CHAPTER 7: The Truth That Should've Been Said Before

“Please, Lucas. Just leave.”

Moon’s voice cracked, but she didn’t care. Her arms remained crossed, guarding herself from the very man who shattered her.

Lucas stood still. His breathing ragged, voice almost pleading.

“I can’t. Not yet. Hindi pa puwede, Moon.”

She looked away, jaw clenched. “Lucas, don’t make this harder.”

“I need to tell you something.”

“Tapos na tayo. There’s nothing more to say—”

“There is,” he cut in, desperate. “Seven years ago… it wasn’t just about saving face. Hindi lang 'yung contract ang dahilan bakit kita nilapitan noon. That was only part of it. The truth is, matagal na kitang gusto, way before that stupid incident kaya nagkaro'n tayo ng contract”

Moon slowly turned to face him, disbelief painting her features.

Lucas continued, “Yes, ginamit ko ‘yung fake relationship para makalapit sa’yo. Alam kong mali. Pero noong panahong 'yon, that was the only way I could think of. You were always so unreachable, Moon. Ang daming humahanga sa’yo, ang dami mong ginagawa, lagi kang surrounded by people, but you always felt so… alone. And I saw that.”

Nanahimik si Moon, but her expression softened just slightly.

Lucas stepped closer. “I admired you from afar for so long. Then nangyari ‘yung gulo sa program nung time na bumisita ako, everyone was so focused on saving reputations, but for me… it was a chance. An excuse. I told my assistant and your manager na may plano ako. Sabi ko, gawin na lang nating PR. But deep inside, I was just happy I finally had a reason to be near you.”

Moon’s brows furrowed. “Kung totoo lahat ng 'yan, bakit mo pa rin ako iniwan?”

Lucas exhaled shakily. “That night, yung dapat sana mag-uusap tayo. I was ready. I was gonna tell you everything. That I wanted to make it real. That I wasn’t faking it anymore. But…”

He looked down, fists clenched.

“My dad found out. And worse, Daniella found out too. She liked me for years, and her family is powerful. Her dad is a major investor in our business. Kaya nung nalaman nila na ikaw ‘yung gusto ko, they panicked. Daniella begged her dad. Her dad called mine. My father… he gave me no choice.”

Moon blinked slowly, heart pounding.

“He said if I didn’t agree to the engagement, he’d destroy your career. He’d make sure you’d never work in media again. Sabi pa niya… ‘You’re just a girl with no name, no backing. A liability.’”

Lucas’s voice cracked. “Sabi ko sa kanya na h'wag kang idamay. I begged him. Pero hindi siya nakinig. So I left. I left because I thought… if mawala ako, you’d be safe.”

Moon’s arms slowly dropped to her sides. Her voice trembled. “So to protect me… you ghosted me?”

Lucas nodded. “And I never stopped watching over you."

"What?" How is that possible?

"Hindi mo alam, pero I hired someone to make sure you were safe, na kahit wala ako, may nakabantay. Alam ko lahat ng pinagdaanan mo. Every job interview, every rejection, every breakthrough. I saw it all. And every single time, I wanted to run to you. But I couldn’t. Kasi the moment I show myself… he’d make good on his threats.”

“Then bakit ngayon?” Moon asked, voice weak. “Bakit ngayon ka bumalik?”

“Because I found a way to fight back. May leverage na ko ngayon. I’m not the same boy from before. I have control. I came back for you, Moon, not as your ghost from the past, but as the man who still loves you.”

Her eyes widened, the words catching her breath.

“I love you,” Lucas whispered. “I always have. I always will. At kahit ilang taon pa ang lumipas… it’s still you. It was always you.”

Silence blanketed the room. Her heart, his heart beating, waiting.

Moon slowly stepped back, lips trembling. “I don’t know if I can believe you again.”

Lucas looked at her, pain in his eyes. “I’m not asking you to believe me now. I’m asking you to let me prove it. Let me stay… even just outside your door. Let me earn my place back.”

Tears welled in her eyes, but she blinked them away. “You shouldn’t have left.”

“I know,” he said. “But if I hadn’t… you wouldn’t be here, strong, fearless, shining on your own.”

She didn’t speak again. But this time, she didn’t close the door on him either.

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