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Chapter 24

last update Huling Na-update: 2025-01-04 22:05:04

AVAS POV

Hindi 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
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  • Love in Beta   Chapter 25

    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

    Huling Na-update : 2025-01-04
  • Love in Beta   Chapter 26

    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

    Huling Na-update : 2025-01-05
  • Love in Beta   Chapter 27

    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

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  • Love in Beta   Chapter 28

    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

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  • Love in Beta   Chapter 29

    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

    Huling Na-update : 2025-01-05
  • Love in Beta   Chapter 30

    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

    Huling Na-update : 2025-01-05
  • Love in Beta   Chapter 31

    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

    Huling Na-update : 2025-01-05
  • Love in Beta   Chapter 32

    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

    Huling Na-update : 2025-01-05

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  • Love in Beta   Chapter 45

    The day started like any other, or so I thought. Ash had promised that he’d be back by dinner—he’d been so busy lately with work that I’d barely seen him for the past few days. I’d spent most of my day doing some work of my own, trying to keep myself occupied while waiting for him to finally come home. It was supposed to be a quiet night, just the two of us, catching up and relaxing. But as the hours passed and the sun dipped below the horizon, I started getting that nagging feeling that something was wrong.I called him twice, but he didn’t answer. It was unusual for Ash to not pick up, especially when he knew we had plans. My fingers hovered over the phone, wondering if I should call again, but before I could, my phone buzzed with a message from him.Asher: Hey, sorry babe. Something came up at the office. I’m going to be late tonight. I’ll explain later, promise.Something came up. That didn’t sound like him at all. He was always clear about his schedule. If he said he was going to

  • Love in Beta   Chapter 44

    The past few days had been… complicated, to say the least. Ever since that party, Victoria had been like a persistent shadow, constantly lurking around, trying to get under my skin. I tried my best to ignore her—after all, I had Ash, and that was all that mattered. But Victoria seemed determined to make my life as difficult as possible. I had a feeling she wasn’t just trying to win Ash back. She was trying to prove something. And unfortunately, I was the target.It was late afternoon when I got the first message. Victoria: Are you sure you know what you're getting into, Maya? I just don't want you to be another one of Ash's distractions. You deserve more, you know. But, if you're okay with playing second fiddle, that's on you.I stared at the screen for a moment, trying to keep my cool. But the more I read it, the more I felt my blood boil. Second fiddle? Distraction? I had been nothing but genuine with Ash, and yet here she was, trying to undermine me at every turn.I thought about

  • Love in Beta   Chapter 43

    As we made our way out of the party, my heart still racing from the encounter with Victoria, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. It was over. Or so I thought. Ash’s hand was a steady comfort in mine, and we walked towards the car, the cold night air refreshing after the suffocating tension in the ballroom.“Thank you for having my back,” I murmured, looking up at him, feeling the weight of the evening slowly lift.“Always,” Ash replied, squeezing my hand gently. “I’m sorry you had to deal with her tonight.”I shrugged, trying to push away the feeling of frustration that still lingered. “I can handle her. It’s just… sometimes I wonder why she’s still in the picture. She doesn’t know when to back off.”Ash’s jaw tightened slightly, but he said nothing more as we reached the car. The driver opened the door for us, and we slid into the backseat. I leaned against Ash, taking comfort in his presence, letting myself relax as the car started moving through the quiet streets. But just as I

  • Love in Beta   Chapter 42

    The night had started off so perfectly. After the tension with Victoria, I’d managed to shake off the discomfort and focused on enjoying the rest of the evening with Ash. We danced, we laughed, and I even felt a little bit more at home in the sea of well-dressed strangers. Ash was, as always, a calming presence beside me. But deep down, I couldn’t shake the feeling that tonight wasn’t over. Not yet.The soft murmur of conversations filled the large ballroom as we made our way through the crowd, Ash keeping a protective arm around me. We stopped to talk to a few more of his colleagues, and I was starting to feel more relaxed when, suddenly, the atmosphere shifted.I felt a chill that cut through the warmth of the room. I didn’t know why, but the air felt different, heavier. It wasn’t until I heard the high-pitched voice that I understood why.“Maya! What are you doing here?”Victoria.I didn’t even need to turn around to know it was her. The voice was unmistakable. I turned slowly, my

  • Love in Beta   Chapter 41

    It was the weekend, and Ash had invited me to a birthday party hosted by one of his business associates, a prominent figure in the tech industry. He had casually mentioned it the week before, but I wasn’t expecting the level of formality involved. I had heard a lot about these high-society gatherings before—glittering events filled with executives, politicians, and other influential people. I wasn’t exactly comfortable in those circles, but I was excited to be spending the evening with Ash, who promised to keep me grounded in the chaos.“I promise, it won’t be that bad,” he assured me when I expressed my nerves earlier in the day. He had even gone so far as to pick out my outfit—an elegant navy blue gown with subtle silver embroidery that made me feel like I was stepping into a different world. Ash was already dressed in his usual impeccable style, looking every bit the CEO he was, but with a kind, warm smile that made him approachable despite the polished persona. “You look stunning

  • Love in Beta   Chapter 40

    A few more weeks had passed since that perfect day at the park. Ngayon, ang relationship namin ni Ash seemed to be falling into a natural rhythm. We’d settled into a comfortable routine—hanging out after work, texting in the mornings and before bed, random date nights, and sometimes, even doing nothing but sitting in silence, just enjoying each other’s company. I still couldn’t get over how easy everything was between us. Wala nang awkwardness, wala nang pretense. It was just… us.But today, there was a certain excitement in the air. Ash had been texting me all morning with hints about a surprise he had planned, and I was getting curious.I’ll pick you up at 7. Wear something nice, but not too fancy. We’re going somewhere special tonight.I smiled to myself while reading his message. I wasn’t used to this kind of attention, this kind of thoughtful planning. I used to think that love had to be dramatic and loud, full of grand gestures and endless declarations. But with Ash, everything

  • Love in Beta   Chapter 39

    It’s been a month since we officially became a couple, and things were starting to feel... right. Hindi ko alam kung anong magic meron kami ni Asher, pero araw-araw, it just felt like we were getting closer. Everything was falling into place, and kahit na medyo may mga moments of uncertainty, parang lahat ng obstacles na dumarating were just part of the process. Every day was better than the last, and I couldn't help but feel like I was exactly where I was supposed to be.Today was a typical Saturday, pero this time, I had a feeling it would be a bit different. Ash had hinted the night before na meron siyang plano for us today, and I was honestly curious kung anong meron. I wasn’t the type to get all hyped up over surprises, pero with him, I couldn’t help but feel a little excited.As I sat at my kitchen counter, sipping my coffee, I checked my phone for messages. True enough, there was a text from Ash. Good morning, Maya. I know you probably have no idea what’s going on, but trust m

  • Love in Beta   Chapter 38

    Isang linggo na ang nakalipas mula nang maging official kami ni Ash, at honestly, I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt this content. Parang ordinaryo lang, pero hindi—everyday with him felt special, in the simplest ways possible. Wala nang grand gestures, but it was in the little things—like how he'd always check on me in the morning or how we'd send each other random memes throughout the day. It was becoming a routine, and I was loving it.I woke up early this Saturday, the sunlight peeking through the blinds of my room, and reached for my phone. I smiled the moment I saw the message from Asher.Good morning, Maya. How’d you sleep?I couldn’t help but smile at his simple message. I replied quickly.Good morning! Slept well, thanks. How about you?I waited for his reply, savoring the few quiet minutes before my day officially began. Minsan lang akong maging morning person, but with him, I was looking forward to starting the day right. Parang natural lang na may taong magmamagand

  • Love in Beta   Chapter 37

    Pagising ko kinabukasan, ang unang bagay na tumakbo sa isip ko ay si Ash. I couldn’t help it. After the events of yesterday, everything felt like a dream come true. Hindi ko pa rin ganap matanggap na magkasama kami now, officially, as in boyfriend-girlfriend na. Yesterday was perfect, but today—today was just as good.I rubbed my eyes, stretching as I sat up in bed, and glanced at my phone. I was half-expecting a message from Ash, and I wasn’t disappointed.Good morning, Maya. I hope you slept well. How about we grab breakfast together later?I smiled at the simplicity of it. It wasn’t grand or overly romantic, but it was just right. It felt real.Good morning, Ash. I did, thanks. Breakfast sounds perfect. See you in a bit?A few minutes later, he replied.I’ll pick you up in 30. Don’t keep me waiting.I chuckled. That was Ash, playful and direct. I stood up from the bed and started getting ready. It was strange, but in the best way possible, I felt a little lighter. I had nothing to

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