heels clicke
The rain hadn’t stopped since the operation ended. Manila’s streets were slick and shiny under the streetlights, reflecting everything — my exhaustion, the chaos of the night, and Damian’s dangerous calm beside me.Basang-basa ang kalsada, but I didn’t care. My hands were steady on the wheel. My mind raced through the night’s events — the mole caught, the adrenaline, the threats neutralized. Damian sat in the passenger seat, quiet. Too quiet for him and for me. Para siyang may malalim na iniisip.I stole a glance at him. His eyes, half-lidded, dark, almost glowing with the leftover adrenaline and alcohol. Or maybe it was more than that — maybe it was raw, unguarded Damian, the side no one ever saw except for me. He's always like that even before. Vulnerable. Fragile.I shooked my head. I hated that memories, it made my chest tighten.“Damian… Are you okay?” I started, trying to sound casual, but my voice cracked slightly.He leaned his head back against the seat, letting out a soft si
Hindi pa nauubos ang inis ko mula sa gym kanina. Grabe ang init ng ulo ko kay Damian, hindi dahil sa training ko—kundi dahil sa ugali niya. Yung tipong kahit may problema, nagagawa pang mang-asar, mang-init ng ulo ko, mang-trip. Pero hindi pa ako nakakabawi ng hinga nang bumulaga na naman ang katotohanan. Hindi talaga ako pagpapahingahin ng mga ulupong. The moment I stepped out of the hallway, nag-vibrate ang phone ko nang sunod-sunod. Emergency alert. Multiple missed calls. Lahat from my team. T*ngina. Hindi ito normal. Sinagot ko ang tawag ni Rafi habang binabagtas ko ang daan palabas. “Alex…” mababa, mabilis, at halatang kinakabahan ang boses niya. “…may mole sa company ni Damian. Malaki ang problem.” Para akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig. Hindi ako madaling mabigla, pero iba ‘to. Iba ang tunog ng boses ni Rafi. Iba ang bigat. “We need to move. Now.” “Did you identify the mole?” tanong ko kaagad. Narinig ko ang mahinang paghinga niya bago siya sumagot, “Not ye







