Maya Jenkins has built a life on her own terms. After being abandoned by her father at a young age and betrayed by a man she once loved, Maya has little faith in the concept of true love. But one lonely Saturday night, against her usual instincts, she downloads SoulLink—a new dating app designed to match people based on more than just physical attraction. When she matches with a man named “Ash,” she starts to wonder if she’s been too quick to write off the possibility of something real. Asher Reed is no stranger to living behind a mask. By day, he is the powerful CEO of NovaSpire, the cutting-edge tech company he inherited from his demanding father. By night, he sheds his corporate persona and anonymously tests SoulLink, a product his company has developed. What he doesn’t expect is Maya—a woman who challenges him with her passionate and authentic personality. For the first time in years, he feels seen—not as the CEO or the broken man his ex-fiancée left behind, but as himself. As their connection deepens, so does their vulnerability. Maya’s long-standing trust issues clash with Asher’s secret identity, and their growing bond is threatened by the arrival of past figures— Asher’s manipulative former fiancée. With each revelation, the digital space where they first met becomes a battleground for truth, betrayal, and the complicated pull of their emotions. In a world where identities can be easily manipulated and love is often elusive, Maya and Asher must confront their pasts, their fears, and the choices that will either bind them together or tear them apart. Can they overcome the ghosts of their history and the secrets they’ve kept from each other? Or will their insecurities and unresolved scars lead them down separate paths?
Lihat lebih banyakIt’s Saturday night.
Maya slumped onto her couch, knees tucked under her, a mug of chamomile tea going cold on the side table. Outside her apartment window, the city buzzed with life—people laughing in the streets, cars honking in traffic, lights gleaming across the skyline. But here, in her pristine minimalist living room, everything felt unnervingly quiet. Too quiet. Maya hated this. It reminded her of loneliness. Her phone buzzed, the screen lighting up with yet another text. 𝗔𝘃𝗮: Girl, mag-SoulLink ka na. Swear, it’s time. Baka andiyan na ‘yung soulmate mo! She rolled her eyes but couldn’t stop the smile pulling at her lips. Ava, her bestfriend, had been on a weeks-long crusade to get her on SoulLink, a new dating app marketed for “deep, genuine connections.” Ava swore by it. Her? Not so much. Betrayal leaves scars, and her scars ran deep. Her father, who left when she was eight. Her ex, Alex, whose idea of love was an endless string of lies. Opening up again? Pass. Her thumbs moved across the screen. 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗮: Ava, no. I’m not ready to get catfished by another charming sociopath. 𝗔𝘃𝗮: What if he’s not? You never know unless you try. Maya sighed, setting her phone face down on the couch. You never know unless you try. The words sat heavy in her chest, whispering like an old truth she’d stopped believing in. It wasn’t like Ava was wrong, but putting herself out there again felt like climbing a mountain without gear. What if she fell? What if no one caught her? And yet… Before she could talk herself out of it, Maya reached for the laptop and opened it, her fingers hovering over the trackpad. Her gaze flickered to the screen. What’s the worst that could happen? “What the hell am I doing?” she muttered. --- An hour later… after much internal debate, Maya stared at her newly created profile. It was honest—maybe too honest—but she couldn’t bring herself to pretend. About Me: “Bookworm, tech nerd, and coffee addict. I like quiet moments, long hikes, and conversations that mean something. No games, just real.” She hovered over “Save” for a full minute before clicking it. Tap. She exhaled, her chest tight. There. Done. A notification popped up almost instantly. 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵: 𝗔𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗲𝗱. Maya frowned. “Asher Reed?” The name sounded vaguely familiar, like something she’d read in passing. Clicking on the profile, her breath caught. The photo was simple—no filters, no flashy poses. Just a man with tousled dark hair, piercing blue eyes, and a calm confidence that practically oozed through the screen. He wasn’t smirking like most guys online. “Wow,” she whispered, blinking as if to reset herself. There was no grand, over-the-top bio. Just a photo and the simplicity of his name. It intrigued her more than it should have. Is this real? Her heart thumped in her chest as she debated what to do. Say hello? Leave it alone? Before she could change her mind, a message popped up. 𝗔𝘀𝗵: I’ll admit, I was hoping we’d match. Hi. She blinked at the boldness, a surprised laugh escaping her lips. 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗮: Confident ka ah. Algorithm ba o gut feeling? 𝗔𝘀𝗵: Maybe both. I like to think the app’s smarter than me, but I’m trusting my instincts on this one. Maya stared at his message, heat rising to her cheeks. She typed back, her heart pounding. 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗮: We’ll see if your instincts are any good. --- Ash closed his laptop, leaning back in his chair with a small, satisfied grin. He hadn’t expected the app to match him with someone like her—genuine, witty, and seemingly unafraid to be herself. He let out a breath, his fingers tapping idly on the desk. SoulLink had been his brainchild—or rather, NovaSpire’s latest venture. He’d joined the beta as a test, using a pseudonym to hide his identity as CEO. No fancy bios. No filters. Just Ash, stripped down to the basics. It was supposed to be just business. But Maya… she wasn’t like the others. He picked up his phone to check his schedule—his father, Reginald Reed, had demanded another “progress” meeting in the morning. The thought soured his mood immediately. “Reed, stop playing games with these projects. Focus on the bigger picture. NovaSpire must dominate the market.” The words rang in his ears, cold and familiar. Reginald had spent years molding Ash into the heir he wanted. But lately, all Ash could think about was breaking free—finding something real beyond his CEO title. And for the first time in a long while, he felt like he might have stumbled upon it. --- Back at Maya’s Apartment. “What’s that smile?” Ava’s voice broke through the phone speaker, dragging Maya out of her thoughts. Maya groaned, tucking the phone under her ear as she washed her mug in the sink. “Don’t start.” “Don’t start what? You’re smiling. Kilala kita, girl. Sino siya?” “Fine,” Maya muttered. “Nag-SoulLink ako.” The squeal that followed was deafening. “I knew it! Anong pangalan?” “Asher Reed.” “Asher Reed?” Ava paused. “Wait. Sounds familiar…” “Stop Googling people.” “Fine.” Ava huffed dramatically. “Pero, friend, happy ako for you. For real.” Maya rolled her eyes but couldn’t stop her own smile. Ash. Just the name made something flutter in her chest. She shook her head, shutting the feeling off. --- Curled up in bed, Maya stared at her phone, re-reading Ash’s messages. 𝗔𝘀𝗵: What’s your favorite book? And don’t say “it’s too hard to choose.” That’s cheating. 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗮: That’s literally the hardest question ever. But okay. Pride and Prejudice. Classic, I know. 𝗔𝘀𝗵: Timeless. Do you like Mr. Darcy because he’s rich, or because he’s misunderstood? 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗮: A bit of both. But mostly, I like that he grows as a person. Redemption arcs are underrated. She sighed, her heart doing an unfamiliar flutter. “Stop it, Maya,” she told herself. But it was hard to ignore how natural the conversation felt, how easy Ash made it to open up without feeling judged. Maya set her phone down, her pulse racing. There it was again—that spark of hope. She hated the idea. It had burned her before. And yet, for the first time in years, Maya felt the walls around her heart begin to crack. --- Sunday Morning. Ash walked into his father’s office, dressed in a crisp suit that felt like armor. Reginald Reed didn’t look up as he entered. “You’re late,” Reginald said, his voice cutting through the air like ice. “Good morning to you too, Dad,” Ash replied, his tone laced with sarcasm. Reginald finally looked at him, his expression stern. “Enough with your distractions, Reed. NovaSpire comes first. Always.” Ash clenched his jaw. He thought about Maya—about the woman who’d reminded him what it felt like to laugh. To connect. “There’s more to life than this,” he wanted to shout. But he didn’t. Not yet. --- Maya sat at her desk, her laptop open. Another notification from SoulLink. 𝗔𝘀𝗵: Dinner over FaceTime? Tomorrow? She blinked, surprised. Who suggested FaceTime dinners anymore? Her fingers hesitated. Then, smiling softly, she typed back. 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗮: Sure. Just don’t judge my cooking. --- Ash leaned back on the balcony of his family’s sprawling mansion, phone in hand, staring at Maya’s message. In the distance, he could hear Reginald shouting instructions at staff members below. Ash tuned it out. He had dinner plans tomorrow. And for once, he was looking forward to something not dictated by his father or NovaSpire.One Year Later Maya adjusted the hem of her elegant yet comfortable white dress as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. It was a simple yet stunning piece—soft, flowing fabric that accentuated her curves without being too extravagant. She never imagined she’d wear something like this again, not after the last time she dared to believe in forever. But this time, everything felt different. This time, it was real. A soft knock on the door broke her thoughts. Ava peeked in, her hazel eyes shining with excitement. "Girl, ready ka na ba? Or are you still having your signature ‘Maya overthinking moment’?" Maya let out a soft laugh. "I’m ready." And for the first time in a long time, she truly was. Ava grinned, stepping fully into the room, holding a bouquet of white peonies—Maya’s favorite. "Good. Kasi hindi na makapaghintay si Ash sa labas. Para siyang batang binilhan ng bagong laruan. Halatang kabado pero sobrang excited." Maya’s heart swelled at the thought of him. Ash.
Habang naghahanda si Maya para sa dinner date nila ni Ash, hindi niya mapigilang makaramdam ng konting kaba. Sa bawat galaw niya—pagpili ng damit, pagsusuot ng makeup, at pagkumpuni ng buhok—may halong excitement at nerbyos. Matagal na rin siyang hindi masyadong lumalabas ng ganito. Ngunit si Ash? He was different. Iba ang dating niya—kalmado pero intense, matalino pero humble, at higit sa lahat, totoo. "Ava," tawag ni Maya habang nagsusuot ng simpleng pearl earrings. "Okay na ba ‘to? Hindi naman masyadong formal, ‘di ba?" Naglakad si Ava papunta sa kanya at sinuri siya mula ulo hanggang paa. "Girl, you look hot. Pero ‘yung tanong talaga, ready ka na ba?" Napatingin si Maya sa salamin. Sa isang banda, handa siyang harapin si Ash, handa siyang malaman kung saan talaga patungo ang kanilang relasyon. Pero sa kabilang banda, natatakot pa rin siya. What if hindi pa rin niya kayang pagkatiwalaan ang pag-ibig? "Hindi ko alam," aminado niyang sabi. "Pero malalaman ko mamaya." --
Maagang nagising si Maya kinabukasan, puno ng energy mula sa gabi nila ni Ash. Habang nagtitimpla ng kape, napatingin siya sa cellphone niya, nagbabasakaling may message mula kay Ash. Nang makita niyang may notification, isang ngiti ang gumuhit sa labi niya. Ash: Good morning, beautiful. Hope you have a great day ahead. Coffee na ba? Hindi napigilan ni Maya ang kilig habang mabilis na nag-reply. Maya: Of course, nauna pa nga yata ako sa’yo. Busy day ahead, pero worth it after last night. You? Agad namang nag-reply si Ash. Ash: Meetings as usual, but I’ll survive. By the way, I booked us dinner for Saturday. It’s a surprise.Napangiti si Maya. Isa na namang bagay na aabangan. ---Samantala, nasa opisina na si Ava, sinusubukang mag-focus sa trabaho. Pero sa totoo lang, nag-e-echo pa rin sa utak niya ang sinabi ni Julian kagabi. “I can’t ignore how I feel anymore.” “Ava, ano ba?” bulong niya sa sarili habang binabasa ang report sa harap niya. “Focus. Work first, emotions la
Sa pagsisimula ng umaga, abala si Maya sa pag-aayos ng kanyang apartment. Hindi niya maikakaila ang excitement na nararamdaman. Sa kabila ng pagiging abala sa trabaho, hindi niya mapigilang maglaan ng oras para sa nalalapit nilang date ni Ash ngayong gabi. “Relax, Maya,” bulong niya sa sarili habang inaayos ang mesa. “It’s just dinner. Nothing too fancy.” Pero sa totoo lang, hindi lang ‘just dinner’ ang tingin niya rito. Lahat ng moments nila ni Ash ay parang espesyal, parang laging may kakaibang magic. ---Sa kabilang banda, si Ash ay nasa NovaSpire, nagtatapos ng ilang importanteng meeting. Bagama’t focus siya sa trabaho, hindi maiwasang magpunta ang isip niya kay Maya. “Sir Ash,” tawag ng assistant niya. “The board wants to finalize the budget proposal for the new SoulLink update.” Napabuntong-hininga siya pero ngumiti. “I’ll look into it tomorrow. Make sure Julian and Ava are looped in for any revisions.” Habang palabas ng opisina, iniisip niya ang sinabi ni Ava tungko
Ang huni ng umaga ang gumising kay Maya. Bumangon siya mula sa kama, pinagmasdan ang sikat ng araw na tumatagos mula sa kurtina. Hindi na niya kailangan ng alarm clock sa mga ganitong araw; sapat na ang liwanag na pumuno sa kwarto niya at ang init na hatid nito sa kanyang puso. Ngunit ngayong araw na ito, may kakaiba siyang nararamdaman—hindi takot, hindi alinlangan, kundi pag-asa. Pag-asa na dala ng mga pagpiling ginawa niya nitong mga nakaraang buwan. Habang naghahanda, nakatanggap siya ng mensahe mula kay Ash. Ash: Good morning. See you later?Maya smiled at the simplicity of his text. Diretso, walang paliguy-ligoy, pero ramdam niya ang sincerity ng bawat salitang kanyang binibitawan. Maya: Good morning. I’ll see you later. Coffee’s on me this time.---Sa kabilang banda, si Ash naman ay nagmamadaling nagbibihis sa kanyang penthouse. Sa kabila ng abalang schedule bilang CEO ng NovaSpire, sinigurado niyang maglaan ng oras para kay Maya. Hindi na siya katulad ng dati—yung Ash
Maya sat quietly on the couch, staring out of the window. The soft, golden light of the late afternoon bathed the room, making the whole place feel warm and cozy. Sa kabila ng lahat ng nangyari, naramdaman niya na unti-unting bumabalik ang kanyang lakas. May mga sandali pa rin ng pagdududa, pero sa bawat araw na lumilipas, natututo siyang tanggapin ang mga pagkatalo at tagumpay. It wasn’t about perfection anymore—it was about finding peace with herself and the choices she made.It had been a few days since their dinner, and everything seemed to be slowly falling into place. Ash, despite his responsibilities at NovaSpire, had been nothing but present in her life. It was easy to see that he was as invested in their relationship as she was. And for once, Maya felt no hesitation, no fear of abandonment. Hindi na siya natatakot na baka siya'y iwan, hindi na siya natatakot na masaktan. Maybe it was because she finally believed in herself, and because she believed in him."Hey, are you okay?
Habang si Maya at Ash ay patuloy na nagsasama sa kanilang mga bagong hakbang sa buhay, may mga pagkakataon na ang mga simpleng bagay ay nagiging dahilan para magtulungan at magbukas ng mga pinto para sa mas malalim na koneksyon. Sa kabila ng kanilang mga takot, mga tanong, at mga hindi inaasahang sitwasyon, natutunan nilang tanggapin ang bawat isa, pati na rin ang kanilang mga imperpeksiyon.Isang linggo matapos ang kanilang getaway, umuwi sila sa kanilang mga routine. Ash, na balik sa NovaSpire at sa mga makukulit na meetings, at si Maya, na patuloy na abala sa kanyang mga proyekto sa kumpanya. Ngunit kahit abala, natutunan nilang makahanap ng oras para sa isa't isa. Ang isang simpleng dinner date ay naging ang pagkakataon nila upang magbalik-tanaw sa mga nangyari at planuhin ang mga susunod na hakbang."Alam mo, Ash, ang mga simpleng sandali na ito, kaya ko na ngayong tanggapin," sabi ni Maya, habang binabaybay nila ang kalsada patungo sa isang maliit na restaurant na paborito nilan
Ang mga araw ay patuloy na dumadaan at para kay Maya, natututo siyang tanggapin ang lahat ng aspeto ng kanyang buhay. Dati-rati, lagi siyang nagmamadali, laging abala sa mga plano at mga bagay na kailangang tapusin. Pero ngayon, natutunan niyang huminto sandali at maglaan ng oras para sa mga bagay na mahalaga—para kay Ash, para sa kanilang relasyon, at higit sa lahat, para sa kanyang sarili.Isang umaga, habang nag-aayos siya ng mga dokumento sa opisina, nakatanggap siya ng mensahe mula kay Ash. Ang simpleng mensaheng iyon, na nagsasabing "Good morning, Maya," ay nagbigay ng ngiti sa kanyang mukha. Hindi na siya nagmamadali, hindi na siya natatakot. Kasi alam niyang kahit anong mangyari, nandiyan si Ash upang samahan siya.Nakatagilid siya sa mesa, pinagmamasdan ang cellphone habang iniisip ang mga tanong na patuloy na bumabagabag sa kanya. "Paano ba talaga ito magiging?" tanong niya sa sarili. Marami siyang mga pangarap at plano, pero hindi niya kayang ipagpaliban ang mga bagay na na
Ang umaga ng araw na iyon ay puno ng mga pag-aalala. Habang umuupo si Maya sa kanyang desk, hindi maiwasang mag-isip tungkol sa mga susunod na hakbang. Ang trabaho, pamilya, at ang relasyon nila ni Ash ay nagiging mas kumplikado. Sa kabila ng lahat ng ito, may isang bagay na hindi kayang burahin ni Maya sa kanyang isipan—ang mga tanong tungkol sa hinaharap nila ni Ash.Nagdaang linggo, marami na silang napag-usapan ni Ash, mula sa mga plano para sa kumpanya hanggang sa mga personal nilang pangarap. Pero ang tanong ng "paano kung?" ay patuloy na bumangon sa bawat desisyon na ginagawa nila.Habang hawak ang kanyang cellphone, si Maya ay nag-aalangan kung tatawagan si Ash o hindi. Gusto niyang malaman kung ano ang naiisip nito, kung handa ba silang magtulungan sa mga bagong hamon. Ngunit bago siya nakapag-desisyon, tumunog ang telepono niya. Si Ash. “Good morning, Maya,” sabi ni Ash, ang boses nito ay malambing at maasahan. “Are you okay? I know you’ve got a lot on your plate lately.”M
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