Chapter 2: The Game He Played
The door shut with a heavy click behind them, sealing Janine inside a world where the rules were no longer hers. Theo leaned back in the velvet chair like a king in his private court, watching her with an unreadable expression. His suit was sharp, his jaw tense, and his gaze devoured every inch of her. He didn’t hide the fact that he wanted her. He owned that desire, wore it like a weapon. “On your knees.” The command wasn’t loud, but it echoed in the room like thunder. Janine's heart jumped. Her body obeyed before her mind could process the weight of what she was doing. Her fingers brushed his knee as she settled between his legs, trembling beneath his gaze. Theo cupped her chin, lifting her face. “Look at me.” Her eyes met his, half-hidden behind the mask, and she could see it now—he wasn’t just rich or handsome. He was dangerous. A man who wasn’t used to being told no. When she moved slowly, cautious, unsure, he tilted his head. “Are you making me wait on purpose?” he murmured, his voice dark with amusement—and threat. She blinked. “No, I—” “Then stop acting like your a fucking virgin .” His hand slid behind her head, firm. “Let me show you how it’s done.” And just like that, he took over. Janine gasped but didn’t resist. His grip was strong but not cruel—rough in a way that sparked something she didn’t understand. He moved her with practiced precision, his breathing growing heavier, his dominance spilling from every touch, every command. She let go of her thoughts. Her pride. Her shame. Just this once. Minutes passed in a blur of heat and power until Theo let out a deep, guttural sound that sent chills down her spine. His fingers tightened in her hair, his whole body tensed—and then it was over. Janine sat back, breathless, her lips tingling, heart pounding. Her head was spinning. But Theo wasn’t done. Before she could move, he grabbed her chin again and forced her to look up at him. “Get on the bed,” he said. “Lay back. Spread your legs for me.” Her body froze. She stood slowly and moved to the bed, the red leather dress sticking to her skin. She lay back against the silk sheets, but kept her legs closed, her body stiff with uncertainty. Theo didn’t wait. He followed her like a storm—fast, commanding, overwhelming. His hand wrapped around her knee and pushed it aside, then the other, parting her with effortless force. He hovered above her, pinning her in place, caging her in with his body. “You disobeyed,” he growled. “You don’t do that again.” She barely managed a breath before he dipped his head and kissed her throat, her collarbone, the space between her breasts. His hands roamed over her body, learning her curves like they were his to claim. He yanked the zipper of her dress down roughly, letting it fall open. The red lace beneath made him pause, eyes darkening. “Beautiful,” he muttered, more to himself. Then he ran his hands along the waistband of her panties, teasing, tracing, making her squirm beneath him. When he pinched her nipple through the lace, she gasped "Ahh". When he slid his hand down to her waist, then between her thighs, she arched without realizing. "Ohh" She whimpered as his fingers trailed along the edge of her underwear, toying with her. “Sensitive,” he noted, smirking. “You act shy, but your body begs.” He teased her folds that's under a tiny bit of fabric. Sliding his finger up and down like playing some soft music on a guitar. He can hear her whimper and pleasured sounds coming from her mouth. Then Theo lost his patience in the next heartbeat. He tore the lace from her body like it was paper and pressed himself against her, not giving her time to speak or think or breathe. She cried out—more from shock than pain—and Theo froze, his eyes narrowing. But when he saw the blood and the truth hit him, he stilled. “Fuck! you’re a virgin?” he asked, low and sharp. Janine turned her face away, ashamed. For a moment, silence. Then a soft chuckle, dark and amused. “Did you plan this?” he whispered in her ear. “What do you want?” She didn’t answer. She couldn't at this point she was in pain. She felt like something in her body was being torn apart. She hold her cries and pain. “Money?” He stopped talking and looked into her eyes. “Or you plan to blackmail me into something else?” “Tell me, woman!” He shouted in rage, he felt like a fool for falling for this kind of scheme. Then his arms tightened around her, she was scared. Her eyes are starting to build up tears but she holds it back. “Nothing, I don't want anything from you…. it's just that it's really my first and I don't have a plan to do anything wicked sir.” She looked at him and said firmly. “Don't worry sir, I know this is only a night of pleasure to you and this is just a job for me” With that answer Theo was shocked and curious about this woman. She hadn’t just sold her body for one night of survival. She had caught the attention of a man who always got what he wanted—and now, he wanted her.Chapter 15: The President Will See You NowJanine stood in front of the mirror, her hands trembling slightly as she zipped up the back of her blouse. It was her best one—plain, cream-colored, with sleeves she had ironed three times to make sure they stayed crisp. She paired it with a dark skirt that hugged her waist just right and low heels that she rarely wore. Today, appearance mattered.She applied a light layer of foundation, concealed the dark circles under her eyes as best she could, and added a gentle swipe of peach blush to her cheeks. Her lips were a natural pink, slightly dry, so she dabbed some balm on them. No lipstick. No bold colors. She wasn’t trying to stand out—just appear composed and professional.She gave her reflection a nod.“You need this job,” she reminded herself. “And maybe… maybe he won’t even recognize you.”That thought was her anchor, the only thread of courage holding her together. Surely, a man like Theo Guevara wouldn’t remember a single night. He was
Chapter 14: Nowhere to RunTheo stood by the tall glass windows of his office, the skyline of the city stretching endlessly before him. It was already late, but he hadn’t left work. The lights from the buildings flickered like stars in a man-made sky, and in his hand was a glass of aged rum—his third for the evening.With his free hand, he pressed a button on his desk phone.A moment later, his assistant’s voice came through the intercom. “Yes, Mr. Guevara?”“Is everything taken care of?” he asked in a cool, even tone.“Yes, sir. Everything is set according to your instructions. Every establishment she worked at—terminated her contract as ordered. No traces were left behind.”“Good.” He raised the glass to his lips and took a slow sip. The amber liquid burned slightly as it slid down his throat. “She can’t run from me now.”“Yes, sir. Shall I proceed with the next step?”“Already done. Make sure tomorrow’s meeting is flawless.”“Understood.”Theo ended the call and returned his gaze t
Chapter 13: One More StepJanine sat in the cramped kitchen, the events of the previous day replaying in her mind like a cruel loop. Four jobs—gone. No warnings, no explanations. Just cold, indifferent dismissals. She gripped her coffee mug tighter, willing herself not to cry again. Her siblings were still asleep in the next room, and she couldn’t afford to fall apart—not now.After finishing a small breakfast of rice and leftover egg, she cleaned up quietly, careful not to wake anyone. She took a long shower, letting the water wash over her face as she tried to compose herself. When she stepped out, she dressed in the neatest clothes she had—black slacks, a white blouse she had ironed last night, and her low-heeled shoes. She pulled her hair back into a ponytail, light makeup on her tired face, and tucked her worn-out resume into her old leather folder.“I can do this,” she whispered to her reflection. "You can do this!" With a deep breath, she stepped out of the house and into the
Chapter 12: Strings AttachedThe sun had barely peeked over the horizon when Janine stood in front of the bathroom mirror, brushing her hair into a neat ponytail. Her eyes were hollow, dark circles heavy beneath them, but she forced a small smile as she passed by her siblings who were already up tending to their mother.“Take good care of Mama today, okay?” she said, grabbing her worn-out bag and slipping her ID lanyard around her neck.Sheila gave her a reassuring nod. “Don’t worry, Ate. We got this.”Kyle walked up to her with a serious face. “Take care of yourself too, Ate. Don’t skip meals again. Eat lunch on time.”Janine rolled her eyes, offering a teasing smile. “Opo, Kuya,” she joked, mock-saluting her younger brother.But Kyle didn’t laugh. He just stared at her with silent concern. Janine sighed and waved him off. “Fine, okay. I’ll eat. I’m going now. Bye!”She rushed out the door, hoping today wouldn’t be as heavy as the last. Saturday meant weekend shifts—nonstop—from one
Chapter 11: The Distance Between UsThe days passed with Janine forcing herself back into routine, though her body hadn't completely recovered. Her limbs were still heavy with fatigue, and every now and then, her vision blurred from exhaustion. But she pushed forward, knowing no one else would carry the weight if she faltered. Her mother was still in the hospital, the surgery now scheduled but only partially paid. Kyle and Sheila had school, and rent was again nearing due. Every peso counted, and every second of rest felt like a luxury she couldn’t afford.But even as she tried to keep her world spinning, something gnawed at the edges of her thoughts—him.Theo.She didn’t want to think about the man she had given her first night to. The man who, for some reason, kept appearing in her life like an unsolvable puzzle. The same man whose touch still haunted her dreams and whose voice lingered in her mind more than she was willing to admit. What was he doing at that café? Was it coincidenc
Chapter 10: Running AgainThe moment the door shut behind Theo, Janine swung her legs off the hospital bed and scanned the room in a panic. Her heart pounded, and every inch of her body ached, but none of it mattered—not when she knew she had no money to stay even a minute longer in this room.She quickly slipped back into her uniform, biting her lip as the dizziness threatened to pull her back down. But she fought it. She had no choice. The remaining money she had—what little was left—was already set aside for her mother’s medications and her siblings’ food and school needs. There was no room for herself. There never was.Without alerting the nurse, she quietly slipped out of the room, clutching her small bag as she made her way down the corridor. Every step felt like she was dragging chains behind her, but she kept moving. Her only goal: get out before someone stopped her.Outside, the sun hit her face and made her squint, her skin clammy with sweat despite the early morning breeze.
Chapter 9: On the BrinkThe clock ticked past midnight.Janine trudged into their small apartment with aching legs and tired eyes. Her shirt clung to her skin, damp from the long shift at the café. She dropped her bag onto the floor with a soft thud and leaned against the wall, just for a second. Her breath hitched, and her head pounded again.She barely noticed Kyle peek from the bedroom door.“Ate… you’re home,” he said softly.“Yeah,” she forced a smile. “Go back to sleep. I’ll just rest a bit.”“You haven’t rested in days.”She ignored the worry in his voice, the way his eyes scanned her face like looking for cracks.“I’m fine, Kyle. Don’t worry.”"Yes, Kyle. I'm totally fine, stop being stubborn and sleep you have class tomorrow, right?" "Okay Ate..Of you say so but please rest take care of yourself, okay?""Okay, Papa got it" she jokes.But she wasn’t fine.She hadn’t been for days.With barely three hours of sleep between shifts, she’d been surviving on caffeine and sheer will
Chapter 8: Tipping PointThe hospital walls always felt colder at night.Janine sat quietly beside her mother’s bed, brushing a few strands of gray hair away from her forehead. Machines beeped steadily in the background—mechanical reminders that her mother’s life was hanging in fragile balance. The nurse had just left, but her words still echoed in Janine’s ears like a tolling bell.“We’ll need to schedule her for surgery soon. There’s no more time to wait. Start preparing the medical bill, Miss Pascua.”Bills.That word again. I fell like I couldn't escape this cycle, you work, you earn, you pay. it's like a never ending cycle.As if life had become a never-ending transaction she couldn’t afford.Janine blinked back the sting in her eyes. She didn’t want to cry. Not here. Not while her mother’s frail chest rose and fell, fighting silently for air and time.She stood up, leaned down, and kissed her mother’s temple. Looking at her fragile face and smile weakly.“I’ll figure it out, Ma
Chapter 7: Shadows of RecognitionTheo wasn’t the type of man who chased after women.He didn’t have to. Women came to him, clung to him, tried to stay in his orbit like moths to flame. But now, with a half-finished glass of scotch on the table and the echo of a broken wine bottle still in his ears, he found himself standing, pulse alert, and instincts sharpened.That waitress—he knew that body. The shape of her eyes. The tension in her breath when she looked at him.It had to be her.He stepped out of the room, scanning the hallway. It was empty. Too quiet. He moved with quiet precision, checking corners, glancing into the stairwell. But she had vanished like smoke.“Dammit,” he muttered under his breath.He wasn’t giving up that easily.---Janine’s fingers trembled as she tried to screw the wine cap back on. Her chest rose and fell quickly. The cold air from the wine storage room should’ve cooled her nerves, but instead, it only amplified her fear.Why is he here?Why is he looking