Maya stared at her phone, the text from Ava still burning in her mind. I found something. I'm not sure what it means, but you need to know. I'm sorry... The message was so vague, it only made her more anxious. She didn't know if she should respond now or wait until after the dinner. But then again, was it even something she could afford to ignore?"Everything okay?" Ash asked, his voice gentle yet laced with concern.Maya blinked and quickly tucked her phone back in her bag, forcing a smile. "Yeah, just... work stuff. Nothing to worry about."Ash didn't look convinced. "Are you sure? You seem a little distracted. I thought tonight was about you and me."The way he said it, so soft and sincere, made her heart skip a beat. But the urgency in her gut told her that whatever Ava had discovered couldn't wait. The words "I'm sorry" echoed in her mind, and it felt like the ground was shifting beneath her feet."I'm sorry," Maya muttered, a little too quickly. "I just... I need to check someth
The following days felt like a blur.Maya couldn't stop replaying everything in her mind-the dinner with Ash, the strange tension between them, and Ava's warning that kept echoing in her head. He's not who you think he is. What did that even mean? Maya wanted to push it all aside and focus on her work, but the questions kept circling. Was she really ready to trust Ash, knowing that there was something she didn't know about him? She wasn't sure.She tried to distract herself, but every little thing seemed to remind her of him. His name popping up in her notifications, the way his eyes would soften when they talked, the subtle way he made her laugh even when she didn't want to.But then, just when she thought she was beginning to get a grip on her emotions, she got another text from Ava. Her hands were trembling as she read the message.Ava: I found out more. You have to confront him. You can't keep ignoring it. I'm scared, Maya.Maya's heart sank. The more Ava tried to warn her, the mo
The days that followed felt like an emotional roller coaster for Maya. She couldn't shake off the conversation she had with Ash. His words kept replaying in her head, "I'll prove it to you. I just need a little time." But despite his earnestness, something inside her was still unsettled. The nagging doubts, the warnings from Ava, and the lingering feeling that there was more to Ash than what he was letting on... It all swirled inside her like a storm she couldn't control.Maya tried to distract herself with work, but it felt different now. Everything felt distant. Even her usual back-and-forth with Ava couldn't keep her mind off of him. Ash had left her with so many questions, and every time she saw a notification from him or saw his name flash across her screen, her heart would skip a beat.That Friday, as the weekend loomed closer, Maya found herself in the familiar silence of her apartment, surrounded by her scattered thoughts. She decided to go for a walk, hoping the fresh air wou
The coffee in front of Maya had long gone cold, but she didn't care. Ash was sitting across from her, his presence dominating the small café, and Maya couldn't seem to take her eyes off him. The air between them was thick with the things left unsaid. She had heard his words, had listened carefully, but there was still something she couldn't quite grasp. Her heart still felt like it was in a state of constant tug-of- war-between the part of her that wanted to believe, and the part of her that was too scared to hope.Ash leaned forward slightly, his eyes never leaving hers. "Maya," he began, his voice soft yet steady, "I know that I've been distant lately. I know it must have hurt you. But I promise you, it wasn't because I didn't care about you. It's just... things aren't simple for me. I have so many things in my life I can't explain just yet."Maya's gaze faltered for a moment. She felt herself getting lost in his blue eyes again. As much as she wanted to believe him, as much as a pa
Ava's POVWala na akong ibang maiisip kundi si Maya. Alam ko kasing she's been struggling these past few days. Hindi ko na siya nakikita as her usual bubbly self. I could tell that something was bothering her, but she just kept brushing it off whenever I asked her. I was starting to think na baka si Ash na naman ang dahilan.Kahit na hindi ko kilala si Ash nang personal, I could see how much he meant to Maya. They've been talking nonstop these past few weeks, and I knew from the way Maya smiled at her phone na may something special between them. I was happy for her, honestly. She deserves someone who'll treat her right after everything that's happened in her life.But still, there was this nagging feeling na parang may kulang. I've been trying to shake off this suspicion, pero every time na nag-uusap kami ni Maya about him, there's always this look in her eyes na parang... I don't know. Parang hesitant, pero hopeful at the same time.This morning, nag-usap kami ni Maya after her meeti
Maya's POVThe days following my last dinner with Ash felt like a blur, a series of fleeting moments that left me both light and heavy at the same time. His words echoed in my head, especially the way he told me he wanted me to see him- the real him-and not just the CEO, not just the man behind SoulLink. It's been hard for me to believe him, to let myself fall into this feeling that kept stirring inside me. But the way he made me feel seen, understood-it's something I hadn't experienced before.Sana hindi ako magkamali.I didn't tell Ava about our dinner. She'd been asking more questions lately, and I wasn't sure I was ready to explain the things I was feeling. Not when it still didn't make sense to me. Asher was so different from the guy I imagined him to be. The walls he had built around himself were real, but so were the cracks I saw every time we talked. Still, I couldn't deny that I was drawn to him. And yet, there was still a part of me- nag-aalangan parin-afraid that things wou
AVA'S POVIt's funny how life throws curveballs when you least expect it.I was just sitting on my couch, scrolling through my phone like I always do when I'm avoiding the chaos of my thoughts. My mind was on autopilot, and I was so focused on the meme I was reading that I didn't even notice the text message from Maya until it was too late. I had been meaning to call her for hours, to tell her everything, but every time I thought about it, my stomach twisted. I didn't want to worry her. Hindi ko pa nga rin sigurado kung tama ang ginagawa ko, pero nararamdaman kong kailangan ko itong ibahagi.I texted her first.Ava: Maya, I need to talk to you. There's something you don't know.I saw her reply almost immediately.Maya: What's going on?The moment I saw that message, I realized how cryptic and vague my words had been. Was I really ready to tell her everything? The truth about Ash? The things I had uncovered?But I couldn't back out now.Ava: I think I found something. About Ash. Someth
MAYA'S POVI sat in my car, staring at the screen of my phone. Nandiyan na naman ang message ni Ava-ang huling mga salitang binitiwan niya na nag-uudyok sa puso ko na magtulungan kami, pero may isang bahagi ng akin na ayaw makinig. I didn't want to believe it. Ayoko pang isipin na may itinatagong mali si Ash. Hindi ko kayang mawalan ng tiwala sa kanya. Hindi ko pa kayang makapaghanda para sa kung anuman ang lihim na tinatago niya.Pero... kung may itinatago nga ba siya, anong klaseng relasyon ang meron kami?Sighing, I finally hit the gas and started driving toward Ash's place. I didn't even know if I was ready to face him or if I was simply running away from the uncertainty that had been eating me up ever since I got that message from Ava. But deep inside, I knew I had no other choice. Kung gusto ko talagang malaman ang katotohanan, kailangan ko siyang tanungin.I arrived at his apartment complex and parked my car. Pagdating ko sa building, I took a deep breath. Ang dibdib ko ay para
Maya felt a flutter in her chest as she stared at herself in the bathroom mirror. She was nervous—no, more like terrified. She had been dating Ash for a couple of months now, but today was different. Today, he was going to meet someone important: her mother, Rachel.“Are you sure about this, Maya?” she muttered under her breath, adjusting her hair for what felt like the hundredth time. Her phone buzzed on the counter, breaking her thoughts. It was a message from Ash. “On my way. Should I bring flowers? Or maybe wine? :)”Maya laughed softly, feeling the nerves settle slightly. Asher always had a way of lightening the mood, even with the simplest gestures. She quickly typed back.“No need for wine yet, just bring yourself. My mom’s a sucker for genuine smiles, so you should be okay.”It was true. Her mom, Rachel, had always been warm and welcoming, but she could be a little protective when it came to Maya’s relationships. After everything Maya had gone through with her father and the
Maya sat in the cozy corner of her apartment, the soft hum of city life outside blending with the low volume of the music playing in the background. Her thoughts were swirling, but they were different now. She wasn’t running away from them anymore. Hindi na siya takot. And for the first time in what felt like forever, she was allowing herself to feel everything that she was beginning to feel for Ash. It had been a month since their spontaneous day trip, and things between them had only gotten deeper. They had shared more moments, laughed at silly things, and spent late-night conversations talking about everything and nothing at all. Maya could feel the connection between them growing stronger with each passing day. She wasn’t sure how it happened, but it was undeniable now. Ash wasn’t just the guy from SoulLink anymore. He was becoming a part of her life, someone who made her heart feel safe, heard, and seen.Her phone buzzed, pulling her from her thoughts. It was Ash.“I’ll be there
Maya sat at her favorite café, the warm aroma of freshly brewed coffee mixing with the slight crispness in the air. The past few weeks had been a whirlwind of emotions, but in the best way possible. Every time she saw Ash, she felt both grounded and elevated at the same time. They were taking things slow, yes, but there was no denying that something deeper was beginning to grow between them. As she stirred her coffee absentmindedly, her phone buzzed on the table. It was a message from Ash. “Good morning, Maya. I’ve been thinking about last night... dinner was great. I enjoy every moment I spend with you. You make everything feel light. I’m really happy that we’re doing this.”She smiled, her fingers hovering over the screen as she typed her response.“I’m happy too, Ash. I didn’t think I could feel this comfortable with someone again, but here we are. Let’s keep this going, one day at a time.”As she sent the message, a warm feeling spread in her chest. It was crazy to think how far
Maya sat at her desk, the soft hum of the office around her barely registering. Her thoughts kept drifting back to the afternoon she had spent with Ash. Their conversation, the honesty in his eyes—it was everything she had wanted to hear, but still, a part of her hesitated. Hindi siya sigurado kung kaya niyang bitawan ang mga takot na matagal nang nakatanim sa puso niya. But something had shifted inside her. Maybe it was the way he had looked at her when he said he was willing to try. Hindi niya pa kayang magtiwala nang buo, but maybe she could allow herself to take it one day at a time. She tapped the edge of her coffee cup, lost in thought, when a notification from her phone broke her reverie. It was from Ash. “Good morning, Maya. I’ve been thinking about our conversation. I know we’re taking it slow, and I respect that. But I just wanted to say, I’m happy that we’re doing this. Let’s keep taking things one step at a time. I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.”Her heart fluttered
The days after their conversation at the café felt like a blur. A part of Maya was still processing everything that had happened, but she couldn’t deny the small flicker of hope that had sparked inside her. She had agreed to give Ash a chance—to let him prove that his feelings for her were genuine. Pero, as much as she wanted to believe him, she couldn’t just forget everything so easily. Hindi siya ganoon. Hindi siya ganoon ka-bilis magtiwala ulit.It wasn’t just about him being a CEO. It was about the lies, the secrets, and the fact that, at one point, he had hidden his true self from her. And now, she was supposed to pick up the pieces and pretend like nothing had happened? Hindi. Hindi pa siya handa para doon. Not yet.She had been avoiding him for a few days after their talk, not because she was mad, but because she needed space. Hindi niya kayang magdesisyon agad-agad. Every time she thought of him, she felt the weight of his promises, but also the weight of the past. The trauma
Maya sat down, her heart pounding in her chest as she stared at Ash. He had that look in his eyes—conflicted, vulnerable—but also resigned. There was no way around this now. She had to know the truth, even if it broke her heart in the process. The café was quiet, the hum of the city outside the only sound between them. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Maya waited, her fingers tightening around the cup in front of her, feeling the coldness seeping through the ceramic.Ash exhaled deeply, running a hand through his hair before meeting her gaze. “Maya, I know I’ve hurt you. And I know I’ve lied to you. But I never meant for any of this to happen.” He paused, like the weight of his own words was almost too much to bear. “I’m not just the guy you’ve been talking to on SoulLink. I—”“I know,” Maya interrupted, her voice surprisingly calm. Her eyes didn’t waver from his face. “I found out. That you’re Asher Reed. CEO of NovaSpire.”The silence that followed felt heavy, as if the air its
Maya's POVMaya sat quietly in the corner of the cafe, fingers absentmindedly tracing the rim of her coffee cup. Her mind was a whirlwind, swirling with thoughts she couldn’t quiet. The words Ash had said earlier that night—“Maya, I need you to trust me.”—kept echoing in her head, but they felt like a distant plea, one that she wasn’t sure how to respond to anymore.Naalala ko pa nung una, when we first matched on SoulLink. Back then, everything felt so effortless, so simple. Ang saya ko pa nga nung may nakakausap akong someone who seemed to understand me, without the baggage of being the "CEO" or "rich kid" na laging hawak ng mga tao kay Asher. But now, everything was different. Now, there were secrets, expectations, betrayals... and a future neither of them could ever fully control."Hey, are you okay?" Ava’s voice broke through the fog of her thoughts. Maya looked up to find her best friend standing in front of her, concern etched on her face. Ava, ever the empath, must have sense
AVAS POVIsang linggo na ang lumipas mula nang magkausap kami ni Julian, pero kahit anong gawin ko, hindi ko pa rin maiwasang mag-isip. Ang mga tanong na hindi ko pa nasasagot, mga bagay na hindi ko pa lubos na naiintindihan. Ano ba talaga ang nangyari sa amin ni Liam? Bakit ba ako napagod ng ganito? And why does it still feel like I'm holding on to something that's already broken?That day, I had a meeting with a client. Medyo maaga pa, so I had the whole afternoon to myself. I decided to go for a walk to clear my mind. When I reached the park, I took a seat on the bench, looking at the people around me. Some were walking their dogs, others jogging, while some were just simply enjoying the warm sunlight. It felt peaceful, yet somehow, my mind was still full of noise. Lahat ng nangyari, lahat ng iniwasan ko, parang andiyan pa rin, nag-aantay na masaktan ako ulit.It didn't take long before my phone vibrated in my bag. I knew it was from Julian."Hey, I hope you're doing okay. I'm just
AVAS POVHindi ko alam kung anong nararamdaman ko. Parang may mabigat na bagay na bumagsak sa dibdib ko, but I couldn't cry. Hindi ko kayang umiyak sa harap ni Liam. Kung kaya ko lang magpanggap na okay lang ako, I would. Pero hindi ko na kayang magsinungaling.The whole walk back to my apartment felt like I was carrying the weight of the world. Ang laking pagbabago ng nararamdaman ko. Gabi na, at parang ang lamig sa labas, but it felt like the coldness inside me was worse. Hindi ko alam kung anong nangyari kay Liam. Was he really sincere? Or baka ako lang yung tanga na nahulog na naman sa manipulation niya. Pero kung may natutunan man ako mula sa lahat ng ito, it's that I can't keep lying to myself. I had to be strong. I couldn't keep falling for someone who would only bring me pain in the end.Pagdating ko sa apartment, I threw my bag on the couch and collapsed on the bed, trying to shake off the feeling that something was missing. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang nararamdaman ko. But one