“Okay, tapos na,”I pulled the last of my clothes from the closet, folding them carefully into the suitcase, each motion deliberate as I tried to push away the frustration building inside me. Packing my things into this small, old suitcase felt almost symbolic. A life in a bag, ready to be uprooted once more.I glanced over at the unmade bed in the room I’d spent the night in—well, the room I’d been allowed to stay in. It wasn’t exactly home, but I’d done what I could to settle in, even if it was temporary.I tugged the suitcase closed, satisfied it was packed. The thought of leaving Lexus’s house hung over me like a cloud, but it was the only choice left. Things weren’t going to change. Not between us.As I stepped into the living room, dragging the suitcase behind me, I couldn’t help but notice how… empty it felt. The house, his house, was so quiet without the usual hum of his presence. Lexus had left early this morning, no doubt off on some photo shoot or project that demanded his
“Hoy, Bellatrix, panay tunog phone mo, gising na lahat bukod sayo!”“Shut up, will you!” I groaned and turned off my alarm.My phone buzzed, reminding me of deadlines, appointments, and everything else I had to juggle. I groaned and buried my face in my pillow, wishing for even just a few more minutes of sleep, but reality had other plans.Graduation was just around the corner, and I was struggling to finish my final competition prep. Not to mention the endless assignments, exams, and all the other distractions that kept piling up.I think Lexus had already left for his morning shoot, so I had the house to myself for a few hours. The quiet was both a blessing and a curse, leaving me alone with my thoughts and the endless list of things I had to do.I dragged myself out of bed and wandered into the kitchen, only to find Lexus, of course, already there, leaning against the counter with his usual casual air. He’d been up long before me, no doubt, his sleep schedule as chaotic as ever.“A
The sound of rain tapping against the windows set the tone for another quiet evening. I had my laptop open on the kitchen counter, trying to finish an essay that was due in less than 12 hours. My focus was razor-sharp until I heard a guitar chord strum from the living room.It started soft, almost pleasant, but it quickly turned into a cacophony of random notes. I sighed, closing my eyes to keep from snapping.“Lexus,” I called out without looking up. “Could you maybe not do that right now?”“Ang alin ba?” His voice floated in, dripping with faux innocence.“Turn the living room into a bad open mic night.”“Wow,” he said, suddenly standing in the doorway, guitar slung across his shoulder like a modern bard. “Ang lakas mo yata mag joke ngayon, teh.”I glared at him. “I’m serious. I need to finish this.”“Lagi ka naman talaga seryoso sa buhay mo,” he quipped, walking into the kitchen and plucking a grape from the fruit bowl. “Ever heard of a work-life balance?”“Says the guy who edited
Hannah lingered near the doorway, her initial shock giving way to a more composed demeanor. She pulled out her phone and scrolled for a moment before glancing at Lexus.“I came to discuss the updates on the upcoming photoshoot,” she said, her tone professional now, though her eyes still darted toward me occasionally. “There’ve been some changes to the campaign, and I need your input.”Lexus nodded, leaning casually against the door frame. “Ah ganon ba, we can talk. Sa office na lang tayo siguro.”I busied myself with clearing the plates, silently retreating to the kitchen. As their voices faded into the hallway, I focused on scrubbing the dishes, each clink of the plates against the sink filling the silence. My chest felt tight, though I couldn’t pinpoint why.Hannah’s presence wasn’t unexpected—Lexus had told me he worked with all kinds of people—but the way she had looked at me… like I was an anomaly. It stung more than I cared to admit.Once the dishes were done, I wiped down the c
“Morning, Sunshine,” he teased, grabbing an apple from the counter, “Mukhang pangit gising natin teh, ah?”I sat at the dining table, the untouched cup of coffee in front of me slowly growing cold. My mind swirled with anticipation and nerves, the weight of the upcoming competition pressing against my chest. I needed to tell him.“Do you ever take anything seriously?” I asked, watching Lexus stroll into the kitchen like he didn’t have a care in the world.Lexus strolled into the room, a towel draped around his neck, his damp hair tousled from a shower. His usual easygoing demeanor felt both comforting and infuriating as I tried to muster the courage to bring up the topic.“Sure,” he said, biting into an apple with an exaggerated crunch. “Breakfast. It’s the most important meal of the day, nakakapangit ang pagpapalipas nang gutom,”I rolled my eyes, setting my coffee mug down with a little more force than necessary. “I’m serious, Lex. Can you stop joking for two seconds?”He leaned aga
The crowd’s cheers still echoed in my ears as I stood backstage, the weight of the performance slowly lifting from my shoulders. My final competition was over, and with it, one of the last hurdles before graduation. The adrenaline was starting to wear off, replaced by a strange mix of relief and emptiness.The backstage area was bustling with energy—other performers hugging, laughing, and snapping selfies. My classmates surrounded me, showering me with congratulations and kind words.“Ang sassy naman, Sis!” Clara, my teammate, exclaimed, practically bouncing on her heels. “That final pirouette was flawless!”I laughed, feeling a warmth spread through me despite my fatigue. “Thanks, Klang. Ang galing mo din dun kanina.”As the group buzzed around me, my eyes scanned the edges of the room. I told myself it was just a habit, looking for familiar faces, even though I knew exactly who I was hoping to see.And yet, he wasn’t supposed to be here. Lexus had made it clear he wouldn’t come.Pus
Dalawang buwan pa lang kaming kasal ni Lexus, at sa mga oras na iyon, maayos na ang takbo ng buhay namin. Ang kasunduan namin na magpanggap na mag-asawa ay hindi naging komplikado; we kept it simple. We stuck to the terms, walang masyadong drama, at ang mga tao sa paligid namin ay hindi talaga nakahalata na hindi kami ganoon ka-close.We went about our daily lives, doing things that married couples do, pero ang lahat ng iyon was just for show. We’d talk, share meals, and help each other when needed—pero deep down, alam ko na hindi ito yung klase ng relasyon na gusto ko.Pero it wasn’t so bad. Sa ilang pagkakataon, Lexus would step up and be there for me when I needed him the most. Parang ganun na lang kami—nagmumukhang mag-asawa, pero hindi kami ganun ka-intimate.One of the biggest milestones for me came when graduation day arrived. Laking tuwa ko nang makita siya, nakasuot ng simpleng outfit, ready to support me.“Hindi mo na ako kailangan gawing best dressed, Astrea, okay lang. Bas
One month after our wedding, I still couldn’t shake off the awkwardness that lingered between us. We followed the rules we set—business as usual. But there were moments, like when he’d bring me my coffee in the morning or when we’d share a quiet dinner, that I’d find myself wondering if there was more to this fake marriage than I’d originally thought.It was a Saturday afternoon when Lexus casually mentioned it. “Astrea,” he said, glancing up from his phone while I was sorting out some papers. “How about a proper date? You know, as a married couple.” His tone was light, but there was something about it that caught my attention.“A date?” I asked, pausing for a moment. “Are you serious?” It was one of those things I didn’t expect him to say. Our marriage was meant to be temporary, a mere formality, but here he was, suggesting a night out as though we were actually in a real relationship.He chuckled, seeing my reaction. “Yes, I’m serious. It’s been a month. We’ve been married for a whi
One month after our wedding, I still couldn’t shake off the awkwardness that lingered between us. We followed the rules we set—business as usual. But there were moments, like when he’d bring me my coffee in the morning or when we’d share a quiet dinner, that I’d find myself wondering if there was more to this fake marriage than I’d originally thought.It was a Saturday afternoon when Lexus casually mentioned it. “Astrea,” he said, glancing up from his phone while I was sorting out some papers. “How about a proper date? You know, as a married couple.” His tone was light, but there was something about it that caught my attention.“A date?” I asked, pausing for a moment. “Are you serious?” It was one of those things I didn’t expect him to say. Our marriage was meant to be temporary, a mere formality, but here he was, suggesting a night out as though we were actually in a real relationship.He chuckled, seeing my reaction. “Yes, I’m serious. It’s been a month. We’ve been married for a whi
Dalawang buwan pa lang kaming kasal ni Lexus, at sa mga oras na iyon, maayos na ang takbo ng buhay namin. Ang kasunduan namin na magpanggap na mag-asawa ay hindi naging komplikado; we kept it simple. We stuck to the terms, walang masyadong drama, at ang mga tao sa paligid namin ay hindi talaga nakahalata na hindi kami ganoon ka-close.We went about our daily lives, doing things that married couples do, pero ang lahat ng iyon was just for show. We’d talk, share meals, and help each other when needed—pero deep down, alam ko na hindi ito yung klase ng relasyon na gusto ko.Pero it wasn’t so bad. Sa ilang pagkakataon, Lexus would step up and be there for me when I needed him the most. Parang ganun na lang kami—nagmumukhang mag-asawa, pero hindi kami ganun ka-intimate.One of the biggest milestones for me came when graduation day arrived. Laking tuwa ko nang makita siya, nakasuot ng simpleng outfit, ready to support me.“Hindi mo na ako kailangan gawing best dressed, Astrea, okay lang. Bas
The crowd’s cheers still echoed in my ears as I stood backstage, the weight of the performance slowly lifting from my shoulders. My final competition was over, and with it, one of the last hurdles before graduation. The adrenaline was starting to wear off, replaced by a strange mix of relief and emptiness.The backstage area was bustling with energy—other performers hugging, laughing, and snapping selfies. My classmates surrounded me, showering me with congratulations and kind words.“Ang sassy naman, Sis!” Clara, my teammate, exclaimed, practically bouncing on her heels. “That final pirouette was flawless!”I laughed, feeling a warmth spread through me despite my fatigue. “Thanks, Klang. Ang galing mo din dun kanina.”As the group buzzed around me, my eyes scanned the edges of the room. I told myself it was just a habit, looking for familiar faces, even though I knew exactly who I was hoping to see.And yet, he wasn’t supposed to be here. Lexus had made it clear he wouldn’t come.Pus
“Morning, Sunshine,” he teased, grabbing an apple from the counter, “Mukhang pangit gising natin teh, ah?”I sat at the dining table, the untouched cup of coffee in front of me slowly growing cold. My mind swirled with anticipation and nerves, the weight of the upcoming competition pressing against my chest. I needed to tell him.“Do you ever take anything seriously?” I asked, watching Lexus stroll into the kitchen like he didn’t have a care in the world.Lexus strolled into the room, a towel draped around his neck, his damp hair tousled from a shower. His usual easygoing demeanor felt both comforting and infuriating as I tried to muster the courage to bring up the topic.“Sure,” he said, biting into an apple with an exaggerated crunch. “Breakfast. It’s the most important meal of the day, nakakapangit ang pagpapalipas nang gutom,”I rolled my eyes, setting my coffee mug down with a little more force than necessary. “I’m serious, Lex. Can you stop joking for two seconds?”He leaned aga
Hannah lingered near the doorway, her initial shock giving way to a more composed demeanor. She pulled out her phone and scrolled for a moment before glancing at Lexus.“I came to discuss the updates on the upcoming photoshoot,” she said, her tone professional now, though her eyes still darted toward me occasionally. “There’ve been some changes to the campaign, and I need your input.”Lexus nodded, leaning casually against the door frame. “Ah ganon ba, we can talk. Sa office na lang tayo siguro.”I busied myself with clearing the plates, silently retreating to the kitchen. As their voices faded into the hallway, I focused on scrubbing the dishes, each clink of the plates against the sink filling the silence. My chest felt tight, though I couldn’t pinpoint why.Hannah’s presence wasn’t unexpected—Lexus had told me he worked with all kinds of people—but the way she had looked at me… like I was an anomaly. It stung more than I cared to admit.Once the dishes were done, I wiped down the c
The sound of rain tapping against the windows set the tone for another quiet evening. I had my laptop open on the kitchen counter, trying to finish an essay that was due in less than 12 hours. My focus was razor-sharp until I heard a guitar chord strum from the living room.It started soft, almost pleasant, but it quickly turned into a cacophony of random notes. I sighed, closing my eyes to keep from snapping.“Lexus,” I called out without looking up. “Could you maybe not do that right now?”“Ang alin ba?” His voice floated in, dripping with faux innocence.“Turn the living room into a bad open mic night.”“Wow,” he said, suddenly standing in the doorway, guitar slung across his shoulder like a modern bard. “Ang lakas mo yata mag joke ngayon, teh.”I glared at him. “I’m serious. I need to finish this.”“Lagi ka naman talaga seryoso sa buhay mo,” he quipped, walking into the kitchen and plucking a grape from the fruit bowl. “Ever heard of a work-life balance?”“Says the guy who edited
“Hoy, Bellatrix, panay tunog phone mo, gising na lahat bukod sayo!”“Shut up, will you!” I groaned and turned off my alarm.My phone buzzed, reminding me of deadlines, appointments, and everything else I had to juggle. I groaned and buried my face in my pillow, wishing for even just a few more minutes of sleep, but reality had other plans.Graduation was just around the corner, and I was struggling to finish my final competition prep. Not to mention the endless assignments, exams, and all the other distractions that kept piling up.I think Lexus had already left for his morning shoot, so I had the house to myself for a few hours. The quiet was both a blessing and a curse, leaving me alone with my thoughts and the endless list of things I had to do.I dragged myself out of bed and wandered into the kitchen, only to find Lexus, of course, already there, leaning against the counter with his usual casual air. He’d been up long before me, no doubt, his sleep schedule as chaotic as ever.“A
“Okay, tapos na,”I pulled the last of my clothes from the closet, folding them carefully into the suitcase, each motion deliberate as I tried to push away the frustration building inside me. Packing my things into this small, old suitcase felt almost symbolic. A life in a bag, ready to be uprooted once more.I glanced over at the unmade bed in the room I’d spent the night in—well, the room I’d been allowed to stay in. It wasn’t exactly home, but I’d done what I could to settle in, even if it was temporary.I tugged the suitcase closed, satisfied it was packed. The thought of leaving Lexus’s house hung over me like a cloud, but it was the only choice left. Things weren’t going to change. Not between us.As I stepped into the living room, dragging the suitcase behind me, I couldn’t help but notice how… empty it felt. The house, his house, was so quiet without the usual hum of his presence. Lexus had left early this morning, no doubt off on some photo shoot or project that demanded his
I was packing my last few belongings into a duffel bag when I paused, staring at the half-empty room. The clothes were the easy part—sweaters, a few jeans, some shirts—but there were other things.Hindi ko na din naman kailangan mag dala masyado nang kung ano ano, iniwan ko na din ang mga uniforms ko, dahil hindi na required mag uniform these days, since graduating na ako.Things that seemed to weigh more than anything in that bag. I folded up the last sweater, tossed it in, and glanced over the room once more. The place had become so familiar over the past few weeks, but now it felt foreign, like I was about to leave behind a piece of myself.I sighed, zipping up the bag and dragging it over to the door. It had been a strange decision to pack up my life and come stay with Lexus. But when everything else felt like it was falling apart, where else was I supposed to go? At least this place was… different. Quirky, even.Grabbing my things, I stepped out into the hall, the floor creaking