Chapter 5

“What if it’s not withdrawal, Veyra? What if I miss you simply because I still love you?”

Bumuka ang mga labi ni Veyra, pero walang lumabas na boses.

She had to force herself to look away from his dark, searching eyes. “That would make things significantly harder.”

“Why?”

“Because then... I’d have to decide whether to believe you or protect myself.”

Before Caelan could answer, two soft knocks sounded against the glass door.

Both of them snapped their heads toward the entrance. Mara opened the door a crack, looking thoroughly stressed.

“Ma’am, sorry po talaga sa istorbo... pero si Sir Soren po. He said he’ll just wait in the lounge, pero baka pwede raw po siyang magtanong kung matatagalan pa?”

Veyra composed herself instantly, straightening her blazer. “Tell him five minutes, Mara.”

“Okay po, ma’am.” Mara pulled the door shut.

Caelan stood up slowly, his eyes burning into Veyra. “Five minutes?”

“You heard her.”

“He’s waiting outside for you?”

Veyra gave him an incredulous look as she stood up as well. “He has an appointment, Caelan. Client ko siya.”

“What kind of appointment?”

She stared at him, exasperated. “You’re doing it again.”

“What?”

“You’re acting jealous.”

“I’m not jealous,” defensive na sagot nito, his jaw clenching. “Nagtatanong lang ako.”

“You asked about him three times in a span of ten minutes!”

“Because you keep avoiding the question!”

Veyra snapped her legal pad shut with a loud thwack. “Soren is an old college acquaintance. He booked an advisory session. That is all you need to know.”

“College?” Caelan repeated, stepping closer to her desk. “Did you date?”

“Caelan, are you interviewing me or are we diagnosing your breakup?”

“I just want to know, Veyra.”

“Why?”

Hindi nakasagot si Caelan. His lips pressed into a tight, frustrated line, unable to give her a reason that didn't violate the very boundary he had just paid her to set.

Veyra nodded slowly, her point proven. “Exactly.”

She gathered the signed contract and placed it neatly inside her desk drawer. “Your initial consultation is officially over, Mr. Virel.”

Caelan stood frozen for a second before turning toward the exit. But as his hand reached the brass doorknob, he stopped and looked back at her over his shoulder.

“You’re really going to sit in this office... while I figure out how to move on?”

The sheer irony of the question almost made her cry. “You are the one who walked in here asking for an exit strategy, Caelan. Don't ask me to comfort you while you execute it.”

His expression fell, a look of genuine pain flickering across his features.

Veyra felt her heart soften instantly, her internal walls crumbling just enough to let her tone soften. “...But I’m not going to punish you either.”

He stayed quiet, listening.

“If you want to leave, then leave properly,” Veyra whispered, her voice laced with an unbearable, quiet sadness. “If you want to fight for us, then stay and actually talk to me. But please... don't stand halfway through the door and expect me to hold it open for you.”

Caelan looked at her for a long, heavy moment, his dark eyes reflecting every bit of the agony she was feeling.

“Don’t cancel tonight,” she added softly.

“Why?”

“We need to talk at home. Without these desks between us.”

“As your boyfriend?” he asked quietly.

Veyra looked down at her bare fingers, then back at him. “For now.”

Caelan gave a single, somber nod. “Okay. I’ll see you at seven.”

He pulled the door open and stepped out into the hallway.

Veyra stood frozen behind her desk. She waited until the sound of his heavy footsteps completely faded down the corridor before her knees gave out, forcing her to sink back into her chair.

She pressed both hands tightly over her face, taking in long, ragged breaths.

“Professional,” she whispered to the empty room, her voice shaking violently. “Be professional, Veyra. Trabaho 'to.”

A light, rhythmic knock sounded at the open door.

“Come in,” Veyra called out, rapidly smoothing her hair and wiping the corners of her eyes before dropping her hands to the desk.

The glass door swung open, and a tall, broad-shouldered man stepped inside. He was holding two paper takeout cups from the artisanal café downstairs, a relaxed, easygoing smile playing on his lips.

“Sorry, I’m early,” he said, his voice deep and smooth. “Or... late? Depende kung paano mo titingnan.”

Veyra looked up, her brain struggling to shift gears.

Soren Vale had definitely changed since their days in university, pero hindi sapat para maging ganap na estranghero. His dark hair was styled shorter now, perfectly complementing a sharper, more mature jawline. Gone was the rumpled varsity hoodie he used to wear; in its place was a crisp white linen shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his forearms, projecting an effortless, grounded confidence.

He walked over and set one of the coffee cups on her desk. “Spanish latte. Extra shot, half sweet. Kung tama pa ang memorya ko.”

Veyra blinked, looking at the cup, then up at him. “What’s this?”

“Peace offering.”

“For being early?”

“For disappearing for four years after graduation,” Soren said, a warm, genuine spark in his brown eyes.

Despite the crushing weight in her chest, a tiny, instinctual smile touched Veyra’s lips. “Hi, Soren.”

“Hi, Veyra.” He pulled out the exact same leather chair Caelan had occupied just moments ago and sat down, leaning back with total ease. “You’re still as intimidating as I remember.”

“Natatakot ka pa rin?”

“Kaunti. I remember how you used to roast the architecture majors during student council debates.”

Veyra let out a short, soft laugh. “Sus.”

She pulled out a fresh intake form from her drawer, eager to anchor herself back into work. “So... Soren Vale. Architect.”

“In the flesh.”

“Reason for consultation?”

Soren didn't answer right away. He stretched his long legs out slightly, studying her face with an observant, quiet intensity that made Veyra shift in her seat.

“Actually,” Soren began, resting his hands on the armrests, “may tanong muna ako bago tayo magsimula.”

“What is it?”

“Nagbibigay ka pa rin ba ng advice sa mga kakilala mo? 'Yung hindi purely business contract?”

Veyra frowned slightly. “Depends on the situation. Why?”

Soren’s smile returned, straightforward and entirely devoid of hesitation. “Because I need advice about a woman.”

Veyra picked up her gel pen, clicking it once. “Okay. What’s the issue? Is it a breakup strategy? Boundary setting?”

“Hindi,” Soren said smoothly, leaning forward. “The problem is... I don't know if I should tell her I like her, or if I should wait until her life settles down a bit.”

Veyra paused, staring at him. “Soren... this is a breakup consulting firm. Hindi ako matchmaking service.”

“I know.”

“Then why book an hour with me?”

“Because you’re the only person I know who gives brutal, honest relationship advice without sugarcoating things,” he replied simply. “And honestly... I wanted an excuse to see you again.”

Veyra almost dropped her pen. Before she could process the sudden, direct honesty of his words, her phone vibrated loudly against the desk surface.

A notification flashed on the screen.

Caelan: I’ll be home by six. I’ll cook dinner. Let’s talk properly tonight.

Veyra stared at the screen, her chest tightening all over again as the reality of her double life crashed back down.

Soren noticed the sudden shift in her energy. He tilted his head slightly, his eyes softening with genuine concern. “Bad news?”

Mabilis na isinara ni Veyra ang screen ng phone niya at itinaob ito sa desk. “Complicated news.”

Soren studied her face for a quiet second, taking in the faint shadow beneath her eyes and the tension in her posture. Then, unexpectedly, he offered a gentle, reassuring smile.

“Good.”

Veyra frowned, genuinely puzzled. “Why is that good?”

“Because complicated doesn't mean impossible,” Soren said softly, taking a sip from his coffee cup. “It just means it matters.”

Veyra looked down at the hot cup of coffee he had brought her.

For the first time since Caelan had walked into her office two hours ago, the suffocating fog in her mind cleared just enough for a single, terrifying thought to emerge.

Maybe this breakup wasn't just the painful end of her past three years.

Maybe it was the violent, necessary collision that would force both her and Caelan to finally face who they truly were.