All Chapters of Beneath The Contract : Chapter 1 - Chapter 3

The atmosphere in the studio turned suffocating the moment the announcement was made. Jake Marquez wasn’t just a guest; he was the new face of the campaign. They were co-stars. Partners."I didn't know, Xielle. I swear, management kept this completely under wraps," Maxine whispered, his voice trembling with genuine worry.Xielle felt as if she had been splashed with ice water, but her face remained a masterpiece of composure. She took a deep breath, letting the scent of expensive perfume and studio dust fill her lungs. "No worries, Ma. I’m fine," she said, flashing a practiced smile that didn't reach her eyes.But inside? Inside, she was screaming.The shoot was a blur of forced proximity. Xielle’s skin crawled every time the photographer ordered them to lean closer, to look intimate. The second the director yelled, "Pack up!" Xielle didn't wait. She bolted for the exit, her heels clicking a rapid, angry rhythm against the polished floor.She was almost at the glass doors when the one

CHAPTER THREE:Xielle’s eyes snapped open at exactly 6:00 AM. Even though her body begged for another hour of sleep, she forced herself to head to the rooftop gym. It was a routine she never broke whenever her morning was free. In her industry, staying fit and pretty wasn't just about vanity—it was her puhunan.Unlike other celebrities, Xielle didn’t grow up with a silver spoon. She wasn't born into wealth; she made her family wealthy through sheer grit and hard work. Every drop of sweat in the gym was a reminder of the life she was determined to keep.By 8:00 AM, she was showered and freshened up. Just as she was finishing her light makeup, she heard the door to her unit open. It was her manager."You ready?" her manager asked, sitting on the edge of the bed."Almost," Xielle replied, checking her reflection one last time. She paused, noticing her manager’s unusual presence inside the unit. Usually, she just waited in the parking lot. "Why are you here? May problema ba?""Nothing. It