LOGINTori had just walked into her dressing room with her PA, Jessa, when they heard three soft knocks on the closed door. Jessa immediately set down the outfit she was holding for Tori to wear home on the small table. She walked to the door and opened it. One of the four bodyguards sent by Marigold Herrera for her daughter was standing there. “Yes?” Jessa asked, her voice serious. The tall bodyguard gave a slight bow and whispered to Jessa. “Someone’s waiting for Miss Tori backstage.”Jessa frowned. “You guys know the drill, right?” she said quietly to the man. “Kick them out—”“Sorry, Jessa, but we can’t do that.”“And why not?” she asked sharply, hands on her hips. “It’s Atty. Landon Dominguez. He’s waiting for—”Jessa’s eyes widened. “Oh!” she gasped, covering her mouth with her hand. She turned to look at Tori, who was busy on her phone. “Just tell him I’ll be there in a minute,” she said, then closed the door. She didn’t wait for the bodyguard’s answer.Smiling w
POLARIS STADIUMThe cheering inside Polaris Stadium was deafening because of the concert-for-a-cause of the famous R&B singer, Everett Lozares . “Wow!” Everett exclaimed as his eyes scanned the huge event hall. It was packed. Even the general admission seats were full. “I didn’t expect this, guys — really. Thank you for coming. And as you all know, the proceeds from tonight will go to an NGO that helps people with cancer who can’t afford treatment. Once again, from the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone here tonight. May God bless you all!” The crowd answered him with loud cheers. “Is Tori the next guest?” “I want to hear their new collaboration ‘Hey You’,” “Me too. That’s one of my new favorites...” Those were just some of the comments from a group of teens sitting in the upper box. Everett’s new single with Tori had only been released the day before the concert.“Yeah, I can’t wait to see them perform it live,” one of them said excitedly. “What do you guys want?
CONSUNJI REAL ESTATE AND CONSTRUCTION COMPANY ORTIGAS CENTER, MANILA“So, where’s the lucky bride?” Landon asked Taj as he handed him a glass of whiskey. Taj had just arrived at Landon’s office. Landon was the acting CEO of Consunji Construction — a company left to him by his grandfather, Alberto Consunji. Landon was the son of the Consunji family’s lawyer. They’d been close friends ever since Taj first stayed at his grandfather’s mansion. Their friendship continued because Landon’s dad, Attorney Dominguez, would always go to Guimaras for his grandfather’s business. They also went to the same university, so they got even closer.A few months ago, his grandfather called him to the family mansion in Bulacan. Before he passed away, he said he wanted to see Taj again after more than a decade. Two weeks after the funeral, Taj was called back to the mansion. That was when he found out his grandfather, Alberto, had left him the real estate and construction company. A company worth bil
Everett had been staring at his phone for a while now. Several minutes had passed since his call with Tori was suddenly cut off. She didn’t even get to say goodbye. And he knew whoever she called “love” was the reason why.Everett let out a deep sigh and stood up from the edge of his bed. He walked out of his room and went to the kitchen to grab a canned beer. When he went back to his room, he stepped out onto the small balcony of his condo unit through the sliding glass door. He slipped his phone into the pocket of his pants and rested both elbows on the metal railing. In his left hand was the open beer can. Everett looked out at the wide city and found himself smiling for no reason. Ah, it was such a beautiful night. The stars were twinkling in the sky. And the lights from the buildings around him were just as bright, like neither wanted to be outshined.He took a long drink. By the time he pulled the can from his mouth, it was already half empty. The name Tori had mentioned
Tears fell from Tori’s eyes. She didn’t expect Taj’s hug and kiss to affect her like this after their fight earlier. She wasn’t dead, but it felt like she’d suddenly come back to life. Because of that, she let out a soft laugh. It confused Taj. “Hey,” Taj said quietly as he pulled back from her a little. He held both sides of her face and looked at her, puzzled. “What is it?” he asked gently. Tori shook her head and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Nothing...” she said with a small smile. Taj raised an eyebrow. It was clear he didn’t believe her. “Uh-huh,” he said, rolling his eyes. “C'mon, tell me...” Tori shrugged her shoulders. “Nothing, love...” she answered, then quickly pressed a light kiss to the tip of his nose that made Taj's eyebrows shoot up even higher. “So tell me, how did you get up here? Which way did you come?” she asked. Her Uncle Mon had locked the gate early and was probably already asleep with Uncle Ansen. Her mother had left because a high schoo
The moment Tori walked into her room, she slammed the door shut and leaned against it for a second. She let out a shaky breath before finally letting her tears fall— tears she’d been holding back for so long.For a few minutes Tori just stood there then she slowly walked to her bed. Her tears kept falling, like they had a mind of their own. She sat on the edge of the bed, then collapsed onto it and curled up on her side. She pulled the blanket over herself and used it to wipe her tears.Is this what real love feels like? But why does it have to hurt so much? She wasn’t ready for this...Tori grew up surrounded by judgmental stares. Everyone knew her mother had an affair with a married man. And she was the living proof of that mistake, one of the reasons why she was terrified of relationships. She was twenty-three and had never been in a serious relationship. Her rule was always “no strings attached.” She always doubted anyone who got close to her. Her father’s cheating had







