PRESENT TIME
Selene stood at the arrival bay of NAIA, her fingers curled around her passport and phone as she scanned the area. Her manager, Ming, was beside her, checking the schedule for the day. Richard, her on-screen partner, was already on a call with his wife, grinning while talking to their child. They had just landed from a promotional tour in Toronto for their new film. And now, without much rest, they were heading straight to Zambales, where the next phase of promotions would happen, coinciding with the grand opening of a new mall. But what made her breath hitch wasn't the event itself. It was the hotel. The venue. Sandoval Hotel and Resort. The name alone had power over her, like a stone tossed in still water, creating ripples of memory and emotion. She only found out two weeks ago that Zambales was part of the itinerary. And when she saw the name “Sandoval” in bold print, she stared at it for a long time, unable to tear her eyes away. She had wished—prayed, even—for a chance to see Duke again, no matter how impossible it seemed. Now that the moment was close, she wasn't sure anymore. What if he didn't care? What if he never wanted to see her again? She closed her eyes and leaned against the car window as they drove out of Manila. The long drive ahead lulled her into a restless sleep, while Richard kept chatting on the phone, unaware of the storm building inside her. Three and a half hours later, they arrived at the Sandoval Hotel. It was stunning. Five-star elegance. Everything from the high glass walls to the imported furniture screamed wealth and status. And that view—an island coastline that looked straight out of a magazine: white sand, crystal-blue waters, and palm trees swaying like dancers. She should’ve felt lucky to be staying here. Instead, she felt like an intruder walking into a past she never fully let go of. After checking into their rooms, Selene took a short rest before the scheduled mall show. The moment she lay down, anxiety pressed heavily on her chest. She was tired, yes—but her mind was wide awake. By five in the afternoon, they were headed to the mall in the hotel shuttle. The crowd was already wild by the time they arrived—fans screaming, taking photos, waving placards with her and Richard’s names. She smiled, waved, and posed for photos. It was her job. It was routine. But there was a heaviness in her chest that wouldn’t go away. Two hours passed like a blur—song numbers, photo ops, and staged interviews—before they were whisked back to the hotel for a quick rest before the evening event: a Thanksgiving party hosted at the function hall. As she sat in front of the vanity mirror, fixing her hair and doing her own makeup, she stared at herself. “What are you really doing here?” she whispered. She slipped into a deep purple V-neck, a backless gown that hugged her figure perfectly. It made her feel strong… even if her insides were anything but. The function hall was grand—chandeliers glittered overhead, jazz music filled the air, and people in suits and gowns mingled like they belonged to some elite society. Selene stepped in quietly, grabbing a glass of wine from a passing waiter. She had no intention of stealing attention, but as soon as she entered, camera flashes sparked. She smiled faintly and nodded, acknowledging them with grace. And then—she saw him. Duke. Standing at the center of the room in a navy tuxedo, tall, poised, and devastatingly more handsome than she remembered. Broader. Sharper. Like the years had carved him into something unshakable. Their eyes locked. It was only for a second, but it felt like a punch to the chest. She looked away quickly, her heart thundering. He looked exactly like the man she loved. And nothing like the boy she left behind. She searched the room for Ming but couldn’t find her. So she stood quietly in a corner, swirling the wine she couldn’t even bring herself to drink. A few moments later, a woman took the stage and introduced herself as Addison Sandoval. She gave a short speech, then introduced the man behind the success of the Sandoval Group of Companies. “Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Duke Sandoval.” Selene didn’t know if she was holding her breath or had simply forgotten how to breathe. After the applause, Addison walked toward her with a warm smile. “Hi, Selene! I’m Addison. Thank you so much for gracing the event.” “It’s my pleasure,” Selene replied with a polite smile. “You’re here alone?” “My manager’s somewhere, I think.” Addison glanced around, then waved at someone. Selene's stomach dropped as Duke approached them. “Here’s my cousin, the ever-handsome Duke, to keep you company,” Addison said cheerfully, before giving Duke a look that dared him to object. Duke didn’t smile. He didn’t even speak. Addison gave them both a wink and walked away. Suddenly, it felt like the whole room faded into silence. Selene cleared her throat, forcing a smile. “You don’t have to stay. I’ll just kill time and leave quietly after a bit.” Duke’s voice was low, cold. “I don’t leave people behind when I’m told to take care of them. I’m not like some people who move on so easily.” Her breath caught. That wasn’t a random remark. He meant it. She lowered her gaze. “Duke…” “What? You’re a star now. Isn’t this what you wanted?” he snapped, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Spotlight. Applause. All eyes are on you. Lies wrapped in smiles.” “That’s not fair—” “Neither was vanishing without a single damn explanation.” He reached for her hand—gently, but firmly—and led her toward the center of the room. People watched. Cameras clicked. He didn’t care. He pulled her close, one arm around her waist, the other gently When the music finally stopped, Selene gently pulled away and returned to her spot. She saw that her manager had returned, chatting animatedly with someone from the event team. Duke, meanwhile, had already walked away. He was now surrounded by guests, smiling, nodding, and exchanging pleasantries with practiced ease. The crowd seemed to gravitate toward him, but his eyes never searched for her again. He didn’t come back. Not even a glance. Selene sat quietly, her fingers tightening around her wine glass. The moment was over. Whatever that dance meant to her, it clearly meant something else to him. She watched him from across the room—how effortlessly he carried himself, how his laughter seemed genuine, how far away he felt from the man she once knew. Before midnight, she leaned over to her manager and whispered, “I think I’ll head back to the room and rest.” The woman gave a nod and a small smile, too distracted to notice the shadow that had fallen over Selene’s face. As she walked away from the function hall, every step felt heavier. She should’ve felt relieved to finally see him, to talk to him again after all these years. But the pain was worse than before. Back then, they didn’t talk. Now, they did— But his words were sharp, cold, and laced with a quiet kind of fury. And somehow… That hurt more than the silence ever did.Selene stirred awake, her stomach hollow and her body faintly aching from the aftermath of the night before. The air was heavy with the remnants of tension and intimacy, yet Duke’s arm was still lazily slung around her waist, anchoring her in a place she didn’t know how to stay in. His breathing was steady, deep—completely at peace, as if sleep could silence what their words couldn’t.The clock on the wall read noon.Carefully, she lifted his arm off her, the absence of his warmth making her skin prickle. She walked barefoot to the kitchen, the tiles cold against her feet. On the counter sat a half-wrapped sandwich she remembered preparing in a moment of restlessness earlier that morning—untouched. She took a few bites, forcing herself to eat even though every chew felt like gravel in her mouth. Just enough to quiet her stomach. Not enough to still her mind.By the time she returned to the bedroom, she was fully dressed—her silk beige blouse hugged her frame with quiet elegance, tucke
"You don’t have to attend the interview with me, Duke," Selene said softly, her voice still raspy from the earlier tension."I already told your manager I'm coming with you."He was by the fridge now, peering inside."Have you eaten?""You have work to do at the hacienda and at SGC. I don’t want to distract you from that.""I can manage my time," he said calmly, like he’d rehearsed it. As if he'd already decided he wouldn’t take no for an answer."Are you seriously having just a sandwich for breakfast? I’m starving.""I… I’m used to it," she murmured.She didn’t tell him the truth—how her stomach churned violently from stress, and how anything she ate lately would end up down the drain. Her appetite had vanished days ago when everything started unraveling."No. We’re eating at the hotel restaurant across the street. That’s where I’m checked in."She snapped her head toward him. Her heart thudded at the revelation. He’s not leaving yet…"You should go back to Zambales, Duke. I can hand
Less than an hour later, Selene was startled by a knock at the door. She was not prepared for anyone, least of all her boss. She had not fully recovered from their previous conversation. Her stomach churned from nerves and morning nausea, which she had been experiencing more frequently lately. She pushed her untouched breakfast to the side. The last thing she needed was to vomit in front of everyone.Ming barged in without hesitation as soon as she opened the door, leaving a trail of impatience and stress in her wake."Have you and Duke already spoken? Have you decided what you are going to say about the wedding cancellation?" Ming’s voice was sharp and fast, like a slap to the face."N-not yet," Selene said softly, barely above a whisper.Before Ming could ask another question, there was another knock at the door.Selene, grateful for the interruption, opened the door, and her breath caught.It was Duke.He stood tall and calm, holding a bouquet of white lilies in his hands. He exten
Selene did not leave her condo for the entire day.The moment Duke walked out of her life for the second time, she shut the door, curled into herself, and remained motionless. She did not eat until hunger gnawed at her insides, and even then, she only ordered food to be delivered, barely touching what came.Her heart felt as if it had been shattered into pieces too small to collect.She was exhausted—emotionally, mentally, and physically. The baby growing inside her made her body heavier every day, but she had no one to talk to. Nobody knew.Not even Duke was present.The next morning, she forced herself out of bed and called Ming, her manager. Her voice was still hoarse as she said, "I am back in the Philippines."There was a beat of stunned silence on the other end, followed by—"What the hell is going on, Selene?" Are you aware of the challenges this situation has created for me? You and Richard both have caused me trouble!" Ming's irate voice rang through the phone, sharp and thun
A soft knock echoed through the quiet of Selene’s condo.She didn’t move.She wasn’t expecting anyone—hadn’t even told anyone she was back in Manila. Maybe it was just someone knocking on the wrong door. She closed her eyes again, exhaustion dragging her deeper into the mattress.Then came a second knock—louder, firmer.This time, there was no mistaking it. It was her door.Selene groaned, forcing herself upright.Every muscle in her body protested. She didn't have the energy for visitors—not tonight. She slipped on the robe hanging by the bed and stomped toward the door, frustration flaring in her chest.But the moment she swung it open, the blood drained from her face.Duke Alessandro Sandoval.The last man she ever expected to find standing there.She didn't know why he was here or how he did know that she'd come back.Her breath hitched.For a second, she forgot how to move, how to think. All the words she’d rehearsed in case she ever saw him again vanished into thin air.Duke’s e
Selene returned to the Philippines exactly three months after she had left.She had selected a late-night flight for a reason. She did not want to be seen by reporters, fans, or anyone who could recognize her. After all, she would vanished without a word. She was not prepared to answer questions she had not even gotten the courage to ask herself.For nearly two months, she had lived a quiet life in Paris, away from the lights and noise. And, while she once craved the spotlight, she had grown accustomed to the stillness. To be anonymous. Now, the prospect of being recognized again made her stomach twist—but then again, everything did these days.Her plane arrived at NAIA around two in the morning. She stepped out of the plane with a heavy heart and heavy legs, feeling the familiar Manila humidity cling to her skin. Despite the heat, she wore her jacket and large sunglasses to protect her weary eyes. Her long, dark hair was tucked under a cap. Even at night and exhausted, she could not
Selene stood gazing at the Eiffel Tower, which glistened in the distance like a crown—beautiful, far away, and indestructible. It was the epitome of everything she had desired but now felt was out of reach.The city below was a hive of activity, with cars zipping by, lights dancing and blinking, and buildings rising with both modern ambition and old-world elegance.Even though Paris was alive, Selene felt as if she was in a different, slower world in the stillness of her hotel room—one marked by questions, silence, and the storm that was constantly building inside of her.Two months. She had been out of the Philippines for a long time.Two months of missed calls, unanswered messages, and placing herself out of reach.And it is been two weeks since she fled her mother's powder-pink estate in Hawaii, where she vowed she would stay hidden—until Douglas Sandoval, Duke's father, appeared at the gates like a ghost from a past life she was not ready to face.Everything changed as soon as she
"Goodbye, my love," Ingrid muttered as she gazed at the door that was slowly closing.Even though she did not cry, something inside of her broke—quietly and permanently.Duke's retreating footsteps down the hallway were more than just a goodbye. They were the conclusion. A confirmation that her loved one had chosen someone else. Someone he never truly stopped loving.Selene....Duke did not waste another second. He rushed to Addison's office, his heart pounding with a strange combination of fear and excitement. When he entered, Addison looked up from her desk, surprised by the urgency in his eyes."I need your help," he said, his voice low and taut. "I need to find Selene."Addison's expression became sober. She did not ask why.She would always know Selene was the ghost Duke could never shake. With a nod, she picked up her phone and began calling immigration officers she knew from school, airline company friends, and travel agents who owed her favors.Time passed in tense silence, Duk
After a few anxious days, Duke agreed to a sit-down interview with the media.He faced the cameras with heavy eyes and a burdened heart, admitting the truth:They had a terrible argument, and she left him for good.He ended the interview with a heartfelt message to Selene, pleading with her to give him a chance to make things right.He prayed in his heart that she would see it. And if she does, maybe—just maybe—she will return to the Philippines... and to him.As soon as the interview wrapped up in Manila, Duke drove back to Subic without delay. He needed to be anywhere but alone with his thoughts. Without fully thinking, his car took him to Ingrid’s coffee shop.It wasn’t because he wanted to rekindle anything with her—he had made a vow to himself:Never again.He would never seek comfort in another woman’s arms just to escape the pain.Not anymore. Not ever.When he walked in, Ingrid was busy behind the counter, sifting through paperwork. She looked up and visibly stiffened at the s