Anxious

{ Eros } I knew Saint Claude was hiding something the second I locked eyes with him, but I never imagined it could be this: supernatural powers and the ability to shift into a huge wolf that likes to cuddle me. Being born into the mafia world made me paranoid, anxious and clingy. So, having a ‘fated mate’ who is stronger than regular men, can run faster than regular men, can heal a bullet wound in a matter of minutes and who was born to literally only ever love me… that’s exactly what I needed. Someone who is obsessed with me to an unhealthy degree and who will never ever die on me. Even if Saint refuses to accept me as a mate because I’m a man. Even if he ONLY likes me when his wolf presence is out. Even if he says he hates me and he keeps repeating he is NOT gay. That werewolf is fucking mine and I’m keeping him by my side forever. On a leash if I have to.

I was setting up a weekend shopping list on the tablet my husband had just replaced for our home system. A notification popped up. He had forgotten to log out of a shared, encrypted family calendar— one I didn’t recognize. There was only one unfamiliar profile photo. I tapped it. A list titled “My Little Princess – Personal Notes” filled the screen. My Little Princess doesn’t drink alcohol—only mineral water or herbal tea. No late nights. She needs absolute quiet to sleep. She gets anxious easily—keep fresh white lilies in the house and her favorite vanilla chocolates on hand. I scrolled slowly, my expression unreadable. The final entry was bolded. Highlighted. “Next Wednesday: take my Little Princess to choose her wedding crown.” I closed the screen. Then I picked up my phone and called my husband. “Love,” I said gently. “Does your Little Princess prefer a classic European bridal crown… or something more traditional? I thought I could help you choose.”

Liam Benjamin Chua, an anxious introvert who loves to be by himself. But his sluggish and dull existence changed when an infuriating girl named Aerielle Magpantay came out of the picture and made his world upside-down. Sometimes, life doesn't choose to sympathize with what we want. It always surprises us we don't expect to happen, and that fortuitous day happened when destiny played hard between Aerielle and Benjamin's life. There's a miserable happened to this annoying girl, causes her not to remember the person she promised not to leave his side until their hair turns into gray. Will she forget him totally and their precious memories together? Will Benjamin let the woman he loves neglect him and just let go of her because some people told him that their story are already over? Will he fight, win Aerielle's heart, and risk everything to bring back the memoirs of his love? But... What if the day comes when Aerielle's memory returns, but she finds out that the man she secretly loves for several years is the reason behind the loss of her memories?

My roommates have booked booth seats at the New Year Countdown Light Show at the price of five thousand dollars per ticket. Soon, they begin urging me to transfer them my share of the payment on the group chat. I just send them a screenshot of the remaining balance in my bank account. "You guys have fun. I'm still saving up for my college tuition fees." Everyone just spams me with laughing messages instead. One of my roommates, Zane Lawson, even uploads a screenshot of our conversation to his social media feed together with a caption that says, "The first step of ascending to the next tier in social hierarchy is to stay away from party poopers like this." But as soon as 12:00 am is over, my roommates send me a photo of the light show. "It's such a shame that you aren't here." I'm still confused by the photo when I receive a phone call from the counselor, who sounds very anxious over the phone. "Did you buy tickets for your roommates to the light show? The organizers claimed that they never checked in at the entrance! Now, they've gone missing!"

One of my roommates at the dorm was a competitive person. Whenever I studied, she would be anxious. If I opened a package, she would ask me what I was buying. She would also pressure me to tell her my whereabouts. There was even a time when I turned in my bed, she suddenly opened my divider curtain and asked me if I was secretly studying. I was literally going to go insane, but our nonchalant counsellor told me that I was overreacting. After that, I failed to secure a postgraduate position, but she managed to study overseas. When she returned, she became my supervisor. She told everyone she met that I was a very competitive person, and she kept assigning a lot of tasks for me to do. In the end, I died from overworking. When I opened my eyes again, I saw her get into my bed. I recorded the sound of pages flipping and turned on the night light. I played the recording for the entire night. If she wanted to be anxious and lose her sleep, so be it!

Eight months into my pregnancy, my husband finally makes time from his police duties to go to a prenatal checkup with me for the first time. The moment we step into the hospital, his satellite-encrypted phone buzzes urgently. The caller ID flashes briefly, and just like that, the man who's always calm and collected panics. "Honey, it's a red alert. Another international fugitive just crossed the border. I… I'm sorry…" He's clearly anxious, yet his tone is firm, leaving no room for argument. After apologizing, he rushes off. As I watch his SUV speed out of sight, my fist clenches tightly, crumpling the prenatal checkup sheet. I flag down a cab, slide into the car, and swiftly instruct the driver, "Follow that car. Don't lose it." A Red Notice for a fugitive? What a joke. My father, who works at the National Security Agency, barely catches wind of a notice like that. Yet, somehow, a mere police chief who only assists with cases is suddenly tasked with catching a high-priority criminal. Fine, then. I can't wait to meet the superior who's given him such an urgent assignment.

On the day of the college entrance examination, my boyfriend's childhood friend realizes she has left her admission pass at home. He insists on going back to get it for her, but I try to stop him. In the end, she misses her liberal arts examination. Driven to despair, she jumps to her death. Later, my boyfriend and I are both admitted to Bloomdale University, the best university in the country. We build successful careers and earn seven-figure salaries—our marriage is perfect. However, on the death anniversary of my boyfriend's childhood friend, he stabs me repeatedly, taking my life. "It was your fault she died," he says. "If I had gone back to get Ginger's admission pass, she wouldn't have lost hope and taken her life." When I open my eyes again, I realize I am back on the same day of the examination. My boyfriend's anxious voice rings in my ear. "Amelia, I need to go back to get Ginger's examination admission pass." This time, I smile and say, "Go ahead. Please be careful."

Reia, 24, is heartbroken and struggling with student loans when she stumbles upon an audition for a new PPOP girl group. Taking a chance, she is unexpectedly accepted, becoming not only a member but the leader and main songwriter, pouring her personal heartbreak and experiences with her ex into every song. W4RI rises to fame quickly, culminating in a historic debut at the Philippine Arena, but Reia grows anxious when management proposes a documentary about the group’s formation, fearing it might reveal her past relationship to fans. As the documentary airs, Reia trends online, and her ex’s identity begins to surface through social media, forcing her to navigate the intersection of fame and privacy. Meanwhile, Ezra, a music platform reviewer from Poland, is assigned to evaluate W4RI’s tracks and promotion—unaware that it’s Reia. Their digital interactions gradually reconnect them, rekindling old feelings as they exchange memories, hopes, and regrets. When they unexpectedly meet at a public event in Manila, their reunion is bittersweet. They struggle with unresolved emotions, public scrutiny, and the challenges of balancing Reia’s idol career with their personal lives. After facing online harassment and fans discovering their connection, Reia and Ezra choose to be honest and support each other, ultimately emerging stronger and united. The story concludes with hope, healing, and the promise of a future where love and career coexist.

On the first day of my husband's business trip, an unknown number calls me. It belongs to an employee of a pharmacy. The employee sounds very anxious over the phone. "Hello, are you related to Mr. Yates by any chance? He came to the pharmacy this afternoon to buy a box of morning-after pills, but he left right away without paying for the pills. Please pay the bill right now." My mind buzzes at the news. Morning-after pills? I suppress my emotions immediately before calling Zachary. I begin probing him afterward. "Where did you go this afternoon, honey? Your credit card statement shows that the payment you've made at a pharmacy has failed to go through." Zachary pauses for half a second before letting out a soft chuckle. "Ah, I bought the pills for a new intern in my department. She's a young woman who gets flustered easily, so I ran an errand for her." I just smile while saying "okay" to Zachary. After ending the call, I call the pharmacy once again, this time in a cold voice. "Send me your pharmacy's address. I'll head over and pay the bill in person."

Synopsis Emily, a 22 years old girl who has just graduated from the university. Scared and anxious about what the future might hold for her. She was devastated after applying for several jobs but all to no avail. She accidentally bumps into Liam the C.E.O of one of the fast raising enterprises in New York and one of the most eligible bachelors in town at the elevator on her way to an interview for her dream job. Liam with his alluring, charming and seductive look dressed in his sophisticated tuxedo suit offered Emily a job in his company as his personal secretary. Emily was thrilled and accepted the offer but her life changed after her boss who is a chronic womaniser got her drunk on a first date. Emily awoke the next day to see that she had lost her virginity to her boss. Liam had his pleasure and left her at the hotel. Emily was speechless, how could she resume working with him after the incident? Few months later, after missing her period she discovered she was pregnant. She summoned the courage to talk to Liam about it. Liam's reaction was the end of Emily. He abandoned and rejected her, leaving her to face the situation alone. Emily is faced with keeping the baby or going for an abortion? Will she be able to survive the aftermath of this affair?