Twisted Ties

She couldn’t understand what kind of curse she was under, with misfortune piling up one after another. It wasn’t enough that she had a terrible boss, and that he was attending the same engagement party which would later make him her stepbrother—now she was stuck sitting beside him on a long flight back to Manila.As they settled into their seats, Ainara tried to ignore the way his cologne smelled like cedar and regret. He pulled out a tablet. She pulled out a book. Their elbows touched. Neither moved.Thirty minutes into the flight, he glanced at her page.“You’re still reading that?” he asked, pointing at the romance novel in her hands.“It’s called savoring.” “It’s called procrastinating.”She turned to him. “Why are you like this?”Andres only laughed. She closed the book, suddenly losing the mood to read.“What would you like me to do?”Andres shut off his tablet and faced her. “Talk to me.”Ainara frowned. “And what exactly are we supposed to talk about?”“Anything. Except work.

The sun was just about to set, its soft glow highlighting the whitewashed walls with terracotta roofs. Ainara loved their home—it was one of the reasons she chose Architecture instead of a business degree. From her private balcony, she could see everything.The lush gardens and centuries‑old acacia trees were still there, and she remembered her old tire swing. The bougainvillea still bloomed endlessly, and because of it, her favorite color had become fuchsia.She noticed the cobblestone path that led guests through a candlelit courtyard. String lights crisscrossed above like fireflies. Romance was in the air, but knowing her mother was remarrying did not make her happy. She wanted her mother to be happy, of course. It was just that Jaime—she had no words. He had always been kind to her, even before, so she couldn’t understand why she resisted him for her mother.A soft love song floated through the air. The quartet her mother had chosen was rehearsing for tonight’s entertainment.It l

They met at Spencer’s, and she arrived just a few minutes before Marge. Ainara was sipping iced tea while waiting. When Marge arrived, she immediately kissed her on the cheek and gave her a hug.“Sorry, traffic was terrible. I tried to get here as fast as I could.” Marge sat down and ordered iced tea as well.Ainara didn’t feel like eating anything yet, but she planned to order a salad later. She was more interested in catching up with her friend whom she hadn’t seen in a long time. They did call each other at least once a month, but it was different when they were together in person.“It’s okay. I didn’t wait long.”Marge took a sip of her drink. “So, how was last night?”“Did you know they were dating?” Instead of answering her friend’s question, she responded with one of her own.Marge looked like she was in pain. “To be honest, I saw them together once, but I didn’t think anything of it. I mean, your families have known each other forever.”“And you didn’t tell me?”“What was I su

When the elevator doors opened on the top floor, it was like a switch flipped inside Andres. The teasing smirk vanished, and even the playful glint in his eyes disappeared. His posture straightened, his voice dropped, and his steps became precise. It was like he stepped into a role he wore too well.Ainara followed, her heels echoing against the marble floor, trying not to replay his last line before the elevator opened: "If we weren't in the office, I'd ask what perfume that is. But since we're here, I'll just memorize it."She shook it off. Focus, Ainara. This was her first official meeting with the new team. The luxury resort project was finally breaking ground, and she needed to prove she belonged here—not just as the daughter of Celia and Joaquin Del Carmen, but as the architect who earned her place.As they neared the glass doors, a woman in smart casual attire greeted them. She wore cherry red lipstick and held a clipboard that looked more organized than the entire office."Goo

The office was quiet, save for the soft hum of the espresso machine and the occasional shuffle of papers. Andres stepped out of his office, heading toward the copy room to grab a printout of Ainara’s latest boardwalk revisions. He stopped short as he neared the door. Inside, Pia was hunched over the printer, her phone tucked between her shoulder and ear, whispering. “Not yet. I’ll send it later. I’m waiting for the final markup. Tonight is still fine, right?” Andres frowned. He wasn’t raised to be nosy. Besides, he was a man. Listening to other people’s conversations didn’t appeal to him. “Yes. Same specs. She doesn’t suspect a thing.” Pia turned slightly, catching his reflection in the glass. Her voice shifted instantly. “—and I’ll confirm with the site team once Mr. Bernardino signs off. Okay. Thanks.” When she ended the call, Pia immediately smiled and greeted Andres. “Sir,” she said brightly. “Just printing the updated layout for Palawan.” Andres nodded slowly. “Who were