One

Present Time

Twenty years old.

Kakagraduate lang ng Architecture.

Accelerated. Advanced. Laging nauuna.

Pero kahit gaano siya katalino, may isang bagay na hindi niya kayang ma-isolve—kung paano buuin ang pamilya na matagal nang nawasak.

Tahimik ang mansion nila sa Manhattan. Too quiet.

Maxine stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, staring at the city lights. Ito ang lungsod na kinalakihan niya. Ito rin ang lungsod na sumaksi kung paano nagkawatak-watak ang mga magulang niya, kung paano nasira ang pamilya niya.

Sa likod niya, maayos na nakatayo ang dalawang maleta.

“Tell me this is just a phase, Maxine.”

Mababa ang boses ni Kurt Kensington. Controlled. Pero ramdam ang tension doon.

Hindi agad lumingon si Maxine sa kanyang ama. The father she had idolized for the last twenty years dahil nagawa nitong maibigay sa kanya ang lahat ng pangangailangan niya, maging ang luho niya sa katawan. He's a good provider and always there for her.

“It’s not a phase, Dad.” Wika niya sa seryosong tinig.

Mahabang katahimikan ang lumipas. Her dad had moved on 3 years ago. Ngayon nga ay kasal na ito sa business partner nito.

“You already graduated Architecture and passed board exam at twenty,” dagdag ng ama niya. “You could start at the firm next month. I already secured your position.” Hindi pa rin ito kumbinsidong iwanan niya. Nasi-sense niya iyon sa boses nito.

“That’s exactly the problem, dad” she replied calmly.

“What kind of problem, Max?”

“You secured everything. For me.”

Napakunot ang noo ni Kurt.

“I’m your father. It’s my job to secure your future.”

“I know, dad. But you design my life.”

Napalingon siya sa ama, her gray eyes steady.

“I kept my promise,” she continued. “You said finish Architecture first. I did. Now it’s my turn.”

“You’re flying to the Philippines,” mariing sabi ng ama niya. “You’re chasing her." He looked desperate.

“She’s my mother.” Sagot niya.

“She left us.”

“She chose herself, daddy.” Masakit man ang katotohanan pero kailangan niyang tanggapin.

“She chose that man,” sagot ni Kurt, mas tumigas ang tono. “And right now, you’re choosing her over me.”

That hit her.

“I’m not choosing her over you,” sagot ni Maxine, kontrolado pa rin ang boses pero mas mabigat na. “I’m choosing to understand.”

“Understand what?” halos sumabog ang ama niya. “Why she destroyed this family?”

“Or why she felt destroyed first?” balik ni Maxine.

Biglang natahimik ang silid.

“Don’t think about it,” babala ni Kurt sa anak. Maxine saw the hurt in her father's eyes.

“You always taught me to observe, Dad. To think. To analyze. And that’s what I’m doing.”

“And your conclusion?” Lumarawan sa mukha nito ang pagkatalo.

“That love shouldn’t feel like a business contract.”

Napahigpit ang panga ni Kurt.

“You don’t know what marriage is.”

“Maybe not, dad because I don't have experience yet. But I know what loneliness looks like.”

His eyes darkened.

“I built everything for you,” he said, this time softer. “Everything.”

“I know,” sagot niyang nakadama ng awa sa ama. “But Mom still felt invisible.”

“And you believe her?”

“I need to hear her, daddy.”

Huminga nang malalim si Kurt.

“So that’s it? You’re leaving.” Umilap ang mga mata nito, just enough para mapansin ni Maxine ang pamumula ng mga mata nito.

“I’m studying,” sagot niya. “Fashion Design at Montenegro Imperial University.”

“Architecture wasn’t enough?”

“It was discipline,” sagot ni Maxine. “Fashion is influence.”

Napatitig sa kanya ang ama niya.

“Influence?”

“Yes. Image. Power. Perception. The way people move when you present yourself a certain way.”

Parang may kung anong bumigat sa hangin.

“You sound like you’re preparing for something.”

Her lips curved faintly.

“I always prepare, dad. I'm just like you.”

Napailing si Kurt.

“You’re just twenty.”

“And not a child anymore.”

“Do you hate me?” bigla nitong tanong sa kanya.

Napakurap si Maxine. Hindi makapaniwala

“No.” Sincere niyang sagot.

“Do you blame me?”

Mahabang pause.

“I don’t know.”

Mas masakit ang totoo kaysa galit. Siguro.

“You think I didn’t fight?” tanong ni Kurt, halos pabulong. “You think I didn’t try to fix it?”

“I think you tried too late, dad."

Parang binagsakan ng mabigat na bagay ang ama niya.

“Maxine…”mahinang tawag sa kanya.

“I grew up watching silence become normal,” she continued. “Dinner without conversations. Schedules instead of affection. I won’t grow up confused about what happened.”

“And what if she disappoints you again?”

“She already did,” sagot niya. “But she’s still my mother, dad.”

Kurt stepped closer.

“When you leave this country,” sabi niya, mas mababa ang boses, “I can’t protect you.”

“I don’t need protection.”

“That’s what scares me, Max. You're too independent.”

Her chest tightened slightly.

“Dad… I’m not abandoning you.”

“Feels like it, princess.”

She walked closer this time. May nagbabadyang luha sa mga mata niya.

“I need to build something under my name. Not just be the Kensington heiress. Not just the daughter of a billionaire. Not just the abandoned child of a broken marriage.”

Napapikit sandali si Kurt.

“You have your mother’s fire.”

“And your control.”

He looked at her carefully.

“Promise me one thing, princess.”

“What is it dad?”

“Don’t turn your heart into a weapon.” Seryosong wika nito, na para bang may alam ito sa mga plano niya.

Saglit siyang natahimik.

Because deep inside… she already knew she was capable of it.

“I’ll be careful,” sagot niya sa huli.

Lumapit sa kanya ang ama at bigla siyang niyakap nito.

Mahigpit iyon.

Hindi bilang businessman. At hindi bilang mogul.

Just a father afraid for the future of his child.

“You’re still my little girl,” bulong nito.

Unti-unti siyang yumakap pabalik.

“I know, daddy and you're my first love.”

“Call me when you land.”

“I will.” Humalik siya sa pisngi ng ama pagkatapos.

Her phone buzzed. The driver was waiting.

She picked up her suitcase.

Bago pumasok sa elevator, lumingon siya.

“I’m not choosing Mom over you,” she said clearly. “I’m choosing myself.”

Sumara ang elevator doors.

At sa loob, tinitigan niya ang repleksyon niya sa salamin.

Philippines here I come.

At sa pagkakataong ito—

Hindi lang siya manonood.

She will move.

🍁🍁🍁

Maingay ang buong campus ng Montenegro Imperial University.

Hindi iyon ordinaryong ingay—kundi ang klase ng bulungan na may halong intriga. Laughter mixed with envy. Curiosity mixed with fear.

Sa gitna ng marble hallway, naglalakad si Maxine Blaire Kensington na parang hindi siya ang sentro ng atensyon ng mga ito.

Designer heels clicking against the polished floor.

She planned this. Dalawang buwang ginugol ng private investigator ang paghahanap sa kanyang mommy at makalipas nga niyon ay natagpuan niya ito.

Happily married to Constantine Montenegro, a billionaire magnate who owns high-end condominiums, luxury malls, elite schools, state-of-the-art hospitals, and even his own airline. He is far wealthier than her father, ranking in the Top 80 of Forbes’ 100 richest list.

Sleek black dress hugging her frame—simple, but expensive enough to scream exclusivity.

Red lips curved into a soft smile.

Angel.

Or warning sign.

“The bitch is coming this way,” bulong ng isang sophomore habang kunwari’y nagbabasa ng notebook pero halatang nakasunod ang tingin kay Maxine.

“Mag-ingat ka. She ruins people for fun,” dagdag pa ng isa. “Hindi ba siya ‘yung may scandal last semester? Yung nag-break up ‘yung couple after she got involved?”

“Not involved,” sagot ng isa pa. “She just… existed.”

Tahimik na napangiti si Maxine.

Naririnig niya lahat ng panlilibak ng mga 'to.

She always does.

Pero hindi siya lumilingon. Hindi siya nagpapakita ng kahit anong reaction. Reactions are weakness to her. Reactions give power to other people. Wala siyang paki sa mga ito. Tapos na siya sa yugto ng pagpapakabait pero wala naman siyang napala. Her parents divorced and her family got broken.

Every step she takes is measured.

Every blink timed.

Every expression curated.

She doesn’t walk like she belongs.

She walks like she owns.

Pagpasok niya sa classroom, halos sabay-sabay ang pag-angat ng mga ulo ng mga estudyante. Hindi na siya nagtaka she's always a head turner kahit sa simpleng ayos niya.

“Miss Kensington,” tawag ng professor habang nakahawak sa chalk. “Late ka na naman.” Natoto na rin siyang magtagalog ngayon.

Ang OA masyado nito, 5 minutes lang naman. Wika ng isip niya.

Natahimik ang klase.

Dahan-dahan niyang tinanggal ang sunglasses niya.

And when her gray eyes were revealed—

Cold. Calm. Unapologetic.

“I’m sorry, sir,” malambing ngunit kontrolado ang boses niya. “Traffic.”

May ilan sa mga kaklase niya ang napairap. She doesn't care at all.

Traffic? She lives fifteen minutes away.

Pero hindi na nagtanong ang professor. No one questions her twice. May aura siya na hindi madaling hamunin.

“Take your seat,” sabi nito.

She walked to the back row. Strategic position.

From there, she could see everyone.

And everyone could see her—if she allowed them.

Inilapag niya ang designer bag, crossed her legs elegantly, at inilabas ang notebook.

Pero hindi siya nagsusulat.

She was observing.

Yung babaeng nasa harap—guilty conscience.

Yung varsity captain sa kaliwa—ego-driven.

Yung dalawang nagbubulungan—threatened.

Step one complete.

On the other side of campus—

Sa balcony ng administrative wing, nakasandal si Kael Alessio Montenegro sa railing.

She's been following him secretly. Napakailap kasi nito. Sa loob ng anim na buwan niya sa university, hindi nag-cross ang landas nilang dalawa.

🍁🍁🍁

Kael Alessio Montenegro stood at the balcony of the Administrative Wing like he owned the entire skyline.

Navy blue button-down shirt. Sleeves folded just below his elbows. The fabric stretched slightly across his broad shoulders, emphasizing the controlled strength in his frame. The veins along his forearms were visible—not because he was flexing, but because he didn’t need to.

He looked relaxed.

But his eyes?

Sharp. Focused. Assessing.

Sa ibaba, kitang-kita ang courtyard… at ang glass walls ng Fashion Department building. Mula roon, tanaw ang classroom kung saan naroroon si Maxine Blaire Kensington.

“She’s trouble,” sabi ni Donald habang nakasandal din sa railing, iced coffee in hand. “You know she dated that senator’s son just to expose him.”

Kael didn’t blink. He knew already, lagi namang trending ang babae.

“She didn’t expose him,” he corrected calmly. “She let him expose himself.”

Donald snorted.

“Same thing, pare.”

“No,” Kael replied, finally shifting his weight. “There’s a difference.”

“And that is?” Donald challenged, amused.

Kael’s jaw tightened slightly.

“Exposure is messy. Emotional. Reactive. What she did was clean. She gave him rope. He chose to hang himself.”

Napasipol si Donald sa sinabi niya.

“You’ve done your research, pare.”

“I observe.” He corrected him again.

“You study her,” hindi papatalo ang kaibigan.

Hindi niya pinansin ang sagot ni Donald.

Below, the classroom doors opened. Students started filing out.

And then—

She appeared.

Black dress. Confident stride. Sunglasses now resting on top of her head. Auburn hair catching the sunlight.

The wind lifted a few strands.

She didn’t look up.

But there was something in the way she walked—

Like she was aware of every pair of eyes on her.

“She thrives on chaos,” Donald continued. “Every time she transfers her attention to someone, may nasisirang reputasyon.”

“No,” Kael said quietly. “She creates chaos with purpose.”

Donald glanced sideways.

“Why do you sound impressed?”

Kael didn’t answer immediately.

His eyes followed Maxine as she paused near the fountain, adjusting the strap of her bag. Her posture remained elegant, but there was nothing soft about her presence.

“She doesn’t move unless there’s a reason,” Kael finally said.

“And you think you’re the reason?” Donald teased. Para kasing may lihim na pagkagusto ang kaibigan rito.

That made Kael’s gaze harden.

“I don’t assume.”

Donald smirked.

“May history ba kayo? Sabihin mo lang, pre.”

“None.”

“Interestesado ka?”

There was a brief pause.

Kael’s eyes darkened—not with attraction, but something heavier. Recognition.

“I don’t get interested.”

Donald laughed.

“Right. Mister emotionally unavailable.”

Pareho silang twenty-seven. Parehong engineers by profession. Parehong napilitang mag-enroll sa MBA program dahil sa mga ama nilang obsessed sa legacy.

They weren’t boys in this university.

They were heirs being sharpened.

“Everyone gets interested,” Donald insisted. “Especially when it comes to her.”

Kael finally looked away from the courtyard.

“She’s calculated.”

“Exactly. That’s dangerous.”

Kael’s lips curved faintly.

“So am I.”

Donald studied his friend carefully.

“You don’t look at her the way other men do.”

“How do they look at her?”

“Like they want her.”

“And how do I look at her?”

Donald’s smirk faded slightly.

“Like you’re trying to solve her.”

Kael didn’t deny it.

Because it was true.

There was something off about her reputation.

Too clean.

Too consistent.

Too curated.

“She plays dumb sometimes,” Donald added. “Sweet voice. Polite smile. Then boom—someone’s career or relationship is ruined.”

“She doesn’t look dumb to me,” Kael muttered.

“Exactly, pare.”

Below, Maxine began walking again.

For a split second—

She stopped.

Then slowly… she tilted her head slightly to the side.

Not enough to look up.

But enough to suggest awareness.

Kael felt it.

The shift.

Like she knew.

Like she could feel his stare slicing through glass and distance.

“Hindi siya nakatingin,” Donald said casually.

“Hindi naman kailangan.”

Donald frowned.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Kael’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Alam niyang may nakatingin sa kanya.”

“Sure kang alam niya na nakatingin ka sa kanya?”

A slow exhale left Kael’s lips.

“I’d be disappointed if she didn’t.”

Donald shook his head.

“You sound like you want a challenge.”

Kael finally faced him fully.

“I don’t chase women, alam mo 'yan.”

“I know.”

“I also don’t entertain drama.”

“Very obvious, pre.”

“I don’t lose.” Seryosong sabi niya sa kaibigan.

Donald smirked again.

“And?”

“And she looks like someone who plays to win.”

There it was.

The real reason.

Not attraction.

Not yet.

Recognition.

Two strategists.

Different styles.

Same hunger.

Below, Maxine resumed walking, heels clicking against stone. Students parted slightly as she passed—not because she demanded space, but because she naturally occupied it.

“She’s not scared of anyone here,” Donald murmured.

“She shouldn’t be,” Kael replied.

“How about you?”

Kael’s gaze sharpened once more.

“I don’t intimidate easily.”

“But?”

“But I don’t underestimate either.”

Donald took a sip of his drink.

“If she sets her eyes on you, what then?”

Kael’s expression turned unreadable.

“Then she’ll learn something.”

“What?”

“That kings don’t fall for traps.”

A faint smile ghosted across Donald’s face.

“And what if she’s not setting a trap?”

Kael’s jaw tightened slightly.

“She always is.”

Silence fell between them.

Below, Maxine finally looked up.

Not directly at them.

But toward the balcony area.

Just one brief glance.

Too quick to confirm.

Too deliberate to ignore.

Kael felt something stir—not in his chest, but in his mind.

A warning.

Or an invitation.

Donald nudged him lightly.

“Well?”

Kael turned away first.

“She’s dangerous.”

Donald grinned.

“And you?”

Kael adjusted the cuff of his sleeve.

“I don’t play games.”

A pause.

“I end them.”

But deep down—

For the first time in a long while—

He wasn’t entirely sure whether he was the hunter…

Or already part of the board.