Semua Bab How to Break a Billionaire's Heart: Bab 11 - Bab 20

Tinitigan ni Eloise si Estevan. Kita niya nang malinaw ang madilim nitong mga matang kay kayumanggi—mga matang halos lamunin siya.Then suddenly, Lucien emerged from the indoor bar with two glasses of wine. Kaagad na lumayo siya ng k’unti kay Estevan dahil sa pagdating nito.“For you, ma belle,” he said, offering one to Eloise, his gaze lingering far longer than necessary.She forced a sweet smile. “Thanks.”Lucien smiled charmingly. “I must say, Estevan, your companion is far more captivating than the pitch deck.”Walang sinabi si Estevan no’ng una. Nakamasid lamang ito sa malawak at medyo may kadiliman na na karagatan. Then his jaw tightened as if holding something back. “She tends to have that effect.”Tumawa si Lucien sa sinabi ng lalaki, tila hindi nararamdaman ang tensyon. He then turned to Eloise. “So, how did you two meet again?”“Café,” Eloise said, shooting Estevan a glance. “Apparently, destiny brews good coffee.”Lucien’s grin widened. “Then I must visit this café. If it se

Estevan’s lips on hers were warm and steady, as if he wasn’t just kissing her but grounding her. Walang pagmamadali, pero may lalim—parang bawat pagdampi ng labi niya ay may dalang kahulugan na hindi kayang sabihin ng kahit anumang mga salita.He wasn’t rushing, yet there was an urgency beneath the calm, like he’d waited too long for this moment, and now that it was here, he wanted to feel it fully.Her breath caught in her throat, and her heart thudded against her ribs as if trying to match the rhythm of his. And the way he kissed her—firm yet gentle, bold yet respectful—made something inside her unravel. It wasn’t just desire. It wasn’t just need. It was something far more dangerous.Her mind was throwing her some warnings from time to time, but she didn’t pull away. Instead, she leaned in even more.Paulit-uliy niyang pinaalahanan ang sarili na wala lang 'to. That this is just part of the plan to destroy him. To make him fall in love with her. To worship her even more. Nang sa gano'

Dalawang araw na rin ang lumipas simula nang bumaba sila ng yate ni Estevan, bitbit ang tahimik ngunit magulong bangungot ng gabing iyon. And it’s already two days since she heard from him.Somehow, nagpapasalamat siyang hindi ito nagparamdam nang naghiwalay sila ng landas pagkatapos siyang mahatid nito sa kan’yang apartment.She poured herself into her work. Sinadya niyang maging abala nang makalimutan ang lahat. Tinulungan niya si Ashley sa pag-inventory ng beans, si Carlo sa pag-set ng bagong chalkboard menu sa labas, at si Joaquin minsan sa pagkuha ng order ng mga customer.Nag-refill siya ng syrups, nagbilang ng resibo, nagkuskos ng lamesa kahit malinis na. Gusto lang niyang may gawin ang mga kamay niya. Dahil kapag wala na siyang ginagawa—doon siya bumabalik.Sa huling halik. Sa mga mata ni Estevan. Sa tinig nitong nagsabing, “but I do.”Lahat ng iyon ay bumabalik sa alaala niya tuwing wala siyang ginagawa. So she did everything she could just to stop herself from daydreaming.“

Kinabukasan, magkaharap na naupo sina Eloise at Klare sa Cafe Lune. The place smelled of espresso, butter, and warm bread—comforting scents that usually comfort her. Pero ngayong umaga, kahit anong sipsip niya sa mainit na latte, wala siyang nalalasahan.Her stomach was churning. Not with hunger, but with something heavier. Guilt, maybe. Confusion. O baka parehong sabay.Her fingers wrapped around the ceramic mug of her hazelnut latte, but the warmth didn’t quite reach her chest. She stirred it absentmindedly, watching the foam swirl, then settle. Para bang kahit ang kape, napagod na rin.Klare then leaned forward with her chin resting on her hand. Her eyes were sharp and observant, watching Eloise like a detective trying to crack a case. “So?” tanong niya, ang tinig niya'y banayad ngunit may diin. “How’s the plan?”Eloise looked away for a second before answering. “It’s moving. Slowly. Pero… I think I’m getting through to him.”“Hmm.” Klare stirred her coffee, her spoon making soft c

Pagkapasok pa lang nila sa suite, agad na napahinto si Eloise. Laglag ang pangang pinasadahan ng tingin ang buong k’warto.Parang nawala ang lahat ng iniisip niya nang bumungad ang tanawin.As if the view earlier wasn’t enough to take her breath away.A floor-to-ceiling glass window framed the ocean like a living painting. The sun was beginning to set, casting golden streaks across the smooth marble floor.Ang buong silid ay parang sinadyang idinisenyo para sa mga taong ayaw maalala ang gulo ng mundo. The place was so quiet and squeaky clean. Halos parang hindi siya dapat huminga rito. It looked more like a high-end showroom than an actual place to sleep. It was almost too perfect to be real.Sa isang sulok, may maliit na dining set—eleganteng gawa sa kahoy at salamin. Malapit dito ay may minibar na kumikislap sa ilalim ng banayad na gintong ilaw, puno ng mga boteng parang kristal at mga basong kumikislap sa liwanag. Sa kabilang banda naman ay ang banyo na tila isang private spa—makini