Chapter 2

The soft morning light spilled into Maya’s minimalist apartment, casting a warm glow on her beige walls and the scattered potted plants that added life to her space. She leaned back on her couch, one hand wrapped around a mug of coffee, the other holding her phone as her conversation with Ash continued.

𝗔𝘀𝗵: I’m glad we met on SoulLink. Sometimes, life has a way of putting the right people together in the most unexpected ways.

Maya smiled, taking a sip of her coffee. Where'd he learn that line? At a romcom screening? Still, there was something about him that felt genuine, even behind the screen.

𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗮: I know, right? Minsan, you don't even notice the things you're missing until someone drops into your life.

Her thumbs hovered over the keyboard for a moment before she added,

𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗮: Or maybe it's just luck. Di ba?

Before he could reply, a knock on her door snapped her attention away.

"Hoy, Maya! Open na alam ko nandito ka!" Ava’s familiar voice rang out.

Maya chuckled and put her coffee down. When she opened the door, Ava stood there with a bag of pastries and her signature radiant smile.

“Grabe, ha. Sabado na nga, hindi ka pa lumalabas. Anong update?” Ava breezed past her into the living room, dropping the bag on the table. “Sino siya? Sinong dahilan ng glow mo today?”

“Wala akong glow, Ava,” Maya countered, rolling her eyes but failing to hide her smile.

Ava gave her a knowing look. ”As someone who has no glow, ang saya ng aura mo, ha. Spill.”

With a sigh, Maya sat on the couch and told Ava about Asher.

“I don’t know,” Maya said, finishing her story. “Mukhang genuine siya, pero paano ko malalaman kung totoo nga ’yon? Baka naman catfish lang 'to or someone na maglalaro na naman ng feelings ko.”

Ava grabbed a croissant from the bag. “Girl, ano ka ba? Kung genuine naman siya, give it a chance. Kung hindi, eh di laglag na agad. Hindi mo malalaman kung hindi mo susubukan.”

Maya stared at her coffee mug, Ava’s words hanging in the air.

Ano nga bang mas masakit? Matakot nang magmahal, o maranasan ang ulit na masaktan?

---

In his sleek penthouse, Asher Reed set his phone down, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. The conversation with Maya felt refreshing, like a breath of fresh air in his otherwise calculated and pressurized world.

“She seems different,” he muttered to himself, staring at the view of the city skyline.

The sound of approaching footsteps interrupted his thoughts. Julian, his childhood friend and NovaSpire’s CTO, stepped in, holding a tablet.

“You’re up early,” Julian remarked, raising an eyebrow. “Or maybe you just didn’t sleep.”

“Couldn’t sleep,” Ash admitted, still distracted.

Julian glanced at the phone on the table and smirked. “Let me guess. Maya?”

Ash shot him a warning look, but Julian only laughed. “Relax, bro. You’ve been smiling like an idiot since you started talking to her. I’m just saying, maybe she’s what you need.”

“What I need is to keep my father off my back,” Ash muttered. “Reginald’s breathing down my neck about the app’s performance, and if he finds out I’m beta testing it myself...”

Julian shrugged. “Maybe he’ll understand. Or maybe not. Either way, you’re playing a dangerous game.”

Ash’s jaw tightened. He knew Julian was right. But for the first time in years, something—or rather, someone—made him feel like he could be more than just a CEO or a legacy.

Julian smirked. “Careful, man. Testing your app is one thing, but falling for someone through it? That’s a whole other game.”

“Maybe,” Ash admitted, his expression growing serious. “But she doesn’t know who I am. And for once, it’s nice not being treated like... the CEO.”

Julian nodded, but his gaze turned somber. “Just be honest with her when the time comes. Secrets have a way of ruining things.”

---

As the weekend rolled into Sunday evening, Maya found herself on a FaceTime call with Ash. Their conversation flowed effortlessly, covering everything from childhood memories to their shared love for ramen.

“Wait, seryoso ka?” Maya laughed, clutching her stomach. “Nahulog ka sa puno para lang hulihin yung pusang nyo?!”

Ash chuckled, scratching the back of his neck. “Hey, I was ten. It felt heroic at the time.”

“Heroic daw,” she teased, wiping a tear from her eye. “I can’t believe I’m talking to someone who risked his life for a stray cat.”

“Hey, that cat became my best friend,” he defended with a playful grin.

Maya’s laughter faded into a soft smile. For a moment, she forgot about her fears and doubts. Talking to Ash felt natural—like they’d known each other for years.

As their call ended, Maya lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. Maybe Ava was right. Maybe it was time to take a chance.

Little did she know, both their worlds were on the verge of colliding in ways neither of them could predict.

---

The following days went by in a blur. Maya had found herself checking her phone more often than she’d care to admit, waiting for Ash’s messages. Hindi naman siya obsessed—no way! Pero may kung anong bagay tungkol sa kanya na sobrang nakakaintriga. Parang kilala siya nito, kahit sa mga simpleng salita lang.

One afternoon habang nagla-lunch sa maliit niyang opisina, nag-buzz ang phone niya.

𝗔𝘀𝗵: Hey Maya, you busy?

Maya bit her lip. Hindi naman unusual na tanong iyon, pero for some reason, napapangiti siya.

𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗮: Not really, just finishing lunch. You?

A minute later, nag-reply siya agad.

𝗔𝘀𝗵: How about we grab dinner sometime? No pressure, just food and good company.

Maya’s heart skipped a beat. Dinner? She stared at the message, unsure kung anong isasagot. Hindi naman siya sigurado kung ready na ba siyang makipagkita sa personal. But then again... why not?

𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗮: That sounds nice... When were you thinking?

𝗔𝘀𝗵: How about Friday? I’ll keep it low-key. Just us and some good food. What do you say?

Maya took a deep breath. Okay, Friday na nga.