Chapter 4: Somewhere Between Us

“Eliara, may update ka na ba sa pitch deck for Vallerio Group?”

Boses ni Ms. Ortega ang unang gumising sa’kin mula sa mga iniisip ko.

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll finalize it today,” sagot ko habang nakatingin sa monitor. Pero to be honest, wala talaga ako sa focus. For the past few days, Alessandro Vallerio had been living rent-free in my mind.

Every look, every word, every stolen moment sa kotse — paulit-ulit sa isip ko.

Hindi ko maintindihan kung anong meron sa kanya.

He was danger. He was chaos.

But he was also... magnetic.

“By the way,” dagdag ni Ms. Ortega, “Mr. Vallerio’s team requested that you personally fly to Singapore next week for the campaign presentation.”

My head snapped up. “Me? Alone?”

“Yes. He said he prefers direct coordination with you.”

I swallowed hard. “O-okay.”

Of course. Of course he did.

One Week Later

Nasa airport ako, trying my best to calm my racing heart. Lianne had been texting nonstop.

Lianne: Girl, international na! Don’t forget, business trip ‘yan, not honeymoon 😏

Me: Shut up 😭

Lianne: Just saying. Mafia boss + private meeting abroad = disaster or destiny

Napailing na lang ako, pero to be honest, she wasn’t entirely wrong.

Paglapag ko sa Singapore, may sumundo agad na driver.

“Miss Eliara, Mr. Vallerio is waiting for you at Marina Bay Sands.”

Of course he was.

Pagdating ko sa hotel, halos mapanganga ako. Everything screamed luxury — glass walls, gold accents, breathtaking city view.

Pero wala na akong oras para humanga, kasi pagpasok ko sa suite room na assigned for the meeting, nandoon na siya.

Standing near the window, hands in his pockets, wearing a black shirt with sleeves slightly rolled up. Casual, pero lethal pa rin ang dating.

“Welcome to Singapore, bella mia,” he said without turning around.

“How did you know I was here?”

“I always know,” he replied, finally facing me. “Sit down. We have much to discuss.”

I sat across from him, trying to focus on my laptop screen while he talked about timelines and marketing plans — pero bawat galaw niya, bawat titig, distracted ako.

At some point, he leaned closer, pointing at something sa laptop ko. “This part,” he murmured, his breath grazing my ear, “is good. But it could be stronger — like you.”

I froze. “S-stronger?”

“Yes,” he whispered, eyes locking on mine. “You underestimate your power, Eliara.”

And suddenly, it didn’t feel like we were talking about the project anymore.

The air thickened.

I could hear my heartbeat louder than his voice.

“Why do you do that?” I asked quietly.

“Do what?”

“Say things that sound innocent but aren’t.”

He smirked. “Because you understand what I mean, even when I don’t say it.”

Before I could respond, may kumatok sa pinto.

“Sir, dinner is ready,” sabi ng hotel staff.

He looked at me again. “Join me.”

“I—uh—Mr. Vallerio, this is a business trip—”

“It still is,” he said, cutting me off. “We’ll discuss business... over dinner.”

I sighed, but my body betrayed me. I followed him.

Dinner at the Rooftop Lounge

The city lights reflected off the glass walls, casting a soft glow sa mukha niya. The view was breathtaking — but not as much as the man sitting across from me.

“You seem tense,” he said while pouring me a glass of wine.

“I’m just… trying to keep this professional.”

“And yet,” he murmured, leaning closer, “you keep looking at me like that.”

“Like what?”

“Like you’re afraid of what happens next.”

“Should I be?”

He paused, his eyes dark and unreadable. “Maybe. Because when I want something… I don’t stop until it’s mine.”

My breath hitched. I wanted to look away, but his gaze held me captive.

After dinner, we went back to the suite to finalize the presentation. But the tension between us only grew thicker — like every second apart pulled us closer.

I stood by the balcony, pretending to admire the view, when he joined me.

“Beautiful city,” I said softly.

“Not as beautiful as what’s standing next to me.”

“Flattery won’t make me less nervous, Mr. Vallerio.”

“It’s not flattery,” he said, stepping behind me. His voice was low, dangerous. “It’s honesty.”

I could feel his presence — the warmth of his body just inches away.

“Alessandro…” I whispered his name without meaning to.

He smiled faintly. “You finally said it.”

I turned to face him. “You make it hard not to.”

“Good.”

For a moment, we just stood there — eyes locked, breathing the same air, hearts beating too fast.

Then his hand brushed a strand of hair away from my face, fingers trailing down my jawline.

“You should rest,” he said, his tone softer now. “Tomorrow will be a long day.”

“Yeah,” I whispered, barely trusting my voice.

He leaned in, close enough for me to feel his breath. “Sleep well, bella mia. Dream of something sweet…”

A pause.

“…or someone dangerous.”

Then he turned and walked away, leaving me frozen — torn between fear and desire.

That night, I lay in my hotel bed, staring at the ceiling.

His voice echoed in my mind.

His eyes. His touch. His words.

And though I tried to sleep… I could still feel him everywhere.

For the first time, I realized something terrifyingly true —

It wasn’t just attraction anymore.

It was something deeper.

Something I might never escape.