LOGINThe pale, soft light of dawn slowly replaced the shadows in the master bedroom, bringing a calm serenity to the penthouse. The heavy, intoxicating heat of the midnight fire had settled into a comfortable, quiet warmth. Mich lay tangled in the high-thread-count silk sheets, her body aching in the most satisfying way possible. Every inch of her skin felt alive, still marked by the fierce, possessive grip of Zane’s hands and the lingering warmth of his lips. She turned her head slightly, finding Zane already awake, propped up on one elbow beside her. His chest was bare, his dark hair messy, and his gaze fixed entirely on her. The lethal, ruthless corporate king who had terrified the Villanueva board just days ago was gone, replaced by a man looking at his entire world with absolute devotion. "Good morning," Mich whispered, her voice still beautifully low and raspy. Zane leaned down, his lips brushing softly against her forehead before tracing down to press
The aftermath of their raw, desperate reunion left the master bedroom thick with heat and the quiet sound of their tangled breathing. The storm outside had long passed, but inside the penthouse, the air was still heavy with a primitive intensity. Zane lay on his back, his muscular chest glistening with a fine layer of sweat, his large arm securely pinning Mich against his side. He wasn't sleeping. His dark eyes were fixed on the ceiling, his hand slowly tracing down her bare spine, mapping out every curve of her body as if to reassure himself that she was truly back.Mich stirred against him, her skin warm and sensitive from the friction of his heavy body. She shifted, propping her chin on his chest, her long hair falling over his shoulders like a dark silk curtain. "You're still awake," she murmured, her voice beautifully raspy, a direct consequence of the hours they had just spent completely consumed by each other.Zane’s eyes snapped down to hers, his gaze darkening insta
The quiet hum of the private elevator was the only sound breaking the thick, charged silence as they rode back up to the penthouse. The smooth victory of the evening, the wine, and the sheer relief of finally standing in the light had shifted into something far more intense between them. The moment the elevator doors slid open directly into the dark, familiar space of the apartment, the pristine, controlled corporate heir completely vanished.Zane didn't even bother turning on the lights. The doors had barely closed behind them when he caught Mich by the waist, his large hand gripping her hip with an unyielding intensity as he pulled her flush against his frame right there in the penthouse foyer. Before she could even gasp, his mouth came down on hers in a deep, bruising kiss that carried all the pent-up frustration, the terror of almost losing her, and the raw hunger of the past few weeks.Mich let out a soft moan against his lips, her hands instantly flying up to grip the
The evening sky over Bonifacio Global City was painted in deep shades of violet and gold as the city lights began to flicker alive. Outside the exclusive, reservation-only rooftop restaurant, a handful of lifestyle journalists and elite lifestyle bloggers had gathered, tipped off that the country’s most talked-about corporate heir was dining out. There were no hidden corners tonight, no private dining rooms locked away from the public eye. Zane had chosen a place surrounded by glass, fully exposed to the world.When the sleek black sports car pulled up to the valet, the atmosphere instantly shifted. Zane stepped out, looking effortlessly striking in a dark velvet blazer. He walked around to the passenger side, opening the door for Mich. She stepped into the cool evening air wearing an elegant, minimalist emerald dress, her hair cascading down her shoulders.For a brief second, seeing the flashes of cameras in the distance, Mich felt her muscles tense up. But before the old a
The Monday morning corporate opening was nothing short of a media frenzy. Outside the grand headquarters of the Villanueva Group, reporters from major financial networks and digital news outlets lined the entrance, hoping to catch a glimpse of the man who had single-handedly rewritten the fate of the empire. Inside, the atmosphere was thick with a different kind of tension. The board members who had been screaming in panic just days ago were now sitting in absolute silence, waiting for the arrival of the executive heir.When the heavy boardroom doors opened, Zane stepped inside. He wore a crisp, tailored charcoal suit, his presence commanding the entire room without him saying a word. He didn't look like someone who had just survived a brutal corporate war; he looked like the absolute ruler of the territory."Take your seats," Zane ordered, his deep voice carrying an icy weight as he took his place at the head of the long table.Sitting at the opposite end was his father
The morning sun filtered softly through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows of the penthouse, casting a warm, golden glow across the vast living space. The violent storm from the previous night had completely cleared, leaving behind a crisp, peaceful atmosphere. For the first time in months, the heavy, suffocating tension that usually hovered over the apartment was gone.Zane woke up early, but he hadn't moved an inch from the bed. His large arm was securely wrapped around Mich’s waist, pulling her flush against his side. He stared down at her sleeping face, watching the gentle rise and fall of her chest. Even in sleep, his dark eyes held a fierce, protective intensity. After nearly losing her, he wasn't planning on letting her out of his sight anytime soon.When Mich finally stirred, blinking against the bright morning light, she smiled softly up at him. "Kanina ka pa gising?" she murmured, her voice still thick with sleep as she reached up to gently touch his jawline."
Hindi pa rin maalis ni Mich ang imahe ni Zane sa isip niya. Kahit gaano niya piliting mag-focus sa event, kusa pa ring bumabalik ang atensyon niya sa lalaking nakita niya matapos ang tatlong taon. Matapos ang pagkakatitigan nila kanina, nagpasya siyang lumayo muna sa gitna ng ballroom.
Zane’s POV “Mr. Villanueva, your signature, please.” Hindi ko na halos narinig ang sinasabi ng assistant ko habang walang emosyon kong pinipirmahan ang mga documents sa harap ko. Tatlong oras. Tatlong oras na meeting pero pakiramdam ko wala namang pumapasok sa utak ko. Numbers. Contract
Zane's POV Hindi ko alam kung ano ang sasabihin ko pagdating ko sa kanya. Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit parang mas mahirap ito kaysa sa lahat ng business negotiations na naharap ko sa buong buhay ko. Pero isang bagay ang sigurado ko. Hindi ko hahayaa
Zane's POV Tatlong taon. Tatlong taon ko siyang hindi nakita. At ngayon na nasa harapan ko na siya, hindi ko alam kung bakit pakiramdam ko ay mas mahirap pa itong harapin kaysa sa inaasahan ko. Tahimik akong nakatayo sa gilid ng ballroom habang hawak ang isang baso ng whiskey.







